Three Kingdoms: Daily settlement helps Liu Bei revive the Shu Han dynasty.

It's getting late.

To avoid being ambushed again at night

Lu Yong decided to rest on the spot and continue the march early the next morning.

After nightfall, the casualty figures were reported.

Thirty-three cavalrymen were killed in action, more than one hundred infantrymen were killed, and a total of more than two hundred were wounded.

Lu Yong instructed Shen Yi to arrange for the wounded to be sent back to Wanling overnight, and also ordered people to strengthen the security of the camp.

Central Command Tent

Lu Yong summoned Zhang Fei, Shen Yi, and Lei Hu to discuss matters.

The three of them came in one after another.

Zhang Fei's arm was wrapped in blood-soaked burlap.

Lei Hu had half of his body wrapped up, and judging from his limping gait, he was clearly injured in the leg as well.

After Lu Yong and the other two were seated, Lu Yong looked at Lei Hu and asked, "Lei Hu, tell me about the defense deployment in Jing County."

Lei Hu did not hesitate and clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Zu Lang's subordinates were originally divided into three parts."

Jiao was in charge of defending the city, and he had more than 10,000 men under his command, mainly stationed in the earthen ramparts north of the county seat.

Yang Feng guarded the grain, with 8,000 men stationed at a large grain depot five miles east of the city, right next to the river.

But Yang Feng burned down the granary after his defection, so that camp should be empty now.

Originally, he was mainly stationed at the southern pass, and incidentally, he also punished those disobedient small tribes on behalf of Zulang.

Lei Hu paused for a moment, then continued,

"Zulang usually stayed in the county town, but his followers were mostly scattered in various fortified villages."

The county seat was enclosed by only one zhang (approximately 3.3 meters) high earthen walls, but a moat was dug outside the walls.

Lu Yong pondered for a moment, then asked, "What's the deal with those fortified villages?"

Lei Hu replied:

"Zulang built more than a dozen fortified villages in the mountains, each guarded by several hundred to a thousand people, and also stored a small amount of food inside."

After listening, Zhang Fei clicked his tongue and said, "It's all so flashy and complicated."

"It's just a show that looks impressive." Lei Hu shook his head and said, "Zu Lang has always admired Han culture and wants to learn everything from the Han people."

The problem is that he only learned the basics; much of what he learned was merely superficial.

The mountains are already short of food, and especially short of salt.

When Yang Feng rebelled, he burned down the grain storage.

"If the roads in and out of the mountains are cut off again, those fortified cliffs won't last more than a few days."

Lu Yong nodded, then asked, "You originally had several thousand followers under your command. Who is in command now?"

Lei Hu smiled somewhat embarrassedly and said, "My father is still alive. After I leave, he will take over the leadership."

Upon hearing this, Lu Yong said, "Lei Hu, could you write to your father and ask him to cooperate with our operation?"

"sure!"

"Excellent!"

Then you should write to your father and ask him to cut off all the main roads in and out of the mountains in the south and block any road leading south!

Then another announcement was issued, stating that all the Yue tribes that were willing to surrender would be spared punishment for their past transgressions.

At the same time, they could also join Liu Yuzhou's rule and live a peaceful and prosperous life.

Those who resisted were beheaded by their leader after the stronghold was breached, and their followers were all reduced to hard labor.

"Yes, sir!" Lei Hu said, clasping his hands in a fist salute.

Lu Yong looked at Zhang Fei and said, "The fortified village itself does not engage in production; it mainly relies on the mountain people's fishing and hunting, as well as the grain transported from the county town to survive."

We don't need to destroy each fortified village one by one; we only need to capture the county seat and cut off their lifeline, and those fortified villages will soon collapse on their own.

"But if we attack the county town, we will inevitably be besieged by Jiao Yi and Zu Lang."

"A direct confrontation is not worthwhile; we must outsmart them." Lu Yong paused,

"They are short of food now, so we'll start with food."

Lu Yong then turned to Shen Yi and said:

"Shen Yi, you will lead two thousand men to immediately seize the Qingyi River ferry crossing in the east of the city, set up camp along the riverbank, block the river, and seize all the ferries."

Remember, no ships are allowed to travel south by water and enter Jingxian County.

"Yes, sir!" Shen Yi bowed and accepted the order.

Shen Yi never dreamed that he would one day lead troops.

Immediately afterwards, Lu Yong ordered, "Third General, you and I will lead the remaining soldiers to eliminate the surrounding fortified villages and block the main roads in and out of the mountains."

"Leave it to me!" Zhang Fei grinned.

After the discussion was completed, the tent was quiet for a moment.

At this moment, Lu Yong suddenly looked up at Zhang Fei.

Zhang Fei was somewhat puzzled by Lu Yong's gaze, and even raised his hand to touch his face.

"Huai'an, what are you looking at?" Zhang Fei felt uneasy under Zhang Fei's gaze and couldn't help but ask.

"Third General," Lu Yong replied calmly, "the story of how you subdued Lei Hu with wine is now known throughout the camp."

"Hehe..." Zhang Fei thought Lu Yong was praising him.

He had just laughed twice when

But then he noticed that Lu Yong's face showed no smile at all, but rather a hint of hostility.

Zhang Fei wasn't the quickest thinker, but he knew Lu Yong's character well.

Lu Yong doesn't usually lose his temper, but when he does, it's a different story.

This made Zhang Fei immediately realize that he had made a mistake!

Zhang Fei quickly wiped the smile off his face, leaned close to Lu Yong, and whispered, "Could you please not tell my brother about me drinking in front of the army?"

Lu Yong did not reply, but simply picked up the bowl of water and slowly took a sip.

Zhang Fei grew anxious and took another step closer to Lu Yong: "Huai'an! I beg you, please don't let my elder brother know."

Otherwise, he'll definitely make me write a self-criticism again!

That's a full six hundred words!!!

Lu Yong put down his bowl and looked at Zhang Fei: "Before he left, my lord instructed you that drinking alcohol is forbidden in the army."

Zhang Fei's face turned bright red: "I know."

But didn't I have a fight with Lei Hu that day? I felt a connection with him, so I gave him a sip of wine.

I only took one sip; Lei Hu drank the rest!

Lu Yong looked at Lei Hu and saw him shrinking his head, trying his best to disguise himself as an invisible person.

"Hmph!" Lu Yong snorted and said, "I can let it go this time, but if the Third General does it again, don't blame me for not giving you face."

"Alright, alright! We will never drink alcohol in the army again!" Zhang Fei promised repeatedly.

"Let me make this clear from the start: if you repeat this offense, not only will you have to write another self-criticism, but you'll also have to read it aloud in front of all the civil and military officials!"

Zhang Fei's eyes widened suddenly, and he muttered, "So ruthless?"

If that were to happen, Zhang Fei would truly be dead.

Lei Hu, standing next to him, gasped and shrank his neck even further.

After knocking it down,

Lu Yong said to Zhang Fei, Lei Hu, and Shen Yi, "Go back and rest. We'll start the operation first thing tomorrow morning."

Zhang Fei and Lei Hu felt as if they had been granted a pardon and fled as if they were escaping.

After bowing respectfully, Shen Yi took his leave.

Lu Yong sat alone for a while, and then it was already midnight.

[It's midnight; let's begin today's settlement.]

[Host's achievement for today: Successfully rescued Zhang Fei and Lei Hu, and repelled Zu Lang's ambush.]

Overall rating: B+.

[Reward: Crisis Insight (Gold) effect +5%.]

[Crisis Insight (Gold): Permanently increases the host's perception of hostility, traps, ambushes, and other dangers within a one-kilometer radius by +25%.]