People tend to follow the crowd; if one does, two will follow, especially under the temptation of great benefits, few would choose to stand out and walk the opposite path.

More and more people chose to follow Chen Mo and obey his commands.

They were just a flock of sheep; no one wanted a better, peaceful life more, and no one wanted to live without dignity like walking corpses, even if they once did.

Chen Mo clapped his hands and began the distribution of food.

Of course, money would not be given to them now, rewards of money would only be given to those with merit; if they gain nothing but express their willingness to follow his orders, then if money is given, the reward and punishment system he established would be in chaos.

Moreover, these more than eight thousand Celestial Master Army soldiers are not made useful simply by saying they are willing to obey his orders.

Some people saw that it was just words, without loss, so they just followed and spoke.

When it comes to truly critical moments, asking them to fight would be different.

Among this group of people, there are all sorts of bad habits.

Frankly speaking, calling them bandit soldiers wouldn't be unfit, their military discipline was already chaotic, polluting the ranks.

However, Chen Mo still wanted to incorporate them.

The main thing is to conduct selection.

During the Three Kingdoms period, the foundation of the Wei Army's infantry was formed by selecting the elite from the routed Yellow Turban Army, which Cao Cao used to build the "Qingzhou Soldiers". This reorganization and surrender increased Cao Cao's strength for his later campaigns.

When Later Zhao's Shi Le started, he seized the Central Plains stronghold, selected the strong to incorporate into his army, and bestowed ranked titles to the surrendering Fortress Lords.

Chen Mo only needs to adopt these successful experiences.

...

Mid-November.

The weather was getting colder.

Especially at night, cold winds howled fiercely.

On the walls of Celestial Water Town, there was a fire brazier every five steps, flames burning fiercely inside, emitting intense heat, and Celestial Master Army soldiers stood by the braziers, diligently standing guard.

Not that they were so diligent, but among them, every five soldiers included one of the Three Guards soldiers.

The captured Yu State Army surrendering soldiers from the Xianzhen Guard had already integrated in.

This speed exceeded Chen Mo's expectations; in his plan, it was supposed to take at least two months.

But it was accomplished in a little over a month.

On this point, Chen Mo could only attribute it to the Yu State Army's own strict military discipline; at least there was no worry of discipline issues.

Moreover, with the good conditions provided by Chen Mo, they gained a sense of belonging and thus integrated in.

"Keep your spirits up, be on guard for an enemy night raid." Sun Meng said as he brought the Personal Guard Team to patrol the wall. Upon encountering anyone shirking their duty, he would directly kick them.

As Sun Meng's team moved on, those who got kicked immediately began to swear: "Damn it, who knows what the higher-ups are thinking, stationing us in this ruin in such cold weather, even after Marshal Lu was defeated. Do they still want to fight the Song Army..."

This statement gained unanimous agreement from the Celestial Master Army soldiers nearby.

However, they didn't dare to discuss it loudly, fearing the Three Guards' soldiers would hear and report them.

In fact, the Three Guards soldiers did hear but didn't interfere since their orders were that as long as they did not mutiny or leave their posts arbitrarily, there was no need to manage them.

As the night deepened, the world became silent.

Celestial Master Army soldiers added wood to the brazier; Yu State was mountainous and did not lack firewood, there were even many piles of old firewood stored in the warehouse.

As they blew into their hands to keep warm, a sudden aroma of meat wafted into their nostrils.

"That's the smell of meat!"

"Who's cooking meat?"

Everyone's mouth watered, reminiscing on the beef and lamb they ate earlier in the day.

At this moment, the meat aroma grew thicker, seeming very close; following the direction of the scent, they saw a group of people coming up the stairs leading onto the wall.

They pushed three carts; the first had a large wooden barrel from which steam emanated, the aroma wafting from the barrel.

The cart in the middle looked like a small mountain, covered with a white cloth that concealed its contents.

The rear cart held stacks of ceramic bowls.

"Brothers, thank you for your hard work. Marshal Chen knows it's not easy for everyone, it's indeed cold as hell, but who knows when the damn Yu State Army might attack, so for everyone's safety, we have to ask for your extra effort,"

Han Wu said as he lifted the cloth on the second cart, revealing stacks of buckwheat buns, and loudly proclaimed:

"To thank you all for your hard work, Marshal Chen ordered us to prepare meat soup to warm everyone up."

After speaking, Han Wu waved his hand, and the soldiers in the rear handed out bowls to each person, then served them each a scoop of meat soup and a bun.

"Don't worry, everyone. There's enough for everybody," Han Wu said with a smile.

Most of the people were empathetic, and seeing the meat soup in their bowls and the buckwheat buns in their hands, their previous complaints dissipated. They couldn't help but appreciate Chen Mo's thoughtfulness, understanding that he was acting for their safety.

The Celestial Master Army soldier who was kicked by Sun Meng earlier saw Han Wu's agreeable demeanor and asked, "General, why not retreat in such cold weather? Why guard this broken city? Is Marshal Chen planning another fight with the Song Army?"

"Well..." Han Wu feigned a troubled look and, after a moment of contemplation, said, "I can tell you, but you must not spread it, or Marshal Chen will surely punish me."

"No worries, no worries."

"Actually, it's not Marshal Chen's fault. He wants to retreat too, but the higher-ups haven't issued a retreat order. If we retreat from Yu State without orders, and the Celestial Master blames us, who will take responsibility?

However, Marshal Chen has requested permission from the higher-ups. Just wait, guard the city well, and under no circumstances will Marshal Chen engage the Song Army," Han Wu whispered.

The Celestial Master Army soldiers suddenly realized this was the reason, and it wasn't Marshal Chen's fault.

...

Inside the Central Army Tent.

Xia Zhining added firewood to the brazier, then stepped back a couple of steps to avoid the flying sparks. Puffing her cheeks slightly, she looked at the young man at the table, writing and drawing, and said, "The weather is getting colder and the soldiers don't have winter clothing. If this continues, they won't hold up."

"Don't worry, the higher-ups will likely order a retreat. Although I didn't mention retreat in the battle report, I did request reinforcements, including troops and logistics supplies. If the Celestial Master Army still wants to fight on, they'll have to supply everything I need, and with winter coming, history shows they wait until spring to engage Qingzhou. This time shouldn't be any different..."

Chen Mo set the ink brush down and stretched lazily.

"What's your plan?" Xia Zhining asked.

"Have the Celestial Master Army soldiers integrate with our people for a few days, ideally to synchronize with the Yanyue Array, so that in battle, it won't be chaotic. Meanwhile, send people to transport logistics and funds from the city to the rear,"

Chen Mo took off his outer robe and lay down on the bed, waving at Xia Zhining: "Come over and give me a massage, my shoulders are a bit sore."

Xia Zhining furrowed her brows, her eyes showing a bit of bashful anger. You, a Middle-Grade Martial Artist, have sore shoulders? Just admit you want some benefits from me.

Xia Zhining walked over, took off her shoes, got on the bed, and knelt beside him, gently kneading Chen Mo's shoulders with her delicate hands.

"Is this pressure okay?" Xia Zhining asked.

"Mm."

Chen Mo replied comfortably, feeling those soft, bone-like hands kneading his shoulders, stirring feelings in his heart.

Having spent time together, intimate contact increased, and Xia Zhining was no longer as shy and irritated as before, so now she felt quite calm while massaging Chen Mo.

She looked at the young man's physique, akin to a fitness model, enveloped by a masculine aura, causing her cheeks to flush gently, recalling his spirited demeanor on the high platform.

But the boy always went against her expectations, shattering her deepening fantasies, saying, "Zhi Ning, you kneeling and squeezing my shoulders is uncomfortable. Why not sit up and help massage me?"

Then, he patted his lower back.

Xia Zhining: "..."

Indeed, once this rascal finished official matters, he thought of such things when with her.

Xia Zhining pinched Chen Mo's waist, saying, "Can your mind think of something decent?"

"Letting you sit and massage me, how is that indecent?" Chen Mo glanced back at Xia Zhining, smiling meaningfully, "Wouldn't somehow you have thought of something indecent yourself?"

"I... I'm not." Xia Zhining roughly pushed Chen Mo's head, "Just lie down nicely."

After speaking, she got up and carefully straddled Chen Mo's broad waist.

"Uh..."

Suddenly, a small low moan escaped Chen Mo's mouth, making Xia Zhining quickly lift her bottom and ask in confusion, "You... what's wrong?"

"You're too heavy," Chen Mo said.

"???"

Xia Zhining froze at first, then her face flushed. For any woman critical of her figure, such words are infuriating. She stood straight up, then forcefully sat down again, exclaiming, "You... you jerk."

For Chen Mo, this became an enjoyment; he continued teasing, "Facts can't be unsaid. Haven't you noticed you're bigger than other girls?"

"...You dare say more." Xia Zhining, ashamed, tried to cover Chen Mo's mouth, causing her to lie across Chen Mo's back, her ample chest pressed and reshaped.

She felt annoyed. For her, who wanted to go to battle, she once fretted about her wide chest until this rascal said he liked her this way, easing her worries.

Yet now he complained about her weight.

She considered strangling the jerk.

Chen Mo flipped over, pressing Xia Zhining beneath him, then he kissed her on the corner of her lips, saying, "I was joking with you, why are you so reactive?"

"That joke wasn't funny at all." Xia Zhining struggled, her delicate face filled with annoyance.

"Then let me massage you as an apology." Chen Mo blew air into Xia Zhining's ear, his large hand stroking her smooth, delicate thigh.

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