Just as Xie Qichen was feeling fortunate that he had sent his wife and children back to the capital, otherwise the current situation would have given him a headache, as he wouldn't know how to settle his wife and children.
But he didn't have to worry about his wife and son Xuan. The amount of food and grass consumed by the 300,000-strong army every day was really an astronomical figure. Even in previous years, they would have had a very difficult time during the winter.
He originally thought that this year would be an exception, because before the beginning of winter, the Prince of Chen sent people to deliver food and grass, and the amount of these food and grass surprised him.
Although he didn't know where the Prince of Chen collected the food and fodder, he knew that the food and fodder was enough for the soldiers to survive the winter without having to train on an empty stomach.
Not long after the crucial food supplies were delivered, Prince Chen sent over cotton-padded clothes and quilts.
He had seen the quality of those cotton-padded clothes and quilts. He didn't know what kind of fabric they were made of, but it was definitely not linen or silk. They were not only comfortable to wear, but also very warm.
Soldiers often sweat profusely while training in such cotton-padded jackets, which shows that the cotton used in the jackets is all taupe cotton.
As for where the Prince of Chen got so much cotton and how he had so many cotton clothes made, he was not quite sure.
But he did know that in addition to the one million cotton-padded jackets delivered to the military camp, another five million were sold to the people of the northern border.
This action of Prince Chen saved the people of the entire northern border from freezing to death. The people of Beiling City, who had already been thinking about Prince Chen, now regarded Prince Chen as a hero who saved them. It can be said that Prince Chen now has the hearts of the people of the entire northern border.
In addition, he also learned that Prince Chen was resettling refugees in Qingshan Prefecture. Once Prince Chen had properly resettled all the refugees in Qingshan Prefecture, many people would side with Prince Chen.
However, this seemingly good situation was ruined by a sudden snowstorm.
Now the 300,000-strong army relies on the people for their daily food and fodder. Although they also give silver to the people, everyone knows that at this time, silver has limited use, and only food is the most precious thing.
After all, food can save lives, but silver cannot be eaten. It can be said that the situation has reached where even silver cannot buy food.
He and the soldiers in the camp were very moved by the fact that the people were willing to take the risk of starving themselves and their families to death and give away the little food left in their homes.
But he also knew that this situation could not last long. Once the food in the people's homes was eaten up and the army was out of food, what awaited them was starvation to death.
Thinking of that ending, not only him, but any soldier in the barracks would feel aggrieved and unwilling.
But what can be done? The Northern Desert Army has no shortage of food and water, and the soldiers' mental state is completely different from theirs. Once he gives the order to open the city gates, what awaits them is the fall of the city.
As long as the Northern Desert Army occupied Beiling City, it would be equivalent to opening the gates of the Great Zhou. The Northern Desert Army would be able to march straight into the heart of the Great Zhou, and who knows how many more people would be caught up in the flames of war.
Since the day he entered the military camp, he secretly swore that his life would belong to the Great Zhou military camp and would be used to defend his country.
Now he didn't know what would happen if he opened the city gate, so how could he knowingly commit a crime?
"Report—"
While Xie Qichen was thinking about this, the deputy generals sitting below him were also debating whether to open the city gates and fight a decisive battle with the Northern Desert Army.
Suddenly, an urgent report was heard outside the tent.
"Enter."
The messenger outside the tent immediately ran into the tent.
"What's up?"
"Report to the general, the Northern Desert Army has stopped shouting and cursing."
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