Qi Xiuwen still held a different opinion: "Now Qi Xiuwu has led troops to attack Xiahe County and is attacking Shanghe County. Linchuan County also needs to send troops. Our manpower is already severely insufficient."

Moreover, while expanding the army is not impossible, recruiting soldiers is a major undertaking, involving not only manpower but also military expenses and provisions. Such a large expenditure is beyond the capabilities of my comrades, Xiuwen.

This was the first time Qi Xiuwen had considered backing out.

It seems they really are short of money.

Gu Beitian still insisted: "If we don't take advantage of this winter to capture Qingshui County and make it impregnable, the capital of Jianming Prefecture will surely fall into the hands of others in the future."

Shen Rongxuan also stepped forward and reported: "Commander, our grain reserves are barely enough to supply the current food needs of the people and the military."

The logistics department and the prime minister have the most accurate data on funds and supplies. With the current state of funds and supplies, they simply cannot support the needs of further conquest.

No wonder Qi Xiuwen opposed her building the greenhouse.

Gu Beitian frowned. He didn't want to manage military supplies, but he knew his own plans. If he missed this winter, he estimated that most of Jianming Prefecture would fall into the hands of others.

"Sir, I'll say it again: if we miss the deadline, the capital of Jianming Prefecture, including most of the prefecture's territory, will likely belong to someone else by next spring or summer."

Shenxi was very clear about this issue.

That's why they were in such a hurry to use troops.

The time is ripe for military action, but there is a significant shortage of funds and supplies.

Shen Xi bit her lip. To achieve great things, one must be shameless.

“Rob it, Xiuwen, write a letter to Xiuwu, his army. I have no food to give him, so let him rob the food directly.”

Why keep those termites around? Just steal them!

Qi Xiuwu, after all, came from a prestigious family, and his approach to warfare was too gentle.

They also returned the money and grain that had been robbed by bandits and rebels to the wealthy households.

These things, once seized from the opponent, are now yours.

"Furthermore," Shenxi pointed to the edge of Xiahe County, "Shouldn't Lord Ge return this mine?"

Ge Congshan occupies part of the mountain range in Xiahe County and is used for gold mining.

Now that Xiahe County is Shenxi's territory, of course they want to come over.

"Lord Ge will not return it." Although Qi Xiuwen did not agree with the commander's attempt to seize the grain, he did not say anything, after all, money and grain were really scarce at the moment.

But getting gold from Ge Congshan would be harder than climbing to heaven.

“I know he won’t return it, Xiuwen. Don’t you know a negotiation strategy? Propose a few things that are impossible to do, and then propose one that can be done. That way, the negotiation is more likely to succeed.”

"If Lord Ge doesn't return Jinshan, we can talk about mining it, but you definitely won't agree to take 30% of the gold, right?"

Qi Xiuwen nodded. Only a fool would agree to that.

"Then make other demands, such as wanting the same area of ​​Xianghe Mansion land."

"They probably won't agree."

“Xiuwen, these are not my goals. My goal is to borrow grain.”

"We can't repay Lord Ge's grain loan in a short time."

Shenxi laughed: "Return? When did I say I was returning it? Maybe Xianghe Mansion will be mine by then."

Qi Xiuwen once again experienced the leader's shamelessness.

"Dou Yong, have you finished the appeasement work in those two townships?"

"It's already done."

"Alright, I'll write a letter and send you to negotiate with Lord Ge, how about that?"

Dou Yong showed no fear: "I will definitely complete the commander's mission."

"Alright, I'm really looking forward to your grain supplies. You can discuss with Xiuwen and Lord Shen later to see how much grain is needed."

"yes."

"Xiuwen, has Zhao Rong almost recovered?"

"He's almost fully recovered and has no problem commanding battles."

"Alright, you should negotiate with Beitian and write a letter, asking him to lead his soldiers to Linchuan County."

"yes."

"Remember to tell them that the finances of those corrupt officials were taken without consequence."

Several subordinates were suppressing their laughter; how come they hadn't thought of these tricks from their leader?

It's either robbery or borrowing, and they don't pay it back.

Shenxi instructed again: "Tell Xiuwu and find someone, but don't say 'rob' directly. It's borrowed from those parasites, understand?"

"Understand."

Qi Xiuwen's lips trembled slightly. Only a leader would say something like "borrowing" instead of "robbing and plundering."

At this point, Shen Xi asked Qi Xiuwen and Shen Rongxuan, "Now we can attack Qingshui County, right?"

Both of them nodded; there were no problems with money and supplies.

As for manpower, everyone in Bian'ai County is a soldier, and with the addition of those from Ju County, it's barely enough.

Continue recruiting soldiers and horses, conquer a territory, and incorporate the local troops.

This winter, we must conquer Qingshui County, develop Qingshui County well, and take over Jianming Prefecture City.

Dou Yong took Shen Xi's letter and set off for Xianghe Prefecture to see Ge Congshan. Shen Xi was not worried about this matter, as Dou Yong's eloquence was unmatched by ordinary people.

This year, grain can be borrowed, and the situation is expected to ease considerably by next year's wheat harvest. Bian'ai County is no longer short of water, and the wheat is growing well.

However, the drought in the north has not improved, and in many places only nobles have bought the technology to dig wells, while ordinary people have no money to do so.

They had no choice but to sell their land and work for the nobility.

Some even sold themselves into slavery, while a very small number fled. Bian'ai County gradually received a number of refugees.

However, thanks to the well-drilling technology in Chenxi, many places gradually became stable.

Even slightly better officials would dig a few wells, not enough to irrigate the land, but enough to ensure drinking water.

Looking at the world, three years of gradual drought, culminating in this year's severe drought, plague, and locust plague, have resulted in a population loss of more than half in the north, while the south has seen a slightly smaller but still significant decrease.

Predicting that future wars would lead to a continued decline in population, Shenxi couldn't help but sigh.

The casualties will likely be even greater after the war ends.

The death toll was too high. In the worst-hit areas, the population was reduced by 70%.

Moreover, there are other disasters as well.

In times of chaos, people are no better off than dogs in times of peace.

Shenxi couldn't help but miss the peaceful and prosperous era of his previous life.

A country free from war, a prosperous life, and plenty of food and drink—this is the life that ordinary people yearn for.

"Xiuwen, look, the potatoes have really sprouted."

"The chili peppers have sprouted too."

In the greenhouse, Shen Xi personally brought Qi Xiuwen over to dispel his concerns.

Sure enough, both the potatoes and the peppers grew well.

In the corner, Chenxi still planted a patch of other vegetables. With that kind of opportunity, it would be strange if she didn't enjoy it.

Qi Xiuwen also saw that small patch of land, but said nothing. He just smiled when he saw that the potatoes were growing very well.

"Observe for a while longer. If it really works well, plant it in the second greenhouse as well."

Qi Xiuwen stopped objecting, after all, potatoes were a matter of great importance concerning the people's stomachs.