Chapter 162

"The villain complains first, this is outrageous!"

"With the manifesto already started, there will definitely be a battle within seven days."

"As expected." The one speaking was Cui Shengping, who had just rushed to Wugang County not long ago.

When Dai Li and Qin Shaozong went south, they initially did not bring a group of advisors. Entering the capital was to receive titles, bringing military generals could be justified as escort, but bringing advisors would be unjustifiable.

Moreover, the promotion of fertilizer was listed as the top priority this year, so Qin Shaozong simply left all the advisors in Yuyang, and he leisurely went south with Dai Li, inspecting Jizhou, Yanzhou and other places successively, and finally slowly went to the capital.

As for the several advisors, after the matters on hand temporarily came to an end, they all had their own places to go.

Nalan Zhi and Cui Shengping rode fast horses south, and happened to join the lord on the second day after the manifesto was issued.

In the tent, there were not only people from the North, but also people from Qingzhou. Nangong Xiong looked at the spread sheepskin map with a solemn face.

If Wugang was the center, to the southeast was Chang'an City, to the north was Xiongfeng; to the west was the Loess Plateau, while the east was somewhat flatter, and not far away was a small county called Liuzhangping.

If they wanted to encircle and suppress the allied forces of the North and Qingzhou, they could dispatch troops from Chang'an and Liuzhangping in the east at the same time. Once Wugang fell, the allied forces could only flee north. If they set up an ambush on the paths on both sides of Xiongfeng, it would be like catching turtles in a jar.

"I personally think that how to face the battle is not the point now, the point is that manifesto." Zhang Mingdian said.

Nalan Zhi and Cui Shengping both nodded.

Nalan Zhi said sternly: "The highest is to establish virtue, the second is to establish merit, and the third is to establish words. Although it takes a long time, it will not be abolished, this is called immortality. If we wait for the people of the world to believe the false words, thinking that you, my lord, are lacking in virtue, and deeply rooted in this, it will take hundreds and thousands of times the effort to make them change their views."

This meant that the battle still had to be fought, but before that, the manifesto needed to be properly handled, and the weight of the manifesto was even above the war.

Qin Shaozong asked: "Then according to Wugong's opinion, how should we deal with this manifesto?"

Everyone looked at Nalan Zhi, including Qin Yanzhou and Qin Qinian who were summoned into the room to listen.

Nalan Zhi smiled and stroked his long beard. He did not answer directly, but first kept them in suspense, "Everyone might as well think about it. If you unfortunately encounter a gang fight alone, under the premise that you cannot escape, how should you stop this fight?"

Qin Qinian clenched his fist, and his knuckles cracked softly. He thought to himself, isn't this simple? Subdue them all, and this fight will naturally stop.

As a result, just as he was about to open his mouth, he saw that his teacher Cui Shengping seemed to have guessed what he wanted to say, and shook his head at him.

Qin Qinian got stuck.

Qin Shaozong turned his jade thumb ring, raised his eyebrows with a bit of a smile.

Nangong Xiong pondered slightly, and suddenly became cheerful, "Very good! A manifesto is nothing, who can't write it? Yuzhou's strength is inferior to Xuzhou, taking Jiang Yuzhou as the first target is the most suitable."

Qin Qinian listened to them, first frowned into a ball, and then suddenly realized.

It was him who previously judged others by himself, taking it too much for granted. Not everyone practiced martial arts since childhood like him, nor was everyone born with greater strength than others like him.

So when ordinary people are beaten by a group, if they want to get out of trouble, apart from holding their heads and letting the other party beat them up, the only way is——

Pick the weakest one on the opposite side to beat!

Beat hard, only beat that one. After dealing with the weakest one, then pretend to look at the second to last.

Similarly, in this multi-party encirclement and suppression, if you want to pick, pick the one with the weakest strength to attack.

That is, Jiang Shi, the governor of Yuzhou.

*

"Madam." Qin Shaozong pushed the door and came in.

Dai Li didn't participate in the meeting just now, she was looking at data in another room. Nalan Zhi and Cui Shengping not only came, but also brought a batch of fertilizer materials.

The batch of fertilizer bags in the winter of last year had all been distributed to the fields. And which family had how much land, how many stones they got; how the crops with fertilizer grew, and how the ones without fertilizer grew, as well as the subsequent production of fertilizer, etc., all had records.

Hearing him come back now, Dai Li didn't even lift her head, "You finished the meeting so quickly? It seems you have a countermeasure."

Qin Shaozong sat down beside her. Seeing Dai Li didn't look up, he didn't take the other books on the table, but insisted on snatching the one she was looking at, "Well, indeed there is a countermeasure."

With empty hands, Dai Li had to turn her head to look at him, "There are so many on the table you don't want, why do you insist on taking mine?"

This person came out of the council hall, hid the majesty in front of outsiders, and added some lazy frivolity, "Madam's is good-looking."

Dai Li originally wanted to take another book, but felt uncomfortable not finishing reading half of it, and felt why she should give it to him, so she simply snatched the book back from his hand, "What countermeasure?"

Qin Shaozong: "Issue a manifesto claiming that the murderer of Xie Sizhou is someone else, the real culprit Jiang Yuzhou harbors evil intentions, deceives the monarch and ministers, and we swear to die to clear the monarch's side."

Dai Li smiled: "So cunning."

Just as the words fell, she was scooped over by Qin Shaozong, "There is a more cruel one, does madam want to experience it?"

"In broad daylight, behave yourself."

"There is only you and me in the room, as long as madam doesn't say, who can know?"

*

"...The current emperor is young, Prime Minister Dong Zhou is simple and dull, the treacherous minister Jiang Shi uses His Majesty's authority to act unlawfully, his crimes are obvious, too numerous to record:

First, deceiving the Holy listening, murdering dukes and important ministers. Causing the loyal and good to retreat, villains to run rampant, the court is full of smoke and miasma, dark and gloomy.

Second, harboring evil intentions, confusing the public with demonic words. This person has designed so-called earth dragons turning over several times to justify himself and build momentum, causing houses to collapse and people to panic.

Third, murdering officials, planting evidence to frame others. Jiang murdered Xie Yuanyue, the governor of Sizhou, and framed his colleagues, which is treachery and deviation from the norm.

...

There are no upright ministers in the court, and there are traitors and evils inside. How can such national thieves and enemies of the people occupy a high position for a long time? Today I raise troops to punish the treacherous and evil, the blade is pointed only at the chief culprit, not daring to offend the palace..."

"Absolutely absurd!!"

The desk was slapped with a "bang", the things on the desk jumped hard, Dong Zhou breathed heavily and stared at the mulberry paper in front of him.

Prime Minister Dong Zhou is simple and dull? Damn it, this is attacking Jiang Shi while not forgetting to scold him.

Li Lishen didn't speak, his eyes were obscure.

And Jiang Shi beside him was as dark as ink, also silent, but his whole person didn't know whether it was anger or something else, actually trembling a little.

No wonder Jiang Shi looked bad, this manifesto pointed directly at him.

To put it unpleasantly, if Dong Zhou's side lost in the end, then as long as his, Jiang's, head was offered, the "treacherous sycophant" would be eliminated, and everything could return to peace.

To him, Prime Minister Dong, what he lost was just an ally who might rebel in the future.

No, not even an ally, but a chess piece.

Taking the expressions of Jiang and Li into his eyes, Dong Zhou's heart skipped a beat, and hurriedly said: "What a poisonous stratagem of sowing discord, this manifesto is extremely sinister! But please rest assured, you two, I, Dong Zhou, am absolutely not that insidious person like Qin Changgeng, and the North and Qingzhou have now formed an alliance. If I cut off my own hands and feet, it would be tantamount to playing with fire and burning myself, I still understand the principle that if the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold."

Hearing this, Jiang and Li's expressions softened slightly.

"According to what the Prime Minister said, what should we do now?" Jiang Shi asked.

"The call to arms has been issued, so naturally we must press on and attack the rebels in one vigorous stroke." But Dong Zhou was merely a minister who manipulated power; he knew nothing of leading troops in battle. Therefore, he turned to Qiu Tong, the General of the Flying Cavalry beside him, and asked, "General Qiu, what is your brilliant opinion on our crusade against the Qin rebels?"

Qiu Tong was tall and robust, but his position as General of the Flying Cavalry was not earned through his own blood and sweat. Rather, he had ridden the coattails of his ancestors, walking the path they had paved for him and constantly claiming the military merits of others to reach his current status.

Qiu Tong's eyes flickered slightly. "This matter is of great importance. It would be far too reckless for me to make a decision alone. Men, please invite Libationer Zheng and Libationer Wu in."

Zheng Yizhi and Wu Shuda were both military libationers. They hailed from prominent families in Chang'an, but as middling sons within their clans, they had been stuffed into these idle positions.

Of course, "idle positions" only applied during times of peace. Now, military libationers were figures of crucial importance.

At this moment, Wu Shuda's heart was pounding wildly, and a thin layer of sweat broke out on his back. He knew very well that this battle was no trifling matter. If a strategic error led to defeat, it was entirely possible that Prime Minister Dong would push the "instigator" out to be executed as a sacrifice to the battle flag.

Wu Shuda stole a glance at Zheng Yizhi, only to be shocked by how composed the other man appeared, seemingly having a well-thought-out plan in mind.

Zheng Yizhi actually smiled. "Prime Minister Dong, General Qiu, the enemy's call to arms is employing a strategy to sow discord among us. Since that is the case, why don't we beat them at their own game?"

The expressions of the men in the room varied.

Zheng Yizhi's finger first pointed to Chang'an City, then moved east. "We can leak word that you, Prime Minister Dong, had a fierce argument with Governor Li of Xuzhou, and that Governor Li has led his troops east, leaving Chang'an. When the Marquis of Wu'an hears this news, he will definitely send scouts to investigate the truth. We don't need to bother with the scouts, let alone kill them. Just let them follow..."

His finger circled a small county on the east side of Liuzhangping. "Jiangkou. After passing this small town of Jiangkou, just as we are about to reach Luoyang, we will pull out the vast majority of our forces to travel light over the Zhongtiao Mountains, taking a shortcut to sneak up behind Wugang. As for the small portion of troops left near Jiangkou, they will cook meals according to the daily numbers of the main army to confuse the enemy scouts. We absolutely must not let the enemy realize what is happening."

"At the same time, we will send the Sizhou army to blatantly circle behind Wugang and choke off the main roads on both sides of the majestic peaks north of Wugang. This will form a pincer movement, and the enemy's attention on the Xuzhou troops will be greatly reduced..."

"...Once Wugang is breached, as long as we capture Lady Dai and her son alive, the Marquis of Wu'an will surely be thrown into utter chaos."

...

It was not until the sun set in the west that the doors to the room finally reopened.

Dong Zhou's face was beaming with a wide smile. His large, fan-like hands repeatedly patted Zheng Yizhi on the shoulder. "Libationer Zheng is truly a son of the Zheng family. You possess heaven-spanning talents and strategies that are nothing short of miraculous. You are far superior to Minister Zheng."

The advisors from Xuzhou and Yuzhou also chimed in, "Brother Zheng has the talent to assist a king. It is a pity that you had nowhere to showcase it before, which is why you were buried in obscurity until now."

Zheng Yizhi felt as if he were floating on air from all the flattery.

However, this elated Libationer Zheng did not immediately return to his manor after leaving the military headquarters. Instead, he went to a small residence within Chang'an City.

Unlike the casual nature of their previous chance encounter as kindred spirits, this time Zheng Yizhi came bearing heavy gifts.

Upon seeing the handsome young man dressed in white, Zheng Yizhi was so polite that he almost seemed sycophantic. He ignored the age difference between them, repeatedly calling him virtuous younger brother. Only after a great deal of preamble did he relay word for word what had been said in the council room today.

"...Virtuous younger brother, I never imagined that the joking words you casually spoke back then would give your foolish older brother such tremendous help, saving me from a crisis. The first hurdle has been passed, but what should be done next?" Zheng Yizhi asked eagerly.

Diting smiled and said, "Do not be anxious, virtuous older brother. The tides of war are ever-changing and cannot be generalized. Let us wait and see what happens next."

Wugang County.

"My Lord, the enemy has made a move," Feng Feng reported. "According to our scouts, it seems Governor Li of Xuzhou had a dispute with Prime Minister Dong. Governor Li has led his army out of Chang'an City and is heading east. It looks as though he is returning to Xuzhou."

"Could it be that the call to arms worked, making Li Lishen realize that Dong Zhou is untrustworthy, so he changed his mind and no longer wants to wade into these muddy waters?"

"Dong Zhou has always been a treacherous rat who hides a knife behind his smile and acts with venom. Back then, he was willing to sacrifice Governor Xie of Sizhou just to frame you, My Lord. Now, he might very well sacrifice Li Lishen. It is not surprising that Governor Li of Xuzhou refuses to become the second Xie Yuanyue."

"It is still too early to draw conclusions. We need to send scouts to investigate the exact situation."

Everyone talked over one another, but in the end, they all agreed on sending scouts to verify the truth.

Qin Shaozong nodded. "Then let us send the swift scouts first. Kuang Ye, you..."

Before he could finish his sentence, a tall, slender figure stepped forward. The man cupped his hands and requested, "Father, your son asks to lead a team of scouts to investigate the truth."

The surroundings fell silent, and the rest of Qin Shaozong's unfinished sentence faded away.

Qin Yanzhou raised his eyes at this moment. His dark eyes were like a lake after the first melting of winter snow, shimmering with rippling light. "I ask for Father's permission."

Qin Shaozong did not answer immediately. He simply looked at Qin Yanzhou, whose gaze did not waver in the slightest.

In that single exchange of glances, many messages were silently communicated, along with many instructions that were difficult to speak aloud at this moment.

After a moment, Qin Shaozong took a deep breath. "Granted."

"Thank you, Father."

This matter brooked no delay. After receiving his orders, Qin Yanzhou did not participate in the rest of the meeting and immediately strode out the door.

Qin Qinian watched his older brother leave, itching to follow along and act as a scout as well. However, bringing it up now would make him seem immature, so he remained silent.

After the meeting adjourned and he had eaten his meal, Qin Shaozong paced outside for several rounds, simply unable to bring himself to return to his room.

Bai Jianping was on guard duty tonight. When he saw Qin Shaozong walk past for the third time, he finally could not help but step forward. "My Lord, do you have any orders?"

Qin Shaozong waved his hand. "None. Go back to your duties."

Bai Jianping did not leave. Seeing a look of worry between his superior's brows, he assumed the man was concerned about the upcoming battle, so he said, "My Lord, your subordinate believes that no matter how difficult this battle may be, it cannot be harder than when we fought the Wuhuan in the northern lands. Why must you worry so much?"

Back then, they had no grain when they needed it, their numbers were few, and their horses were not as sturdy as those of the Wuhuan, yet didn't they still conquer the northern kingdom?

Qin Shaozong could not be bothered to explain it to him. He touched the small pouch in his robes and returned to his room without a word.

Bai Jianping stood frozen in place, faintly seeming to understand something.

...

"Creak." The door was pushed open.

Dai Li, who was not yet asleep, looked over at the sound. "Qin Changgeng, have you seen Zhou Zhou? Why didn't I see him at dinner tonight?"