In the bamboo forest outside the main hall, a group of jade butterflies with transparent and snow-white wings, like tulle, and bodies like ice crystals, flew up. In the dark snow, dance with all your might.

This is the last moment of life of this endemic insect of the Netherworld.

They glowed like pearls in the snow, still fluttering around the green branches with their wings gently and rhythmically. The ice-crystal-like body also shimmered faintly in the dimness under the dark clouds.

When the snow stops, they retreat to the flowers and plants, lay eggs with all their might, and then die peacefully when the clouds clear and the clouds cover the earth again.

On the next snowy day, when the yin qi is extremely strong, the eggs that have been sleeping for a long time will be broken, the larvae will hatch, and then in a short period of time they will turn into butterflies, and then take off and dance, like a graceful and graceful dance in the air, flying up and down with the wind and snow.

The newborn Jade Luan Butterfly will also be like the Jade Luan Butterfly flying in the snow now, every time it waves its wings, it can always pass through the fleeting blue light in the snowflakes flying in the air.

The first time Xiao Shizhu saw this insect was on a snowy night on Shuoyue Island, when flocks of jade butterflies flew out of the stone forest on the sea one after another, drawing out a faint blue light, like a meteor leaping, illuminating and dotting the night sky. At that time, Xiao Shizhu also felt that this thing was magical, and after knowing their habits, he called it the most ephemeral beauty.

Even if life is fleeting, these jade butterflies will do their best to dance the last dance, which is the most beautiful place for jade butterflies.

Xiao Shizhu in the lobby room, today is not the beautiful scenery outside the house, he leaned on the throne in the room with the hand stove, and said categorically to the ghost mother who took a deep breath beside him: "No, that person is to see gynecology and obstetrics, and I am not a female ghost, look for him to see a doctor for me, aren't you afraid that he will prescribe black chicken and white phoenix pills for me to eat?"

He rarely sits on the throne upright, unless there is an important occasion, otherwise, he basically sits as comfortable as he wants.

Anyway, there are no outsiders in the house now, so Xiao Shizhu won't pay too much attention to it.

"Su Su can also dispense medicine, so let her dispense medicine for me first. As for the matter of seeing a doctor, let's wait until the national teacher Yingying comes back. After a pause, Xiao Shizhu glanced at the ghost mother gently but firmly, freed one hand, held the stove with one hand, held the ghost mother's hand with the other, pinched the other party's slender white hand with moderate strength, and comforted the ghost mother with a rare soft voice: "Don't worry, Hu Hui used to say that I was a cat." Since it is a cat, it has nine lives, how can it be so easy to die. Don't look at me like this, but my life will be long. Huang Quan walked once and took my life at most, and there are eight more. I have eight lives left, and I'm going to die early. ”。

The ghost mother, who was still worried, was amused by him and laughed, and her worries suddenly decreased a little.

In the ghost mother's giggles, Xiao Shizhu also raised the corners of his mouth and smiled.

He knew his own body, and those words were also half-truths and half-truths, most of them were words of comfort to reassure his wife.

He also knew that he had more than ten years to live at most. But this is not a foregone conclusion, there is still a glimmer of life, and he can regain an endless life.

The premise is that within these ten years, he must take the blood pool.

It's extremely difficult, it's like climbing to the sky.

But Xiao Shizhu can't turn back, and he must continue to walk down.

"The ministers are coming, so let's gather our minds and settle down, and we will first discuss the matters that are to be discussed before us and come to a conclusion. Xiao Shizhu gently patted the back of the ghost man's hand on the armrest of the throne and said, "My affairs can still be slow and not in the way." ”。

As he spoke, the main entrance of the lobby opened, and the wind blew in a few snowflakes that fell on the outside of the door.

The snowflakes only swirled around the house a few times, and then melted.

Chen Ruo walked in with Xiao Shizhu's blouse, and according to Xiao Shizhu's request, Chen Ruo only brought a brocade blouse. The smock is knee-length, half-sleeved, the shoulders are embroidered with the sun, moon and moire, and the cuffs are covered with flowers and the water pattern of the Lechuan River.

The outside of this blouse is indeed satin, but the inside is lined with a layer of fine velvet, which is very warm.

Xiao Shizhu put down the hand stove, took the smock and put it on.

In the house again, the fire is still lit, and Xiao Shizhu has returned to normal.

After a while, some of the ministers of the Central Council arrived. Except for those who did not come on business outside Beijing, the members of the Central Council in Beijing, even those who were Xiu Mu were temporarily canceled and all of them were present.

Lu Wu Chunyun, Jiang Ziwen, and Lei Yun were the first to enter, and after saluting, they sat down left and right in front of Xiao Shizhu's ghost mother.

Subsequently, there were Lin Cong and Changqin, Wu Xiaoshen, the commander of the forbidden army, and Julong, who had just returned from the Dongyingzhou area, and the sailors who had just returned to Beijing.

The ghosts bowed to Xiao Shizhu and the ghost mother one by one and sat down, and Chen Ruo and Qinglan left the house in the hall and went to make tea.

"There is nothing else to discuss today, it is still a matter from Dongyingzhou. Xiao Shizhu got straight to the point and said bluntly: "The rainy season over there in Dongyingzhou is coming to an end, and you also know that our long-stagnant offensive is about to continue. Today I am going to discuss this matter, I mean, another war is the end of the war, once the war starts, we can no longer stop, we must firmly control Dongyingzhou in our hands, so that it becomes our territory. ”。

As soon as Xiao Shizhu finished speaking, a serious and tense atmosphere spread in the hall room, and the ministers below and left and right tensed up all over their bodies, and Chunyun stood up suddenly, nodded, and replied sonorously: "The minister agrees with the king's proposal, and the second war is the end of the war, so that our country can enter recuperation after the first war, which is very necessary." Otherwise, the war drags on for too long, and it consumes even more. ”。

Chunyun has firmness in his eyes and confidence in his heart. As the minister of military administration and military endowment of the Nine Shadows Kingdom, Chunyun knows the combat effectiveness of all regions and armies well.

Knowing that the Nine Shadows Army was sure to swallow up the divided countries of Dongying Continent one by one.

She had absolutely no objection to Xiao Shizhu's proposal, and raised her hands in favor.

"Yes, it is with this in mind that I have planned and decided in this way. Xiao Shizhu said this, and immediately turned his head to look at Lu Wu opposite Chunyun.

"This year, we received a large amount of compensation from the Beiyin Dynasty, and last year we only fought a war with the Beiyin Dynasty, and the scope of the war was only in a few areas on the north coast and the waters near Shuoyue Island, and the impact was not large. In other places, most areas have had bumper harvests. Lu Wu understood, and immediately continued: "The weapons production of the ordnance supervisors in various places and near the capital city have also been delivered on schedule and in quantity, the armaments and rations are sufficient, the manpower and labor force are sufficient, and there is no problem in starting a big war." ”。

"What about the money and military salary?" Xiao Shizhu showed a hint of satisfaction, and at the same time asked in a very calm tone: "What about the follow-up transfer to Dongyingzhou to be an official and ghost official for post-war reconstruction?"

"The students who have only graduated from the academy in the past two years have at least three or four hundred ghosts to choose from. After thinking in his heart for a while, Lu Wu replied frankly, "As for the money, there are still some surpluses in the treasury and the military treasury, which is enough for the military salary subsidy of 800,000 troops for one year. ”。

"Millions of hectares of fertile land near the five spiritual canals in central Beijing have been rich in grain in recent years. Jiang Ziwen sat upright, took over and added: "The cangli grain cellars in the northern, central and eastern regions of Xuanyan Continent are also full of all capacities. Near the capital, the 20 Taicangs with a capacity of 80,000 stones in the belly of the hills and mountains are also full. If necessary, military rations could be transferred from these places. ”。

"What else?" Xiao Shizhu pondered for a moment and asked again, turning the antler wrench on his finger.

But after the wrench turned gently in his hand two or three times, Xiao Shizhu raised his head again and looked at Lu Wu.

Lu Wu was stunned by his question, and asked blankly: "King, what else is there?"

"The king asks you, after removing all this surplus money, does my country still have any money left?" Xiao Shizhu, who had a faint complexion, was silent, but the ghost mother opened her mouth and said unhurriedly.

"Yes, there is, the remnants of the underworld treasury in various places and in the capital are absolutely sufficient, and the amount of money is enough for our national expenses for five years. But that's a special fund for civil and infrastructure purposes. I don't know if it's too hot in the middle of the house, Lu Wu sweat beads on his forehead, after raising his hand to wipe the hot sweat, he didn't dare to hide it, and hurriedly returned: "This is still the fifth year of Jiuyou, the decree signed by the king and ** together." Tianlu Pavilion and Langhuan Tower have already been archived. ”。

"I didn't say that I would use it in war, but I must abide by my own rules. Xiao Shizhu glanced at Lu Wu, stopped turning his fingers, and said lightly: "But, don't you have to use all this money for the post-war reconstruction of Dongyingzhou?"

But there is still a trace of dissatisfaction in my heart, because the savings are only enough for five years.

Xiao Shizhu originally believed that the underworld should have ten years or more of deposits and uses.

"Yes. Lu Wu nodded and lowered his head slightly, and replied with such a word.

Chen Ruo and Qing Lan just turned back, holding hot tea in their hands, and served them to all the adults one by one, and the serious tension in the hall was somewhat relieved.

"The minister should also be prepared to send a ghost messenger to Dongyingzhou. Lei Yun took the hot tea, held the saucer under the teacup in one hand, picked up the quilt cover in the other, and when he scraped the tea in the cup, his eyes were calm, his face became solemn, and he said: "Every time the ghost army captures a place, it must be necessary for the ghost army to immediately put into work to stabilize order, and then restore order and stability." ”。

"Yes, Xia Xing is recuperating, this is your Lei Yun's job. You go to the Investigation Division and the Punishment Division to inform them, and let them also select officials who can go to Dongyingzhou to form a branch. Xiao Shizhu, who took a sip of hot tea, raised his head and looked at Lei Yun, and said, "But it's later, wait for the Qingqiu Fox King's visit to Beijing to end, and then inform them after he leaves for China." ”。

Xiao Shizhu arranged this way, naturally in order not to reveal the slightest trace of the movement in advance. And this matter has basically become a foregone conclusion.

The battle of Dongyingzhou must be fought, and Xiao Shizhu is also determined to win against Dongyingzhou.

The ministers were also unfazed and confident. The supplies, money and food are still sufficient, so there is nothing to worry about.

The only one who has concerns is Lin Cong. But this man's soul has always been calm, and he doesn't speak impulsively when he thinks of anything. He was the same as Wu Xiaoshen at this time, just silently sipping tea without saying a word.

"Gonggong, what about the arrangement of the sailor?" the ghost mother then asked.

"Gongyuan is between Yunmengzhou and Dongyizhou, and has established a sailor base. The southern ports of Dongyizhou and Dongyingzhou have been completed before the end of the previous year. Gonggong put down his teacup, sat upright, and replied: "The air cavalry, flying thunder vehicles and flying troops selected from all over the country are also being dispatched to various warships, ports, and naval bases in a step-by-step manner, and General Yurong is in charge of this matter, and everything is going well." ”。

"At present, the scope of China's sea-air coordinated operations has spread all over the entire Huangquan Sea and the southern part of Qinglong Sea. After a pause, the co-worker said proudly: "If any war breaks out in these areas, each of our seaports and garrisons can be rushed to war within one or two hours." ”。

Xiao Shizhu listened, the expression on his face did not change, but he still felt that it was too slow in his heart.

He had also led his troops in battle, and knew that in an hour or two, it would be possible to end a war of small and medium-sized scale.

However, after thinking about it, the army of the Nine Shadows Kingdom has powerful weapons and some divine and ghost arts, and the defense line is strong, and the attack can be like a bamboo.

Once attacked by the enemy, it is not a problem to hold on for an hour or two with a firm and strong hold on to the danger.

Xiao Shizhu, who was calm, no longer worried about this matter.

These can be rebuilt slowly, and the first task at hand is to attack the area north of Dongyingzhou.

"Okay, once the war starts, it is necessary for the naval warship fleet to blockade the coastal waters of Dongyingzhou, take off with the ship's air forces, launch an air attack, and strike at the target area. Xiao Shizhu's expectant gaze looked at the co-workers, "With the cooperation and coordination of the water master, you will have to control it when the time comes." ”。

Although the co-worker was still cross-legged on the chair with his long tail, he immediately straightened his waist and back, and replied to Xiao Shizhu sonorously: "No!"

"My lord. Lin Cong, who was worried, put the teacup on the small table in his hand and stood up: "The Northern Yin Dynasty is already secretly selling grain, grass and medicinal herbs to all parts of Dongyingzhou. The minister has checked that such a practice does not violate the peace treaty between our two countries at all, but it will strengthen our enemies in Dongyingzhou. My lord, your policy of fighting again is the final battle, but I am afraid that it will become a pipe dream. ”。

The other ministers were suddenly startled when they heard this, and they all turned their heads, and their surprised and surprised eyes staggered and fell on Lin Cong, who was already standing opposite Xiao Shizhu and the ghost mother.

It was precisely because Lin Cong finally said daydreaming that he poured a basin of cold water on everyone and Xiao Shizhu who were on the rise.

"That's right, Lin Cong is also thoughtful, but this may not be a pipe dream. "Xiao Shizhu, who was poured a basin of cold water, did not feel angry because of the fun, but praised Lin Cong very much," he continued. ”。

"No. Lin Cong bowed slightly, bowed and straightened up: "My lord has thought about it, even if we launch an attack and go north along the west coast, the Beiyin Dynasty still has the east coast for ship transportation." That being the case, it is better not to launch the first attack on land just yet. ”。

At this point, Xiao Shizhu had already stood up and paced to the side.

Behind him, next to the screen, hung a map.

It is the map of Dongyingzhou in the underworld, and the focus of Xiao Shizhu's recent military operations is on this land, and this map has always been hung in the Central Council.

"It's more advantageous to hit the coastal islands on the west coast first. Lin Cong got the order and continued: "First, it is easier to support the strategy set by the king to attack according to the coastline on land. Second, after the siege of the city, you can support the soldiers who hold on to prevent the enemy from counterattacking. In this way, no matter how much the enemy gets the support of the Northern Yin Dynasty, the threat to us will not be too great. ”。

Lin Cong knew that once Xiao Shizhu started a war, he would definitely take the lead in the western part of Dongyingzhou and the northwest region. Combined with all kinds of information, he gave Xiao Shizhu this advice.

"Come to Lin Cong, look at the map, and give a more detailed advice. Immediately after, Xiao Shizhu waved behind him. Lin Cong immediately walked up.

Lin Cong, who was standing beside Xiao Shizhu, raised his eyes to look at the map in front of him, stared intently at the landscape pattern on it, and pondered.

Lin Cong's gaze kept circling back and forth near Yitian Mountain.

The military generals not far away were also in deep thought.

They are all battle-hardened veterans, and they also know that Lin Cong's advice is reasonable. It's just that I don't know for a while, which island on the west coast of Dongyingzhou should be attacked?

After all, the islands on the west coast of Dongyingzhou are too scattered.

And it's not big, and some of them can only be regarded as reefs, not islands.

"Here. After a long time, the thoughtful Lin Cong raised his hand and pointed to the map, "Liubo Island." ”。

Before the words came out, Lin Cong paused, and said: "Liubo is only more than seventy miles away from the area west of the Yitian Mountain, and the two major ports along the coast. The island covers an area of more than 500 hectares, surrounded by hills and cliffs and seaside barriers, and the middle is flat and open, which is just right to build the take-off site of the flying thunder car and the fairy cha. ”。

"Once there is air support, the entire west coast of Dongying Island will be within the bombing range of the Flying Thunder Vehicles and the Xiancha Group. Xiao Shizhu pondered for a while, and after thinking for a while, he said thoughtfully: "Coupled with the powerful surprise attack capabilities and air strikes of our Flying Force and air cavalry, in this way, the land attack is even more powerful. ”。

"Good, good. Xiao Shizhu thought for a while, and after thinking that it was feasible, he clapped his hands.

"Co-work. He then turned to look at the co-workers who were enjoying tea with relish, and asked, "How many troops and warships can the naval division mobilize if we attack Liubo, take Liubo, hold Liubo, and develop it into a naval division and air army base near the coast." ”。

When Gonggong heard this, he hurriedly put down his teacup, silently calculated the troops and generals under his control, and said: "The three iron dragon ship fleets and the five Xuanwu ship fleets can still be evened out. It's just a ghost soldier general in the air, and there is no one under the command of the minister. ”。

"It's okay, let this kid Yinglingxing go. Xiao Shizhu was not idle, and immediately thought of this young general, and said categorically: "Sea and land attack at the same time, and when you capture Yitian Mountain, you must also capture Liubo." ”。

"But be quick to attack. After a slight pause, Xiao Shizhu told the co-workers again: "You must be fast, so that the enemy troops stationed in Liubo will be caught off guard." ”。