A military manual says: "In the art of war, one must have a thousand chariots, a thousand leather chariots, a hundred thousand soldiers in armor, and a thousand miles of food. The cost of internal and external expenses, the cost of guests, the cost of glue and paint, and the cost of chariots and armor will cost a thousand gold coins a day. Only then can an army of a hundred thousand be raised."

This is not an exaggeration at all. Leading an army of 100,000 is a spectacular scene, but there are countless things to consider, and the baggage to be carried cannot be transported even with a thousand carts. The daily expenses for food, drink, defecation, housing and transportation all require real money.

The army moved slowly, covering only forty miles a day. Fortunately, the weather was suitable after the beginning of spring and it never rained. They chose to set up camp on sunny high ground every day and lived in peace.

Feng Ye and Yan Sikong studied the battle map again and again. Yan Sikong suddenly asked, "Leaving General Feng and 30,000 soldiers to guard Datong should free us from worries at the rear, right?" They were already halfway through the journey and Taiyuan City was just ahead. They had repeatedly considered the strategy and were determined to take Taiyuan. However, if something happened at the rear, all their efforts would be wasted.

Feng Ye was confident: "Don't worry, my uncle has been stationed in Datong with my father for 20 years and knows Datong like the back of his hand. No one is more suitable to guard Datong than him. You are just worried that Chahar will change his mind. They are reaping the benefits of the trade and probably won't change their mind. Even if they really dare to betray them, it will not pose any threat to Datong."

Yan Sikong nodded: "It's not easy to farm and guard the border outside the Great Wall for so many years."

Feng Ye said coldly, "That is the hardest and most dangerous job in the world. My father was born and raised in the prosperous capital, but he was willing to guard the border for decades for the imperial court. His Chen family's kingdom was protected by my Feng family. Not only is the dog emperor ungrateful, he also teamed up with the eunuchs to frame my Feng family. I will make him pay the price!"

Yan Sikong didn't say anything, but looked at Feng Ye silently, feeling a little worried.

He knew hatred better than anyone.

Confucius, a sage of the Doctrine of the Mean, also said that one should not share the world with the enemy of one's parents. Hatred is a powerful double-edged sword that hurts others and oneself at the same time. He will be trapped in the quagmire of hatred for the rest of his life, but he cannot persuade Feng Ye, he can only help Feng Ye to take revenge. Moreover, now is indeed the best time to rebel, when the court is in a critical condition.

Feng Ye looked down at the Taiyuan City on the sand table, like a beast looking at its prey. He said coldly, "No matter how high your walls are, no matter how strong your walls are, I will definitely take you down!"

——

The army was about to enter Chongxia Mountain. The deep mountains have always been a good place for ambushes, and the Taiyuan army must be waiting for them with ease.

Feng Ye ordered to set up camp on the spot, sent scouts to find out the situation ahead, and discussed with the generals whether to go through the mountains or take a detour.

This time, Feng Ye and Yan Sikong did not disagree. They both did not want to take a detour. A 100,000-man army was a huge thing, and it would be cumbersome to move. If they went around the mountain, it would take at least half a month longer. By then, the army would be old and tired, and it would be too dangerous if they were attacked by the Taiyuan army. Moreover, this road would become their supply route in the future. Not only did they have to pass through safely, but they also had to set up camp and build a stronghold, leaving soldiers to guard it again.

After discussing for an entire afternoon, they all felt a little headache and went their separate ways to eat.

Inside the tent, Feng Ye half-lay on the couch and said tiredly, "This mountain is steeper than it looks on the map."

"Hmm." Yan Sikong sat aside thoughtfully.

"Do you have any idea?"

"Actually, what the generals said today makes sense. It would be a waste of time for the army to take a detour, but we can divide the troops, which is a more stable solution. I wonder if there is a better way."

Feng Ye nodded: "I was thinking that too."

Yan Sikong's mind was filled with sand table diagrams and various demonstrations of dividing troops into regular and irregular forces.

The guard brought in the food, placed it on the table and then left. It was no longer a secret in the army that the two of them ate and slept together.

Feng Ye said: "Let's eat first."

Yan Sikong sat over, holding the bowl but not enjoying the food: "Counting the days, Quewang should be halfway there. Qingyang is still a bit farther, but the road is not difficult." He actually wished he could split himself in half, otherwise no matter which side he followed, he would worry about the other side.

"Don't worry about forgetting. He is cautious, brave and resourceful. I believe he can bring it to Qingyang for me." Feng Ye said, "Besides, he has been very smart since he was a child."

Yan Sikong paused, took a bite of the food, and said nothing.

Yuan Nanyu was a gifted child, but he was not the smartest one in a million, and he didn't like studying. Wasn't he more like Yan Sikong, the nine-year-old who took the exam? He could never understand why Feng Ye could mistake the two of them. He could only conclude that Feng Ye didn't want him to be the person he was when he was young.

However, their relationship has now eased, and Yan Sikong is unwilling to mention it again. No matter how much love or resentment he has for Feng Ye, he is not a person who will delay important matters for personal reasons. He needs to get along with Feng Ye in harmony and work together for great things.

Feng Ye probably realized something and said, "I just received news from Yunnan today."

Yan Sikong raised his head: "Oh? How is the battle going?"

Feng Ye said unkindly: "As you said, we are holding on tightly and the rebel suppression army has been unable to take the city and is now in a stalemate."

"That's good. As long as he holds his ground, the rebel suppression army will not be able to defeat him for a while. When we take Taiyuan and head straight for the capital, the court will definitely mobilize troops to help, and the crisis in Yunnan will be resolved."

Feng Ye raised his eyebrows: "Taiyuan is a stone city and hot spring, comparable to Jingzhou in the past, and has more soldiers and horses than Jingzhou. I led the army to attack, and never expected to take it quickly. It will take at least a year and a half, and at most three to five years. Can Zhongqing hold on until then?"

"Even if we can't take it quickly, we can't delay that long." Yan Sikong shook his head and said, "We can't afford to delay the supply of food and military pay, and Zhongqing can't afford to delay either. We must take Taiyuan within a year."

Feng Ye said coldly: "That depends on our ability, but I advise you not to have too much hope in Chen Yi. If we conquer Taiyuan and he fails to stop the rebellion-suppressing army, he will be a burden to us."

"No." Yan Sikong said firmly, "He has the appearance of an emperor, so the throne must be his."

Feng Ye narrowed his eyes, his expression somewhat gloomy: "What benefit did he promise you that made you so loyal and determined to help him get to the top despite all the difficulties?"

"Back when I was his tutor, I taught him as the future monarch, and he really lived up to my expectations." Yan Sikong said solemnly, "During those years, I used all I had learned to cultivate the emperor in my mind. He had a difficult childhood, so he could understand the suffering of the lower classes. He would think what I think and worry about what I worry about. Only when he becomes the emperor can I, as the emperor's teacher and prime minister, work hard to govern the country and realize my ambitions."

A trace of cold anger flashed across Feng Ye's eyes. He took a sip of wine and whispered, "It seems that you, Yan Sikong, are truly a wise minister of your generation, and you have moved heaven and earth."

Yan Sikong heard the sarcasm in those words and did not respond.

"If that day really comes, I don't know how people in the world will view you, and how history books will write about you." Feng Ye glanced at him, "Just your first half of life will take up several volumes."

"I don't care." Yan Sikong said lightly.

"Have you ever thought about this?" Feng Ye approached, staring at him with a pair of sharp wolf eyes, "Once Chen Yu becomes the emperor, will he be willing to be our puppet? One day, will you and I follow in my father's footsteps?"

Yan Sikong took a deep breath and said, "As long as you hold the military power tightly, no one can shake you in the slightest."

Feng Ye patted his cheek and said, "That's a good point. Yes, I will hold on to my army tightly. I won't be as blindly loyal as my father. I will get back everything that the Chen family owes to my Feng family."