Chapter 799: A Living Bodhisattva's Gift [Seeking Monthly Tickets]
Huang Lie was furious, and the area under his tent fell silent.
The messenger knelt on one knee with his hands clasped in front of him, head bowed, not daring to look at the fury on Huang Lie's face: "Every word is true."
Click—
The letter in Huang Lie's hand shattered instantly.
This secret letter was sent by the commander who had gathered the remaining forces in Ganzhou. It detailed the cause and effect of Yun Ce's injury to the garrison commander and his subsequent defection. Despite the hostility between the two sides, the veteran general did not embellish the story, but rather described it from a neutral perspective as much as possible.
However, this is of no use.
Huang Lie skimmed through the text, then flew into a rage as usual.
The veins on his forehead bulged and stood out, their prominent lines clearly visible. His back teeth were chattering, all testifying to his current emotions. Huang Lie took a few heavy breaths, then kicked the obstructing table away: "Yun Yuanmou, good!"
After the initial rage came calm: "Well done!"
His subordinates exclaimed, "This traitor should be executed!"
"Yun Ce is so ungrateful, we must not let him go!" Although they didn't like Yun Ce very much and knew that this kid was not one of them, they never expected that he would betray them at this critical moment with such an absurd excuse.
Everyone was condemning Yun Ce.
Some hot-blooded young men even volunteered: "This humble general is willing to lead troops to capture him and tear him apart alive! To avenge our lord!"
After he finished speaking, several other people echoed his sentiments.
Huang Lie raised his hand and pressed down, his eyes showing some resentment: "What capture? Don't you know that you have to consider the owner before beating a dog? Yun Yuanmou is nothing to be afraid of, but the people behind him are a concern. Let's leave this matter at that for now."
These words caused an uproar among the crowd.
They had some understanding of their lord Huang Lie's temperament. Aside from the time he was conserving his strength and tempering his sharp edges during the Dragon-Slaying Campaign, he wasn't so easy to talk to in private, let alone swallow the humiliation of betrayal. What is Yun Ce's background?
For a moment, everyone had the same question.
They didn't have much interaction with Yun Ce, only knowing that Yun Ce was valued by their lord based on a letter of recommendation and was immediately given the position of chief cavalryman. On the surface, their lord entrusted his own safety to Yun Ce, which showed how much he valued him, but what happened in private was another matter.
Before this, Yun Ce seemed to be a wandering knight.
What kind of background could a mere wandering knight have that could make his lord, who held the imperial seal, commanded over ten thousand elite shield warriors, and had a multitude of fierce generals under his command, swallow the humiliation of betrayal? The men under his command exchanged glances, but unfortunately, none of them knew the answer.
"One Yun Yuanmou is not worth the lord's attention..." A strategist under his command interrupted to change the subject, "The biggest problem right now is still the food supply, which is urgent."
Huang Lie's advantages are obvious, but his disadvantages are equally obvious.
During the Dragon Slaying Campaign, one could morally blackmail allies into providing food, or use cooperation to "sell" the refugees and bandits who followed them to allies—in times of frequent war, a large population was the only magic weapon for restoring people's livelihood and economy!
Huang Lie has everything but people!
These refugees and bandits were unaware that they had been sold out. They only knew that Huang Lie, as the leader of the alliance, had tried his best to find a way out for them. If they followed his arrangements, they could have their own land to cultivate and food to eat, and they would no longer have to wander around under the open sky. Therefore, they were very grateful.
This is a win-win-win deal where both the buyer and seller, as well as the product itself, are very satisfied. From Huang Lie's perspective alone, he's won big!
Buyers, especially established gentry who owned large tracts of land but lacked labor to cultivate it, were very satisfied. They could exchange a small amount of grain for a worker capable of farming, and the land tax was collected at 90%. Such inexpensive consumables could be recouped in less than a year.
Since the Dragon Slaying Bureau broke up, this business has stopped.
Huang Lie's eyes turned red from lack of food.
Compared to the food problem, Yun Yuanmou was insignificant. Huang Lie refocused his attention, his eyes filled with hope: "Didn't we learn from the palace eunuchs that Zheng Qiao built a large granary in Ganzhou? Has the location of this granary been found?"
"The location has been pinpointed; we've sent people to search for it."
Zheng Qiao's granary was enormous; it was more of a complex of granaries than a single granary, reportedly containing over a million shi (a unit of dry measure) of grain. While that number might be exaggerated, it was certainly in the hundreds of thousands. However, Zheng Qiao was a suspicious man and kept the location of the granary a closely guarded secret; only his trusted confidants knew its location. Fortunately, secrets don't stay hidden forever. Given the granary's immense size, transporting grain inside couldn't have been done discreetly.
Following the clues, we found a lead. As long as we investigate further, we'll eventually find the correct location.
Huang Lie asked impatiently, "How much longer?"
The strategist said, "It should be within the next two days."
This timing also needs to take into account the distance between Yan and Gan.
"Reporting—My lord, a messenger has arrived outside the camp requesting an audience!"
The envoy was naturally one of Zhang Yongqing's men.
This is Huang Lie's only ally at present.
Huang Lie was in high spirits: "Please come in quickly!"
Previously, Huang Lie and Zhang He's troops had attacked Wu Xian's forces from both sides, and Shen Tang sent reinforcements. Huang Lie's side received the news earlier and learned that Gong Xi Chou was among the reinforcements. Seeing that the situation was not good, he led his men and fled overnight, without even having time to inform his allies.
This resulted in Zhang He being beaten by Wu Xian's troops.
When Zhang He learned the whole story, the relationship between the two families cooled for a while. However, they were now in the same boat; if they didn't cooperate with Huang Lie, they would only be swallowed up by Shen Tang and Wu Xian. Helpless, they could only make up after a fight in bed.
Zhang He also faced the same food problem as Huang Lie.
Although he had Yiru as his backing and his grain supply line wasn't long, he couldn't withstand the fact that the most crucial grain supply pass was cut off by Chaoli Pass! The Chaoli Pass mountain range stretched endlessly, dividing Yanzhou in two. Grain transported from inside the pass to outside had to pass through this place.
Who has Chaoli Pass now?
It's in Shen Tang's hands!
With Wu Xian and Shen Tang, these two brothers in cahoots, controlling this place is tantamount to choking him, leaving him no way to survive.
Zhang He was indeed keen to open up new grain transport routes so that he would no longer be subject to others' control, but this route was not easy to traverse.
Firstly, most of his elite troops had been taken out, leaving only a small number to guard Yiru. If they were to use force to carve a path through the Chaoli Pass Mountains, there wouldn't be many people they could mobilize, and using force would be too disruptive, time-consuming, and easily discovered.
Secondly, taking a detour would be unsafe and take seven or eight times longer than the original route, which would also lead to disaster.
The only way is to capture Chaoli Pass.
Therefore, Zhang He needs allies.
His informants also overheard that Huang Lie had discovered the granary treasure trove left behind by Zheng Qiao, containing countless grains, and that he might be able to "borrow" some for emergencies. Therefore, he took the initiative to send envoys to extend goodwill.
Huang Lie also knew what Zhang He was planning.
While inwardly cursing, they warmly welcomed the guests.
Just as Zhang He needed his ally, he also needed Zhang He's strong support. There was no other reason; while Zhang He might not be particularly outstanding in other areas, his medical skills were exceptional. As the Imperial Physician, he had also participated in detailed research on the Gu poison in the Wu Kingdom, gaining considerable expertise in the field.
You could say he's an expert in this field.
Zhang He also developed a prescription to slow down the collapse of the heavy shield warriors, greatly extending their service life.
This alone was enough for Huang Lie to regard him as an ally.
For a time, the atmosphere of the exchange between the two sides was friendly.
until--
The next day, the scouts who had investigated the granary brought back news.
Huang Lie couldn't wait any longer: "Quickly, give me the news!"
He did not notice the subtle change in the strategist's expression.
He opened the book and skimmed through it, but the half-up smile on his lips froze and gradually faded.
Snap—
He smashed the table with a single blow, sending splinters flying everywhere.
Huang Lie roared in fury, "Shen Youli! What a Shen Youli! I've worked so hard, and he's reaped all the rewards!"
The messenger happened to be right there.
"What has angered Lord Huang so much?"
Huang Lie knew he couldn't keep this a secret for long, so he simply said, "My men found the granary, but it was empty. Interrogating the local people revealed that the granary had already been looted, and the grain had been transported for almost half a month!"
Good news, the granary is real, and the hundreds of thousands of bushels are real too.
Bad news: the granary has been emptied by these petty scoundrels!
How clean was it when it was moved?
Even rats would starve to death if they lived there!
They weren't left with a single thing.
Upon hearing this, the envoy's expression changed drastically: "Lord Huang, is it true?"
Is this not Huang Lie's excuse for hoarding grain and refusing to lend it out?
Huang Lie suppressed his anger.
"Of course it's true. Do you suspect I'm lying?"
"I dare not!" the messenger said, bowing. "I must deliver this message to my lord as soon as possible, so I will take my leave now."
Without food, some plans have to be brought forward.
For example, attacking the Chaoli Pass.
Ganzhou and Yanzhou are vast regions, but they have been ravaged by war time and time again. The soldiers have passed through them like a sieve, sifting through them again and again. What good can they possibly find? How long can they hold out? Even the envoy dared not imagine what would happen when they ran out of ammunition and food.
Huang Lie did not stop the envoy: "Take care, I won't see you off."
Both families were shrouded in gloom, with a food crisis looming over them.
In contrast, things were much easier for Shen Tang.
As soon as she opened her eyes, someone brought her food.
Ganfan paused, his hand still: "Who?"
Shen Tang's main camp was located on the frontier, which was one of the longest grain transport routes in the allied forces. Each transport was exhausting, and considering the labor of the cooks, the amount of grain delivered to the front lines was significantly reduced. The only saving grace was that they were still able to be self-sufficient.
It doesn't matter if the grain transport from the rear is a little slower or less.
Counting on my fingers, the new batch of grain hasn't arrived yet.
"Which living bodhisattva will transport our grain?"
Who would complain about having too much grain?
Ning Yan said with a strange expression, "Zhang Yongqing!"
"puff--"
Shen Tang almost spat out her mouthful of millet porridge.
After coughing for a while, he asked, "Who???"
Did she hear that right?
Ning Yan said, "It is indeed Zhang Yongqing's troops."
Shen Tang: "..."
This story begins with Jiang Sheng observing the stars last night. Although he beheaded Zheng Qiao and fulfilled the scholar's duty, it did not take effect immediately and required a period of seclusion to reflect.
Jiang Sheng was not in a hurry about this at all.
His mindset is as steady as an old dog.
The scholar's way in its perfected state is different from its initial state; he needs to explore it little by little, practicing it whenever he has a spare moment. Last night, he calculated that the northwest would be very auspicious, and going in that direction would bring wealth. To calculate more clearly, he carefully revised the calculations several times, discovering that a grain convoy was located there.
If you arrive late, they'll have already left.
Without saying a word, Jiang Sheng led his men over to verify the truth of the matter.
Shen Tang asked, "Why didn't I hear any news last night?"
Jiang Sheng cannot mobilize troops without her permission—even if she is certain to send troops, the proper procedures still need to be followed.
Ning Yan said, "I have already asked my lord."
Shen Tang: "???"
How come she has absolutely no recollection of it?
Wait a minute, she seems to have a vague memory of it?
Because Gong Xichou had dragged her over as a sparring partner to solidify her cultivation, Shen Tang and he exchanged blows without using any martial arts techniques. In the end, both of them were bruised and sore all over, with not a single inch of flesh unscathed. Having overexerted herself, she took a hot bath and went to sleep. In the middle of the night, it seemed someone was calling her.
Since there was no ill intent and they were one of her own, she wasn't on guard.
I vaguely remember saying, "Go, go."
After saying that, she turned over, clutching her beloved silk quilt.
Shen Tang: "..."
Could it have been around that time?
Jiang Sheng, having received permission, also enlisted the help of Xun Zhen and his son; one shouldn't forget friends when good things happen. They actually managed to catch a sizable grain transport team that had received word of their impending retreat. Shen Tang's almond-shaped eyes widened in astonishment: "He didn't know Chao Li was in my hands?"
Did you know that, why did you still choose this grain route?
Ning Yan also found out about this.
When Zhang He's last batch of grain passed through Chaoli Pass, it was still possible to pass through. After Chaoli Pass changed hands, Kang Shi cut off relevant communications, and Gu Chi strictly investigated spies, which made news between the two places even more delayed than normal. Half of the new batch of grain had already left when Yi Ru received the news and hurriedly sent people to intercept it.
As a result, they ran into Jiang Sheng, who was there to take advantage of the situation.
They fought until midnight and finally got their hands on the grain.
"...This is good news! Xian Deng didn't kill all the food convoy members, did he?" Upon hearing Ning Yan say "no," Shen Tang's mischievous thoughts began to bubble. She grinned and said, "That's good. Tu Nan, have Xian Deng tie up a few of the leaders and send them to Zhang Yongqing. Just say—"
She clasped her hands together and said, "Thank you, Living Bodhisattva, for your gift!"
Ning Yan was amused by her teasing: "Yes."
When Zhang He received the news, wouldn't he be so angry he'd have a stroke?
"By the way, where is Wu Zhaode? Let's talk to him about troop deployment. Huang Lie and the others might be desperate and do something rash."
Shen Tang led his men to find Wu Xian. Although Wu Xian had been very well-behaved lately, saying he would follow Shen Tang's instructions and acting as if he would just let things be, Shen Tang did not assume that Wu Xian had given up his ambition. Once he had the opportunity to close the gap with Wu Xian, this beast would strike back immediately.
Wu Xian's camp was set up outside Chao Li Pass.
They set up camp here and established a military defense line.
They would use whistles to warn of any enemy attack.
"Dawei wants to see Dayi? You two are father and daughter, can't you meet in private?" Shen Tang didn't like making a big fuss. She was capable and didn't worry about security. She was meeting with allies, so she only needed to bring a team of guards. But Zhao Wei insisted on coming along.
Zhao Wei said, "That won't do."
Shen Tang asked, "Why?"
Zhao Wei said softly, "I don't want Father's situation to become even more difficult."
Shen Tang asked in surprise, "Is Wu Zhaode really that stingy?"
They're even on guard against this?
Zhao Wei looked worried: "Duke Zhaode publicly flogged my father before. Although warriors are strong and healthy and not afraid of such minor injuries, a beating with a military rod damaged my father's prestige in the army. Now, who doesn't know that my father has fallen out of favor?"
Shen Tang: "I just don't know..."
Is this for real?
|ω`)
(End of this chapter)
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