NFBE Chapter 128: Snow Falls, Frost Arrives
Chapter 128: Snow Falls, Frost Arrives
"If we don't replenish our food supplies in time, it will be too late when there is really nothing left!"
"When marching to war, food and fodder must go first. Sir Wu doesn't even understand this principle, and you still want to command the battle?"
Yuan Heng angrily scolded, and Emperor Qing probably felt that Wu Liren's words were a little wrong, so he frowned and said, "General Yuan has led the army for many years. Since he wants to seize the grain, then we should follow his wishes and rob the wheat harvest in the three cities in the north of Quhe first."
Yuan Heng was slightly relieved to see that the emperor did not blindly follow Wu Liren's words, and immediately arranged for people to head to the northern part of Quhe.
Unfortunately, Yuan Heng arrived a step too late. After Huo Wenqi and his men arrived at Quhe, they contacted Special Envoy Liu who was in charge of the northern part of Quhe River. Together with the people of the three cities, they harvested the wheat fields overnight with lanterns.
By the time Qingguo arrived, not only was there no grain in the wheat fields, but even the firewood stacks and granaries in the city were empty.
Liu Huang helped Huo Wenqi transport food and grass back to Dongji City to meet Zong Yanli.
"Your humble servant greets the General of Pingxi." Liu Huang was about forty or fifty years old, a little short and thin, and his official robe was covered with patches, making him look very thin.
"Master Liu, please stand up quickly." Zong Yanli stretched out his hand to help him.
Liu Huang looked tired, but his eyes were bright. He said to Zong Yanli with great admiration, "This war broke out suddenly. I was worried about the wheat harvest and the people from Qing State coming to steal the grain. I didn't know what to do. I didn't expect the general to come so timely."
Zong Yanli smiled and said, "Thanks to your help, otherwise it would have been a long time before the wheat harvest was completed."
Liu Huang bowed, knowing full well that while the war was still going on, the ownership of Quhe was uncertain and would inevitably lead to disputes.
Rather than letting the enemy take advantage of it, it would be better for our soldiers to take it.
"Now that the grain has been delivered, I will not stay here for long." Liu Huang had to return to Quhe and report the matter to the emperor.
"See Lord Liu off." Zong Yanli nodded and said to Gao Feilin.
Yuan Heng had made a trip in vain, and now he heard from his generals that the Wu army had taken all the food in Quhe overnight. He was so angry that he pounded the table: "It's Zong Yanli again!"
Yuan Heng knew very well that the Kingdom of Qing had suffered successive defeats. Although its soldiers and horses seemed to be intact, in fact, it was impossible for the Kingdom of Qing to sustain a long war. When the cold winter came, the soldiers would have no food to eat and the horses would have no grass to chew. That would be the time for the enemy to attack in large numbers. Yuan Heng thought for a long time and decided to persuade Emperor Qing to withdraw his troops.
"Retreat!" Zhuo Kangshun was furious when he heard this. He glared at Yuan Heng and said angrily, "Our army is in high spirits and is about to invade Wu State. You are now advising me to retreat!"
"Your Majesty!" Yuan Heng's face was full of bitterness. He knelt down and said respectfully, "The Wu army is defending the city and it is difficult for our army to break through the city. If we continue to fight like this, the only loss will be our army's strength."
"It seems that morale is high now, but in fact, the reserve military supplies are empty. If our army continues to fight with the Wu army, we will not survive this winter!"
"I have the entire Qing Kingdom behind me to help me, so what is there to fear!" Zhuo Kangshun said sternly, "I will immediately order the grain collection!"
"Your Majesty..." Yuan Heng said in a sad tone, "Our country has been at war for years, and the people have no place to live. There is no telling how much wasteland there is, and the only remaining wheat fields are used to pay taxes."
"In many places such as Jingchang and Wudi, people over 50 years old have even starved to death to reduce their family's food rations." Yuan Heng's eyes were filled with grief as he bowed and said, "Your Majesty! Today, I, an old minister, dare to advise you to withdraw your troops!"
"Qing Kingdom can no longer endure war. If we lose this battle, Qing Kingdom will be in danger!"
"Asshole!" Zhuo Kangshun glared angrily. He had never thought that Yuan Heng would say the same thing as Zhang Yan. He was almost shocked and angry and said, "When did that traitor Zhang Yan get involved with you? No wonder you have been giving in everywhere since you took over the army. It turns out that you are afraid before the battle even begins."
Zhuo Kangshun was greatly disappointed. In his opinion, Yuan Heng was the general he trusted the most. However, he did not expect that Yuan Heng had already "colluded" with Zhang Yan to persuade him to withdraw his troops again.
Zhang Yan, Zhuo Kangshun could be killed at will, but Yuan Heng was different.
Not only does Yuan Heng have a very high prestige in the army, but Zhuo Kangshun also recognizes his ability to lead the army. If the commander is easily replaced when facing a powerful enemy, it is inevitable that the soldiers will have different morale. Moreover, Zhuo Kangshun can't think of anyone else in the Qing army who can command all the troops.
Zhuo Kangshun was angry with Yuan Heng, but at the same time he was still thinking about how to deal with the situation.
At this time, Wu Liren gave Zhuo Kangshun an idea, saying that Yuan Heng's mention of this matter had already shaken the morale of the soldiers in the army. If it was not stopped, the army's morale would collapse and it would be difficult for our army to meet the enemy.
Wu Liren asked Zhuo Kangshun to let Yuan Heng lead the army as usual, but to make public Yuan Heng's cowardly words and deeds before the battle, and to point out the most derelicts in duty among Yuan Heng's personal soldiers in front of the entire army, and to whip them in front of the three armies to make an example of them.
It can not only demonstrate the majesty of the king, but also intimidate the soldiers in the army, and allow Yuan Heng to watch the punishment of his personal soldiers and generals, so that he would not dare to be cowardly again.
"Did the Emperor of Qing really adopt Wu Liren's strategy?" When this news reached the Wu army's tent, Zong Yanli was greatly shocked.
"Yes." Gongsun Pu couldn't help laughing and said, "Beating the commander in front of the whole army..."
"It's a pity that Qingguo could do this."
"With such a monarch, how could the Qing Kingdom not perish?"
Pei Liang, Huo Wenqi and others in the military tent all had strange expressions on their faces. After Zhuo Kangshun did this, he really never heard Yuan Heng advise them to withdraw the troops again. They thought it was all thanks to Wu Liren's strategy, but they didn't know that Yuan Heng was completely disappointed with Emperor Qing at this moment and had no intention of persuading him anymore.
The ruler and his subjects are alienated, and the generals lose their authority.
The Qing army is no longer a threat to us.
For a period of time thereafter, as long as Emperor Qing was willing, Yuan Heng would follow the emperor's will and lead his troops to fight. He tried every possible means to attack the city several times but failed to get the Wu army to come out to fight.
Wu Liren suggested a strong attack, but Zong Yanli had already seen through Qing's moves, and before Qing could launch a strong attack, he sent out most of his teams to frequently harass the Qing army, making it impossible for them to attack.
The battle was thus dragged on until the first heavy snows fell and frost arrived.
"General, it's snowing." When Zong Yanli got up in the morning and walked out of the tent with a long sword in hand, she saw the military camp covered with a thin layer of white snow. The soldiers were busy clearing the snow on the training ground. Wen Nian stood beside the military tent and looked at her.
"Yeah." Zong Yanli exhaled a breath of white air, and then saw Wen Nian handing him a pair of sheepskin gloves.
"It is made of sheepskin caught a few days ago. General, you are wearing it." Wen Nian said in a young voice.
"You made this?" Zong Yanli looked at the gloves and raised his eyebrows in surprise. He looked at Wen Nian and said, "I didn't know you had this skill."
Wen Nian's ears turned red as he lowered his head and said, "It's a little crude, I hope the general doesn't mind."