217: Chapter 0217 is also worthy

Because the Prefect and several other officials were killed, Jingmen Prefecture was in chaos.

However, for Lin Xiao, the disorganized administration was actually better.

He directly used his Eye of God to find several capable officials and had them restart the paralyzed government.

The commoners in the city were initially terrified, thinking there would be a siege.

As it turned out, when they heard that Lin Xiao of the Zhenbei Army had arrived and integrated both armies, they were amazed and deeply grateful to Lin Xiao.

After all, being able to resolve the battle outside the city spared them from the fires of war.

After finishing a series of tasks like transporting grain, counting casualties, and clearing the battlefield, most of the day had passed.

Before dark, Lin Xiao had the Jingmen courier officials send out two documents.

One was for General Zhao Kuan; the situation here had to be explained, and they needed to keep up the pressure so Prince Bai's Army couldn't send reinforcements to E Prefecture.

Although Xie Juner said that the officials in E Prefecture were waiting to surrender, Lin Xiao wouldn't believe it until he saw it with his own eyes.

Whatever they were thinking, he would just conquer it first!

The other was a memorial to the imperial court; on the surface, he was still the General of the Zhenbei Army, and he was fighting under the banner given by Emperor Hong.

This time, crossing out of the Northern Territory to incorporate the Yan King's Army, he definitely had to inform Emperor Hong.

He imagined that Emperor Hong would be quite happy to see his "usurpation."

"General Lin, sorry to bother you..."

Just as Lin Xiao was wondering whether to write a letter home to Xiao Qingxuan, he heard someone outside looking for him.

"Miss Zhao Caiwei?"

Lin Xiao looked up and saw the somewhat haggard female general, smiling, "It's fine. You've worked hard; settling tens of thousands of troops' food and lodging is no easy task."

After the headcount during the day, as Lin Xiao expected, the Yan King's Army suffered heavy losses, with only over 8,000 left out of the 30,000-strong force.

The Cold Iron Guard also suffered heavy losses, with thousands killed, reducing their numbers to 13,000.

Prince Bai's Army and the Jingmen garrison weren't much better off, with only over 30,000 left.

But even so, added together, there were still over 50,000!

For Lin Xiao, he had truly never led so many professional troops before.

His own Zhenbei Army was mostly made up of Militia, with only about 20,000 genuine combat soldiers.

Fortunately, most of the officers of the Cold Iron Guard were still alive, and they were experienced in integrating captives.

With Zhao Caiwei in charge of coordination, everything was orderly.

"General Lin is too polite; this is what I, Zhao Caiwei, should do."

Zhao Caiwei was a bit shy being alone with him, not daring to meet Lin Xiao's eyes.

"If not for General Lin today, our Cold Iron Guard would likely have been wiped out, and the Zhao family would have existed in name only. I should be the one thanking General Lin."

Lin Xiao laughed, "Miss Zhao Caiwei is righteous, and I am very grateful that you dared to bring your army to join me."

Zhao Caiwei lowered her head and murmured, "Do I have a choice?"

Thinking back, once Eunuch Zhu died, the path back to the Yan Region was cut off.

She couldn't possibly lead her troops to surrender to the imperial court; even Prince Bai's Army was about to surrender to the Zhenbei Army, so where else could they go?

Lin Xiao pretended not to hear clearly, "Huh? What?"

Zhao Caiwei gave him a reproachful glare and didn't bring it up again.

"My father has woken up and wants to see General Lin."

"That's great! I'll go right over!"

Lin Xiao put down his pen and hurried out.

Regardless of what the old man wanted, he had to maintain his "good brother of General Zhao Kuan" persona!

Arriving at a warm bedroom, the room was filled with the smell of medicinal herbs.

Zhao Cailing was crouching to the side brewing medicine, her eyes red, clearly having cried.

On the bed, the pale-faced General Zhao Yunting looked at his youngest daughter with loving eyes.

At this moment, he was no longer the commander of a great army galloping on the battlefield, but an old father reluctant to part with his children.

"General Zhao, how are you feeling?"

Lin Xiao came to the bedside and asked with concern.

"Many thanks, General Lin, for turning the tide and saving our Cold Iron Guard soldiers."

General Zhao Yunting said this and tried to get out of bed, but he didn't have the strength to support himself to the ground.

"General, there is no need for this. Now that Miss Zhao Caiwei has brought the Cold Iron Guard to join my Zhenbei Army, we are one family!"

Lin Xiao looked ashamed, "I am still waiting for you to recover so you can guide me on how to lead troops in battle. There are still too many things I don't understand and want to ask you about!"

"Hahahaha..."

General Zhao Yunting laughed hoarsely and waved his hand, "I can't teach you, I can't... I went to the battlefield at fifteen and fought my whole life, but I've never seen such a fierce general as General Lin."

"General Lin, you can turn the tide of battle single-handedly; ordinary military tactics have no meaning for you."

"I cannot teach you, and you don't need to learn from anyone. Just be yourself, and sooner or later you will become a legendary general."

Lin Xiao was almost blushing; who said martial generals didn't know how to handle social situations?

"Zhao Caiwei, Zhao Cailing, you two go out for a moment. Father has some words to speak with General Lin alone."

The sisters were not surprised and walked out silently.

After the two had walked far away, General Zhao Yunting beckoned to Lin Xiao.

"General Lin, come closer..."

Lin Xiao was not panicked; this old man was at the end of his rope and posed no threat.

"General Zhao, if you have any instructions, I will do my best within my power!"

Leaning in, General Zhao Yunting suddenly reached out and hooked Lin Xiao's neck!

Although the movement was somewhat fierce, it truly lacked strength.

"You despicable brat! You tricked me by saying you came to help General Zhao Kuan, but you had been eyeing my Zhao family's Cold Iron Guard all along, right!?"

General Zhao Yunting glared with his tiger eyes and asked in a low voice.

Lin Xiao's expression remained calm, and he said with a smile, "General Zhao, didn't you already know that?"

"What did you say!?"

"Not just you, General Zhao Kuan should have known as well."

Lin Xiao sighed, "I am a man of the imperial court; if you were truly loyal to the Yan King, you shouldn't have agreed to my request from the beginning."

"You let me participate in the Battle of Jingmen simply because you wanted an extra layer of insurance."

"If Jingmen was taken smoothly, then everything would be fine; with or without me, you would have been safe."

"But if something changed halfway, like today, and the Cold Iron Guard encountered a crisis, then you would need me to carve out a path of survival for you!"

General Zhao Yunting frowned and remained silent.

Lin Xiao smiled and continued, "You are angry now simply because I killed your two sons and slaughtered that old eunuch."

"The Cold Iron Guard survived, but they can no longer return to the Yan Region; they have become my army, which ruined your plans... didn't it?"

General Zhao Yunting snorted, "Then did you ever think about what would happen if you died in battle?"

Lin Xiao didn't speak but stood up slowly, looking down at the old man in his final moments.

He said, calmly and unhurriedly, something that made General Zhao Yunting's soul tremble: "I am a dignified Great Grandmaster; are mortals even worthy of killing me?"