RWNEFE -Chapter 283 Qiao Niang!

Cheng Zheng smiled and wrote, “I learned it from the General.”

Che Mingyuan hadn’t expected that, at Shen Lanxi’s age, she could be so patient and composed. Even if it were him, after holding back for so long, he would have wanted to test strength with the Three Tribes head-on.

With Shen Lanxi’s youth, her methods shouldn’t have been this seasoned—unless someone was helping her.

The first person Che Mingyuan thought of was Song Daoxi, the successor of Guigu. If Shen Lanxi truly intended to make heavy use of this man, then Che Mingyuan’s position as strategist would become rather awkward.

Was it time to consider whether to stay or leave again?

…

Che Mingyuan didn’t dwell on it for long, because Song Daoxi had already accompanied Zhou Ruan to the inner city to recuperate.

At a time like this, if Song Daoxi wasn’t being drawn in, Che Mingyuan instead began to worry that Song Daoxi might defect.

After personally sending Zhou Ruan away with the imperial edict in hand, Shen Lanxi immediately opened the city gates to welcome Liang Shao into the city!

Liang Shao’s forces had grown steadily. The number reported to the court was three hundred and fifty thousand men. With so many people, a small place like Huangtu City simply couldn’t accommodate them all.

After discussing with Liang Shao, Shen Lanxi decided that they would enter the city in batches, with the first batch consisting of five thousand men.

This group included Liang Shao and his family. To show the importance she placed on Liang Shao, Shen Lanxi took time out of her busy schedule to personally arrange accommodations for his household.

Two thousand troops entered the city first, escorting several carriages in the middle, followed by the remaining soldiers.

After the carriages entered the inner city, they slowly came to a stop at the residence Shen Lanxi had arranged for Liang Shao.

An elderly couple stepped down first from the lead carriage. Liang Shao introduced them to Shen Lanxi, saying, “These are my uncle and aunt.”

From the carriages behind them came several more elderly people, as well as a few younger ones.

“They are also my uncles and aunts, as well as my elder brother and sister-in-law, my younger brother and sister-in-law, and my younger sister!”

More than ten people saluted Shen Lanxi together.

“General Shen.”

Shen Lanxi replied, “No need for such courtesy. From now on, we’re all part of the Zhenbei Army—one family.”

The final carriage came to a slow stop. Two young women stepped down first, both dressed as maids. Then a young woman holding a child got out of the carriage.

Liang Shao’s smile stiffened for a moment, then he calmly introduced her, “She is also my younger sister-in-law.”

Shen Lanxi looked at the woman holding the child and said, “You’ve had a hard journey.”

The young woman kept her head lowered. Hearing Shen Lanxi’s words, she quickly glanced up twice, then lowered her head again and replied softly, “Not hard.”

Liang Shao had people lead them inside to rest. After that came the banquet.

During the feast, Liang Shao asked, “Where is General Wei? Why don’t I see him?”

Shen Lanxi answered, “There’s business in the army.”

Hearing that it was military business, Liang Shao didn’t press further. After the simple banquet ended, Che Mingyuan began to talk about future arrangements.

“Since you’re prepared to join the Zhenbei Army, do you intend to form a separate army, or be integrated into the existing forces?”

“At present, the Zhenbei Army is divided into six divisions, and the positions are already relatively complete.”

At this point, anyone could understand that Che Mingyuan wasn’t asking a question—he was making a tactful statement.

Liang Shao’s troops were going to be broken up and distributed among the various divisions of the Zhenbei Army.

Liang Shao had already anticipated this. He raised his head and glanced at the calm, unruffled Shen Lanxi, then smiled and said, “Since we’ve joined the Zhenbei Army, we naturally follow the General’s command.”

Che Mingyuan turned to Shen Lanxi. “General, I beg your pardon for speaking out of turn—”

Shen Lanxi said, “Strategist Che is the strategist of our entire army. Where you go is the same as where I go. Speak freely.”

Che Mingyuan said, “I humbly request to be assigned to oversee the resettlement and placement of General Liang’s troops.”

Shen Lanxi responded steadily, “Why would that be out of turn? In the Zhenbei Army, the strategist can arrange anything. Naturally, General Liang’s troops are no exception. Isn’t that right, General Liang?”

Bitterness welled up in Liang Shao’s mouth. Only now did he realize—this wasn’t a Hongmen Banquet. This was relinquishing military power over wine.

“Of course, of course. Since I’m now part of the Zhenbei Army, I’ll obey all deployments.”

Shen Lanxi continued, “Military orders are as firm as mountains. General Liang has long commanded an independent force, so there must be some gaps in your knowledge of military law and regulations. Coincidentally, our army places great emphasis on training commanders. General Liang, you may begin by studying military regulations together with our officers.”

Once again, Liang Shao experienced Shen Lanxi’s formidable ability. Compared to this subtle stripping of power, everything he had witnessed before was child’s play.

“Very well. Many thanks to the General for the arrangement. I will study diligently and not fail expectations.”

There was no helping it—on the surface, he had risen from grassroots origins. What grassroots leader truly understood military law and regulations?

With seamless coordination, Shen Lanxi and Che Mingyuan arranged the future placements of Liang Shao and his men in just a few sentences.

As they left, Shen Lanxi said with some emotion, “After tonight’s banquet, the entire Zhenbei Army will surely unite as one and devote all efforts to defending the Northwest.”

Liang Shao: “……”

Shen Lanxi looked up at the bright moon, her mood clearly light, and said, “Pleasant.”

With that, she strode away.

Liang Shao stared blankly in the direction she left, remaining silent for a long time.

When the moon was high in the sky, a figure quietly entered Liang’s residence.

“Elder Brother,” Wei Dongzhu softly called out to the man by candlelight.

Liang Shao sighed and stood up.

“Cousin.”

Wei Dongzhu felt uneasy, guilt weighing on his heart, and he didn’t dare meet Liang Shao’s gaze.

Liang Shao understood well that the current outcome was already the best possible. He stepped forward and patted Wei Dongzhu on the arm in reassurance.

“It’s fine. What happened today was already within my expectations.”

Wei Dongzhu said in a low voice, “I just feel that I’ve wronged you, Elder Brother.” His cousin was a fierce general well-versed in military strategy and regulations, yet now he’d been arranged to study military rules alongside new recruits.

A heavy sense of guilt enveloped Wei Dongzhu. If it weren’t for him, for the Wei Family Army, his elder brother would never have had to endure such humiliation.

“Enough. I know what you’re thinking,” Liang Shao said calmly. “This arrangement is already the best one. I was able to build up the Northwest Army only because Great Zhou was in chaos everywhere. Once the wars are settled, we would inevitably be suppressed and eliminated. Rather than that, it’s better to seize this chance to earn military merit. Even if we’re later purged, with such merits, at least our lives might be spared.”

Their family had served Great Zhou loyally for generations. To truly become rebels meant carrying an unbearable burden in their hearts every single day.

“Elder Brother, just endure a little longer,” Wei Dongzhu said. “Lanxi handles matters very fairly. As long as you earn military merit in the army, you’ll be promoted. I won’t speak for other armies, but in the Zhenbei Army, it has always been strength that speaks.”

Liang Shao nodded. It was precisely because he knew this that he had willingly joined the Zhenbei Army.

“Cousin,” Liang Shao added, “it’s fortunate you weren’t here today. Qiao Niang brought the child out.”

As he spoke, his expression darkened.

Wei Dongzhu’s brows immediately clouded with gloom. “Wasn’t she supposed to be settled outside?”

Liang Shao sighed. “The outside is now full of people from the Turkic Three Tribes. If they were to learn of your relationship with Qiao Niang—and the child…”