Chapter 172 Food Crisis
When Wang Sanniang led her men out of the military camp, Zhou Bo also arrived with a few people.
The two groups met at the agreed place, and when they saw each other, they were both surprised.
This time the mission is to involve both male and female soldiers working together?
Although both camps are staffed by soldiers, due to secular reasons, the camps of male and female soldiers are clearly separated. Female soldiers are already subject to rumors, and male soldiers are also strictly controlled. Therefore, when the two sides meet in the city, they deliberately avoid each other.
But now, the generals of the two sides met here, and it was obvious that they were going to carry out a mission together. Everyone felt a little uncomfortable.
Especially the female soldiers are all elite. Wang Sanniang, Gu Guihua, Zhang Wanjun, Zhang Qiuchan, Liu Paner and others are all instructors of the female soldiers. Naturally, they are arrogant and have long secretly determined to compete with the male soldiers.
As for the male soldiers, ever since they severely punished a few scoundrels who mocked the female soldiers last time, although they still look down on the female soldiers in their hearts, they dare not show it on their faces.
Xu Zhenying was the last one to arrive on horseback. It was a rare occurrence for her to come alone on horseback without bringing anyone with her. She dismounted quickly and decisively, and then landed steadily in front of everyone.
She didn't put on airs at all, and greeted everyone with a smile: "Everyone here? That's pretty quick."
Everyone gave her a standard military salute. Zhou Bo said in a reproachful tone, "City Lord, how could you come here alone? Instructor Jiang specifically instructed you to be accompanied by guards before leaving. As the saying goes, a gentleman does not stand under a dangerous wall. If anything were to happen to you, how would we explain it to Instructor Jiang?"
Xu Zhenying smiled and said, "Don't worry, the city is still relatively safe."
Seeing that Wang Sanniang and the others were also preparing to persuade him, Xu Zhenying felt overwhelmed and almost immediately admitted his mistake: "I understand. I will never get rid of the guards again. But this time, with you guys accompanying me, there shouldn't be any danger."
Xu Zhenying immediately changed the subject and asked, "Zhou Bo, have you chosen the 100 strong men you asked me to choose?"
"We've already told them to leave half a day later. Lu Fei will lead the team, and they'll arrive at the designated location in the evening."
"Have you bought everything?"
Although he didn't know what mission Lu Fei had received, Zhou Bo nodded. "I asked him before leaving, and he said that the city lord should rest assured and that he would cooperate with us. Once everything is ready, he will catch up with us immediately."
Wang Sanniang and Zhang Wanjun looked at each other and realized that the male soldiers still had tasks to do.
The city lord urgently mobilized more than a hundred people. What was he going to do with such a large-scale operation?
Zhou Bo had already asked, "May I ask the City Lord, what exactly is this top-secret mission?"
Xu Zhenying had already mounted his horse. "Since this is a top-secret mission, just follow me. I'll tell you when we get there."
The group rode their horses all the way, leaving Lan County and heading straight for the border of Qianzhou.
Everyone became more and more anxious as they walked, until it was almost dark and they had run about a hundred miles, when Xu Zhenying ordered everyone to stop.
She pointed to a spot by the river and said, "This is it. Everyone dismount and walk. Someone come and hide our horses."
Everyone followed orders.
This group of people was on a serious mission with the city lord for the first time, so they were a little nervous.
The city lord, that person only appears occasionally in military classes, and now he is sleeping in the open air with them, how can people not be excited?
After hiding the horses, everyone, led by Xu Zhenying, walked slowly to the open space by the river.
There are dense reeds along the river bank, the river is wide, the moon is bright and the stars are sparse, and the reflection of a shimmering moon on the water looks like a dream.
Such a beautiful view, but no one appreciates it.
A group of people moved stones to the riverside and sat down in a line, facing the quiet night view of the river bank.
Although they didn't know what they were waiting for, a soldier's duty was to obey. Although everyone was very curious, they refrained from asking.
They had finally gotten to go on a mission with the city lord, and they didn't want to leave the impression that they were frivolous and impatient.
Xu Zhenying spoke first: "It's still early, let me test you."
Everyone felt overwhelmed when they heard this.
When I listened to Xu Zhenying's military theory lectures in the past, she would ask questions from time to time in class. Many people stammered and couldn't answer, and were laughed at by their colleagues for a long time.
Now, during the mission, Xu Zhenying actually took the time to study their culture. This is simply... simply too heartbreaking!
Everyone looked nervous and resisted deeply, but they didn't dare to show it in the slightest.
Xu Zhenying saw their bodies tense up instantly and couldn't help but laugh inwardly, "Don't be nervous, it's just a casual question. As a soldier, you need to have a strong mentality and a thick skin that can withstand the test."
Zhang Qiuchan was the first to speak: "Please ask the City Lord to give the questions!"
"It's not a big deal, let's just discuss it. I also want to hear your opinions."
When everyone heard this, they felt relieved.
Wang Sanniang on the side seemed a little dazed.
Perhaps she really believed what her mother said, Wang Sanniang always felt strange when she saw Xu Zhenying again, and she couldn't help but look at Xu Zhenying.
She did have very fair skin, and although she wasn't as thin as a woman, she was much smaller than the average person. Her eyes were bright, and there were two shallow dimples on her lips. When she spoke, her voice wasn't as deep as a man's, but more like a woman's.
Could it be that... the city lord is really a woman?
Impossible!
Where in this world can one find a woman with such a magnanimous demeanor?
Wang Sanniang shook her head, quickly threw out the strange thoughts in her mind, and concentrated on the random test in front of her.
"As you know, Lan County is currently hosting over 30,000 refugees. Adding this to the existing population, the total has surpassed 50,000. Feeding these 50,000 people is paramount. Lan County is currently experiencing a food crisis. Do you have any solutions?"
So this is what you are asking.
The food problem in Lan County not only made Xu Zhenying anxious, but also worried her subordinates, especially their army. They could eat as much as they wanted before, but now they have to tighten their belts. Although they can still eat enough, they are not as happy as before.
The food problem hung like a knife over the heads of all Lan County residents, ready to fall at any moment. We discussed it privately during evening classes, but couldn't come up with a concrete solution.
Seeing everyone was silent, Xu Zhenying encouraged them, "Everyone, feel free to talk. Zhou Bo, you go first."
Zhou Bo then asked, "Can we collect grain from places other than Lan County?"
Someone immediately retorted, "Jinzhou Prefecture's grain production has shrunk, and Lan County is already considered a wealthy place. Go outside Lan County and see how many people are starving to death. Even if you have silver in your hands, you may not be able to buy food!"
Xu Zhenying was not a very strict boss. Instead, he was very close to and caring towards the soldiers. Once the conversation started, everyone began to express their opinions.
"Then go buy food from somewhere further away?"
"The losses on the road would be too great. Take the nearest Xingyuan Prefecture for example, it's at least several hundred kilometers away. If we were to transport the grain in, a lot of it would be consumed just on the road! It's not cost-effective!"
"So the city lord is right to develop standardized farming. Only by relying on ourselves can we completely get rid of this food crisis!"
"But that's a matter for the future. What's important is the present! Right now! In a few days, Lan County will run out of food!"
"There's no crops growing in this land. What else can we do? Are we supposed to steal or rob?"
Someone laughed and said, "Where in Jinzhou is there any extra food for us to rob? The bandits were rampant before, and the people nearby have already been robbed. Even if you put a knife to their necks now, they won't be able to produce food!"
"Oh, don't say that. There are no people around Lan County anymore. Farmers in the countryside have either starved to death at home, been killed by bandits, or their entire families have fled. Nine out of ten houses are empty. Forget food, you won't even see a single person!"
"Who said there's no food?" Everyone was discussing enthusiastically when they suddenly heard Xu Zhenying's sonorous and powerful voice. Her clear, bright eyes looked around, and seeing everyone looking at her in confusion, she smiled faintly, "I brought you here tonight to solve the food crisis in Lan County."
Wang Sanniang was the first to ask, "City Lord, where is the food left in Jinzhou Prefecture?"
"If there's no food, just rob it."
"Rob, where to rob?"
Xu Zhenying smiled and said, "According to reliable intelligence, the imperial court's grain and fodder for Qianzhou Prefecture will be shipped down the river from here tonight. It's a full 200,000 dan, enough to feed Lan County for three or four months. So, are you interested in a big deal with me?"
After these words were spoken, the soldiers had different expressions.
Even Wang Sanniang, who has always been loyal, is now hesitant.
Zhou Bo hesitated for a moment, then finally spoke out what everyone was thinking, "City Lord, that's government grain! Robbing government grain is a grave crime, with consequences that could lead to the confiscation of property and extermination of the entire clan!"
Wang Sanniang was also unwilling in her heart, but she spoke more tactfully, "City Lord, the imperial court must have sent heavy troops to guard the grain and fodder. We only have these people, so we are no match for them."
"I know, but I have no other choice. I have considered all the options, and nothing is more convenient and quick than robbing the government's food!" Xu Zhenying saw that these people all had puzzled expressions on their faces, and she knew that for them, this matter was no trivial matter. It was tantamount to forcing them to stand against the court, and even forcing them to rebel with her!
So she softened her tone and said, "Don't worry, I won't make things difficult for you, nor will I try to thwart a powerful enemy. You don't have to show up, not even your faces. I just need you to lurk along the riverbanks. When I give you a command, shake the weeds to create the illusion of an ambush. I'll see if I can persuade them to willingly hand over the food."
Willingly hand over food and supplies?
How is that possible? !
Although Xu Zhenying was very prestigious in the military camp, especially her military classes in the evening, the soldiers always rushed to attend the class, but talking about military affairs on paper and fighting in the battlefield were two different things. Moreover, food and fodder were such important supplies for an army, how could the other side willingly hand over the food and fodder?
But in the end no one dared to raise any objection.
Seeing everyone's grim expressions, Xu Zhenying smiled and said, "Don't look so sad. We're not asking you to charge into battle, nor are we allowing you to show up. What are you afraid of? I'll try it alone. If it doesn't work, we can think of other ways."
Wang Sanniang's tone was very firm this time: "City Lord, you want to go into the enemy camp alone? How can that be possible? You must have a few skilled warriors with you. I, Wang Sanniang, am willing to go aboard with you!"
The others immediately expressed their loyalty and were willing to follow Xu Zhenying onto the ship.
Xu Zhenying laughed: "Who said we were going to get on the boat?"
This time everyone was stunned.
"Aren't you going to negotiate with them? How can you negotiate without getting on board?"
Xu Zhenying waved his hand, his eyes smiling like crescent moons, looking particularly cunning. "I'm going to play some tricks on them, scare them, and make them hand over the food. I usually let you study hard, not to let you charge into battle and use your bodies to resist millions of troops, but to let you learn to use your brains to solve problems!"
Zhou Bo asked directly and honestly: "City Lord, how do we use our brains? Please teach us!"
"That's right, what a trick!"
Xu Zhenying's words really piqued everyone's curiosity. He raised his hand and said mysteriously, "Just wait and see! I'll give you a test later! Anyone who can't answer will have to clean the toilet for a day!"
Everyone fell backwards.
It’s already this late, and we still have to give random tests in class!
Wang Sanniang was very sure that the city lord was definitely a man.
Which girl would talk about the toilet all day long?
Yes, that must be it.
The city lord is just young and hasn't grown up yet. Boys only change drastically within one or two years. Who knows, in two years, girls will be chasing him all over the city.
Wang Sanniang blushed slightly.
If you think about it, she is only one year older than Xu Zhenying——
At this moment, the grass moved, and Lu Fei appeared in front of everyone, sweating profusely, carrying something.
The thing seemed to be quite heavy, and Lu Fei was so tired that his face turned red.
Xu Zhenying stood up, stamped out the fire, and asked, "Where are the brothers?"
Lu Fei has always been bold and careful. In the past, he relied on his muscular body to be invincible in the camp. However, after listening to a few military classes of Xu Zhenying, he simply obeyed Xu Zhenying's orders and did whatever he said without giving any discounts.
He wiped the sweat from his forehead and said in a booming voice, "City Lord, the brothers have all followed your instructions, wearing green clothes and lying on the sides of the river, waiting for your orders."
"Where's the white phosphorus powder? Can you make sure every brother has it?"
"Of course! It's their first mission, and they're so excited. They're all holding that thing close to their chest like it's a treasure."
"Did the people we sent earlier bring back any news?"
"Yes, they said they saw government ships, more than a dozen of them, sailing down the river and bound to pass by this place tonight. Oh, and by the way, the first group of brothers who set out followed the city lord's instructions and told the grain officer who was escorting them everything word for word."
Wang Sanniang was shocked to see that they were asking and answering questions in an orderly manner. It turned out that the city lord did not act on impulse, but had already made arrangements.
She couldn't help but ask, "What did the city lord tell them to say?"
Lu Fei said carelessly: "Someone died in this section of the river before, so there must be a ghost!"
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