Ch. 571 - The Plum Blossom Birthmark

Prince Yizhong's "national mourning" treatment was still somewhat lacking, not to mention the high standard of three months; even the 27-day reduced version was not peaceful.

The Emperor directly calculated his first 7 days and calculated that it would end on the day when Liu Xianglian got married, which would not affect the original wedding plan.

Upon learning about this matter, Third Sister You naturally felt fortunate to pray to the gods and Buddha.

However, Liu Xianglian was not happy about it. Instead, he came to her door and talked about how he could get married when the Xiongnu were still alive.

In short, this guy wanted to follow Sun Shaozong south to quell the rebellion!

It was not just him. Since the news spread, people like Xue Pan and Feng Ziying have come knocking on their doors, clamoring to join the military, even though they haven't touched sticks a few times.

On the contrary, the officers and soldiers in the four battalions in the Capital have shown a relatively indifferent response to this matter. If they rely solely on self-awareness, they might not be able to recruit up to 500 people.

It was just enough to go on an expedition with the army. Apart from those who want to compete for meritorious service, who among ordinary officers and soldiers would be willing to take the risk of being such a vanguard?

Fortunately, there was no need for Sun Shaozong to worry too much about the issue of military supplies and money.

The imperial court has issued a clear decree, preparing to draw 400 elite soldiers from the Huben Camp, 300 from each of the patrol and city defense camps, and 500 soldiers from the Shenji Camp, totaling 1500 people, as the "vanguard" of the army to launch an attack on the Wuxi barbarians.

In fact, in normal days, for selecting elites, selecting from one of the battalion leaders was enough. However, the current situation in the Capital was delicate, and who dared to randomly break the balance?

Helplessly, they had to draw from various sources and piece together such a hodgepodge.

These troops and horses seemed to be more than twice as many as Sun Shaozong requested, but how much effect could a firearm battalion have when fighting in damp mountains and forests?

Moreover, the Ministry of War has specially stipulated that once the cumulative battle losses exceed 20% of the total military strength, this so-called vanguard force must be transferred to the local sequence and stationed in nearby prefectures and counties.

Obviously, several high-ranking officials in the court had no hope at all that Sun Shaozong could lead such a small number of troops to solve tens of thousands of barbarians once and for all.

The reason why he was sent to lead troops on the expedition was first based on cost-effectiveness considerations. In recent years, the court also has yet to receive additional supplies.

Secondly, they wanted to leverage Sun Shaozong's martial prowess to give the Wuxi barbarian tribe a foothold so as not to spread the chaos recklessly.

The goal of setting a limit on the cumulative battle damage ratio was to ensure that Sun Shaozong, after using the first three axes or encountering minor setbacks, would turn from attacking to defending on the spot, relying on the prefectures, counties, and cities to continue to curb the expansion of the Wuxi barbarians.

And by then, this firearm camp would naturally have a place to use.

In short, as long as the morale of the people in Hubei and Guangxi could be stabilized, the court would spare no effort to send a large army to suppress or offer conditions for recruitment; Sun Shaozong's trip would be considered worthwhile.

Tch!

This feeling of being looked down upon was really uncomfortable!

Having figured out these joints, Sun Shaozong felt a surge of anger in his heart. Anyway, he was also an adventurer with golden fingers. How could he infer combat effectiveness from common sense?

And as long as the combat effectiveness exceeded common sense, it could easily be associated with ghosts and gods in these years and used to deal with superstitious and ignorant mountain barbarians; it could be said to be twice the result with half the effort!

As long as the adjustments were appropriate, winning with less might not necessarily be a fantasy.

Of course, everything has its advantages and its drawbacks.

At least his Big Brother and a few Concubines in the family could breathe a sigh of relief after listening to these analyses.

The unsatisfied one was probably Second Sister You.

The original plan of Sun Shaozong was to go out of the town of Huguang as a civil servant and obtain a convenient official position, such as an envoy or a patrol envoy.

At present, military positions were being used for expeditions, but according to the court system, they were not allowed to carry family members.

How could this not disappoint Second Sister You greatly?

Qingwen breathed a sigh of relief as a result.

Sun Shaozong spent several consecutive days handing over troops and horses in various camps and was extremely busy. Fortunately, with the help of his Big Brother, there was no negligence or mistake.

Recently, it was not easy to have some free time, and he sent away Xue Pan and others who were accustomed to coming to the house for a battle. Sun Shaozong quickly sent someone to invite Xu Shouye and Lu Jianxing to attend the meeting.

Xu Shouye was just promoted to the first level last month and has now reached the position of a fifth-grade Thousand Household. Therefore, Sun Shaozong suggested to the Ministry of War that he be appointed as his Deputy.

Lu Jianxing, on the other hand, was appointed as the Captain of the personal team. Of course, Sun Shaozong's team was still in his mother's womb and needed to be selected slowly after leaving Capital.

After the three of them sat down, they saw that Lu Jianxing's buttocks were hanging half empty, and he looked a bit reluctant to let go.

Sun Shaozong smiled and said, "Today we are the only ones. If you have anything to say, feel free to speak. As for the etiquette and other matters, it won't be too late to talk again when everyone arrives at the next military conference."

Under the Great Zhou system, there were approximately 120 to 180 soldiers under the command of a Hundred Households.

This time, a total of nine Hundred Households were transferred under the command of Sun Shaozong, and with Xu Shouye as a trial Thousand Households, they just made up ten fingers.

In fact, according to the customary practice of the court, these 1500 people should at least be appointed as a General or Deputy General to lead, and then two or three Thousand Household assistants should be assigned below.

But since Sun Shaozong was demoted and sent on a military expedition this time, he could only act hastily and take power.

Also, because Sun Shaozong had never really fought in the military and was afraid of making any jokes in front of others, he had this internal seminar. He hoped to clarify his thoughts with Xu Shouye and Lu Jianxing before formally convening a meeting with his subordinates.

When Xu Shouye heard that he could speak freely, he didn't hide it and immediately said, "If you ask me, the court has chosen you as a vanguard officer. You are wise and discerning. Otherwise, it would be much more difficult to gather these arrogant soldiers and fierce generals together than to let them hold their heads and play with people."

The Capital Central Fourth Battalion has long had grudges and grievances, especially recently, when the Shenji Battalion became a superior army, which has sparked many private conflicts.

They were at the feet of the Emperor, their faces still red and their necks thick, not to mention going to Huguang, far away from the Emperor.

If it were an ordinary person, it might not be possible to suppress these arrogant soldiers and generals.

That was to say, Sun Shaozong not only had a personal martial arts and bravery reputation in the Capital but also had intricate connections with various aspects.

The patrol camp were people from his old days. Shenji Camp was even downgraded from the hands of his Big Brother. As for the Huben Camp, who didn't know that Qiu Ying valued Sun Shaozong the most and even entrusted his only son to him for training?

And if these three forces were suppressed, the remaining patrol camps would naturally find it difficult to stand alone.

Sun Shaozong naturally knew these details well, so he only nodded slightly before shifting his attention to Lu Jianxing.

Although Xu Shouye was kind, in terms of ability, he was inferior to Lu Jianxing.

Therefore, when Sun Shaozong summoned the two of them, he actually wanted to hear Lu Jianxing's thoughts more.

"Your Excellency."

Lu Jianxing instinctively stood up and clenched his fists. After Sun Shaozong raised his hand to signal, he sat back casually and said somewhat uneasily, "In my opinion, since we are going into the mountains to suppress bandits, our military morale is still second. The most important thing now is to find a few guides who are familiar with the local customs and traditions."

"Otherwise, we will have less courage and may find it difficult to unleash it in any mountain."

This was much more nutritious than Xu Shouye's words.

However, Sun Shaozong had already thought of this and nodded, saying, "Hundred Household Lu's words happen to coincide with mine. When I was preparing for the military, I once requested the Ministry of War to come forward and find a guide familiar with the local situation."

"Nowadays, the Ministry of War's writing has been urgently sent to Huguang for 600 miles. I believe that by the time we lead our troops to arrive, the local government will have already prepared fully."

Afterward, the three of them discussed trivial matters such as the marching route, which prefecture or county to camp in, and where to obtain supplies.

While discussing on paper, he suddenly saw the gatekeeper come in and report that there was a General of the Northern Town Governor who was outside the door seeking to meet him.

Who was it?

Two days ago, when he went to the imperial palace to pay his respects, he had a head-to-head with Chen Xingzhi, Zhao Jiayi, and others in charge of punishment. Sun Shaozong had not paid attention to the news of the Northern Detective Department for several days.

Could it be that something happened to the Northern Town Governor again?

This was really not stopping at all!

But since someone had come, he couldn't have closed the door and disappeared. Therefore, Sun Shaozong instructed the gatekeeper to invite the person to the living room.

When the person hurriedly arrived, Sun Shaozong realized that he was still an acquaintance, Wang Zhen, who had not been treated as a eunuch but had become a Dragon Guard in a confused way.

He saw Wang Zhen kneeling on one knee and exclaiming loudly, "I've met the Thousand Households, I’m Wang Zhen!"

"Get up now."

Sun Shaozong raised his hand and asked casually, "You came to see me. Does the Pacifier have any instructions?"

However, Wang Zhen did not stand up, but instead clasped his fists and arched his hand, saying, "Your Excellency, I am here not for any official business, but to invite myself to join the army!"

Great~

He was here to fight again!

It seemed that in legitimate history, he was just as belligerent. Otherwise, he wouldn't have strongly encouraged the Emperor to personally lead the expedition and cause an incident.

However, on the other hand, this guy was very inspiring, and his martial arts skills were decent. Transferring him wouldn't be a hindrance.

Therefore, Sun Shaozong said, "Since you intend to kill bandits for the country, you can apply for a transfer order from the higher authorities. I believe that even the Pacifier will not stop your determination."

"Your Excellency."

Unexpectedly, Wang Zhen complained incessantly, "Three days ago, I heard that you are going south to quell the rebellion. As a result, I applied for a transfer order, but there was no response. Later, when I searched for someone to inquire, it turned out that the Pacifier had not been to the Yamen to handle official duties for several days."

Lu Hui hasn't been working for several days?

Did he mean that after entering the Palace that day, he never came back?!

Was it to deal with the follow-up actions of Prince Yizhong, or was he simply implicated and punished?

Thinking about Dai Quan's desolate appearance when he entered the Palace that day, it seemed that the latter's possibility was much greater than that of the former.

Tch!

He didn’t know what kind of tricks Prince Yizhong had gone through; he actually caused the gossip inside and outside the Palace and the Northern Detective Department!

He wouldn't really soar in front of the Emperor like his foolish chatter, would he?

The absurd thought flashed through Sun Shaozong's mind, but he said, "Since the Pacifier is on a mission, I will take over the task and request the Ministry of War to transfer you. However, this time you are in a dangerous situation. If you only want to be devout and wealthy, you have miscalculated."

"Don't worry, My Lord!"

Upon hearing the grand play, Wang Zhen patted his chest and said, "I only hope to follow you and exterminate those barbarians who do not know propriety, righteousness, and shame!"

He was still a radical nationalist.

Seeing that his matter had already been settled, Sun Shaozong was about to bring tea and see off the guests when Zhao Zhongji suddenly approached him again, saying that Yang Licai was outside seeking to see him.

Well, well~

Another Hundred Households from the Northern Detective Department.

Yang Licai wouldn't have come to fight too, would he?

Sun Shaozong said, "Invite him in." Soon, Yang Licai hurriedly arrived, crossed the threshold, and was about to bow and pay his respects. Suddenly, he saw Wang Zhen half-kneeling on the ground, and couldn't help but look at him with suspicion.

Wang Zhen quickly bowed and saluted.

Although Yang Licai had some doubts about how his newly promoted subordinate could appear at Sun Shaozong's mansion, he didn't care much.

With a slight nod to Wang Zhen, he said to Sun Shaozong, "My Lord, I have confidential business to report to you."

As soon as these words were spoken, Lu Jianxing stood up and said goodbye.

Xu Shouye and Wang Zhen slowed down for a while but also followed closely behind.

So in the blink of an eye, only Sun Shaozong and Yang Licai were left in the hall.

This was really causing a lot of trouble; there were still many things to discuss!

Sun Shaozong felt a little displeased; after all, he had already focused all his energy on the matter of going south to quell the rebellion, and he didn't want to pay attention to the incident at the Northern Detective Department.

Besides, what other secrets were involved?

Thinking about Dai Quan and Lu Hui, it was very likely that they had already fallen through. He really wanted to avoid the word "confidential."

Without waiting for Yang Licai to speak, he said first, "You know, I’m about to go on an expedition, and I'm afraid I won't be able to pay attention to the task of the Northern Town Governor for a moment. Although the Pacifier is not here, Thousand Household Chen and others..."

"My Lord!"

Before Sun Shaozong could finish speaking, Yang Licai smiled bitterly and said, "It's not like I intentionally caused trouble for you. It's a matter of great concern, and it was you and the Pacifier who handled it together. Now that the Pacifier has not appeared for several days, I naturally can only report to you."

What did he and Lu Hui handled together?

After a moment of contemplation, Sun Shaozong immediately blurted out and asked, "Was it the matter of the White Lotus Sect that has any progress?"

"Exactly so."

Yang Licai nodded and said, "After being interrogated by us for several days, we finally pried open his mouth and asked how to distinguish the true identity of the reincarnated witch."

Upon hearing this, Sun Shaozong breathed a slight sigh of relief, as long as it had nothing to do with Prince Yizhong!

Immediately, he couldn't help but be curious and urged Yang Licai to quickly explain the method of identifying the White Lotus Saint.

"Actually, it's simple to say."

Yang Licai stroked his stomach and said, "There is a plum blossom mark the size of a quail egg near the belly button of the reincarnated witch."

It was indeed recognized by physical features!

However…

Since she was the reincarnated saint of the White Lotus Sect, she should have a lotus birthmark to be considered authentic, right?

Sun Shaozong was muttering inwardly, but suddenly a flash of inspiration flashed in his mind, and his expression became uncontrollably strange. He seemed to have seen the plum blossom birthmark near the navel on someone before!

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