Zhu Mo had an idea at this moment –
Since his strength entirely lay with the people, he had to solidify this advantage. Otherwise, this southern campaign would be fraught with danger. To secure the people's support, he needed to be innovative. He thought of "public selection of soldiers"!
If this method was unfeasible before, then the news of Mang Yinglong personally leading the army north would surely instill great fear in the populace. At this time, the people's sentiment could be leveraged. With just a call from him, many people would likely volunteer to protect their homes and country.
But the problem now was: what if Mu Zhaobi objected?
He pondered for a moment, looking at Mu Zhaobi, then at You Jujing, and couldn't quite make up his mind. If he voiced it rashly, and Mu Zhaobi rebutted on the spot, even if You Jujing insisted, with so many commanders present who were all his men, they wouldn't be able to win the argument...
At this moment,
Seeing Wang Daren standing aside, looking dejected, likely thinking of the hold he had over him, Zhu Mo immediately had an idea. He smiled and said:
"Lord Wang, ah, Duke, Lord You, everyone… ah, I do have a good strategy, I wonder if it can be implemented?"
Everyone was curious: why was he addressing Wang Daren first? Although this man was a Censor, his status was esteemed, but when it came to military matters, that was Duke Mu's domain…
Wang Daren was stunned at first, then he realized –
He wants my support?
Then what is this brilliant strategy of his?
But the situation did not allow him to think further. As long as Zhu Mo owed him a favor, it meant he was back from the gates of hell, so what couldn't he agree to?
Wang Daren coughed and said:
"Scholar Zhu is a current Grand Secretary, renowned throughout the land. Below Duke Mu, everyone here respects you immensely… ah, Grand Secretary Zhu's strategy is naturally entirely feasible!"
Mm-hmm,
Zhu Mo smiled, cupped his hands towards him, and said, "You are too kind, too kind…"
Then,
He turned again, his eyes fixed on Mu Zhaobi, and said, word by word:
"Duke, my strategy consists of four characters: transform, the, people, into, soldiers!"
Oh?
Transform the people into soldiers?
How is this done?
Everyone's interest was immediately piqued.
Mu Zhaobi pondered, seeming to have grasped something, and was about to flatly refuse, when Wang Daren suddenly applauded loudly and exclaimed:
"Good! Excellent! Truly a brilliant move! Although I have no authority to interfere in military affairs, I cannot help but admire Grand Secretary Zhu's brilliant strategy! Everyone, consider this: Mang Yinglong is personally leading a massive army north, striking fear into the hearts of soldiers and civilians alike. We can still leave, but what about the people of Yongchang Prefecture? Therefore, the people's spirit can be used! Brilliant, truly brilliant!"
As he spoke, he looked at Mu Zhaobi with a half-smile.
The more Mu Zhaobi heard, the more alarmed he became: if this were to happen, with the people all following Zhu Mo's orders, even with his fifty thousand troops, he wouldn't gain much advantage…
"No—ah…"
He blurted it out, but then forcibly retracted it.
Because,
At this moment, both Wang Daren and Zhu Mo were staring at him, their intentions clear! Especially Wang Daren, who seemed to have suddenly transformed, his cunning eyes revealing a hint of hostility? As if saying: if you dare to object, you're going against me?
He was terrified, staring intently at Wang Daren for a while, and Wang Daren did not back down at all. He then said, "Duke, the situation is perilous. You must make a decision, what do you say?"
Wang Daren deliberately retorted in a strange tone.
Mu Zhaobi immediately understood –
So you are on Zhu Mo's side. I was truly blind!
But then he thought: this Wang Daren knows too much. If he really wants to make things difficult for me, just by telling Zhu Mo some of my unsavory secrets, I'll be finished. Even if he doesn't tell Zhu Mo, but goes back and slanders me to the Emperor, I'll be in deep trouble…
You must know,
His ducal title was obtained most improperly; he killed two nephews to get it. Furthermore, he himself was not upright, having had an affair with his sister-in-law and fathered a daughter. Although others might not know these things, Wang Daren had heard some of them. If he leaked this information to Zhu Mo, he would be utterly ruined…
Alas,
He sighed inwardly and could only say with displeasure:
"Cough, cough, the people's support has always been valuable, I have nothing to say! Military advisor, please tell us how to transform the people into soldiers?"
Zhu Mo smiled and said calmly:
"That is also very simple! Also four characters—select, soldiers, appoint, generals!"
Hiss!
A clamor erupted in the tent.
Everyone thought, this seemed like a good method?
Zhu Mo continued to speak eloquently:
"Everyone, Yongchang Prefecture is a key strategic location for the Great Ming's garrisons, and its people have always been resilient! In ancient times, Zhuge Wuhou stationed his troops here to pacify the southern regions; moreover, Wuhou prioritized winning over hearts and minds, capturing and releasing Meng Huo seven times. The people of Han and Yi were all sincerely convinced and have revered him as a deity for a thousand years!
I believe that since the country is in crisis, the people of Yongchang will surely rise to the occasion. I will use the name of Zhuge Wuhou's southern campaign to issue proclamations to the villages. The young men of the county, thinking of Wuhou as a deity and remembering the merits of their ancestors in guarding the borders, will surely flock to join. It is not impossible to form an army overnight…"
As his words fell,
Applause erupted.
You Jujing said:
"Excellent! Grand Secretary Zhu's brilliant strategy!"
"Indeed!"
"Extremely astute!"
"There is no other way!"
"An army formed overnight!"
"…"
Seeing that several of his subordinate commanders were also agreeing, Mu Zhaobi sighed inwardly: this Zhu Mo is indeed difficult to deal with. I intended to imprison him in Yongchang, but it seems I can only defeat Mang Yinglong first…
With this thought,
He finally nodded, and at the same time glared fiercely at Wang Daren.
Wang Daren thought to himself: Old Mu, it's not that I'm going back on my word after taking your money, but they hold my life in their hands…
He immediately exclaimed loudly:
"Grand Secretary Zhu, I believe this is divine will! Everyone, think about it, Scholar Zhu just arrived in Yunnan and Guizhou and inexplicably became the military advisor? And Zhuge Wuhou was also the military advisor for the Han Dynasty! Is this not divine will?"
Hoo!
All the generals nodded heavily.
You must know that they were all military men and had always placed great importance on omens in war. Besides fighting desperately, they also relied on luck. Moreover, everyone knew that Zhu Mo was a great lucky general. It was rumored that in the Battle of Huating, he inexplicably avoided a triangular grave, and that grave later indeed killed twenty-one people.
This, is it not divine protection?
Is Zhu Mo not a man of great fortune?
With this thought,
Not a single person in the entire tent harbored any doubt.
Zhu Mo immediately had someone take down a white cloth and wrote a banner on the spot –
"The Great Ming's Military Advisor's Southern Campaign to Select Soldiers: Those who fear death need not apply!"