CHAPTER 385: CHAPTER 385: DISHEARTENED

Since Tang Zan asked for her opinion, he definitely wouldn’t just be asking for the sake of it.

In her past life, the Dazi did indeed attack the Gulan Military Camp at the end of March. Pei Shu’er couldn’t let these people think the Dazi wouldn’t attack; otherwise, it would be too unfavorable for the Gulan Military Camp.

"Replying to the General, I believe there is a very high possibility that the Dazi will attack. After all, they’ve been gathering people from other tribes since last year."

"They’ve been preparing for more than half a year now. Their current looseness might be a military tactic to catch us off guard when the time comes, so what should we do then?"

Ma Zhong frowned, "General’s Wife, I think it’s unlikely. The Dazi tribes themselves are not united, and integration requires time."

Pei Shu’er smiled and said, "In that case, we’ll be ready at any moment. When the time comes, we will speed up the recruitment process. Even if the Dazi don’t attack, we won’t have lost anything, right?"

Everyone nodded. What Pei Shu’er said made sense, and it could even improve the overall quality of the soldiers.

Tang Zan also said, "Then we will do as the madam suggested. You all manage your subordinates well."

After these people left, Tang Zan pulled Pei Shu’er into his embrace, looking heavily into her eyes.

Pei Shu’er had the illusion of being seen through.

Tang Zan said, "If you’re tired, go inside and rest for a while. I’ll deal with some official business."

Pei Shu’er was indeed tired; she hadn’t really rested in these past few days.

When she woke up, it happened to be close to mealtime, and she tidied up and came out.

Tang Zan was writing something at the desk, his brow tightly furrowed, with a menacing look between his eyebrows.

Pei Shu’er walked towards Tang Zan and stood by his side.

There he was, holding a document of reproach from the Emperor, questioning why the Kedun was taken away by the Tang Family.

Pei Shu’er said, "This news must have been told to the Emperor by someone, which is why he holds you accountable."

And the one who informed the Emperor was none other than the group with the Third Prince.

Tang Zan said, "In fact, this issue can be big or small; Yan Haoxuan is merely using the opportunity to make things difficult. The most hateful thing is that he demands all the taxes from our military camp."

Pei Shu’er was stunned. The rule of Dayan clearly states that the taxes of the camps are to be reserved by the military camps themselves, especially when the military pay is insufficient.

Only a month’s military pay has been given, and the remaining is only enough to sustain another month; this Emperor of Dayan has the nerve to demand more.

"The key is, what does he need this grain for? The Imperial Palace is not lacking in food."

Tang Zan’s eyes were deep, "The other border garrisons haven’t received such an order. This command is clearly targeted at me."

It’s probably still about the incident where Tang Zan’s distant uncle rescued the Kedun, making the Emperor wary, not wanting Tang Zan’s strength to continue to grow.

Pei Shu’er’s voice was chilly, "Doesn’t this just mean wanting the horse to run but not letting it graze?"

In March, there’s going to be another big battle with the Dazi, and now they are beset with internal and external troubles.

Tang Zan didn’t speak again, and Pei Shu’er asked a question.

"Then what do you plan to do next?"

A cold smile played on Tang Zan’s lips, "Give it, definitely give it; I will even do so in a high-key manner."

Pei Shu’er was startled, then a smile appeared on her face.

"Indeed, the Emperor only wants last year’s taxes from the Gulan Mountain Range, so give them; after all, they’ve already been almost completely consumed."

The rest is nearly inedible.

But the Emperor demands it, so they must comply; imperial orders cannot be defied.

As for those grains donated by Pei Shu’er, they are not within the Emperor’s requested category.

That day, the Gulan Military Camp was bustling, especially around the cellar area.

Bags of potatoes, radishes, and cabbages were being carried out, along with some rice and flour.

In total, all these items together weighed a full two thousand kilograms.

Commander Zhang asked, "General Tang, what’s the purpose of this?"

Tang Zan did not speak, but Ma Zhong said angrily.

"The Emperor said we must hand over last year’s tax surplus from the Gulan Mountain Range."

Upon hearing this, everyone froze, not knowing what to say.

Aren’t they being starved to death?

It’s just the start of spring; crops were only planted a few days ago, during this period of scarcity. If the food is given away, what will they eat?

Does the Emperor need this mouthful of food?

General Zhao, whose health has somewhat recovered, now serving as Deputy General, stood beside Tang Zan, also wearing a troubled expression.

"Previously, the Gulan Military Camp never faced such issues, and with such a long journey, the food would surely spoil by the time it reaches the capital."

Hearing this, the expressions of others became even uglier.

The Emperor is blatantly bullying the Gulan Military Camp, isn’t he? The grain they have barely suffices for a few days, and if it’s taken away now, what will they do in the future?

Will they return to the state of fighting wars on an empty stomach?

The Dazi would be overjoyed, wouldn’t they?

The Emperor’s actions are utterly disheartening.

At noon rest time, more and more people were coming over.

Everyone was already resentful towards the Emperor, and now complaints filled the air.

Tang Zan sighed, "Don’t worry, there’s still some grain left from the donations; even if we, the officers, have to go hungry, we won’t let everyone go hungry."

The mention of donated grain made everyone angrier.

Other merchants are donating grain, yet the Emperor not only refrains from donating but also begins snatching the grain meant for them.

They fight wars for the Emperor, guard the frontiers, and don’t receive a bite to eat, but instead have their food seized.

He leaves them no way out at all.

Pei Shu’er raised an eyebrow, looking at Tang Zan’s actions, feeling his slyness.

His intent was clearly to let the Emperor lose the people’s support.

He took the fall openly while secretly turning the situation against the Emperor.

Until the grain was taken away by the people from the capital right in front of everyone, the soldiers’ eyes were red with rage.

Tang Zan sighed, "Don’t worry, we definitely won’t let everyone go hungry."

A soldier, unable to contain his anger, shouted, "I can’t accept this, how can this be?"

Tang Zan coldly said, "Mind your words."

The man immediately shut up, seeing Yan Hengyin and Yan Hengjin approaching, he couldn’t help but feel grateful to Tang Zan.

Thanks to General Tang’s warning, otherwise, if the Third Prince and Fifteenth Prince heard, he might not have been able to keep his life.

Pei Shu’er smiled at Tang Zan, leaning over and whispered in his ear.

"So does this mean you want the Emperor to taste what it was like when the Tang Family was criticized by everyone?"

Tang Zan smirked, "That’s just part of it."

He didn’t elaborate on the rest.

It’s not that he doesn’t trust Pei Shu’er; he just feels that knowing would only add to her worries.