Traveling through time and space and becoming a deposed prince, he just wants to survive!

Chapter 417 Yan Ruxiang’s Military Power

The disastrous defeat of Deng Liu's army was like a heavy hammer that shattered the balance of the situation in Shangjun, but it also meant that the Dingbian Army in Shangjun had gained relative stability from then on.

Chu Xuliang took advantage of Wei He's injury and decided to focus on training some Di soldiers to use artillery.

He knew very well that in this era of war, mastering advanced weapons and skillful use of them were the key to determining victory or defeat.

Three days later, shocking news came from Yanzhou.

Yan Ruxiang attacked Yanzhou and eventually withdrew his troops eastward.

However, what they did not know was that the reason why Yan Ruxiang failed to capture Yanzhou was not because of lack of strength, but because of the shortage of food in the army, coupled with deep concerns about possible attacks from behind, so he had no choice but to leave with his troops.

Upon learning this intelligence, Zhao Hong excitedly rushed to Shangjun and quickly reorganized the artillery workshop. He recruited a large number of workers, many of whom were Di miners, to mine iron ore and other materials.

When Zhao Qin learned of Yan Ruxiang's failure, he did not hesitate to ask someone to write a letter to Sima Ling, putting all the blame on Yan Ruxiang.

At the same time, Yan Ruxiang's military power was ruthlessly removed.

Shi Yongzhi and others were full of dissatisfaction, but Yan Ruxiang, taking into account the current unstable military morale, understood that bearing all the consequences himself might be the best outcome at the moment.

As a result, Qian Dazhuang successfully took over the military power of the remnants of Yan Ruxiang and was promoted to the rank of general.

Deng Liu was also severely punished. A lieutenant general was demoted to a centurion and kept in the army for observation.

Deng Liu was filled with indignation at this unfair treatment and resolutely applied for resignation, and instead joined Yan Ruxiang's personal guard.

Originally, Shi Yongzhi also wanted to resign and follow Yan Ruxiang, but was persuaded by Yan Ruxiang.

"Yongzhi, stay. I will be back."

Seeing the old general who had been so kind to him say this, Shi Yongzhi's eyes flashed with tears, but he could only stay in the army and wait for the opportunity silently.

"General, are you going to leave me?"

Shi Yongzhi, with tears in his eyes, watched his five hundred personal guards packing their belongings, his voice anxious and trembling.

"There's no point in staying here. I have no choice but to regroup and regain my lost territory someday."

Yan Ruxiang held Shi Yongzhi's shoulders and forced a smile, but that smile was filled with endless bitterness and helplessness.

Deng Liu didn't have much to pack. Now he was alone. The fifty guards in the team had disappeared in order to protect him in the last battle.

Although the water level at the Yellow River ferry is shallow in winter, the waves are still surging and showing no sign of weakness.

The boat had already passed the center of the river, but Shi Yongzhi was still gazing blankly at the shore, as if he wanted to engrave the receding figure deeply in his heart.

……

A month later.

Master Lu ran towards the workshop area happily, walking hurriedly along the way, looking for Zhao Sheng everywhere.

When he walked into the small dining room of the cafeteria, he found that Mr. Zhao was having a pleasant conversation with a middle-aged man.

"Alas, I came at the wrong time."

Master Lu said this somewhat awkwardly, with an awkward smile on his face.

"It's okay. This is General Yan. He will be the garrison general of Yuanshi County from now on. He will work with Yuan Shan to protect our southwest gate."

Indeed, the person sitting in the restaurant was Yan Ruxiang, who had come to seek refuge. After arriving in Luancheng, he chose to join Zhao Sheng. Originally, he wanted to organize an army and march to Qin to drive Zhao Hong away.

But after Zhao Sheng's patient counseling, he decided to stay in Luancheng and serve as a garrison general in Yuanshi County. Yuan Shan then made him a county magistrate in order to reduce his military power.

"Oh, so you are the general. I am a craftsman, and I make a living here, Your Majesty."

Master Lu had a smile on his face and there was a hint of playfulness in his words.

"Hello, Master Lu. I'm also trying to make a living here. We're all the same!"

Yan Ruxiang had been in a much better mood recently after Zhao Sheng's counseling. Seeing Master Lu joking with him, he naturally responded with a joke.

After a round of greetings, Zhao Sheng saw that Master Lu looked hurried and couldn't help asking, "Master Lu, you came here in such a hurry, is there something good?"

Master Lu ignored Zhao Sheng and stared at the table. It was already late noon, but the dishes on the table were still almost complete.

Zhao Sheng understood what he meant and knew that the old man must not have eaten lunch, so he immediately winked at Liang Dong.

The latter understood instantly and turned around and walked out of the restaurant.

"Master Lu, if you're hungry, please eat something first. Guard Liang is going to get the tableware."

Looking at Master Lu who was drooling with greed, Zhao Sheng said happily, his tone full of concern.

"My Lord, you are the Prince Consort of Luancheng, and you only eat three dishes for two people?"

Master Lu pointed at the dining table with a hint of sarcasm in his tone.

On the table was a braised carp weighing three or four pounds, a pot of duck stewed with wolfberries, and a pot of stir-fried lamb chops with green onions. The seasonings were sprinkled thickly on top, and the aroma was fragrant.

"Oh, Chef Lu is complaining that there aren't enough dishes. I'll ask the kitchen to make two more..."

Although there were only three dishes, none of them were large enough for two people to finish. Although Zhao Sheng was a little speechless, he had great respect for Master Lu and naturally would not make a fuss about it, let alone lose face for him.

At this time, Liang Dong walked in and placed the tableware neatly in front of Master Lu.

"Liang Dong, go ask the kitchen to prepare two more dishes."

Mr. Zhao explained immediately.

"Don't bother the kitchen. I just came in and saw half a pot of tofu and vegetables. I think it's good. Just scoop a bowl."

When Liang Dong heard Master Lu say this, he felt a little embarrassed and turned his gaze to Zhao Sheng.

In fact, Zhao Sheng has always advocated thrift. After all, Dingzhou is not very rich at present.

Although he is not short of money, he never advocates living a life of luxury and debauchery.

Seeing Master Lu being so polite, Zhao Sheng nodded secretly to Liang Dong.

There was a coal stove burning in the room, and the temperature was not very low, but the food on the table was already cold.

"Sir, the steam engine we developed last time was too large. Under your guidance, we developed a direct-fired backfire furnace, and it's a vertical one."

Mr. Zhao was confused by Master Lu's words. What did a direct-fired furnace mean? And a vertical one at that?

Seeing that Zhao Sheng didn't say anything, Yan Ruxiang thought that he was an outsider and it was not convenient for him to participate in these technical discussions, so he quickly stood up and said:

"Commander-in-Chief, I will take up my post immediately and will not delay any longer."

Zhao Sheng was pulled back from his tangled thoughts by Yan Ruxiang's words. He looked at Yan Ruxiang and said, "No matter how urgent it is, you have to finish your meal and leave. I was just wondering what direct combustion back into the furnace means."

Yan Ruxiang realized that he had misunderstood Zhao Sheng, so he could only sit down again and listen to what they said.

Seeing that Zhao Sheng didn't understand, Master Lu put down the lamb chops in his hand, chewed them a few times faster, and said after swallowing the lamb:

"Initially, our boiler burned the water inside to generate power, which then drove the machine. Your Majesty, you said that it could be made into an internal combustion engine..."

Zhao Sheng listened very carefully. He saw Master Lu grab the wine in front of him and take a sip without any sign of disgust.