"That's easy." The guard showed excitement on his face. "As long as His Royal Highness the Crown Prince orders the grain collection, who dares not to obey? Even if Zhang Yide has the courage of heaven, he dare not not give it out."
Shangguan Wanning didn't say anything, but fixed her gaze on Xiao Yujue.
After a long time, Xiao Yujue thought about it and shook his head.
"Although the imperial court's collection of grain is a good move, it cannot force the merchants. After all, Zhang Yide did not violate the imperial court's laws. It is difficult to convince the people by using power to oppress them."
Shangguan Wanning nodded secretly, Xiao Yujue had the vision and heart to be a wise ruler.
"Your Highness, as far as I know, Zhang Yide is a filial son. His hometown is nearby. A few years ago, his mother returned to live in her hometown. In a few days, it will be Madam Zhang's 60th birthday, and he will definitely rush back to celebrate his mother's birthday."
When Shangguan Wanning was getting along with Old Madam Zhang, she had already figured out all of her preferences.
"When the time comes, Your Highness can go meet him. Perhaps there is something to discuss?"
Xiao Yujue was stunned. He always felt that Shangguan Wanning seemed to have known that today's situation would happen.
"If that's the case, that would be great."
The two most troublesome problems seemed to have been half solved each, and Xiao Yujue asked everyone to retreat and rest.
The next morning, Mu Jingrui went to the prefectural government office to count the troops. He was depressed to find that there were 80,000 people who could be mobilized, but there were less than 40,000 elite soldiers who could actually go into battle and kill the enemy.
The remaining people were either very old or had not received training for a long time. They were simply a bunch of old and weak soldiers.
"Your Highness, sending these people to fight the enemy is no different from sending them to their deaths, and it will also affect the morale of our army."
Mu Jingrui's words gave Xiao Yujue a headache.
He only came to provide disaster relief, but was forced to manage war affairs.
"Then... we can only recruit troops from other places. However, this will take at least a month. In addition, there is a blizzard and food shortage now..."
Xiao Yujue was at a loss, his brows furrowed.
"Your Highness, speed is of the essence in war. If the war drags on for another month, Wu Xiong and Goshawk will probably be at our doorstep."
"you mean?"
"I have a way, as long as His Royal Highness the Crown Prince nods." Mu Jingrui's eyes were calm and firm, as if he had already made up his mind on how to solve the current dilemma.
"you say."
"The climate in the northwest is the most difficult to adapt to, not to mention that this is a special period. People transferred from other places may not be able to fight immediately. In my opinion, it is better to recruit able-bodied men locally."
Xiao Yujue took a deep breath and subconsciously chose to refuse.
"No. Jing Rui, you come from a military family, you should know that it is a taboo to arbitrarily recruit able-bodied men. Those people are not willing to go to the battlefield, and they will not fight wholeheartedly. If they lose, it will also affect morale and easily arouse public anger."
This time, Xiao Yujue braved the severe cold to come to the northwest region to provide disaster relief, just to gain a good reputation for himself.
Otherwise, everything he is doing now will be meaningless.
"Your Highness, the matter of conscripting able-bodied men to go to the battlefield also needs to be adjusted according to the circumstances. If it were any other time, this method would certainly not work, but right now the blizzard is raging and there are many victims. Many of them are in their prime."
Mu Jingrui arrived earlier than Xiao Yujue and knew much more about the current situation than Xiao Yujue.
"They are not really willing to leave their homes, but they have no choice. Organize these people to fight the enemy. Not only will they not be uncomfortable with the climate, but they are also familiar with the terrain. All His Royal Highness needs to do is to issue some conditions that will attract them."
On the way to meet Xiao Yujue, Mu Jingrui had already made a rough plan in his mind.
"First, anyone who volunteers to join the army will be rewarded with five taels of silver, and can also use this five taels of silver to exchange for an additional tael of food; second, anyone who kills the enemy in battle and makes military achievements can be rewarded with an official position or land in his hometown after the victory."
Xiao Yujue took these words to heart and thought that this was a good idea.
only……
"Your Highness, think about it. Even if these people don't fight in the battlefield, you still need to distribute disaster relief food to them. It would be better to let them join the team and kill two birds with one stone."
Xiao Yujue lowered his eyelids and remained silent for a long time.
He was eager to make a contribution, and even though he knew it was risky, he had no choice but to trust Mu Jingrui.
"Okay, Jingrui, I'll leave this matter to you. If you win the battle and recapture the city, I will personally go out to welcome you back."
"Thank you, Your Highness."
Mu Jingrui bowed and then stepped out, and immediately drafted an official document and posted it.
In just one afternoon, there was an endless stream of young people coming to sign up for the army.
Especially after the government fulfilled its promise and gave five taels of silver or grain at 20% of the market price in many places.
In the face of such a disaster, the desire for food is written on everyone's face.
At night, it was snowing heavily and the cold was biting. Shangguan Wanning sat by the window, listening to the howling wind and sighed deeply.
She hesitated for a long time, but finally got up and went to find Mu Jingrui.
Shangguan Wanning braved the bone-chilling wind, wrapped herself in her cloak tightly with both hands, and walked through the corridor with difficulty.
She heard strange noises coming from the yard ahead.
She looked out and saw Mu Jingrui dancing with a spear in his hand on the snow-covered ground, with snowflakes fluttering around him.
This scene made Shangguan Wanning unable to help but stop and stay, not wanting to disturb her.
How did she become blind in her previous life?
Mu Jingrui saw Shangguan Wanning out of the corner of his eye. He immediately thrust his spear into the snow and jumped to Shangguan Wanning's side.
"Why aren't you sleeping so late?"
The wind was so strong that it blew against Shangguan Wanning's thin and frail body. Mu Jingrui felt as if she would be blown away at any time.
He hesitated slightly and held her hand.
"You are going to lead your troops to battle tomorrow, why don't you go to bed early?" Shangguan Wanning was very surprised that Mu Jingrui's hands were still warm in such cold weather.
"I know my limits, but I have something to remind you of." Mu Jingrui's expression became serious. "Follow the arrangements of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and return to Beijing as soon as possible. When I win the battle this time, I will come back..."
Mu Jingrui did not continue to speak. Shangguan Wanning scratched his palm with her nails and asked with her head tilted, "What's wrong?"
Mu Jingrui smiled faintly and urged: "Let's talk about it later. Go back quickly."
Shangguan Wanning did not continue to ask questions. She stared into Mu Jingrui's eyes seriously and warned him, "Be careful."
"How can I leave you and go home at this time?" Shangguan Wanning said silently in her heart.
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