【1103】disguise

A gust of cold wind blew through, whistling into the Beiyin Zhongtian Hall.
Outside the hall, the banners fluttered and flapped.
Inside the hall, a few oil lamps flickered in the wind.
The memorial book presented by the Upper Clear Boy, which was thrown aside by the Lord of Fengdu, also closed in the wind.
而根本没有在意寒风的酆都大帝，又拿起了一份还未看过的奏本，翻看了起来。
这次，还没有看几行字的酆都大帝，眼中逐渐发光。很显然，他对紧盯着的这份奏本中的内容，很感兴趣。
The content written on the memorial book is still from the Jiuyou Kingdom. It is a secret agent inserted by the Emperor Fengdu in the Jiuyou Kingdom who sent a secret report. It claims that the meeting between Xiaoshi Zhu and the Qingqiu Fox King is about to end.
It seems that this memorial has been sent a long time ago.
The North Yin Dynasty, which always uses fungus people as supplements, has a communication speed that is really not as fast as the Jiuyou Kingdom.
And the memorial also detailedly mentioned the various materials and projects that Xiao Shizhu is preparing to assist the Qingqiu Fox Kingdom. All of this has been discussed and finalized by the two underworld kings.
And intelligence also mentioned that Jiuyouguo has more than a dozen ports that have already loaded goods according to the list. Soon, aid from Jiuyouguo will be sent to Dongjingzhou.
Emperor Fendu is pleased to see such news; after all, this will consume Jiuyouguo.
At the same time, the confidential report also conveyed a message to Emperor Zhuangdu of Zhengdu, which is that Xiao Shizhu did not break ties with the Qingqiu Fox Kingdom.
This message is also not false. The Jiuyou Kingdom did indeed negotiate assistance projects and supplies with the Qingqiu Fox Kingdom, and began loading goods at the port. This is almost common knowledge within the Jiuyou Kingdom.
It is also the brilliance of Xiao Shizhu.
He knows that the North Yin Dynasty is keeping a close eye on him, so assistance can be discussed, and the superficial friendship with the Qingqiu Fox Country cannot be overturned, but what is done in secret is another matter.
The Emperor Fengdu was unexpected, and Xiao Shizhu did not intend to provide this assistance.
He intended to exhaust the Jiuyou Nation, and Xiao Shizhu took advantage of the situation by using the Qingqiu Fox Nation to exhaust the Northern Yin Dynasty.
Anyway, the future Dongyuan Continent also needs reconstruction, and these shipped materials will also be sent to Dongyuan Continent, but definitely not handed over to the Qingqiu Fox Country.
He exerted tremendous effort, almost emptying the mountainside of Mount Dushu and Mount Suni within the Dongyuan Continent, not just to build two impregnable passes.
Those mentioned supplies in the intelligence will also be temporarily stored in these two places. Once the war is over and reconstruction begins, these supplies will emerge from the mountains and see the light of day again.
Xiao Shizhu has planned meticulously, and the plan has already started. It's a wise move to prepare in advance and involve the Great Emperor of Fengdu.
With this secret report, the Emperor of Zhongdu, who was already in his chambers, was pleased and smiled as he read it, his eyebrows lifted slightly.
He had not read this document before, so he folded it back up and put it back into a beautifully adorned box on his desk, which was filled with precious gemstones.
After covering the Zhongdu Emperor with the box, he picked up a teacup, took a sip of water, and then picked up a music book and started reading.
After looking at several music books, the Zhongdu Emperor yawned and stretched his body. Just as he was about to continue, a loud report from the palace servant came from outside the hall: "Your Majesty, Lord Banze is requesting an audience."
"Hmm," Emperor Fengdu didn't say much, nor did he indicate that Sakahana was not allowed to enter, but continued to look through the petition book he had picked up.
The next second, Sakahana crawled into the hall, dragging his long serpent tail behind him.
"Did Gong Mingyi leave?" Banbi arrived in front of Emperor Fengdu and was bowing, when Emperor Fengdu casually asked.
"Yes." Banbi slightly bowed and replied, "This kid's fighting spirit is reignited."
"I have read your memorial and mentioned his proposal to mobilize the Giant Ghost for battle as soon as possible. This plan is feasible." Before Sakana could speak, the Emperor of Fengdu continued, "After thinking it over, you should handle this matter and do it quickly."
"Yes, I have come here today for this matter," Sakanobu said after a brief pause, stating his purpose for entering the palace late at night. "The giant ghosts can be instigators, but they have deep grudges against the court. I believe it would be inappropriate for the court to intervene directly. We can select a ghost who is persuasive and well-spoken to go, but this ghost cannot have any overt association with the court. Of course, he must approach the giant ghosts under the pretext of offering advice."
The sound of wind outside the palace grew urgent.
The howling sound dragged on, long and sharp, with the flags fluttering constantly.
Then Banni paused and continued, "Gong Mingyi is young and quick-witted, yes, but his thinking and strategies still have some incomplete aspects. He simply didn't consider that once the Kingdom of Jiuyou and the Kingdom of Qingqiu go to war, Xiaoshi Zhu will certainly see that the Giant Ghost is the potential ally he can strive for. When that happens, the Kingdom of Jiuyou will also send people to persuade the Giant Ghost to stand with them. If our court contacts the Giant Ghost beforehand instead of the court itself, it will give Xiaoshi Zhu more reason to manipulate the Giant Ghost by using us as an incentive, to persuade them to join the war."
Sabae definitely understands more than Gong Mingyi, and thinks more comprehensively. In just a few words, he pointed out the possible variables in Gong Mingyi's plan.
If it weren't for the fact that the Nine Nether Country's information is well-informed than the North Yin Dynasty, Xiao Shizhu would have already taken action, one step ahead of Sabae. This move would be enough to give the Nine Nether Country a good taste of defeat.
If the Giant Ghost stands on the side of Qingqiu Fox Country and becomes an enemy with Jiuyou Country, Xiao Shizhu will need to expend more war supplies in the war.
Perhaps, in order to resist the strong and sturdy Giant Ghosts, who have a towering height of one zhang, Xiao Shizhu may have to mobilize a large number of Stone Ghosts from Yunmeng State to join the war.
Even if the Nine Serene Kingdom wins the war in Dongying Continent, the expenditure will definitely not be a small sum.
After Sakanashi finished speaking, Emperor Fengdu pondered for a moment and also realized this. He immediately nodded and agreed, "Alright, you go and handle it. The court doesn't have to intervene, but Dongying Continent cannot remain peaceful or too calm."
Having obtained the approval of Emperor Fudo, Banjoshi was relieved. Serving under Emperor Fudo, Banjoshi felt like having ten heads and did not dare to make decisions on his own.
After receiving the command, Banjoshi bid farewell and left.
The Emperor Fangdu asked again, setting down his brush and official documents, as he pondered, "Do you think that once Qingqiu Fox Country and Jiuyou Country go to war, Xiaoshi Zhu will personally go to Dongying Continent to participate in the battle?"
Xiao Shizhu often takes the lead and rushes to the front line on the battlefield, which is no secret in the underworld. It is based on this fact that King Yanluo asked this question.
However, Balabine had never thought about this point before, and suddenly he was stunned.
After thinking about it for a while, Fangbapen, who was waiting for Emperor Zhongdu, thought and said, "From the previous intelligence, the possibility of Xiaoshi Bamboo participating in the war can only be when the war becomes more intense. If Qingqiu Fox Country can catch Jiuyou Country off guard and quickly end the war with a swift attack, then there will be no need for Xiaoshi Bamboo to go to the battlefield."
After listening to his guess, Emperor Fentu remained silent, waved his hand, and dismissed Banbi.
Banbi bowed and left.
However, Emperor Fentu's heart suddenly started beating violently, and he fell into deep thought.
He suddenly realized that he also had moments of fear.
Yes, his fear lies in Xiao Shizhu personally coming to the battlefield and commanding the entire war.
Xiao Shizhu's methods and strategies not only deeply understand the true teachings of Taishan Furen, but also have grown up on his own, surviving on the streets of the human world, and have been struggling for many years, without following any rules and regulations.
If Xiao Shizhu arrived on the battlefield, it would be like a bomb that could explode at any time. The bomb would explode wherever it wanted. All the original plans would be useless because Xiao Shizhu would never obediently respond to them.
No one knows how he will respond, it is impossible to know in advance.
Moreover, with the vast ocean separating the Six Continents and the Eastern Continent, even if the King of Fengdu could respond to Xiao Shizhu's strategy, the distance simply does not allow him time to make adjustments and respond.
This is also where he feels fear and distress.
On this night, the Great Emperor Fēngdū, who was unaware that Xiāo Shízhú had already set off, pondered and contemplated in order to come up with a plan to prevent Xiāo Shízhú from going to the Dongyīng Continent for battle.
However, Xiao Shizhu fell into a deep sleep.
The turbulence and rocking motion caused by the water waves on the ship did not wake Xiao Shizhu up. Firstly, he had fought in many battles, both on land and at sea, and had already become accustomed to life on a ship. Secondly, the medicine provided by Su Tianju not only cured illnesses but also calmed the mind.
He slept until dawn, fully rested, and the intense pain all over his body from the sudden illness last night had disappeared under the influence of the medicine.
When he opened his eyes again, although Xiao Shizhu didn't see Qing Lan, he was lying calmly in bed, covered with a warm blanket.
Don't think about it, all of these were done by Qinglan to make him sleep more comfortably.
Xiao Shizhu kicked off the blanket and sat up, sitting cross-legged on the bed, squinting and giving a long yawn.
His face regained color.
Looking around the room, he saw no other ghosts besides himself. The pills that had scattered all over the floor last night had also been cleaned up.
Xiao Shizhu didn't call him, so after twisting his neck a few times, he got out of bed and walked towards the small table nearby.
Xiao Shizhu, who arrived at the small table, immediately noticed the medicine bottle on the table. He determined that Qing Lan deliberately placed it here, intending to remind him to take the medicine.
When he left the Yuzhu City, he could hear Guimu giving Qinglan countless instructions, asking Qinglan to remind him to take his medicine at all times, and Qinglan also agreed.
So, with a frown on her face, Xiaoshizhu still reached out her hand, picked up the medicine bottle, closed her eyes, and took the medicine.
As soon as the medicine entered his mouth, his painful expression immediately appeared.
For him, whether it was when he was still in the human world or now, the act of getting injections and taking medicine was something he was most unwilling to do.
The medicine had been swallowed by Yao Du for a while, and the painful expression on Xiao Shizhu's face still lingered.
Then, with a pained expression, he picked up the teapot again, poured himself a cup of water, and drank it with a gurgling sound.
After finishing everything, Xiaoshi Zhu grabbed the books on the bedside and walked to a corner behind the screen in the house. He let the grains and mixed cereals that had been in his stomach for one night cycle back.
After he had cycled through all the grains that accumulated in his stomach overnight, Xiao Shizhu walked out from behind the screen and pulled the rope on the screen's edge.
As the rope moved, it was tied at the other end and the bronze bell hanging from the crossbeam rang.
在铃声中，青岚带着两个宫人走了进来。
The two palace maids went straight to the screen and began sorting and categorizing the reincarnating grains. Meanwhile, Qinglan approached Xiaoshi Zhu and before he could say anything, Xiaoshi Zhu casually asked, "Qinglan, what are the warriors on the ship having for dinner today?"
"Fresh fish soup, roasted pancakes," Qing Lan replied.
Xiao Shi Zhu sat back on the edge of the bed and said, "Give me a serving too."
Whether in the palace or outside, he never treated himself differently. During the war, he would eat from the same pot as the soldiers without exception.
这也让萧石竹在九幽军中，积累了不少的威望。
青岚点头应声，对已经处理好了萧石竹轮回五谷等秽物的宫人说到：“取鱼汤大饼来。”。
"Yes." The palace maid responded and left the cabin.
In the room, only Xie Shizhu and Qing Lan remained.
At this moment, Qing Lan hurriedly reported to Xie Shizhu, "Lord, this morning there was a message from Dongying Island. The allied forces besieging Du Shuo Mountain have withdrawn, leaving only an empty camp at the foot of the mountain."
After speaking, he smiled happily, and joy was visible on his face.
Qinglan was pleased that the army to Du Shuo Mountain could now rest and recuperate.
Xiao Shizhu, however, remained calm; everything went according to his expectations, otherwise, he wouldn't have sent the musicians to Du Shuo Mountain.
The musicians play the melodies of Dongyingzhou skillfully, delivering the final blow to the Sui Youlian Army.
Xiao Shizhu's original intention was not to kill all the Sui Youlian Army, nor did he want to engage with them too much. Since he has already retreated, leaving only an empty camp, let it be.
Next, we should focus on how to deal with the Qingqiu Fox Nation.
"My lord, Yama mentioned that the joint army of Siyou retreated in the second half of last night, and they left in a hurry. Many pots, pans, utensils, tents, and vehicles were left behind in the empty camp." After a while, Qing Lan advised him, "With such a hasty retreat, their forces for holding off the enemy must be small. Shouldn't we ask Yama to organize a troops to pursue them quickly at this time?"
"No." Xiao Shizhu didn't think much and simply refused Qing Lan's well-intentioned advice.
He now knew that the army of the Northern Yin Dynasty had disguised themselves as the troops of the Qingqiu Fox Country and had entered their designated battle positions. They were lurking east of the Dushuo Mountain, waiting for the moment when the combined forces of Si You and Lian Jun retreated or were defeated, to immediately launch an attack and begin assaulting Dushuo Mountain.
Now we will divide our troops to pursue, leaving the Nine Ghosts Army an empty camp. This will provide an opportunity for the Northern Yin Dynasty's army to take advantage.
Last night, Xiao Shizhu already noticed this negligence. He will not make the same mistake again.
"You go and deliver a message to Yama, telling him to not pursue the poor bandits and to remain vigilant," Xiao Shizhu put down the book in his hands and said to Qinglan with conviction, "Tell him that the crisis in Dushuo Mountain has not been resolved and that he must hold onto Dushuo Mountain."