When Liu Ren'an received the news, it was already two days later. During these two days, he organized all the intelligence he had collected since arriving in Xiliang, including a rough map of Xiliang and the suspected locations where King Jing had deployed his troops.
He wasn't a dullard; he knew Zhao Shu must have had a purpose in sending him to Xiliang. Although she didn't say it, he had already secretly vowed to make a name for himself in Xiliang.
Sure enough, it came in handy so quickly.
Master Chen was a businessman, and in Xiliang, a place known for its fierce and unruly people, he managed to become the richest man in the area. He not only owned shops all over the place, but also had his own caravan that traveled all over the country, with many connections.
Wei Tingsi's personal guards were placed in the caravan, and they successfully left Xiliang.
After receiving Liu Ren'an's information, Wei Tingsi and Wang Jiyang discussed it for several days before roughly formulating a battle plan.
The main camp was still set up in Chu territory. From Chu to Xiliang, there were natural barriers, canyons, and plains to cross, and every place was extremely easy to ambush. It was not impossible to pay for this victory with human lives, but Wei Tingsi was not the kind of person who did not value the lives of his soldiers.
"Are all the muskets finished?" Wang Jiyang asked Zhang Chang.
Zhang Chang replied, "Because it's the first time we've made one, the technology isn't mature yet. The musket casing is fine, but the gunpowder needs improvement, which is very costly. The gold sent by the Crown Prince is almost gone. Even after spending all the gold, we've only managed to make three thousand muskets."
"Is the main problem the gunpowder?" Wang Jiyang continued.
"The Ma family's iron smelting technology reduced the cost of iron smelting, but the improvement of gunpowder increased the cost of gunpowder by at least eighty times, resulting in a severe shortage of gunpowder for three thousand muskets."
"Why don't we ask the princess?" Wang Jiyang thought for a moment and then asked Wei Tingsi.
However, Wei Tingsi nodded, "How much more silver is needed to ensure these three thousand muskets have enough gunpowder?"
"I estimate there are still 100,000 taels of silver left, Marshal. The gunpowder required for these muskets is extremely demanding, and the craftsmen can't find any substitute. We..." He felt a pang of heartache over the gleaming silver.
Wei Tingsi glanced at him but didn't say anything. After a moment, he said, "Go and find the Crown Prince yourself, and bring some gold from the gold mine."
This was said to Wang Jiyang, who stood up, pointed to himself, and said, "Me?"
"Yes, the matter of gold is of utmost importance. You should go and be on the safe side." Wei Tingsi said expressionlessly, without a hint of joking.
Wang Jiyang nodded helplessly, but then asked in a different phrasing, "If we ask for more gold, I'm afraid the Emperor will become suspicious. Last time we asked for less, so the Emperor didn't investigate thoroughly. If we misappropriate it again, he definitely won't let it go. No, just in case, we shouldn't take the risk. Besides, three thousand muskets are enough to give Prince Jing a hard time."
“Who said three thousand? I’m going to make a hundred thousand,” Wei Tingsi said calmly.
"Are you crazy!" Wang Jiyang was startled. With so many powerful weapons, not only would the emperor be suspicious, but even the crown prince might not feel at ease. He was already the Grand Marshal of the army, and now he was in charge of 100,000 musketeers. He was practically courting death.
However, Wei Tingsi didn't take it to heart. "Don't worry, I know what I'm doing. The gold mine is useless just sitting there. It's better to use it for something practical. Go, go find the Crown Prince yourself and tell him to return to the capital immediately. I will help him ascend the throne."
"He's gone mad, he's gone mad, he must be mad." Wang Jiyang broke out in a cold sweat and collapsed to the ground, his face pale. His confidants were all around him, and everyone felt that the marshal was playing with fire and must be holding a grudge against the emperor for bestowing a marriage upon him.
Even if it's an arranged marriage, the bride is still that kind of woman; any man would be furious.
No one dared to speak; they all lowered their heads and silently endured the marshal's wrath.
Wang Jiyang sighed inwardly. The Emperor had gone too far. Over the years, no matter how bad his reputation was, he had never complained and had never asked the Emperor to smooth over the rumors. He had worked hard without complaint and did whatever was asked of him without ever saying no.
There was no problem with a marriage alliance, and Zhao Shu was a very good candidate. However, the emperor rejected her and instead bestowed several brainless women upon her, which all ended in disgrace. How could he not be angry?
He sighed. "Go by yourself. I'll keep watch here for you. Prince Jing won't dare to do anything. If you're worried, I'll write a letter to Bai Chuan. You should be at ease then. Prince Jing is powerful; he won't be able to take it down in a short time."
Wei Tingsi looked at him without speaking, his eyes seemingly able to see through everything. He just stared at him silently, and Wang Jiyang felt a pang of guilt. "Didn't you want to help the Crown Prince ascend the throne? If he doesn't, how can he get enough silver to make 100,000 muskets? Don't worry, I'm keeping an eye on Prince Jing, and the reforms in other places are ongoing. Bai Chuan hasn't been idle either. You should hurry up and help the Crown Prince ascend the throne, and then use the gold from the gold mine openly. Otherwise, if you secretly divert such a large amount of gold, it will cause trouble when the truth comes out."
His words made sense, and Wei Tingsi nodded. "Okay."
Wang Jiyang rolled his eyes at him. He clearly wanted to go back, but he deliberately made him make up that excuse. How hypocritical! How disloyal!
With just one simple word, his journey back to the capital was decided. He was given some instructions, but he didn't prepare anything. He walked out of the tent, had his guards bring his horse, and then turned and headed back to the capital.
Zhang Chang and Wang Jiyang watched him leave. Zhang Chang was considered extremely intelligent, but he still couldn't understand it. So he asked, "Lord Wang, why does the Marshal insist on making 100,000 muskets?"
"Foolish! Dayong is in turmoil, the people are suffering, and foreign enemies are eyeing us covetously. Think about it yourself." Wang Jiyang said, then walked into his tent with his hands behind his back.
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