Chapter 71: All parties guarantee the completion of the mission!

Sifang County.

The main tent of the military camp.

Fang Qin and Xiang Yuesheng stood at the same table, looking at the spread-out map.

Xiang Yuesheng held an unpainted calligraphy brush in his right hand and tapped the tip of the brush on the area where they had recently clashed. "Given the current situation, we'll be able to go back soon."

His tone suddenly turned strange, "But, are we really going to go back right after we finish fighting?"

Fang Qin looked at the map thoughtfully and asked, "Why stay here after we're done fighting instead of going back?"

“Four, Fang, Jun.” Xiang Yuesheng read it softly, then turned to look at Fang Qin, his gaze intense. “Isn’t it readily available right now?”

Our army has arrived here.

We are about to defeat the armies of Sifang County and Yuanxi County.

After we finish fighting, shall we head straight back to Anling?

That sounds a bit silly.

Fang Qin couldn't help but laugh, "Is that what you're thinking?"

Xiang Yuesheng also laughed, "We've expended a lot of manpower and resources, and fought for so long. If we just go back after this is over, it feels like a huge loss."

Fang Qin nodded, "That's right. If we take advantage of this opportunity to capture Sifang County, it will not only be a response to Hu Lin, but also an encouragement to everyone."

Encouragement? Xiang Yuesheng's pen tip landed on the map.

He straightened up and asked, "Do you think it's possible?"

Fang Qin's expression turned serious.

“With their current supplies and weapons, they can only hold out for another half a month at most before they collapse,” Fang Qin said. “If we pursue them and drive them out of Sifang County, we may be able to occupy Sifang County.”

Xiang Yuesheng nodded and added, "That's exactly what I meant."

A prefecture.

Hu Lin will be furious.

Xiang Yuesheng smiled and said, "Call the two generals over so we can discuss this."

Hu Dazhu and Ning Huai'an looked at each other in surprise when they heard the two strategists' suggestion.

Ning Huai'an's eyes lit up. "I think it's feasible."

Hu Dazhu pinched his chin with his right hand, revealing a half-smile. "We've worked so hard for so long, we really can't let it all go to waste. Let's accept this Sifang County as our reward. I think the Goddess will be happy."

The goddess was indeed pleased.

Before Hu Dazhu and his men could even gather the leaders of each battalion for a meeting, they received a letter from the goddess instructing them to conquer Sifang County.

Xiang Yuesheng was very pleased that he shared the same thoughts as the goddess.

He enthusiastically joined everyone in meetings to discuss how to develop new combat strategies.

The captains of each battalion were also very excited:

"Kill those who can be killed, and persuade those who can be persuaded to surrender. The rest should be sent to Yuanxi County."

"Oh dear, if Sifang County falls into our hands, then our trip will have been worthwhile."

"Let's strike while the iron is hot!"

"What about the officials in the prefecture?"

"It's the same. If we can persuade them to surrender, we will. If not, then it's up to fate."

Ning Huai'an: "The vanguard battalion and the firearms battalion will engage the enemy head-on; the first cavalry battalion will pursue the fleeing enemy; the first infantry battalion will ambush them at Yaoshan and chase them towards Yuanxi County; the second infantry battalion will ambush them near Guagua Creek to intercept and kill the fleeing enemy; the second cavalry battalion..."

Hu Dazhu: "Three infantry battalions and three cavalry battalions will storm the county town, surround the county government, and capture the county governor. But remember, no innocent civilians are to be harmed; anyone who disobeys will be executed."

He finished issuing the order with a serious expression, then glanced coldly at everyone. "Did you understand?"

The crowd rallied and shouted, "Understood!"

Medical account.

The soldiers began to actively prepare for the battle, and the medics also got busy.

The head of the military medical team, Qi Shuyu, personally oversaw the inspection, checking one by one the bandages, medical tools, herbs, and medicinal materials carried by the doctors, apprentices, and medicine boys...

When she walked up to Zhou Xuan, she looked at the mask and gloves Zhou Xuan had prepared and nodded.

Then he said to her, "The little girl you knew before, she and her villagers, don't need to come back to Anling with us."

Zhou Xuan's eyes widened upon hearing this. "Huh?"

Qi Shuyu smiled and said, "We will occupy Sifang County."

Zhou Xuan: "!"

It's a pity I can't tell the little girl the good news right away. Zhou Xuan even packed her things faster.

But it doesn't matter. As long as we conquer Sifang County, she and her villagers will soon know that as long as they believe in the goddess, they will never have to worry about going hungry again!

Anling County, Goddess's Palace.

He Qinglan knew that Ning Huai'an and his men had changed their battle plan and wouldn't be able to return anytime soon.

Then he asked Qiutang to call Zhu Youchuan over.

“You should organize a trial court directly for those traitors from before and sentence them according to the current laws,” He Qinglan said to Zhu Youchuan. “Half of their troops won’t be back for the New Year.”

Zhu Youchuan: "?"

He suddenly understood what He Qinglan meant and asked in surprise, "Hu Dazhu and his men are going to take over Sifang County?"

He Qinglan nodded.

After the army conquers Sifang County, at least half of the troops must be left to garrison it.

"Doesn't that mean we also need to select half of the experienced administrative office staff to form a new administrative office?"

Zhu Youchuan raised an eyebrow. "Workers and farmers who have attended night school can also be selected."

"At the same time, we need to recruit soldiers in Sifang County and recruit useful talents."

He Qinglan said calmly, "They haven't finished fighting yet, don't rush."

"You should interrogate and judge the traitor first."

“A rather famous old man from your Legalist school is on his way to Anling. He might just make it in time for your trial.”

Zhu Youchuan looked puzzled, then realized what he meant and exclaimed in surprise, "Lord Pei Wenzhao? Why would he come to Anling?"

He Qinglan: "I came for you."

Zhu Youchuan's eye twitched. "Zhu Yunze or Zhu Yunwei?"

He Qinglan glanced at him.

Zhu Youchuan said solemnly, "Please rest assured, Goddess, I guarantee I will complete the mission!"

After finishing this story, Zhu Youchuan suddenly remembered something and said to He Qinglan, "The envoy from Ningzhou wanted to buy our newly stocked cotton quilts, and he argued with Minister Yun for the duration of two incense sticks."

Yun Youning insisted that if you wanted one, you should go and queue up; each person was limited to one bed.

The delegation from Ningzhou naturally refused. One bed per person was far too few. We were negotiating business with you, couldn't you make an exception?

Yun Youning refused to budge. "What a joke! We don't even have enough people for our own Anling. How can we let you bypass our people?"

The delegation used their persuasive skills to argue, "We've only just begun discussing cooperation, and this is your attitude? How can we trust you to sell us the products we want?"

Yun Youning stood firm: "Anling has always cherished its people and always puts their interests first, unlike other places. You are a partner we value; surely you wouldn't make unreasonable demands?"

The delegation argued forcefully: "We are discussing cooperation and doing business. How can it be described as coercion? Aren't you going a bit too far? How can buying quilts be considered an unreasonable request?..."

Yun Youning, unable to contain herself any longer, said, "Given the weather in Ningzhou, you don't need quilts at all in winter! You just want to buy them from us at low prices and resell them to the north!"

The delegation was not ashamed: "Hehehehe, what are you saying? It's just business. Whether we buy for our own use or buy to sell to others is our business... Aren't the people in other regions also people?"

Zhu Youchuan couldn't help but laugh as he recalled the verbal sparring between the two.

He asked, "Goddess, when will we be able to cultivate cotton on a large scale?"

He Qinglan glanced at him and said, "Either take over the Northwest region, or eliminate Sun Yannan and Luo Boyuan."

Zhu Youchuan: "..."

It's faster to dream about it.

The locals in the Northwest are not to be trifled with. With our current strength, are we just going to let them practice on us? Not to mention Sun Yannan and Luo Boyuan.

He Qinglan said, "You should continue to bribe the officials in Liangzhou and get the local people to help with the planting."

Zhu Youchuan nodded seriously, "Okay."

In comparison, it's simpler to bribe them with money.

After all, some officials in Liangzhou would indeed secretly plant cotton for Sun Yannan for money.

Zhu Youchuan: "I'll discuss it with the Ministry of Finance and see if we can try bribing officials in the Northwest region; it feels safer that way."

It's a bit far, so the transportation costs are higher.

He Qinglan raised an eyebrow. "Sure, the Western Regions are the most suitable place to grow cotton, and the yield far surpasses that of other regions."

Zhu Youchuan perked up upon hearing this, "Really? That's great! I'll go talk to Minister Yun!"

He Qinglan waved her right hand outwards, "Go."

Zhu Youchuan immediately stood up, took his leave, and departed.

I watched him leave the study, full of vigor and confidence.

He Qinglan smiled slightly. "Don't worry, for a long time to come, our agricultural and industrial output will not be able to meet our needs."

You have to get used to it.

Be mentally prepared.

After talking to Yun Youning about cotton planting, Zhu Youchuan immediately went to find Cheng Hui to discuss the trial of the traitor case.

Cheng Hui thought for a moment and asked, "Even if Hu Dazhu and Ning Huai'an stay behind to guard Sifang County after we take it, the other one will come back. Why not wait?"

Zhu Youchuan shrugged, "It's still uncertain how long this battle will last, and even after it's over, they can't immediately withdraw."

Cheng Hui said, "Okay."

He asked, "What's your opinion on this case?"

Zhu Youchuan had already thought it through and said, "I will personally lead the trial, along with a representative from the military and you. We will use the laws of Yunhe to conduct a public trial in front of the entire county. Anyone who wants to see it can come and watch."

Cheng Hui: "...Okay."

“Then I will bring it up at the Executive Council meeting tomorrow morning,” Zhu Youchuan said. “This case has dragged on long enough.”

Cheng Hui suddenly realized something, "Does the goddess mean she won't take their lives?"

Zhu Youchuan smiled. "The goddess wants to kill you by destroying your spirit."

If one day in the future they see their colleagues in high positions while they are in low positions, how much they will regret it.

In particular, I originally had the opportunity to stand in that position.

Zhu Youchuan continued, "But I think the people won't agree to let them continue living."

Cheng Hui grunted in agreement. "These are the first batch of traitors. If they are alive, they won't have a deterrent effect."

Some people might inevitably harbor illusions because of this, thinking that it doesn't matter if they betray the goddess, and that it's better to live a miserable life than to die a good death, right?

This won't do!

Zhu Youchuan nodded, "Yes. So when we form a preliminary opinion, I will go and talk to the goddess."

I imagine the goddess will respect their opinions.

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Author's Note: My word count for this week's ranking remains at 20,000 words. I will update seven chapters by Wednesday (currently 6,000/20,000).

But I can't guarantee daily updates; I'm busy with work these past few days, I have to go to the countryside.