Chapter 1, Concealed Soldiers, Delicate Maidens, Human Hearts

Zhang Sheng's laughter was uncontrollable, and in the end, he actually fell to the ground, holding his stomach in laughter. After quite a while, he finally got up from the ground, brushed off the dirt from his clothes, took several deep breaths, and said to A-Mai: "My archery skills are also just mediocre; if you truly want to learn archery well, I can recommend a master for you, but I fear you may not be able to seek him out."

After the Battle of Yuzhou, Shang Yizhi's troops entered the Ulan Mountains, reorganizing their forces at the foot of Xize Mountain. After the Qing and Yu armies were dispersed, they were completely merged into one army. Shang Yizhi was appointed as the main general, with the former deputy general of Yuzhou, Zhang Ze, as the deputy general, and Xu Jing serving as the military advisor. Shang Yizhi led three infantry battalions, two archery battalions, and a logistics battalion to garrison in the strategically important Yunrao Mountain, while the remaining battalions were stationed on other peaks. Over two thousand cavalry were placed under the command of Tang Shaoyi, who entered the Yunhu Grassland through the Qin Mountain Valley, utilizing the mobility of the cavalry to train through combat. In Xu Jing's words: "The Western Hu people are not good folks, so there is no need to be polite; take what you should take, and kill what you should kill! We are counting on you for our New Year supplies!"

Zhang Sheng laughed, pulled A Mai up from the ground, punched her lightly, and said with a smile: "Alright, A Mai, why are we still discussing this, brother? When did you learn this trick too?"

Lu Gang, busy and anxious, cast a keen glance at Xu Jing. Xu Jing cleared her throat and began to explain the situation. It turned out that the Jiangbei Army had been in the mountains for some time, but there had been no news from the Beimo Army in Yuzhou City, which seemed to indicate an intention to attack Taixing. With the year-end approaching, he and Shang Yizhi discussed the idea of sending someone to infiltrate Yuzhou City to gather intelligence on the Beimo Army's plans and obtain more precise information, which would also allow the Jiangbei Army to prepare in advance.

Zhang Erdan added two more branches to the fire and looked at Amai with a puzzled expression, continuing to ask: "Squad Leader Wu, does entering the mountains mean we are just preserving ourselves?"

Shang Yi looked at A Mai for a moment and asked, "Do you speak the dialect of Yuzhou?"

Lu Gang waved his hand, and his personal guards immediately restrained A Mai from behind. A Mai neither begged for mercy nor struggled, simply standing there in silence. Lu Gang felt even more anger in his heart, thinking to himself how the general could leave this young master in his care without mentioning a return, was he to be kept here indefinitely?

A single sentence left Lu Gang at a loss for words. In his camp, he had indeed recruited some new soldiers from Yuzhou, but there were probably not many left alive now, and they were all low-ranking soldiers whom he hardly knew. It was truly difficult for him to name any of them at this moment

"Amai remembered." Amai said in a low voice

Xu Jing's face bore a rare expression of cold severity as she said: "Indeed, when I left Yuzhou, I did not inform the general of the truth. I merely impersonated his name to leave a confidential letter for Shi Dachun, in which I detailed my analysis and predictions regarding the situation on the battlefield. I also requested that, should Zhou Zhiren besiege the city, he be willing to sacrifice his own interests for the greater good, prioritizing the greater righteousness over the lesser righteousness"

At this point in the conversation, even Amai fell silent, pondering for a moment before finally raising his head and speaking word by word: "I have my own methods, please rest assured, General and Military Advisor." Seeing that Shang Yizhi and Lu Gang still wore skeptical expressions, only Xu Jing appeared to be smiling. She gritted her teeth and resolutely said to Xu Jing, "There is no need for you to beat around the bush, I understand your intentions. You want me to disguise myself as a woman, right? I agree! As long as I can sit in the carriage or sedan to conceal my figure, I should be able to deceive others with this face. I will pretend to be a couple with Zhang Erdan, and I will be a mute wife, so I naturally won't need to speak." Amai chuckled self-deprecatingly and continued, "For the sake of Nansha, I would not hesitate to disguise myself as a woman, even if it costs me my life. There is no need for you to be so concerned. Besides, I, Amai, have long been accustomed to being laughed at by others. What is it to wear women's clothing? It is nothing significant. A good man stands tall and walks straight, with a heart that can embrace mountains and seas; what does it matter if I wear women's attire!"

"Indeed, it is the human heart." Xu Jing gently stroked his beard, looking at A Mai with bright eyes, and said, "If Shi Dachun betrays, he will inevitably face the scorn of millions of people in Nansha. Moreover, even within the court, the truth is not known, and he will certainly be harshly criticized. Once this reaches the pens of scholars and literati, the language will become even more unbearable. In the face of all this, Shi Dachun will undoubtedly feel much grievance. If he can endure humiliation and bear the burden, that would be fine; but if he cannot, do you know what the situation will be?"

Young individuals who achieve fame often carry a certain arrogance, and coupled with his background as a military scion, he looked down upon the relatively unknown Chen Qi from the very beginning. Moreover, Chen Qi was merely a young man in his mid-twenties, lacking both military achievements and experience. What qualifications did he have to command the three armies of the Northern Desert

Lu Gang played the role of A Mai's family member for a while, and finally told A Mai that he would do his best to protect her in the camp, but she also needed to be careful, as she had killed a captain from their side, and this enmity could not be easily resolved. As for him, Lu Gang, he would try to create opportunities for A Mai to visit the central army's location on Yunrao Mountain a few more times, hoping that the general would soften his heart after seeing her more often.

Lu Gang felt even more excited when the general regarded him as one of his own, and he patted his chest, saying: "Please rest assured, General and Military Advisor, this matter is entrusted to Lu Gang."

An officer beside him also came over and pulled him, whispering in his ear: "Heimian, stop causing trouble. Don't be fooled by the fact that Amai is just a lowly sergeant; he is a renowned figure in the military, the very one who killed twenty-three Tartars in the Wild Wolf Gorge, the Jade-faced Yama!"

Yunrao Mountain is located in the middle section of the Wulan Mountain Range, which stretches from Hanling in the north to Wanjian in the south. It is bordered by Yunhu Grassland and Jiangzhong Plain to the east and west, spanning the four states of Yu, Su, Yong, and Yi. The narrow plains between the mountains are densely populated, producing wheat and various grains, while surrounding areas are rich in resources. To the west, the Yunhu Grassland is abundant in water and grass, producing warhorses, leather, and more, while to the east, the Jiangzhong Plain is renowned as the granary of the north of the river. Centered around Yunrao Mountain, the surrounding mountains rise and fall, with steep cliffs standing tall. The forests within the mountains are dense, and there are only three rugged paths leading into the mountains. The terrain is perilous, elevated, easy to defend, and difficult to attack, making it a strategic location that is highly contested by military forces. The narrow plains between the mountains are densely populated, producing wheat and various grains, while surrounding areas are rich in resources. To the west, the Yunhu Grassland is abundant in water and grass, producing warhorses, leather, and more, while to the east, the Jiangzhong Plain is renowned as the granary of the north of the river. Centered around Yunrao Mountain, the surrounding mountains rise and fall, with steep cliffs standing tall. The forests within the mountains are dense, and there are only three rugged paths leading into the mountains. The terrain is perilous, elevated, easy to defend, and difficult to attack, making it a strategic location that is highly contested by military forces.

Zhang Sheng felt a sense of grievance as he watched Shang Yizhi's figure gradually fade away, thinking to himself, as a grown man, how can it not be unsettling to learn this?

Tears had not yet fallen from Amai's eyes, her hair disheveled around her face, as she looked tearfully towards the doorway. There, Xu Jing was still holding up the curtain for the person behind her, and Shang Yizhi stepped in from outside. Upon seeing Amai's appearance, both of them were momentarily taken aback, their movements pausing in unison.

Lu Gang was taken aback for a moment, then instinctively recoiled as if burned, abruptly pulling his hand away from A Mai's grasp. "You're not some young master, there's no need for anyone to attend to you, I can manage on my own," Lu Gang said somewhat impatiently, avoiding A Mai and turning his back to straighten his somewhat disheveled clothing.

Concealing troops in the mountains! Yes, this is precisely what is referred to as concealing troops in the mountains! She had seen such terminology in her father's notes, and all the doubts finally connected in her mind!

Amai did not refute, paused for a moment, and then said in a deep voice: "We can find a suitable person to go with him to compensate for his shortcomings"

Amai shook his head, "No, he is still young, overly stubborn yet lacking in quick wit; he would likely be unable to handle unexpected situations."

Zhang Sheng was momentarily taken aback, and then his face turned crimson with embarrassment as he looked at his commander in disbelief, his eyes nearly brimming with tears from anxiety

Lu Gang turned around and looked at A Mai with deep sympathy, a silence more powerful than words

Well then, this time you are to enter Yuzhou City to find a way to establish contact with General Shi Dachun

Amai gritted her teeth and endured the pain as she had her eyebrows shaped. Although this pain was not comparable to that of a sword wound, her eyelids throbbed with each jab, and her eyes involuntarily turned red.

However, these words cannot be spoken to Xu Jing, for he may not necessarily listen. A Mai sighed inwardly, remaining silent.

As soon as these words were spoken, the venue fell silent for a moment. The dark-faced man suddenly chuckled and deliberately teased A Mai, saying: " Jade-faced demoness, you do not know martial arts, so what can you do? Could it be that you can embroider?"

Oh? What is the matter?" Amai immediately became alert, not knowing what Xu Jing would discuss with Shang Yizhi.

Zhou Zhiren, a renowned general of the Northern Desert, had already made a name for himself for over twenty years. Now, in front of several military leaders, he was being questioned so rudely by a young commander like Chen Qi, which made him feel somewhat embarrassed. Before he could respond, he suddenly heard a young general beside him snicker and say: "This matter cannot be blamed on General Zhou; that Shang Yi is full of tricks, and didn't Fu Chong's twenty thousand cavalry get destroyed at his hands? Since it was unexpected that he would set an ambush in the Wild Wolf Gorge, it is not surprising that he would also enter the Ulan Mountains. Wouldn't you agree, Commander?"

Zhang Sheng nodded, watching A Mai practice the set of sword techniques he had taught him. He pointed out a few details and said, "A Mai, you have a high level of comprehension. I am merely sharing these routines with you; the intricacies must be experienced by yourself. Moreover, my master once said that sword techniques are rigid, but the sword is alive. One cannot be without method, yet one cannot follow the method entirely. Last time, you were able to kill so many Tatars with a single broadsword; I believe you have already gained some understanding. There is not much more I can teach you."

On one side are insults and accusations, while on the other side are wealth and glory. If one's resolve is slightly weaker, one may lose their integrity. Furthermore, given our current weakness in Jiangbei and observing the actions of the court, it seems that we hear the thunder but see no rain, leading many to believe that our country will abandon Jiangbei. If this is indeed the case, then the opportunity to vindicate Shi Dachun will be exceedingly rare. Rather than bearing the eternal infamy, it may be better to wholeheartedly defect, which could instead provide an opportunity to become a meritorious minister in the northern desert.

Xu Jing approached from the side, patted Lu Gang on the shoulder, and said, "Lieutenant Lu, the meeting is about to start, you should hurry in."

"General!" Zhang Sheng said, "The general's archery skills are renowned in the capital, truly capable of hitting the target from a hundred paces. In every royal hunt, you have always emerged victorious, and your gallant demeanor in the hunting grounds has captivated countless noble ladies!"

Upon hearing this, Lu Gang felt a surge of energy, nodded, and no longer pondered over the matters concerning A Mai, but focused his mind and entered the conference hall

Lu Gang chuckled twice, reached out with an open palm and affectionately patted the shoulder of Hei Mian, and said: "Since Hei Mian wants to spar, let's exchange a few moves. However, we are all brothers in the army, so let's not hurt each other."

The dark-faced man waved his hand dismissively and said, "My lord, rest assured, I have it all under control."

Everyone was taken aback by what was said, all feeling the murderous intent in A Mai's words. Lu Gang was the first to react, his face tightening as he shouted: "Nonsense, how dare you speak to the commander like that! Damn it, take him away! I see this is just idleness! Enough, enough, all of you get the hell out of here and do what you need to do! We don't know when the Tartars will come crashing in, and the general has instructed that if those bastards get past us at Xize Mountain, we all go to see the general with our heads in our hands!"

A-Mai paused for a moment, then solemnly bowed to Zhang Sheng. Zhang Sheng hurriedly supported her and exclaimed, "What are you doing?"

Amai nodded, but her mood remained low. It would have been easier if it were someone she was familiar with, but Lu Gang was her superior, and several levels above her at that. Even if he was skilled in archery, she couldn't seek his guidance frequently. If only Tang Shaoyi were here; it seemed he was also quite good at archery. However, he had been sent by Shang Yizhi to the West Hu Grassland and didn't even attend this meeting, leaving her uncertain about when she would see him again

Lu Gang thought for a moment and quickly agreed. Seeing that Shang Yizhi and Xu Jing had no further instructions, he took his leave and stepped out. To his surprise, Ah Mai followed him out as well. He couldn't help but glare at Ah Mai and whispered, "Why are you following me out?"

Amai was clearly stunned by his bold scheme, looking at Xu Jing in disbelief and asking, "Did you initially keep the general in the dark as well?"

Excerpt from "Summer History: Biography of General Mai"

Lu Gang also drank quite a bit, and later he was carried away by others. When he woke up, he found himself sleeping in a private room, with A Mai guarding by his side. Seeing him awake, she handed him a wet towel and said, "Sir, please wash your face. The other gentlemen have mostly left, so we should leave soon as well; the mountain roads are difficult to navigate at night."

Xu Jing looked at A Mai, who had come to Yunrao Mountain for a meeting with Lu Gang, squinting his small eyes and asked with a smile, "Hey? A Mai, when did you become Lu Gang's personal guard? No longer serving as a squad leader?"

Zhang Erdan, replied A Mai, added, "He is a soldier from my unit, who enlisted from Yuzhou. He speaks with a strong Yuzhou dialect and is very familiar with the terrain around Yuzhou, so he will definitely not be caught off guard by any questions."

The 7th Infantry Battalion, to which Ah Mai belonged, was not part of Shang Yizhi's central army, and thus did not accompany him on the journey around the mountains, but remained on Xize Mountain. After the reorganization of Xize Mountain, the structure of the 7th Battalion also underwent some changes. Although Lu Gang still held the position of the chief battalion officer, the deputy position was taken by an officer from the original Yuzhou military faction. This individual could be considered a semi-acquaintance; he was the burly man with a dark face who had glared at Shang Yizhi in Shida Chun's study that day. His surname was Bai, but he unfortunately had a face that resembled the bottom of a pot. He was quite annoyed by this matter himself, so no one in the army dared to call him by his surname. Familiar officers referred to him simply as "Dark Face," while the soldiers below omitted his surname entirely and called him "Sir." This individual could be considered a semi-acquaintance; he was the burly man with a dark face who had glared at Shang Yizhi in Shida Chun's study that day. His surname was Bai, but he unfortunately had a face that resembled the bottom of a pot. He was quite annoyed by this matter himself, so no one in the army dared to call him by his surname. Familiar officers referred to him simply as "Dark Face," while the soldiers below omitted his surname entirely and called him "Sir."

"There is no need for that," Shang Yi smiled and said, "Let the strategist speak with you instead."

Amai said nothing and did not know what to say; she was like a mute eating bitter herbs, unable to express her suffering! After silently leaving Lu Gang's place, she did not think much and went directly to the team leader to collect her winter clothes from her unit. She thought that Lu Gang was just saying it casually, but she never expected that he would actually do the same!

Xu Jing noticed that Lu Gang had not caught up, turned around to take a glance, smiled, and said softly: "Lieutenant Lu, wait a moment after the meeting is over, the general may still have matters to discuss."

Seeing A Mai silent and unresponsive, he suddenly recalled A Mai's earlier remarks about whether a man is truly a man. He felt that although this fellow had a somewhat delicate appearance, he was nonetheless a robust and upright man. After a moment, he remembered the way the general had looked at A Mai; although it was just for an instant, the lingering affection revealed in that glance suggested that the general had not completely forgotten about this young man. With these thoughts in mind, Lu Gang cast a glance at A Mai, only to feel that A Mai still had a somewhat effeminate demeanor.

Returning to the mountain, Lu Gang saw A Mai, and he could clearly discern the trouble written on his face. Taking advantage of the absence of others around, Lu Gang scratched his head and, in a tone of negotiation, said to A Mai with evident difficulty: "A Mai, how exactly did you offend the General? It's fine to have a stubborn temper, but you shouldn't direct it at him. The General's background is not ordinary; he is a legitimate royal relative. Who doesn't know that the current Emperor is the General's maternal uncle? The General is not one to bow down even to the nobles in the palace. If you are at odds with him, aren't you just asking for trouble? Besides, who doesn't prefer someone with a gentle, considerate, and accommodating personality? Even if someone with a wild temper can gain favor, it is merely for the novelty of the moment..."

Lu Gang was immediately filled with excitement and straightened his back, saying loudly: "Please give your orders, General. Lu Gang will not hesitate to die a thousand deaths."

Amai said: "Amai understands."

Shang Yi smiled faintly, his gaze carefully sweeping across A Mai's face. A Mai felt somewhat guilty under his scrutiny, and several times she wanted to lower her head to evade his gaze, but she forced herself to remain composed and met his eyes.

Amai's face flushed slightly, and unable to speak openly about it, she shyly said: "No, I haven't served as a personal guard; I am still a squad leader."

Lu Gang need not bow, but that does not mean that A Mai should not bow either, so A Mai solemnly saluted and said: "A Mai pays her respects to the General and the Military Advisor"

Amai calmly stepped forward, standing at one side of the earthen platform, looking at Lu Gang and the others with neither servility nor arrogance

Zhang Sheng then said: "This is the only set of knife techniques I know, and I cannot teach you anything else. I also understand that you were trying to get close over there for a reason, but Qiu Er's archery is merely flashy and only works on those who are inexperienced. Moreover, he does not have such a broad mind; even if you ask him, he may not necessarily be willing to teach you."

As soon as the words were spoken, Wang Qi slapped him on the head and asked, "What does it matter to you whether it is preserved or not? Just focus on controlling the fire properly. Damn it, after all the trouble to catch a rabbit, you ended up roasting it half burnt and half raw!"

Amai felt a bit embarrassed when he realized that his thoughts had been seen through by him. His face flushed slightly as he sincerely said: "To be honest, Brother Zhang, I really want to learn more. You don't know the situation down there; if you don't have some real skills, no one will respect you or listen to you. I have only learned some sword techniques from Brother Zhang, and I don't know anything else. I learned a little archery when I first joined the camp, and while I might hit a stationary target, I have no accuracy when it comes to moving ones. Recently, I was leading a group on guard duty at the foot of the mountain, and everyone wanted to catch something meaty to eat, but I couldn't even shoot a rabbit, so I had to run after it. My subordinates didn't say anything to my face, but behind my back, they said I ran faster than a greyhound, even chasing after rabbits..."

Xu Jing then said: "You should take a good rest. When Zhang Erdan arrives, teach him properly and do not let him expose your flaws. However, remember, he is only here to provide cover for you to enter the city. The fewer people who know about this, the better."

Whoever wishes to challenge Amai, he clasped his hands and said loudly: "I report to you, my lord, Amai will not compare in martial arts."

A-Mai glanced at the crowd and hurriedly followed behind. When the two reached a secluded area behind the mountain, Zhang Sheng stopped and admonished A-Mai: "You are no longer the general's personal guard, so why are you still coming here? Look at the personal soldiers who came with the various lords; is there one who has run out to seek old acquaintances?"

Shang Yi readily agreed: "Then it's settled!"

The old woman carefully examined A Mai's features and said, "Oh my, this young master is truly handsome, his skin is even more delicate than that of ordinary women. However, his eyebrows are a bit too thick and need to be properly groomed. The trend now is for distant mountain eyebrows, and this thickness won't do."

The dark-faced man, relentless as ever, shouted: "What do you mean by daring or not daring? You look like a woman, and your courage is just as feminine!"

Zhang Sheng had no choice but to follow the orders of his family’s general, but his neck was as stiff as wood. Looking at the usually clever and handsome young man, this action turned him into a lifeless zombie with unblinking eyes

Amai became increasingly certain of her suspicions. It seemed that the leader of Shang Yizhi, Wulanshan, was well-prepared and was not in a desperate situation at all. Since Shang Yizhi had anticipated the fall of Yuzhou City, why did he still lead troops out of Yuzhou? Why did he allow Yuzhou to fall into enemy hands? Was the fall of Yuzhou really as simple as Shida Chun's betrayal of his country? All these questions surged into Amai's mind at once, and in a daze, she felt somewhat lost. Was the fall of Yuzhou really as simple as Shida Chun's betrayal of his country? All these questions surged into Amai's mind at once, and in a daze, she felt somewhat lost.

Amai was taken aback upon hearing this. After a moment of contemplation, she lowered her eyelids and softly said, "I understand, General. How about this?" As she spoke, she slightly tilted her head and shyly glanced at Shang Yizhi, quickly averting her gaze again, her face flushed as she lowered her head.

Amai also smiled slightly and said, "There is no need for the title of school lieutenant; it would be sufficient for the general to find an opportunity to promote me to the team leader. Being promoted too quickly raises suspicions."

As soon as the challenge to duel was announced, the soldiers below immediately became spirited, whispering among themselves. Some said that the burly Lord "Bai" would surely win, while others remarked that Ah Mai's reputation was not merely a product of hearsay; after all, he had managed to slay twenty-three Tartars, which indicated his exceptional abilities. Wang Qi, Zhang Erdan, and others from Ah Mai's camp couldn't help but feel a bit concerned for him—after all, that man's arms were nearly as thick as Ah Mai's waist. Yet, at the same time, they hoped for Ah Mai's victory, as it would also bring them some honor.

When Lu Gang first introduced Black Face to everyone, he coughed several times before vaguely saying "White Lieutenant". The crowd erupted in laughter. Black Face became anxious at that moment, stood up abruptly, and angrily exclaimed: "What are you laughing at? Am I not black? I'm not a woman, so why should I be so fair? Can it be eaten or used in battle?" As he spoke, his gaze swept across the crowd and landed on A Mai, who was standing in the front row as a squad leader. He pointed at A Mai and shouted, "Hey! You little white face, come up here and compare with me, let's see if your black grandpa is worthy of this lieutenant title."

Shang Yi fell silent, gazing at A Mai without speaking. Xu Jing, however, smiled and asked A Mai: "If you go with him, what identity will you assume? Given your ages, you can only claim to be brothers, but you look nothing alike. The people of Beimo are not foolish; how could they easily believe you?"

Amai thought for a moment and said, "It is my identity; after all, I have been there, and if someone recognizes me, it would be a big trouble"

Amai was dispatched by Lu Gang to keep watch at the foot of the mountain, which granted her quite a bit of freedom. She arranged several lookout posts in the mountains, while the remaining people followed her to catch fish and set traps for rabbits to improve everyone's meals. Surprisingly, the food was even better than what they had in the camp, but the only downside was that it got cold at night. They could not light a fire, so they had to heat a few stones in the fire before dark and hold them in their arms at night to keep warm. However, the stones cooled down quickly, providing warmth for only a short while, and by the time the latter half of the night came, they had already turned cold. Surprisingly, the food was even better than what they had in the camp, but the only downside was that it got cold at night. They could not light a fire, so they had to heat a few stones in the fire before dark and hold them in their arms at night to keep warm. However, the stones cooled down quickly, providing warmth for only a short while, and by the time the latter half of the night came, they had already turned cold.

Xu Jing exchanged a glance with Shang Yizhi and said solemnly to A Mai: "What I am about to say is extremely important, and you must remember it. No one can be told, not even Zhang Erdan, who is helping you enter the city. Do you understand?"

Amai also knows that she has not done her job well, and now there is nothing much to refute after being reprimanded by Zhang Sheng. She can only lower her head and say softly: "Brother Zhang, it was Amai's fault"

He was panting when someone outside relayed that the general wanted him to come over. Lu Gang felt as if he had been granted a reprieve, letting out a long sigh of relief, and as he responded, he headed outside, turning back to A Mai to say: "You wait here."

He turned around in place twice and finally said angrily, "Alright, alright, let the person go. A-Mai, take a few people to guard outside the mountain, and don't let the Tartars sneak in." After saying this, he glared at the captain of the second team and said fiercely, "No one is allowed to play tricks behind my back. If I find out, I will definitely castrate him!"

Shang Yi curled the corner of his mouth and asked, "Since Lieutenant Lu has said this, does it mean that there is already a suitable candidate?"

Lu Gang paused for a moment, not having time to ponder why he and A Mai were to meet the general together. He turned back and called out to A Mai, and the two of them went to see Shang Yizhi together. In the small hall behind the conference hall, Shang Yizhi and Xu Jing were already waiting there. Zhang Sheng, who was guarding the door, saw Lu Gang bringing A Mai over and quickly lifted the door curtain for them to enter.

Amai stared directly into Shang Yizhi's piercing gaze and instinctively straightened her back, saying: "I!"

In the memorial submitted to the court by the renowned general Chen Qi from the Northern Desert, he described the Jiangbei army of the bandit leader Shang Yizhi as follows: "The expansion of the Jiangbei bandit army is indeed influenced by the geographical environment. The western part of Henan is located in the upper reaches of the Qin River, with a high terrain. Although the mountains are high, they have been deeply eroded, and there are many narrow valleys between the mountains, which contain local plains and also fertile fields and beautiful ponds. This area receives abundant rainfall, has lush forests, and is densely wooded, making it easy to defend but difficult to attack. Generally, bandit dens are often located in barren and isolated areas, but the bandit stronghold in Jiangbei is a natural fortress militarily and can also be self-sufficient economically. The area receives abundant rainfall, has lush forests, and is densely wooded, making it easy to defend but difficult to attack. Generally, bandit dens are often located in barren and isolated areas, but the bandit stronghold in Jiangbei is a natural fortress militarily and can also be self-sufficient economically. The famous bandit dens, such as Yunrao and Xize, are particularly suitable for hiding and concealing their presence. Whenever the bandits suffer defeat, they retreat to their strongholds and firmly hold their positions without coming out."

The meeting concluded, and Shang Yizhi began to host a banquet for the various generals. Although they had suffered defeat and retreated into the Ulan Mountains, their supply of provisions was ample, with plenty of wine and meat, making for a lively meal. Some generals, having had too much to drink, expressed their determination to Shang Yizhi for a while, and then began to chat with their long-lost colleagues. The scene among men who have drunk too much is often chaotic, and when it comes to soldiers, it can be particularly unbearable. Just a moment ago, two generals were clinking glasses and calling each other brothers, but the next moment, for reasons unknown, one of them said something that didn't sit well, and they were up on their feet, rolling up their sleeves, ready to settle it with a duel. The scene among men who have drunk too much is often chaotic, and when it comes to soldiers, it can be particularly unbearable. Just a moment ago, two generals were clinking glasses and calling each other brothers, but the next moment, for reasons unknown, one of them said something that didn't sit well, and they were up on their feet, rolling up their sleeves, ready to settle it with a duel.

Xu Jing nodded with a smile and said to Amai: "Amai, you must consider everything thoroughly, and there must be no slightest flaw, because this trip to Yuzhou is not merely about gathering information in the city as we discussed yesterday"

Xu Jing smiled faintly, said no more, and left with her hands behind her back. This left A Mai alone in the room to slowly digest the news he had just shared.

Amai's enthusiasm was instantly extinguished. If it had been someone else with good archery skills, Amai might have considered how to become their apprentice. However, upon hearing that it was Shang Yizhi, her desire was completely dashed. Not to mention that Shang Yizhi would never teach a mere squad leader how to shoot arrows, even if he were willing to teach, Amai would not dare to learn from him

Xu Jing's expression became even more astonished as she asked, "Then how did you come here as well?"

Two different opinions flashed alternately in his mind, causing Lu Gang's thoughts to become a complete mess in no time. He simply shook his head vigorously and muttered a curse under his breath, wondering what business it was of his whether this guy was more of a man or more of a woman.

Chang Yuqing was born into a prestigious family in the northern desert, which has produced thirty-seven generals throughout its history, truly a family of renowned military leaders. The family wields significant power within the Northern Desert military faction. Chang Yuqing stands out as the most prominent among the younger generation of the Chang family. At the age of eighteen, he independently led troops to eradicate the bandits that had plagued the northern desert for over twenty years, earning him great fame within the military, and he was celebrated alongside Fu Chong, who also hails from a military family, as the "Double Talents of the Military Family." In the recent campaign against the Southern Xia, he led cavalry on a swift march of a thousand miles, defeating one hundred fifty thousand border troops of Southern Xia, feigning the opening of the Jingyang border pass, and allowing the Northern Desert army to enter the pass, achieving remarkable merit and finally ascending to the ranks of renowned generals.

Shang Yi unconsciously squinted his eyes as he looked at A Mai and said, "That's good. I will wait for your good news. When you return, I will celebrate your success." He paused for a moment and then quietly asked, "Do you have any other requests?"

A passage moved everyone deeply, and the light in Shang Yi's eyes flickered as he gazed silently at A Mai. Lu Gang was stirred to the core by her few words, unable to help but clench his fists, looking at A Mai with fervent eyes. Even Xu Jing restrained her smile, unable to help but glance at her a few more times.

Wang Qi chuckled at A Mai and said, "Just wait and see, but Sergeant Wu, what do you need these few rabbit skins for? They are far from enough to make a fur coat. It would be better to have the brothers help you hunt a wolf; the wolf skin would be much warmer!"

Amai now has a strong impulse to return to that tree and dig up the belongings her parents left in this world, to take a closer look at her father's notebook. However, this is merely a fleeting thought in Amai's mind. Although the place where the items are buried is also within the Ulan Mountains, it is still several hundred miles away from her current location at Xize Mountain. It is impossible for her to retrieve that backpack without alerting anyone, unless she could fly. Yet, this is just a momentary thought in Amai's mind. The place where the items are buried, while also in the Ulan Mountains, is still several hundred miles away from her at Xize Mountain, making it impossible for her to retrieve that backpack without drawing attention, unless she could fly.

"What about human hearts?" Amai subconsciously asked.

Lu Gang was extremely annoyed, thinking to himself, is it necessary for you to spar in front of everyone in the camp? However, with the black-faced person saying this, he found himself at a loss for words, merely standing there in irritation. The team member who had previously advised the black-faced person suggested again, "My lord, since this is a sparring session, why not let A Mai come up and demonstrate his skills?"

In the winter of that year, General Mai was ordered to infiltrate Yuzhou. Before his departure, Emperor Chengzu asked him, "Are you afraid?" General Mai smiled and replied, "I can stand tall and firm, embracing mountains and seas; how could I fear a mere few barbarian invaders!" Emperor Chengzu greatly praised him, declaring him a true hero. At that time, Zhang Shiqiang was accompanying him; he was young, beautiful, and delicate like a woman. The strategist Xu Jing, cunning in his ways, instructed him to disguise himself as a woman, pretending to be the general's wife, in order to conceal General Mai.

Lieutenant Lu, your Xize Mountain is closest to Yuzhou, and there are soldiers recruited from the Yuzhou area in the army. Finding a clever person to disguise as a commoner outside Yuzhou City to sneak in is the most feasible approach. Xu Jing said, squinting and smiling, and continued, This task could originally be assigned to someone from the Yuzhou army, but the general believes that you, being one of our Qingzhou army, are more trustworthy than those who came from Yuzhou. Moreover, since this matter is confidential, it is safer to have our own people handle it.

Shang Yizhi smiled and asked Xu Jing to stay behind to discuss the details of entering the city with A Mai. He then turned and lifted the door curtain to exit. As soon as he stepped outside, he felt the fresh and crisp air, and took a few deep breaths to dispel the inexplicable restlessness in his heart. He glanced back at the window before decisively turning and leaving.

A-Mai raised her eyes to glance at Xu Jing, who had a smile at the corner of her mouth, and then saw Shang Yizhi, whose expression was indifferent. She steadied her mind and calmly replied: "Yes!"

Xu Jing lifted the curtain and entered from outside, smiling as she asked, "Wang Pozi, how is it? Can she still pretend to be a little woman?"

Xu Jing nodded and continued, "General Shi's defection was a strategy we had predetermined, a nail we embedded within the Northern Desert Army. After the Northern Desert occupied Yuzhou, we also sent spies in an attempt to contact General Shi, but the Northern Desert was very wary of him, replacing all the people around him and repeatedly sending individuals to test him. General Shi was afraid of exposing his identity, so he has not been in contact with us. The reason we want you to go this time is that General Shi recognizes you and can trust you.

Amai remained silent, leading the group up the mountain, yet her mind was still occupied with her own questions. Some changes since entering the mountains, the arrangements made by Shang Yizhi and Xu Jing regarding the military, and several highlights gradually emerged in her heart, making her feel as if she had grasped something.

Shang Yi stared at A Mai for a moment, and seeing that her gaze did not waver at all, he asked, "Is he clever enough and mentally composed? Can he handle everything without changing his expression?"

Amai was left feeling quite helpless by Lu Gang's words, her lips involuntarily twitching. She had always been eloquent, but in the presence of someone like Lu Gang, she found herself at a loss for words

The generals attending the meeting all brought their personal guards, so there was a designated area on the mountain for them to rest. A-Mai only sat inside for a moment before coming out, looking for someone he knew to ask about the situation. Upon hearing that the off-duty personal guards were preparing meals at the back, he greeted the person in charge of reception and went alone to find them.

Amai's eyes lit up, and she quickly said: "Practice! I have been practicing what Brother Zhang taught me all along. How about I practice it once, and then Brother Zhang can give me some guidance?"

Chang Yuqing is indeed arrogant, but he has the capital to be so; behind him stands the entire Chang family and the influence of several traditional military clans. The intricate power dynamics within the army are something Chen Qi cannot afford to overlook. After a moment of silence, Chen Qi suppressed the anger in his heart and revealed a faint smile, saying: "General Chang makes a valid point. Since Shang Yizhi has already led his troops into the mountains, the urgent task now is to eliminate him as soon as possible before the snow seals the mountains."

Wang Qi pushed her from behind and asked, "Squad Leader Wu, what are you thinking about? How could you even forget how to walk?"

Of course, these are all matters for later discussion

Amai feels fortunate, while Lu Gang feels disappointed

Zhang Sheng, seeing her in such a state, could not bear to scold her any further. Feeling sympathy for A Mai, who had clearly achieved merit yet was punished by being sent to the infantry battalion, he changed the subject and asked, "Have you been practicing your swordsmanship?"

At this moment, Zhou Zhiren spoke up: "General, Shang Yi only has 20,000 remaining troops, which is insufficient to pose a significant threat. Moreover, with heavy snow about to seal the mountains, his army is lacking in clothing and provisions. It is likely that by the time spring arrives, at least half of them will either perish or flee. It would be best for our forces to concentrate all efforts to capture Taixing. Once we secure the northern bank of the river, what can a mere Shang Yi do?"

"Well, you should see who is taking action, just wait and see," said Wang Pozi with a smile, as she quickly dabbed a bit of rouge on A-Mai's lips with her finger. Then she lifted A-Mai's face towards the door and proudly asked, "Military Master, what do you think? Just by refining these sword-like eyebrows and adding a little more powder, this handsome young man has transformed into a beautiful maiden."

In fact, A-Mai had not really thought about what to do with these rabbit skins, but she still kept them all. Ever since she came down the mountain, she has felt a sense of managing a household, often recalling her mother's frequent saying: "You won't go hungry from eating or from clothing, but you will suffer if you fail to plan." Although these rabbit skins cannot be made into anything substantial, they can still be sewn into gloves or made into a hat, right

After Shang Yizhi led his troops westward, Zhou Zhiren once sent cavalry to pursue them, but they fell into Shang Yizhi's ambush, resulting in significant losses of cavalry. Later, he believed that Shang Yizhi had only a little over 20,000 troops and would not pose a significant threat, so he did not pay much attention. After fully taking over the defense of Yuzhou, he focused solely on preparing to counterattack Taixing. Once Taixing was captured, the entire Jiangbei would be within their grasp. Their original plan was to first take Yuzhou and then Taixing. According to the original plan, Chen Qi was to lead troops south from Jingyang to Yuzhou, while Zhou Zhiren would advance northward. The two armies would converge and capture Yuzhou as soon as possible. However, plans could not keep up with changes. Chen Qi was thrown into disarray by the sudden appearance of A Mai in Yelangou, leading to an unexpected retreat from Jingyang. Meanwhile, Zhou Zhiren effortlessly seized Yuzhou from Shi Dachun, which is truly laughable given the unpredictability of the world. However, plans could not keep up with changes. Chen Qi was thrown into disarray by the sudden appearance of A Mai in Yelangou, leading to an unexpected retreat from Jingyang. Meanwhile, Zhou Zhiren effortlessly seized Yuzhou from Shi Dachun, which is truly laughable given the unpredictability of the world.

Amai's face shifted between pale and green, perhaps due to her guilty conscience; what she hated most was when others said she looked like a woman. Hearing the black-faced man shouting there, Amai gritted her teeth and reached for the curved knife at her waist, ready to step forward. Lu Gang, quick to notice, thought to himself that this young master was about to cause trouble again, and hurriedly shouted at Amai, "Stop! Do you really dare to come up?" He then quickly grabbed the black-faced man, who was rolling up his sleeves and about to step down, and chuckled, "Black-faced, Black-faced, why bother with a foolish boy? Who dares to disrespect you? Just punish them; there's no need for you to take action yourself."

Subsequent military operations and achievements have indeed demonstrated Chen Qi's capabilities, yet they have failed to convince Chang Yuqing.

Shang Yi let out a cold laugh and said, "What is the point of sending him there? The city defenses in Yuzhou are currently under strict control by the Northern Desert people; are we sending him to his death?"

Suddenly, a phrase spoken by Zhang Sheng came to Amayi's mind, causing her thoughts to waver. After helping Lu Gang to his feet, she naturally reached out to assist him in straightening his clothes

At that moment, Lu Gang wanted to go down and summon someone to return to the camp overnight to bring Zhang Erdan over, but he was stopped by Xu Jing, who said that this matter was highly confidential. Summoning someone in the middle of the night not only posed dangers on the mountain roads, but if the camp were to find out, they would also speculate about what was happening. It was better for Lu Gang to rest first and return to the camp tomorrow, and then discreetly send Zhang Erdan out.

Shang Yizhi and Xu Jing were both taken aback. Suddenly, Shang Yizhi let out a hearty laugh and, staring into A Mai's eyes, said: "This is not a problem at all. As soon as you return, I will immediately petition the court to promote you to the position of Captain!"

Lu Gang was taken aback, looking in surprise at A Mai, then glancing at Shang Yizhi and Xu Jing, only to find one of them indifferent and the other smiling, as if he were the only one feeling astonished. He quickly retracted the look of surprise from his face.

In the distance, the Ulan Mountains rise and fall, and beneath the Xize Mountain, a clear voice resonates through the forest, "The essence of war lies in preserving one's own strength while eliminating the enemy's forces"

Amai nodded solemnly

Zhang Sheng suddenly remembered something, casually glanced around, leaned closer to A Mai and whispered: "A Mai, a few days ago I heard Mr. Xu mention you to the general."

Amai could not help but feel a bit worried for Xu Jing and asked, "Sir, with such private arrangements, keeping the general and everyone else in the dark, are you not afraid of the general's reproach?"

Although the words spoken were not offensive in nature, the tone was rather unpleasant. The atmosphere became somewhat tense as Commander Chen Qi observed Chang Yuqing's silence, while Chang Yuqing defiantly met Chen Qi's gaze, refusing to back down. The generals in the room exchanged glances, hesitant to break the stalemate, and turned their eyes toward the veteran General Zhou Zhiren, who was the only one qualified to speak in this situation. However, to their surprise, Zhou Zhiren remained focused, his eyes on his nose and his nose on his heart, as if in deep meditation.

After capturing Jingyang, Chang Yuqing initially intended to lead his troops south again. However, Chen Qi ordered him to garrison Jingyang while he himself would lead the troops south, with Fu Chong taking the cavalry ahead. Unexpectedly, Fu Chong, in his eagerness for achievement, advanced recklessly at Wolf Valley, resulting in the loss of more than half of the twenty thousand cavalry, along with significant losses among the infantry as well. When Chen Qi returned to Jingyang, although Chang Yuqing did not voice any complaints, it was evident to discerning observers that he took considerable pleasure in the misfortune.

Soldiers were patrolling nearby, and Zhang Sheng and A Mai pretended to engage in a lively conversation for a moment. Zhang Sheng greeted the patrolling soldier and then led A Mai back, stating that the meeting was about to conclude and they needed to hurry back.

Shang Yizhi's gaze shifted away from Amai and returned to Lu Gang, now accompanied by a smile. Noticing the look of confusion on his face, he said with a smile: "Today, I have an important matter to discuss with Lieutenant Lu."

Such winter clothing is clearly not gathered from various places, nor is it hastily made, as these are not brand new winter garments. Therefore, the only possibility left is that they were allocated from some military unit. However, looking across the entire Jiangbei region, apart from the major cities of Jingyang, Taixing, Yuzhou, and Qingzhou, no other cities could possibly store such a large quantity of winter clothing. Yet, Jingyang has long since fallen, Taixing is besieged, Yuzhou has defected, and Qingzhou is separated from here by Yuzhou. Where could this winter clothing have come from?

The old woman hurriedly responded with countless thanks and left. Once she was out the door, A-Mai quickly asked, "Are we just letting her go like that? What if she leaks the information?"

"Amai will never reveal this secret," Amai replied, looking steadfastly at Shang Yizhi, and said word by word, "Please rest assured, General, if Amai is captured by the Northern Desert people, then the only ones who will know this secret in this world will be you and the gentleman."

Amai smiled but did not speak

"Good!" replied Amai

Later, Chen Qi once again mobilized his troops southward, and the initial three armies from the Northern Desert gathered in Yuzhou. Upon learning that Shang Yizhi had decisively advanced westward to Wulan Mountain, Chen Qi's expression darkened, and he asked Zhou Zhiren with some displeasure: "You have countless cavalry at your disposal, how could you allow Shang Yizhi to enter Wulan Mountain?"

Shang Yi smiled and leaned closer to Zhang Sheng, saying: "It's nothing, I'm just taking a look, hurry up."

Amai fell silent for a moment, saying nothing, and walked to the table to pour a cup of tea for Lu Gang, bringing it over. Lu Gang quickly took it and drank it in one go, pondering whether his earlier reaction had been a bit excessive. Although Amai was a male concubine who served with charm, he had killed more than twenty Tartars on the battlefield, which made him quite a man. Moreover, Amai usually acted fiercely and was combative, not at all effeminate. Perhaps this young man himself did not wish to serve others with his looks; after all, he was blessed with such a face! Lu Gang's earlier demeanor of wanting to avoid him must have been quite hurtful. Thinking of this, Lu Gang felt even more guilty and awkwardly explained, "Amai, I didn't mean to... I just... I'm not used to..."

"General, Mr. Xu." Lu Gang saluted.

Shang Yi cast a sharp glance at A Mai and said, "General Shi's identity is a military secret. Now, apart from you and me, only the gentleman knows. Your journey to Yuzhou is fraught with danger; if your identity is discovered by the Northern Desert people, you—"

Amai looked coldly at the officer, knowing that he was the leader of the second team, originally a subordinate of the team leader she had killed. He was clearly stirring up trouble.

Zhang Erdan looked at Amai with a hint of grievance. Amai smiled and did not take it to heart, instructing, "You two, don't just focus on roasting the rabbit; make sure to properly clean the rabbit skin for me, as I still have use for it."

Lu Gang shot a fierce glance at the man, thinking to himself, is this how you mediate? Are you afraid that the fire of the old black won't burn brightly enough? Sure enough, as soon as these words were spoken, it was like adding oil to the flames! The black-faced man was first taken aback, then became excited. He was known for his bravery and loved to compare skills with others. He had long heard about the battle at Wolf Valley, where a formidable warrior had emerged from the Qingzhou army, and he had always wanted to meet him. He never expected to encounter him here today, so how could he let this opportunity slip by? The black-faced man was first taken aback, then became excited. He was known for his bravery and loved to compare skills with others. He had long heard about the battle at Wolf Valley, where a formidable warrior had emerged from the Qingzhou army, and he had always wanted to meet him. He never expected to encounter him here today, so how could he let this opportunity slip by?

Lu Gang's words were filled with heartfelt concern. The root of the matter lay in the fact that when someone from above sent winter clothing, Shang Yizhi did not express much, but Xu Jing had someone inquire about how A Mai had been in the army these days. This situation left the rough man Lu Gang puzzled. He thought to himself, since the strategist asked this, it must be on behalf of the general, but why didn't the general ask himself? Was it because he couldn't bring himself to do so? But why couldn't he bring himself to do it? Most likely, it was because you, A Mai, were too stubborn. Ever since that day when you wanted to confront the black-faced man, you have been a fierce and combative character.

Amai couldn't help but let out a bitter smile, shaking her head to cast aside those unrealistic thoughts. There was no time to dwell on such matters; what she needed to do was find an opportunity to establish her authority, and then survive well within the Jiangbei army. After that, she would devise a way to gradually climb up, until she stood at the same height as Chen Qi.

Lu Gang, seeing Xu Jing teasing A Mai, felt even more convinced that his arrangement was correct. He did not help A Mai out of her predicament, merely chuckling as he watched the spectacle. A Mai was at a loss for how to explain herself when she heard the repeated calls of "General" from ahead. She looked up to see Shang Yizhi, dressed in military attire and a long cloak, striding in from outside. As he passed, all the generals hurriedly saluted. Upon seeing this, A Mai quickly stepped behind Lu Gang and followed the crowd in paying their respects.

Young people who achieve fame often carry a certain arrogance, and coupled with his military lineage, he looked down upon the relatively unknown Chen Qi from the very beginning. Moreover, Chen Qi was merely a young man in his mid-twenties, lacking both military achievements and experience. What right did he have to command the three armies of the Northern Desert? Although subsequent military actions and achievements have proven Chen Qi's capabilities, they have not managed to win over Chang Yuqing.

Lu Gang understood what was going on in his heart, but he could not express it in front of others. He could only grit his teeth and resolutely let A Mai take a beating, calling out harshly: "A Mai, come here"

Shang Yizhi suddenly lost the smile on his face and said coldly: "You are too bold. How many young women have you seen who can remain so composed under the gaze of a strange man? Your gaze is also too sharp, unlike that of a woman from the village"

Amai endured as the old woman's fingers traced across her face, and impatiently said: "Then just shave it all off and draw it on instead"

"Who?" A-Mai quickly asked

"Amai," Xu Jing said again, "I am sharing all of this with you because I do not consider you an outsider; I see you as a person of great potential. On this trip to Yuzhou, you must be clever and adaptable, and obtain some concrete plans from the Northern Desert people. My Jiangbei army intends to use this to establish our authority. Only by winning battles can our Jiangbei army secure a foothold in the Wulan Mountains, and only then can the two of us solidify our positions within the Jiangbei army. Do you understand?"

Suddenly, a burst of laughter erupted from the crowd, but Amai remained calm. Once the laughter subsided, he coldly said: "I have disappointed you, my lord. Amai does not know how to embroider. Amai only knows how to kill; the knife in Amai's hand is not for show, but for killing"

Looking at the room full of drunken men, Amai couldn't help but recall what her father had once said: that women would never understand the friendship among men at the drinking table. At this moment, Amai felt this deeply; even though she had come to see herself as one of the men, she still could not comprehend this so-called "friendship"

Amai felt even more puzzled in her heart. Seeing Zhang Sheng say this, she found it inappropriate to ask further. She could only murmur to herself about why Xu Jing had to bring her up, wondering what complications might arise again.

A-Mai had spent some time in the personal guard of Shang Yi, so she was familiar with these guards. When everyone saw her arrive, they were also pleased and surrounded her to ask a few questions about the situation in the military camp. A group of people began to roast meat while chatting casually. Just as the atmosphere was lively, the captain of the personal guard, Zhang Sheng, arrived, and everyone dared not act recklessly anymore. They all lowered their heads and pretended to be busy, leaving A-Mai with nothing in her hands. She had no choice but to stand up awkwardly and called out, "Brother Zhang." Just as the atmosphere was lively, the captain of the personal guard, Zhang Sheng, arrived, and everyone dared not act recklessly anymore. They all lowered their heads and pretended to be busy, leaving A-Mai with nothing in her hands. She had no choice but to stand up awkwardly and called out, "Brother Zhang."

The guidance of Shang Yi: "It's quite simple, first lower your head, then slowly raise it and glance at me from the corner of your eye, and then quickly lower your head again"

Shang Yi enthusiastically helped everyone up, exchanging pleasantries. As he walked past Lu Gang, he casually caught a glimpse of A Mai hiding behind. His gaze swept over A Mai without any pause, and after briefly chatting and laughing with Lu Gang, he continued to walk forward

The next day, Lu Gang returned to Xize Mountain as planned, while A Mai stayed behind at Yunrao Mountain. Xu Jing somehow found a village woman's dress and also brought an old woman from the foot of the mountain to help A Mai with her makeup.

Zhang Sheng also felt that it was not feasible for the general to teach A Mai archery, so he merely treated it as a joke. Seeing A Mai silent, he smacked his lips and said, "Let me inquire a bit more for you. If that doesn't work, you can consult your company officer, Lieutenant Lu. He has also risen step by step through his own abilities, so he is likely to have genuine skills."

Amai was taken aback, feeling wronged. Indeed, she had also smiled, but everyone was laughing, so why was the blame directed at her? Seeing the dark-faced person pointing at her with an angry expression, Amai's heart sank, and she quickly straightened her body and called out loudly: "I dare not!"

Seeing this, Xu Jing said with a hint of disappointment: "If there truly are no suitable candidates in the school guard camp, then we will have to find someone from the Yuzhou army."

"Not bad!" Xu Jing said, "I anticipated that Zhou Zhineng from the Northern Desert would march north before the troops left Yuzhou. Once we are besieged within the city of Yuzhou, there would be only one path awaiting us: death. At that time, if I wanted to lead the troops into Wulan Mountain, not only would the Yuzhou army absolutely refuse, but it would also be difficult to persuade the general's Qingzhou army. Therefore, I devised a plan to leave Yuzhou, forcing everyone to come to Wulan Mountain."

Although the merchants are not particularly rugged in appearance, they can drink just as well as those burly men. Not only do they not stop their subordinates from drinking and having fun, but they also hold their wine glasses and watch their generals frolic with a smile. Xu Jing, feeling helpless, had no choice but to send someone to pull the drunken generals away, allowing them to have a good sleep first, and after waking up, they should get lost and go about their business!

Xu Jing smiled and said, "Rest assured, I have my own arrangements for these matters." He stroked his beard, looking at A Mai with satisfaction, then turned to Shangi Zhi and asked with a smile, "General, what do you think of it?"

Zhang Sheng was guarding at the entrance of the courtyard when he saw Shang Yizhi striding out from within. He wanted to follow but was stopped by Shang Yizhi waving his hand. "You stay here and guard, don't let any idle people disturb Mr. Xu. I will just wander around the mountain by myself, not going far," Shang Yizhi said. After taking a couple of steps forward, he turned back and stood in front of Zhang Sheng, staring at him, which made Zhang Sheng feel uneasy. Only then did he say, "Zhang Sheng, learn to throw a flirtatious glance like a woman."

Zhang Sheng did not respond, but with a serious expression said, "Amai, come here." After speaking, he turned and walked away

General Shi? Although Ah Mai had vaguely guessed some of it, hearing these words come out of Xu Jing's mouth still surprised her a bit

Shang Yizhi stepped forward and supported Lu Gang's arm, smiling gently: "Lieutenant Lu need not be so formal; there are no outsiders here, so there is no need for such courtesy"

A-Mai disregarded Zhang Sheng's objections and bowed down, calmly saying: "A-Mai thanks Brother Zhang for his guidance; this kindness and affection, A-Mai will never forget in my lifetime"

No wonder that kites rise in the city of Yuzhou at the right time, no wonder our cavalry is ambushed outside Wulan Mountain, no wonder we hurried to Wulan Mountain while having ample supplies..." Amai couldn't help but murmur, all the questions in his heart finally had answers, "But when did the general know the truth?"

No! No need!" Lu Gang quickly said, unwilling to let go of the opportunity to achieve merit and gain recognition that was right at hand. He could only delay for time and pretended to turn back to ask A Mai, "A Mai, do you know of any suitable candidates?"

A-Mai was taken aback, but soon had a vague idea of their intentions. However, she still pretended not to know and quietly waited for Xu Jing's next words

Xu Jing listened to Ah Mai's analysis with great interest, her eyes revealing a look of appreciation as she nodded and said: "The most critical point is that his defection was initiated by a letter from me, not a secret edict from the court. Once he loses confidence in me and the general, he will abandon himself to despair"

Amai returned to the team, her face still calm, but her heart was racing, feeling as if she had survived a disaster. At some point, she found herself drenched in cold sweat. Fortunately, she had made the right bet; otherwise, she could not have imagined what the outcome would have been. Now, upon hearing Lu Gang instruct her to lead the troops down the mountain for vigilance, she readily took a few people from the fifth unit and went down the mountain to stand guard.

As of now, winter clothing has still not been distributed, and A Mai feels somewhat anxious, unsure of how Shang Yizhi and Xu Jing plan to proceed. If winter clothing is not provided, many in the army will likely freeze to death. There are already many who have expressed dissent regarding Shang Yizhi leading the troops into the mountains. If dissatisfaction spreads within the ranks, it could easily lead to incidents of desertion.

Amai understood. Amai said

After staying at the foot of the mountain for only a few days, another team came up the mountain to take over. A-Mai and the others were surprised to find that the newcomers were wearing winter clothing, and it was the standard winter uniform of the Southern Summer Army. Seeing the astonishment on A-Mai and the others' faces, the newcomers laughed and said: "Don't just stand there looking; the general sent someone to deliver these. The brothers on the mountain have already changed into them, and you will have them too. Hurry back, as the weather is about to turn cold."

Zhang Sheng only intended to show goodwill to A Mai by deliberately giving her a heads-up in advance, without planning to discuss any specific matters. Therefore, he said: "I am not sure what the matter is, I just happened to hear your name occasionally. You know that our personal guards are not allowed to inquire about military affairs. Just have an idea in your mind, and it will be good to be prepared for anything that may arise"

Amai was also held back by those around her; she had no intention of causing trouble, especially since her opponent was the newly appointed deputy battalion commander. Thus, she decided to back down and returned to the ranks without saying a word. Unexpectedly, the man with the dark face was not having it; he shook off Lu Gang's grip and provocatively said to Amai, "Damn it, you little pretty boy, don't be cowardly. If you have the guts, come up and spar with me." He then turned to Lu Gang and said, "Lord Lu, it's fine, I'm just going to spar with this kid. We are all men in the army, and it's common to practice our skills. This is not disrespect; if he doesn't come up to fight, that would mean he doesn't take me, the dark-faced man, seriously!"

Shang Yi was so disgusted that he fell into a cold war, quickly waving his hand, "Forget it, forget it, no need to learn anymore, it's already unsettling enough."

Amai pondered for a moment and said boldly, "If Amai can fulfill the general's mission and return alive, I hope the general will promote me."

A-Mai's expression darkened, and she felt an impulse to strangle this old woman, yet the old woman remained completely oblivious, continuing to say: "It's just that the bridge of the nose is a bit high, lacking gentleness, and there's no way to conceal that." She couldn't help but click her tongue in regret, muttering to herself as she used a small clip to pluck A-Mai's eyebrows one by one, refining and lightening their shape, and then arching the tips to slant towards the temples.

"Who?" Xu Jing asked

Who is able to go with him?" Shang Yizhi further inquired.

Chen Qi furrowed his brows slightly and remained silent. Zhou Zhiren's viewpoint was likely shared by the majority of military leaders, yet he harbored a vague sense of unease in his heart, as if he had encountered the phrase "hiding troops in the mountains" somewhere before. After pondering for a moment, he spoke in a deep voice: "There is no rush to attack Taixing; rather, the potential threat posed by Shang Yizhi in Wulanshan could become a serious concern. Instead of capturing city after city in Nansha, it would be better to eliminate their active forces."

As soon as the person stepped out the door, he heard the soldier delivering the message say: "Lord Lu, the military advisor has instructed that A Mai, who is by your side, should also accompany you."

Xu Jing smiled faintly and said, "Since ancient times, those who achieve great things do not get bogged down by trivial matters. I believe the general is a magnanimous person who can understand my actions, and from what I can see, he does not hold it against me."

Amai endured the feeling of a cold war, merely pursing her lips to force a smile, adopting a posture of "I am also quite helpless"

A-Mai's direct superior, Captain Li, noticed the situation and quickly signaled A-Mai to return to the team. Hei Mian had lost face due to A-Mai's harsh words earlier and did not intend to let it go easily. However, upon seeing that Lu Gang was genuinely upset, he felt it was unwise to confront Lu Gang directly. Although he knew that Lu Gang was protecting that pretty boy, he had no choice but to temporarily hold back, but he would remember this grievance.

Amai responded by rising to her feet, taking a step back to stand behind Lu Gang, lowering her head and closing her eyes, remaining silent thereafter

Zhang Sheng originally did not want to laugh, but upon hearing the words "thin dog" and seeing A Mai's tall and slender figure, he finally couldn't hold back and let out a chuckle. Noticing A Mai's increased embarrassment, he quickly suppressed his laughter and reached out to pat her shoulder in a comforting manner, saying, "It's alright, it's alright, everyone doesn't necessarily mean any harm. But you really do run fast, managing to chase even a rabbit, and yet you are so thin... Hahaha... No wonder..."

Amai smiled faintly and said in a low voice, "I understand, sir. I will ponder it myself later, and I will definitely not let the Tartars see any flaws."

Lu Gang responded with a sound, hastily wiped his face with a towel, and suddenly recalled what Xu Jing had said, so he stopped and said: "There is no rush, we will not leave just yet; the strategist mentioned that the general still has matters to convey."

The speaker was not very old, only in his twenties, with a smile that was more of a smirk on his face, and his eyebrows slightly raised in a rather frivolous manner. He was none other than the "Killer" Chang Yuqing, who had slaughtered 150,000 border troops of the Southern Xia.

Amai shook her head inwardly; no matter how magnanimous a person may be, they would not wish to be kept in the dark by their subordinates. Although Shang Yizhi is an ambitious individual, he is likely to harbor some resentment in his heart. Even if he does not show anything at present, it only indicates that he is too calculating. Once he gains power in the future, Xu Jing may suffer as a result.

Although he knew she was just acting, Shang Yizhi's heart still skipped a beat at her glance. He remained silent, frowning as he pondered something, but then he heard Xu Jing burst into laughter, "You really have a way, Ah Mai, that glance can truly captivate the soul. But this won't do; you mustn't charm that northern barbarian guarding the city gate into following you. If that happens, we won't be able to do anything at all."

Amai was utterly astonished, "A letter?"

Lu Gang responded with a busy tone and followed Xu Jing into the room. After taking a few steps, he slowed down again, still feeling somewhat uneasy about A Mai. Unable to help himself, he turned back to take another look at A Mai, feeling that even when standing in the crowd, this young man appeared quite lonely and truly pitiful

Xu Jing slowly shook her head and said softly, "It is the human heart"

Xu Jing stroked his beard and smiled quietly, and when his gaze glanced over A Mai, the smile on his face deepened a few more degrees

On the way back from Yaolangou, Xu Jing replied

"Hmm, get up." Shang Yizhi said blandly

Amai shook his head, noticing a hint of a cold smile at the corner of Shang Yi's mouth, and said in a deep voice: "I can pretend to be mute, so it is sufficient for only Zhang Erdan to speak the Yuzhou dialect."

"That won't do!" the old woman said, covering her mouth and laughing, "That clearly looks fake; it needs to be pulled out." As she spoke, she loosened the bun on A-Mai's head, held it up beside A-Mai's face, and praised, "Wow! Don't blame me for being talkative, but your looks are truly remarkable. I've married off so many new brides, yet I've never seen anyone as outstanding as you."

Inside the room, Xu Jing elaborated on the situation in Yuzhou City to Amai. After finishing her explanation, Xu Jing did not leave; instead, she stood up and paced around the room for a couple of laps. She then stopped, turned around, and scrutinized Amai from head to toe, asking in a somber tone: "Amai, do you know what the most perilous aspect of this trip to Yuzhou is?"

Shang Yi's gaze suddenly brightened, then quickly flickered away from A Mai's face as he calmly stepped into the room. Xu Jing also lowered the curtain in her hand, approached A Mai, and carefully examined her face, smiling as she said, "Alright! Perhaps you are a bit too beautiful, not quite like a village woman." She then turned around and instructed the maid, saying, "You can go down to collect your payment first; tomorrow we will style her hair, and then you won't have any further duties."

"I, I... I won't," Zhang Sheng stammered, on the verge of tears.