My lord, spare his life!

Guan Zong glanced at Zhang Daji and vaguely guessed Zhang Yang's plan.

Without Xiao Sui's arrangement, he would most likely have guessed that Zhang Yang wanted him to send troops immediately to relieve the siege of Dizuo City, but since Xiao Sui mentioned an ambush, that guess was unlikely.

The mystery was solved when Zhang Daji brought the bamboo tube.

Zhang Yang wanted to take matters into his own hands.

She was given the troops besieging the Imperial City.

Guan Zong and his men acted ahead of time to prevent the enemy from retreating back to their homeland, striving to eliminate them midway. Guan Zong, who prided himself on being intelligent and cunning, still looked at Xiao Sui with a hint of apprehension: "You anticipated that the lord would intervene?"

Yes, the Imperial City is of great significance to the lord.

Xiao Sui lightly waved her fan: "No, not at all."

She is a human being, not a charlatan with the ability to predict the future.

Guan Zong felt an itch running through his heart, like a cat constantly scratching at a paperboard. Unfortunately, Xiao Sui was still preoccupied with Guan Zong's "dragging others down and sharing the risks," and pettyly refused to tell him. Guan Zong's itching was his own business; whether he was dying of it or not was none of her concern.

Guan Zong: "..."

Zhang Daji stepped on his arm with one paw.

They were expressing strong dissatisfaction by chattering.

It hadn't even rested in its race against time, managing only a brief nap while flying. This human, on the other hand, was openly slacking off, so lazy! Thinking of this, the bird's claws tightened involuntarily.

Looking at Zhang Daji's sharp, metallic claws, Guan Zong broke out in a cold sweat, his scalp tingling—the strength of a star beast could truly tear a person apart alive. If Zhang Daji didn't control its strength, it could easily crush a person's arm into a pile of dust.

"Chirp—"

Zhang Daji used his bird claws to pull the whip from Guan Zong's waist, and mimicking Zhang Yang's action, he pretended to lash Guan Zong as well. He looked every bit the solemn and ruthless overseer.

Guan Zong: "Ancestor, little ancestor, spare my life!"

They dared not delay any longer and set off immediately.

Zhang Daji did not leave the group. Instead, it landed steadily on Guan Zong's warhorse's rump, its eyes closed, and its breathing soon became steady. However, if the horse's rump under the bird's claws stopped wriggling, it would open its eyes and stare intently at Guan Zong's back.

Xiao Sui: "Why do I feel like it wants to slap you?"

Guan Zong muttered, "...Like man, like bird."

Whether it's Zhang Daji's former master Wang Qi or his new master Zhang Yang, both of them are extraordinary people, and even the birds they raise can go crazy.

"What are you looking at?" Under Xiao Sui's ambiguous gaze, even the thick-skinned Guan Zong felt uncomfortable—he really didn't dare to shout at Zhang Yang and Wang Qi, and only dared to whisper, because Zhang Yang and Wang Qi were the kind of unreasonable troublemakers!

What's more troublesome than a thug is a thug who can fight.

You can't beat them in a fight, and you can't win an argument with them.

With Zhang Daji acting as the military supervisor, Guan Zong dared not delay for a moment and headed straight for his destination. Only on the way did he voice his question: "Why was the army that attacked the Imperial Throne City Liesi?"

Since the intelligence delivered by the messenger had been altered by the enemy, its contents could not be relied upon. Xiao Sui planned an ambush, but according to the map, the only surrounding force that could be ambushed was Liesi. However, Liesi was closer to Chesi, while Eunuch County and Hu County were closer to the Imperial Throne City, especially Eunuch County, which was practically a neighbor of the Imperial Throne City. These two were closer than the Imperial Throne City and Zongzheng County.

Geographically, the Eunuch County had a natural advantage.

A normal person would think that way too.

Since they share the same enemy, they will naturally attack whichever side has the more convenient means. If Guan Zong were the enemy, he would have sent the troops from Liesi County to raid Chesi County; even if unsuccessful, it would still put pressure on the latter. Xiao Sui's judgment was completely different from Guan Zong's. Guan Zong suspected that the other side had some special intelligence channels.

Upon receiving the news, Zhang Yang immediately mustered his troops and set off.

The recent battles in the mountains went smoothly, with minimal casualties. Those who survived received generous rewards, and even the wounded received proper care and full pay during their recovery period. These conditions further boosted morale, maximizing the soldiers' enthusiasm for battle. Upon receiving the call to deploy, the soldiers' spirits visibly lifted, eager to volunteer. Those who weren't selected were dejected, feeling they were one step further away from promotion and military merit.

The newly recruited faces were speechless.

"Isn't it a good thing we don't go out to fight?"

They were soldiers, but they were also mortal beings. In war, death was a common occurrence, and since they could get by as ordinary soldiers without going to the battlefield, with enough to eat and drink, why risk their lives?

How many months' salary do you get in a month?

Is it really necessary to work so hard?

Why work so hard for someone else's wealth and glory?

The veteran, who had survived three or four battlefields, said, "What do you shallow-minded people know? Our lord is leading the charge; following him is much better than following the others. We're more likely to survive and earn military merit. The real fear is that our lord will stop fighting after this battle, leaving me stuck in an insignificant position... Besides, is dying as a squad leader the same as dying as dying as a centurion?"

The compensation for those killed in action is not even in the same league.

You may not be able to enjoy it yourself, but your family and relatives can.

They could live peacefully for many years under their lord's rule.

New face: "..."

Most newcomers don't believe these words.

These days, we're used to people who like to make empty promises.

Very few of the pancakes actually end up in your mouth.

Although Zhang Yang didn't know the soldiers' true thoughts, she knew her own. The observers had said that parents liked to keep their children under their watchful eyes, so based on this mentality, Zhang Yang also liked to personally charge into battle, because she always felt that the enemy lines she tore through were more precise and impressive than others'.

The pressure on the soldiers will be less.

The chances of survival are also greater.

Zhang Yang sometimes felt conflicted. If she truly valued each child, shouldn't she protect them under her wings, instead of sending them to the battlefield to die? War always results in death. This kind of parenting is certainly not what it means to be a good parent.

However, she later figured it out herself.

Nature also operates on the principle of survival of the fittest, and humans are also animals.

and so--

You need to be strong enough and have a bit of luck to be her child!

Like Fang Jiang.

Yuan Xie said that Fangjiang was revered as the mother river by the people along its banks, but did that affect the fact that Fangjiang went ashore and ate children after it lost control?

It has no impact whatsoever.

Thus, under the interplay of two drastically different "rules," the mysterious species encased in human form achieved a delicate balance in their thoughts. They possessed both a deep love and maternal instinct for their children, and the capacity for brutal violence under specific conditions.

"Set off!"

The all-seeing eye is responsible for leading the way and providing vigilance.

Zhang Daji was then sent to Guan Zong's side to relay information.

If Wang Qi hadn't disagreed, Zhang Yang would have traded Zhang Daji for Chao Tan. After all, a talking and intelligent pet is really cool. What Zhang Daji can do, Qianliyan can do too; what Zhang Daji can't do, Qianliyan can do as well. Aside from its somewhat weak combat abilities, Qianliyan is practically without weaknesses! Of course, she would be willing to have both Zhang Daji and Qianliyan at the same time.

It was Chao Tan and Wang Qi who were unwilling.

When Zhang Yang first saw the disheveled, dusty-looking Thousand-Mile Eyes, he thought it was a new talking bird and fell in love with it at first sight. However, he was told that it belonged to Chao Tan, and that Chao Tan's bird was the same one that both Eggman and Zhang Dagu had explicitly rejected...

Ugh--

Since it doesn't belong to her, why tempt her?

"Boyuan-jun! Boyuan-jun!"

Zhang Yang's thoughts were pulled back by the clairvoyance.

Thousand-Mile Eyes had washed away the blood and grime, regaining its beautiful appearance from when they first met. Zhang Yang was enamored with it and couldn't resist feeding it a large handful of birdseed. Thousand-Mile Eyes couldn't refuse its kindness, but fearing that rejection would displease it and delay the rescue of its master, Chao Tan, it could only bury its head in its food.

"Strange, why are there two Liesi Counties?"

The map shows two locations: the East Row of Markets and the West Row of Markets.

Because the earth beneath his feet corresponds to the stars in the celestial sphere, Zhang Yang's work included a section called "The Song of Walking the Heavens." If I remember correctly, "The Song of Walking the Heavens" says "the two stars are named Lie Si in order," meaning that Lie Si Prefecture should be one place. However, on the map, it is divided into two parts, east and west. Neither of them is large, but their locations are very subtle.

A place right next to Chesi County.

One location is between Hu County and Dou County.

At first glance, it looks like two enclaves inserted into the heart of two opposing forces.

Zhang Yang expressed his confusion.

Han Wo said, "That's not surprising. The Zhou Tian Stars don't fight every now and then like the forces in the human world."

Stars correspond to mountains and rivers on earth. Stars remain unchanged, and mountains and rivers don't change often, but the people on the land do change. They conquer and merge with each other. The fact that these forces can still maintain their original names is due to the "star attributes" they are born with; otherwise, they would have been completely changed long ago. It's normal that two separate groups have emerged, one in the east and one in the west.

Although they were called two separate stores, one in the east and one in the west, they had actually separated long ago.

Zhang Yang: "..."

She hadn't expected the reason to be so simple and unpretentious.

This is similar to how Han Wo never imagined that the reason he was captured and brought to join the army right after surrendering was so simple. It wasn't because of fear or suspicion, but simply because Zhang Yang felt that Fan You's attendance at every battle was too tiring.

Zhang Yang: [Would you like to take a few days off?]

Fan You: [Is my lord serious?]

Zhang Yang didn't understand.

The observation sample doesn't mean that all working people long for a vacation.

Intuition told Zhang Yang that revealing the reason might provoke Fan You's rage. She quickly devised a pretext: "Although Bodu County has been demoted, it hasn't been properly investigated. Shuyan can take advantage of Han Fulong's transfer to thoroughly clean up Bodu, making the rear more stable and giving me peace of mind."

Conspiracy theories are clearly more comforting to Fan You than the idea that "perfect attendance is too tiring".

Fan You said, "My lord's concerns are not without merit, but most of the soldiers on the front lines are newly surrendered. We must be extremely vigilant on this journey."

The newly conquered territory is not trusted by the newly surrendered people.

Are you really at ease with a group of newly surrendered officials whose stances are questionable?

Zhang Yang said, "I have a fierce woman protecting me, so don't worry."

Zhe Meng is such a filial son.

If things go wrong, they can urgently call in lawyers.

Fan You's lips twitched, but he didn't say anything.

Before leaving, Zhang Yang entrusted Zhang Dagu to Fan You, and Guan Si to guard the place with the Hundred Ghosts Guard. Then, Guan Si reneged on his promise and passed the task to Right Vice-Commander An, with Left Vice-Commander assisting him. As for Guan Si himself?

I am a wolf, not a dog; I don't guard the house.

Guan Si followed Zhang Yang because Zhang Yang always got into fights wherever he went; he was there to fight, not to guard Zhang Yang's house. Just because his temper has softened lately doesn't mean he's a wolf, not a dog! If she wants a dog, why doesn't she go find her adopted daughter?

Zhang Yang: [Then, a savage?]

Wang Qi also refused: "Am I a dog?"

Zhang Yang: [...]

If Kui Mulang doesn't count as a dog, then Ji Shuibao does?

Fan You was aware of Zhang Yang's "difficulties," after all, Guan Si and Wang Qi were both from families without salaries or official positions, so they spoke with great authority. They could fight whenever they wanted, and wherever they wanted, and they had the right to refuse Zhang Yang's assignments.

He said, "It's alright, I will make proper arrangements and will not give any opportunity for such villains. My lord, please go with peace of mind."

Let's also see how much effort Han Wo is willing to put in.

Zhang Yang: [...]

I don't quite understand why Fan You suddenly started talking to himself and saying strange things, but it's a good thing that it was resolved satisfactorily.

Zhang Yang left with his men.

Before long, all that could be seen was the dust and smoke raised by the army.

Fan You's furrowed brow remained tightly closed.

Is Fan Jun worried that the war situation might change?

It's just relieving the siege of the Imperial City; we shouldn't be facing the enemy's full main force directly, so there shouldn't be much pressure, right? Why does Lord Zhang's chief strategist look so preoccupied?

Or is he hiding something?

Fan You: [No.]

He was not worried at all about the outcome of the war.

In his view, it was just a matter of when the good news would arrive.

What troubled him was why Guan Si and Wang Qi were always sticking to their lord. While it was understandable that the three of them would stick together wherever there was trouble, their inseparable bond was still worrying. Especially Guan Siyin…

Wang Qi's attitude was still somewhat wavering.

In his view, Guan Si had already revealed his hand.

He said: "Beauty can lead people astray, beauty can lead people astray!"

Either one would have been fine, but it had to be two, and neither of them were behaving properly; they'd probably cause chaos in the future. Fan You felt annoyed just thinking about it, and seeing Guan Si's "spies" only fueled his anger. Deputy An You noticed the subtle displeasure emanating from Fan You, but was somewhat puzzled. What had he done to offend him?

Zhang Yang traveled day and night at breakneck speed.

They arrived even earlier than Chao Xiaoyu had hoped.

The arrival time was neither when the Imperial City was under siege and on the verge of collapse, nor when the enemy was about to strike in the dead of night, but rather on an ordinary midday with the autumn heat raging. Enemy soldiers continued to shout insults at the Imperial City, tirelessly hurling corpses, molten gold, and stones into the city... their targets being either the city walls or the city gates.

All the usable wells in the Imperial City were destroyed.

Chao Tan: "Even the newly dug well was poisoned?"

"General, not only the newly dug wells, but also the soldiers who went out to dig them have been discovered. As soon as they started, rocks and molten metal rained down from the sky. Even if they managed to block them, those two beasts would still attack and hurt people. About thirty soldiers have died or been injured by their claws. The morale of the soldiers is quite low..."

Hunting those two star beasts was really difficult.

If we can't kill them, we can only endure their surveillance and interference.

"Furthermore, three more people in the city have suddenly developed high fevers, and their symptoms seem to originate from the same source as the pathogenic aura carried by those corpses. We..."

No sooner had the words left his mouth than a mournful bird cry echoed from the sky.

Everyone assumed that the two beasts were up to their old tricks again.

As soon as they stepped outside, blood-stained feathers began to fall to the ground.

? ?|??w?`)

The star chart of the Heavenly Queen Palace looks so beautiful, why are there so many discrepancies?!