Chapter 53 The Battle
Guangyuefu was in debt while simultaneously transporting grain from granaries across the country.
They managed to maintain all the expenses at the front.
She also wrote letters to Ye Shanming and Hua Jingming respectively.
In addition, he also wrote a letter to Hua Youling.
Nanjiang County has once again become a transportation hub.
However, previously supplies were sent from all over the country.
Now supplies are being gathered from all over Guangyue Prefecture.
Sixty thousand veterans.
There are also 60,000 new recruits.
The army of 120,000 men needed the support of the Guangyue Prefecture.
It's really difficult.
Under the current circumstances, supplying one soldier requires the labor of at least five or six people.
They wanted to supply a force of 120,000.
It will require at least 700,000 to 800,000 workers.
Guangyue Prefecture consisted of one city and seventeen counties, excluding Yisong County, which fell again.
There are approximately 1.2 million people, but after deducting the elderly, the infirm, and the disabled, the population is not that large.
So, all the hard work of the Guangyuefu throughout the year was devoted to the war.
The more Su Qing calculated, the more he felt the rebels were despicable.
Furthermore, their dissatisfaction with the imperial court grew day by day.
In particular, Gu Congsi told her that when the Empress Dowager and the Emperor's bedroom was rebuilt, her anger would only grow.
But Su Qing understood perfectly.
There's absolutely no way they'll help from the capital.
For them, as long as they themselves are safe, that's enough.
In the entire Shunchang Kingdom, only the Guangyue Prefecture was involved, which did not affect the overall situation.
However, Gu Congsi's condition was getting worse and worse.
All government offices in the capital are preparing to be rebuilt.
The Imperial College, which was mostly burned down, was among them.
Gu Congsi did not actively promote this matter, allowing another official to gain the upper hand.
It seems that he has already replaced Gu Congsi.
Gu Congsi spoke calmly in his letter, but as far as she knew, he had been expelled from the Imperial Academy and could only find a place to stay temporarily in a private house on the outskirts of the capital.
Fortunately, the emperor had a good impression of him, and he still had some position in the Hanlin Academy.
Gu Congsi spoke frankly in his letter.
He did not approve of rebuilding the Imperial College, as it would be a waste of resources and manpower.
Su Qing thought to herself, "If all the officials in the capital could think like Gu Congsi, that would be wonderful."
Thinking of this, Su Qing still replied to Gu Congsi.
Since the two broke off their engagement, she has been largely business-like, only replying to questions related to her work.
The letter contained a few more words, telling him to take care of himself first, and also gave the address of Officer Wu's eldest son so they could look after each other.
She had some connections in the military, so she wouldn't let Gu Congsi end up homeless.
However, when the eldest son of the Wu family received the letter and rushed to find Gu, he discovered that although Gu lived in the suburbs of the capital, it was an extremely quiet and pleasant place.
Moreover, the emperor specially bestowed upon him a horse to facilitate his commute.
It's not as pitiful as they say.
Gu Congsi put down his book and greeted the eldest son of the Wu family.
Seeing his calm demeanor, the eldest son of the Wu family felt helpless.
Didn't they say they had already broken off their engagement?
So it turns out they were just thinking of each other, which is why he was worrying unnecessarily.
Gu Congsi laughed when he heard him complain.
Su Qing always had compassion for the poor and weak.
And he is indeed very weak and needs help.
Su Qing was unaware of the incident involving Gu Congsi; she spent most of her time arranging logistics.
He had many interactions with military officials, including eunuchs and even the garrison commander Liang.
Needless to say, Qi, the eunuch, already had a very close relationship with Su Qing.
However, his interactions with Eunuch Liang only lasted during this period.
Speaking of which, Eunuch Liang had been in Guangyue Prefecture for three or four years and had always known about Su Qing.
They also knew that Su Qing's position as prefect was originally intended to be a scapegoat.
No one expected that she could not only hold her position but also play such a significant role.
Even now, the military supplies all depend on her.
Therefore, Eunuch Liang was very polite to Su Qing, and with the help of eunuch Qi, things always went smoothly.
Meanwhile, basic training for new recruits officially began.
Sixty thousand new recruits were dispersed to places such as Jiangbei County and Jiangkou County.
They were trained separately by four garrison armies.
I hope they can pass the exam soon.
After the General took over Shangkou County, the situation at the front improved.
At the same time, the pressure on Wuzhai County has also lessened.
But everyone knows it.
This is just a temporary rest.
Once the rebels have established a foothold in Yisong County, they will plunder all the county's resources.
What awaits us will be an even fiercer attack.
Therefore, everyone in the Guangyuefu cannot let their guard down.
Especially Su Qing.
In a way, she was the one who supported the front lines.
Fortunately, everything is progressing smoothly.
As for the money owed to the Hua and Ye families?
Having a lot of debt doesn't mean you have to worry.
She wouldn't worry about something like that at all.
She even slept better.
That's what they say.
Nanjiang County is like a wound-up toy.
We received supplies from various counties and coordinated with Grandpa Liang.
Then arrange for the wounded soldiers coming from the front lines to have their food and medicine provided.
Whether it's Wuzhai County or Shangkou County.
In these frontline areas, manpower also needs to be sent to build defensive fortifications and replenish materials for repairing city walls.
Various weapons, armor, bows, and arrows were also delivered to the soldiers at the front.
Su Qing even used his connections in the prefectural city to bring in a batch of horses.
A full month has passed since Yisong County fell.
The entire Guangyuefu government was mobilized.
It finally became a true rear base.
120,000 soldiers at the front.
It was all thanks to the Guangyue Prefecture, and all thanks to their prefect, Su Qing.
Even without the help of the imperial court in the capital, they were still able to defend Guangyue Prefecture!
Protect their homeland!
But in other places outside of Guangyuefu, the situation was even worse.
First, it was the relatively wealthy Jiangnan region.
The capital city repeatedly issued orders to collect taxes.
No family was spared; all received the imperial edict.
Those people from the capital had been to Jiangnan and were very familiar with their situation; they couldn't be fooled.
The Ye family suffered repeated financial losses to avert disaster, giving away at least 500,000 taels of silver.
If his family hadn't been supplying goods to Guangyue Prefecture, the amount of silver they would have had to pay would have been even greater.
Many prominent families in Jinling, in particular, were forced to pay silver.
If they don't give it to them, the imperial envoy from the court won't be lenient.
When the capital city asked them for money, these families demanded more rent from the tenant farmers.
As a result of this series of events, the people of Jiangnan complained endlessly.
The situation wasn't much better in Su Qing's hometown of Tongmin Prefecture.
The prefect of Tongmin Prefecture, located in the Central Plains, has already collected taxes twice this year.
Su Qing's maternal grandmother's family and her maternal grandmother's family were not spared either.
The situation would have been even worse if Su Qing hadn't also been a prefect.
The uncle's family, who had previously sent ginseng and clothing to Su Qing and his family, had already asked him to borrow some money.
They said the land tax had to be paid first, otherwise the higher-ups were pressing too hard.
The children in the family were already going hungry, and the uncle had no other choice.
The silver in Mei Niang's hands was mostly Su Qing's salary, so naturally she had to ask her about it.
Su Qing would definitely not refuse such a thing, so she asked her mother to prepare two sets of silver, one for the Su family and one for the Mei family.
Finally, he added that if a family has too many children, they can send them to Guang Le Fu.
At least in their area, they never lack food.
Everything at home has been arranged.
Su Qing wrote down the situation in Jiangnan and Tongmin Prefecture and sent it to Yan Zhengzhou.
There's no need to say anything else.
Simply provide the truth.
Scholar Fei asked curiously, "Sir, why are you writing all this?"
Su Qing did not reply, nor did she express her own opinion in the letter.
She knew that Yan Zhengzhou would definitely be able to understand it.
And just as she expected.
Yan Zhengzhou did not respond to this matter, choosing to avoid the topic altogether.
Su Qing sneered and slammed the official document on the table.
Scholar Fei and Clerk Zhu were puzzled.
What kind of riddle are Lord Su and the General talking about?
Something feels off.
The people of Guangyuefu are united as one.
But the neighboring Shanyang Prefecture was not so lucky.
Their situation was similar to that of Jiangnan and Tongmin Prefecture.
The capital city urgently needed tax revenue, so the prefects and magistrates naturally obeyed.
Many people borrowed money from wealthy locals at exorbitant interest rates, using this to pay off one debt after another.
Although they haven't reached the point of selling their children yet, they're close.
Other places in Shanyang Prefecture are another story.
Unfortunately, Shunqing County is the closest to Guangle Prefecture and is very familiar with the situation there.
Furthermore, the story of Cui Gangjie, a former official of Shanyang Prefecture, being taken in by Prefect Su and entrusted with important responsibilities has spread widely among the people.
It's hard not to feel a longing for the Guangyuefu.
That Lord Cui Gangjie is the one who was framed and demoted by his fellow townsmen in Shanyang Prefecture. He was a fine Jinshi (successful candidate in the highest imperial examination) but could not become an official.
After seeking refuge with Prefect Su of Guangyue Prefecture, he is now the magistrate of a county, and the local people all trust and admire him.
With such precedents, not only were the common people tempted, but even some officials who couldn't bear to exploit the people were tempted.
They had even discussed it beforehand.
"Guangyuefu Academy is still recruiting."
"We are only recruiting students, and all the spots are already filled."
"Are you stupid? Lord Cui was just a student? No way, he went straight to become an official."
"That's true. Although Su Qing is strict, she's a woman. But she's really capable. Working under her, at least you won't go against your conscience."
The officials were still discussing it.
However, some people, overwhelmed by the burden, have already left with their families.
The people of Guangyuefu are still at war.
There was no advance tax collection, nor was there any precedent for paying taxes several times a year.
From this perspective, it would be better to go there and make a living.
It is said that oppressive government is more ferocious than a tiger.
These exorbitant taxes are even more terrible than war.
Many people left Shanyang Prefecture due to taxation and went to Guangle Prefecture instead.
The situation was discovered immediately in Guangyue Prefecture, and the local magistrate reported it promptly.
The county magistrates of Guangyue Prefecture today are all handpicked by Su Qing, and their abilities are naturally quite good.
The magistrate first settled the people who had come to seek refuge, carefully registered their names, and promised to severely punish anyone who committed theft.
Therefore, these sudden arrivals did not cause chaos in the area.
After carefully reviewing the documents, Su Qing said directly, "Take in as many as you can. Help them reclaim wasteland and do your best to settle the people."
With this beginning, various places in Guangyue Prefecture began to receive tax evaders one after another.
There were merchants who couldn't make a living, and artisans who were forcibly conscripted.
Some farmers are even on the verge of selling their children.
Fortunately, Guangyuefu is large enough to accommodate so many people.
Moreover, there is a severe shortage of personnel in the government's internal logistics, sales, medical recruitment, and other areas.
After they arrived, they were indeed able to perform their respective duties.
There were even a few who originally worked as constables who quit their jobs and came here specifically to join the army.
Su Qing accepted all offers.
Development can only occur where there are people.
Both the front lines and the government offices need manpower.
As for whether there are any complaints elsewhere, that's not her fault.
If you govern your area well, people will naturally want to stay.
If the management is poor, don't blame people for leaving.
The people from all over who came to seek refuge in Guangyuefu did not expect that they would integrate so smoothly.
Everywhere is prepared; they want everyone who comes here to live a good life.
However, other places don't actually have time to deal with these things.
The pressure from the capital is mounting, and everyone has their own things to do.
These matters were still handed over to Yan Zhengzhou.
His brows twitched as he read it, and just like before, he burned Su Qing's letter again.
The general's men were also puzzled.
Why has the General been burning Prefect Su's letters lately?
Is the magistrate dissatisfied with the prefect?
But they worked together very well and didn't notice anything wrong.
Yan Zhengzhou remained silent, thinking to himself that if this letter fell into the hands of someone with ulterior motives, it would surely bring disaster.
For the sake of Prefect Su's safety, not a single word can be left behind.
Of course, he was overthinking it.
After all, Su Qing's letter didn't actually say anything, nor did it express any of her own opinions.
I was just telling him about the situation in different places.
How could he not know what was happening elsewhere?
Yan Zhengzhou lowered his eyes slightly, his whole demeanor like an iceberg.
After a moment, he spoke: "Are you ready?"
"Alright." The subordinate immediately bowed and said, "I await your orders, sir."
We can't delay any longer.
Guangyuefu cannot afford to delay, nor can its logistics.
Defending without attacking is not his style.
This time, we must not only retake Yisong County, but also leave the rebels homeless.
The ninth day of the seventh month in the fourth year of Yongsheng.
Yan Zhengzhou donned his armor and led 5,000 elite troops from Shangkou County.
While Prince Wuyong was still consuming the supplies in Yisong County, he marveled at how well the city walls were built and enslaved the local people, forcing them to continue building defensive fortifications.
It's just a pity that my nephew returned too early; the capital city couldn't hold him back.
Have those people in the capital changed their ways?
Should we prioritize the overall situation?
The valiant prince sneered.
In his view, if this dragged on, it would inevitably bring down the entire Shunchang Kingdom.
After all, Shunchang Kingdom was already in complete chaos.
With a little provocation, rebel forces in various places will rise up in droves.
The only thing he didn't expect was...
This Guangyuefu is different from other places.
They actually managed to get a female official to organize it.
If it weren't for that Su Qing.
He had long since taken control of the entire Guangyue Prefecture.
"Shunchang Kingdom can produce such a talent, could it be that the ancestors have shown their power?" Prince Wuyong's eyes flashed with coldness.
Unfortunately, such a person cannot be used by him.
My nephew Yan Zhengzhou is already difficult enough to deal with.
Another highly capable official has arrived.
The two, one scholarly and the other martial, worked together quite well.
The more this happened, the stronger his murderous intent became.
If they are caught, they must be torn to pieces.
However, in the eyes of the valiant prince...
Shunchang Kingdom was easily defeated.
As long as we break through the defenses of Guangle Prefecture, as long as he gets Nanjiang County.
Then the world would be within easy reach.
As a member of the royal family.
He knew all too well how messy things were inside.
They also knew how many people were dissatisfied with the imperial court.
The rebellion in Yizhou was not accidental.
There are many people who are dissatisfied with the government's exploitation of them.
He was not a rebel.
Instead, we should follow the will of Heaven, set things right, and restore peace to the world!
"Your Highness! Your Highness! Something terrible has happened!"
"General Yan has captured the border town of Gaoqing Prefecture, cutting off all supplies! He has now surrounded Yisong County on three sides!"
Prince Wu Yong couldn't believe it. What?!
My own nephew actually captured the border city of Gaoqing Prefecture?!
Are you kidding me!
And that wasn't the only bad news.
Wuzhai County, located on the other side of Yisong County, also shifted from defense to offense, launching an attack from the west.
Shangkou County, a border town of Gaoqing Prefecture, was attacked from the north and south respectively.
Caught in a pincer movement, there was no way to avoid it.
Most of his troops stationed in the border town had been annihilated by his nephew, making it impossible for them to arrive.
Are you crazy?
Is Yan Zhengzhou out of his mind?!
How can you fight like this?!
A madness flashed in the eyes of the valiant prince.
Then let's fight.
He's guarding Yisong County, and he can't even beat his own nephew?!
The battle lasted for a full twenty days, starting from the ninth day of the seventh lunar month.
Every day, soldiers were carried back covered in blood and gore.
Countless corpses were also transported out.
The people of Nanjiang County went from shock to numbness, and then to rapidly treating their wounds, all within just twenty days.
Soon, the new recruits, who had been training for more than two months, also went to the battlefield.
Su Qing, who was coordinating supplies in the rear, seemed to smell the blood in the air.
Such a brutal battle weighed heavily on everyone's hearts.
It seems there is an inescapable gloom that forever hangs over everyone.
This war was simply unavoidable.
All anyone can hope for is for it to end quickly, for the game to be over soon.
But those familiar with the war know this.
Once a war begins, how can it possibly end quickly?
All they can do is keep going.
Persevere until the day when the world is at peace.
Su Qing worked day and night to transport supplies and manage relationships with the Ye and Hua families.
They tried every means to obtain more food and military pay.
Supplies flowed out from the ledgers in her hands like a never-ending stream.
Fei, a scholar; Zhu, a clerk; and Wu, a constable.
In the prefectural city, Luo, the registrar, and Wu, the head of the household, were greeted with food, medicine, armor, and weapons the moment they opened their eyes.
How long will the fighting last on the front lines?
How long will they hold out?
And the only thing they could rely on was the Guangyuefu itself.
These days, I don't even know when they will end.
First, General Yan seized the border city of Gaoqingzhou.
Then Prince Wuyong personally led the attack. When he arrived, General Yan had already gone to cut off the rebels' logistics, and Wuzhai County attacked from the rear.
Meanwhile, the rebel reinforcements from Gaoqing Prefecture were dispatched and clashed with General Yan.
July to August.
Then in September.
The tax revenue for Guangyue Prefecture this year arrived in the account and was quickly sent out again.
The Ye and Hua families had some complaints.
After all, these tax silvers were not used to pay off debts, but were suppressed by Su Qing and continued to be used as military rations.
Especially the Ye family, Ye Shanming was having trouble controlling his subordinates, and the leather used for their armor was almost sold out.
In this situation, the capital even tentatively inquired about how much tax the Guangyuefu could pay.
Su Qing looked at the imperial envoy, still managing to control her expression, and said lightly, "Guangyue Prefecture has no tax silver to pay."
"There is a list of five thousand fallen soldiers, awaiting the imperial court's reward."
Su Qingzhen took out the list of the fallen and read it aloud to the imperial envoy one by one.
Read aloud, word by word, what military achievements they made, how many battles they fought, and what their family situation was like.
The imperial envoy was so frightened that he couldn't sleep all night, and the next day he left in a panic.
Until October.
Good news finally arrived from the front lines.
Under General Yan's relentless fighting, Prince Wuyong suffered repeated defeats and finally withdrew his troops from Yisong County, gradually heading towards Gaoqing Prefecture.
General Yan took a short rest and continued to advance.
It seems he intends to seize the entire Gaoqing Prefecture in one fell swoop.
What Su Qing could do was, of course, continue to transport supplies.
Just as Su Qing was taking a sip of strong tea and considering how to get the money...
October 23.
A piece of news that she could hardly believe came.
The Martial Prince.
They were captured alive.
General Yan, with his five thousand personal guards, devised a plan to lure the tiger away from the mountain, trapping Prince Wuyong in a small town.
He was the one who charged ahead and captured his own uncle alive.
The news arrived.
From Yisong County to Shangkou County, and then to Jiangwu, and various counties north of the Yangtze River.
No one could believe it.
Even Su Qing had to ask repeatedly before she got a definite answer.
The rebel leader, Prince Wuyong, has indeed been captured alive and is being escorted to Nanjiang County by Lian Feiyang and others.
General Yan himself was shot in the chest and lost too much blood; his fate was unknown.
Su Qing was breathing rapidly.
I wrote those letters myself, not to make him work so hard.
It clearly means something else entirely!
But she had to admit it.
This result is indeed good.
With the rebel leader captured, the five-year war in Guangyuefu is finally coming to an end.
The gloom that had been hanging over the local people was about to completely dissipate.
Cheers erupted from the people in the streets.
"The rebel leader has been captured!"
"The war is about to end!"
"Yisong County is back!"
"We don't need to fight anymore!"
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