RWNEFE -Chapter 270 Testing Liang Shao!

Qian Feng and the others all showed displeasure. They had wanted the General to come meet them—what kind of person was he?

Wei Dongzhu’s face darkened as he said, “The three Turkic tribes have been testing us repeatedly. General Shen went out of the city to deal with them.”

Zhou Ruan frowned instead of praising. “Wasn’t she supposed to recruit troops? How could she leave her post and go out on her own? There are so many men here—why send only a woman? If the three Turkic tribes see that we only sent a woman, won’t they think little of Da Zhou?”

The thought that the northwest campaign might be affected because of Shen Lanxi made Zhou Ruyuan furious.

Shen Lanxi really had no sense at all. A woman in battle? Doesn’t she know that sending a woman would make the Turkic tribes mock Da Zhou for having no capable men?

Wei Dongzhu spoke coldly: “When the Second Prince hadn’t arrived, the Northern Garrison was entirely commanded by General Shen. That’s how we were able to retake a city in such a short time!”

Hearing this, Zhou Ruan’s face instantly darkened. He had thought that on the grain-borrowing journey, he had already won over Wei Dongzhu, but now he found Wei Dongzhu speaking in Shen Lanxi’s favor.

Was it true that heroes are powerless against beautiful women—or had the two already formed a secret alliance?

Thinking of Shen Lanxi’s face, Zhou Ruan’s lips curled downward. Compared with her, these two around him really were mediocre beauties.

“Second Prince, with so many men here, how can you let a woman go to the battlefield? My father always said: when women go to war, it’s unlucky. In ten battles, eight or nine would be lost,” Sun Miaoling whispered into Zhou Ruan’s ear.

Zhou Ruan’s eyes swept to Qian Feng and the others. “You’re all still here, aren’t you? Why don’t you go? Why let Shen Lanxi go?”

Qian Feng restrained his anger and said, “We would like to go, but we need to defend against strong enemies. We can’t all go deal with the three Turkic tribes.”

Zhou Ruan didn’t believe him: “Strong enemies? Other than the three Turkic tribes, what other strong enemies are there?”

Qian Feng replied, “Surely the Second Prince has heard of the Northwest King, Liang Shao?”

Of course he had. That so-called Northwest King was nothing more than a violent rebel leader—a traitor.

“Of course I know.”

Qian Feng said, “Liang Shao is leading a large army outside Huangtu City.”

Zhou Ruan’s heart skipped a beat. He thought he had misheard, and hurriedly asked again: “Are you sure it’s the Northwest King, Liang Shao?”

Qian Feng: “Confirmed. Liang Shao already sent a messenger. He intends to submit and place himself under the Northern Garrison!”

Zhou Ruan didn’t believe it.

“A trap, definitely a trap. Isn’t he fighting Zhou Ruyuan in Dongchuan? How could he suddenly appear here? Is he planning to take advantage of the chaos and seize the northwest?”

Qian Feng: “We thought the same. That’s why General Shen was sent to deal with the three Turkic tribes while we stayed behind to defend. It also serves to deter Liang Shao—seeing that we haven’t sent the entire army out, he certainly won’t act rashly!”

Zhou Ruan had intended to use this opportunity to suppress Shen Lanxi, but now he realized it wasn’t the right time.

“Enter the city first.”

“Yes!”

If Liang Shao wanted to capture him and use him to threaten the Northern Garrison, that would be disastrous.

Zhou Ruan, impatient with the slow pace, urged those accompanying him to spur their horses into the city.

Seeing Zhou Ruyuan’s dark expression, Sun Miaoling and Chen Mianmian exchanged a glance and obediently stayed silent.

Shen Lanxi received news that the three Turkic tribes had dared to send troops to Qinglong Lake to massacre civilians—a crime beyond forgiveness!

She ordered: “Today, the Northern Garrison will strike with full force. Any foreigner who steps into Da Zhou territory will be completely annihilated!”

The Northern Garrison hadn’t fought a battle for months. No battles meant no rewards, no promotions. Hearing Shen Lanxi’s words, they cheered and volunteered eagerly.

Che Mingyuan thought of Liang Shao outside the city and an idea came to mind.

“General, don’t rush. I have a plan.”

Shen Lanxi: “Speak.”

Che Mingyuan: “Liang Shao said he wanted to submit to our Northern Garrison. Now is the best opportunity to let him prove his loyalty!”

Shen Lanxi’s eyes glimmered. She understood Che Mingyuan’s meaning.

“You want Liang Shao to send troops to eliminate the three tribes?”

Che Mingyuan smiled faintly: “If he strikes the three Turkic tribes, it will create a blood feud. This will cut off any possibility of Liang Shao allying with them.”

It’s also a test—if Liang Shao dares to destroy the tribal forces, it proves he has no alliance with the Turkic tribes!

Shen Lanxi’s eyes lit up, approving: “There’s something to learn from everyone. In the future, anyone with a good plan, speak up. I am not the type to act arbitrarily and ignore advice!”

Xiao Fang led the praise: “General, you are wise and mighty, the first of our age!”

The others immediately joined in the cheers.

After the cheering subsided, Shen Lanxi said: “This idea is excellent. Chief Strategist Che deserves credit. I’ve said before that merit must be rewarded. I grant you five thousand taels of silver and let you choose any two items from the treasury!”

Che Mingyuan raised his voice: “Thank you, General! I gratefully accept your reward!”

Shen Lanxi immediately sent messengers to inform Liang Shao and then mobilized three thousand troops, heading straight for Qinglong Lake.

The irrigation project at Qinglong Lake was still underway. There were not only civilians but also Northern Garrison soldiers present.

On the way, Shen Lanxi’s forces encountered the Turkic tribal coalition.

“General, ahead is the Turkic tribal coalition!” a scout reported.

Che Mingyuan frowned: “Looks like we won’t be waiting for Liang Shao.”

Xiao Fang stepped forward: “General, I volunteer for the battle.”

Shen Lanxi ordered Qian Feng to stand by and asked the scout: “How many troops does the coalition have?”

Scout: “Approximately five thousand.”

Shen Lanxi sneered: “For a small lake like Qinglong, they’re willing to commit so many troops!”

Che Mingyuan thought: “They probably want to warn us.”

Xiao Fang, impatient: “General, with just two thousand of our troops, we could bury all five thousand of theirs here!”

Shen Lanxi: “Scout further!”

Che Mingyuan comforted Xiao Fang: “Don’t you understand? Eliminating the tribal forces isn’t the main objective today.”

The main goal today was to make Liang Shao surrender.

Xiao Fang, anxious: “Liang Shao is so slow. Does he really intend to submit to our Northern Garrison?”

Che Mingyuan: “Why rush? The tribal forces haven’t attacked yet.”

Xiao Fang relaxed. Liuyan Hui and Wei Dongzhu each had tasks, leaving him idle. If he were in Che Mingyuan’s place, watching colleagues achieve merits while he did nothing, would he not be anxious?

Suddenly, the rumble of hooves and ground shook the air.

The scout quickly reported: “General, Liang Shao’s troops have arrived. He’s leading them personally!”

Shen Lanxi: “Prepare for battle!”

Xiao Fang immediately passed down the orders.

Liang Shao arrived in a blink, halting fifty meters away. He advanced alone.

“General Shen, I accept the opportunity you’ve given me. Once I’ve exterminated the foreign forces, I will speak properly with you!”