CHAPTER 291: CHAPTER 288: DELIVERING MILITARY SUPPLIES

The news of the turmoil in the North has arrived for two days now.

On an estate in Liao State, someone is examining the map before him.

Song Xian fought this battle as swiftly as before, just like when he fought against the Liao people, leading a charge at the forefront, with a hundred cavalry making a surprise attack on the former dynasty’s troops.

Even when surrounded by the people of the former dynasty, he managed to break through with his men.

It must be said, Song Xian is truly formidable, born to lead troops in battle. If he could serve a wise lord, his future would be limitless. However, such a person is just too proud, never willing to bow his head.

Many things have not developed as they previously envisioned, besides Song Xian’s battle situation in the eight states, there’s also Old General Zhang.

Their spies informed the imperial family of the former dynasty, leading them to eliminate Old General Zhang.

Unexpectedly, those around Old General Zhang fled upon inquiry, and when the people of the former dynasty reached the village where Old General Zhang stationed his troops, the village was empty of people and goods, leaving nothing behind.

Then, as Song Xian attacked Qi State, those people suddenly reappeared, cooperated with Song Xian to launch a surprise attack on the former dynasty’s troops from behind, causing heavy losses to the former dynasty.

Now, Old General Zhang and Song Xian are together.

These two combined, Song Xian has military forces, and Old General Zhang knows the local situation well, complementing each other perfectly, like adding wings to a tiger.

If the battle continues like this, within three months, Song Xian and the former dynasty’s troops will reach a decisive battle.

However, the great general of the former dynasty, Han Wei, is also formidable. Song Xian must first defeat Han Wei, then no one in Dai State or Qi State could rival Song Xian.

Fighting Han Wei is considered the critical moment of this battle. Song Xian’s side is exhausting significant manpower and resources. If they can cause some trouble for Song Xian at this time, Song Xian might lose this battle. Even if not, the subsequent efforts might become more time-consuming and laborious, just enough to slow Song Xian’s advance.

If Song Xian and Du Zhuo cannot win this battle swiftly, the court will send others.

This task will naturally fall upon his family.

"Master," a close attendant reported upon entering, "our people couldn’t find Steward Ji."

The person lying on the desk finally raised his head, his eyes shooting sharp light.

Ji Yuan furrowed his brows: "What about the men Steward Ji took with him?"

The attendant replied, "Could not find them either."

This result was beyond Ji Yuan’s expectations. People don’t disappear without reason; the only possibility is they’ve been captured.

What happened?

Ji Yuan stood up; where did things go wrong? Yang Wu clearly said the spy by Cai Rong’s side was reliable, as long as there was no issue with this spy, they could have evidence of Cai Rong’s treason, and no matter how chaotic the North became, they would have leverage.

If Steward Ji made a mistake, not only would they lose the evidence, they might even be implicated, causing trouble for the Ji Family.

Do we have to concede before even making a move?

Ji Yuan thought of when he left, his father was paving the way for him in the Capital, allowing him to logically lead the troops to the eight states.

All these preparations could be in vain.

"Send someone else to search," Ji Yuan said, "but be doubly cautious, don’t let anyone find out."

Song Xian leading troops in battle, Song Qizheng shouldn’t have the ability to manage the whole situation, who ruined his plans? How will he explain to the Prince upon returning?

Ji Yuan dared not delay, summoned a trusted aide: "Immediately send word to the Prince; it seems the situation has changed."

The trusted aide promptly went to arrange.

Ji Yuan again looked at the map in his hand, perhaps the Northern turmoil wasn’t as they reconnoitered, meaning the final result might not be as they predicted.

Once he lost this opportunity, what else could he do?

The only option now is to block the military supplies of Xingzhou, delay as many days as he can, at least slowing Song Xian’s march; perhaps there would be a change in the situation.

Fortunately, Xu Yuanyu blindly trusts Yang Wu, allowing Yang Wu’s people to send messages to Xu Yuanyu to make some manipulations in the supplies. However, it won’t hold off for long as the Ministry of War will soon detect it.

Ji Yuan stood up.

The feeling of having one’s path suddenly blocked was certainly unpleasant.

Ji Yuan hasn’t yet contended with Song Xian, already tasting the bitterness of frustration. Luckily, Song Xian is unfamiliar with him, allowing him to seek another opportunity.

Ji Yuan paced in the room, trying to think of another strategy.

That land belongs to the eight states.

Holding it would be of tremendous benefit to the Prince, and he could leverage this achievement to advance further.

It’s like a starving person staring at a fat sheep, only to watch it be eaten by others bite by bite.

Not only have they gained no benefits, but they may also have unknowingly invited trouble for themselves.

...

Song Qizheng is simultaneously dealing with the Liao people and trying to give Cai Rong a defeat. This battle for him was no less than when he faced tens of thousands of Liao army at Juma River in previous years.

He cannot use up too much military resources, nor can he afford to drag out the battle duration; otherwise, it would be detrimental to Song Xian.

Mrs. Rong remains in the hands of Liao people, but Song Qizhenga is no longer concerned about these; he has no time to pursue those few Liao people. His priority is stabilizing the overall situation.

Mrs. Rong will eventually be found, but her life or death remains unknown.

Song Qizheng asked the Du Yuhou beside him, "Has the military supplies from Xingzhou arrived yet?"

The Du Yuhou reported, "Not yet, they claim to have rerouted the supplies due to the Northern war chaos."

"Excuses," Song Qizheng said, "Zhaozhou is stable, why don’t they come through Zhaozhou? Once in Zhenzhou, we have our people to receive it. It’s all deliberately delaying."

Previously, the military supplies sent to Song Xian weren’t abundant. In the key moment of the battle, supplies such as food and forage shouldn’t be lacking even for a day, let alone materials and weaponry.

Song Qizheng pondered, and his aide reported: "General, Zhenzhou County Magistrate Lord Qu has arrived."

Song Qizheng said, "Invite him in."

Qu Chengmei entered the military tent, saluted Song Qizheng, briefly relayed the situation in Zhenzhou, and then continued: "General Song’s military supplies might be insufficient. If the supplies from Xingzhou show no movement in the next two days, it could delay critical matters."

Song Qizheng nodded, just about to ask how much military supplies the North could gather, but Qu Chengmei spoke first: "Zhenzhou can initially transport some supplies to Baimaling."

"Food, medicine, and weapons, we can gather some."

Song Qizheng was quite surprised: "You found food?"

Qu Chengmei replied: "The people of Zhenzhou had set up a charitable granary beforehand, already reserving food and medicine, plus they set numerous forge shops in Zhenzhou and Zhaozhou earlier. After General Song’s dispatch, the forge shops haven’t stopped crafting. Though not comparable to the Ministry of Construction, the weapons they produce are usable."

Qu Chengmei said this and handed the document in his hands for Song Qizheng to review.

Song Qizheng opened it, seeing the amounts of grain and other materials recorded within, couldn’t help but reveal a look of astonishment: "All this reserved by Zhenzhou?"

Qu Chengmei responded: "The spring plowing in Zhenzhou was good, yielding a bountiful harvest this year. The grains have been frugally saved by the people, and the medicines are accumulated bit by bit by the Chen Family Village in ordinary days."

For a moment, Song Qizheng was lost in thought, "This charitable granary is your..."

Qu Chengmei shook his head, "It’s Miss Xie from Chen Family Village."

Song Qizheng recalled his mother seemed to be well in the Chen Family Village. This village... when making Paper Medicine, was still an inconspicuous little village, but now in the blink of an eye, such a significant task relies on the Chen Family Village.

Song Qizheng asked: "When can they depart?"

Qu Chengmei bowed: "Tomorrow morning, Zhenzhou villagers and trading convoys will deliver supplies to Baimaling."

Song Qizheng nodded: "I’ll dispatch a troop to accompany."

Qu Chengmei acknowledged and prepared to depart to arrange.

Song Qizheng asked: "Who leads these villagers? Someone from the government office?"

Qu Chengmei shook his head: "It’s Miss Xie."

A female delivering military supplies, perhaps the first in Zhenzhou.

Song Qizheng didn’t say more, only advised: "Ensure the villagers remain cautious throughout the journey."