Sweep Yuan

Chapter 167 With the Power of the Army, Jun Bi Submits

The intercalary third month has passed, and summer has arrived in the Jianghuai region. The sun has been shining brightly for days, and the "Zuo" banner on the city wall of Hefei hangs listlessly under the warm sun, as if it has lost its former vigor.

Inside the city, the military camp, which should have been bustling with activity, was now shrouded in a depressing silence. A few swallows chirped as they hunted mosquitoes, a cheerful sound that, upon reaching the ears of the nobleman in the main tent, only added to his irritation.

Inside Zuo Junbi's tent, the doors and windows were tightly closed, attempting to block out the heat from the outside, but also locking in the stuffiness. Light filtered through the gaps in the fine bamboo curtains, casting dappled shadows on the blue brick floor, and a faint herbal scent permeated the air.

Zuo Junbi sat upright in the main seat, his posture still upright, but the gloom between his brows was hard to dispel. On the large rosewood table in front of him, a letter that had just been delivered was spread out.

The letter paper bore Shi Shan's distinctive handwriting; each character was as if cast in iron, carrying an undeniable weight.
"The uprising in Hefei protected the Jianghuai region, a feat that benefits the Han dynasty. The meeting in Liang County demonstrated our trust and righteousness."

Your elder brother, Junmei, is now settled in Haozhou, with a well-maintained residence. I have attached his handwritten letter as proof.

The Red Flag Battalion will arrive in Liang County within ten days. You are to send all the troops from Hefei to join forces in Liang County and attack the remaining Yuan forces in Luzhou Road from both sides.

The mountains and rivers are treacherous, but only your tribe can break through them. We will hunt down the city walls, sweep away all obstacles, and achieve our goal in this one fell swoop!

These few words, however brief, were like heavy shackles, once again binding Hefei Jun's neck.

Zuo Junbi's fingers unconsciously traced the edge of the letter, his gaze lingering on the phrase "attached is a handwritten letter as proof" for a long time.

Beside Shi Shan's handwritten order lay an unopened letter, the envelope bearing the handwriting of his elder brother, Zuo Junmei.

With her father's full support, Zuo Junmei had been operating in Chaohu Lake for several years, owning nearly a hundred boats of various sizes and hundreds of fishermen. She was originally the number one civilian force in Chaohu Lake. In this chaotic world, with a little maneuvering, she could dominate Chaohu Lake. With the cooperation of the Hefei army by land and water, she could influence the entire situation in Luzhou Road.

To support his elder brother's struggle for control of Chaohu, Zuo Junbi also squeezed out a large number of weapons from the already insufficient military equipment in Hefei, and transferred hundreds of elite soldiers to Zuo Junmei.

Who could have imagined that such a solid foundation and preparation would be shattered in a single battle by Xu Da, who had just "launched" the fleet? The Zuo clan's warships, accumulated over many years, were either burned or captured, and their elite sailors were either killed or surrendered. Even more infuriatingly, his elder brother himself was captured in the chaos of battle!

This was not only the collapse of the Zuo family's foundation, but also the complete severing of the Hefei army's path forward.

This "family letter" from Haozhou was less a greeting from a relative and more a silent declaration from Shishan: Zuo Junmei's life, and even the weakness of the entire Zuo family, was firmly in his hands.

The tent was deathly silent; you could hear a pin drop. Several trusted generals held their breath, their eyes fixed on Zuo Junbi's unpredictable expression.

Zuo Junbi took a deep breath, suppressing the chaotic thoughts in his mind, and slowly pushed Shi Shan's edict to the center of the table. His voice was deliberately steady, but he could not hide the deep-seated weariness and heaviness in it:
"Shishan is about to send troops to Luzhou again, saying he wants to wipe out the remaining Yuan army in this area. He has ordered the entire Hefei army to join the Red Flag Battalion in attacking the Yuan army from both sides. Tell me, how should we... respond?"

"How do we deal with this?!"

On a recliner in the corner, Zhang Huan, the cavalry general from Hefei, struggled to sit up, but the splint binding his broken leg restricted his movements. His face was sallow, his eyes were sunken, and his once robust body had become emaciated from the pain. However, his bloodshot eyes burned with an even more frenzied rage.

"Send troops? Send some worthless troops! We're not going! What can Shi Shan do to us?! Do you think his men have wings and can fly over the high walls and deep moats of Hefei? I don't believe it!"

As he spoke, Zhang Huan's chest heaved violently, and his heavy breathing was particularly clear in the quiet tent.

Zuo Junbi's brows furrowed even more.

Hefei is now unprotected on the east, north, and south sides, directly exposed to the Red Flag Battalion's advance. Having lost the water depth of Chaohu Lake, the Hefei army has little room to maneuver in the face of the increasingly powerful Red Flag Battalion.

Zhang Huan's roaring solved nothing except for venting his emotions.

What Zuo Junbi needs most right now is a calm mind and a good strategy to break the deadlock, not angry and nonsensical talk.

"Second brother."

The words of Zuo Junfu, the third son of the Zuo family, broke the awkward silence following Zhang Huan's outburst. His gaze shifted between Zuo Junbi and the unopened family letter as he carefully chose his words:
“Shishan is cunning, and his words cannot be entirely trusted. I am truly worried about my elder brother’s safety in Haozhou. Why don’t we send a team of capable men to Haozhou by fast horse to find out his situation before making a decision?”

Zuo Junfu's words seemed to express concern for his elder brother's safety, but everyone in the tent, including Zuo Junbi, understood the underlying meaning—this was a reminder to Zuo Junbi that his elder brother's life was at stake, and he must not act rashly in a moment of anger, jeopardizing his brother's survival and the family's future.

Zuo Junbi felt bitter. He understood his third brother's reminder all too well. If it weren't for the future of the family, why would he have listened to Xu Da's almost commanding "persuasion" in March and gone to Liang County to bow down and pay homage to Shishan?

But at this moment, in front of his generals, as the lord of Hefei, he had to maintain the image of a strong leader and could not show any weakness in family matters or fear of Shishan.

Zuo Junbi abruptly raised his head, his gaze sweeping across the generals below like lightning. His voice suddenly rose, carrying a deliberate air of certainty:

“Shishan is a powerful and ruthless man of our time, and he acts with great method. If he covets my Hefei base, he will take it openly and forcefully. Given his status and position, he would never stoop to such underhanded means as threatening my elder brother’s safety. You need not worry about this matter.”

He made a decisive conclusion, as if he were persuading others, but even more so, he was persuading himself. But as soon as he finished speaking, Zuo Junbi subconsciously pushed the family letter on the table gently in front of his third brother.

This action, however, revealed his anxiety and compromise—he needed this letter to comfort his third brother, and also to soothe his own anxious heart.

Silence fell again in the tent, heavier than before.

Only Yin Congdao, a veteran who had fought alongside Zuo Junbi's father Zuo Wu for many years, had experienced far more setbacks than others. He had long since emerged from the shadow of the Red Flag Battalion holding Hefei Army hostage on both land and water and had begun to think about a realistic way out.

"General, Shi Shan's ambition in sending troops this time is not merely to wipe out the remnants of the Yuan army in this region, but rather to completely sweep away the entire Luzhou region. Hefei is located in the heart of Luzhou region, controlling the vital north-south passage. If Shi Shan unifies Luzhou region, then Hefei will surely fall to him."

Yin Congdao paused, giving Zuo Junbi time to think, before continuing:
"General, we now face only two paths: either obstruct their advance, or..."

Yin Congdao's voice was even lower, carrying an almost sorrowful heaviness.

"Following the trend of the times, we will help them succeed. With the strength of our Hefei army, we will serve as their vanguard and pawns, clearing the Luzhou Road for them. General, have you thought it through? Which path should we choose?"

Zuo Junbi led his troops in rebellion merely to perpetuate his family's wealth and status; he had the audacity to kill officials and seize Hefei, but he lacked the ambition to conquer the world.

Whether it's stopping Shishan's expansion or cooperating with Shishan to take over Luzhou Road, it all has to revolve around the goal of continuing the family's wealth and status.

Otherwise, it's better not to do it at all.

To resist head-on would lead to self-destruction; to continue bowing one's head would mean completely abandoning autonomy and becoming a vassal of the rocky mountain.

This decision was of paramount importance, and Zuo Junbi found it extremely difficult to make up his mind. After a long while, he finally raised his head with difficulty, his voice hoarse, and said:

“What Uncle Yin said is all reasonable. But this matter is of great importance, concerning the survival of tens of thousands of soldiers and civilians in Hefei. Allow me... to think about it some more.”

Yin Congdao sighed inwardly. If Zuo Wu were still alive, he would not be so hesitant and timid in the face of this situation, regardless of whether there was a way out. He then fell silent.

Two days later, Liang County, less than 100 miles northeast of Hefei, was a sea of ​​flags.

The Red Flag Battalion, like a red torrent, marched into Liang County in a mighty and unstoppable force.

Nearly two months later, Shishan visited the place again, but his feelings were quite different.

The last time, it was to seize this strategic foothold and open up the gateway to control Luzhou Road. This time, it is to use this as a springboard to target the entire Luzhou Road.

On the open fields outside Liang County, the camps stretched as far as the eye could see, with the crimson "Shi" character banner of the commander and the battle flags of each battalion fluttering in the wind.

The soldiers, dressed in uniform red battle jackets, set up camp, dug trenches, and erected antlers in an orderly manner under the command of their officers.

The sounds of joyful footsteps, the clanging of metal plates, commands, and the neighing of mules and horses intertwined, creating a powerful and awe-inspiring force.

Shi Shan, clad in a light black armor and covered by a crimson battle robe, stood atop the central watchtower, overlooking the massive war machine beneath his feet, driven by his will.

Behind him, a group of fierce generals, including Gong Wu, the commander of the Moon-Holding Guard, Chang Yuchun, the commander of the Sun-Supporting Guard, and Li Wu, the commander of the Valiant Cavalry Guard, stood solemnly, like fierce beasts guarding a lion.

The army's rear is not safe during this expedition.

The Red Turban Army in Xuzhou was unstable, and Li Zhiyin was losing control over the various generals. The Yuan army also intensified its troop deployment on Jining Road north of Xuzhou, and the Xuzhou Road defense line was at risk of being breached by the Yuan army at any time.

Shishan left Hu Dahai, the most steady and reliable commander of the Bashan Guard, to guard Haozhou, commanding the rear camps and reinforcements to ensure the safety of the supply lines and retreat routes.

The main force accompanying him on the expedition consisted of three core field forces: the Moon-Holding Guard, the Sun-Supporting Guard, and the Valiant Cavalry Guard. In addition, there were 3,000 supplementary soldiers who had been rigorously selected, as well as a large amount of grain and supplies. Long before the main force arrived, the supplies were transported to Liang County in batches by the supply battalion.

The Red Flag Battalion army set off from Haozhou, passed through Dingyuan, and trekked more than 200 li to Liang County.

The Hefei army, which was so close at hand, had not yet set off.

"Third Brother!"

Li Wu strode up the watchtower, his dark face etched with anxiety and impatience, and said to Shi Shan's retreating figure:

"Zuo Junbi is probably not coming. In my opinion, that fellow is deliberately defying orders, wanting me to take the elite cavalry to Hefei and—"

Li Wu originally wanted to say, "Drag him out and behead him," but the words caught in his throat as he remembered the towering city walls of Hefei and the helplessness of cavalry facing a fortified city. He abruptly changed his tone and said in a muffled voice:

"...Go and raze all the remaining villages outside his city to the ground, relocate all the people, and leave him not a single grain of food. I want to see how long he can remain a coward in the city; let him starve to death!"

In March, when Shishan captured Liang County and was preparing to return to Haozhou, he ordered the Xiaoqi Guard to forcibly relocate nearly 10,000 people from the eastern part of Hefei, near the border of Liang County, in order to replenish the population of Dingyuan. At that time, Zuo Junbi had just started his uprising and was not yet firmly established, so he could only watch helplessly as the Red Flag Battalion seized the people.

However, times have changed. Dingyuan's population is nearing saturation, and the resettlement and management of any more people moving in would pose significant challenges.

Meanwhile, in Hefei, Zuo Junbi had already begun to consolidate the factions within the city and greatly enhanced his control over the areas outside the city. Villages around Hefei were forming settlements one after another, making it extremely difficult to relocate the population and easily provoking strong public resentment and resistance.

Even if forcibly using force could seize some people, it would inevitably come at a price, and would sow seeds of hatred in the hearts of the people of Hefei and even the entire Luzhou Road, seriously shaking the foundation of future rule.

Shishan already considers Hefei its for the taking, the core of its future development along Luzhou Road. How can it tolerate Li Wu continuing to use such short-sighted and destructive methods?
"What's the rush?" Shi Shan's voice wasn't loud, but it carried an undeniable calmness that instantly suppressed Li Wu's anxiety. He didn't turn around, his gaze still fixed on the distance, his tone flat, revealing no trace of anxiety, as he continued:
"My agreement with Zuo Junbi is for a ten-day deadline. The deadline hasn't arrived yet, so why panic?"

Shishan is indeed not in a hurry.

From the moment Zuo Junbi was forced to "surrender the city and change the flag" in Liang County and bow his head in obeisance, the relationship between the two sides as master and servant was already established.

The Red Flag Battalion is growing stronger, with well-trained soldiers and ample supplies; the Hefei Army is besieged in an isolated city, its strength diminished. This fundamental balance of power will not change because of Zuo Junbi's temporary delay; on the contrary, the longer it drags on, the greater the gap will become.

As long as Zuo Junbi does not rebel, small-scale skirmishes and conflicts between the two armies in the border area will not affect the overall situation.

If Zuo Junbi is sensible and obeys the order to send troops, that would naturally be the most ideal outcome.

The Red Flag Battalion can save the troops defending Hefei, and Zuo Junbi's army, familiar with the terrain, can serve as guides and auxiliary forces, reducing the losses of the main force in attacking the city and speeding up the pacification of Luzhou Road. Everyone is happy.

If he remains obstinate and refuses to come, will he not come as ordered?
That's okay too.

It simply means leaving more elite troops to garrison Liang County, keep an eye on the Hefei army, and guard against any possible backstabbing.

I'll just have to work harder and personally lead the main force to fight a few more tough battles and capture a few more strongholds.

In fact, if Zuo Junbi dared to disobey orders, it would give him a pretext to criticize him.

Once the Red Flag Battalion has swept through the remaining prefectures and counties of Luzhou Road and integrated more resources, it can then return with overwhelming force, and thus justifiably raise the banner of "punishing the rebels," completely eliminate the hidden danger of Hefei, and bring it under its complete control.

On the last day of the agreed-upon deployment, the sun was already setting in the west, casting long shadows of the flags at the Liang County camp. Finally, billowing dust rose from the west side of the camp.

A group of about two thousand people arrived in Liang County in the afterglow of the setting sun. At the head of the group, a slightly worn banner with the character "左" (left) fluttered in the wind.

Beneath the banner, Zuo Junbi, clad in gleaming fish-scale armor and a brocade robe, sat ramrod straight on a tall, blue horse. But the weariness and resentment deep in his eyes did not escape Shi Shan's sharp gaze.

Although the Hefei army did not send out its entire force, it was personally led by Zuo Junbi, so the gesture was still quite impressive.

The troops stopped a short distance from the main camp gate. Zuo Junbi dismounted, took a deep breath, and strode to the front of the central command tent. He bowed respectfully to Shi Shan, who was already waiting there, and said:

"This humble general, Zuo Junbi, has been ordered to lead his troops here. Due to delays on the journey, I have arrived late. Please punish me, Marshal!"

Shi Shan's face instantly broke into a hearty smile, as if the previous waiting had never happened. He quickly stepped forward and personally helped Zuo Junbi up by the arm, his strength neither too light nor too heavy, with a deliberate warmth.

"Haha! General Zuo, you flatter me. Since you're here, it's never too late."

Shi Shan's gaze swept over the Hefei soldiers behind Zuo Junbi, who, despite their travel-worn appearance, still maintained their ranks, and he nodded approvingly.

"General Zuo is a skilled commander, and his troops are all elite warriors. With your assistance, this southward campaign will surely be a resounding success!"

The two men tacitly agreed not to mention the unpleasant clashes between their armies on land and sea last month. After a few simple pleasantries, Shi Shan got straight to the point, starting to arrange the marching order, his tone naturally carrying the authority of a commander.

"Our army's first target in this southward march is Chaoxian! This city guards the throat of Chaohu Lake. If we take it, Chaohu Lake will be under our control, and it will also deter the remaining Yuan army in Luzhou Road."

His gaze shifted to Zuo Junbi, carrying an unquestionable air of authority.

"General Zuo's troops have come a long way and are exhausted from their journey. How about they travel together with the central army?"

Zuo Junbi breathed a sigh of relief. His biggest worry was that Shi Shan would use him as a pawn to kill someone else, putting him on the front line of the siege and weakening the Hefei army.

Shi Shan's arrangement for the Hefei army to accompany the central army was exactly what he wanted. Zuo Junbi immediately clasped his hands in a fist salute and responded in a loud voice:
"Your subordinate obeys! I will follow the Marshal's orders!"

As a base for the army's advance and a hub for the transfer of supplies, Liang County had to be guarded by a reliable force to ensure the safety of the rear.

Shishan ordered Shao Rong, the commander of the Fujun Guard, to lead only one thousand soldiers to accompany the army on the expedition, while the rest would remain in Liang County to ensure the smooth flow of supplies and to guard against any possible disturbances in Hefei (although the possibility had been greatly reduced).

Including the two thousand soldiers from Hefei brought by Zuo Junbi, the army that marched south to conquer Chaoxian had ten thousand soldiers in combat alone. In addition, the Red Flag Battalion navy, which was already patrolling and waiting in Chaohu Lake, would naturally be able to conquer Chaoxian, a small town that was not a fortified city.

However, if they wanted to completely wipe out the remnants of the Yuan army in Luzhou Road, divide their troops to guard key passes, pacify the local area, and suppress any possible resistance, relying on only 10,000 soldiers would be somewhat insufficient.

Zuo Junbi couldn't fathom Shi Shan's thoughts, nor did he dare to ask too many questions. He simply strictly disciplined his troops, requiring them to follow closely behind the central army during marches, and forbidding them from acting on their own or engaging in conflicts with friendly forces.

The next day, the army set off, leaving Liang County and heading southeast towards Chao County. The gap between the Red Flag Battalion and the Hefei Army was then clearly displayed to Zuo Junbi and his men.

The Red Flag Battalion headquarters had only eight thousand soldiers.

In terms of numbers, it was far smaller than Peng Yingyu's army, which often rallied tens of thousands of refugees. However, the elite status and discipline of this army secretly alarmed Zuo Junbi, a veteran general with many years of military experience.

As the procession moved, the infantry squares resembled moving red walls, their armor gleaming and their spears like a forest. The cavalry were positioned on both flanks, their horses skillfully controlled, their ranks tight, and the dust kicked up by their horses did not appear chaotic.

The flags of each guard, battalion, and unit were strictly distinguished by color, pattern, and size, and were held high during marches. Flag signals were used to transmit orders swiftly and efficiently.

As the route passed through villages and communities, the quartermaster, carrying a warrant from Shishan and accompanied by village elders, would collect military supplies such as grain, fodder, and timber in an orderly manner. Soldiers were strictly prohibited from entering villages to harass others, and burning, killing, and looting were strictly forbidden.

This was a stark contrast to the “spectacle” of the Yuan army that Zuo Junbi had witnessed since he joined the army with his father at the age of twelve, where they swept through the countryside like locusts, burning, killing, looting, and committing all sorts of atrocities.

What shocked Zuo Junbi even more was that in some larger villages and towns, when the Red Flag Battalion passed by, the local elders actually brought food and drink and stood by the roadside to welcome this righteous army that was carrying the banner of "driving out the barbarians".

This situation was something Zuo Junbi had never seen or even dared to imagine in his military career; the people's hearts had turned against him to this extent.

As Zuo Junbi rode on his horse, watching the Red Flag Battalion soldiers treat the common people without harming them, and even when curious children approached, they were not driven away. A chill, accompanied by a deep sense of powerlessness, quietly crept into Zuo Junbi's heart.

The strictness of Shishan's military discipline, the excellence of his soldiers, and his emphasis on the hearts of the people far exceeded his expectations.

No wonder he was able to start from a small corner of Hong County, fight his way out of the Yuan court and other warlords, and build a huge base in Haozhou, Chuzhou, Liang County and other places.

This ability and this vision are by no means accidental!
But the shock that Shishan brought to Zuo Junbi was far from over.

Two days later, the army was less than a day's journey from Chaoxian when scouts galloped to report that a force of about a thousand men was waiting for the army from the southeast.

Shi Shan's expression remained unchanged; he merely nodded slightly. Zuo Junbi, however, felt a sudden unease, a sense of foreboding rising within him.

When the team came into clear view, Zuo Junbi's eyes narrowed sharply, and his hand gripping the reins tightened involuntarily.

Although they were still far away, he was all too familiar with the mottled armor, the loose and untrained formation, and the distinctive markings that were faintly visible in the ranks!
In the past two years, Zuo Junbi, along with his father Zuo Wu, fought repeatedly with this team around Chaohu Lake. Even if they were reduced to ashes, he would still recognize them as "Peng Zu's family".

Zuo Junbi could even recognize at a glance the general at the very front of the column, a man of medium build, strong and valiant—Chief Qiu Cheng! A ruthless bandit leader who had once caused him to lose many soldiers!
Qiu Cheng straightened his armor and, accompanied by a few close followers, hurried towards the central army. His face showed no arrogance, but rather an almost humble respect.

Running a few steps to Shishan's horse, Qiu Cheng suddenly knelt on one knee, clasped his hands in a salute, and spoke in a loud voice filled with excitement:
"Qiu Cheng, commander of the Hanshan Righteous Army, pays his respects to Marshal Shi! Hearing that the Marshal is personally leading the heavenly army to conquer the stubborn Mongol Yuan army, Qiu Cheng has led all the righteous men of the city to come and join us with utmost sincerity! We are willing to serve the Marshal, even at the cost of our lives!"

"So that's how it is!" Zuo Junbi instantly understood.

Peng Yingyu led his main force and elite troops on a westward expedition to Chizhou Road, causing quite a stir. He was in Hefei and was an enemy of the "Peng Zu family," so he naturally heard about it.

Zuo Junbi also speculated at the time that Shishan would take this opportunity to forcibly annex the territory left by Peng Yingyu in Luzhou Road, and there would definitely be a struggle between the two sides. Hefei Army might be able to find a way out from this.

But what he saw before him shattered all his illusions. The Shishan army had just arrived, and Qiu Cheng had actually led his troops to surrender, his attitude so humble and submissive. What did this mean?
This means that Shishan's hand had already reached Hanshan, that Peng Yingyu's westward expedition was likely a move in Shishan's game, and that his elaborate scheme of using one enemy to devour another was utterly naive and laughable in Shishan's eyes!

Shi Shan smiled gently yet with great authority. He dismounted and personally helped Qiu Cheng up. His movements were natural and fluid, conveying the affability and control of a superior.

"Commander Qiu is a man of great righteousness. His leadership in bringing his people to join us is a blessing for the people of Luzhou. Please rise up! To restore Luzhou and drive out the Yuan invaders, we need local heroes like Commander Qiu, who are highly respected by the people, to work together with one heart and one mind."

What made Zuo Junbi even more uneasy was that Shi Shan, holding Qiu Cheng's arm, actually pulled him and turned him around to walk towards him.

Shi Shan's gaze fell on Zuo Junbi, carrying an unquestionable tone.

"Commander Qiu, this is General Zuo Junbi of Hefei, also a righteous man who resisted the Yuan Dynasty. Now he stands with us under the red flag, joining us in this great undertaking."

He turned to Zuo Junbi, his tone calm yet carrying an invisible pressure.

“General Zuo, Commander Qiu previously served under Peng Yingyu, and his stance may differ from ours. On the battlefield, he has likely clashed with your subordinates many times, creating some grudges. However…”

Shi Shan's voice rose slightly, carrying a sense of decisiveness in settling the dispute.

"Now that the past is gone, you two are united under the red flag. You should be focused on driving out the Mongol invaders and restoring the Han Chinese land. Let bygones be bygones and cooperate sincerely. All past misunderstandings and conflicts should be wiped clean. What do you say?"

Peng Yingyu led all his elite troops away, effectively abandoning Hanshan County. Qiu Cheng was not originally a direct subordinate of Peng's troops, and trapped in Hanshan, he could not hold out on his own. He recalled the hint that Shishan had given him when he was sent as an envoy to Haozhou, and was hesitating whether to send someone to Haozhou to contact them to switch sides and join the Red Flag Camp.

Shishan had already sent troops to Luzhou Road and sent messengers to summon the Hanshan militia to come and help. Qiu Cheng knew that joining the Red Flag Battalion and accepting reorganization was the only way out. He had no regrets about the past and came happily.

Qiu Cheng bowed deeply to Zuo Junbi, his tone sincere, and said:
"General Zuo! In the past, our two armies faced each other, each serving their own lord. On the battlefield, swords and spears have no eyes. If I have offended your might, I hope you will forgive me. From now on, I will follow Marshal Shi's lead and am willing to join hands with you to fight against the Mongol Yuan!"

Zuo Junbi's cheeks flushed slightly. Resentment and frustration gnawed at his heart like venomous snakes, but in front of Shi Shan, he could only suppress his turbulent emotions, try his best to control his facial muscles, and return the greeting with a fist and palm salute to Qiu Cheng.

"Commander Qiu, you flatter me. With the Marshal in person, how could I dare to harbor any disrespect? As the Marshal has said, the past should be wiped clean, and I am willing to work together with Commander Qiu... with one heart and one mind."

"

(End of this chapter)