72: Chapter 0072 A Just Cause

" Naturally, General Shi Yong told me, " Lin Xiao said.

" General Shi Yong? "

Several men looked at him, puzzled.

Lin Xiao wore a look of regret. " In fact, I had already infiltrated the Cangzhou Army long before I arrived. "

" The plan to feign an attack on the city while actually working together to fight off the Northern Barbarians was something we had agreed upon long ago. "

" General Shi Yong told me he would take care of the several lackeys of Prince Bai within the army. "

" However, he had long realized that many of you are loyal and brave soldiers who truly want to protect your homes and country. "

" He did not care about his own death, but he could not bear the thought of implicating you all. "

" Before we set out, he made an agreement with me: if he were to fall in battle, I was to pass on a message... "

" He caused you to become enemies with Prince Bai... He feels he has failed you! "

Upon hearing these words, Wei Dongxue and the group of soldiers who admired General Shi Yong shed manly tears once again.

Even General Zhao Kuan and the others showed signs of being moved, sighing with emotion.

Seeing that the emotions were properly stirred, Lin Xiao continued:

" I know that many of you in the Cangzhou Army have your entire families back home. "

" If you intend to leave, I will not force you; this is what I promised General Shi Yong. "

General Zhao Kuan and the others frowned upon hearing this.

While they could understand the sentiment, if they really let over twenty thousand provincial troops go back... it would still be a hidden danger!

" Lin Xiao, you are joking. "

Wei Dongxue said bitterly, " We defied the will of Prince Bai, helped Baishui Prefecture repel the Northern Barbarians, and so many officers of the White Kings Army died... "

" Even if we go back, we are criminals, and there will be no good outcome for us. "

Commander Bai Buhei nodded, " Military Advisor Wei is right. If the brothers go back, they will likely be used as cannon fodder, and they won't even know how they died. "

" Colluding with the barbarians and slaughtering his own people—does such a person deserve to be a prince of the Great Gan? Bah! " Wang Chong spat with disdain.

The other officers of the Cangzhou Army nearby also nodded in succession, deeply abhorring the actions of Prince Bai.

Lin Xiao was very satisfied as he listened to these words.

Since you said it yourselves, that saves me the trouble.

Not bad; this group isn't stupid. They know their current situation.

General Zhao Kuan and the others were overjoyed; so that was it!

After this battle, the Cangzhou Army had effectively betrayed Prince Bai; going back would surely mean trouble!

They would likely be broken up and forced into the most dangerous units to serve as cannon fodder at the front.

Furthermore, if Prince Bai really wanted to target the families of the soldiers, what would the charge be?

Just because the Cangzhou Army killed the Northern Barbarians instead of the citizens of the Great Gan?

If that got out, wouldn't the whole world laugh at him? Wouldn't the other vassal kings jump at the chance to kick him while he was down?

After all, the Cangzhou Army did not rebel; they were only following the orders of " General Shi Yong "!

And General Shi Yong was your man, Prince Bai!

Therefore, even if Prince Bai hated the Cangzhou Army to the bone, he would not dare to easily touch their families.

" Lin Xiao, forgive my bluntness, but with your illustrious military achievements, you have long since struck awe into Cang Province and even the entire six northern provinces! "

" Now that the seven prefectures of Cang Province are empty of troops, why not take advantage of the fact that Prince Bai hasn't reacted yet and seize the entire Cang Province in one fell swoop! ? "

As soon as Wei Dongxue said this, the expressions of many people present changed drastically.

What a bold kid! He really dares to say it!

General Zhao Kuan and the others muttered inwardly; although they had the same thought, they hadn't been so decisive.

Lin Xiao knew this kid had the " Troop Deployment " trait and should be a military talent.

Seeing everyone looking at him with burning gazes, even Mu Wanying looking expectant...

Lin Xiao smiled. " Let me think about this. For now, let's count the spoils of war and treat the wounded. "

" If the Cangzhou Army is willing to stay, Brother Zhao, please work hard to settle everyone properly. "

" They are all comrades who fought the enemy together; we must take good care of them. "

General Zhao Kuan nodded. " Don't worry, brother. You've worked hard. Go back to the city first; leave this to us. "

Hearing Lin Xiao say this, Wei Dongxue and the others were somewhat disappointed.

Although they also understood that going from Baishui Prefecture to swallowing the entire Cang Province in one go was too big a step.

Just as Lin Xiao entered the city, Xiao Qingxuan, dressed in a green silk dress, was already waiting by the carriage.

The woman ran over quickly, threw herself into the man's arms, and let out a long sigh of relief.

" Husband... You have finally returned safely. "

Even knowing that they had won, Xiao Qingxuan only felt at ease when she held the man.

Since they got married, she found that she enjoyed the feeling of having someone to rely on, and she simply couldn't bear to be apart from him.

" My wife, I am still covered in blood and grime, I am dirty... "

" These are all my husband's military achievements; for me to touch them is an honor in itself... "

Flattery makes people rise!

As expected of an Empress; look at how she uses her words, maximizing the emotional value!

" Hehe... "

Lin Xiao lifted the woman's beautiful face and kissed her fiercely, leaving her face flushed.

After a great battle, a beauty in one's arms! Wonderful!

Back at the manor, Xiao Qingxuan served Lin Xiao as he bathed and changed his clothes.

Talking about Wei Dongxue's proposal earlier, Xiao Qingxuan's eyes lit up.

" Did you agree, husband? "

Lin Xiao shook his head. " This matter cannot be rushed; we must wait. "

Xiao Qingxuan nodded with a smile. " I think you are right, husband. "

" Oh? Tell me your thoughts, my wife. "

Xiao Qingxuan said, " The reason why Military Advisor Wei was so eager to propose it is partly because speed is the essence of war, but primarily, it is because of their own selfish motives. "

" Even though they know that Prince Bai will not do anything to their families in the short term, they are still worried about their loved ones. "

" Therefore, the soldiers of the Cangzhou Army are eager for you to send troops immediately and seize the entire Cang Province. "

Lin Xiao nodded. " Correct. Actually, it is understandable, but why can I not rush? "

Xiao Qingxuan pouted playfully. " Are you testing me, husband? "

" Not at all, you are my military strategist, after all. "

Xiao Qingxuan rolled her eyes at him and said, " I believe there are two reasons. First, one needs a just cause. "

" Taking one prefecture doesn't have much impact, but if you want to take the entire Cang Province, you cannot remain just a Commander of the Border Army. "

" Not to mention anything else, the noble lords and gentry of Cang Province will surely feign compliance while acting against you, and you cannot kill them all. "

" Once labeled a traitor and rebel, the people under your rule will be in a panic and unable to trust you. "

" Second, it is to test the hearts of the Cangzhou Army to see if some of them have truly submitted. "

" If some of them cannot wait even a few days and want to escape back, then those people are not worth using. "

Lin Xiao nodded with satisfaction. " What you said is very true, my wife. These two points are indeed very important. "

" However... there is actually a third point. "

Xiao Qingxuan blinked. " What is it? "

" I am familiar with the Border Army, but the Cangzhou Army just arrived. They have submitted on the surface, but in reality, they are not yet my army. "

Lin Xiao said, " I need some time to make the entire army a cohesive force. "

The other prefectures in Cang Province really do not have much military strength.

It is possible to take them, but the key is to be able to hold them.

If there is no sufficient cohesion, when the army of Prince Bai comes, it will only collapse quickly.

Today's great victory was because they shared a common hatred and fought the Northern Barbarians together.

But the army of Prince Bai is also composed of soldiers of the Great Gan. To want this group of Cangzhou Army soldiers to risk their lives for him, Lin Xiao, without hesitation—how could it be that simple?

In the end, one must win over their hearts!

" You are so thoughtful, husband; I am not as good as you, " Xiao Qingxuan said with a charming laugh.

Lin Xiao understood that it was mainly because the woman did not lead troops into battle herself, so she would naturally overlook some things.

He was just about to pick up Xiao Qingxuan and put her into the bathtub for a romantic bath...

" Commander, My Lady, Miss Su is here and says that Elder Zhu invites you! "

Elder Zhu? The great Confucian scholar Zhu Ming?

Lin Xiao smiled playfully. " My wife, the ' just cause '—the cause might be arriving now! "