Nine out of ten gamblers lose; I've run into a jerk!

Chapter 215 Urgent Report

However, the post-war cleanup was not so simple. It wasn't because of the need to consider post-war reconstruction, which was a matter of governance after the country was formally incorporated into Xuan State. The most pressing issue was the problem of the nearly 20,000 prisoners of war at Panshi Pass.

Because the defenders of Panshi Pass were defeated and surrendered quickly, the losses on both sides were not significant. However, Shen Qing only brought out 30,000 troops with the Lu family army this time.

This brings us back to the issue of military organization. In later novels, the number of troops is often inflated to 800,000, but in reality, the regular army of a unified dynasty was only around one million.

Nowadays, due to the fragmentation of the country into various states, all sides have intensified their conscription efforts, but a country mobilizing more than 100,000 troops is considered to be engaged in a major war.

Shen Qing dared to lead 30,000 soldiers into battle because Anguo also lacked the strength to maintain a large army. Moreover, the combat effectiveness of an army cannot be judged solely by its numbers. There is a saying that goes, "Three thousand Yue soldiers can conquer Wu."

Back to the present, Shen Qing is heading to Chishan City, but even with 20,000 pigs, there must be enough people to watch over them, otherwise what if they launch a riot while he is deep in the heart of the territory and attack him from both sides?

Just as he was having a headache, he received a summons from Lu Zhen to come to the commander's tent for a meeting.

"Qingxi, you lead 20,000 troops ahead, and leave this place to me."

Shen Qing frowned. "What are Father's plans?"

"Don't worry, I have experience in this area. You can take care of it."

Shen Qing hesitated, then simply cupped his hands in a gesture of respect.

"As you command."

Meanwhile, Tao You and his party, whom Shen Qing was concerned about, did not continue to Xuanwu City as originally planned, but instead remained at the post station in Chishan City.

"Hey! Are you done yet?!" A guard, clutching his stomach and legs, shouted as he clung to the latrine door.

His response was a series of "gurgling" sounds followed by a biological gas attack; he barely survived!

This guard was not alone; behind him stood several other men, their faces pale and in distress.

"I'm not going to win!"

With his last ounce of willpower, a guard ran out and darted behind a tree, abandoning his personal integrity and sparing his own life...

A quarter of an hour passed, and looking around the entire inn, there wasn't a single person who could stand up straight. Even Tao You couldn't maintain his air of a noble young master; his legs were trembling and he was almost exhausted.

Qi Shang's legs were also weak. Looking at his brothers who were staggering, he was very puzzled. What went wrong? Why did they all have diarrhea? The delay might ruin the general's important business. How could he send the news of the current situation back?

While Qi Shang was in a real bind, the prefectural governor Song Heng was quite satisfied with the situation.

"Why did you give Tao Langjun and the others croton seeds, sir?"

Song Heng stroked his short beard, his gaze distant. "It's just to guard against unforeseen circumstances. If nothing happens, all will be well. Tao You and his group just have a stomachache. If something really happens, they won't get away unscathed!"

The advisor was puzzled, but he knew his master wouldn't speak without reason. "Is there anything wrong with Master Tao's party?"

Song Heng shook his head without offering further explanation, "I hope I'm just being paranoid."

It wasn't that Song Heng was pretending to be profound; he could only deduce that Tao You had something to hide, but he lacked sufficient information to determine exactly what it was. That's why he stalled Tao You and his group to buy time to investigate.

As luck would have it, when Tao You entered the city, Song Heng was incognito observing the people's conditions. He saw Tao You riding a horse and leading a caravan to be checked. He immediately felt something was strange, but couldn't quite put his finger on it.

After thinking about it carefully, Song Heng realized that Tao You had always stayed in the carriage. Firstly, it was because young masters from aristocratic families liked to maintain a certain air, and secondly, Tao You was not skilled in horsemanship.

As doubts arose in his heart, he observed more and more meticulously. Tao You was feeling guilty. What was he feeling guilty about?

Song Heng then turned his attention to the caravan. It couldn't be the goods, so it must be the people. Some things are hard to hide, like one's demeanor.

Soldiers have infiltrated the caravan!

This was the conclusion Song Heng reached, which led to the incident of administering croton oil at the post station.

Returning to the present, Song Heng stroked his beard. What was Tao You planning to do? Or rather, what was the Tao family of Andu planning to do?

"Your Excellency! Urgent report from Panshi Pass!"

"What!" Song Heng exclaimed in surprise, snapping off a beard hair.