The military food crisis (Part 1)
As expected, a war broke out in Shu County.
Zhu Liji received a secret report from the front lines. It was a request from the prefect, who said that he had gathered a militia of about 800 men and hoped that Zhu Liji could also send an elite force to cooperate from within and without to defeat the nearly 10,000 enemy soldiers who had been lured into the forest.
But the current situation is no longer a localized internal conflict.
Half an incense stick's time before the report from the front lines arrived, another secret report was sent from the capital, saying that a few nights ago, the crown prince killed his younger brother and then surrounded the emperor's palace, intending to force the ailing emperor to abdicate.
As for the reason why the crown prince was so anxious, it was nothing more than believing the rumors that his father intended to depose him and install his younger brother in his place. For a crown prince to act in this way is truly the height of folly.
A sinister glint flashed in Zhu Liji's eyes. The old emperor had only two sons. Now, one son was dead and the other had committed a heinous crime. It was a time when the country was in turmoil and in dire need of a reshuffle.
Presumably, my father, who is far away on the border, will soon receive news of the upheaval in the capital. When my father, who is the emperor's younger brother, returns to the capital to quell the rebellion, as a trusted minister stationed on the border and a ruthless prince who has shed blood and sweat, it is only right and proper that the Great Zhao Dynasty should be transformed.
Now all that's missing is a spark, Zhu Liji thought.
Zhu Liji lowered his eyes, supporting his chin with his hand, his large palm covering his face.
—To help or not to help.
Everyone who has influence in the military is here.
After all, it was a matter of life and death. Even with the militia, our side only had a little over a thousand people, and the depths of the jungle were still unknown. Even a seasoned veteran could not guarantee victory with fewer troops.
A few steps away, Jiang Qin, who usually served as the military camp's strategist, fiddled with the tassel hanging from the end of his folding fan and fell silent, a rare occurrence for him.
Li Mingjing took a deep breath and stepped forward: "Young Marshal, as long as you give the order, your subject and the Shenjing soldiers are willing to follow you no matter what decision you make."
Although Li Mingjing was not very familiar with this young marshal and heir who had lived in the capital for a long time, he firmly believed in the court's decision and was willing to submit to the General of the State, who was also the bloodline of his benefactor, the Zhu family.
As a capable lieutenant who had followed General Zhu for many years, how could he be afraid in the face of this crisis?
Li Mingjing clenched his fists and spoke with conviction.
Zhu Liji's eyelashes fluttered, and Li Mingjing's clenched fist trembled slightly in the candlelight.
Their own general stepped forward to volunteer, and the other generals also bowed in acknowledgment. This army had no cowards who feared death; they were all of noble character.
Zhu Liji didn't even need to say anything to incite others; the matter of leading troops into the forest was completed naturally.
Jiang Qin stared at the secret letter on the table. It was clearly a plea for help written in vermilion, but it had become a pawn in the struggle for power.
In their youth, he and Zhu Liji inevitably discussed military and political matters while in school: back then, they were young and full of self-satisfaction, but now, facing real combat and shedding blood, they felt somewhat lost.
Money was spent like water, lives were lost like the morning glow. The imperial city was a place where people were devoured without bloodshed, while on the battlefield, corpses were wrapped in bridles.
If Jiang Qin were to make the decision, this proposal would be too risky and the details would not be well thought out. He would definitely find it difficult to agree, after all, he would not want to see his own people lose their heads and be sacrificed innocently.
But Jiang Tan was not Zhu Liji. He had never entered the game as a hostage, nor had he left his parents to wade into the stagnant waters of imperial suspicion.
For a moment, Jiang Qin felt a little fortunate to be in this position, as he didn't have to make the decision and therefore faced less potential blame.
Jiang Qin didn't know what to say, his throat tightened, but he lowered his body slightly to avoid Zhu Liji's questioning gaze, and said in a deep voice: "Please grant General Li's request, young marshal."
As if he had a premonition, Zhu Liji subtly curled his lips.
“If that’s the case, then it’s settled.” Zhu Liji finally shifted his gaze from that handsome, upright face. He rose from his seat, drew the sword from the side of his military armor, and with a flash of silver light, the raised sword tip cleaved through the dull thud.
"Reply to the governor of Shu Commandery, and I, the heir apparent, will personally lead my troops to restore peace to Shu Commandery!"
Dark clouds loomed over the city, a biting wind rose, and the soldiers shouted in unison. Their spears slammed into the ground, causing the tents to tilt three-tenths of an inch.
Amidst the fierce fighting, a soldier came from outside and whispered in Li Mingjing's ear.
...
"Holy crap!" Li Mingjing's voice was rough, and his unconscious outburst drew everyone's attention.
Zhu Liji also frowned and looked over.
"Oh! Young Marshal, it's nothing, just about those cooks." Li Mingjing smiled. "Didn't we just take in two new cooks? Zhang Xingzhong didn't want them, so the girls proposed a cooking competition to prove themselves."
Yan Zhiwei is indeed a menace! But Zhang Xingzhong is… Zhu Liji turned to the side, and Jiang Tan took over the conversation: “He is a soldier who has followed General Zhu since the beginning. He is an old acquaintance of General Li and he was from the same hometown. Later, due to injuries and illnesses, he was transferred from the front line to the reserve.”
After explaining, Jiang Qin smiled at Li Mingjing and said, "If what the general says is true, then having such a competition at this critical juncture is timely, as it helps to ease the tense atmosphere."
“The strategist and I are on the same page!” Li Mingjing patted his muscular belly. “Zhang Xingzhong has been sullen ever since he was injured and forced to retreat. Now that he finally has something he wants to do, I’m also looking forward to seeing something new!”
Jiang Qin and Li Mingjing chatted animatedly, exchanging pleasantries. Zhu Liji frowned, noticing Jiang Qin secretly giving him a meaningful look.
Oh well, let him be. He couldn't be bothered to say anything more about Yan Zhiwei, that troublemaker.
The people on either side are those I promised to accept.
Zhu Liji straightened his face and waved his hand, saying, "Let them compete."
"In that case, I'll have the brothers prepare a place." Li Mingjing was overjoyed upon receiving the order and beckoned several guards out of the tent.
Inside the military tent, only Zhu Liji and Jiang Tan remained, staring at each other in bewilderment.
"Satisfied," Zhu Liji said calmly.
"It's just a petty squabble between commoners, yet it has earned you such kind words." Zhu Liji has always known that Jiang Qin is kind-hearted, but these days he has been inexplicably kind too much, which has made him somewhat lose his former demeanor.
Because of that woman? Or because of Zhu Mingyu?
Zhu Liji's expression darkened, but he didn't say much about his guesses. But how could Jiang Qin not know?
Jiang Qin stepped forward, bowed slightly, and showed his white teeth in a cupped-hand salute: "I was moved by Zhang Xingzhong's loyalty. I had heard the soldiers whisper that Zhang Xingzhong dedicated his life to the general and to the country."
"As the Master taught, a commander of an army or even an emperor of a country cannot do without the support of the common people. He who understands the people's hearts wins their hearts, and he who comprehends the people's will wins the world."
“I think that’s exactly what he meant,” Jiang Qin said.
Zhu Liji understood the meaning behind Jiang Tan's words, helped Jiang Tan up, and commented, "You understand how to manage people better than I do."
"..."
A gust of wind blew into Jiang Qin's inner garment, making his teeth chatter from the cold.
Jiang Qin remained silent for a moment. Zhu Liji continued to stare at him, his gaze indifferent, just as it had been when he spoke, making it difficult to discern any emotion.
Jiang Qin revealed his pearly teeth, a hint of bitterness creeping onto his lips: "Has Your Excellency forgotten that I myself am but a commoner, and my mother was a lowly prostitute?"
"It's just that I've been influenced by what I've seen and heard, and I'm more understanding now," Jiang Qin smiled.
Zhu Liji fell silent.
——
Zhiwei stood at the front of the camp, where the crowd of onlookers grew denser and denser, attracting even some high-ranking generals.
Shao Zhao was dressed in men's clothing and stood beside Zhiwei without any awkwardness. Zhiwei was surprised by the scene and her mouth was wide open.
The competition between Zhiwei and Zhang Xingzhong was public; they openly set up two cooking stations in front of the mess hall. Two days later, they would each bring out their finished products to determine the winner.
"Sister, there are so many people here, are you really confident that we can win?" Shao Zhao had never seen Zhiwei cook before, let alone met Zhiwei from Lingnan. So at this moment, she felt more of an unknown than nervous.
"Let's wait and see." Zhiwei picked up her hairpin and casually twirled it into a ball.
She had a lot of work to do, and her eyes kept glancing at Sun Wei, who was watching the commotion from the crowd.
The competition was Sun Wei's suggestion. Zhang Xingzhong was a veteran in the military and had great influence. If they held a grand competition, regardless of winning or losing, as long as Zhiwei's final product was not bad, it would change their current situation to some extent and allow them to work with dignity.
Sun Wei simply did not understand the difference in skill level between Zhiwei and Zhang Xingzhong.
In both her past and present lives, Zhiwei has genuinely honed her culinary skills, while Zhang Xingzhong is merely a half-baked cook turned soldier, living a rough life and lacking a discerning palate. Zhiwei has no reason to lose; the word "lose" doesn't exist in her dictionary.
"A competition will be held with a two-day time limit to improve the dry rations commonly eaten in the military. The finished products will be kept anonymous, and the final results will be judged by all the soldiers. What do you think?"
"Of course." Zhiwei didn't even blink; her heart was filled with only the desire for victory.
Thinking of this, Zhang Xingzhong's confident smile flashed through Zhiwei's mind again. Driven by her competitive spirit, Zhiwei's heartbeat gradually increased, and she raised and lowered her heels, eager to try.
To improve the palatability of dry food biscuits, in terms of taste, it is necessary to change the single seasoning and dry texture. In terms of nutrition, it is best to add some other ingredients.
Zhiwei rested her chin on her left hand, constantly devising new methods to try. Shao Zhao stood beside her, reaching out to untie the rope on the flour sack, but he didn't control his strength well and accidentally spilled half of the sack on the ground.
"Sister, I didn't notice..." Shao Zhao blushed and jumped up, "I'll put the flour bag further away."
Shao Zhao turned to the side and tripped over the kitchen utensils that were on the ground and hadn't been put away yet.
In a short while, dust filled the air near the stove. It felt like an itch tickling her respiratory tract; just a second ago, Zhiwei was immersed in her world of ideas, and the next second, her eyes were so fogged up that she couldn't open them.
The first person to notice Zhiwei's embarrassment burst into laughter. It was a very familiar voice. Zhiwei wiped her eyes with water and happened to meet the gaze of the "culprit" behind everything.
"Sister, I'm sorry, did I mess up again?" Shao Zhao tugged at her shirt, not daring to look up.
Zhiwei's lips twitched. Suddenly, she had an extra chore to clean the stove, and there was no reliable helper around.
Seeing how well Zhang Xingzhong helped out in the kitchen, while she herself was just a decorative "scarecrow," Zhiwei wanted to roar, but had to restrain herself.
"Hahahaha!" Sun Wei on the other side was still laughing, his dimples getting bigger and bigger, which disgusted Zhiwei.
Zhiwei's eyebrows furrowed into an "eight" shape, then suddenly relaxed.
"Shaozhao."
"Would you like to lend your sister a hand?"
Zhiwei's cleaver made a dull sound as it scraped against the cutting board: "Can you do me a favor? Only you can do it!"
"What is it!"
“One very important thing.”
Zhiwei smoothed her hair: "Leave the stove, and then, go find a man!"
"man?"
"Yes, that's the man. Let him take you away. No, you go and take him away. The farther you two go, the better."
So far away that she doesn't want to see it or be bothered by it; so far away that if she doesn't look for it, she shouldn't come back.
Zhiwei pushed Shao Zhao, wishing she could be as far away from her beloved stove as possible, "Take good care of her." Zhiwei grabbed Shao Zhao by the back of her clothes and tossed her to Sun Wei with a look of utter disdain.
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