I was living in the Five Dynasties period, just after crossing the Zhongdu Bridge.

Leading troops into battle is actually the same principle as living life.

Having money, provisions, and men is not a sustainable way to make ends meet if one doesn't know how to manage resources carefully and organize them properly.

Some generals live like wealthy men, with ample provisions and gleaming armor, so they don't mind indulging in extravagance.

Some generals lived like beggars, never knowing what tomorrow would bring, eating wherever they went, relying entirely on their mouths and the knife in their hands.

If we examine Shen Lie's current situation closely, it falls somewhere in between.

He made a fortune in Zhangjiawu, acquiring 500 shi of grain. In Danzhou, he also received a sum from Gao Yan, gaining 20 more horses and a batch of long weapons.

But this is water without a source; every drop consumed is a drop less.

Therefore, when Gao Yan patted his chest at the banquet and said, "I will take care of all the army's needs in Danzhou," Shen Lie immediately made a decision.

I'm not in a hurry to leave.

Firstly, these 500-plus people had just gone through a fierce battle, and although they had shed blood, they were exhausted and in dire need of rest.

Secondly, this "borrowing" technique is also a major method of military resupply.

This is what is known as the strategy of the guest army.

Since I'm just passing through and helping you settle things, it's only natural that I'd take advantage of you for a few more days.

Although Gao Yan provided grain, on this Guanzhong Road, the remaining grain in hand was a matter of courage.

If you can eat someone else's food, you'll never eat your own.

Although Gao Yan felt a pang of regret, he had no choice but to accept it, since it was his own words that had been spoken.

As long as Shen Lie doesn't refuse to leave, Governor Gao can afford to provide this amount of grain.

However, Shen Lie's purpose in stopping in Danzhou City was far more than just a few good meals.

The current Fuwei Capital, although it has some fighting power, is essentially a hodgepodge.

There were old-timers from Daizhou, defeated soldiers recruited from Zhangjiawu, and refugees who had fled along the way.

If you're winning a battle, a swarm attack might intimidate others, but if you're losing, or in a tough battle where you need to fight to the death, a haphazard approach will surely lead to your demise.

Therefore, this reorganization is imperative.

Outside Danzhou City.

Shen Lie stood on the makeshift command platform, with Emperor Taizu of Song standing beside him.

"The quality of soldiers is more important than their quantity, and the strategy of generals is more important than their bravery. If there are many people but no order, they will just swarm in battle."

As a result, a series of military orders were issued.

First and foremost were the personal guards.

This personal guard was the commander's last line of defense, and also a reserve force used to supervise battles and put out fires on the battlefield.

Shen Lie carefully selected fifty men from among the veterans of Daizhou.

"Thirty men are mine, and twenty... are for Brother Zhao."

Shen Lie assigned twenty personal guards to Zhao Kuangyin.

To outsiders, this would seem like an incomprehensible act of trust.

It should be noted that Zhao Kuangyin was ostensibly traveling with someone, but in reality, he was a guest general.

Throughout history, when a general is facing a guest general, he usually guards against him and supports him. There is no reason for him to directly send out his most elite personal guards.

But Shen Lie knew Zhao Kuangyin's abilities.

I've given you the troops and the power, but you, Zhao Yuanlang, must help me shoulder the responsibility of helping the capital in its time of crisis.

Zhao Kuangyin was well aware of this trust, but he didn't say much, only bowing to Shen Lie.

As for the remaining five hundred people, Shen Lie dismantled them thoroughly, following the principle of "eat according to the dish".

Let's start with the cavalry.

These days, warhorses are a more valuable strategic resource than human lives.

Fu Wei brought sixty riders from Daizhou, and also destroyed the Khitan cavalry and seized more than twenty horses, in addition to the twenty horses given by Gao Yan.

All they managed to gather was about a hundred horses.

After deducting the resources of Shen Lie, Zhao Kuangyin, and the Imperial Guard, only fifty horses could be barely gathered.

Shen Lie didn't covet too much. He gathered the fifty horses together and selected fifty soldiers with decent riding skills to form the Youyi Division.

We don't expect them to charge into battle like the Liao cavalry, but we hope they can be deployed and recalled.

Next up are the archers.

This is a major problem, and there are only fifty people.

It wasn't that Shen Lie didn't want more; as the saying goes, "sharpen your spear at the last minute, and even if it's not sharp, it will still shine." But the art of archery cannot be honed through mere practice.

It takes three to five years of practice to draw a strong bow, and hundreds or thousands of shots to hit the target.

Throughout history, which skilled archer did not practice diligently day after day for ten years?

Moreover, the reserves of these bows and arrows are not much, even for those in distress.

After screening the entire army twice, they managed to gather fifty men who were barely capable of drawing their bows.

Shen Lie gave them the bows he had seized from the Khitans and the supplies in the Danzhou warehouse, entrusting them entirely to Zhao Kuangyin to train.

Although one may not become a master archer capable of hitting a target from a hundred paces, if two armies face off, being able to fire arrows and create a barrage of arrows to suppress the enemy is enough.

As for the remaining four hundred people, Shen Lie simply split them in two.

Two hundred strong men, carrying large shields and wearing swords, were organized into a unit to repel the enemy.

Their mission was singular: to hold firm. To withstand the enemy's charge, to withstand the trampling of the cavalry, and to stand like a wall at the front lines.

It was led by Liu Qing.

Two hundred nimble men, armed with long spears and lances, were organized into a spear unit and placed under the command of an old soldier named Chen Zhang.

This was the prototype of a standard infantry square formation.

Shield wall in front, spears behind, crossbows providing cover, cavalry roaming around.

This is a case of "small but perfectly formed".

Dust billowed across the drill ground.

Zhao Kuangyin surveyed the ranks, a rare hint of approval in his eyes.

"Your Excellency's forces may be small, but if commanded properly, they could put up a fight even against an enemy force of a thousand men."

"Then I'll have to trouble you, Brother Zhao."

Shen Lie smiled and tossed a token to Zhao Kuangyin.

"If any of these bastards dare to cause trouble these next two days, Brother Zhao, don't hold back with your military baton."

And so, the screams never stopped on the training ground of Danzhou.

Zhao Kuangyin was a ruthless commander when it came to training troops.

He knew that most of these people had a bandit-like air about them, and that to turn that bandit-like air into a murderous aura, he had to use heavy-handed methods.

Stand in formation, practice thrusting, and listen to the drums and gongs.

The slightest mistake would result in a beating.

Shen Lie, on the other hand, played the role of the "good cop." Whenever the soldiers were exhausted from training, he would have someone bring out the wine and meat "sponsored" by Gao Yan, so that everyone could eat their fill.

Using both a heavy hand and a carrot in one, they managed to mold this cobbled-together team into something somewhat disciplined and disciplined within just two days.

Two days later, the food and supplies were replenished and the troops were ready to be reorganized.

Shen Lie did not linger any longer.

He knew that Gao Yan was being polite, but that politeness had its limits.

Two days of freeloading in Kelantan is already the limit; any longer and the guest will become an unwelcome guest.

"Gao, the Prefect."

Shen Lie cupped his hands towards the city wall, his voice clear and melodious, "I have taken note of the trouble I have caused these past two days. As the mountains and rivers remain unchanged, this bond of friendship will last for many more years to come."

Gao Yan returned the greeting from the city wall, his face beaming with smiles, secretly hoping this gentleman would leave quickly, but still having to be polite.

"Wishing you a safe journey and a resounding victory, Magistrate Shen!"

"Set off!"

With a command given, the army set off.

This time, the team was no longer as disorganized as when they arrived.

Banners fluttered in the wind, and armor plates clanged in the wind.

Shen Lie turned to look at Zhao Kuangyin beside him.

"Brother Zhao, do you think this army can enter Yaozhou now?"

Zhao Kuangyin, who was holding the horn bow in his arms, smiled upon hearing this, his eyes gleaming.

"Yes."

"With this wealth, we can certainly travel across the entire Qin Plain!"