Martial Arts: My achievements in Beiliang were so great that they threatened the lord's positio

"How can such a person be worthy of being mentioned in the same breath as the general?"

That is incorrect.

Chen Zhibao closed the book in his hand and solemnly said, "To act upon orders and to cease action upon the sound of the gong is the mark of a strong army."

"But they have consistently avoided fighting, and a prolonged stalemate is not a solution."

The deputy general sighed helplessly: "Qingliang Mountain has repeatedly sent people to urge us on. If there is no further progress, I'm afraid we will have difficulty explaining to the Prince."

Chen Zhibao slowly said, "Ten thousand Canglang cavalry and three thousand elite sword and shield soldiers are stationed inside Tianxian Pass. With only fifty thousand troops, it would be tantamount to throwing an egg against a rock to force an attack on this formidable pass."

Moreover, the Yan region can readily mobilize the cavalry of the Three Guards of the Thousand Oxen to provide reinforcements.

"Are we just going to give up like this?"

The deputy general was still unwilling to give up.

"If you were in Lin Xuan's position, would you choose to fight now?"

Chen Zhibao countered, "Yan County has suffered heavy casualties in the great battle and needs to recuperate."

Holding the Tianxian Pass ensures the safety of Yan; venturing out to fight would not only result in heavy losses but could also leave the region wide open.

"Of course not."

After a moment's thought, the lieutenant replied, "We must hold our ground and not venture out."

"Then let's continue this stalemate."

Chen Zhibao shook his head, "Let's see who can outlast the others."

The lieutenant suggested, "Tomorrow I will lead the cavalry to the pass to challenge them and see if we can provoke them to come out of the city."

The following day, the deputy general led more than 10,000 elite cavalry to the pass and sent several soldiers to stand in a place where they could not be reached by arrows, and loudly insulted them.

On the wall, Wutugu gritted his teeth, drew his iron bow and fired two arrows, both of which fell due to insufficient range.

They had no choice but to give up in anger.

"These bastards dare to insult the Great General!"

Wu Tugu clenched his fists so hard they cracked, and even Xue Toutuo's face darkened. He immediately selected several loud-voiced men to climb the wall and exchange insults.

The two sides engaged in a heated exchange, arguing all day long.

It wasn't until dusk that the deputy general, still furious, led his troops away.

The barbarian soldiers from the borderlands used vulgar and offensive language, which left him momentarily speechless.

We will neither fight nor win through verbal sparring.

Just as the verbal battle raged on at the pass, tens of thousands of newly recruited soldiers in the three major camps of Yan County had taken their places and were engaged in intensive military drills.

Jia Xiong commanded 20,000 troops in the enemy camp.

Zhang Long reorganized and trained 20,000 elite troops.

Qin Yuanba forged eight hundred battalions with his hammer.

Meng Jiao drilled 30,000 Xuanjia soldiers.

Each battalion uses veteran soldiers as the backbone, temporarily filling the positions of centurion and chiliarch. Once the new recruits are familiar with the battlefield, talented individuals will be promoted to fill the vacancies.

The veterans who survived the bloody battle at Duanlong Pass became the core of the elite force, and with the help of carefully selected new braves, the new army was ready to be formed in no time.

"Boom—Boom—"

Inside the Zhenbei General's Mansion, as dawn broke, Lin Xuan had just gotten up when he heard the rumbling sound of footsteps coming from the camp outside the city.

It was the sound of Qin Yuanba training his eight hundred battalions.

With two thousand cavalry against ten thousand Northern Python cavalry, Qin Yuanba annihilated nine thousand heavily armored enemies, making his eight hundred battalions famous far and wide.

In the past, the Northern Liang cavalry was known as "the best in the world".

It is said that after the Battle of Duanlong Pass, this reputation will probably belong to the Yan County Iron Cavalry.

The mound of 130,000 northern python heads is enough to quell all dissent.

"This kid trains the troops day and night, not even letting anyone get a good night's sleep."

Lin Xuan complained softly.

"It's all because the young master ordered that those who don't train the soldiers well should be demoted to the cooking camp to do odd jobs."

Mu Qing'er brought over hot water and said with a smile, "How dare you generals slack off?"

"If I'm really punished by being made to cook, I'll lose all face in the army."

"It was just to scare them."

Lin Xuan smiled.

He smiled and said, "Of course we won't actually assign them those trivial tasks."

"Hurry up and wash up, breakfast will be ready soon."

Mu Qing'er brought warm water into the room for him to wash his face, rinse his mouth, and change his clothes.

After breakfast, he first went to inspect the military camp outside the city, and then went to the government office of the prefecture.

The process of abolishing the county-level system and establishing the state-level system involved a very complicated personnel arrangement. It also required the establishment of two new counties in the grassland region and the creation of a complete administrative structure.

Other matters can be handled, but the candidates for governors of these two counties—actually three—have not yet been determined.

Lin Xuan has been promoted to the rank of Second-Rank General Who Guards the North and concurrently serves as the Prefect of Yanzhou, so he can no longer serve as the Prefect of Yanjun.

However, he already had a preliminary plan in mind for a suitable candidate.

The purpose of this trip to the state government office is to formally confirm the appointment of the prefects of these three counties.

The chief clerks and clerks of each department and bureau were already waiting there.

Wang Qing (courtesy name Ziyuan), Luo Wentong, Zhu Duanhe, Zhuge Qing, Li Xianbai, Luo Huanen and other staff members of the general's mansion also gathered together.

Take this opportunity to promote those who deserve promotion and reward those who deserve reward.

He himself was promoted and given a higher rank, and his subordinates should also be promoted. Those generals with outstanding military achievements have all been promoted.

Only the bestowal of honors upon the officials and staff of various departments has not yet taken place.

"Is everyone here?"

Lin Xuan took his seat, his gaze sweeping gently over the officials present.

"Reporting back to the General, all the clerks and registrars from various departments and units have arrived."

The officials present felt somewhat uneasy, because they all understood the main purpose of today's meeting.

He took out the list he had prepared in advance and began to read it aloud.

"Lin Zhenbei, the former chief clerk of the Commerce and Travel Department, was promoted to chief clerk of the Finance and Money Department of Yanzhou Prefecture for his meritorious service in procuring grain and fodder, with an official rank of fifth grade."

"Thank you for your promotion, sir."

Lin Zhenbei was overjoyed and immediately clasped his hands in thanks.

"The former chief clerk of the Ordnance Department was promoted to chief clerk of the Ordnance Department of the prefectural government, with an official rank of fifth grade."

"The former Registrar of the Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Department was promoted to Registrar of the Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Department of the Prefectural Government, with an official rank of fifth grade."

Lin Xuan was very comfortable using this team, and the main purpose of this reward was to promote their positions from the county government to the prefecture government level.

Their official rank and salary were both raised by one level.

After the long list of names and official titles was read out, only the positions of prefect, registrar, and assistant prefect of the three prefectures remained to be assigned.

He picked up his teacup, gently moistened his throat, and continued, "Wang Qing, you have followed me for many years, and I know your abilities very well."

Now you have two choices: one is to serve as the chief clerk of the prefecture and concurrently as an advisor to the general's office; the other is to serve as the prefect of Yan County.

The decision is yours.

"Reporting back to the General, I have chosen to serve as the Registrar of the Prefecture."

Wang Qing answered without hesitation.

On the surface, the prefect seems to have more power, but he will be further away from Lin Xuan in the future; while the chief clerk of the prefecture will have more opportunities to make meritorious contributions.

"very good."

Lin Xuan nodded: "Effective immediately, you are promoted to Registrar of the Prefectural Government and concurrently serve as Advisor to the General's Office, with an official rank of third grade."

"Thank you, General."

Wang Qing's eyes sparkled.

"Lin Ruhai".

Lin Xuan called out.

"Your humble servant is here."

Lin Ruhai, the county magistrate of Dongyuan County, stepped forward in response.

"Now that you've been promoted to Prefect of Yan Commandery, are you capable of shouldering the responsibility of governing the people and managing their livelihoods?"

"able."

Lin Ruhai answered solemnly.

"Su Heqing, Leng Sanqiu".

"Your humble servant is here."

"You two will serve as the Registrar of Yan Commandery and the Assistant Prefect, respectively."

"Thank you, sir."

"Zhu Duanhe".

"Your subordinate is here."

"You will be appointed as the governor of Xiapi Commandery."

"Tu Baili and Luo Huan'en, you two will be appointed as the Prefect and Registrar of Xiapi County, respectively."

"Thank you, sir."

"Luo Wentong".

"Your subordinate is here."

"You will be appointed as the governor of Shangdang County."

"Thank you, sir."

Luo Wentong remained calm and composed, neither hasty nor slow.

"Mu Juechen, you will serve as the Chief Clerk of Shangdang Commandery, and Zhang Wei will serve as the Prefectural Governor of Shangdang Commandery."

"Thank you, sir."

In the prefectural governments of the three counties, the military commanders were all confidants of Lin Xuan.

"The territory of Xiapi County extends eastward from Yangcheng to Luanshi City; Shangdang County covers the grassland area east of the Misang River, and currently only includes the territory of the Doyan Three Guards."

Luo Wentong heard the other party say, "You, as the governor of Shangdang, have the heaviest burden. You not only have to deal with the three tribes of Duoyan, but also expand the territory."

"If you need manpower, silver, or troops, just let me know, and I will grant your request."

"General, rest assured, I will do my utmost to protect Shangdang."

Luo Wentong answered in response.

"Zhuge Qing, you are hereby promoted to the position of Assistant Prefect of the General's Office, and concurrently serve as the Chief Clerk of the State Government Office."

"Thank you, General."

Zhuge Qing was in high spirits.

Just a few months ago, he was an unknown commoner, but now he has become the fourth-rank official in the General's Mansion.

The other staff members and officials also received rewards.

Once the main officials of the three prefectures were determined, subsequent affairs went much more smoothly, as they were able to recruit personnel themselves to establish the prefectural government offices.

If one cannot even handle such a task properly, one is naturally not qualified to serve as a prefect or vice-prefect.

Previously, this general concurrently served as the governor of Yan Commandery, wielding both military and political power. Now, the commandery has been abolished and replaced by a prefecture.

They then needed to gradually separate, with the governors of the three prefectures focusing on government affairs and people's livelihood.

The Ordnance Department, Military Affairs Department, and Treasury Department, among other agencies, were all required to relocate to the prefectural government office.

However, the prefectural government office has not yet been completed and will have to wait for some time.

As the Prefect of Yanzhou and a second-rank General of the Northern Garrison, he governed three prefectures covering a radius of a thousand li, with well-trained troops and ample provisions.

Lin Xuan now

They already possess the confidence to confront the King of Northern Liang head-on.

From the end of July to the beginning of August, the autumn harvest began in various places, and another bumper year was ushered in. Large quantities of grain and fodder were transported from various places to Yanzhou City, and after inspection, they were stored in the official granaries.

Sufficient reserves bring peace of mind.

September is coming to an end

As the weather gradually turns cooler, the Tiger Warriors, Black Armored Army, Trapped Camp, and the Eight Hundred Camps, totaling tens of thousands of cavalry and infantry, have completed their initial training.

Of course, this was only the initial formation of the army. In their spare time, they would be transferred to the eastern grasslands to fight against the tribes, or to the area outside Duanlong Pass to attack Juzi Prefecture.

Elite troops are forged in real combat.

End of October

Severe cold

Winter has arrived in the entire Yanzhou region, and snow has already begun to fall in Shangdang, in the far east.

Although no snow fell in Yan County, the sky had been overcast for days, with fog and thick clouds piling up.

A few days ago, Lin Zhenbei delivered a batch of high-quality silver charcoal to the General's Mansion and distributed it to various courtyards.

As temperatures have dropped recently, fires have been lit in courtyards everywhere.

"My lord, yesterday Arutai Chanyu sent ten top-quality furs, saying they were for you to sew into robes and cloaks."

When Mu Qing'er entered the study, Lin Xuan, the Great General of the Northern Garrison, was warming himself with tea.

"This Arughtai is quite thoughtful."

He took the gift list and examined it closely. In addition to furs, there were also many high-quality beef, mutton and venison, all delivered by fast horse.

"Has he been behaving himself these days?"

After reviewing the gift list, he asked a question.

"Quite well-behaved."

Mu Qing'er nodded: "Not only Arutai, but also Qiboer and Mahado Chanyu actively cooperated with Prefect Luo."

Ten thousand elite cavalrymen have been dispatched from each of the three garrisons and have been handed over to Zhang Wei.

"It's good to be content with one's lot."

Lin Xuan nodded slightly: "I have already made it clear to Arutai and the others that they should know how to weigh whether they want lasting wealth or short-term power."

"I heard that Zhang Wei fought two battles in Shangdang last month and wiped out several small tribes."

"Exactly."

Mu Qing'er said, "In addition to the three tribes of Duoyan, there are dozens of other tribes of varying sizes on the Eastern Grassland."

Currently, Shangdang County only controls the territory under the jurisdiction of the Three Guards of Duoyan.

"If we want to bring the entire Eastern Plains under our control, we will probably have to go through a few tough battles."

Lin Xuan said, "Have Luo Wentong, Zhang Wei, and Arutai discuss and submit a military strategy to the General's Mansion before the spring of next year."

"Yes, I will send someone to deliver the message tomorrow."

"Has Chen Zhibao not withdrawn his troops yet?"

"Never."

Mu Qing'er said unhappily, "That person is like sticky candy. Every day he sends people to the gate to argue with Xue Toutuo, and every few days he sends a challenge letter."

"I threw them all into the kitchen to burn as firewood."

"What are they all cursing about?"

He was quite curious.

"It's nothing more than the Northern Liang people insulting you, young master, so Xue Toutuo and the others retaliated by insulting Chen Zhibao and Xu Xiao, specifically choosing the most offensive words."

Mu Qing'er gave a soft hum.

"Divide these pieces of leather into two for Yu'er, two for the small plate, two for the large plate, and send two to Qin'er as well."

"Keep the other two for me. I'll go to Tianxian Pass tomorrow to bribe my sworn brother."

"And me?"

Mu Qing'er opened her eyes wide.

"You don't need it."