Chapter 866 – Northern Overlord (Part 3)
The three individuals present were all sharp-minded, so how could they not understand Jiang Pengji’s intentions?
However, this would inevitably strip Liu Zhi of his authority, which meant a conflict of interest between father and daughter.
If Liu Zhi were an old, frail man, stepping down for another would not be out of the question.
But… Liu Zhi was still in his prime. Would he really be willing to give up his military power to become a carefree wealthy man?
Both Wei Ci and Feng Zhen felt uncertain about this.
Qi Guanrang turned his gaze to Jiang Pengji and subtly suggested, “This matter needs to be discussed with the Old Patriarch first.”
Jiang Pengji lowered her eyes and said, “I understand. Father will be understanding.”
Qi Guanrang fanned himself and said, “If we can cooperate with the Cui Family and get a grasp on the situation and troop positioning in the Northern Frontier, we would gain the upper hand. Promoting the land reclamation policy could solve the food shortage within two or three years, making the army self-sufficient. The generals here are experienced in battle and well-versed in military training; in time, we will surely raise a formidable army. Meanwhile, due to the Horse Plague, the Northern Frontier is significantly weakened. With Zixiao’s strategies to delay them, within three to five years, we will be capable of confronting the Northern Frontier.”
“The military texts say, ‘A nation that is impoverished due to its army far distances supplies, will lead to the common people’s poverty.'” Wei Ci added, “If we engage in combat with the Northern Frontier, transporting food over long distances will surely impose heavy burdens. Food prices will soar in areas near the army, financially draining the local populace. More importantly, the longer the transport line, the greater the risks. If the supply line is severed, the soldiers at the front will be doomed. In my humble opinion, the Lord should deploy people to carry out land reclamation in Chongzhou to drastically shorten the food transportation routes, allowing the soldiers to worry less.”
Transporting food from Hujun or Wanzhou to the front in Chongzhou would consume resources beyond imagination.
In ancient warfare, transporting food mainly relied on manpower and beasts of burden over long, time-consuming journeys.
It wasn’t merely about the quantity of food sent to the frontlines; the transport animals needed to eat, and the cooks needed their share too!
For every stone of food received at the front, at least twenty or thirty stones had to be dispatched from the rear!
If it came to warfare, it was best to engage in large-scale land reclamation near the frontlines to minimize the risks and costs of transportation.
However… if that were the case, Wei Ci thought of other implications and couldn’t help but furrow his brow.
Jiang Pengji asked, “Zixiao, have you thought of something?”
Wei Ci stiffened his face and sighed, “Due to the impact of the Horse Plague, the Northern Frontier’s economy has suffered severely, leading to skyrocketing food prices. Many of the lower-tier herders can’t afford food and are living in hardship. If the Northern Frontier learns we are carrying out large-scale land reclamation at the Chongzhou border… it will definitely attract waves of cavalry raids… My thinking was careless; that plan is likely not feasible…”
If that were the case, the food they grew would be snatched away by the Northern Frontier.
Were they storing food for themselves or providing supplies for the enemy?
Realizing this, Wei Ci felt ashamed and bowed to apologize.
Jiang Pengji said, “You’re not wrong; there’s no need for apologies. Conducting land reclamation at the Chongzhou border to reduce transport consumption is a good idea. If the Northern Frontier sends cavalry to plunder, we won’t need to fear; we can use those men for training, adapting to their combat style in advance. However, we should modify Zixiao’s suggestion. We can carry out land reclamation, but we shouldn’t concentrate it in a single location; we should set up several.”
Currently, the Northern Frontier couldn’t deploy large-scale cavalry but could only conduct small-scale raids.
By splitting the reclamation sites, if the Northern Frontier cavalry came to raid, they wouldn’t be able to seize much at once, keeping losses small while allowing them to train.
If they stored all their food in one location, and the enemy launched a surprise attack and set fire to the granary, wouldn’t that be catastrophic?
The four spent time carefully discussing the details until the first light of dawn broke, and Jiang Pengji reluctantly ended the topic.
The three strategists who had been forced to pull an all-nighter: “…”
“… Let’s pause here for now. I’ll go write a letter to my father to explain the situation; he will support me.” Jiang Pengji lazily stretched and said to the three, “Would you like to stay for breakfast? Today’s breakfast is mushroom meat buns; they’re quite delicious.”
Feng Zhen, used to late nights, was not tired at all.
Qi Guanrang had a consistent routine focused on health, but since the Lord was so demanding, he was used to staying up late.
Wei Ci didn’t need to mention it; having not slept all night, he didn’t even have bags under his eyes.
“Thank you, Lord.”
The three had breakfast with Jiang Pengji, their minds full of battle details as they returned.
Feng Zhen and Wei Ci were both unmarried, and their residences were close.
On their way back, while reminiscing about the county kitchen’s culinary skills, Feng Zhen swayed his head, making Wei Ci dizzy.
Wei Ci asked, “Zishan, don’t sway your head; it’s making me dizzy.”
Feng Zhen answered, “Just shaking it to see if my brain has water in it.”
Wei Ci: “…”
Feng Zhen continued, “Back in the day, I was truly blinded by greed; how did I end up here? Why did I choose such a demanding Lord? If it comes down to it, I might as well not serve and live as a rich idle man. Now look where I am: with money but no way to use it, beautiful women out of reach, and even no time to drink; I can’t even find time to sleep… once I stepped onto this ship, there’s no getting off.”
Like last night, when the Lord impulsively dragged them into discussions until dawn!
Does the Lord still remember his frail health?
He truly treated men like pack mules.
Wei Ci suddenly said, “Lord, why are you here?”
Feng Zhen jumped in fright, trembling all over, and hid behind Wei Ci.
However—
“Where’s the Lord?”
Wei Ci smiled innocently, “Just messing with you.”
Feng Zhen: “…”
(╯‵□′)╯︵┻━┻ How could he have such a blind friend like this, what a pain!
Reciting the calming mantra several times, Feng Zhen finally suppressed his urge to strangle Wei Ci.
As they approached the door, Feng Zhen suddenly asked, “Zixiao, do you think the Old Patriarch will really relinquish power?”
Jiang Pengji had been flourishing in recent years, but Liu Zhi was already well-known and still in his prime. Would he truly be willing to hand authority over to his daughter?
“Hard to say.” Wei Ci lowered his eyelids and scoffed, “But knowing the Lord’s temper, she tends to act recklessly. If the Old Patriarch is wise, he will make the most sensible decision. That bastard son can’t compare to the Lord!”
Though Liu Zhi had changed from his past life, Wei Ci still couldn’t fully trust him.
However, his Lord always seemed unconcerned, displaying a considerable amount of trust in Liu Zhi, leaving Wei Ci at a loss for words.
The two whispered as a remarkably handsome young man, clad in a coat and grinning foolishly, approached.
“Gentlemen, wait a moment!”
Wei Ci and Feng Zhen paused, and to their surprise, it was the beaming Li Yun.
“Gentlemen, could you offer some advice to me?”
Feng Zhen teased, “What kind of advice do you need?”
“Li Yun wants to propose to the Lord.” Li Yun stated, nodding earnestly.
Wei Ci trembled all over, standing rooted in place, slowly turning his head to look at him, his ink-black eyes gleaming with chilling intent.
“Propose?”
