Are you crazy? Trying to trick him into military service? He's the number one dragon on the fro

It was early morning, and the first light of dawn was just right.

After giving instructions on the training tasks to the soldiers as usual, Lu Xiao went to the arrow tower at the south gate of the camp and looked out over the Chu army camp.

The two sides were quite far apart, so only some blurry shadows could be seen.

However, he paid attention not only to the Chu army camp, but also to the surrounding terrain!

The State of Chu is characterized by numerous mountains and marshes. If one were to venture into the region without familiarity with its geography, one would likely find oneself in grave trouble.

Not to mention that cavalry would be unable to maneuver freely, even infantry deep into the Chu state would find themselves in a dilemma due to the rivers and lakes that would block their way from time to time.

Therefore, before Lu Xiao decides to launch a real battle, he must first understand the general situation ahead, so as not to be completely in the dark and trapped inside.

Just as Qu Hongtu had analyzed, he was waiting for the right moment to strike and defeat Xiong Zhao's army in one fell swoop, and then quickly figure out the geography of the Chu Kingdom and win a quick victory!

Besides that, he's also waiting for the rumors to have a chance to spread!

"Report!"

Just as Lu Xiao was pondering, Chen Ye hurriedly climbed up the arrow tower:

"While I was on patrol just now, I discovered that the veteran general Xiong Zhao of Chu was personally leading twenty of his personal guards, saying he wanted to drink and sing with the Marquis!"

"Oh?"

Upon hearing this, Lu Xiao turned around and asked with a half-smile:

"Besides General Xiong and his twenty personal guards, are there any other Chu soldiers?"

"Is there any movement from the Chu army camp?"

"no."

As the commander of the cavalry battalion, Chen Ye continued to hold his position after arriving at the Ze Meng camp. He was extremely diligent, personally leading his soldiers on patrols around the perimeter to gather intelligence on the Chu army.

"As usual, there is no movement from the Chu army camp, and there are no enemy troops lying in ambush within a ten-mile radius of our camp!"

"Hehe, it seems General Xiong is just like I was thinking, waiting for the right opportunity to act."

After saying that, he instructed Chen Ye to also select twenty personal guards, and then called Fang Dahu to go to the appointment together.

As he passed by the camp gate, he saw Zhang Qingshan, having completed his training mission, huddled together with several soldiers, playing a game to compete for a small, exquisite dagger with intricate embroidery on its scabbard. He immediately walked over.

Everyone immediately stood at attention.

He picked up the dagger and examined it carefully in his hand, then drew it from its sheath and immediately smiled:

"Isn't this something from the Hu people?"

"Your Excellency, it was Huangshan who lost to me!"

Zhang Qingshan quickly offered an explanation, his expression showing a mixture of fear and trepidation.

After hearing this, Lu Xiao immediately tucked the dagger into his waistband.

"Go to my wife later and get one hundred taels. Just say I sent you."

"My lord, it's just a dagger. If you like it, I can simply give it to you..."

"Go."

Without waiting for Zhang Qingshan to explain further, he told the other party to do as he was told, and then waved for everyone to disperse.

At this moment, Chen Ye and Fang Dahu also arrived with twenty cavalrymen to report back.

Lu Xiao didn't say anything, and led everyone away from the camp, heading in the direction of Xiong Zhao.

Perhaps to gain the trust of both sides' soldiers, they both chose to meet on a small hillside ten miles away from Zemeng's camp.

When Lu Xiao arrived, he found that Xiong Zhao had already laid out fine brocade on the hillside and placed some fruits, wine and other items on it.

Seeing him arrive, Xiong Zhao smiled and waved:

"Lord Champion, I hope my invitation has not disturbed your important military affairs?"

"General, you flatter me. Unless there is a war between the two armies, I am quite at ease."

Lu Xiao shook his head and smiled slightly. After stepping forward and exchanging greetings with Xiong Zhao, he pointed to the picnic setup and asked curiously:

"What's wrong with the old general...?"

"Hahaha, I had nothing to do, so I thought I'd chat with you, Lord Marquis, to pass the time, and also to share some of my thoughts with you."

As soon as Xiong Zhao saw him sit down, he immediately offered him a glass of wine, his smile never fading.

"My lord, I have heard about your glorious achievements these past two days, and I am truly filled with admiration."

"Furthermore, in my youth I was ordered by my emperor to fight in numerous battles, which reminded me of those past events, and I was suddenly struck by the realization that more than thirty years have passed!"

"My hasty encounter with the Marquis last time made me deeply realize the ruthlessness of time; only rising stars like the Marquis truly represent the future!"

Upon hearing this, Lu Xiao politely returned the greeting:

"General, you flatter me."

"In my heart, the old general's charisma remains undiminished, otherwise how could my Great Zhou soldiers have suffered defeat after defeat?"

"..."

After a round of mutual flattery, Lu Xiao finally took a more serious attitude:

"The old general invited me here today not merely to reminisce about the past, was he?"

"Please speak plainly, General!"

Xiong Zhao praised this highly again, and then said seriously:

"Since you, Lord Marquis, are so straightforward, I will not waste any more words."

"I've come here to ask for your help, Lord Marquis!"

As he spoke, he took a jade pendant from his waist, caressed it for a moment with a lingering gaze, and then revealed its origin:

"This jade pendant was given to me by my wife when we got married. She said it had been blessed by an old Taoist priest and would have the power to ward off evil and bring peace!"

"I am well aware of your great bravery, Lord Marquis, and I am ashamed to admit that I am not as brave as

"If one day, Lord Marquis, you lead your troops to defeat me, I beg you to spare the people on the border of my Chu Kingdom and give them a way to live, for my sake."

"Furthermore, from now on, we will only test our strength on the battlefield and will never lay a hand on our own people."

"What does Your Excellency think?"

Upon hearing this, Lu Xiao hurriedly stood up and bowed deeply.

"General, your righteousness is truly admirable!"

"Not at all, I just don't want the people to suffer."

Xiong Zhao was flattered and quickly stood up to help Lu Xiao up, then handed him the jade pendant.

"If one day I break my oath, you may make this jade public. At that time, no matter how you, the Great Zhou, feel, the people of my Chu Kingdom will surely curse me."

"At that time, I will have no words to face the people and will have no choice but to retire from the military and return to my hometown!"

He was entrusting his future career to Lu Xiao.

There was no other way; the information brought back by the Chu spies was far too important!

The Great Zhou Dynasty has a tradition of never surrendering, otherwise, having been in a war-torn land for so long and with its national strength declining, it would have already allied with or even annexed a neighboring country.

Now that the Great Zhou has Lu Xiao, a fierce general, their attitude will surely be even more resolute!

He had heard that Lu Xiao did not take any prisoners after defeating the Hu people.

If the State of Chu is defeated, the soldiers and civilians will probably realize the need to survive!

Just as he was pondering this, Lu Xiao smiled:

"General, to be honest, after receiving your invitation, I also had a request, and it coincided with your thoughts!"