The heavy snow had stopped, but the sky was still gloomy. Li Shan stood under the eaves with his hands behind his back, counting the days in his mind.
It is already December 20th, and there are only ten days before New Year's Eve. The village should have already started to be lively, the children should have put on new clothes, and the roadsides should have been filled with all kinds of snowmen.
Snow Dog, it’s a pity that I can’t go back.
Not only myself, but also hundreds of personal guards cannot go back. Even my mother may have to celebrate the New Year in Cui Mansion. I don’t know how she will get along with Eleven Niang... But this mother-in-law and daughter-in-law have a good temper.
The wind gradually picked up, blowing the hem of Li Shan's clothes fluttering. Zhu Ba on the side advised: "Mr. Lang, go back to the house first."
Li Shan shook his head and said, "We are going to be in danger here, so why not brave the snow to greet us?"
After a pause, Li Shan said with a smile: "After this battle, you should get married. If you want to join the army, let Brother Dingfang find you a casual position in the Sixteenth Guards. If you don't want to join the army, then stay in Zhuangzi."
Be in charge."
Zhu Ba smiled honestly, "I'm still used to staying by my husband's side."
When Li Shan came to this era, the one he had the most contact with was Zhu Ba, who stayed by his side all the time. For him, Zhu Ba lost an arm on the top of the city of Guji Town.
"Zhang Sanlang and Qu Silang have both joined the army, and even Zhou Erlang has obtained a title. Don't you want it?"
"The villain is not as capable as them." Zhu Ba chuckled, "If you don't rush me, I can just go back and be a disciple."
"Just do whatever you want." Li Shan saw people flashing outside and said casually: "I'll ask Uncle Qi to tell you about a baby girl later. I'll give birth to a big fat boy earlier, so I can study and practice martial arts with you."
Zhu Ba's face was filled with joy. It was good enough for his son to be able to follow his future husband.
"Meet the King of Handan."
"Mr. Lang."
"In the snow outside, don't lie down easily." Li Shan picked up Huangfuzhong, "Have you thought about it?"
"I am willing to die for His Highness." Huangfuzhong looked excited and excited. He knew that the King of Handan would definitely use him, but he did not expect to wait for so long, nor did he expect that His Highness's situation would be so big.
Although the heavy snow has stopped, standing under the eaves for a long time to welcome him also shows His Highness's expectation and trust.
"Let's talk in the room." Li Shan glanced at Fan Shiyi who was behind Huangfuzhong.
Fan Shiyi took out a package from his arms and laid a map on the table. Li Shan did not look at the map first, but turned around and said, "Brother Guang Pu, is there any news?"
"In the past month or so, I have received three or two letters, two of which were brought by retainers, but they did not mention the war." Huangfu Zhong said respectfully, "I hope your highness will forgive me."
"That's wrong." Li Shan said in a deep voice: "Such a big matter affects the life and death of the whole family, just like a butcher's knife hanging from the neck, so you should be very cautious."
"Thank you for your understanding, Your Highness."
Li Shan smiled gently, looked down at the map, stretched out his fingers and moved slowly on the sheepskin, "The Huangfu family regards An Ding as the prince. They have lived in Guyuan for a long time and are familiar with the geography. This matter must be done with one step. No matter whether it is success or failure, Gujun promises, no matter what.
If your father succeeds in subjugating the enemy, he should report it to His Majesty and reward him according to his merits, and recommend him to serve as an official."
Fan Shiyi glanced at Huangfuzhong, who was barely keeping calm, and after waiting, he simply said: "Yuanzhou is full of mountains and rivers, and it's snowing so heavily now. If I want to find a way to advance, I have to avoid densely populated areas.
There are actually not many options available..."
"That's true." Huangfuzhong explained: "And you also need to consider crossing the river. Some rivers are frozen, and some rivers are not frozen because of the high and low terrain. You need to find a place where you can cross the river, or a bridge or
wooden boat."
"Some mountain ranges are difficult to navigate and have to be detoured. Some mountain ranges are inaccessible and there is even no way to go. They all need to be explored one by one."
"You also need to prepare a place to spend the night, preferably in a cave or the like, where you can warm yourself by a fire. After all, the climate is very cold."
Li Shan listened carefully while thinking in his mind. In general, the road was difficult to travel and there were very few stopping points. At the same time, he needed to keep warm.
After listening for a while, Li Shan sighed, held Huangfuzhong's hands, and said, "I've entrusted you with everything."
"I will live up to Your Highness." Huangfu Zhong said solemnly: "In addition to His Highness sending personal guards for this trip, I will also select twenty people from my clansmen and in-laws. Each of them has a relative who died at the hands of Liang thieves. The news will not be leaked.
.”
Li Shan turned around and saw snowflakes flying outside the window again, and said softly: "Go and prepare first, Fan Shiyi. You choose cotton clothes and bamboo hats from the warehouse."
"yes."
After personally sending Huangfuzhong out of the house, Li Shan looked at the man's back intently and asked in a low voice: "Is his wife still in the army?"
"Yeah." Fan Shiyi responded.
In this era, Li Shan was based on benevolence and righteousness. Not many people could really pry into his inner world. His mother didn't know, Zhu Wei didn't know, Li Yuan didn't know, Li Shimin, Princess Pingyang, Li Kai, and Zhang Wenguan didn't know.
Know.
Only Ling Jing and Ma Zhou knew something about it, and Fan Shiyi, who had been serving as a scout and spy since the Shandong War, also knew something about it. He knew very well that his husband was not a real gentleman.
But this is also a good thing. A true gentleman cannot gain a foothold in this era, let alone jump from the bottom to this level.
To put it bluntly, Li Shan promised to accept Huangfuzhong's son as his apprentice, but in fact he kept his wife and son in his hands to ensure that Huangfuzhong would not have second thoughts.
"What if there's anything unusual?" Fan Shiyi asked tentatively.
"Just give it a try. Even if it doesn't work, it doesn't matter." Li Shan sneered: "You are walking with Huangfuzhong. No matter what happens, he will make the decision. You just need to watch."
"yes."
Watching Fan Shiyi leave quietly, Li Shan stood under the eaves for a long time. At some point, the figures of Dou Gui and Wen Yanbo appeared in front of him.
"Starting the journey?"
"Um."
"It's a bit risky." Wen Yanbo shook his head slightly. He was not a Confucian scholar who knew nothing about military affairs.
Dou Gui agreed very much, "If we succeed, the rest of the war will be a disaster."
Wen Yanbo stared at Li Shan's face, which was slightly green, with a high nose, frowning brows, and pursed lips. He suddenly lowered his voice and said: "Your Highness, please do not act rashly!"
Li Shan was stunned for a moment, then said with a smile: "Mr. Yan Bo still refuses to forgive my nephew."
Wen Yanbo said seriously: "This is a major military and state matter, and you should be called Your Highness."
Dou Gui also came to his senses, took a few steps forward, and echoed: "Nothing like the battle at Jingzhou, Your Highness must not return to danger lightly. If things go wrong, even if the enemy is defeated and the army loses its leader, I am afraid that the Liang thieves will take advantage of it."
So cheap.”
"You two are right, you are right." Li Shan put his hands into his sleeves.
After chatting about the battle for a while, Dou Gui and Wen Yanbo left. They were all a little worried. This world-famous young prince seemed gentle and elegant, but he would never shrink from a battle, for fear that he would have to fight in person again.
"With Huairen as his surname, Ling Gong can be called your highness's confidant."
Hearing what Wen Yanbo said, Dou Gui was silent for a while before nodding in agreement. He also knew in his heart that according to normal control, the army would be stationed around Baiquan County. When the ice melts and the snow melts next spring, Guyuan will be conquered with heavy troops.
...Although there will definitely be heavy casualties, it can be conquered in the end.
However, Li Huairen chose a relatively risky path. If he failed, it would have nothing to do with the overall situation. If he succeeded, he would definitely wipe out Liang Jun.
From Li Huairen's point of view, there is actually no need for this... No matter which general in the court, even if the King of Qin personally takes action, there will inevitably be a large number of casualties.