Only one person was sent out, this is the principle set by Zhao Xi for his southern expedition.

  All along the way, although Di Qing told Zhao Xi everything honestly, Zhao Xi never opposed it once, just to maintain the prestige of the commander.

  Even the Imperial Guards, Zhao Xie also strictly ordered everything to follow Di Qing's instructions and not to discuss military orders arbitrarily.

  Actually, Di Qing has never issued any military orders to the Guards Regiment. He thinks that this Guards Regiment is the Crown Prince's personal army and even if it were used, there might be unexpected effects, so he has never given orders to the Guards Regiment.

  That Lü Gong is also not a thrifty lamp, he's not only a civil official, but also a literary minister of the aristocratic family. I used to be an executive, how could Di Qing go and yell at him?

  So, after scouting out Kunlun Pass, several attempts were made at attacking, but the guards' battalion was always just a spectator.

  "Your Highness, the Kunlun Pass is a strategic and treacherous pass. This attack will only increase casualties among our troops. Not to mention that we haven't used siege engines, but such scattered attacks are of no use against this pass."

  Can't help it! Zhao Xi must have been instructed by Lü Gong to say this. When has Wen Chen ever cared about the lives of soldiers?

  Besides, Lü Gong had never experienced any battles, what does he know about attacking a city?

  Very good, at least in the Imperial Guard. The distinction between literary and martial is no longer clear-cut.

  Cao Lin and a few others were able to persuade Lü Gong to say these things to himself, which shows that their relationship had become very close.

  "What does Master think?"

  "Your Highness, Gong Zhong knows the original intention of establishing the Imperial Guard. From reading the regulations and rules of the Imperial Guard, one can see that Your Highness has given it deep thought."

  "The Guards' formation model is suitable for promotion, but the Guards' training method is not suitable for all military departments. Your Highness's intention is to forge a unique army!"

  "Now, the situation at Kunlun Pass is just right for our Guards to take shape. I beg of you, Uncle, to request that Your Highness lead the Guards into battle..."

  Apart from asking for battle, everything else was written by Lü Gong himself. This point Zhao Xie could understand.

  It's just... Ugh, won't Di Qing ever stop harassing me like this?

  It's almost New Year's Day, and Zhao Xi still hopes to spend the New Year in Yongzhou, so that the people of Yongzhou can celebrate a happy and peaceful New Year under the protection of the royal army. It seems it won't come true.

  It's just now that the Guards' Camp is taking action and has taken down Kunlun Pass, but it can't take Yongzhou either.

  But as Lü Gongzhu said, it can't go on like this.

  These two girls are now inseparable, making Zhao Xi very helpless. They serve them with food and clothing, but they can't even get angry, let alone treat them like palace maids... after all, they are the families of scholars and officials.

  Alas, even when Lv Gongzhu accompanied him in talking about the war, they didn't seem to avoid each other, as if they still had a lot of things they wanted to say.

  "Go! To the general's tent!"

  Di Qing's place is a real military camp, women are strictly forbidden, what are you still following for?

  Di Qing seemed to know that the Crown Prince would come, and his demeanor was as if he had been waiting for a long time.

  "From tomorrow, we will no longer attack the pass. The soldiers will rest and prepare for New Year's Day."

  Zhao Xi hadn't even asked, but Di Qing calmly said so anyway.

  On the eve of battle, the commander doesn't have so many scruples. When on the battlefield, who still thinks about festivals? And yet Di Qing spoke up so formally.

  "Is there a good restaurant in Pennsylvania?"

  Your Highness's cleverness is indeed not limited to trivial matters. Just like that, Di Qing was suddenly excited.

  But some people think that this prince is just like these two girls.

  "Qing Lan, I think this Crown Prince is all reputation and no substance. It's been several days already, but I haven't seen him do anything remarkable."

  Su Yan was purely here for the Crown Prince's reputation. Not to mention what she heard when she was young, such as the nine-linked ring and Lu Ban lock, but after she grew up, her older brother Su Song entered the Imperial Guard, and every time he wrote home, he would praise the Crown Prince in a way that made him seem incredibly amazing.

  She herself had begged her father for the errand of sending off the thousand-mile messenger, just to get close and take a look at this demonic prince, but in the end... everyone else did too.

  "Sister, even if the prince is a stunning talent, it's not suitable for him to show his feelings to us ordinary girls. From an etiquette standpoint, the prince has indeed been very courteous to both of us these past few days."

  Zhao Qinglan no longer had the same thoughts as Su Yan, her heart was already filled with hatred. When she was in Yingzhou, she had learned that Kangzhou City had been breached and her father had been beheaded by Nong Ze's own hands. Now all she could think about was seeing the head of her enemy.

  Su Yan pulled these out, perhaps in order to shift her thoughts... but how could such hatred be replaced by the thoughts of these little women?

  The king's troops had been preparing for battle for many days, but they were unable to capture the Kunlun Pass.

  She had also heard her father say that if the Kunlun Pass guards had done their duty at the time, they would not have allowed the bandits to wreak havoc on Guangnan like this.

  "Is everything in order? Hmph! He's receiving royal treatment, so it should be done to this extent. Or is he still..."

  Zhao Qinglan looked up at Su Yan, who had paused in her speech and seemed to be blushing.

  They are all eligible women, how could Zhao Qinglan not understand? But that is the Crown Prince! Yan Jie, have you made up your mind about that... What am I thinking?

  How can I have such thoughts when the bandits haven't been eliminated yet? Zhao Qinglan immediately retracted her mind, silently thinking of Father and also recalling the Crown Prince's evaluation of Father: "He is a man who will bring disaster or fortune, it's hard to predict whether he will bring calamity or blessings."

  This poem really matches Dad. Su Yan said that the Crown Prince is just like everyone else, but how can he be like everyone else with such a poem?

  Women are always meticulous, just as Zhao Qinglan was momentarily disheartened, Su Yan approached her.

  "Brother Lan, our army will surely be able to kill the bandits and avenge your father, avenge the people of Guangnan!"

  "I know!"

  The king's troops were originally here to destroy the bandits, and they must seek justice for the people of Guangnan.

  Zao Xi thought so, Di Qing thought so, and Yu Jing also thought so.

  When Zhao Xi visited Di Qing, Di Qing informed Yu Jing and Sun Dan. This was the first time that all four major leaders of the campaign against the bandits had gathered together. It was also the first time that Di Qing formally introduced his battle strategy.

  "Tomorrow, stop attacking Kunlun Pass, and there must be a subtle move to listen to the military news..."

  Zhao Xi always felt that for this kind of small battle, there was no need to play those classic tactics passed down through the ages.

  However, after watching the situation of attacking Kunlun Pass for a few days, it seems that some small strategy is still needed. For example, what he guessed now, Di Qing prepared to paralyze the opponent.

  For several days in a row, the attack on the pass did not stop, and suddenly it stopped. Whoever would have doubts in their heart, scratching their ears and wanting to know the reason.

  Then... then just spread some false information. It's a pretty lousy plan, but looking at these few pairs of bright and spirited eyes, maybe this plan will really work after all.

  It's settled then. After the attack stops tomorrow, Yu Jing's side will make a big show of preparing food and fodder, best if it can be maintained until after Yuanxiao Festival.

  At the same time, Sun Mo bought some things to celebrate Yuanri and Yuanye, from food to fireworks and lanterns. In short, it was to hang lanterns and decorate for Yuanri and celebrate Yuanye.

  I hope you believe me, if not, then let the rumors in the city tell them it's true.

  This kind of thing, you have to make it true or false to the point where even you can't tell the difference, in order for the other person to believe it.

  For example, during the Lunar New Year, the whole city of Pennsylvania has a truly festive atmosphere, and even Guangzhou sent special new toys to reward the soldiers.