The years when I explored the fairyland.

Chapter 188: Situation and Preparation (185)

In Xuanzhen Temple, a large group of people had already gathered in the reception room.

Not to mention Fan Zhong, Wei Jinkui, Xu Cheng, Yi Huai and others, there was also the County Master Ji Mingqian, the County Lieutenant Wang Fugui, the County Magistrate Zhao Yuanwai and the Chief Clerk Gu Xianming, all of whom came in a hurry.

In addition, there are the Black Mountain leader Cao Bao and the Tiger Demon Pavilion leader Zuo Qiutong.

The Black Mountain Clan is not a sect in the final analysis, but a gang. After they established good relations with the Xuanzhen Temple, their position has become extremely stable.

Therefore, Heishan became a place for them to make money, and Cao Bao led the core members to buy houses and land in Baisha City and open shops early on.

Thanks to the rapid development of Baisha City, the bulk of their wealth is no longer just from tolls.

For this reason, Cao Bao is considered to be a permanent resident of Baisha City. Unless there is something important, he basically does not go out.

As for Zuo Qiutong, it is somewhat of a coincidence.

He is now moving his base from Husha Mountain to Anping County. The relocation of a sect is naturally not an easy matter, and there are too many things to worry about.

He was running back and forth, sometimes arranging affairs in Husha Mountain, sometimes supervising the construction of the Anping County headquarters.

When the news came this time, he happened to be in Anping County, and he rushed over almost non-stop.

After running all the way, even though he was a congenital warrior, his face showed some fatigue.

In the middle of the hall, a long table has been set up, and in the center is a sand table made of earth and stones, with hills, rivers, valleys, and forests clearly marked.

Of course, the sand table is a little small after all, and only marks the complete Tianquan County and the topography of some surrounding areas.

Therefore, a huge map was hung on the wall at the top, with black and white lines outlining the mountain topography, and cities and place names were marked next to circles.

From Chu Zhou's perspective, this map could not be described as "simple" at all, but was full of mistakes and omissions.

But there is no way. In this era, the significance of maps is not only to show the topography, official roads and cities, but also a symbol of the ruling power of a certain region.

For example, Ba Zong can collect maps of Chishui Prefecture and Tianyuan Prefecture, but if Wenxiang Temple has them, then it would be an evil ambition.

Wenxiang Temple guards a county and can draw a map of Tianquan County, but if the Black Mountain people keep it privately, it can be regarded as a provocation and they will be held accountable.

Just take the map of Chishui Prefecture in front of us, which was brought by Zuoqiu Tong. It is not owned by Husha Pavilion, but they have someone in the Ministry of War of Dayun Dynasty who copied it.

It is worth mentioning that the sand table was suggested by Hao Songqing. It was a combination of the maps of Yunya Sword Sect and Wenxiang Temple. Cao Bao and Zuoqiu Tong mobilized all the sects in Tianquan County to calibrate the precise terrain.

This is the limit of what we can do at this stage!

Chu Zhou stood at the top, looked around, and asked, "You have all seen the news, who can analyze it for me?"

Everyone's eyes wandered around, you looked at me, I looked at you, and no one spoke.

Finally, everyone looked at the county lieutenant Wang Fugui. There was nothing they could do. Who told him that he was the only military officer among the crowd? !
But Wang Fugui smiled awkwardly and said stubbornly: "Don't look at me, I am just a county lieutenant, leading no more than a thousand soldiers.

It's not appropriate for me to come out for such a big event!"

Yi Huai tilted his head and said, "No way, Old Man Wang, didn't you brag about how great you were last time we were drinking?"

Wang Fugui patted his belly shyly and said, "You also said that it was just drunken talk, how can I take it seriously?

I, ahem, I still have some self-awareness and I can’t ruin things.”

Zuo Qiutong took a step forward and said, "Let me do it!"

Cao Bao glanced at him and said, "Lao Zuo, this is not a trivial matter. Don't force it."

Zuoqiu Tong rolled his eyes and ignored him, instead he walked out from the crowd and walked step by step to the front of the map.

He took out a wooden stick and pointed at the map, his whole body exuding an extraordinary aura.

He just said: "There are eight counties in Chishui Prefecture. In addition to Tianquan County, there are Hongde County, Botou County, Lanshui County, Guangfu County, Linji County, Dongli County, and Qingyun County.

In fact, there was a Qingjian County a long time ago, but it was taken away by the Gusha Sect when the mountains and rivers were broken and the dynasty changed last time.

Therefore, only these eight counties are left.”

“Tianyuan Prefecture and Chishui Prefecture are divided into east and west. After the Qihuo Army destroyed Tianyuan Prefecture, they headed east. As long as they entered the territory of Shisong City, they would have entered Chishui Prefecture.

Then, we will march eastward. As long as we can penetrate Hongde County and pass through the border between Botou County and Dongli County, we will enter the territory of Tianquan County."

County Master Ji Mingqian interrupted and asked, "Left Sect Leader, can Hongde County resist? And Botou County and Dongli County are also strong, right?
We are behind them in Tianquan County. So even if there is a war, it shouldn't reach us!"

Wei Jinkui also spoke at the right time: "The garrison sect of Hongde County is the Bingxi Sect. It is said to be a powerful sect that has produced a great master. Although it has declined, its strength should be good.

The guardian sect of Dongli County is the Tiancang Sect, and its martial arts is a unique martial art called "Beidou Tiancang Gong". It is rumored in the martial arts world that it is as powerful as "Ba Wang Shang Shen".

Not to mention that the Tiancang Sect is best at taming goshawks and eagles, which can transmit messages thousands of miles away, and can even ride eagles in emergencies, with a speed far exceeding that of ordinary martial arts sects.

As for Botou County, it is the base of the Cao Gang.

Although it is not a traditional martial arts sect's form of inheritance, it has gathered martial artists from all over the world and recruited many powerful independent masters.

Business has spread along the river and is no longer limited to one prefecture or one county. Looking at the whole world, who dares to look down on it?"

Wei Jinkui's words were very logical and made a lot of people nod their heads. Even officials like County Magistrate Zhao Yuanwai and Chief Clerk Gu Xianming looked a little more relaxed.

But Zuo Qiutong shattered their fantasies with just one sentence.

"In the nine counties of Tianyuan Prefecture, which garrison sect is not powerful and has a deep foundation? Which one is not intertwined and has a wide range of friends?

But now?

All you can see is a bunch of dead people, or the remaining people fleeing?" As soon as these words came out, the whole place was silent, and only Zuo Qiutong's voice became more and more sonorous: "On the battlefield, killing and fighting, once the war breaks out, it only takes a moment to destroy a family and a clan."

As he said this, he pointed at the map with his wooden stick and said, "The Qihuo Army was able to wreak havoc on Tianyuan Prefecture. They must have some strengths. After fighting one battle after another, even ordinary people have become elite soldiers.

As for Hongde County, I admit that the Bingxi Sect is quite powerful, but when a war breaks out, it’s not just the martial arts masters above that need to be looked at, but also the army below.

This Hongde County is located in the core area ruled by Emperor Bazong. How many years has it been since it suffered from war?
The situation of military disrepair is definitely more serious than you and I imagine.

Therefore, I am not optimistic that Hongde County can stop this beggar army heading east."

"As for Botou County and Dongli County?"

At this point, he paused and said, "The Qihuo Army will move eastward and need to pass through the border between Botou County and Dongli County, a no-man's land. Which of them do you think will take this seriously?

Maybe they are hoping that the Qihuo Army will directly enter our Tianquan County, so that they can rest assured."

Wang Fugui frowned and said, "If we go deep into the enemy's territory alone, wouldn't we be surrounded in no time if the Tiancang Sect and the Cao Gang send out their troops?

They wouldn't be so unwise, would they? "

"You're right!"

Zuo Qiutong nodded in agreement, but then he spoke almost word by word: "However, war is a major issue for a country, a matter of life and death, a matter of survival and destruction, and it must be carefully considered."

Cao Bao was right next to Zuo Qiutong. Seeing that his old friend seemed to have changed into a different person, he pulled his sleeve uncertainly and said, "Old Zuo, I didn't know you had this skill before?"

Zuoqiu Tong smiled bitterly: "For those of us who live in the underworld, we don't need to deal with these military affairs.

However, the first leader of my Husha Pavilion was a military man, and the martial arts in the pavilion are all related to the military, so I naturally know more.

I never thought that it would be useful in my lifetime."

These words were not only spoken to Cao Bao, but also to everyone present.

Chu Zhou finally spoke up. He asked, "Then Sect Leader Zuo, what do you think we should do now?"

"Of course, we are preparing for the worst. We will contact the sects outside, practice martial arts inside, prepare for war, garrison important places, gather food and grass, and train soldiers.

If the beggars really come, we might have to fight to the death!"

Having said this, Zuoqiu Tong walked to the sand table again and pointed his hand at a city on the border of Tianquan County.

He said: "The best situation is to keep the enemy out of the country.

Therefore, if the Qihuo Army really crossed the Dongli and Botou counties, they would definitely attack Yanshui City.

And we must set up defenses here!"

"Yanshui City?"

Chu Zhou looked around and thought for a long time before asking, "Master Zuo, how far have you progressed with the relocation of the Tiger Demon Pavilion?"

Zuo Qiutong smiled bitterly: "We have just migrated halfway, who knew the situation would change so quickly? If I had known earlier, I would have slowed down for a few days. It's really a mess!"

Chu Zhou waved his hand and said, "Uncle Fan?"

"Master, I'm here!"

"You take my name card and select 20 capable disciples to help the Tiger Demon Pavilion. Ask all the sects and gangs along the way to provide convenience and full cooperation.

If there is any mistake, let them give Xuanzhen Temple an explanation."

"Yes!"

Chu Zhou looked at Zuo Qiutong again and said, "Master Zuo, is there anyone else in Husha Pavilion who can replace you and preside over the migration?"

"Yi Ai, the current eldest disciple of Tiger Demon Pavilion, can replace me."

"Then let him take charge. Pavilion Master Zuo, please stay in my Xuanzhen Temple and take charge of the specific matters of this war, okay?"

Zuo Qiu said: "Of course it is possible. But war is complicated and we will have a lot to do."

Chu Zhou nodded: "Then let's make the same arrangements, just in case!"

He raised his head again and looked at everyone present, saying, "This matter is of great importance. It concerns the life and death of countless people in Tianquan County, and also the development of the sect. I hope that you will work together to overcome the difficulties.

His tone paused, and his eyes became more fierce: "If anyone dares to delay, don't blame me for being ruthless!"

"Yes!"

"Definitely not!"

"This is a matter of life and death, so we must cooperate fully. Master, please rest assured."

No one wasted words, and Chu Zhou issued the first order after Xuanzhen Temple became the guardian of the sect.

“Uncle Wei, please notify all the sects and gangs in Tianquan County.

Lord Ji, you should send an order through the government post station to inform all government offices and military camps in Tianquan County.

The war is coming, prepare your troops and wait for my order!"

"Yes!"

　Let me update first!

　　
　
(End of this chapter)