Chapter 689: I'll Go With You
In the dead of night, test-02 the small boat carrying the Heavenly Lord finally reached the shores of Wenshui County.
Li Daoxuan disembarked, then transferred to a specially constructed, sturdy carriage. At last, just before the first hint of dawn, Li Daoxuan arrived in Wenshui County.
As he reached the city gate, he saw the Sichuan White Pole Soldiers, already arrayed and ready to depart.
Their stay in Wenshui County had been the most comfortable night the White Pole Soldiers had experienced in months. Not only was their sleeping place secure, but County Magistrate Chen had also provided them with many delicious treats.
It gave them a joyful feeling, akin to waiting with Xing Honglang's troops by the Yellow River for transport ships, then cooking and sharing lunch meat together.
They absolutely adored being with these people who wore the Heavenly Lord's image embroidered on their chests—everyone here was handsome, spoke pleasantly, and possessed remarkable talent...
But now, they had to leave!
Stepping out of Wenshui County meant immediately facing off against ferocious rebels. It felt like walking from heaven into hell, an utterly discomforting prospect.
Zhang Fengyi stood at the city gate, casting a deep gaze at the cozy little county town, preparing to wave goodbye.
Zhang Fengyi turned at the sound, and her gaze lingered on his face, momentarily stunned. Such a familiar face, where had she seen it before? Where could it be?
It suddenly hit her: Xing Honglang's chest, County Magistrate Chen's chest... the chests of all those who had helped her and the Sichuan White Pole Soldiers, they all bore an embroidered image of this very face!
"You... you are..." Zhang Fengyi suddenly realized she didn't even know his name, yet she knew, intrinsically, that this man was a towering figure, immensely powerful.
Li Daoxuan smiled. "My name is Li Daoxuan, but... I've been using the alias Xiao Qiushui recently to stir up some fun, so, General Zhang, please don't reveal my true name. I only tell my real name to those I believe I can befriend."
Zhang Fengyi: "..."
The situation became quite awkward. Zhang Fengyi could only offer a strained smile. "Li... ahem... Well, Mister Xiao, it's good to meet you. I'm truly grateful for your past assistance. Only now do I realize that it was you who helped my Sichuan White Pole Soldiers on numerous occasions."
Li Daoxuan replied, "It was nothing."
As he said this, Li Daoxuan thought to himself: How can I save her? Should I pinpoint where she'll be ambushed? No, I can't. I can't find the exact location of Houjia Village at all. At most, I could tell her not to go to Houjia Village. But she might be marching, walk into a small desolate village, only to learn it *is* Houjia Village, and then realize she's already surrounded, with no escape.
So, this level of revealing heavenly secrets is useless; it won't save her.
What about a different approach? Persuade her to quickly return to her home in Sichuan and stay out of the Henan rebel affairs?
No!
Telling her she will die might not convince her, and without revealing heavenly secrets, she definitely wouldn't listen.
If she were someone who feared trouble and avoided battle, the Sichuan White Pole Soldiers wouldn't have earned their renown for posterity.
After much deliberation, Li Daoxuan finally had an idea: "General Zhang, I have a small request. The rise and fall of the realm concerns every common person. The pursuit and suppression of these rebels, which affects the welfare of all people, is naturally a responsibility for everyone. Therefore, I wish to join your forces as a humble soldier by your side, and together, we can track down these rebels."
Hearing him, Zhang Fengyi was stunned. Was he serious? Xing Honglang, County Magistrate Chen, and others all had your embroidered image on their chests, which meant you were their leader, a truly formidable figure! For such an important person to join her army as a mere foot soldier? Who would dare?
Yet, Li Daoxuan's tone earlier had been exceptionally sincere; he was clearly serious.
She could only nod. "Given Mister Xiao's character and martial prowess, serving as my army's strategist would be more than sufficient."
By saying this, she had agreed.
Li Daoxuan responded, "Then I shall impose upon you."
Chen Yuanbo leaned over from the side, whispering, "Heavenly Lord, how many men do you wish to take with you?"
Li Daoxuan had originally intended to go alone, but after a moment's thought, he realized that wouldn't work. He often had to switch perspectives, and once he did, test-02 without anyone controlling it, his avatar would stand blankly, unable to keep up with the White Pole Soldiers' marching speed.
He lowered his voice. "Go pick fifty men. Their main task will be driving the carriage and looking after my physical form when my consciousness drifts."
Chen Yuanbo replied, "Your subordinate will arrange it immediately."
Before long, a special operations team was ready.
Fifty men weren't many, but fifty Chassepot rifles represented a considerably powerful fighting force.
The only problem was that once they followed the White Pole Soldiers, they would be cut off from Gao Family Village's logistical support. Each bullet they fired would be one less. Therefore, it was best for these fifty soldiers not to engage unless absolutely critical.
Chen Yuanbo then arranged for more food and supplies. Since the Heavenly Lord himself was accompanying the White Pole Soldiers, Gao Family Village's support for them had to be maximized. All sorts of easy-to-carry rations were provided for the White Pole Soldiers, and each soldier received several bamboo boxes filled with lunch meat.
This, regrettably, caused the Sichuan White Pole Soldiers, a unit renowned for their swift movements, to advance quite slowly...
Despite the heavy load, the White Pole Soldiers were in excellent spirits.
Who wouldn't be happy setting out with an abundance of food on their backs?
The peculiar army of one thousand and fifty men departed Wenshui County, heading towards Xiuwu County.
Li Daoxuan remained hidden in the carriage for a long time, not venturing out.
Zhang Fengyi was quite curious about him, but as a female general, it was not appropriate for her to constantly engage a young man in awkward conversation, so she didn't initiate any contact with Li Daoxuan.
After an unknown period of travel, a ruined county town appeared before them.
This was Xiuwu County.
Months earlier, Li Zicheng had captured Xiuwu County and then advanced to Huaiqing Prefecture, opening up new opportunities for the rebels despite what had been a strategic misstep.
Xiuwu County had suffered even more damage than Wenshui County, if not equally.
County Magistrate Liu Fengxiang had died in battle, nearly all the residents had been massacred, and almost every building in the city was burned to the ground.
A scout from the vanguard reported: "Sichuan Regional Commander Deng Qi is stationed in the ruined Xiuwu County."
Sichuan Regional Commander Deng Qi? Li Daoxuan had a vague impression of that name; he was also a relatively famous general in the suppression of rebels during the late Ming, whose name often appeared in historical records.
Deng Qi rose from a junior officer, fought hundreds of battles, and was always victorious.
As he was researching Deng Qi's information, a middle-aged man, not particularly tall but short, stout, and energetic, emerged from the ruined city ahead, waving to Zhang Fengyi: "Yo, One-Eyed Ma's wife, fancy meeting you here."
His opening words were thick with a Sichuan accent.
Li Daoxuan, having been born in Shuangqing City, understood the Sichuan dialect, and his brow furrowed slightly: "One-Eyed Ma's wife" was an exceedingly unpleasant way to address someone; this man was very rude.
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