Chapter 738: The Battle Begins (Part 1) [Requesting Monthly Tickets]
"What? Ganzhou granary?"
Shen Tang's voice suddenly rose several octaves, loud enough for Ning Yan outside to hear. Even Shen Tang, who was used to seeing all sorts of things, couldn't control her broken expression. It wasn't that she lacked composure; Xie Qi's move was truly unexpected.
She immediately lowered her voice and asked again, "Is this true?"
“It is absolutely true, I would stake my life on it for Lord Shen.” This was Xie Qi’s biggest political bargaining chip, originally intended as a backup plan, but plans never go as expected. Now that it could be put to use, it was a good use of its resources.
Shen Tang didn't seem particularly happy.
She frowned slightly and put down the object in her hand: "Zheng Qiao is so wary, it's unlikely that he can truly trust anyone. Isn't Shizang worried that this is a deliberate deception? His act of letting your family leave on his own initiative is itself suspicious."
Xie Qi was taken aback: "Does Shen Jun suspect me?"
Shen Tang hurriedly waved his hand and explained, "No, no, no, I didn't mean that. Although I dare not boast that I have a discerning eye, I haven't misjudged anyone over the years. I naturally trust Shizang's character, and I'm glad that you're willing to confide in me... It's just that Zheng Qiao is treacherous, and we have to be wary of him. He might indeed be using Shizang to scheme against me. We can't take this lightly."
Xie Qi calmed down upon hearing this, and secretly broke out in a sweat.
Shen Tang's concerns were not unfounded.
It's definitely something Zheng Qiao would do.
This fellow loves to cast a handful of bait to lure fat fish to the hook. Who can guarantee that Xie Qi isn't a bait deliberately released by Zheng Qiao to lure in the fat fish, You Li? Xie Qi's heart was in turmoil, and he said with self-reproach, "It was indeed my oversight."
Shen Tang smiled and comforted Xie Qi: "Shi Zang, don't belittle yourself. That was just my guess. No matter how capable Zheng Qiao is, he's just a lone wolf after everyone has turned against him. Even if he has countless schemes, one person's plans are limited, and it's impossible for him to be thorough in everything and have a sharp mind. I'm just curious, how did Shi Zang know the location of this batch of grain? Isn't Zheng Qiao supposed to be suspicious?"
Xie Qi had composed himself and replied, "No matter how suspicious he is, he can't possibly take on everything and do everything himself."
Zheng Qiao was not the type to be diligent in his duties; he was far from being a hands-on expert. His greatest strength lay in threatening capable people to do his work. If they did well, they could continue working; if they didn't, he could kill them at any time to vent his anger. Fortunately, Xie Qi was the one who was capable, did his job well, and kept quiet. This meant that although Xie Qi held a nominal position as a court attendant, Zheng Qiao hadn't dismissed him, and Xie Qi's life was relatively comfortable.
He also has access to many confidential and important matters.
Xie Qi knew that this peace was only temporary. As Zheng Qiao's condition worsened and the Dragon Slaying Bureau was eyeing them covetously, Xie Qi was beset by internal and external troubles. Following Zheng Qiao would mean certain death sooner or later.
If there's a chance to escape, of course, leaving is the best option.
Shen Tang: "..."
She had even imagined Xie Qi stealing secrets before leaving, a scenario Zheng Qiao had anticipated. She forgot that Xie Qi, as an employee, might have access to classified information in his job. Now, she was uncertain.
The gift Xie Qi offered was too tempting.
She hesitated for a moment and swayed.
He sighed, "This is too difficult."
"If we can capture the granary, Zheng Qiao will undoubtedly lose this round!" Xie Qi cautiously probed. This was the perfect opportunity to strike at Zheng Qiao's vitals, but it was fraught with risk and crisis. "Shen Jun, are you worried that there might be an ambush at the granary? What if we burn the granary down..."
In theory, not too many elite troops are needed.
The investment is negligible compared to the returns.
Shen Tang exclaimed, then countered with a question to Xie Qi: "What do you mean by burning down the granary? Why would you burn down the granary?"
Xie Qi and Shen Tang looked at each other, both bewildered.
"How can we win if we don't destroy their food supplies and cut off their lifeline?"
Shen Tang disagreed with Xie Qi's actions. She sighed, "As the saying goes, 'Every grain of rice on the plate is the result of hard work.' This is already a year of famine, and the various powers are only concerned with fighting each other. How can they care about the people's livelihood? With endless war, how can the common people work in peace? Previously, Zheng Qiao implemented a scorched-earth policy in Yanzhou, not only destroying the spring planting, but also plundering grain from various places and taking away all the able-bodied men. The old and weak left behind are helpless and can only wait to die in despair. If we burn down the granaries of Ganzhou, it will be tantamount to sending these people to their doom."
I grieve for the many hardships faced by the people.
Even though reason told Shen Tang that burning down the granary was the least costly and most effective way to demoralize Zheng Qiao's troops, how could he bear to do it when he thought about the lives at stake? Burning the grain was tantamount to murder.
Xie Qi's face paled slightly upon hearing this.
He only thought about the benefits this bargaining chip could bring him.
He hadn't considered any of what Shen Tang said.
Even though Xie Qi didn't think there was anything wrong with his ideas, he felt somewhat ashamed in the face of Shen Jun's sincere words.
“I don’t mean to blame you, it’s my fault. I’m not a decisive person, I’m even a bit too indecisive… Shizang, you’re just fulfilling your duty as a strategist.” Shen Tang sighed in self-reproach, looking dejected.
Xie Qi hurriedly said, "Shen Jun, you absolutely cannot think like that."
The young man before me was too sincere and kind, but that wasn't wrong. People like Zheng Qiao, though ruthless and decisive, did their existence make the world a better place?
The people are impoverished, and war continues unabated.
Because of Yan An, Xie Qi also paid some attention to Shen Tang. He knew that Shen Tang was not the type to be "indecisive" at all; while he had a compassionate heart, he was also capable of being fierce. Having a kind heart and having an excessive amount of kindness are two different things.
With Zheng Qiao as a cautionary tale and a good example to follow, Shen Tang, with her stable emotions and kind heart, was the perfect match for him.
Shen Tang's gaze fell on the "dowry" on the table.
He said, "Let's plan this matter slowly."
The location of the granary is most likely real. Even if Zheng Qiao had planned it carefully, it would be impossible to move so much grain in just a few days. The potential profits are enough for Shen Tang to take the risk. Unfortunately—there's a shortage of manpower right now, otherwise he really would have been willing to take the plunge.
Xie Qi cupped his hands and said, "Yes."
After Shen Tang came out, she patted the fluffy heads of Xie Qi's two daughters and said a few auspicious words of blessing. The two children were not shy at all; the younger one even looked up at her without blinking. Shen Tang asked with a smile, "Why is Your Majesty looking at me like that?"
Lady Xie's heart was in her throat.
She was afraid that her daughter's poor performance would leave a bad impression on others.
Unexpectedly, the younger daughter said, "Shen Jun is so handsome. Can I touch your face? You touched my head too."
Shen Tang half-squatted down and stuck out her face: "Here, touch it."
The youngest daughter actually touched her cheek very carefully, a scene that made Madam Xie's blood pressure spike and her heartstrings tighten.
Before leaving, Shen Tang reminded them, "You sisters must study hard and cultivate diligently under Master Ning's guidance. Only when you grow up can you become pillars of society and bring happiness to the people."
The two girls nodded earnestly and made sure to remember.
Gu Chi had been waiting for Shen Tang for a long time and teased, "Is the 'dowry' brought by Xie Shizang to your liking?"
Shen Tang complained, "It's good to look at but not usable! Wang Chao, can you please stop using such metaphors? It makes it sound like I'm some kind of ultimate scumbag who's after the bride's dowry... no, I mean, a scumbag woman..."
Gu Chi smiled but remained silent.
But his eyes seemed to say everything.
Shen Tang: "...Having you is truly my blessing!"
“A blessed man should serve a blessed lord. Speaking of which, the relationship between my lord and Chi can be considered a case of ‘tricks and thieves’.”
Shouldn't they give some compensation?
Shen Tang: "..."
Gu Chi couldn't help but chuckle, wisely stopping himself before Shen Tang could get angry. At the same time, he reminded Shen Tang, "Oh, by the way, Shi Zang still doesn't know that our lord is a woman. The couple will probably be quite conflicted for a couple of days when they return."
Shen Tang's forehead was covered in question marks.
"Shizang should be fairly satisfied with me, and he's now loyal."
Why do we have to struggle for two more days?
Could it be that she overdid it with her singing, recitation, acting, and fighting just now?
Gu Chi chuckled, but refused to explain why.
Just as he expected, not long after Madam Xie returned home, she inexplicably became frowning, leaving Xie Qi completely bewildered.
His two daughters had successfully become apprentices, and his youngest daughter had also secured a renowned teacher. With their futures secure, he couldn't understand why his wife was still so unhappy. After some subtle probing, she finally spoke hesitantly: "How old is Mr. Shen…?"
Xie Qi said, "A young talent's ambition is not limited by age."
Unexpectedly, the lady said, "Shen Jun is not yet engaged, is he?"
Xie Qi was puzzled: "Ask this... You want to act as a matchmaker for the lord? Don't make decisions about this rashly, or you might offend someone."
The lady pinched the soft flesh of his waist: "Who said I was going to act as matchmaker for Shen Jun? What I meant was that Shen Jun is so young and not yet engaged, and our daughter is so talented... Today, I noticed that Shen Jun was very kind to them..."
Xie Qi: "..."
To become the future father-in-law of the new lord?
If fate allows, it's not impossible.
The lady flew into a rage: "What do you mean, 'allow'?!"
Xie Qi said, "Let alone the fact that this matter is still unfounded, even if it were true, with such good conditions from our lord, we wouldn't be able to resist taking it."
The lady, however, had a temper that she couldn't vent.
There's no point in talking to you about this!
She hopes her daughter will be like Ning Tunan!
The couple's voices woke up their second daughter, who was still awake next door. People in this era were mostly precocious, and she calmly said, "Isn't Shen Jun a woman?"
Why would someone like Shen Jun be considered when choosing a son-in-law?
Xie Qi and his wife: "???"
Their daughter's question echoed in their minds again and again.
The second daughter asked, puzzled, "Isn't that right?"
Shen Jun was the most beautiful female ruler she had ever seen. She was beautiful, spoke gently, and was even more powerful than her father. She was also her father's new lord. She longed to be like her. It seemed like a good thing if her husband were like Shen Jun.
Xie Qi and his wife: "..."
The lady looked at Xie Qi: "A woman?"
Xie Qi answered with difficulty, "...I don't know."
Because of a careless remark made by their second daughter, the couple tossed and turned all night, unable to sleep. It wasn't until before dawn the next day, when Ning Yan, their teacher, came to their door, that Xie Qi cautiously and subtly inquired. Ning Yan said, "Shizang, you're only just finding out?"
Xie Qi: "..."
It would be a miracle if he knew that Shen Tang was a woman!
Ning Yan mocked him: "Aren't you supposed to be cunning, having impersonated Dawei? How come you're blind to the truth when you're in front of the lord?"
Xie Qi: "..."
He really didn't expect that.
Ning Yan smiled and said, "My lord has always believed that forced relationships are never sweet. If you, Shizang, feel that serving a woman as your master is a shameful thing, you can still regret it. My lord will not blame you."
Xie Qi's face turned as black as the bottom of a pot.
If he backs down now, his wife could tear him apart with her bare hands, and it also concerns the future of their three daughters.
Xie Qi said, "When did I ever intend to go back on my word?"
Nu Jiao was once his lord, so what about women?
He vaguely understood the secret behind Ning Yan and the other women's ability to cultivate, but that was no longer important.
Because Cunshan's defenses were practically armed to the teeth, Zheng Qiao only sent people to keep watch and take precautions, rather than launching an attack. Shen Tang's side enjoyed two days of relative peace. In contrast, the Dragon Slaying Bureau's allied forces weren't so comfortable…
Huang Lie generously shared the Hercules Pill with his allies. For everyone, this thing was good, but it was also quite dangerous.
At first, they thought Huang Lie was exaggerating, but after actually using a batch of them, they realized he was right; the success rate was indeed only 10%. Did they give up because of this? Of course not.
This brings us to the composition of the troops.
The strongest fighting force naturally consisted of the elite troops of each faction, well-equipped, experienced in combat, and obedient to command; some were even capable of absolute discipline. However, they were only a minority. A significant portion were cannon fodder hastily recruited.
Their skill levels varied greatly, and their equipment and weapons were rudimentary.
Why bring them to the battlefield?
Naturally, they were drawn by their large numbers, which boosted morale.
The allied forces were naturally reluctant to give their elite troops a super-powerful boost, as it wouldn't significantly improve their stats. On the contrary, it was a different story for the lower-ranking soldiers.
They were physically weak, lacked combat strength, and had poor morale—the easiest weaknesses to exploit on the battlefield. If they were given the Hercules Pill, even one out of ten could become a heavy-shield warrior, making it extremely cost-effective. At this point, everyone felt immense envy and jealousy towards Huang Lie. During that civil unrest, how many refugees and bandits had followed Huang Lie as their savior?
No matter how many Hercules Pills you refine, you won't have to worry about finding someone to eat them.
Soldiers are just ordinary people; how could they know the schemes of those in power?
Kang Shi, Gu Ren, and others remained silent for a long time after hearing the news.
They all expressed the same sentiment.
Few of their allies are human.
Slaying a dragon?
It's just dogs fighting.
To Kang Shi's surprise, instead of being attacked, his allies were accused of wrongdoing. A disheveled man, his feet covered in blood, claimed to be a subordinate of Tao Yan. He said they had been ambushed by Shen Tang's troops while crossing the river and pleaded with their leader to uphold justice.
The way everyone looked at this person was strange.
Tao Yan's former subordinates were completely oblivious. He had encountered many troubles along the way, but the thought of seeking justice for their former master had sustained him until now. He thought that such a wise man as the alliance leader would surely be able to get justice for their former master and bring all the villains to justice!
But what he never expected was—
Leader Huang countered, "Do you know that Tao Shenyu is secretly colluding with the tyrant Zheng Qiao, plotting to assassinate Prefect Shen?"
The former subordinates were completely stunned.
"This, this, this is absolutely impossible!"
How could his lord collude with the enemy?
Huang Lie said, "The evidence is conclusive, with both witnesses and physical evidence."
The old subordinate's shoulders slumped, as if all his energy had been drained away. He looked blankly at the people in the tent, these important figures whom he rarely saw. Now they were so close to him, yet seemed so far away. They seemed to be mocking his foolishness from their high above.
〒▽〒
Ugh, I got sleepy as soon as I started doing practice problems this afternoon. It must be because of the humid weather...
(End of this chapter)
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