mtl008 Chapter 198 Which pot should not be opened?
Chapter 198 Which pot should not be opened?
Gongsun Pu and Pei Liang perked up their efforts and began to think hard about how to do a good job of investigating the spy.
Over there, Monchi and others had already started cooking, but with so many soldiers in the tent, not everyone could get enough to eat. The so-called reward according to merit was fully reflected at this time.
If you are lucky and can hunt prey in the next few days, you can continue to enjoy the rewards. If you are unlucky and it is difficult to hunt prey, you will have nothing to eat.
"Brother Nian is really capable!" Meng Qi, Kuang Xingquan and others praised him as they cleaned up the condiments: "You don't know how poisonous Brother Nian's eyes are!"
"He knows what kind of things are crawling through the passage, and the hunting traps he set are so clever!" Monk was bragging about Wen Nian's abilities to Lei Jiliang, Sha Haoqian and others.
"..." Wen Nian was sitting nearby, with his head down, carving wood, looking like he was making a hunting tool. He didn't care what everyone was talking about. There was a man standing next to him, helping him carve bamboo. That man was none other than Yang Wei under Sha Haoqian's command.
In the battle at Luoshang Pass, Yang Wei chose to stay in Sha Haoqian's army, thinking that he might not have many opportunities to see him in the future.
Unexpectedly, when the Northern Army invaded, Sha Haoqian came to support in response to Zong Yanli's call for help. Yang Wei was the happiest.
It's just that Wen Nian was cold to others and did not show much enthusiasm for Yang Wei's arrival. Instead, Yang Wei tried every means to get close to Wen Nian. Sha Haoqian didn't mind this. Since he had seen Wen Nian's abilities with his own eyes, no one dared to look down on him.
"Junior brother, where should I put this?" Although Yang Wei did not show Wen Nian's enthusiasm, nor did he show Wen Nian's disgust and resistance, he began to call him "Junior brother" boldly.
Wen Nian pointed to the side, and Yang Wei put it down obediently, then picked up another bamboo pole and started cutting it.
Sha Haoqian looked at his own general from afar, looking so worthless that he found it hard to look at him and turned his head away.
Zhou Cang was very happy to see this scene, and even commented with interest: "General, don't you think that General Yang and Deputy General Wen have very similar personalities?"
"He is very fierce in battle, but very quiet in private." Zhou Cang said with a smile.
"Much worse." Sha Haoqian frowned and shook his head, looking at Wen Nian and said, "I heard that he was traumatized when he was young, and when he was fighting in the army, he didn't distinguish between friend and foe, and he was bloodthirsty."
"If I hadn't met Zong Yanli, I would have died on the battlefield long ago." There was a complicated look in Sha Haoqian's eyes. It was because he heard about this that Yang Wei was so concerned. He didn't want to ask more questions. He just felt that if he had found Wen Nian earlier, he would have been able to take care of him.
"General Zong Yanli's ability to lead his subordinates is truly admirable." Zhou Cang nodded immediately. Apart from anything else, from what they witnessed with their own eyes after joining, the soldiers under Zong Yanli's command were all strictly disciplined without exception, and every one of them had endless admiration for Zong Yanli.
This would require countless days and nights of devoted treatment, and which of the generals and counselors under his command would not be willing to sacrifice their lives for him?
The more you understand, the deeper you go, the more you understand.
They were defeated in the battle of Luoshang Pass and it was not unfair...
Zhou Cang was talking to his general when he saw Pei Liang and Gongsun Pu approaching: "Hey, Mr. Zhou!"
"Today I got a chess manual, but I was worried that I had no one to play with. Would you be willing to play a game with me?" Gongsun Pu walked forward and said enthusiastically.
"I still have an unopened box of tea. Let's taste it together!" Pei Liang said immediately.
Zhou Cang looked at Pei Liang and Gongsun Pu. It was such a natural and enthusiastic invitation, but why did Zhou Cang feel that something was wrong?
He said something to Sha Haoqian, and then followed Pei Liang and Gongsun Pu.
In Gongsun Pu's tent, the chessboard had just been set up. Zhou Cang was looking at the chess pieces when he heard Gongsun Pu and the pretentious man sighing. Zhou Cang pretended not to hear and looked at the chess record carefully. Pei Liang, who had just made tea next to him, also began to sigh.
Even sighed louder...
Zhou Cang: “…”
He is not a fool, how could he not know that these two gentlemen have something to say?
But he didn't really want to meddle in other people's business, as he always felt that every move he made was a trap. However, the sighs from the two men made it difficult for Zhou Cang to concentrate on reading the chess manual. In the end, he could only sigh with his head down, and then he looked up at the two men helplessly and said, "What difficulties have you two encountered?"
"Oh, I didn't want to trouble Mr. Shi Hong with this matter, but since you asked me about it, I will tell you." Gongsun Pu said as if he was in trouble.
Zhou Cang's eyes twitched slightly. If you guys weren't sighing one by one, would he have wanted to ask?
Pei Liang followed up by saying, "This matter also concerns the various divisions in the army. I think Mr. Shi Hong doesn't want his commander to be in danger."
Zhou Cang closed his eyes slightly and nodded, with an expression that said, "Stop drafting and just speak."
Gongsun Pu and Pei Liang talked about the Wuhuan tribes that had recently joined the alliance. They did not directly mention that Zong Yanli had discovered the secret letter, but they indirectly expressed their feeling that the Wuhuan tribes had some ulterior motives.
After all, he once followed the Northern Army, so it is reasonable that he is not trusted.
"Now there are some people in the army who leaked the secrets." Pei Liang's face was very angry, and he said in a distressed manner: "But I don't know how to verify it..."
"So you two gentlemen suspect that the person who leaked the secret is hiding among the Wuhuan tribes?" Zhou Cang understood and frowned slightly and said, "Or is it that the Wuhuan joined the alliance for ulterior motives?"
"It is precisely because we still don't know the reason that I would like to ask Mr. Shi Hong to think of a way. How can we find out without alerting the enemy?" Gongsun Pu looked up at Zhou Cang and said.
"It's indeed a difficult problem." Zhou Cang pondered for a moment.
Finally, I asked them in detail why they first suspected Wuhuan.
There can't be no reason, right?
Gongsun Pu and Pei Liang did not reveal too much, but Zhou Cang had basically guessed some of it through his indirect hints.
Then he looked at the two of them and said, "In this case, we must also catch the person red-handed when investigating the case. It would be better to lure the person out of the hole and lure him out."
"Since this person can get important military intelligence, he must be in a high position." Zhou Cang continued, "If it's just a small trick, he won't fall for it. But if it's a big plan that affects the entire army, you and I may not be able to make the decision. General Zong Yan needs to step in."
"Of course." Gongsun Pu nodded and said, "But even if we lead out the secret spy, how can we be sure that Princess Wuhuan and others are unaware of it?"
"No problem." Zhou Cang smiled when he heard that, raised his eyes and looked at the two of them and said, "If it's empty, make it real, and if it's real, make it empty."
"Whether this news is true or false depends entirely on the person who gives the order. What do you two gentlemen think?" Zhou Cang smiled at Pei Liang and Gongsun Pu.
The two were stunned at first, and then they felt as if something suddenly became clear.
They immediately applauded and further discussed what to do. When they had almost finished discussing the plan, they prepared to go find Zong Yanli.
When I turned around, I was shocked to find that the tea had gone cold and the chessboard was motionless.
Zhou Cang's throat was about to smoke. Looking at Pei Liang and Gongsun Pu, he felt a little amused and thought to himself that he had really been tricked!
It was already pitch black outside, with torches lit everywhere in the military tents. Zong Yanli and his men in the main camp had already eaten roasted whole lamb. When they saw Gongsun Pu and his men coming back, they immediately greeted them, "You are finally here. If you don't come, I will go and invite you in person."
Zong Yanli had someone bring up the roasted lamb brain. It was drizzled with hot oil and sprinkled with many condiments to remove the fishy smell. It made people salivate just by looking at it.
"Sorry for keeping you waiting, General." Gongsun Pu and Pei Liang apologized quickly and then took a seat.
"Pei Liang, Pei Liang, let me have a taste." Monkie was drooling and went up to Pei Liang and said.
"General Pei, let me try the poison on you." Lu Hao followed closely.
Seeing these generals who used to be so shameless in their words asking for food, Pei Liang was really angry and amused. He protected the piece of food that belonged to him and said, "Don't even think about it. This is specially reserved for me by the general."
Monk and his companions shouted loudly, and the tent became bustling with activity.
Zong Yanli sat upright on a high seat, watching them laughing and making noises with a smile on his face. Then he saw Wang Yi sitting alone beside him, so he walked over with a jar of wine.
Wang Yi was about to stand up, but Zong Yanli raised his hand and pressed his shoulder. He sat down beside Wang Yi and poured him a bowl of wine before saying, "General Wang, why are you so silent? What's the matter?"
"General Zong Yan, you are too polite." Wang Yi shook his head and said, "It's nothing."
"General Wang, are you used to being in the army?" Zong Yanli, who was sitting next to Wang Yi, asked in a leisurely tone, as if they were old friends. "I am a little embarrassed to say this, but do you still remember the sister I once told you about?"
When Wang Yi heard Zong Yanli mention this matter, his expression became a little strange, as if he was remembering how they first met.
Then he heard Zong Yanli say, "General Wang's cooking skills are really good. My sister is now married and has children. She sent me a letter a few days ago saying that she is pregnant again."
Zong Yanli grinned at Wang Yi and said shamelessly, "General Wang, would you be willing to make me a few more shuttlecocks to play with?"
Wang Yi: “…”
This damn kid is really talking about things that are not related to the topic.
Wang Yi said with a dark face: "My cooking skills are not worth mentioning. General, are you preparing a gift for your unborn nephew?"
"It's not really a gift, just some little things." Zong Yanli laughed, then asked about Wang Yi's family. When he learned that Wang Yi's son and daughter were married and had become grandfathers, he congratulated him again.
Wang Yi then realized that it was strange that Zong Yanli had reached such a high position but had not yet married.
Wang Yi, who didn't want to talk much, talked with Zong Yanli for a long time for some unknown reason.
He always felt that he was not a talkative person, so why was he so inexplicably...
Zong Yanli finished his drink, stood up, patted Wang Yi's arm and said, "Then I'll trouble you, General Wang. I'll come get it when it's ready."
Wang Yi choked up. When did he agree?
Zong Yanli found an excuse to go to the bathroom. Everyone in the tent was having a great time drinking and playing finger-guessing games. The generals were playing arm wrestling again. It seemed that this was the only fun they had all day. Those who were tired left early to rest, and the few remaining ones who were drunk were still making a fuss.
Zong Yanli also returned to his tent, washed his face, and sat down at the table, taking advantage of the fact that he was not sleepy yet and could read a book for a while.
The next day, when Gongsun Pu and Pei Liang came, they saw their general lazily lying on the couch in the tent, holding a book in one hand and reading. Seeing his posture was quite romantic and uninhibited, she raised her eyebrows slightly and looked at the two of them: "Have you come up with any good plan?"
Zong Yanli sat up and raised his hand to signal the two to take a seat.
After greeting each other, Gongsun Pu and Pei Liang said, "Yesterday we had tea and a chat with Mr. Shi Hong. We talked about the general's worries, and Mr. Shi Hong listened and gave us a good solution."
"Pu thinks this strategy is the best one, so I came to ask for advice from the general." Gongsun Pu smiled and talked about the strategy Zhou Cang talked about yesterday, and his words showed a lot of praise for Zhou Cang.
Zong Yanli raised his eyebrows and nodded as he listened, and he greatly approved of Zhou Cang's suggestion.
However, there is no suitable opportunity at the moment. The Northern Army has not made any unusual moves, and our army is still recuperating.
Zong Yanli has no idea how to plan his layout for the time being.
In July, the Minister of Works Cai Kangyu finally delivered the chariot and crossbow siege vehicle that he had supervised. After continuous exploration and improvement, which took nearly a year and consumed countless manpower and wood, he finally mastered the art of supervising the construction of the craftsmen.
Zong Yanli finally had the confidence to start a war with the Northern Army!
"Master Cai, have some tea to moisten your throat." Zong Yanli personally went to see the siege crossbow cart, and with his eyes shining and laughing, he invited Cai Kangyu into the tent, reached out and poured him a glass of water, saying, "You must have worked hard on this journey, Master."
"It's my job, it's my job..." Cai Kangyu was shocked to see Zong Yanli pouring tea for him personally, and he quickly bowed and took it.
"General, please see how this chariot works after it is put into battle. If there is nothing wrong with it, I will arrange for the craftsmen to start mass production." Cai Kangyu sat down below Zong Yanli and drank two or three cups of tea before saying, "The work of carpentry cannot be done quickly. It is time-consuming and wastes materials."
"I dare not build more until the general has tried it himself." Cai Kangyu said seriously.
"Okay, I'll keep an eye on it." Zong Yanli readily agreed, and then said a few words to Cai Kangyu to thank him for his hard work.
"It is my honor to share the general's worries." Cai Kangyu bowed his head, and then said as if he had thought of something, "There is one more thing. When I was on the official road transporting the crossbow cart, I passed by the post house and heard that there were bandits in Fengchang and other places again. Fengchang is not far from where the general is stationed, and there are bandits. Does the general know about this?"
Zong Yanli almost choked on his tea when he heard this. He looked at Cai Kangyu uncertainly and said, "My lord, you haven't been robbed by bandits, have you?"