Helian Jue and Xie Yuan had far more than just an extremely wealthy family fortune in Lingnan.
Putting aside everything else, the property confiscated from local gentry before Xie Yuan left alone was equivalent to nearly five years' worth of national treasury revenue.
In addition, Xie Yuan's sugarcane plantations, sugar workshops, coastal salt fields, and other businesses in Lingnan were all very profitable.
The most powerful thing is still food!
Xie Yuan was the first to try planting Champa rice in Lingnan.
After two or three years of promotion, this high-quality rice variety has been planted on a large scale in several prefectures and counties in Lingnan.
In addition, the Lingnan region has a unique climate, allowing for three harvests a year, each yielding exceptionally high quantities.
It can be said that the grain from Lingnan alone could fill several large government granaries.
The biggest problem in Lingnan is its remote location.
However, with the completion of the treasure ships, Xie Yuan had already instructed Xie Lin to assemble a fleet and had the generals who remained in Lingnan train the navy.
I believe that it won't be long before Xie Yuan's fleet will be able to embark on ocean voyages.
By then, with the sea route, supplies from Lingnan could be continuously transported to the capital!
The earthquake in the southwest was not too far from Yuezhou, about seven or eight hundred li away as the crow flies.
In the past, it would certainly not have been possible to reach the destination directly; one would have needed to go around the mountain range that lay between the two places.
However, after Xie Yuan had the Yuling Mountains tunneled through, he also ordered the engineering battalion to tunnel two more tunnels.
It leads to the southwest or the southeast!
And that tunnel leading to the southwest happens to lead directly to Liangzhou.
Thus, Yuezhou is only about 700-800 li away from Liangzhou in a straight line.
Even if a truck fully loaded with supplies can only travel 30 to 50 miles a day, it can still arrive within half a month.
While relief supplies can be delayed, the most important thing is to send the army there first for prevention and disaster relief.
If the army is not tasked with carrying cargo, it can proceed on a forced march.
The guards of the Yue Prince's Mansion had all undergone the "special training" set up by Xie Yuan.
Field marching is a required subject in the exam.
They carried armor, weapons, and other equipment, and could travel 60 to 70 li (30-35 kilometers) on foot in a single day.
If one rides a warhorse, one can cover 120 to 130 li in a day.
Therefore, the soldiers trained by Xie Yuan and Helian Jue could arrive in Liangzhou in as little as six days.
In addition to the "family fortune" accumulated by the emperor and empress in Lingnan, Xie Yuan also had external support—the Li tribe and other indigenous tribes.
Li Baozhu was Xie Yuan's best friend, or rather, his biggest fan.
They not only helped Xie Yuan plant rubber trees, but were also willing to provide manpower and land to help him try out improved varieties.
As Helian Jue and his wife "reached the top," Li Baozhu's status in Lingnan also rose accordingly.
She had become the de facto leader of all the indigenous tribes.
Firstly, she was a tribal leader and was considered "one of their own" by other indigenous peoples.
She wouldn't betray her own people, help those from the foot of the mountain, or scheme against her own kind. (Reading in the dim light)
Secondly, Li Baozhu was a close friend of the Empress in the capital.
Having connections in the imperial court makes it easier to become an official.
The indigenous tribes certainly didn't want to become officials, but if someone in higher places spoke on their behalf, they wouldn't always be deceived and exploited by those below the mountain.
It can be said that Li Baozhu has become a link between the mountain tribes and the Hakka people living at the foot of the mountain.
Li Baozhu also vaguely possessed the power to command a large following.
Li Baozhu's Li tribe, and even the indigenous tribes of the entire Lingnan region, could be used by Xie Yuan.
They live in the mountains year-round, and if an earthquake occurs in Liangzhou, some remote mountainous areas will need the help of these indigenous tribes who are familiar with the terrain!
...Of course, Xie Yuan wouldn't reveal Li Bu's trump card directly in court.
She was simply following the court's custom, instructing the council to issue orders to the local officials in Liangzhou.
The bigwigs of the council, including Cui, Wang, and Zheng, thought: ...They actually took it seriously.
It's just a "dream"!
Xie Yuan: ...This has to be taken seriously!
This was a dream sent by the late emperor to the sage; even if it was just for the sake of "filial piety," it had to be done!
All court officials: ...
They secretly despised the absurdity, yet had no choice but to obediently follow orders!
Soon, the council hall was bustling with activity as various instructions were sent to Liangzhou by express courier!
...
Xie Yuan was deceiving the court officials in court, and she didn't hide it from Helian Jue either.
In fact, she wrote back last night after receiving Helian Jue's letter.
The next day at noon, Helian Jue received Xie Yuan's carrier pigeon in the royal tent.
"...As expected of A-Yuan! His considerations are always more thorough than mine."
After reading Xie Yuan's letter, Helian Jue sighed with pride.
He only wanted to give his daughter, A Yuan, a "goddess" aura, but forgot that the court officials were not easily fooled.
Despite their tendency to say things like "against the natural order," they are true scholars at heart.
True scholars do not believe in ghosts and gods.
If Xie Yuan really followed Helian Jue's advice and said that he dreamed of a goddess and received her teachings in the dream, he wouldn't even need the bigwigs of the council to step in; just some mid-level officials of the fourth or fifth rank would be able to criticize Xie Yuan mercilessly.
They would categorize Xie Yuan as an ignorant and foolish woman who only knew how to burn incense and worship Buddha, based on things like "Confucius did not speak of strange phenomena, physical prowess, disorder, or spirits" and the idea that women are simply superstitious.
Xie Yuan's explanation was even more intriguing—it wasn't a goddess appearing in his dream, but rather a warning from the late emperor!
Even if people find it absurd, they can't say much.
Filial piety is of paramount importance!
Anyone who dares to refute Empress Xie is hindering the Emperor and Empress from being dutiful sons and daughters-in-law.
Forcing someone to be unfilial is a grave sin.
The court officials were all cunning old foxes, so they dared not get involved easily.
Therefore, whether they liked it or not, from the imperial court to Liangzhou, everyone treated the dream of "an earthquake in the southwest in early August" as a serious matter.
They said that if anything went wrong, it would be disrespectful to the late emperor and would hinder the emperor and empress from fulfilling their filial duties.
He's connected to two emperors, so punishing him for "great disrespect" shouldn't be a problem!
"Your Majesty! The troops have been assembled!"
Just as Helian Jue was secretly feeling proud of his empress, Helian Chen walked in fully armed.
However, he wasn't wearing a helmet; instead, he was holding it to one side.
Kneeling on one knee, Helian Chen respectfully reported, "The auspicious time has arrived. Your subject will lead troops to annihilate the Left Wise King's forces."
Helian Jue nodded, "Go!"
There's no need for Helian Jue to personally intervene in the matter of a mere Left Wise King.
Moreover, he brought Helian Chen here so that he could have the opportunity to make military achievements.
The complete annihilation of the Left Wise King's forces is a significant achievement.
Let Helian Chen perform well first. Ahem, there's an even more important task for Helian Chen to complete later.
"yes!"
Helian Chen bowed and accepted the order, "Your subject will certainly live up to His Majesty's expectations, annihilate the Left Wise King's forces, and capture the Left Wise King alive!"
Helian Chen was unaware that his own emperor had arranged a "good job" for him.
At this moment, his blood was boiling, and his mind was filled with the thought of sending troops as soon as possible to annihilate the 20,000 cavalry of the Left Wise King!
Watching Helian Chen's retreating figure, Helian Jue thought about his plan and felt a little guilty, but not much...
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