My vicious dog, my horse, I can do whatever I want with it

Chapter 257 Ice Surface

Wen Nian nodded and said, "The general has not yet rested, Doctor Xiao, please go."

He seemed to hesitate for a moment, but in the end he did not dare to take the initiative to ask for the scar-removing ointment for the general. He just nodded to Xiao Tianhe and left with his fur coat.

The cold winter came quickly. The stove in the house was burning and the thick quilts and cotton clothes were replaced quickly. Although there was no snow yet, the cold north wind had already made them feel the chill of winter. Batches of military supplies were transferred to the base one after another.

The generals reported the number of soldiers in the camp and collected the necessary supplies. It seemed simple but it was actually a troublesome task.

Pei Liang, Zhan Haoyue and others worked day and night to clear and distribute the supplies, trying to complete the distribution in a very short time to ensure that the soldiers in each tent could have enough food and clothing. This was Zong Yanli's greatest wish when he led the army here.

"The north is short of supplies, and there are very few vegetables and fruits." Zong Yanli was always very worried about this matter. Their soldiers were all from the south who lived on water. The most common food they ate in the north was rice, coarse flour, or some food dug from the ground that was easy to store.

"Although I'm full, my body still can't keep up..." After Xiao Tian integrated some common diseases among generals, he finally came up with some rough directions.

When I was in the army training outside, I could dig some wild vegetables and pick some wild fruits, so the supplies were very abundant.

But the North is really different. Most of the place is wilderness and yellow land. It is not suitable for planting, and even the trees seem to have difficulty surviving.

Zong Yanli's eyebrows sank slightly and he said, "The current conditions are difficult, so we can only be patient for a while."

When Sang Caijie returned in the cold wind, he also brought back news from Taoyang City. The reinforcements from Qi State had all arrived, led by a general named Qiu Wu.

"This person is arrogant and conceited." Lu Peibai heard about this person and just smiled and said to Zong Yanli, "Min Wenshan doesn't get along with him. If this person comes to lead the army, it will be a good thing for the general."

"Oh?" Zong Yanli raised his eyebrows immediately.

Lu Peibai briefly explained the origin of this person and Min Wenshan, and then continued: "As the saying goes, there is no room for two tigers in one mountain. Min Wenshan and Qiu Wu both think they are the king of beasts, so how can there not be disputes?"

"Qiu Wu used to be inferior to Min Wenshan because Min Wenshan had a capable general like Xue Liqing by his side. How could Qiu Wu dare to stand out?"

"Now that Xue Liqing is dead, Min Wenshan has no one to rely on. Qiu Wu will definitely find ways to seize the power of the army."

"General, you can take advantage of the opportunity." Lu Peibai looked at Zong Yanli and said, "If you can defeat Qiu Wu again this time, kill the enemy in front, break through Taoyang City and enter Baishui Pass..."

"Taking Qi will be as easy as taking something out of a bag." As Lu Peibai's words fell, everyone in the tent was shocked. In an instant, they seemed to be extremely excited and wanted to sharpen their knives and rush into Taoyang City immediately.

Lu Peibai changed his words and said: "But..."

She hesitated for a moment and whispered, "Qiu Wu is a general after all. If we attack Taoyang City in such a reckless manner, it may be difficult to win. It may be much more difficult. I think we should plan an offensive strategy."

The implication of Lu Peibai's words seemed to be that he was persuading Zong Yanli to be careful in his actions. If the Qi army caught him by the tail, it was possible that he would be bitten back.

Zong Yanli naturally understood, nodded in agreement, and began to prepare, saying: "Since the enemy has regrouped its forces, they will surely attack soon. Instead of waiting to be attacked, it is better to strike first and take the initiative."

Taoyang City is located close to Qiuding River. Zong Yanli is very sensitive to this river and ordered people to investigate the terrain around Taoyang City. After arranging military affairs, she also prepared to go to Qiuding River to investigate in person.

"General, are you going in person?" Lu Peibai was stunned when he saw Zong Yanli doing it so personally.

"Sir, would you like to come with us?" Zong Yanli was buckling up his armor, putting on his cloak and a warm hat. Seeing Lu Peibai's expression, he immediately raised his eyebrows and smiled, "We are only going to explore the terrain, and we have no intention of taking action. If you want to come, you can come with us."

"But it's windy today. Can you withstand such a north wind?" Zong Yanli said as he picked up the helmet on the table and put it on.

With the warm hat in between, the cold helmet felt much more comfortable to wear, and Zong Yanli was very satisfied.

Lu Peibai was stunned for a moment when he heard this, then he responded, "I want to go."

Zong Yanli did not say anything. He asked people to prepare the horses and called Gao Feilin to the warehouse to get a thicker fox fur coat. Staring at the white fur coat, Zong Yanli's eyes showed a slightly dim look. This high-quality fox fur coat was what Zong Yanli had asked Sang Caijie to search for everywhere.

At that time, Gongsun Pu was ill and could not stand the cold. When Zong Yanli learned about it, he had people secretly looking for him.

pity……

The fox fur has not been found yet, but the gentleman can't wait any longer.

The white fox fur was draped over Lu Peibai, making her figure look somewhat otherworldly.

Zong Yanli stared at Lu Peibai for a moment, and for a moment it seemed as if he saw the shadow of Gongsun Pu through her. After a long time, Zong Yanli turned his eyes away and said, "Mr. Mingxi is dressed very well. Let's go."

Lu Peibai was so perceptive that he noticed Zong Yanli's hidden gaze the moment he met her eyes. However, that gaze was not one of admiration and love between a man and a woman. Instead, it seemed to be full of longing and sadness.

"Is this fox fur an old item of one of the general's old friends?" Perhaps because he had gotten to know Zong Yanli a little during the period of time he had been with him, Lu Peibai gradually realized that he should just say what he wanted to say and not make random guesses to avoid creating resentment. So after noticing Zong Yanli's emotions, Lu Peibai asked directly.

"Yes and no." Zong Yanli really didn't seem angry when she asked him this question. He smiled gently and said in a low voice: "Mr. Mingxi has been in the army for some time. I believe he has heard of Mr. Gongsun from them?"

"Yes." Lu Peibai nodded quickly. The wise and brilliant counselor that everyone was talking about was a capable general beside the general in the past. It was a pity that God was jealous of talents, and such a brilliant person died of illness at an early age.

Although he had never met this person, Lu Peibai had seen many letters and books left by Gongsun Pu when he was helping to handle military affairs. Looking at his notes that were as sharp and soft as pine needles, he could vaguely imagine what kind of scholar he was.

Zong Yanli looked far away and whispered, "When Mr. Gongsun was seriously ill, I was not able to stay by his side all the time. This fox fur should have been given to him..."

Zong Yanli smiled again and turned to look at Lu Peibai, his eyes calm and firm as he said, "I regard Mr. Gongsun as my confidant and mentor. This robe is a gift of friendship between gentlemen. I give it to you today in the hope that you will be loyal to the bright moon."

For a moment, Lu Peibai thought that it was inappropriate for him to obtain Mr. Gongsun's things in this way.

Unexpectedly, Zong Yanli's last sentence instantly elevated the situation to a higher level. She suddenly felt that the fox fur on her body was as heavy as a thousand pounds. When she looked up at Zong Yanli again, she felt his strong expectations and entrustment.

"It's time to go." After saying this, Zong Yanli turned around, mounted his horse, and left the tent first.

Lu Peibai took a deep breath, put away his extremely complicated and excited emotions, got on his horse and followed Zong Yanli.

She rarely had such freedom. The cold wind made her hair flutter. She squinted her eyes and saw Zong Yanli's tall figure in front of her. Her black armor was so clear. The ink-colored drapery on her military armor was blown by the wind, and the silver dark patterns were shining brightly under the warm sun.

Lu Peibai may never have thought that this encounter would make her spend her entire life chasing after the inky figure in her eyes.

The Qiu Ding River was not too big, and the surface of the river was shaking due to the strong wind. Zong Yanli squatted by the river and stretched out his hand to feel the water. He asked, "In the cold winter, is it possible for the surface of the Qiu Ding River to freeze?"

"It was indeed frozen for a year a few years ago." Lu Peibai stood beside Zong Yanli, thought for a moment and said, "But it is not enough to support thousands of troops. At most, it can only allow one or two people to slide through on foot."

"After all, it's a river. It's impossible to freeze it completely..."

Zong Yanli stood up, squinted his eyes and looked at the other side. He thought for a long time before saying, "Winter has just arrived this year. I don't know how cold it will be when the cold wave sweeps across. If it really freezes the Qiu Ding River solid, Taoyang City may be able to be broken."

She smiled and considered this as a backup strategy.

After turning around and mounting his horse, he continued to explore along the river bank, took a rough look at the terrain, and then headed elsewhere.

These were extremely simple matters, and Lu Peibai had never thought that Zong Yanli, as a general, would come to investigate in person, and investigate so carefully. Logically speaking, such matters could be completely handed over to his soldiers.

Lu Peibai followed Zong Yanli out for a whole day, and only came back when it was pitch dark, cold and hungry. Lu Peibai's little face was a little pale, but his eyes were bright and shining, and he seemed very happy about this outing.

"Mr. Mingxi, how do you feel about accompanying the general today?" Pei Liang looked at Lu Peibai, whose lips were white from the cold, reached out to add some charcoal to the stove to make the fire burn more vigorously, and then brought him a cup of hot tea before asking.

"I've gained a lot." Lu Peibai knelt beside the stove, feeling the heat from it, and said with a smile while drinking water.

"Hahaha! I thought that after this visit, sir, you would never want to go out with the general again." Pei Liang sighed. He had to say that although Lu Peibai was a woman, her tenacity was really satisfying.

You know, he felt it was a big punishment when he followed the general out!

Once the general was busy, he didn't care about the lives of the people around him at all. The investigation was so thorough that he dared not relax at all. It would have been fine if he had followed closely, but he rode a horse and walked so fast that they could not bear it. They didn't expect that Lu Peibai came back without saying a word.

"Although it is hard work, it is worth it." Lu Peibai felt that he was getting to know Zong Yanli again every day. He truly saw the image of an extremely powerful general in her. This is the true appearance of a general!

"The general's strategy is no less than yours and mine." This was Lu Peibai's deepest feeling.

"Of course." Pei Liang was very proud and boasted to Lu Peibai about the strategies he had learned when he followed the general to fight everywhere.

While listening, Lu Peibai drank water to warm himself. When he was warm all over, he also heard Pei Liang's story about Zong Yanli's heroic deeds in the past. Lu Peibai actually felt a little regretful in his heart. He regretted why he didn't meet such a wise leader earlier.

Perhaps because she had heard Pei Liang talk too much, she asked with a little curiosity: "So General Pei has been following the general for more than ten years, then how did General Pei meet the general?"

Pei Liang: “…”

Although it is already old news, why doesn't he want to talk about it?

In the end, Pei Liang did not explain how he followed Zong Yanli. He said a few vague words and then forcibly changed the subject. He asked Lu Peibai where he had been with the general today, and then heard Lu Peibai mention Qiu Dingjiang.

"General, do you want to make a fuss about Qiu Dingjiang?" Pei Liang raised his eyebrows and asked, "Fighting on water is not our army's strong point..."

"It's not on the water." Lu Peibai shook his head and said, "It's on the ice."

Pei Liang was stunned when he heard this, his eyes widened as he said, "To freeze a river and even allow thousands of troops to march forward, isn't this a fantasy?"

Lu Peibai shook his head and said, "Perhaps this is just what the general expects. If he wants to take action, that is another matter."

Pei Liang frowned and said nothing, as if he was thinking deeply about this matter. Then Lu Peibai talked about several other directions of exploration. Everything was very ordinary and there was nothing special about it. Taoyang City was a big city after all, and because they were worried about enemy scouts, they did not get too close.

Zong Yanli meant that they needed to explore for two more days, and Lu Peibai wanted to continue following.

Pei Liang was deeply impressed. He paused and said to Lu Peibai: "I think Wu Jiu will come to look for you soon. You should prepare well..."

"Ah?" Lu Peibai looked a little confused.

"Is Mr. Mingxi here?" Pei Liang had just finished speaking when Zhan Haoyue's voice came from outside the tent. Lu Peibai was stunned and turned around to see Zhan Haoyue coming in with a book in his hands, a happy look on his face and a pen in his hand.

This is……

Pei Liang gave Lu Peibai a look that told him to wish him the best and then slipped away.

Lu Peibai obviously had not yet suffered from Zhan Haoyue's abuse. It was not until today that he finally understood that Zhan Haoyue was writing a note. His purpose of coming here was naturally to ask Lu Peibai what the general said and did when he went out with Zong Yanli.

Lu Peibai: "..."

Over there, Zong Yanli returned to his own tent and squatted beside the brazier to warm himself. He was drawing with a pen and paper in his hand. Sometimes he frowned, sometimes he was thinking deeply, or he scribbled impatiently and sighed. Gao Feilin in the tent felt that he was used to it.