Even emperors have it tough, so don't be too picky about the entries.

......

Liaocheng.

Chen Shao stood in front of the sand table, carefully observing the terrain east of the river.

It was common knowledge throughout the land that Wang Yuanji had led a large army to attack.

As for Chen Jing, Chen Shao didn't care about him.

This elder brother of the emperor has 120 in ambition and 60 in intelligence. He is extremely impulsive, and can be easily provoked into taking off by a few words from others.

The army consisted of 100,000 elite troops from Hedong, of which 50,000 were cavalry.

This scale is the biggest challenge Chen Shao is currently facing.

How should we fight this battle?

The elite status of the Hedong Army was unmatched by the Iron Fist Army.

What will they do to deal with those 50,000 cavalry?

Moreover, the emperor's name alone might not have much appeal here.

It seems that the right timing, the right location, and the right people are all in the other's favor.

What the Iron Fist Army can rely on...

"logistics!"

Chen Shao's unlimited supply of dried rations made from meat porridge was an advantage that the Hedong Army could not match at all.

"Therefore... we must cut off their supplies, and we cannot delay it for too long."

The Northern Barbarians and the three towns south of the Yangtze River are all eyeing them covetously.

Chen Shao fell into deep thought, and everyone around him stood silently, not daring to disturb him.

for a long time.

His eyes lit up, and he began to issue orders one by one with unwavering resolve.

The first step was to win over the surrendered soldiers.

Unlike the Yellow Turbans, this time the prisoners were not killed. The original organization was preserved, surrendered generals were appointed and given official titles, so that they could see a way out.

The second is a strategic shift.

All the grain and fodder in the city were transported away, leaving only an empty city for the Hedong army.

The third one, of course, is... digging tunnels!

Dian Wei was put in full charge of this matter.

"Your Majesty, where is this humble general?"

Everyone else had something to do, except for Li Jinglong.

This made him very resentful; someone like Liao Hua had been given an important task and even made great contributions...

Chen Shao laughed:

"You are extremely useful; you will be a key figure in determining the outcome of this war!"

Li Jinglong's eyes immediately lit up.

"I am giving you a detachment; lead them to confront Wang Yuanji's 100,000-strong army head-on."

Chen Shao originally wanted to say, "Remember, you are only allowed to lose, not to win."

But considering this guy's track record—a perennial loser—I decided against it.

It would be a miracle if they could win.

Especially since the enemy's banner was "Fengtian Jingnan," Li Jinglong was even more amplified.

Li Jinglong's smile froze on his face, then his whole face fell, and his knees buckled as he knelt down.

"Your Majesty... General..."

Chen Shao ignored him and continued:

"No matter how you fight, if you hold him off for three days, I'll give you a credit!"

Li Jinglong inwardly groaned, but seeing the seriousness in Chen Shao's eyes, he swallowed his pleas.

He could only straighten his chest and stammer:

"This humble general... will certainly not fail in his mission."

At this moment, Liao Hua stepped forward.

"Your Majesty, we have already done so regarding the collection of surrendered soldiers, but those people are still dissatisfied and are talking about it in private, fearing that Your Majesty will kill the surrendered soldiers and that the court will settle accounts later."

"Release all the former deputy commanders of the Liaocheng camps."

Liao Hua was startled: "Your Majesty, if we let them go back, it will be even easier to incite the people..."

"No."

Chen Shao is much calmer now than before when faced with important matters.

His demeanor and bearing were extraordinary, making people feel at ease just by looking at him.

"The more you try to control people's hearts, the more they will run away; but if you let go, they will come back on their own."

Chen Shao pondered for a moment, then walked towards the door:

"Prepare the horses, I will go and see for myself."

As soon as he left the camp, Chen Shao immediately mounted his horse, took a few steps, and then suddenly stopped.

He pointed to Dian Wei and the others who had followed behind him.

"Go do what you're supposed to do, I'll go alone."

Everyone was shocked upon hearing this.

"Your Majesty is of inestimable value. If you venture alone into the surrendered camp, and someone causes a disturbance, or if an assassin is mixed in, the consequences will be unimaginable."

Li Jinglong even stepped in front of Chen Shaoma and volunteered.

"Your Majesty, this humble general will lead three thousand elite troops to surround the surrendered camp. Anyone who dares to make a move will be killed on the spot. I guarantee we will make them completely subjugated."

"Tens of thousands of surrendered soldiers, can you handle them?"

These arrogant and fierce soldiers can only be dealt with through a combination of kindness and severity.

We beat them until they begged for mercy and surrendered; that was our power.

What is needed now is grace.

This favor cannot be given by anyone else; only the emperor himself can bestow it.

Chen Shao raised his whip: "Get lost, go do your own thing."

"No one is allowed to come with me. I am enough on my own."

After saying that, he spurred his horse and headed towards the camp.

...

At the gate of the surrendered camp, several sentries were dozing off while holding their spears.

Suddenly hearing the sound of horses' hooves, he jumped up in surprise.

Widen your eyes.

A white horse slowly approached.

The man on horseback was not wearing armor, and there was not even a sword at his waist.

He only had a horsewhip in his hand.

"Your Majesty... Your Majesty?"

The old soldier rubbed his eyes hard, making sure that no one was behind His Majesty. This was undoubtedly more surprising than seeing the emperor himself.

Is this courage or something else...?

This is a camp of surrendered soldiers. Not long ago, they were mortal enemies, and here he is all alone.

The camp quickly became agitated.

Many people stood there, looking at the lone figure who had intruded with complicated expressions.

He hesitated, wondering whether to kneel down or draw his sword.

Chen Shao walked through the crowd until he reached the most crowded spot.

He did not dismount, but simply looked around.

"Everyone, don't be afraid."

"I'm just here for a casual look."

The vast difference in their social status made even this simple sentence bring tears to some people's eyes.

It's like an imperial envoy suddenly appearing beside you, asking in a friendly tone how your harvest was this year. How could an ordinary person withstand such overwhelming flattery?

Everyone looked at him but dared not speak.

Chen Shao gave a wry smile, dismounted, and sat down by a campfire.

He picked up a twig and poked at the fire, then said to the nearest veteran:

"Your fire isn't burning well; the firewood is too damp."

The veteran was so frightened he almost collapsed.

He trembled as he handed over a bundle of dry firewood from the side.

"Don't make a fuss. My life used to be much harder than yours."

Chen Shao looked around and laughed, scolding:

"Don't stand there, sit down. What, does the Emperor have to personally invite you? Is there any water? Go get me some."

Someone immediately went to fetch water, but their movements remained cautious and wary.

A young surrendered soldier finally couldn't help but ask:

"Your Majesty...aren't you afraid we'll rebel if you just walk in like this?"

Chen Shao turned to look at him and smiled:

"Afraid? Of course I'm afraid!"

"But if I don't come, you won't be able to get rid of that thorn in your hearts."

"I know you're afraid of being punished later. If I were you, I would be afraid too."

Chen Shao tried his best to keep his voice gentle.

Learn to speak from the [Bronze Horse Emperor], and I'm sure I can subdue them.

"But think about it, if I, Chen Shao, want to kill someone, do I need to wait until later?"

"No need, I can chop you all up the moment you're defeated."

Everyone lowered their heads; defeat was not something to be proud of.

Especially when eight hundred people were pressing down on his head and rubbing it.

"Now that you have laid down your weapons, you are my subjects."

"If I cannot even tolerate my own people, how can I possibly stay in Hedong?"