Siheyuan: tomb robbing? I am serious about hunting.

Chapter 1126 1 Yang

The villagers were so moved that tears welled up in their eyes. They quickly said, "General, you are too kind. I am already very grateful that you have stood up for me. How can I ask you for compensation?"

"That's what we should do." Shen Ce said, "It's our duty to protect the people. If anyone dares to bully you again, just come to me directly."

After handling this matter, Shen Ce ordered the army to continue advancing. Along the way, no soldier dared to violate military law. The soldiers respected and feared Shen Ce, and the army's discipline became increasingly strict.

But trouble soon arose. When the army reached a desolate mountainous area, they ran short of food and fodder. Heavy snow had blocked the roads, preventing further food from arriving. The army only had enough food to last three days.

When the soldiers heard the news, they panicked. Without food and fodder, they would have trouble even surviving, let alone fighting the Northern Di.

Zhao Hu approached Shen Ce and said anxiously, "General, we're running low on food and fodder. What should we do? If this continues, there's going to be chaos in the army!"

Shen Ce also knew the seriousness of the situation. He frowned, pondered for a moment, and said, "For now, we can only reduce rations. Everyone's daily food intake is halved. In addition, send a team to the nearby mountains and forests to hunt and see if we can replenish some food."

"Half?" Zhao Hu was a little surprised. "General, the soldiers have to march every day, which consumes a lot of physical strength. If the number is halved, they may not be able to hold on."

"We have to hold on even if we can't!" Shen Ce said, "Now is a special period, we must save every grain of food. I will take the lead in reducing rations, and you must also do a good job of educating the soldiers and tell them that as long as we can get to Yanmen Pass as soon as possible and repel the Northern Di, there will be no more food shortages."

After saying this, Shen Ce had his rations taken out and distributed them to several soldiers around him in public. He looked at the soldiers and said, "I know you are all very tired and hungry. But I promise you, as long as I, Shen Ce, have a bite to eat, I will not let you go hungry. We must persevere, rush to Yanmen Pass, and repel the Northern Di!"

The soldiers looked at Shen Ce and were deeply moved. They had never thought that Shen Ce, as a general, would actually share his own rations with the soldiers. With such a general, they were willing to follow Shen Ce to the battle, no matter how hard or tiring it was.

For the next few days, Shen Ce ate only a small amount of food each day, yet he remained energetic and led the army forward. The soldiers persevered, no one complained, and no one retreated. Meanwhile, the soldiers who went hunting in the mountains also had a good harvest. The rabbits and pheasants they shot, although not in large quantities, did alleviate the shortage of food and fodder.

Just as the army was struggling to advance, a scout hurried back on a fast horse. He dismounted and, without even taking a breath, ran to Shen Ce and said anxiously, "General, this is bad! The Northern Di cavalry has surrounded Yanmen Pass and is attacking it day and night. The defenders of Yanmen Pass have suffered heavy casualties and the situation is extremely critical!"

Shen Ce's expression instantly turned serious. He knew that he could not delay any longer and had to rush to Yanmen Pass as soon as possible.

"Pass the order down!" Shen Ce immediately ordered, "The army must march day and night at full speed and must reach Yanmen Pass within two days! No one is allowed to stay without permission. Violators will be punished by military law!"

"Yes!" the soldiers answered in unison, with a hint of urgency in their voices.

Shen Ce jumped on his horse, whipped his horse whip, and shouted: "Brothers, the soldiers at Yanmen Pass are waiting for us, and the people of the northern border are waiting for us! We must speed up and reach Yanmen Pass as soon as possible to repel the Northern Di and defend our country! Let's go!"

After saying this, Shen Ce took the lead and rode forward. The soldiers followed suit, and the army rushed forward like a black torrent across the snow, stirring up a thick fog. They knew that a fierce battle awaited them. But they also knew that for the sake of their country and their people, they had to win! The next morning, the villagers found the military camp, knelt outside the camp gate, and cried, asking Shen Ce to make the decision for them.

When Shen Ce learned about this, his face instantly darkened. He immediately ordered the soldiers who violated the rules to be brought over.

Soon, several soldiers were brought before Shen Ce. They knew they had made a mistake, and they lowered their heads, not daring to look Shen Ce in the eye.

"Do you admit your guilt?" Shen Ce's voice was cold and emotionless.

"I...I admit my guilt," a soldier trembled. "I was confused for a moment, which is why I robbed the people. Please spare my life, General!"

"Spare my life?" Shen Ce sneered, "You plundered the people's food and hurt their hearts! We led the army to the battle to protect the people, not to oppress them! Your actions not only violate military law, but also bring shame to the soldiers of Great Yan!"

He paused, his gaze sweeping over all the soldiers present: "Military law is as strong as a mountain, and no one is exempt! Today, I will make it known to everyone that those who rob the people will die!"

After saying that, Shen Ce drew the sword from his waist, and with a flash of cold light, the soldiers who violated the rules fell in a pool of blood.

The soldiers present were stunned. They hadn't expected Shen Ce to actually order the execution of one of his own men. Zhao Hu stepped forward and whispered, "General, although they made mistakes, their crimes don't deserve death, do they? Now is the time to use our men. Why don't we..."

"No!" Shen Ce interrupted Zhao Hu, his tone firm. "There are no exceptions to military law! If I forgive them today, more people will violate military law in the future. Who will still respect military law? Who will still respect the people? Our army will become a bandit army that oppresses the people. How can we fight against the Northern Di?"

Zhao Hu was silent. He knew Shen Ce was right. The other soldiers also lowered their heads, and they felt a little more respect for Shen Ce.

Shen Ce sheathed his sword and addressed the soldiers present: "From today on, anyone who violates military law, regardless of rank, will be severely punished! I hope you will remember that we are soldiers of Da Yan, protectors of the people, not bandits who burn, kill, and plunder!"

After saying that, Shen Ce walked up to the villager, helped him up personally, and said apologetically: "My fellow villager, I'm sorry. It's my fault for not governing the army strictly, and you have suffered injustice. I will ask the quartermaster to compensate you double for your loss. In addition, I have asked someone to invite a military doctor to treat your injuries." "You barbarians from the north have invaded my territory, killed my compatriots, and destroyed my homeland!" Shen Ce's voice was low and hoarse, but it carried a powerful aura and was clearly heard by everyone. "Today, I, Shen Ce, am here, and this is the day you will die!"