Wei and Jin did not submit to Zhou

Chapter 85 Muddy Waters Are Good for Fishing

The night before setting off for Hanzhong, Shi Shouxin invited Meng Guan, Ma Long, Liu Qin and others to his military tent.

The group was discussing leaving Baishui Pass with their troops the next day. Although they left behind 500 men, if Zhong Hui pursued the matter, Shi Shouxin would be severely punished, if not killed.

"Meng Guan, you will lead one hundred men, divided into five groups. During the march, you will be specifically responsible for finding and rescuing any soldiers who have fallen behind."

Others are not allowed to leave the group without permission for any reason; those who disobey will be executed.

All soldiers were forbidden from wearing uniforms; a black cloth was tied around their right arm for identification.

As Shi Shouxin spoke, he wrote the military order on a bamboo slip and handed it to Meng Guan. Of course, the order on the bamboo slip wouldn't be as detailed as he described.

Ma Long and Liu Qin exchanged a glance, both feeling that Shi Shouxin was meticulous in his work, having even considered such a small detail.

During night marches, soldiers occasionally get lost, sometimes more than one or two. If the army stops to search for them, who will do the searching, and what if those searching get lost themselves? How can the marching speed be maintained?

When people need to relieve themselves, some will go to the roadside to defecate or squat in a toilet. It is common for them to not be able to find the rest of the group after they have finished.

The answer to the problem actually lies in military law, but no one usually memorizes it. Most generals rely on experience, though there are also fools who fight based solely on enthusiasm.

"Understood, Commander Shi, please rest assured!"

Meng Guan accepted the military order and nodded.

Then, Shi Shouxin took out a section of bamboo tube about the height of a fist, but strangely, there was an incense stick stuck in it.

He casually lit it with a tinderbox, and the incense burned slowly inside the bamboo tube, with a faint red glow at the tip.

Shi Shouxin took the bamboo tube and walked to a dark spot inside the house where the torches couldn't reach. He looked at the three people and asked, "Can you see me now?"

Meng Guan and the other two were shocked and speechless.

In the darkness, the tiny crimson light inside the horizontally placed bamboo tube was incredibly striking!

Even if you take ten steps back, you'll still be able to see it!

"What is this?"

Liu Qin stepped forward and asked with a curious expression.

"When we launch a night raid on the Yang and Xi families, if we light torches, the fortified villages within the manor will be able to see us from several miles away."

By the time we prepared for the night raid, the servants of those wealthy households were already on high alert.

Without a call to arms, it would be difficult to assemble the troops, let alone issue military orders.

But it's different when this item is used. Each soldier hangs one on his waist and lights it, so everyone can see the small red light at night, while the servants of wealthy families further away cannot.

It can be used to find people or to give orders.

By the time we launched our attack, those inside the manor and fortress wouldn't have had time to react!

Shi Shouxin patiently explained.

The incense in the bamboo tube was still burning, and the faint red glow of the incense sticks was so striking.

"Commander Shi, this thing is brilliant!"

Liu Qin and others were amazed!

It must be said that Shi Shouxin's method was truly ingenious. Don't underestimate this small, seemingly insignificant item; its role in crucial moments should not be underestimated at all.

As expected of an official who came from the Imperial Household Department, he has a great understanding of artifacts!

"Don't stop during a forced march. Stop at midnight every day, boil water, soak your feet in hot water, sleep for two hours, and then continue on your way."

After we arrived at Yang'an Pass, we asked the garrison commander Xu Yi for grain transport carts.

Then the troops were divided into two groups of a thousand men each, who went to plunder the manors of the Yang and Xi families, loaded the goods onto grain carts, and then continued to Baocheng (the granary at the entrance of the Baoxie Road) to transport grain.

Liu Qin, you led your troops to plunder the Yang family. I've heard that this family isn't known for its martial prowess. If you can avoid using force, then do so. Remove the spearheads and only wound, not kill.

Ma Long and I led troops to raid the Xi family. We heard that this family kept thousands of servants and acted arrogantly and disregarded the Shu government. We didn't know how many private soldiers they had. A fight was probably inevitable.

After the deed is done, we will meet at the granary in Baocheng.

Shi Shouxin explained the troop deployment to Liu Qin and Ma Long, then pointed out the marching route on the map, as well as how to retreat back to Baishui Pass after the operation was completed.

"Order!"

The three of them spoke in unison.

"Go, give your orders. Travel light and without baggage. As for the bamboo tubes and incense, I have already prepared them. They can be distributed tomorrow. Now, everyone, have a good rest tonight."

After Meng Guan and the other two left, Shi Shouxin finally sat down and rubbed his temples, looking exhausted.

Following other generals in battle seems like an easy thing. For example, when Liu Qin led his troops to besiege Huangjinwei, Shi Shouxin offered advice and strategies, and it didn't seem like there was anything difficult about it.

He had a very easy time as a military supervisor; he didn't have to worry about anything except for the key issues.

But when Shi Shouxin became the leader of the troops, his feelings were completely different.

Because any small detail can ruin an army, especially when marching, as there are too many factors involved to be summarized simply as "departure." Like this time, although it was ostensibly a raid, it was actually a genuine military operation.

To carry out a robbery cleanly and efficiently, leaving no loose ends or hidden dangers, is no easy task.

What's even more frustrating is that we can't carry out murder and robbery on a large scale this time!
Looting is acceptable, but large-scale killing would threaten the rule of the Hanzhong region. Sima Zhao would certainly hold them accountable, and they would be in deep trouble! There's a balance to be struck; they can't be inactive, but they also can't push the victims to the brink of destruction!

Before long, Meng Guan returned and saw Shi Shouxin deep in thought inside the military tent. He didn't say anything, but just waited quietly to the side.

"What is it? Please speak frankly."

Shi Shouxin looked up at Meng Guan and asked, as he was preoccupied with his thoughts and didn't know why Meng Guan had returned.

"Commander Shi, if this matter is exposed, it will likely leave a stain on your record. There are no secrets that stay hidden forever; if you don't want others to know, then don't do it in the first place."

With thousands of soldiers in the army, it's hard to guarantee there aren't any who have a loose tongue; things might leak out in a few days.

Your humble origins are a stain that could very well become a weapon for your political enemies to use against you in the future, which is why I am still somewhat hesitant.

As for whether Zhong Hui will hold anyone accountable after the war, I can't say for sure.

Meng Guan said with a heavy heart, expressing his deep concern about the long-term negative impact of this matter. There are too many hypocrites these days, especially the scions of wealthy and powerful families, who appear refined and gentle on the surface but are actually thieves and prostitutes behind the scenes.

However, hypocrisy is their privilege, not the privilege of those from humble backgrounds. Everything Shi Shouxin has done will be laid bare for public scrutiny.

Disagree? You'll be convinced after being brutally beaten down by reality once.

"Two or three years ago, I was tied up like livestock and made to walk on the official road by slave traders."

I encountered many people on the road, but they acted as if they didn't see me at all. No one came forward to speak up for me, which is probably a common occurrence.

What about then? Should I still be thinking about my posthumous reputation?

Shi Shouxin looked at Meng Guan and asked.

"This...this is what chaotic times are like."

Meng Guan sighed, seemingly understanding Shi Shouxin's thoughts now. Anyone who has experienced something like this will have their worldview and values ​​reshaped.

"When you're concerned about your posthumous reputation, you must first make sure you're alive."

Only by surviving can one retain a voice to defend oneself; if one dies, then one truly loses everything, for the dead have no value whatsoever.

After entering Chengdu, Zhong Hui will definitely fight with Hu Lie, Wei Guan and others. At that time, all parties may issue military orders to me. So, who should I listen to?

Of these thousands of works, whose should we listen to?

Will they have different ideas than I do?

"If my ideas differ from theirs, will they suddenly attack and kill me?"

Shi Shouxin countered with a question.

Meng Guan was speechless, and countless generals died in the process.

Shi Shouxin was not the founder of the army under his command, and he had no prior relationship with the soldiers.

Most of these people were originally loyal soldiers raised by the Sima family. When Hu Lie attacked Yang'an Pass, he dared not let this army participate in the siege.

Clearly, Hu Lie knew something, but he didn't tell Shi Shouxin. Both Hu Lie and Du Yu were more cunning than they appeared.

"How difficult it is! If you don't take these soldiers with you to plunder, they won't take you seriously. If you do plunder, you'll be criticized afterwards."

You don't have three heads and six arms, nor can you conjure soldiers from beans. You can't produce gold and silver treasures, nor can you promise generous rewards.

Besides robbing, what other methods are there?

Meng Guan sighed, feeling that it was not worth it for Shi Shouxin.

Yes, Shi Shouxin was just one person, what could he do? If he tried to say something polite to his soldiers, they would just think he was a fool.

When Chengdu needs these people's help, all they have to ask is: Why should we listen to you?
Shi Shouxin was at a loss.

If someone shirks their duties or hesitates and stands by, it could lead to someone's death!
Seeing that Meng Guan seemed to have figured things out, Shi Shouxin patted him on the shoulder and said, "A true man acts with a clear conscience. This matter has nothing to do with you. If anything goes wrong, I'll take full responsibility and won't implicate you!"

Seeing his nonchalant expression, Meng Guan didn't press the matter further. He believed that Shi Shouxin was aware of the potential gains and losses, but often found himself powerless to change his situation.

To survive, we have to do it whether we like it or not! We have no other choice!
After Meng Guan left, Shi Shouxin held the small bamboo tube in his hand and played with it, recalling some memories buried deep in his mind.

In the previous history, how did these people fight each other in chaos after entering Shu?

Yes, Deng Ai was the first to be eliminated. After taking control of Chengdu, Deng Ai became complacent and did a series of taboo things, so he was the first to be eliminated.

Deng Ai's elimination caused the situation to quickly turn in Zhong Hui's favor, and the latter soon began to implement his plan.

Should we give Deng Ai a hand and stir things up?
Shi Shouxin pondered a somewhat bizarre plan in his mind.

It's easier to catch fish when the water is murky! Following Zhong Hui's logic won't work!

(End of this chapter)