Chapter 927 – The Rabbit and Sheep Poison Strategy (Part 2)
“Greetings, Lord.”
Feng Zhen and Qi Guanrang arrived one after the other, taking their seats on either side.
“No need for excessive formalities. I called you here for a specific matter,” Jiang Pengji said. “Previously, I suggested preparing for war in the Northern Border. Now that we’ve had enough time to rest and recuperate, I’m planning to take action come spring next year. However, I’d like to hear your thoughts on this…”
Both of them were momentarily taken aback, completely unprepared for this.
Following a Lord who could change her mind at any moment was like riding a rollercoaster with unexpected thrills.
Qi Guanrang asked, “Has the Lord received any news?”
Without an external stimulus, their Lord wouldn’t typically get all riled up like this.
Jiang Pengji frowned as she recounted the day’s experiences.
They had stationed troops in Shangyu County. Although it was on the edge of the grasslands, there were already many signs of wild rabbits. It was easy to imagine how lush the pasture would be in the Northern Border. Her intuition told her that next year would be the best time to strike. If they attacked swiftly and took a moment to regroup, they could join the fray in the Central Plains, potentially reaping some rewards. Missing this opportunity would be troublesome.
However, waging war required accurate intelligence and reliable plans, not just her gut feeling.
Qi Guanrang and Feng Zhen exchanged glances, both aware of Wei Ci’s Rabbit and Sheep Strategy from years ago. Now, with signs of wild rabbits appearing even in the border regions, it was evident that their policies were effective. Still, whether it was appropriate to go to war required careful consideration.
Qi Guanrang stepped forward and bowed. “Lord, in my humble opinion, we should proceed with caution. Perhaps we should send scouts to investigate the situation within the Northern Border. If conditions are favorable, we can then tally our supplies and troops, reinforce our defenses along the Chongzhou border, and prepare for battle!”
There were many things to prepare for when it came to war. They not only needed to clarify the enemy’s intelligence but also ensure their own supply lines were intact.
Fortunately, years ago they decided to cultivate large fields in Chongzhou, selecting several strategically significant farmland points.
With this autumn’s harvest, it would be the third year of cultivation in Chongzhou, and they would have enough grains to support a large-scale war.
The existence of these farmlands not only minimized losses in transporting grain but also allowed for flexible support, alleviating concerns about enemy interference in supply routes.
Feng Zhen stepped forward in agreement.
Jiang Pengji said, “I’m aware of this logic; I just wanted to notify you.”
Qi Guanrang and Feng Zhen secretly sighed in relief. As long as their Lord wasn’t having a frenzy and planning to attack the Northern Border tomorrow, everything was manageable.
When it came to understanding the dynamics in the Northern Border, no one knew better than the Cui Family.
Jiang Pengji sent someone to invite Cui Yu, the head of the Cui Family, to join them.
She exhausted efforts to win over the Cui Family, not just to counter other noble clans in Chongzhou but also to leverage their connections.
Since Gu Xin had followed Jiang Pengji’s suggestion and used a pile of glass products to con them out of money in the Northern Border, he pulled out of business there.
This meant Jiang Pengji lost an important set of eyes on the North.
Fortunately, the arrival of the Cui Family filled that gap.
Since Cui Yu boarded Jiang Pengji’s ship, the Cui Family’s status in Chongzhou rose dramatically.
In the past two years, as they produced much Xuan paper, the Cui Family not only made a fortune but also gained unprecedented fame and status.
The entire family seemed eager to worship Jiang Pengji as a god of wealth.
To demonstrate his commitment, Cui Yu even requested a position that wouldn’t involve real power and would raise no suspicion.
“Greetings, Lord.”
Cui Yu performed his greeting and gave a slight nod to Qi Guanrang and Feng Zhen before finally taking his seat after completing the formalities.
Jiang Pengji asked, “Zhonghuan, I didn’t call you for nothing. I have something I want to inquire about.”
Cui Yu respectfully replied, “Lord, please ask away. I shall speak honestly.”
“You and your family have been managing business in the Northern Border. Have you noticed any unusual occurrences over the past six months?”
If it were someone else, they’d likely be irritated that the Cui Family was doing trade in Chongzhou and profiting from the Northern Border, like a fence-sitter.
Cui Yu initially considered abandoning the Northern Border business.
Compared to the Xuan paper business and manufacturing methods Jiang Pengji provided him, the profits from the Northern Border trade felt more like a burden.
Rather than keeping it and risking Jiang Pengji’s suspicion, it would be better for him to cut ties.
Jiang Pengji intervened, secretly supporting the Cui Family’s expansion into the Northern Border market.
Cui Yu was a smart man; he quickly caught on. In recent years, he’d taken more interest in managing the Northern Border business.
“Unusual occurrences?” Cui Yu pondered and sheepishly replied, “I’m not sure which aspects you mean specifically?”
“The warhorses produced by the Northern Border stables, the living conditions of ordinary herders, any political changes in the Northern Border Royal Court… roughly those.”
Jiang Pengji defined the scope, making it easier for Cui Yu to answer.
“Due to the Horse Plague, Northern Border stables have barely a tenth left. However, they have begun to recover in recent years, with reports saying the largest stable added over seven hundred new foals this year. Their breeds don’t match those of the previous quality, but they are still prized horses.” Cui Yu continued, “As for the ordinary herders, they’re still struggling; the earlier losses were too heavy, so they still haven’t recovered. Regarding the political shifts in the Northern Border… perhaps due to growing suspicion, the Northern Border King has lost some trust in the wise Wu Libai over the past two years… I’ve heard the Northern Border King shows signs of declining health, and several adult princes have begun engaging in governance, hinting at a struggle for succession, causing many officials to choose sides, both overtly and covertly.”
Upon hearing this, Jiang Pengji furrowed her brow.
“Seven hundred? So many?”
Jiang Pengji was startled by that number.
It takes at least three years for foals to grow and start reproducing.
How long has it been since the Horse Plague struck?
That seven hundred was the output of the largest stable; considering all the other stables, the total production of foals must be at least two thousand!
Where did they get so many eligible mares?
Cui Yu’s expression grew serious, and he lowered his voice. “Lord, this… we might need to ask the Cangzhou Meng Clan.”
As soon as he finished speaking, Jiang Pengji slammed her hand down on the table.
“Meng Zhan, that old scoundrel, will one day be digging up his own ancestors’ graves! Doesn’t he fear becoming infamous for eternity?”
Most stables within the Dongqing area were concentrated in Cangzhou, meaning the Meng Clan controlled the fate of these stables.
Without the Meng Clan’s approval, how could there be so many fertile mares sent to the Northern Border?
Cui Yu secretly wiped his sweat and continued, “The Northern Border has been paying ten times the price to purchase horses from the Meng Clan… that’s why…”
“Abandoning your origins and forgetful of your ancestors, you wretched creature!” Jiang Pengji scoffed coldly.
The Meng Clan was a descendant of the former war god Meng Jing, while the three tribes of the Northern Border were descendants of the Qiang and Wu clans.
Meng Jing had done his fair share of slaughtering on the Qiang and Wu tribes in the past.
She couldn’t fathom how these two forces could shamelessly collaborate.
Jiang Pengji’s fury startled the audience in the live stream as well.
After two to three years of working things out, she slowly reversed the fixed impressions the audience had of her in the blue bullet comments.
Now, the ratio between red and blue comments wasn’t a lopsided 19:1 anymore but was infinitely nearing 1:1.
The audiences from both realms sometimes engaged in friendly exchanges and at times viciously clashed.
The red side wondered why the blue side, having shunned the room for years, didn’t just withdraw completely and stop trying to grab their space.
The blue side argued that the red side had hogged the room for too long, and it was time for them to step back and let others interact with the streamer more.
