Chapter 1435: Action

Liu Zheng looked at Xie Chan's slightly flushed cheeks and revealed a look that every man understands.

"Chan'er..."

Yue Chan gave a soft hum; the moment she saw this painting, she turned her head away, her face burning with shyness.

"Don't you think we should satisfy this request from our parents?"

Liu Zheng edged closer to Yue Chan with a mischievous grin on his face.

Yue Chan's face was flushed, thinking to herself how annoying this guy was.

But she didn't refuse him out loud, saying instead, "We'll talk about it tonight."

After saying this, Yue Chan, with a slightly reddened face, grabbed the painting from Liu Zheng's hand and fled like the wind.

Liu Zheng watched her go and chuckled.

Sooner or later, he would have to give his parents an answer.

Liu Zheng thought this to himself, but since it was still a long way from dark, he had to go do something else.

The Liangzhou Laboratory now had preliminary results regarding electricity, which was, all in all, a good thing.

The war in Europe had now reached a critical juncture.

According to the latest military reports, the Austrian Army was frequently active near Poland.

Prussia's situation was precarious; ever since Poland was partitioned, Prussia had originally been able to form a connection with the Ottoman Empire.

But they were blocked by Tsarist Russia.

If Prussia were to suffer an offensive from the Austrian Army in Poland.

Prussia's defensive line in Poland would inevitably be broken, and the current Prussian homeland territory was already pitifully small.

Civilians were fleeing or dying, and the country itself was weak beyond measure.

If things continued like this, Prussia would not be far from national collapse.

Ling Chen's main army had not yet reached Austrian territory; although this had delayed Austria's offensive against Prussia, it was only a delay.

It was indeed difficult for Ling Chen's main army to reach the Prussian border in such a short time.

Especially at a time when supplies were scarce, it was even harder.

Although small-scale religious uprisings were continuing to break out in Europe, with Protestantism and Catholicism both entering the fray.

The strength of Protestantism in Europe was still much weaker.

Although many uprisings had broken out, they were all quickly suppressed by Catholicism.

In the current situation, it was still the Franco-Austrian Allied Army that held the upper hand on European soil.

Liu Zheng looked at the map of Europe placed on his desk.

Although everything was proceeding steadily according to his strategy, he could not wait any longer.

He had to break the current situation quickly.

Prussia could be wiped out at any moment, which was something Liu Zheng absolutely did not want to see.

"This is the only way; I cannot let Austria continue to attack Prussia." Liu Zheng pondered for a moment and made his decision.

Attack Austria, send troops from two fronts, and pin down Austria's military strength.

"Summon the generals for a meeting."

Soon, the generals who had come from Longyan sat in the conference room, watching Liu Zheng in silence, waiting for his orders.

Liu Zheng scanned the generals here, pointed to the map of Europe, and said, "I need someone to lead a troop to launch Guerrilla Warfare in Austria."

"Disrupt Austria, pin down their current military strength, and do not let Austria continue to support their own troops."

Liu Zheng looked at the seated generals and asked, "Who among you will go?"

"This general is willing to go!"

"This general is willing to go!"

The generals vied to request the mission, showing their determination to win glory for the country.

Liu Zheng nodded with satisfaction; he was quite pleased with their reaction.

With so many generals willing to perform meritorious service, why worry that the great cause would not be achieved?

Liu Zheng pondered for a moment, looking at one general, remembering that before he joined the army, he had been a hoodlum—poor, but often one to stand up for justice.

Yet he had never been caught; he was a suitable candidate, possessing intelligence and strategy.

Moreover, this time, they would be in Austria, where they were unfamiliar with much of the terrain.

The reason this man was able to become a general was his keen observation, making him suitable for guerrilla warfare.

Liu Zheng thought about it and finally decided: it would be him.

"Niu Er."

General Niu Er responded, "This general is here!"

Niu Er was a poor man; his parents were barely literate, and this name was given to him by a village stone-carver whom his father had paid a single copper coin.

After joining the army, Niu Er's name was mocked several times, but he didn't care; even as his military merits grew and he eventually became a general, he never changed this rustic name.

The reason was simple: this name was one his father had paid a copper coin to have chosen!

"I am sending you to engage the Austrian Army; are you willing?"

Niu Er answered without hesitation, "This general is willing."

Liu Zheng nodded, pointed to a location on the map, and said, "Your mission in Austria is simple: capture their cities, but you must not loot the civilians' belongings."

"Launch Guerrilla Warfare in Austria. This mission is somewhat difficult; we are not familiar with the terrain of Austria and need you to explore it."

"If possible, it would be best to mark out and draw maps of their terrain."

Niu Er was stunned for a moment, revealing a look of difficulty.

He was adept at fighting, but when it came to picking up a pen, it was a bit difficult for him.

Liu Zheng also noticed the expression he revealed and asked slowly, "Is there some difficulty?"

Niu Er nodded.

Liu Zheng was surprised; Niu Er had never been the type of general to pick and choose his tasks, otherwise, he would not have answered so readily when he asked him if he was willing just a moment ago.

"What difficulty? Tell me, and I will see if I can help you resolve it," Liu Zheng asked.

Niu Er's old face flushed, revealing an embarrassed expression as he looked at Liu Zheng's face.

This nine-foot-tall man was actually acting coy at this moment; he glanced at Liu Zheng awkwardly and said in a low voice, "Chief Councilor, I am illiterate..."

Upon hearing this, the entire room fell silent for three seconds.

Then, the room burst into laughter; Liu Zheng was slightly stunned, having almost forgotten about this.

Niu Er's family was poor when he was young and had no money for school, let alone for him to have studied; expecting him to draw a topographical map for you and label it under these circumstances was simply wishful thinking.

"General Niu Er, you really are..."

The other generals laughed heartily, but there was no sense of mockery in their laughter.

After all, among these people, only a few knew a few characters, and the majority of them had never attended a single day of school.

However, fortunately, there were classes within the Dragon Flame Army, and it was there that they had completed their studies.

Liu Zheng smiled and shook his head; these generals of his were indeed experts when it came to fighting.

But when it came to reading and writing, they were truly eyesores.

It was not that they were completely illiterate, it was just that they were lacking in so many ways.

Every time he thought of this, Liu Zheng could only smile bitterly.

"No matter, leave this matter to the Military Advisor."

Hearing this, Niu Er said with full joy, "This general accepts the order."

By the time Liu Zheng finished the meeting, it was already late at night, and Liu Zheng looked at the brilliant starlight in the sky.

Liu Zheng revealed a smile; it was time to go find Xie Chan.

A sleepless night...