There are two main methods for transporting grain and provisions: by land and by water.

The terrain near Shexing Pass currently only supports inefficient and resource-intensive human and animal transport. If the technology tree were upgraded, or if those martial artists capable of flight were ruthlessly exploited, the Northern Desert might be able to develop the option of airdropping supplies.

Unfortunately, no one but Shen Tang would do that.

There is only one land transport option available in the Northern Desert.

Shen Tang drew a large circle around the Star-Shooting Pass.

"We could indeed send troops to block the Northern Desert's grain transport route, but what if the Northern Desert sends Yun Da or Gong Cheng to protect the grain? Even if we lose lives, we might not be able to disrupt their grain transport lifeline. Our soldiers are all born of parents; we can't just throw away their lives so easily. So, let's try a different approach. Let's blow up this whole area and see how the Northern Desert manages to carry the grain over there!"

If the source of infection cannot be found, the transmission route should be cut off.

This proposal is indeed bold and novel.

Disrupting the enemy's logistics is a basic tactic in military operations, but most of the time the focus is on how to obtain enemy intelligence, how to send troops to intercept and ambush them, and burning all the enemy's supplies that they can't take away. Only occasionally will the focus be on solving the problem at its source—for example, if the enemy's supply route cannot avoid a certain bridge or a certain section of road, then the focus will be on cutting down the bridge and blocking the road to achieve the objective.

Shooting Star Pass is clearly not among the "minority".

Before its fall, Shexing Pass was a strategic stronghold, heavily fortified, with secure supplies, and adhering to the principle of "a cunning rabbit has three burrows," eliminating the possibility of it being wiped out by the enemy. They simply hadn't expected it to fall into enemy hands; what was originally their trump card to contain the enemy had now become a hindrance. Their lord's suggestion, however, offered them a different perspective…

"Let's just keep blowing up our own."

Shen Tang, on the other hand, became more and more excited as she spoke.

"If the Northern Desert discovers the problem and sends troops to stop us, we'll retreat. Once they're gone, we'll come back and bomb them. Building roads is troublesome, but bombing them is easy, isn't it? I want to see how long the grain supplies at Shexing Pass can keep the Northern Desert from arguing!" So what if Yun Da and Gong Cheng are good at fighting? Can the Northern Desert really order these two to build bridges and roads? To watch their troops day and night and bomb things? It's a joke.

What goes around comes around! Bei Mo has repeatedly used harassment tactics to annoy her, and it's time for her to repay him tenfold!

Qi Shan and the others silently made some calculations in their minds.

Although the idea is far-fetched, it is feasible to implement.

Warriors are like walking terrain reshapers; it's common for two armies to re-survey the map after a battle in one place.

The situation in Kangguo was unique, and even the most valiant warriors had developed considerable experience in digging. Eighty percent of the warriors in the army had experience in land reclamation and cultivation. While land reclamation required attention to land size, soil depth, and field shape, now they didn't need to worry about any of that; they could simply dig as deep, wide, and long as possible. A circular moat was dug around Shexing Pass, but it was dry.

Despite the massive scale of the project, the courage and skill of the warriors made it all possible.

Keep in mind that a small reservoir can be filled in about ten days to half a month.

A "moat" that doesn't require engineering inspection is worthless.

However, there was one more thing to do before taking action: "While I was unconscious for the past few days, did the Northern Desert agree to exchange prisoners?"

Shen Tang frowned deeply; this was also her biggest worry at the moment. Bai Su's timely harassment and the timely retreat of the main force of Shexing Pass prevented the complete annihilation of the army, but many soldiers were still killed or captured by the Northern Desert. Among them, the two generals Yun Ce and Xianyu Jian were the most important. She had to express her opinion. Xianyu Jian had followed her the longest, and Yun Ce had also worked hard and without complaint over the years.

They have made many contributions and worked very hard.

As their lord, Shen Tang couldn't just stand by and watch them fall into enemy hands without doing anything to rescue them. Even if she were, she wouldn't be so cold-hearted; she still needed to make a statement to appease the demoralized army. The Northern Desert held her people, and she also had many Northern Desert prisoners she could exchange. Money, provisions, and troops—these were all negotiable bargaining chips.

Upon hearing Shen Tang mention Yun Ce and the other two, everyone exchanged bewildered glances.

"I received news the day before yesterday that General Yun and his men have surrendered to the Northern Desert." Chu Yao's voice was very soft and careful. As he spoke, he observed Shen Tang's reaction, afraid that she would faint from the shock of this news after just waking up from her coma. "The Northern Desert will not exchange the two of them."

Of all those present at the camp meeting, only Shen Tang was unaware of this news.

Shen Tang was taken aback and blurted out.

"It's gone down? That's impossible."

Qian Yong muttered under his breath, "Why is that impossible? Yun Yuanmou and Xianyu Zigu were both disciples raised by that 20th-rank Marquis. Master, master, like a father. As a son and disciple, isn't it only natural for them to submit to their father after defeat? Even if we take a step back, both generals are in the prime of their youth, just starting out in life. It's better to be alive than dead."

It's normal for captured generals to choose to surrender. Unless they're captured by a mortal enemy, they generally won't risk their lives.

In addition to that, there is one more thing.

Despite the warning look from Shen Tang, Qian Yong continued to ramble on: "His Majesty is probably unaware of General Yun's background. A message has come from the Northern Desert that General Yun is the son of Yun Da's first wife. In other words, Yun Da is his ancestor."

Shen Tang: "..."

The faces of Yun Da and Yun Ce appeared in her mind.

Qian Yong added fuel to the fire: "These two really do look alike!"

Whether it's their aura or their temperament, they are all of the same lineage.

She was aloof, but also pretty, and popular with young girls.

The thought of his useless female relatives fueled Qian Yong's anger—he had previously intended for Yun Ce to be his son-in-law, as unmarried and promising martial artists with courage and determination were in high demand.

However, Yun Ce declined, saying that he already had someone else in his heart.

Qian Yong sheepishly gave up the idea.

When he got home, his wife and daughter, who were waiting for good news, gave him a long lecture.

Qian Yong: [What are you reciting about him?]

Daughter: [General Yun, with his white horse and silver spear, is quite handsome.]

Qian Yong: [White horses and silver spears? I have plenty under my command!]

Daughter: [Beautiful, but aloof as ice.]

That's exactly what makes it appealing—unapproachable and inviolable.

Qian Yong: [...Shall I carve one for you in winter?]

What is so handsome, with a white horse and a silver spear?

Who didn't try to look cool like that when they were young?

Qian Yong already harbored some resentment towards Yun Ce because of his daughter's situation. Now, learning that Yun Ce had surrendered to the Northern Desert and hadn't previously revealed his true relationship with Yun Da, he couldn't help but feel uneasy. Besides, rumors circulated in the army that the rapid fall of Shexing Pass was likely due to Yun Ce and his fellow disciples becoming traitors and betraying their own side. If not, how could one explain why Yun Ce and his companion had deliberately avoided Yaori Pass?

They volunteered to guard Shexing Pass!

Qian Yong was skeptical of the latter part, but believed the former.

It was perfectly reasonable for Yun Ce and his companion to surrender.

Shen Tang calmed himself down.

He said, "Among those who can cultivate, even the ugliest one has an average appearance. The more handsome a person is, the more likely their facial features will resemble each other. Bei Mo only said that Yuan Mou was a descendant of Yun Da's first wife, but didn't say that the children born to his first wife were Yun Da's, right? Otherwise, wouldn't it have been simpler to just say that Yuan Mou was a descendant of Yun Da? Why go through all this trouble? Bei Mo said that Yuan Mou and the other person surrendered, so what?"

If Shen Tang is a suspicious ruler, and Yun Ce and his companion have relatives, this incident will likely escalate if their families aren't made an example of. Bei Mo's actions not only affected Shen Tang's mindset but also undermined internal unity, achieving two goals at once.

Even if Yun Ce and his companion didn't surrender, they were disappointed and had to give up.

Shen Tang closed her eyes briefly to conceal her thoughts.

"Are there rumors circulating in the army about the two of them?" Qian Yong, with his big mouth, couldn't believe there weren't whispers going on outside.

The setback at Shooting Star Pass was a major one.

Yun Ce and Xianyu Jian commanded the Kaiyang Guard, one of the Seven Guards, and were part of Shen Tang's trusted inner circle. It would be suspicious if the news of their capture and surrender didn't cause rumors in the army. The lower-ranking soldiers were ordered not to speak out, but what about the mid- to high-ranking civil and military officials?

They couldn't help but feel uneasy and suspicious.

They might not say it in public, but they might whisper about it in private?

Qian Yong, that simpleton, was the only person he dared to tell Shen Tang.

Chu Yao took the initiative to step forward and take the blame.

"There are indeed rumors in the army that Yao is not strict in managing his troops."

He acted faster than Qi Shan, taking the blame first.

Seeing the weariness in Chu Yao's eyes, Shen Tang wouldn't blame him: "What does this have to do with Wu Hui? Get up, you've suffered while I was unconscious. As for Yuan Mou and Zi Gu, if they really surrendered, I can understand them; but if they didn't, it's just a rumor spread by both sides in the Northern Desert. When they return, where will their prestige be? Unless we see Zi Gu and the others fighting for the Northern Desert against us on the battlefield, making it completely true, their surrender to the Northern Desert is just a malicious rumor! Anyone who spreads it again will be punished according to military law!"

She took a deep breath and adjusted her mindset: "If the Northern Desert refuses to return Yuanmou and Zigu, surely we can exchange them for ordinary soldiers?"

Chu Yao said, "Bei Mo agreed to exchange ordinary soldiers."

However, the proposed condition was to exchange one for two.

The exchange ratio should be adjusted as appropriate based on the situation of the prisoners.

The Northern Desert, having finally won a point, was very smug.

Shen Tang chuckled: "Fine, I agree."

Mo Sheng said, "This matter should be handled as soon as possible."

Upon seeing Qian Yong, who seemed about to ramble on but hesitated, she directly asked, "Uncle, you seem troubled. Do you have other ideas?"

Qian Yong, that simpleton, also spoke his mind: "We are still at war, yet we are exchanging prisoners, and even agreeing to exchange two Northern Desert prisoners for one of their prisoners... My lord, this is too much of a show of weakness... If the soldiers below knew this, they would be disheartened."

They risked their lives to capture these people from the Northern Desert.

Is it being sold off cheaply now?

What about the brothers who died for this?

Unexpectedly, Shen Tang's words sent a chill down Qian Yong's spine: "I only promised them two people, not two healthy ones. They should be sent over in the same condition they were when they were prisoners. As for why we need to exchange them at this critical juncture? If we don't exchange them now, are we going to wait until the main force of the Northern Desert in Shexing Pass runs out of military rations and then turn the prisoners into food?"

In chaotic times, people are not only human, but also food.

Prisoners of war were not only walking laborers but also walking rations.

Shen Tang wanted to turn Shexing Pass into an isolated island and block their supply lines, intending to starve them to death: "Heh, I'm being kind by sending them a batch of military rations after all."

One for two, no matter how you look at it, the Northern Desert is in a winning position.

Qian Yong lowered his head upon hearing this.

I wish I could keep picking my toes and be the background.

Although Shen Tang didn't show any obvious changes on the surface, Qian Yong felt that the other party's aura had become even colder after waking up from his coma.

If Qian Yong could sense it, how much more so would others?

After everyone had left, Chu Yao and Qi Shan tacitly stayed behind.

After all, it was a tacit understanding built over many years. As soon as Shen Tang rolled her eyes, Qi Shan and the other two knew what she was up to, and vice versa.

She said, "I'm fine, I just had a nightmare."

This time, my memories were not fully restored even after entering the dream.

But I also vaguely recalled some fragments.

These fragments don't contain any important information; they are mostly depictions of the dark side of life encountered during the apocalypse, where the evil and madness of humanity are magnified infinitely, and people even say some heartfelt things about it.

The dream of having one's heart ripped out gradually overlaps with the reality of having one's heart ripped out.

With the Northern Desert pulling this stunt, resulting in the surrender of two generals from the Kaiyang Guard, it would be a miracle if she could remain cheerful.

She tried to soften her facial expression.

He comforted them, saying, "I'm sorry to have worried you."

Since Shen Tang was unwilling to reveal it, Qi Shan and the other two naturally couldn't force her. They would tell her when the Lord was willing to.

Before the plan to shoot stars and clear the isolated island was even implemented, someone volunteered to fight.

This person's identity was beyond Shen Tang's expectations.

It was Bei Qiu, the chief craftsman of the Imperial Workshop, who had just been seriously injured and taken to the ground.

Before Shexing Pass was captured, Bei Qiu led his men to strengthen the city's defenses. On the day the pass was breached, he was escorted on an emergency breakout.

Bei Qiu was injured in the melee.

In addition, two Mohists were also killed.

Both Mohists had a good personal relationship with Bei Qiu.

Shen Tang: "Zhoukou, right now it's more important to recover from your injuries."

She knew why Bei Qiu volunteered for the battle: to seek revenge.

However, timing is also important when seeking revenge.

His pale face was clearly unsuitable.

Bei Qiu said, "I humbly request permission, sir, otherwise—"

Her words caught in her throat.

The words following "otherwise," regardless of their hidden meaning, carry a subtle threat to those in power. Bei Qiu knows that everything he has now is given to him by the person before him; to threaten them would be repaying kindness with enmity.

All Bei Qiu could do was bury her head even lower.

Even her voice carried a hint of pleading.

"We humbly beseech Your Majesty to grant our request!"

"If this fails, I am willing to offer my head as a reward!"

Bei Qiu has essentially made a pledge.

Shen Tang helped Bei Qiu up and said earnestly, "It's not that I don't agree, but this move is to cut off the Northern Desert's food and supplies to Shexing Pass. Time is of the essence, so the Imperial Workshop..."

It's somewhat of a mismatch between my major and my job.

Shen Tang led Bei Qiu and a group of Mohists on the expedition because he valued their other abilities; they possessed extraordinary experience and expertise in city defense construction. However, before the city defenses could be completed, Shexing Pass fell, and two of them were killed inside.

Bei Qiu grabbed Shen Tang's sleeve with her other hand.

His eyes were firm as he said, "Yes!"

She repeated herself: "Your Majesty, I may!"

Afraid that Shen Tang wouldn't believe her, she gripped Shen Tang's sleeve so tightly that her fingers turned white: "No one is more suitable than Mo Zhe."

Shen Tang and Bei Qiu stared at each other for a long while.

He asked, "How many days?"

Since a pledge has been made, a deadline for completion must be given.

Bei Qiu gritted her teeth and said, "At most five days!"

As long as we have enough manpower, we can succeed in five days!

Shen Tang covered her hand with his palm, dry and warm: "Alright, after the prisoner exchange, I'll give you five days!"

ヾ(ゞ)

Pictures don't lie. Yesterday, I actually spent eleven hours in jail and dyed my hair a vibrant pink (I mentioned having pictures in the previous chapter). Sure enough, my parents scolded me today. Plus, the dyeing wasn't even, so I took some time today to dye it a dark brown color. (But since my hair was bleached, the dark brown color... well, when the light shines down from above, it has gray, blue, and white tones... sigh, so frustrating.)