Chapter 391: The First Expanded Military Conference

They continued on their way.

The roads of Chuan Shu were difficult to traverse to begin with.

According to the guide Zhemo, it would take at least a dozen days to reach Liangshan.

Liu Zheng was naturally in no rush, but soon, problems arose within the army.

Qin Zhangfeng came to report: "Young Master, recently, there has been a sense of war-weariness within the army. How should this be handled?"

Liu Zheng was chatting with Xiao Heitan when he heard this; he was stunned for a moment, followed by an endless sense of guilt.

That's right.

War-weariness...

Come to think of it, the Liangzhou Army had been away from home for nearly three months already.

For any normal person, who wouldn't miss home? Moreover, ever since the Liangzhou Army had grown and strengthened, the fighting had been one thing after another: resisting the Xiongnu, the Battle of Hanzhong, the conquest of the Western Regions, and now coming to Chuan Shu—this had all happened in less than two years; anyone would likely be unable to endure such turmoil.

"Is it serious?"

Liu Zheng asked with a frown.

At this moment, the fifty-thousand-strong army was camping and resting on the spot; it looked, however, still orderly and strictly disciplined.

Qin Zhangfeng gave a wry smile: "It's not exactly serious, but having just finished a long-distance raid, and now having to head to Liangshan, the brothers may not say anything out loud, but they certainly have opinions in their hearts."

Liu Zheng frowned deeply; this was indeed a problem that the Liangzhou side had never taken into account.

Since they were marching and fighting, there should be a cycle.

After all, people are not made of iron. To be sent on an expedition at every turn, each lasting months, under such high-tension emotions, these soldiers would indeed find it hard to bear.

This was a problem that could not be ignored.

Liu Zheng immediately summoned generals like Qin Zhangfeng and Cheng Kai to discuss this matter together.

Sure enough.

As soon as Cheng Kai arrived, he also gave a wry smile: "Young Master, if you were to issue a death order, the brothers certainly wouldn't say anything. It wouldn't go so far as to cause a mutiny or desertion. But after all, we just won a great victory, and now to head out on another campaign, this..."

Liu Zheng nodded and asked with a smile: "How do you all think we should resolve this? We are already on the road and certainly cannot turn back."

Someone suggested doubling the salary to make the soldiers more willing.

Someone suggested letting the soldiers rest for a period of time before setting off again.

Others believed that at this time, by leveraging the momentum of victory, it would be a good thing if they could achieve a quick victory.

In short.

The group argued in a mess, each claiming their own logic was correct.

Listening to them, it was true that everyone had a point, and there was no way to refute them.

Finally, in the tent, they began to slam tables and glare at each other.

Liu Zheng grew impatient and waved his hand: "Everyone get out. We will temporarily station the army here. For these few days, let the brothers have some fun; there is no need to march. I will study this matter thoroughly."

"Yes!"

Seeing that Liu Zheng was angry, they all took their orders and left.

Liu Zheng walked out the door, lost in thought.

Pei Yanran had been listening from the side the whole time; at this moment, she whispered to Qin Zhangfeng: "Qin Dage, it is rare to see your Young Master so at his wit's end!"

Qin Zhangfeng frowned, catching the mockery in Pei Yanran's words, and couldn't help but let out a faint hum: "Don't worry, the Young Master will have a solution!"

Pei Yanran curled her lips; she didn't believe that this Liu Zheng was that invincible...

If that were really the case, wouldn't he be about the same as her genius Fourth Senior Brother?

Looking back at Liu Zheng, since he had decided to rest here for three days, he began to wander around the camp.

"Young Master!"

"Greetings, Young Master!"

"Young Master..."

After walking a circle, he happened to run into a group of soldiers playing in the nearby water, all shirtless; they felt quite embarrassed when they saw Liu Zheng.

Liu Zheng chuckled: "No, no, you all continue, don't mind me. How do you feel about this place?"

A group of them gathered around: "Young Master, it's a good place, but we just aren't used to it!"

"That's right, Young Master, this place is just too humid! It's damp and cold, not like the dry cold of our Liangzhou!"

"Young Master, I heard that our fifty thousand men are going to be stationed at Liangshan?"

"What's so good about stationing troops in that godforsaken place?"

These men spoke all at once.

Liu Zheng listened quietly, keeping a smile on his face the whole time, occasionally exchanging a few words with them.

Soon.

He understood the psychological state of these soldiers.

Simply put.

What they were most worried about now was not fighting, nor was it long-distance warfare. In fact, what they were most worried about was that this fifty-thousand-strong army would be stationed at Liangshan—if that were the case, when would they be able to return to Liangzhou? When would they be able to see their wives and children?

As for the other messy things, they really didn't care.

The people of Liangzhou were used to hardship.

But as long as they could go home, any hardship was worth it.

Liu Zheng heard enough, then stood up and smiled: "Liu Zheng understands the requests of the brothers. Rest assured, I will give everyone an answer very soon!"

Once these words were spoken, it was the group of soldiers who felt embarrassed.

"No, no, Young Master, we were just chatting..."

"Young Master, you are busy with a thousand tasks a day; you must not delay them!"

"Young Master, just pretend we never said anything..."

Liu Zheng sighed.

To have such a simple and honest group of soldiers, what more could one ask for?

However, one cannot expect the horse to run without feeding it grass; how could that work?

Military reform, it seems, is imperative.

The next day.

The first expanded military conference of the Liangzhou Army was convened under the chairmanship of Liu Zheng.

Attendees included Qin Zhangfeng, Cheng Kai, Pang Daniu, Pei Qianyun, Cao Guanzhi, and over thirty others of the rank of deputy general and above.

Present to listen to the Admonishment were Pei Yanran, as well as several representatives selected from the rank-and-file soldiers.

Seeing that everyone had taken their seats, Liu Zheng smiled: "Generals, this expanded military conference will determine the future military reforms of the Liangzhou Army, so please speak freely and express your own views. I do not fear you saying the wrong thing; I only fear you not saying anything at all!"

The group felt quite intrigued.

Military reform?

Has the army of this Longyan Dynasty not always been like that? What else is there to reform?

Beside him, Pei Yanran also wore a look of curiosity.

Only then did Liu Zheng distribute the several reform outlines he had written overnight.

After all, with the army in the field, there was no way to print them; these were all drafted by Liu Zheng's own hand, so a group of people could only look at one copy together.

Who would have thought.

At the first glance, everyone was stunned.

Pei Yanran and Qin Zhangfeng were looking at one copy together.

At this moment, seeing the content on the first page, she was so shocked that she stood straight up.

"This..."

"Young Master?"

"This must absolutely not be done!"

"Young Master, the army is the heavy weapon of the state; you must absolutely not act recklessly!"

m.