82: Chapter 0082 No Need for Tea

"Oh? Why?" Lin Xiao asked.

Wei Dongxue said seriously, "Because there are not many places in the Northern Territory that produce coal, and the coal mine in Wu Mountain is heavily guarded by Prince Bai."

"Instead of attacking Wushan Commandery, we might be better off first capturing Lincang, Yangquan, Fushan, and a few other commanderies."

"Once we have swallowed up most of the territory and military forces in Cang Province, it will be much safer to besiege Wushan Commandery."

Lin Xiao looked at the others. "What do you think?"

"This general feels that Advisor Wei's words make sense. If we end up fighting Prince Bai's main army, being attacked from both front and rear would be troublesome."

"Indeed, taking down the other commanderies first will also help boost the morale of the Zhenbei Army!"

Qin He, however, objected, "Our Border Army has never been afraid of hard battles! We should just strike the White Kings Army first! Once we take out the White Kings Army, everyone else will behave!"

"Captain Qin, this is not fighting the Northern Barbarians; the situation is different!"

Seeing Lin Xiao smiling without speaking, General Zhao Kuan asked, "General, what are your thoughts?"

Seeing that everyone had quieted down, Lin Xiao said, "Let me ask you a question."

"Suppose we were the White Kings Army; where would we want the Zhenbei Army to attack?"

Wei Dongxue and the others looked at each other, instantly falling silent.

Was there even a need to think about it? It would definitely be to attack those commanderies outside of Wu Mountain first!

It would give the White Kings Army time to prepare, allow them to make arrangements, and also exhaust the strength and provisions of the Zhenbei Army.

"Let me ask you another question... What is the use for our Zhenbei Army in capturing those commanderies outside of Wu Mountain?"

Lin Xiao grinned and said, "To scrape the people's wealth? Or to ease the Imperial Court's worries and cause trouble for Prince Bai?"

Upon being asked this, Wei Dongxue and the others felt enlightened!

"The General's words are absolutely correct..."

Wei Dongxue felt like he had been struck by wisdom and said, "Regardless of whether we send troops to conquer them, the seven commanderies of Cang Province will not run away."

"What is meant to be ours will be ours sooner or later; there is simply no need to rush!"

General Zhao Kuan stroked his beard and nodded, "Correct. The Imperial Court hopes that our Zhenbei Army will fight a bloody battle with Prince Bai, but they do not care about our lives at all."

"If we want to survive, we must first strengthen our own capabilities, rather than taking a large, useless piece of territory."

Lin Xiao smiled with satisfaction. "What Brother Zhao said is exactly what I wanted to say."

"Do not think that just because the Emperor bestowed the title of Zhenbei Army upon us, we truly have to guard the Northern Territory for him."

"Prince Bai's opponents are the Emperor, Prince Qing in the west, and the Prince of Yan in the east."

"As long as we do not go too far, Prince Bai will not mobilize a large army to attack us because he is worried about the collapse of his other fronts."

"Therefore, we need to strike a balance; we must make Prince Bai uncomfortable without driving him to desperate measures."

"As for Cang Province, it is fine to let him keep most of the territory. What we want is coal mines! Iron mines! Resources!!"

After hearing Lin Xiao's words, the generals present felt their horizons suddenly broaden, and their eyes were filled with reverence.

"No wonder Lin Xiao is able to win every battle. This subordinate has been enlightened!"

Wei Dongxue looked ashamed; he felt his position as advisor was inadequate and he needed to learn more!

Lin Xiao did not blame them; after all, the idea that technology is the primary productive force and that productivity determines military power was too advanced for them.

In this world, human wave tactics were still the norm.

"Brother Zhao, immediately send people to find out how many White Kings Army troops are stationed in Wushan Commandery."

"Three days later, we will bypass Lincang and head straight for Wushan Commandery!"

After Lin Xiao finished his instructions, the generals began to prepare.

Upon leaving the military camp, the sky had already turned dark.

Mu Wanying rode her horse, her watery, star-like eyes fixed on the man beside her, unable to look away.

"Wanying, what is it? Why do you keep looking at me?"

Lin Xiao felt his body heating up from her gaze. This woman had been "developed" many times, and she was increasingly exuding the charm of a young married woman.

"Husband, how do you know so much? Just now, when you asked us to put ourselves in the position of the White Kings Army to think, I suddenly understood many things!"

Mu Wanying was sincerely convinced, "If I were to fight against you, I would definitely be defeated and have no power to resist!"

"Hehe, not necessarily, right?"

Lin Xiao raised an eyebrow, "No matter how valiant my skills are, every time I battle with you, I end up severely drained!"

"But little Wanying, although practicing is hard work, you are becoming more and more radiant!"

"Husband, keep your voice down, don't let anyone hear... It's so embarrassing..."

Mu Wanying lowered her head, looking bashful and charming.

Lin Xiao did not tease her further, as there was still some official business to attend to.

After letting Mu Wanying go home first, Lin Xiao made a trip to the Su Residence.

Intelligence was something he had to investigate himself, but having an extra layer of assurance was better.

Therefore, he still needed Su Chang's intelligence.

When the steward saw Lin Xiao arrive, he trembled and hurriedly went to report.

Now, Lin Xiao was a fourth-rank military official with real power, a truly important figure.

Because the Su Chang family was eating, Lin Xiao did not disturb them and went straight to the study to have some tea first.

After waiting for a while, a beautiful woman in a green dress with long, cloud-like hair reaching her waist walked in carrying tea.

"Lin Xiao, please have some tea."

Su Wansha had a cold expression; she was polite in words but clearly acting distant on purpose.

Seeing her expression, Lin Xiao remembered that since becoming the Zhenbei General, he had not visited Baiyu Pavilion even once!

Although it was because he was too busy, he really should have thanked Su Wansha and Zhu Ming, or at least shown some gesture.

Seeing Su Wansha turn to leave, Lin Xiao grabbed her soft hand and pulled her back!

"Ah!"

Su Wansha cried out, pulled over by a powerful, domineering force. Before she could react, she was already sitting on the man's lap.

So light, so soft!

Lin Xiao discovered that Su Wansha's physique was different from the voluptuousness of Xiao Qingxuan and the elasticity of Mu Wanying.

It was simply the soft, delicate feeling of a girl from a humble family.

A fragrance assailed his nostrils, and he could see a glimpse of scenery from the woman's neckline.

Surprisingly well-endowed!

"You... what are you doing?"

Su Wansha struggled to get up, but was held by her slender waist by Lin Xiao.

Lin Xiao leaned into the woman's ear, "I just took over as the Zhenbei General recently, and there have been too many things to do; I have neglected you."

Upon hearing this, Su Wansha's eyes turned red, her nose felt sore, but she calmed down.

"I am not your wife, why say these things to me?"

The girl bit her red lips lightly, looking a little aggrieved.

Lin Xiao sighed, "How could I not understand your feelings? But you are such a good girl; if I let you be a concubine, would your parents agree?"

"You... what nonsense are you spouting? Who wants to be your concubine?"

Su Wansha blushed deeply; this guy was too direct!

What should she do? Should she say that she actually wouldn't mind?

Since Mu Wanying was willing, what did her own background matter?

"I also know that I cannot force things, but you are so beautiful and treat me so well, how could I not be moved?"

Lin Xiao was no saint, either. Since she clearly had deep feelings for him, being too polite would be a disrespect to such a beauty!

Thus, Lin Xiao directly cupped half of Su Wansha's small, pretty face with one hand and lifted her head.

Sensing what was about to happen, Su Wansha shyly and timidly closed her beautiful eyes, her eyelashes trembling.

Tea? No need; Lin Xiao went straight to drinking the nectar!

One had to say, this natural, unpolluted beauty of the ancient era tasted truly sweet and pure!

"Cough, cough, cough!!!"

After a while, the sound of the fatty's violent coughing came from outside!