Chapter 584 – Wasteful Women, Where Did the Money Go? (Part 1)
“Little Fengshou, it’s time to head back and celebrate.”
The celebration is nothing more than a gathering for grilled meat or hot pot.
Zhikezhai has opened branches in the other three counties, but the common people there have just settled in, so business is a bit sluggish. However, the Zhikezhai here in Xiangyang is packed to the brim. With the weather getting colder each day, the hot pot and grilling series have become immensely popular.
The common folk care only about being full and warm, aiming for four dishes and a soup, but Jiang Pengji and a few others need to consider more distant matters.
For instance, how to take Wanzhou next year?
Wanzhou consists of Fengyi County, Chengde County, and Shangyang County. Fengyi County is fully under Jiang Pengji’s control, and the court is currently too busy saving itself to worry about the north. The governor of Fengyi County has also been pushed back by Jiang Pengji; they don’t have the guts to demand Fengyi County from her.
Chengde County is under the control of the Red Lotus Sect, and after a summer of severe drought, things are looking precarious there. No matter how good the Red Lotus Sect’s brainwashing skills are, they still can’t stop the increasing number of refugees, and Fengyi County is especially suffering from a significant population drain.
And then there’s Shangyang County.
Speaking of Shangyang County, we can’t forget Feng Jin, as he hails from there.
The former capital was originally carved out of Shangyang County’s territory. Before Dongqing established its capital in Shangzhou, that piece of land also belonged to Shangyang County. Later, when Dongqing moved its capital to Chenzhou, Shangjing once again became part of Shangyang County.
After the earthquake the previous summer, the north suffered tremendous losses, followed by indiscriminate ravaging by the Green Garment Army and the Red Lotus Sect. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to call it hell on earth, with corpses lining the roads, a sight too ghastly to bear.
“Chengde County is under the control of the Red Lotus Sect, while Shangyang County hasn’t fallen into anyone’s hands yet.”
The Feng clan, as one of Dongqing’s four great noble families, naturally has its own troops. They might not be numerous, but they have around three to four thousand, quite formidable. Plus, their local reputation has allowed them to mobilize the people to guard the city amid the exploitation and plundering from the Green Garment Army and the Red Lotus Sect.
They have money, grain, and a solid foundation. The Green Garment Army and the Red Lotus Sect aren’t on good terms and are hindering each other; the result is that neither side can devour Shangyang County. Although life within Shangyang County is tough, it’s significantly better than that of the refugees outside.
Yang Si glanced at Feng Jin and asked, “Is the lord planning to send troops to Shangyang County?”
After he said that, Feng Jin’s brow furrowed imperceptibly, showing his dissent.
Jiang Pengji said, “Let’s take the approach of offering courtesy before conflict; we must take it down eventually.”
Offering courtesy before conflict?
Now that’s a rarity! Isn’t the emperor fond of starting a war at the drop of a hat?
Wei Ci, attending the meeting at the government hall, also glanced at Feng Jin. Jiang Pengji’s preference for courtesy first likely considered Feng Jin’s feelings.
Feng Zhen observed Feng Jin with a half-smirk, then turned to Jiang Pengji and asked, “I wonder if the lord has suitable candidates in mind?”
Before Jiang Pengji could respond, Feng Jin stepped forward and bowed, saying, “Jin wishes to take on the mission to Shangyang County.”
Jiang Pengji nodded in agreement; indeed, there was no one more suitable for the task than Feng Jin.
If they could take Shangyang County without a fight, that would be perfect. If words failed, then they would have to resort to battle.
Her goal was clearly to take Shangyang County, and she was determined.
If they secured all of Wanzhou, bordering Hujun, and Hujun connected to Chongzhou, the Liu Clan’s influence could support and aid each other.
Should they fail to capture Shangyang County, it would be like leaving a tail behind, and they could easily be surrounded from the rear, turning passive.
Feng Jin understood the importance of the situation; he had to find a way to persuade his father at home.
Though the governor of Shangyang County wasn’t a member of the Feng family, the faction’s attitude could still sway it.
In the north of Dongqing, the power dynamics were beginning to shift dramatically, while in the south, Changshou Wang and the Emperor were embroiled in an intense contest.
Changshou Wang thought he could leverage the strength of the three northern tribes to completely conquer Chenzhou. However, he didn’t expect that the northern territories, who had initially agreed to support him, suddenly backed out! Who knows how long Changshou Wang has toiled to reassure himself, all for promising the northern tribes women, cities, grains, gold, and silver… a myriad of oppressive conditions. He reluctantly gritted his teeth and went along, but the northern tribes left him hanging!
I have a saying, “*,” but I wonder if I should voice it?
When Changshou Wang received news of the northern tribes’ betrayal, he almost spat blood.
To make matters worse, they had come from Zhangzhou to attack Chenzhou, relying on supplies from grain convoys along the way.
Changshou Wang had already harbored thoughts of betrayal, preparing ample strategic resources, but no matter how well-prepared he was, he never imagined that Chenzhou would withstand his army’s siege for a year and a half! Chenzhou could forage for food locally, but his troops needed to transport supplies all the way from Zhangzhou.
To add insult to injury, this summer had brought drought, killing off most crops.
The grain harvested in autumn was less than thirty percent of previous years, barely enough for the common folk’s use, let alone the heavy grain taxes required to supply the army.
As a result, Changshou Wang’s army faced a shortage of supplies, with the amount of incoming grain from the convoys dwindling.
In the past, soldiers would have two or even three meals a day; now, they’re down to one, turning rice into watery porridge.
If they can’t take Chenzhou soon, Changshou Wang would have to sneak back to his fief in Zhangzhou, tail between his legs.
Once the Emperor regains his breath and marshals the Dongqing army to besiege Zhangzhou, it would be the end for Changshou Wang.
A group of strategists and military generals wore worried expressions, andChangshou Wang’s temper grew increasingly irritable day by day, causing everyone to be on edge, sweat pouring down their backs.
“This just won’t do—staying like this is not a solution—”
Changshou Wang hadn’t slept in two days, enduring sleeplessness that left him with dark circles under his eyes.
His tens of thousands of lions of war had no problem with combat power; if it weren’t for Yang Si’s treachery before he left, he’d already be seated on the dragon throne, called “Long Live,” instead of fretting over supplies in his military tent!
Thinking of that lying Yang Si made him clench his teeth.
At first, he felt guilty towards Yang Si, but later he realized that this person brought him such a huge mess, nearly making him exhale blood in anger.
The Chenzhou side also recognized Changshou Wang’s food shortage dilemma, feeling both delighted and troubled.
Delighted?
As long as they hold on a bit longer, Changshou Wang would have no choice but to withdraw due to lack of supplies.
Troubled?
Not only is Changshou Wang lacking supplies, but Chenzhou is also running low on food; both sides are in dire straits.
Now, it’s a matter of who can hold out longer.
If the stalemate continues, both sides will wear each other down, but at this moment, someone barges in.
When Changshou Wang was in the midst of his tantrum in the tent, a Messenger rushed in, nearly becoming the target of his ire.
The Messenger was swiftly thrown out, and a flattering middle-aged strategist happened to come to see Changshou Wang. Spotting the anxious-faced Messenger, he couldn’t help but ask a question, and soon… his eyes lit up brighter with every word he heard, almost unable to contain his excitement.
“Lord—great news!”
“What’s so great about it?” Changshou Wang asked impatiently.
The middle-aged strategist exclaimed in joy, “The Cangzhou Meng Clan has dispatched a Secret Envoy to discuss major matters with you, my lord!”
