Are you crazy? Trying to trick him into military service? He's the number one dragon on the fro

According to Dong Tiancheng and Zhang Man, they each led over a hundred soldiers to follow Lu Xiao and pick up the spoils.

Fearing encounters with large armies of the nomadic tribes, they took almost everything they could carry, only beginning to take inventory once they reached the border regions of the Great Frontier.

The greatest spoils were from the Qingwu tribe, totaling over 1,600 taels of gold and silver, over 800 warhorses, and over 2,000 cattle and sheep.

Because Qingwu Pulie's daughter brought a lot of supplies to their tribe when she returned home to visit relatives, the soldiers under the Third Prince only took a portion of them when they came to the White Wolf camp to help, leaving the rest behind in the Qingwu tribe.

The rest belong to the Black Sand Chuo tribe and the Moda tribe.

Lu Xiao was not surprised by this, and after a moment's thought, he smiled and said:

"As Your Excellency the Prime Minister wishes, the supplies we have obtained can be distributed among ourselves and do not need to be transported to the capital. So let's discuss the distribution of these supplies."

"Lord Lu, our Pingxi Camp doesn't need warhorses or gold and silver, we just need some cattle and sheep to satisfy the soldiers' cravings."

Zhang Man was the first to express his opinion, stating that this was the will of their Pingxi Camp garrison commander.

Immediately afterwards, Dong Tiancheng said something similar, that all he wanted was cattle and sheep.

Seeing this, Lu Xiao insisted on sharing the spoils equally with their two border defense battalions:

"Gentlemen, the success we have achieved in this battle is entirely due to your efforts. After all, I only brought a little over a hundred men with me, and I was simply unable to carry all these supplies."

"I appreciate your kindness, but I will still take what is due."

Upon hearing this, Dong Tiancheng smiled and said:

"My garrison commander said that Lord Lu's military strategy is brilliant. This battle has also attracted the attention of the Hu people, which has relieved a lot of pressure for us. Therefore, these supplies are all yours to take."

"That won't do..."

After a brief back-and-forth exchange, Dong Tiancheng ultimately couldn't sway Lu Xiao's opinion, but he did offer his own perspective:

"In that case, let's do as Lord Lu says. All the gold and silver will belong to the White Wolf Camp, and my Zhenbei Camp will only take one hundred warhorses and five hundred cattle and sheep!"

"Any more, I'm afraid I cannot comply."

He stated that when fighting against the Hu people, one cannot simply defend; the White Wolf camp needs warhorses.

Taking too much could cause huge trouble here.

Those silver coins also need to be used to pay compensation to the fallen soldiers.

Seeing this, Lu Xiao could only smile and accept their kindness, then warmly entertained them before seeing them off from the camp.

Over the next four or five days, he personally oversaw the work of rewarding and comforting the soldiers after the battle, while also giving them the opportunity to take turns going home to visit their families.

This time, he again asked his soldiers to mobilize their relatives and neighbors.

After all, the White Wolf camp suffered too many losses in this battle and needed to replenish its troops in time.

Four or five days later, the residential area next to the White Wolf Camp became lively again. The refugees who had taken refuge in Changyang County returned and rebuilt the area into a town-like place.

At the same time, the White Wolf camp also replenished its troops and, relying on the captured warhorses and other supplies, formed a cavalry battalion of a thousand men, while the infantry also expanded to two thousand men.

Now, the White Wolf Camp is comparable in size to the Zhenbei Camp and the Pingxi Camp.

Lu Xiao is also a fifth-rank garrison commander in a real sense!

That morning, Lu Xiao had just finished giving instructions to the newly formed cavalry battalion and was about to have Chen Ye and Zhou Daxing take them on a tour around the north side of the camp to train while guarding against potential attacks from the Hu people.

But before the order was given, Huang Shan hurriedly led a dozen soldiers, banging drums and gongs, to find them.

Seeing his puzzled expression, Huang Shan quickly said:

"By imperial decree, Grand Eunuch Wang, the one in charge of the seal, has come personally to deliver this decree!"

Upon hearing this, Lu Xiao was startled and ordered the cavalry battalion to wait on the spot. He also brought all the infantrymen to the drill ground to assemble before hurriedly heading towards the south gate of the camp.

As soon as he arrived, he saw Wang Fu leading several eunuchs over.

Without saying a word, Lu Xiao stepped forward and bowed:

"This humble general, Lu Xiao, pays his respects to the Commander!"

"Lord Lu, please rise. My family is truly unworthy of such a grand gesture."

Wang Fu's face was beaming with joy. He helped Lu Xiao up, stopping him from bowing, and then said earnestly:

"I have come here on His Majesty's orders to deliver the decree. His Majesty has also instructed me to read it aloud in front of all the soldiers of the White Wolf Camp. So please make preparations as soon as possible, Lord Lu."

"This humble general also wishes to request Your Majesty to inspect the results of the past few months on behalf of His Majesty."

Lu Xiao nodded quickly and invited the other person to go to the training ground with him.

Before long, two thousand infantrymen stood in the center, and a thousand cavalrymen lined up on the left and right, their eyes fixed intently on the high platform.

Wang Fu surveyed the army, his eyes filled with satisfaction.

Seeing that Lu Xiao was ready, he immediately coughed a few times:

"His Majesty has decreed: Where is the commander of the White Wolf Camp?"

"Your subordinate is here!"

Lu Xiao immediately knelt on one knee, and then heard Wang Fu loudly proclaim the imperial edict:

"By the mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees:"

Lu Xiao, the commander of the White Wolf Camp, led a hundred cavalry to raid the Hu's stronghold, while a thousand men fortified the camp, resulting in a great victory over three thousand Hu barbarians, beheading one thousand eight hundred, and stabilizing the northern frontier. His achievements were outstanding!

"He is hereby granted the title of Marquis of Loyalty and Valor, with a fief of five hundred households."

"By imperial decree: any civil or military official on the border who meets the Marquis of Loyalty and Bravery shall be ranked one grade lower in rank."

"Marquis Xu Zhongyong shall act as he sees fit regarding military affairs in the northern frontier and matters concerning the recruitment and expansion of troops."

"We must guard the border with utmost loyalty and forever protect the nation's gateway!"

"So be it!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Wang Fu smiled and handed over the imperial edict, praising it highly:

"Lord Zhongyong, congratulations! I knew you would have this day."

"Thank you for your praise, Your Excellency. I...I am humbled!"

Lu Xiao, also beaming, carefully put away the imperial edict and, seeing Wang Fu about to leave, quickly pulled him back.

"Eunuch Wang, since you're already here, why don't you say a few words to the soldiers on behalf of His Majesty to encourage them?"

"Besides delivering the imperial decree, you also intend to inspect the troops on behalf of His Majesty. If you can convey His Majesty's concern for the soldiers, they will surely be even more loyal and courageous!"

Upon hearing this, Wang Fu looked troubled:

"Isn't this inappropriate?"

"I am but a eunuch..."

"Eunuch Wang, we are both His Majesty's loyal subjects, nothing else matters."

When Wang Fu heard Lu Xiao's words, he thought of how the Emperor and Lu Xiao were fellow disciples because of Liu Xianya, and how the two had a secret conversation in the Hall of Diligent Governance that day without his knowledge. So he nodded and agreed.

He walked to the front, scanned the soldiers present, and then took a deep breath and said:

"Gentlemen, before I came here, His Majesty gave me a few instructions to pass on to the soldiers."

"His Majesty has said that our Great Zhou soldiers endure wind and dew, remaining unyielding to wind and rain. Without your loyal service in guarding the borders for the people of Great Zhou, there would be no peaceful life for the people!"

Wang Fu's words caused a stir in the crowd, and he hadn't even finished speaking:

"His Majesty also said that one day he hopes all the soldiers will be able to trample the Northern Hu royal court on horseback and personally cut off the Hu king's head."

"At that time, His Majesty will personally bestow official titles and ranks upon you all before the entire world!"