After sending prefects to Yanmen, Shangdang and Dingxiang, the political situation in Bingzhou was slightly stable. But Yuan Mai immediately encountered a new problem, that is, Bingzhou was surrounded by enemies on three sides and had weak defense power.

Before taking over Bingzhou, Yuan Mai had a total force of about 36,000 troops, which was guarding the two counties of Henoi and Pingyang, and had a strong force. However, after taking over the six counties of Bingzhou, the number of troops only increased by 15,000 left by the senior officials. In addition, the total force of 8,000 local soldiers in each county was less than 60,000. When it was divided into various places, the force became weak.

When the senior officials were guarding Bingzhou, the total force was 10,000 less than Yuan Mai, but the situation was not so tight. In addition to the addition of the two counties in Hanoi and Yangping that needed to be stationed, it was also related to the strategies of the two.

The strategy adopted by the senior officials was to "not interfere with the well water", and secretly maintained a tacit understanding with the Black Mountain Army in the east and the Huns in the west, and no one took the initiative to attack anyone. At most, there were small local frictions, so they seemed to be at ease in defense.

However, Yuan Mai forced Cai Wenji back because he shot Yu Fuluo and formed a mortal hatred with the current Southern Xiongnu Chanyu Huchuquan and Zuoxian King Ahe. It is impossible to maintain a peaceful situation.

In fact, after learning that the high-ranking officials were transferred from Bingzhou and Yuan Mai took over as the governor of the prefecture, the angry Ahguai had already robbed the troops in the western part of Shangdang, as well as Zhongdu, Daling and other places in the southern part of Taiyuan County, and the local counties flew to Yuan Mai's table like snowflakes.

In the eastern region, there were repeated conflicts with Zhang Yan, and Gongsun Xun joined the Black Mountain bandits, so Bingzhou could no longer maintain the previous stability with the Black Mountain Army. Strengthening the defense in the east was also imminent.

Not counting local county soldiers, Yuan Mai had 51,000 troops. It was left to Gao Shun for 8,000 people to defend Henoi. Xu Sheng built 4,000 ships in Mengjin, and Qu Yi 7,000 people to guard Pingyang. Hao Zhao and Qian Zhao each led 5,000 people to Yanmen and Shangdang in the north. After some dispatch, they were stationed around Jinyang, and there were only 18,000 infantry soldiers and 4,500 cavalry.

After Sima Fu arrived in Dingxiang, he wrote a letter to Jinyang for help, saying that the bandits of Heishan have frequently gone down the mountain to plunder various counties recently. There were only 1,500 county soldiers in Zhan County, and they were too busy to take care of themselves and were unable to expedite the expedition. He hoped to send a group of troops to Dingxiang to seize the battle to shock the bandits of Heishan and protect the country and the people.

Dingxiang County has five counties under its jurisdiction, with more than 110,000 residents, which is only about 60 miles away from Zhang Yan's base camp. It is the most rampant place for Black Mountain bandits to engage in military activities. Considering that Sima Fu is not aware of military use, Yuan Mai made another adjustment and transferred Sima Fu back to Taiyuan to serve as Bo Cao, appointed Tian Yu as the prefect of Dingxiang County, and led 3,000 troops to Dingxiang to protect the place.

"Oh... I want to be an official when I am not an official. The official becomes bigger and bigger, and I realize that it is really not easy!"

It was late at night. Yuan Mai sat in the governor's mansion and reviewed the memorials from all over the place until late at night. He was so busy that he was dizzy and deeply felt the difficulties of becoming an official. He put down the brush in his hand, rubbed his hands to warm it for a moment, and involuntarily sighed.

Only then did the land of a state control, and tedious things came one after another. If you were to be in the world in the future, you would have to review memorials until late at night!

The three most important elements in fighting for the world are nothing more than talent, military strength, and territory.

The heroes in all walks of life often have a shortage of troops, territories, talents, or talents, and talents; they often change in these three situations. When there is no shortage of territories, territories, and talents, hegemony is expected.

Last year, when he was conquering Dai County from Yecheng, Yuan Mai lacked both military strength and talent and territory. He was considered a "three generals". After shooting Yuan Xi in Yanmen and robbing the control of 20,000 troops, Yuan Mai was considered to have military strength and talent. Later, after seizing Hanoi, Yuan Mai became a place with territory and talent.

Afterwards, through a series of strategies, Zhang Liao, Gao Shun, Xu Sheng, Zhuge Jin and others were recruited, and they became talented and lacked territory. Now, after taking over the six counties of Bingzhou, Yuan Mai's situation changed again, becoming a territory but lacked talents and lacked troops. The next focus must be changed, and recruiting talents and recruiting troops is the top priority.

Only the talents and troops under their command can ensure that the territory will not be lost, and it will be meaningful to expand outward. Otherwise, just like a bear breaking a stick, killing a city in front and throwing another one in the back will lose its meaning!

"Husband, I'm so late, and I'm still busy?"

At some point, Lu Lingqi, dressed in plain makeup, came to Yuan Mai’s study with a bowl of midnight snack and asked gently.

"Uh... Is it Lu Meng? I just took over Bingzhou, and I'm in trouble. I'm surrounded by enemies on all sides. It's so hard to be busy! It's rare that you want to come and send your husband a midnight snack. It's getting late. Go to bed quickly. When I finish the memorial, I'll go to bed right away!" Yuan Mai smiled gratefully, took the midnight snack from Lu Lingqi and ate a few bites, and told Lu Lingqi to go to rest.

It has been half a month since I came to Jinyang from Youzhou. The backyard of the governor's mansion is already well organized under the care of Lu Lingqi and Zhao Zhi. The layout is similar to that of the "Pingxi General's Mansion" in Hanoi. It is also an independent courtyard house for each concubine. The furniture has been fully purchased and you can move in at any time.

"After counting, we have been leaving Wen County for more than 40 days. Don't you miss your Aye?" Lu Lingqi did not leave immediately, and stood behind Yuan Mai and asked meaningfully.

After being inspired by Lu Lingqi's words, Yuan Mai's fatherly love suddenly burst out, thinking of his beloved eldest son Yuan Xun. He didn't know what has changed now?

"I think, why don't you? After all, it's my first son. It's been more than 40 days since I was born. I only hugged Aye for less than a stick of incense. I wonder what he is now?" Yuan Mai put down the brush in his hand, closed his eyes and imagined his son's appearance, his face full of sweetness.

"By the way, why did you suddenly remember this question?"

Yuan Mai opened her eyes and asked in surprise. Before, when she mentioned her son in front of Lu Lingqi, she always looked impatient. Today she took the initiative to ask this question. Could it be that the sun came out from the west?

After hearing her husband's words, Lu Lingqi suddenly lowered her head, looked shy on her face, rubbed her stomach gently, and said shyly: "Husband, when you were out today, I suddenly vomited. I found a doctor to ask for a consultation and said... I said I am pregnant too!"

"Uh...really?"

Yuan Mai was overjoyed when he heard this. Since his eldest son Yuan Xun was born, he no longer took measures when he was sleeping with Lu Lingqi. He worked hard to sow the seeds. After so long, he finally gained something. This means that he will add another child, which is really a gratifying thing.

"It's true, the doctor has confirmed it!" Lu Lingqi bit her lip and said with a peach blossom face.

"Okay, okay...it's so great. Since the lady is pregnant, why don't you rest quickly? You must take good care of yourself and give birth to a fat and fat son for me!" Yuan Mai stood up with a smile and helped the pregnant Lu Shi, preparing to send her back to rest.

Lu Lingqi refused to leave, but said, "I came to find my husband and asked you to name the child. If you don't name the child in my belly, I will not leave!"

"Madam, you're just pregnant, and it's not too late to name a while when you're about to give birth! Go back and rest first, can you?" Yuan Mai couldn't think of a name for a while, and there was a memorial to deal with, so he advised Lu Lingqi to go back to bed first.

"No, no, no... I won't sleep if I don't name the child!" Lu Lingqi became arrogant and refused to leave no matter what. "The boy can't get the character when he is fifteen years old. You have already given Aye a fifteen years in advance. What's wrong with giving my child a name ten months in advance? Husband cannot be partial, otherwise the child will feel wronged in the mother's belly!"

Yuan Mai was so pestered that he had no choice but to frown and said, "How to take it? The boy and the girl don't know yet!"

"I just want to have one name for boys and girls. Anyway, I have to give birth to several husbands. First, I will use the name of the girl when I give birth to a girl, and then I will use the name of the boy when I give birth to a boy!" Lu Lingqi proudly proposed the solution.

The pregnant woman needs to spoil her, Yuan Mai had to bury her head and think about it. After thinking for a while, she felt a little thirsty. She picked up the water cup from the table and took a sip. The two names suddenly popped out of her heart and said with a smile: "Well, the boy is called Yuan Zhuo, the girl is called Yuan Ke, what do you think about it?"

"Yuan Zhuo? Zhuoer is extraordinary! Yuan Ke, Ming Ke Qiangyu, it's not bad!" Lu Lingqi was very satisfied with these two names, praised her man a few words, and then she left the study with a smile on her face.

After Lu Lingqi left, Yuan Mai continued to handle government affairs and wrote a proclamation, mailing the mail to various counties to recruit soldiers, and ordered the counties to send the recruited new recruits to Jinyang for concentrated training and expand their troops.

Yanmen County is blocked by the Great Wall, and Hao Zhao's guarding can be guaranteed for the time being. Shangdang has 3,000 troops stationed, and the 5,000 troops led by the commander of the command, so he should be able to expel the Xiongnu Yougang from the territory. Tian Yu has also led his troops to Dingxiang. The crisis in the east can be temporarily lifted, at least not worsened.
Chapter completed!