Gan Xingfan witnessed a similar situation when he was young... A line of poetry can perfectly describe the scene: The rich have wine and meat, while the poor are frozen to death on the road.
"Brother Tongxi! How can this be considered a good strategy?" Gan Xingfan said indignantly.
Seeing Gan Xingfan's anger, Lin Tongxi was indeed not anxious. He continued, "Don't worry, General Gan. Let me tell you about the next best strategy."
"Tell me quickly! Don't keep me in suspense!" Gan Xingfan drank several glasses of water in an attempt to cool himself down.
The so-called worst option is to speed up the flow of refugees.
This is similar to Ding Nanjing's idea, both of which intend to disperse the refugees to various places in Xiangzhou.
However, at the normal rate, the refugees might start fighting over food within the jurisdiction of Xiangjiang County before they can disperse properly.
It’s very simple to avoid fighting, just have enough food.
If you transfer the extra people to other places, you will naturally not have this problem.
Transfer requires speed. If the refugees rely on walking, there is a risk that something might go wrong before they even reach their destination.
To do this, you need tools.
For example...the navy’s ships!
"...This is indeed a good idea, but the matter of troop movements is too sensitive and must be reported to Lord Ding Nanjing."
"With the time it takes to get back and forth, plus the time it takes for the navy to mobilize, I'm afraid it's too late."
"Plus... General Mao Dehui has always been at odds with General Wen, and I'm afraid he'll interfere."
"Let's talk about the middle strategy."
Gan Xingfan sighed helplessly. In fact, he had proposed this strategy later, but it was a pity that General Wen was too weak to fight against such a huge force as the Xiangzhou gentry.
Only a part of the navy obeyed General Wen, and the majority was still under the control of the Xiangzhou gentry headed by Mao Dehui.
Even if Ding Nanjing agreed, it would still be a dead end if the Xiangzhou gentry did not nod their heads.
What's more, Xie Wenzhou in the east has been provoking wars frequently recently, so the navy has to be kept to deal with them.
Lin Tongxi also knew that this plan didn't have much hope. If there was hope, Ding Nanjing would have already arranged it. Why would he have to wait for him to propose it?
War is a matter of deception.
This is a sentence that Lin Tongxi read in a famous military book. If you want to break the deadlock, you must achieve a surprise victory.
However, winning by surprise must also follow certain principles, otherwise there will only be "surprise" but no "victory".
The principle of breaking the deadlock is very simple: reduce the enemy's strength and increase your own strength.
The reason why Lin Tongxi proposed the best plan was that he had a clear understanding of Gan Xingfan's personality.
Between the best and the middle options, he would tend to choose the worst option.
"Okay, then I'll tell you." After Lin Tongxi finished talking about the two strategies, his mouth was dry and he drank several sips of water, while Gan Xingfan poured it for him without getting tired of it.
This middle strategy is similar to the best strategy in that both aim to divide the opponent's strength.
It's just a bit radical, similar to raising poisonous insects.
That is, other townships will refuse to accept refugees and guide all refugees to Hegu Township, where Qingshi Village is located, as a transit station.
Then the grain from other places was concentrated and supplied to Hegu Township, and other manpower was also concentrated along this route.
Its core idea can be summarized in one sentence: concentrate resources to accomplish major tasks.
With this, you can increase your strength.
"...Lin Tongxi, are you sure? Qingshi Village is in Hegu Township. Do you have a grudge against them?" Gan Xingfan questioned the rationality of this plan.
Lin Tongxi shook his head and rejected this: "Of course not, Qingshi Village saved my life, I certainly won't repay kindness with hatred."
"With so many people gathered in Hegu Township, aren't you afraid that the refugees will cause trouble and a lot of people will die?" Gan Xingfan asked back.
"Well...it depends on whether the general is willing to help them." Lin Tongxi held his chin and looked at Gan Xingfan.
Gan Xingfan looked puzzled and asked, "How do you want me to help you?"
Lin Tongxi pointed to Huigu Mountain on the map and stated his purpose: "General Gan, can you allow the elders of Hegu Township to move to Huigu Mountain? Only the young men will remain in the township."
Since the destruction of Huxiaozhai, Huigu Mountain has been under the jurisdiction of Guangyang County, and people are stationed there regularly to prevent bandits from occupying it.
"No problem... I'll just tell Magistrate Huo. But then there will be fewer people to take care of the refugees. What will we do when there's a shortage of manpower?" Gan Xingfan continued to ask questions.
Facing the other party's question, Lin Tongxi was well prepared and answered calmly: "Don't worry, General Gan should not have forgotten the best strategy, right?"
"As long as there is benefit, there are some people among the refugees who can be won over, and that benefit is food."
After listening to this, Gan Xingfan patted his thigh and shouted "Good!"
"But... this is secondary... we still need a force to help... for example..." Lin Tongxi said, drinking water and keeping the secret.
"Like what?" Gan Xingfan asked impatiently.
Lin Tongxi finished drinking the water before responding to the other party's question.
"For example... Chengtian Academy!"
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