Liang Shanbo serves as a military advisor, leading elite troops as the vanguard.

Chapter 131 Liang Shanbo serves as a military advisor, leading elite troops as the vanguard.

Since taking over the Guangling General's Mansion, Xie Xuan has set aside a quiet study room in the mansion, which serves as both a place for reading and governing.

The study was not grand, with clean walls and only a map hanging on the wall. On the low table were military registers and books, as well as writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones.

When Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai entered the study, Xie Xuan was sitting alone by a low table, dressed in his everyday official robes, looking very clear-headed.

The two stepped forward, and Liang Shanbo straightened his clothes and bowed, saying, "Shanbo greets my lord."

Previously, Xie Xuan had not held an official position, so Liang Shanbo referred to him as "Master." Now that Xie Xuan has been officially appointed by the court, he should be addressed as "Lord" in private and "General" in public, which is the usual practice for his former students and officials to address their master.

Zhu Yingtai bowed in response. Although she was dressed as a man, she spoke in a woman's voice: "Yingtai greets the General."

Xie Xuan sized up the two of them. Liang Shanbo was dressed in a smart outfit, with a sword hanging at his waist, looking heroic and upright; Zhu Yingtai was dressed as a man, exuding a unique and dashing spirit.

He nodded and pointed to Lin Xi across the low table: "No need to be so formal. You two have come from afar, sit down and let's talk in detail."

After Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai thanked him, they knelt down side by side opposite Xie Xuan.

Xie Xuan looked at Zhu Yingtai again, a smile appearing on his face: "I knew you would come to join the army with Shanbo this time, because you are not the kind of woman who would be willing to stay alone in your room. As expected, you've come, so be it. Although there are no female generals in my Guangling army, there is no rule that generals are not allowed to bring their families."

Zhu Yingtai smiled sweetly: "General, your eyes are so discerning. Yingtai's thoughts are indeed not hidden from you. Wherever Liang Lang goes, Yingtai will go. This is what Yingtai said to him when they pledged their lives to each other, and it is a promise that Yingtai cherishes for the rest of her life."

"I am deeply grateful to the General for his favor and guidance, and for nurturing me along the way. However, I am ultimately a woman, unable to lead troops into battle like Liang Lang, unable to personally serve the General on the battlefield. If I were a man, I would surely have followed the General, clad in armor and wielding weapons, to repay your kindness."

Xie Xuan waved his hand and said with a smile, "As long as you are here, Shanbo can stay in Guangling with peace of mind. This is already you serving me."

There was one more thing he didn't say.

That is, with Zhu Yingtai here, Liang Shanbo would be even more loyal. A commander-in-chief values ​​morale above all else. When a general brings his family to the camp, the family serves as a form of control over the general, preventing him from easily harboring other thoughts and making him even more loyal and diligent. Xie Xuan understood this, as did Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai, but neither of them would voice it.

Xie Xuan then said to Zhu Yingtai, "My wife has also come to Guangling with me this time and is staying in the back residence of this general's mansion. She got along well with you when she was in Shining and she misses you. When you are free, you can spend more time with her, whether you play chess or have a chat, it's up to you."

Furthermore, many of our military staff members have also brought their wives and families to live in Guangling City. You can spend more time with them in the future. Guangling is not like Shangyu; the winters are bitterly cold, and it is a military town on the frontier. Women here may inevitably feel bored and lonely. More interaction will help them pass the time.

Zhu Yingtai quickly cupped her hands in thanks and said, "Thank you for your consideration, General. I will remember it and will certainly pay my respects to you, Madam."

Xie Xuan nodded, said no more to her, turned to Liang Shanbo, his gaze sharpened slightly, and his tone became more serious: "Xiao Hu just reported to me that you encountered a large group of bandits robbing a merchant caravan on the official road into the city. You led your troops to their aid and fought with the bandits. Tell me about this in detail."

Liang Shanbo immediately gave a detailed report on the matter, concluding, "The merchant caravan we rescued this time comes from the Su family in Huaibei. The Su family's daughter is named Wanhui. She went south to Jiangzuo to purchase goods on behalf of her father and is about to return to Huaibei. She has already entered Guangling City with us and said she wants to pay her respects to the general in person. She is currently waiting outside the general's mansion."

Xie Xuan nodded: "I will see her later."

He continued, "Now, in the Jianghuai region, refugees are rising up everywhere, defeated soldiers are scattered all over the land, and countless people have turned into bandits. Even in the Guangling area, there are quite a few. I have only been in office for three days, and I have a thousand and one things to deal with. I cannot spare the time to clear out this area for the time being. However, I have ordered that the guards and patrols in the Guangling area be strengthened. A patrol post has been set up every few miles along the official road around Guangling City, with people on duty day and night."

Today, Xiao Hu led his patrol team on patrol and received a warning from the patrol post about a large group of bandits plundering the caravan. He rushed over, but was still a step too late. Fortunately, you arrived in time with your team and personally took up arms, saving the caravan.

You need not worry about the bandits for now. I will continue to increase patrols and send more troops to inspect the official roads and ferry crossings to ensure the safety of merchants and travelers. When the time is right, I will also mobilize troops to wipe out the bandits in Guangling and bring peace to the region. Right now, the most important thing is not to suppress the bandits, but to build a new army.”

Liang Shanbogong confirmed it.

Xie Xuan sat upright, his expression becoming solemn: "This time, I have been ordered to oversee all military affairs in Jiangbei. You, Liang Shanbo, I appoint you as my military advisor, leading elite troops as the vanguard. Xiao Hu will serve as your military advisor and supervisor, assisting you."

Liang Shanbo was immediately overjoyed.

Xiao Hu had already told him on the way that he was aware of the position of military officer, and he also knew that Xiao Hu would be his military supervisor. However, he was hearing the words "leading elite troops as the vanguard" for the first time. The weight of this phrase was far greater than that of an ordinary military officer.

The official title of "military advisor" was "military advisor". They were important military officers recruited by the military government. Their main job was to serve as military staff officers, attend military meetings, and participate in military decision-making.

Xie Xuan appointed Liang Shanbo as a military advisor and ordered him to "lead the elite vanguard." This meant that Liang Shanbo was not only Xie Xuan's military strategist but also exercised the authority to command troops in his capacity as an advisor, and he was in charge of the most elite vanguard of the entire army. Once a battle broke out, he would be the front-line commander who donned armor and charged into battle.

This position is undeniably powerful. Not only is it powerful, but it also means that he is most likely to earn merit, most likely to stand out, and most likely to quickly distinguish himself in the military, where promotions are based on military achievements.

The Eastern Jin Dynasty had a strict system of powerful clans. The Ministry of Personnel always valued family background and official rank in appointments, making it extremely difficult for people from humble backgrounds to rise to high positions through the official channels of the court.

However, recruitment by the military government and appointment by the Ministry of Personnel of the imperial court are two completely different paths.

The Ministry of Personnel considered family background, while the military government considered ability; the Ministry of Personnel focused on origin, while the military government focused on military achievements. Especially at a time when the Former Qin was exerting increasing pressure and border troubles were intensifying, Xie Xuan, as the commander-in-chief overseeing military affairs in Jiangbei, had full autonomy and could directly appoint whomever he deemed suitable without the approval of the Ministry of Personnel.

Even Zhu Yingtai understood the significance of this appointment. She turned to look at Brother Liang beside her, her eyes filled with pride and self-satisfaction.

The boy who once studied diligently at Wansong Academy and practiced archery in the pine forest behind the mountain has finally stood on this stage where he can display all the knowledge he has learned in his life.

Liang Shanbo stood up, straightened his clothes, and bowed solemnly to Xie Xuan. After straightening up, he said, "My lord trusts me so much and has entrusted me with such an important task. I am both grateful and apprehensive."

Shanbo is grateful that his lord did not discriminate against him because of his humble origins and youth, but instead promoted him to a high position and entrusted him with important responsibilities. Shanbo will never forget this kindness and virtue.

The fearful man knew that serving in the army was already a heavy responsibility, especially leading the vanguard of elite troops. Although Shanbo was well-versed in military strategy and had diligently practiced martial arts, he had never personally experienced battle. The battlefield was ever-changing, and it was ultimately different from military drills.

Shanbo dared not boast that he would certainly fulfill his mission, but he could swear to his lord: he would dedicate all his learning and effort to repay his lord's kindness and support; he would lead by example, charging ahead, never tarnishing his lord's reputation, nor betraying his lord's exceptional cultivation.

Xie Xuan remained outwardly calm, but inwardly he was secretly pleased. This Shanbo, though young, was indeed a rare find—able to act with composure and responsibility. Having accepted the heavy responsibility, he neither became so apprehensive as to lose his edge, nor so arrogant as to lose his humility. Instead, he frankly admitted his shortcomings and made a promise with equal candor. Such character was something even seasoned generals might not possess.

Xie Xuan remained solemn and continued, "Shanbo, I am taking a great risk in entrusting you with this important task."

Although you possess both literary and martial talents, exceptional martial skills, and are well-versed in military strategy—all of which I have witnessed firsthand and am fully aware of—you are still only eighteen years old. You have never been on the battlefield, never led troops in battle. This is something that some in the court will inevitably use against you. Even my uncle, Lord Anshi, while praising you highly, has reservations about my arrangement and instructed me that while one can be bold in employing people, one must not be reckless and must personally supervise the process.”

Therefore, listen carefully. I will personally supervise and oversee this elite vanguard force. I will observe how you select soldiers, organize them, and train them. If you perform poorly and are unable to shoulder this heavy responsibility, I will replace you without hesitation and give you a more experienced person to lead this vanguard. This is a matter of national importance and allows no ambiguity. There is no room for joking in the military, do you understand?

Before Liang Shanbo could respond, Xie Xuan continued, "Furthermore, Xiao Hu is only twenty years old this year and has limited battlefield experience. My decision to appoint him as your military advisor and assistant is also a risk."

My reason for this arrangement is that I know he and you both graduated from Wansong Academy, are close friends who know each other well, and that you two are compatible and familiar with each other. On the battlefield, tacit understanding and trust between comrades are crucial. If the two of you can cooperate seamlessly on the battlefield, then my use of personnel this time will be a success.”

Liang Shanbo felt both awe and gratitude. Xie Xuan's words weren't meant to belittle him, but rather to lay bare his true situation and considerations. Xie Xuan was using his reputation and judgment to endorse Liang Shanbo, telling him: I believe you, but I also have my own pressures; don't disappoint me.

Liang Shanbo bowed to Xie Xuan again: "I have kept every word of your teachings in mind. I am well aware of the risks and high expectations you have placed on me in this extraordinary promotion."

The elite vanguard that my lord has entrusted to me, I will carefully select, arrange, and train. If there are any mistakes, I will take the blame and would never dare to cause my lord any trouble.

As for Brother Xiao, Shanbo spent two years with him at the academy, and he knows his temperament, strengths, and weaknesses very well. He is indeed suitable to be Shanbo's military advisor and protector.

Xie Xuan nodded, his stern expression finally fading, replaced by an expectant look: "Good. This time, I have widely recruited tenacious and brave men, gathering refugees from Xu, Chong, and Qing prefectures, as well as veteran generals from the Jianghuai region, to form a new army. Your task is to quickly select and assemble an elite vanguard capable of fighting tough battles and overcoming obstacles, with a tentative strength of two thousand men. You will settle in the city for the next two days, and officially take office the day after tomorrow."

Liang Shanbo accepted the order.

Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai emerged from the study, where Xiao Hu was waiting outside, leaning against a pillar in a daze. Seeing the two come out, Xiao Hu hurried forward, eagerly lowering his voice to ask, "How did it go? What did the general say?"

Liang Shanbo smiled slightly and briefly explained the main points of the appointment.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Hu's tiger-like eyes lit up, and he lowered his voice but could not hide his pride: "Great! Brother Liang, as the military advisor, you are leading the elite troops as the vanguard. I, as the military advisor and supervisor, can now follow you to the front lines! I have been in Guangling for the past few months, and I have been looking forward to fighting the Qin soldiers with real swords and spears. Now I finally have something to look forward to."

Brother Liang, with our brothers united, our strength can break metal! We will surely make a name for ourselves in Jiangbei and let those Qin soldiers see our true capabilities!

Liang Shanbo nodded slightly.

-

At this moment, his heart was filled with countless emotions, surging like a tide.

Xiao Hu was a member of the Xiao family of Qiantang. The Xiao family was a powerful local clan with strong military force, and their background was far superior to his.

But now, Liang Shanbo has become a military advisor, and Xiao Hu has become his assistant military supervisor. Moreover, as a military advisor, he leads elite troops as the vanguard, a position of great importance and power.

This is precisely the meaning of a comeback!

If he hadn't diligently studied and cultivated himself at Wansong Academy, earning the favor of Mr. Meng Wenlang; if Mr. Meng hadn't written a letter recommending him to Xie Xuan; if he hadn't demonstrated his true abilities in all aspects of life before Xie Xuan—such as engaging in philosophical discussions, composing poems, debating military strategy, archery, wrestling, and chess—how could a poor boy from a declining family have been granted such an important position at the young age of eighteen? How could he have found such a smooth path to achieving merit and fame throughout the world?

He recalled the band of bandits he had encountered on the official road earlier that day.

Among the bandits in the Jianghuai region, many were originally farmers, law-abiding citizens, and even sons of poor families. They were forced to take risks and become bandits who lived on the edge of death due to the chaos of war and the oppressive labor.

If Liang Shanbo hadn't chosen to study diligently at Wansong Academy, hadn't seized the opportunity presented by Mr. Meng, and hadn't strived to gain Xie Xuan's favor, then even with his extraordinary memory and physical abilities, what good would they have done?

He might join the army and start as a lowly soldier, hoping to survive and slowly climb the ranks amidst mountains of corpses and seas of blood. But if he became a bandit, his future would be even more bleak. To conquer the world and become its new ruler through this path would undoubtedly be extremely difficult, with little chance of success. Even if Zhu Yingtai followed him, she would inevitably suffer alongside him.

The path he is now taking, from Wansong Academy to Xie Xuan's school, from a poor student to a soldier leading the vanguard, is the best way to become the new ruler of the world.

He then thought of Liu Yu, the founding emperor of the Southern Song Dynasty, who had established himself as the Jin Dynasty in the previous generation.

Liu Yu was unmatched in bravery and might among emperors throughout history, and was hailed by later generations as the emperor with the strongest personal combat power. However, even a figure like Liu Yu was already fifty-eight years old when he finally usurped the throne from the Jin dynasty and ascended the throne. He only reigned for two years before passing away from illness, leaving behind a vast empire that he could not take with him.

Therefore, choosing the right path is very important. It not only needs to be feasible, but it also needs to be fast.

Unlike Liu Yu, Liang Shanbo could not exhaust his entire life to reach that position, only to pass away soon afterward.

He wanted to become the new ruler of the world as quickly as possible, so that the world would no longer belong to the Sima family, nor to powerful clans, nor to Fu Jian, the ruler of Qin.