Chapter 327: The Situation in Xihe Commandery

After the crowd cupped their hands to Zhang Liao and Xi Zhicai, they turned and left the hall.

Looking at the five people who left, Zhang Liao said to Xi Zhicai: "Military Advisor, I will trouble you with the military report to the imperial court and His Majesty. Before we set off, after you write it, arrange for someone to send it out."

Xi Zhicai hurriedly cupped his hands and said: "Please rest assured, General, I am already doing this."

"Good, we must count the battle reports as soon as possible and send them to His Majesty!"

After Zhang Liao finished speaking solemnly to Xi Zhicai, he asked him again: "By the way, have the people in the city been arranged?"

"The people in the city have all been arranged properly. Our military discipline is very strict, and the soldiers strictly abide by it. We have now gained the recognition of all the people in the city!"

Speaking of this, Xi Zhicai was instantly radiant and said to Zhang Liao with excitement.

"This is all thanks to His Majesty's wisdom and martial prowess. If it weren't for the military discipline established by His Majesty back then, we wouldn't have been able to achieve such results!"

Regarding the military discipline established by Liu Bian back then, Zhang Liao and Xi Zhicai were also full of admiration.

"Since things have been arranged, we will set off tomorrow morning. I cannot stay in Shangjun City for too long. We don't need so many city-guarding soldiers in Xihe Commandery!"

Zhang Liao said to Xi Zhicai in a deep voice.

After hearing Zhang Liao's words, Xi Zhicai also nodded in agreement.

"Xihe Commandery has ten cities. Besides the commandery city of Lishi City, which has ten thousand troops stationed, the others only have the four cities of Meiji, Pingding, Guangyan, and Luogu in the north, each with five thousand troops stationed to guard against the Xiongnu in the north."

"For these four cities, we should mainly try to recruit them to surrender. The army that can resist the Xiongnu in the border area is worthy of our recruitment!"

Xi Zhicai told Zhang Liao the situation in Xihe Commandery in a deep voice.

For these armies that had been fighting the Xiongnu for many years, even though Xi Zhicai was a scholar, he was also very impressed.

After hearing Xi Zhicai's words, Zhang Liao also agreed: "The Military Advisor is right. These four cities are guarded by Li Su, the defender of Meiji City; Hao Zhao, the defender of Pingding City; Wang Chang, the defender of Guangyan City; and Jia Kui, the defender of Luogu City."

After listening to Zhang Liao's introduction, Xi Zhicai asked Zhang Liao: "General, what is the character of these four people? Is there any possibility for us to subdue them?"

"Hehe, Military Advisor, rest assured. These four people are all loyal to the Han Dynasty. Otherwise, why would they go to guard the important border passes!"

"Back when I was still under Ding Yuan's command, I knew that these four were heroes of the time and all considered themselves Han ministers."

Seeing Xi Zhicai asking him with doubt, Zhang Liao explained to him with full confidence.

After listening to Zhang Liao's words, Xi Zhicai was also a little excited and said to Zhang Liao with surprise: "In that case, these four cities are actually the easiest for us to obtain!"

Zhang Liao also smiled and replied: "The Military Advisor is right. Based on my understanding of these four, as long as I write a letter to them, they will definitely submit to the imperial court."

"In this way, we only need to take the commandery city of Lishi City to easily control the entire Xihe Commandery!"

Xi Zhicai also did not expect that the surprise would come so suddenly.

"That is exactly the case. Now, we only need to head to Huanyang County to wait for Zhang Long and the others' army. At that time, I will quickly take Lishi City."

Zhang Liao smiled at Xi Zhicai and explained his combat deployment.

Regarding Zhang Liao's approach, Xi Zhicai also highly approved. After all, they only had fifty thousand troops.

Attacking the city was not a problem for them. The biggest problem was that there were no troops to guard the cities in their hands.

If there were enough troops to accept the cities taken, their speed could be even faster.

However, there was no other way. Who told Liu Bian to have too few troops?

Although the total population of the entire Sili region was about three million, it could support an army of three hundred thousand.

However, the places Liu Bian needed to defend also required troops.

These three hundred thousand troops were simply not enough. This was also because Liu Bian's army was powerful.

Otherwise, he would not dare to send troops on two paths rashly; that was really too dangerous.

The entire Sili region bordered Liangzhou to the west, Bingzhou and Jizhou to the north, Yanzhou to the east, and Jingzhou to the south.

It could be said that the entire Sili region was surrounded by these major forces, and Liu Bian was able to set off for Liangzhou and Bingzhou with peace of mind, thanks to Dong Zhuo.

Otherwise, he would not have a good reason to send troops.

Seeing that it was getting late, Zhang Liao said to Xi Zhicai: "Military Advisor, it's getting late, you should rest early too. We have to be on our way tomorrow!"

"I will also go and give instructions to the soldiers immediately. I have to go and give some more instructions to the guards of Shangjun City."

"Good, General, you should also rest early. I will take my leave first. After I arrange for someone to send the battle report, I will also rest early!"

Xi Zhicai also responded to Zhang Liao with a smile. After speaking, he turned and left.

Early the next morning, Zhang Liao led the remaining twenty-five thousand troops toward Huanyang County.

And just as Zhang Liao and the others walked to the gate of Shangjun City, the streets outside were full of people who came to see them off.

Seeing these people, led by an old man, all kneeling and saluting the army, they shouted loudly: "We commoners wish the General a triumphant return!"

Looking at the black crowd of people kneeling on the ground to see off their army, Zhang Liao and the others felt their eyes ache for a moment.

"What simple people! I have only gained their recognition in just three days. So, this is the duty of a soldier!"

Looking at the simple people in front of him, Zhang Liao thought to himself.

"General, these are the people of our Great Han. How simple and kind they are! His Majesty is wise! If it weren't for the military regulations established by His Majesty, we wouldn't have been able to win such hearts!"

Xi Zhicai was also deeply shocked by the scene in front of him and said to Zhang Liao beside him with emotion.

"Yes! I now finally understand the mission of a soldier!"

Zhang Liao also replied to Xi Zhicai with a complex expression.

Afterwards, he looked at the crowd in front of him sincerely and said loudly: "Fellow villagers, please rise. I thank you all. Please rest assured, we are sent by His Majesty to save you."

"His Majesty knows that you are all living very poorly under the oppression of rebels like Dong Zhuo, so he specially sent me to kill these rebels. Later, His Majesty will send imperial officials to settle you all."

"Fellow villagers, rest assured. Our Majesty is a sage monarch of the time and will definitely be able to make everyone live a good life."

After hearing Zhang Liao's words, the people below were also very excited and discussed one after another.

"His Majesty... His Majesty has not forgotten us..."

"Woo... woo..."

"His Majesty is wise..."

"His Majesty is wise..."

Afterwards, the entire street rang with the loud shouts of "His Majesty is wise." ===== CHAPTER 328 =====