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Chapter 27 Calculations

Everyone stood together and waited for deputy assistant Huang's support troops to arrive. Officer Liu's expression already gained a faint of apprehension.

Soon, the sound of footsteps sounded in their ears. When the footsteps landed in unison, it was like the sound of thunder. Even though he hasn't seen the people, officer Liu felt somewhat calmer. Judging from the footsteps, these people can't be too bad. With such force, they must be at least somewhat important. He just didn't know why Li Xiao would be willing to part with this kind of troops.

The mad king suddenly turned to face him and said: "This is this king's most favored squadron. You better take care of them well."

Li Xiao is actually giving them his favorite troops? Could it be possible that he wants to take the chance to strike them from within? But it doesn't matter. Once this group reached the Dongwei barracks, they can be separated. Those that can't be separated can be re-trained. And for those who can't be trained, they'll find some excuse to send them to their death. He said with a smile: "To receive wangye's heavy trust, naturally I'll do my best."

Someone beside him suddenly prodded him once: "Sir, lo look."

In front of them, a man with sharp eyebrows brought a group of people slowly around the corner. 100 robust, heavy set, and footsteps vigorous, soldiers marched uniformly over. Officer Liu was shaken so hard by the ground trembling that his face turned numb.

He looked at this group wide eyed and open mouthed. How can these people even be called soldiers? He's never seen any soldier whose body was 'tall and sturdy' like this! That full belly shake. That's not muscles, that's just fat!!! How are these people soldiers? They're clearly a group of butchers!!

(Note: the word here used directly translates to people who kills pigs for a living)

The people standing beside Li Xiao all held their faces taut. Song Song also looked indifferent, only his eyes revealed a sense of humour. However, Li Xiao from beginning to end, remained stern and cold. That deputy assistant Huang walked towards Li Xiao with large steps and saluted: "Report. All of 'Tao Tie''s 96 people are present."

The big men who stood together on the training ground all looked towards Li Xiao. The latter marched forward. His voice wasn't very loud but still casually spread throughout the entire area: "Brothers! Now that my camp is burnt, I have no choice but to let you guys borrow lodging elsewhere. But don't worry! I already arranged everything for you. The city defense, Dongwei camp's commander Fu Zhao is a person who honors his promises. He agreed to take you and then return you without you even losing a single strand of hair! And if he breaks his promise, he agreed to fight me to the death to account for his actions! "

Officer Liu took two steps forward: "That's not"

The aide-de-camp next to Li Xiao's side reached out and pushed him back in the chest. Officer Liu was stunned by Li Xiao's ability to lie with a straight face. You call this handing over soldiers? Are you trying to hand over a group of hoodlums?! And without losing a single strand of hair?! And also, when did our commander agree to duel you? Who doesn't know that when you go nuts, you don't even care about your own family. Who'd dare to agree to something like that!!

But he couldn't say it out loud. If he tried to refute Li Xiao, it would show clearly that they had ulterior motives. If they were examined too closely, the whole thing with setting Li Xiao's barracks on fire would be revealed.

Li Xiao seemed like he completely didn't notice what was going on behind him. When he finished speaking, those big men started whispering amongst themselves. Li Xiao gave him some time and then said: "Brothers!"

The surroundings quieted. His voices resounded next to their ears: "Commander Fu and I have a pretty good relationship. When you go over, just treat it as your own house! No worries! Eat all you want! Drink all you want! Get strong! Train well! When you come back, let the rest of our brothers see your growth, alright?!"

His voice was outstanding and powerful, and held a feeling of respect and comfort that people couldn't resist. Ever since 'Tao Tie' joined Li Xiao's barracks, they've been regarded as pigs by the other soldiers. Every single one of them all want to fight and obtain a piece of heaven for themselves. Today, upon hearing they were going to be sent to another barrack, at first, they felt slightly resentful towards Li Xiao. But now that they heard his speech, their thoughts were cleared as they realized something. Immediately, someone raised their fist and said: "Okay! We definitely won't let wangye down!"

"We won't betray wangye's trust!"

Officer Liu looked at this group of people, face paper white. Trust? What trust? Just by looking, I can tell you guys are the type to just eat and do nothing! Li Xiao's real plan is to let these people eat Dongwei camp out of food and home?!

He walked over and said with a light smile: "Wangye"

He didn't finish speaking yet when Li Xiao shot a cold glance over and said menacingly: "You have problems with this king's soldiers?"

When he said this, what 'Tao Tie' heard in their ears was that he was shielding them and backing them up. The 'butchers' on the field instantly turned one by one to glare at officer Liu, and forced him to swallow down what he planned to say: "No, I I only saw that wangye has such surprising troops in your hands, no wonder people say you have a good eye for talent."

Before Li Xiao had finished disputing with Fu Zhao during court, and the emperor already signed his approval. Now, this group of soldiers, even if they don't want them, they had to take them. And they couldn't be picky about it because originally they used the excuse that it was to help Li Xiao. If they asked to exchange soldiers now, then it would be equivalent to tearing off the skin on their faces and shedding all pretense of cordiality.

Li Xiao smiled lightly and then said: "Huang Jing, receive your orders!"

Deputy assistant Huang took two steps forward: "Wangye, please instruct."

"You will also go to Dongwei's camp. 'Tao Tie' will still be your responsibility to train. Of course, since you'll be using someone else's training field, your drills will probably be very different. The most important is still to eat well and drink well. Remember to follow the rules! Wait until this king personally comes to retrieve you guys."

Deputy assistant Huang instantly understood. When they arrive at the other comp, 'Tao Tie' won't just experience segregation, they might also be deprived of a training ground. Carefully following the rules is so the people at Dongwei don't grab their shortcomings and use the chance to cause trouble. Wait until this king comes to retrieve you personally means that before he arrives, they weren't allowed to return on their own. He had followed Li Xiao for many years, so he was able to quickly discern his words' real meaning and replied: "Understood!"

The group of people, like a great flood, walked out. The good looking face that officer Liu came in with already changed to a mix of purple and red. The crowd watched them leave, then everyone instantly casted their gaze at Song Song, saluting one by one. Song Song barely smiled, Li Xiao already walked over: "Don't scare wangfei. Go. Do whatever you have to do."

In Jinwu camp, Li Xiao's words were like the imperial edict. The crowd followed his order and left.

Song Song let himself be pulled by Li Xiao. As they walked, he saw all of the awe-inspiring soldiers move as one as they practiced the spear, and in his heart, he felt pride for the nation's strength.

Inside the Fu estate, Fu Zhao just finished playing with his bird, turned to drink some water, then asked a servant: "Where's Ming-er?"

"Gongzi is drinking with his schoolmate today. He hasn't returned."

Fu Zhao cursed his son in exasperation: "Useless child. Is there any news from Dongwei camp?"

"Not yet" This servant didn't even finish what he was saying when someone came running to report: "Commander Fu, bad news! Officer Liu received a group of butchers from the mad king!"

"What?" Fu Zhao frowned: "What butchers. Speak clearer."

"This.. you, you'll understand when you go take a look"

100 three meters tall 'big butchers,' no matter in Jinwu camp or in Dongwei camp, was a very. unique sight.

When Fu Zhao rushed to the camp, he froze in shock with one glance. He said with a distorted face: "Li Xiao, is he playing with me?"

How does this count as soldiers?!

Huang Jing walked over in big strides, saluted him and said: "Commander Fu. We're hungry. Can I ask when is it time to eat?"

Instantly a cohocony of noises greater than the bells of a Buddhist temple sounded in the surrounding. Fu Zhao looked at these big men who were standing in front of him rubbing their bellies, and almost questioned if they were going to eat him too.

On this side, Song Song and Li Xiao sat together back into the carriage and returned to the king's estate. Song Song couldn't resist asking: "Do they really eat a lot?"

"The soldiers at the barracks usually already eat a lot. Normally one person eats about 2 shi (measurement for weight of rice) each month. This is under normal circumstances when they could occasionally eat meat and oil. If marching, the circumstances can be harsher, one person can eat more than 3 shi a month. But 'Tao Tie' under normal circumstances usually eats around 5 shi per person in a month."

Li Xiao actually knew the camp situation this clearly, Song Song's eyes shone with a hint of worship: "That means now that they've gone off to Dongwei camp, we'll be able to save 480 shi of rice a month."

"The enemy would lose 480 shi of rice." Li Xiao said: "Song-er calculated it this quickly?"

"I have a sharp mind." Song Song looked very pleased with himself. During this period of time, not only did his body get healthier under Li Xiao's care, even his personality started to carry a hint of confidence. Li Xiao kept gazing at his porcelain white face, who knew where his thoughts floated off to. Song Song eventually turned his face away after a while and said: "What will we eat tonight when we return?"

"This king isn't picky."

The atmosphere in the carriage became strange again. Song Song lifted the carriage curtains and looked outside. He saw a drunk gongzi stagger out of Fuxiang restaurant. He was just about to suggest going there to eat, the man behind him suddenly leaned in, one hand supporting himself against the edge of the window. A strong masculine aura wrapped around him from behind. Song Song's eyelashes fluttered and he subconsciously tried to decrease his own presence.

The carriage unhurriedly rolled onward. Song Song slowly raised his eyes to look at Li Xiao. Their gazes crossed. Li Xiao asked: "Want a kiss?"

"... " Song Song reached out his hand to push him back and said: "Don't want."

"Finicky." Li Xiao teased him. Song Song frowned, wanted to retort, but a tingly numb feeling climbed up his face abruptly. So he ended up turning his face again and ignoring him.

"Just now that drunk little gonzi was Fu Zhao's son, the same age as Song Shi."

"He seems like he comes to Fuxiang restaurant to drink frequently. When we came to eat here before, I noticed it."

"Not only to drink. He used to chase the same girl with Song Shi."

Song Song laughed out loud, looked back at Li Xiao and said: "You even know this?"

"Know yourself, know your enemy." Li Xiao said: "That girl was the daughter of a farmer. When she came to sell radishes on the street, she was seen by them together. The two rushed to the girl's house to fawn over her."

Song Song continued his words: "Madam Song definitely would not accept a penniless farmer's daughter. Fu Zhao is the commander of Dongwei camp. If he planned such schemes against our camp, it illustrates that such a person clearly won't be indifferent to fame and fortune. According to this logic, he also wouldn't let Fu Ming marry someone lacking in power and influence."

"What you said is correct."

"If Song Shi was not successful, then the farmer's daughter's life could only be under Fu Ming's control. If given up by Fu Ming, she might be able to find a good husband. But if Fu Ming doesn't let her go, then what awaits her is either to enter his estate as a concubine, or. "

Song Song looked at Li Xiao: "If commander Fu wants to use Fu Ming to marry for political connections, he would never agree to let him take a concubine. But the love life of young people is not so easily broken apart. If I were commander Fu, I would"

He made a hand gesture. Li Xiao continuously nodded his head and said: "That's right. That farmer's daughter was thrown into the valley, and was eaten by wild wolves."

"Song Shi gave up early, but through a combination of factors, that girl ended up dying because of her connection to Fu Ming. Song Shi no doubt hates Fu Ming to his bones. This time I hit Song Zhen and attracted his ire. He definitely will target my Fuxiang restaurant, that way he could kill two birds with one stone."

"Did you send anyone to watch him?"

Song Song answered with a laugh: "If he wants to do this perfectly, he'll definitely need a little help."

Li Xiao saluted him, full of seriousness: "Then I'll leave this all to wangfei."

Song Song also indulged in his antics: "I will live up to wangye's expectations."

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The writer has something to say:

Dumb Dumb: Cray Cray is forcing me to do bad things!