vrcanaries Chapter 139 Insufficient food and grass
Chapter 139 Insufficient food and grass
Xie Beiheng's heart sank.
Due to years of war, the imperial court had to increase taxes and levies. Now, not only is the treasury empty, but the people are also extremely poor.
The Ministry of Revenue needs to generate money and grain in a short period of time, so it is likely that it can only target officials in the court.
But the problem is that the new emperor has ascended the throne at a time when the court is unstable and policies are being reformed, and the situation is changing rapidly.
At this time, asking them to donate money for food relief would be as difficult as ascending to heaven.
It was for this reason that the Northern Rong mobilized the entire country to invade again just half a year after losing 300,000 troops.
Xie Beiheng looked at the heavy snow outside the tent, a look of anxiety on his face. "On normal days, if the army ran out of food, the soldiers might be able to hold out for five or six days. But now that the weather is so cold, I'm worried... the soldiers might not even make it three days."
Hearing this, Xu Chong said anxiously, "If they can hold out for three days and wait for food and fodder, that would be fine. I am worried that the soldiers will not be able to hold out for three days and still not receive any food and fodder from the Ministry of Revenue."
He wasn't afraid of starvation; what he feared was that if they all starved to death, the Northern Rong army would attack the city...
Xie Beiheng lowered his eyes.
In fact, besides the Ministry of Revenue, there is also Xiangxiang...
But he couldn't tell her. He didn't know what the situation was in China right now, and it involved the Gate of Time Travel. He had to buy and transport a large amount of food and supplies from there to Dayue. He didn't know if Xiangxiang could do it.
Besides, he didn't know when Xiangxiang would be delivered.
It is not appropriate to disclose this matter at the moment to avoid causing trouble.
After thinking for a moment, he immediately said, "Pass the order down. Starting tomorrow, the army will only have one meal a day."
"Also, when the snow stops, let the soldiers go hunting in the mountains."
Even so, he also knew that even if he caught all the prey on the nearby hills, it would not be enough to feed the 200,000-strong army.
Therefore, Xie Beiheng did not expect to solve the problem by hunting.
"After three days, if the food and fodder still haven't arrived, you will follow this general into Ganda City to investigate the location of the Beirong army's food and fodder."
As soon as the words fell, Xu Chong's face was filled with shock. He thought he had heard it wrong.
He quickly exclaimed in shock, "General, are you planning to rob the Northern Rong army's food supplies? Even if we find out where the Northern Rong army's food supplies are, we won't be able to transport them out!"
The gates of Ganda City are heavily guarded, and it is extremely difficult to sneak in, let alone rob the food and transport it out of the city!
Xie Beiheng frowned and looked at him with disdain, "When did this general say he wanted to rob food supplies?"
"If we burn their food supplies, we will all starve together. This general wants to see how they can attack the city." It is impossible to rob food supplies. Now the only way is to find a way to prevent Beirong from invading again.
Xu Chong suddenly realized what was going on. His expression was solemn, and he said solemnly, "General, you stay in the army and let me go alone. I promise to complete the mission!"
There are 170,000 Northern Rong troops in Ganda City. After burning all the food and grass, it is almost impossible to escape unscathed. The Zhenbei Army can do without Xu Chong, but it cannot do without the prince.
Xie Beiheng glanced at him indifferently and said nothing.
It was impossible for anyone else to accomplish it except himself, but this kid still moved him a little.
This plan is indeed risky, and he would not want to take this step if it were not the last moment.
I can't count on the Ministry of Revenue anymore, I hope Xiangxiang can deliver the supplies in time...
……
Beijing.
In the mansion of Marquis Zhenbei.
Bai Rushuang was so angry that she covered her chest with one hand, but she continued to talk angrily, "When the country was in crisis, they didn't let them go to the battlefield, but only asked them to donate some money to support the front line. But they all cried poor and were unwilling to go."
"It's been over a month, and we've only managed to raise a little over 20,000 taels of silver. If the Northern Rong army really attacks the capital, and everyone becomes a slave, I'd like to see if they still have the life to spend that little bit of silver."
"It's rotten, rotten! This court, these officials, who still has national justice?"
Lin Xiangxiang bent down and stood beside Bai Rushuang, stroking her back and saying anxiously, "Madam, please calm down. You are not in good health and you can't be so angry."
"Besides, although the officials in the court are not righteous, the people of Dayue all have a patriotic heart. Today, many people came to the Marquis' Mansion to donate food. Although it was just some coarse grains, rice, noodles, eggs and vegetables, it was enough to show that they cared about the front line."
"But don't worry, Madam. The people in the mansion will confiscate all the things sent by the people."
More than ten days ago, news of victory from the northern border came from the capital: the day after the Zhenbei Army arrived at the border, Xie Beiheng led the army to recapture Suning City and wiped out 130,000 enemies in one battle.
For a time, Xie Beiheng's reputation as the God of War General resounded throughout Dayue. The people's reverence and admiration for him reached its peak.
At the same time, everyone knew that the weapon she had invented was gunpowder. Now, the people outside all called her "Fairy Princess," saying that she was a fairy sent by heaven to save Dayue and the people! They all believed that with such a weapon, Dayue would surely win the battle, and their fathers, husbands, and sons would soon be able to return home, and they would soon be able to live a peaceful and tranquil life.
Upon learning that there was a shortage of food and fodder on the front lines, the people began to live frugally, saving every bit of food they could to support the Zhenbei Army.
Lin Xiangxiang was both moved and sad. At the same time, she could also see from this incident that Emperor Hong Jing had been in power for 30 years and all the officials in the court were rotten. She hoped that Li Chenghe could root out these pests one by one.
Bai Rushuang held onto Lin Xiangxiang, her heart moved. She said with relief, "Fortunately, we have Xiangxiang. Otherwise, the 200,000 Northern Zhen Army soldiers might have starved to death on the border, and Dayue's borders would have been breached by the Northern Rong cavalry."
If it weren't for Xiangxiang, the Marquis' Mansion would have had no choice but to accept the gifts from the common people, and send them all to the front line, big and small, every little detail.
Lin Xiangxiang smiled and said, "Madam, what are you talking about? Xie Beiheng is my future husband. Besides, as the princess of Dayue, I should do my part to protect Dayue."
"Don't worry, Madam. Li Jingsheng has been on the road with food and supplies for half a month. I think they should be arriving soon."
She bought everything half a month ago. It's not that complete to say she bought everything. This time, she sent mainly food: rice, flour, noodles, coarse powder, sweet potatoes, taro, dehydrated vegetables, seaweed, pickles, oil, salt, military compressed biscuits, chocolate, various beef, mutton and pork jerky, and self-heating rice. The self-heating rice is mainly for soldiers to use when it is inconvenient to cook outside.
Of course, there are also military helmets and bulletproof vests. This time, all the bulletproof vests are long-sleeved, but only 10,000 pieces are sent over. You really can't buy too many of these things at one time.
In fact, the food delivered this time was only enough to feed the Zhenbei Army for half a month. For two hundred thousand Zhenbei Army soldiers, the quantity was too large, and there was no way to buy so much food at once. Moreover, her company could not have such a large turnover right after it opened.
Mrs. Bai nodded, feeling relieved. She then asked, "Xiangxiang, do you have enough money? I heard from Heng'er that the currency in China is different from that in Dayue, but gold and silver can be used. I had someone prepare 100,000 taels of silver. I was planning to buy food and fodder, but Dayue's goods can't compare to those in China, so it's better for you to go to China to make some purchases."
Lin Xiangxiang quickly smiled and shook her head, "Madam, there's enough money over there, but it was all exchanged for the things Xie Beiheng gave me. Hehe, if it's not enough, I'll shamelessly come to you to ask for more."
Seeing that Bai Rushuang was no longer angry, Lin Xiangxiang was about to leave.
The main reason she came this time was to pick up Dayue's packaging bags. The weather in Dayue was too cold, and the company had purchased a large number of down jackets, cotton coats and trousers, sweaters and trousers, scarves, hats, gloves, and cotton shoes a few days ago. They had to be packed quickly and sent to Xie Beiheng.
……