Seeing the crowd's reaction, Guo Jiwang continued, "Therefore, I must go to Yi Province. You all stay here, guard the county office, and do your duties."
The county magistrate opened his mouth as if to say something, but after being glanced at by Guo Jiwang, he swallowed his words back.
It is completely against the rules for a county magistrate to leave his jurisdiction without cause!
However, Guo Jiwang had done too many things that were against the rules in the past, so when he proposed to leave the county for a few days, the officials were both surprised and felt that this was very much in line with his usual style.
There's no way to stop them; are we supposed to write a letter accusing them of desertion?
The group exchanged glances; none of them shared the same idea.
Then we have no choice but to cooperate.
After the officials left, Zhou Zhengqing strode into the main hall. He was usually calm, but at this moment he was unusually anxious.
"My lord, are you really going to Yi Province with Wu Shuangren?"
"Right."
Zhou Zhengqing immediately became anxious. "You are a dignified county magistrate. It is only right for you to stay in the rear and coordinate the operations. How can you personally brave arrows with the army? This journey to Yi Province is extremely dangerous. What if something happens to you?"
"Zhengqing."
Guo Jiwang stood up, his eyes gleaming with an almost fanatical fervor. "This time will indeed be very dangerous, but it's also an opportunity! I've waited so many years. If I only dare to hide in the back at this crucial moment, how am I any different from those good-for-nothings I've cursed in the past?!"
Zhou Zhengqing looked into Guo Jiwang's eyes, remained silent for a long while, then bowed deeply.
"In that case, I am willing to accompany you, sir."
Guo Jiwang smiled and helped the other person up, "You've been trapped here with me for years, it's time to go out and see the world."
He told Zhou Zhengqing to prepare the formalities, then quickly walked out of the main hall and privately found Peng Yu, the county magistrate of West River County.
"Lord Peng, please bring me all the leather armor from the storeroom; I'll take it with me."
Guo Jiwang uttered words that made Peng Yu's expression change immediately upon opening his mouth.
"Your Excellency, please don't joke around!"
Peng Yu shook his head violently, firmly disagreeing.
Guo Jiwang said seriously, "I'm not joking. If we can't stop the Mount Liang army in Yi Province, and they come to our gates, whether West River County has these dozens of sets of leather armor or not won't change the outcome. So what use are these leather armors to you?"
"Can..."
"I promise you, if you lend me these leather armors, I will return them to you in perfect condition after the matter is settled, and you will also receive a substantial reward!"
"This..."
"You have served me for many years, and when have I ever failed to keep my promises?"
Peng Yu's expression kept changing, but finally he gritted his teeth and said, "Fine, I'll trust you one more time!"
That afternoon, Wu Shuangren and his guards rode away from West River County.
Two more people joined the group: Guo Jiwang and Zhou Zhengqing. Guo Jiwang had changed into a blue robe, and his bag was full of wine.
In addition, he also took fifty-two sets of leather armor and seven warhorses from the county government office!
Fortunately, Wu Shuangren was not short of money and food for the time being, so Guo Jiwang did not take any from the county government. Otherwise, no matter how you looked at it, he would have looked like he was going to 'abscond with the money'.
Both Guo Jiwang and Zhou Zhengqing were good at riding horses, and the West River Market.
On the way, Guo Jiwang rode alongside Wu Shuangren and asked, "Why did you immediately agree to send troops as soon as I said we could go to Yi Province together? Aren't you afraid of being tricked by me?"
Wu Shuangren smiled, turned to look at Guo Jiwang, and said, "If a dignified county magistrate like you is willing to risk your life to go to Yi Province, what do I have to hesitate about?"
Guo Jiwang loudly. "I've staked my position as county magistrate and my own life, while you've staked your hard-earned business and thousands of lives! You've taken a bigger gamble."
Wu Shuangren laughed as well, "I have heard a saying that everyone in the world is a gambler."
"Oh?"
"Those who choose not to gamble are simply accepting that they will lose." (Note 1)
"Haha, that's quite an interesting statement!"
In fact, Wu Shuangren did not only risk sending troops because Guo Jiwang to go with him.
Instead, after weighing the pros and cons, they chose to take a risk.
The chances of winning by holding out in Bo County are too slim, and besides, I've always preferred to take the initiative and attack!
"But you're right, sir, I'm betting even more!"
As the sun set, a group of people sped along the official road, their future uncertain.
Wu Shuangren his horse forward, displaying a unique and spirited demeanor!
Note 1: This is a joke, please don't take it seriously. Cherish life, stay away from gambling!
122. Speed is of the essence in war; a merciful commander cannot lead an army.
Guo Jiwang and Zhou Zhengqing followed Wu Shuangren to West Village first.
Chen Tie had received advance notice, and by the time Wu Shuangren arrived with his men, he had already assembled all five battalions of the Second Battalion on the drill ground.
Five hundred people lined up in five square formations, waiting quietly in the twilight.
Guo Jiwang looked at the militiamen and nodded secretly.
In his view, the morale and spirit of these militiamen far surpassed that of the Zhang Clan's former militia!
"Set off."
Without wasting words, Wu Shuangren nodded to Chen Tie and immediately ordered them to set off.
It was already evening when the group returned to West River Market.
Wu Shuangren ordered his personal guards and the militia of the Second Battalion to have dinner, and then ordered all battalion commanders, deputy battalion commanders, and company commanders to attend a meeting in the council hall.
A moment later, the council chamber was full of people.
Bai Jinhuan, Chen Tie, Feng Ping, and the captains of each brigade, Mo Zhengxing, and Luo Heng also arrived.
Guo Jiwang sat to one side listening, with Zhou Zhengqing standing behind him.
Wu Shuangren, seated in the main seat, cut to the chase. "The Mount Liang rebels in Rong Province have gathered tens of thousands of men and breached the Rong Province City! Now, Mount Liang has split into two groups: one with 20,000 men is heading north to attack Ya Province, and the other with 6,000 men is heading south towards Yi Province."
An uproar erupted in the council chamber; some gasped, while others instinctively clenched their fists.
"If the Mount Liang army breaks through Yi Prefecture City, they will surely continue to capture the other counties, and Bo County will inevitably fall..."
Wu Shuangren's gaze swept over everyone present, and he said decisively, "I will not run away! Nor will I surrender! But it would be foolish to hold out for Bo County to the death. Even a prefecture city with higher walls and better defenses couldn't be held, how can we, a few thousand people, possibly hold out for a small county town?"
"Therefore, we only have one path before us—to launch an attack and find opportunities to defeat the enemy one by one!"
Upon hearing these words, Mo Zhengxing's face turned deathly pale. His lips moved as if he wanted to say something, but seeing Wu Shuangren's expression, he ultimately just pursed his lips and remained silent.
Bai Jinhuan was the first to stand up and roared, "If the Mount Liang bandits attack, none of our families in Bo County will escape! My life, Bai Jinhuan's life, already belongs to the commander-in-chief. As long as the commander-in-chief gives the order, I'll be the first to go through fire and water!"
"I am willing to follow the regiment commander to fight the enemy!"
Chen Tie immediately stood up and slammed his right fist into his chest.
"I am willing to follow the regiment commander to fight the enemy!"
"I am willing to follow the regiment commander to fight the enemy!"
"..."
One by one, the people present stood up and shouted loudly.
These people are all from Bo County, and their families are all Bo County. So they are not just shouting slogans; they are genuinely willing to fight for their families!
Guo Jiwang watched this scene from his seat and nodded secretly.
The morale of the troops is high!
Someone like Zhang He, unable to unite his subordinates and constantly embroiled in internal strife during a life-or-death crisis, what can he possibly accomplish?
At least Wu Shuangren's men are united, and his personal prestige is enough to subdue everyone.
In Guo Jiwang's view, if even this cannot be done, going to Yi Prefecture City is just suicide!
Wu Shuangren gestured for everyone to sit down again, then pointed to Guo Jiwang and introduced him briefly, "This is Mr. Guo, the strategist I invited."
Guo Jiwang's identity as county magistrate was not suitable to be made public, so he was referred to as a military advisor.
Everyone looked at Guo Jiwang with curious eyes.
Guo Jiwang remained composed and unfazed, declaring loudly, "Speed is of the essence in war! The Mount Liang forces are already on their way. We must reach Yi Prefecture City ahead of them, and the fastest way is by both land and water. The Grand Canal is the fastest route from West River Market to Yi Prefecture City. Weapons, equipment, and provisions will all be transported by water to the Yi Province docks first. The rest of us will travel light and take the official roads. This will at least double our marching speed!"
Wu Shuangren immediately looked at Luo Heng: "How many cargo ships are currently docked at the pier?"
Three.
Luo Heng replied.
"Requisition everything, pay them in full, unload all the cargo from the ships, and load them with grain, fodder, and military equipment."
Without hesitation, Wu Shuangren issued the order, "Load enough rations for three thousand men and one hundred horses for twenty days, and load all the leather armor and iron armor from the storerooms; also load two thousand arrows and eight hundred shields... Is there anything else?"
He had absolutely no experience with long marches involving thousands of people, so he decisively sought advice.
Bai Jinhuan immediately added, "Commander, we also need to bring wound medicine, as well as herbs like mugwort and patchouli; we also need to prepare cloth strips and strong liquor for treating the wounded; and various cooking utensils, flint, tents, and spare clothes; we also need to prepare a large batch of weapons, in case our knives get dulled or our spears break, we'll need replacements..."
He listed the items one by one according to the military treatise, clearly having memorized them thoroughly.
Guo Jiwang couldn't help but glance at Bai Jinhuan again, a hint of approval flashing in his eyes. He had assumed that no one on Wu Shuangren's side had relevant experience and was prepared to offer some advice, but now that Bai Jinhuan had explained things in detail, he didn't need to add anything.
Wu Shuangren noted all of this down, then turned to Mo Zhengxing, "You are in charge of allocating these supplies. Everything must be loaded onto the ship tonight."
"Yes!"
Mo Zhengxing looked very serious.
Having decided on the supplies to bring, Wu Shuangren began to plan another task.
"Feng Ping."
"Exist!"
"Select the five best-performing battalions from the recruit camp and assign them to the Second Battalion."
"Yes!"
Feng Ping stood at attention and saluted.
This was something he had anticipated, but he hadn't expected it to happen so quickly.
Wu Shuangren then said to Chen Tie, "Chen Tie, you break up the five new recruit battalions and mix them with the five veteran battalions of the Second Battalion. Make sure each battalion is half veteran and half new recruit. The reorganization must be completed tonight, and make sure everyone remembers their captain, company commander, and battalion commander."
"Yes!"
Chen Tie also stood up and bowed.
Luo Heng.
"Exist!"
"You must ensure that any messages sent by the Flying Feather Hall during this period reach me as soon as possible. While the army is on the move, you must arrange for personnel to maintain constant contact with me."
"Yes!"
"Everyone, go and get ready."
Wu Shuangren stood up and gestured for everyone to go about their own business.
In the end Guo Jiwang remained in the council hall.
"Militia Commander Wu is better than I expected; the division of labor is clear, and they work in a methodical way."
Guo Jiwang was lavish in his praise.
Wu Shuangren smiled and asked, "What are your chances of success, sir?"
Guo Jiwang did not answer immediately, but instead asked, "Knowing yourself and your enemy is the key to victory in every battle. Besides what I see now, I want to know what other trump cards Militia Commander Wu has up his sleeve?"
Without hesitation, Wu Shuangren said directly, "There are still forty sets of infantry armor in the warehouse, which were obtained from Mist Hidden Temple. Mist Hidden Temple should still have sixty sets of infantry armor now."
"Infantryman A?"