Chapter 216 - The War Started
Since the start of the war, the entire South Jin was like a clockwork, and all sorts of industries were moving.
It wasn't just weapons and food that needed to be prepared for the war. Any mistakes in the procedures could lead to a crushing defeat in the war. Once the war was lost, all the money and manpower that they had paid would be turned into nothingness, and it would be a fatal blow to the South Jin.
Three days later, State Duke Lu and Xia Kui led a hundred thousand troops to the Chuzhou City. The Chuzhou City was an important city on the border of the north and south. Once this place was breached, the army of the North Yue could be divided into smaller groups and attack the Ye City from any direction.
The civilians of the Ye City stood guard at the city gate before dawn. Looking at this vigorous army, they prayed silently in their hearts that they would return victorious.
The seven dukes of South Jin used to have the military power in their hands. As they grew old, they would die. As for the military power, it was taken back by King of South Jin.
Apart from the thirty thousand men of the Lu Family that State Duke Lu controlled, there was also the military power that King of South Jin had taken back over the years. He had left some of it to strengthen the defense of Ye City, and the rest was given to State Duke Lu.
“I wish you all the best. When the time comes, I will reward you handsomely!” King of South Jin took the wine glass from the servant and raised his glass to the soldiers below the stage.
“South Jin will win! South Jin will win!” Deafening shouts rang out, causing the civilians to cry with tears in their eyes.
They believed that with such a lion in South Jin, they would definitely be invincible!
Xia Kui drained a glass of wine and smashed it heavily onto the ground. The clear sound was like a signal. The sound of drums immediately resounded through the clouds. Xia Kui raised his sword to the sky and said, “Let's go!”
The team left the Ye City in a grandiose manner. King of South Jin looked at the rolling dust and thought for a long time with his hands behind his back.
If he didn't leave, the rest of the ministers who came to see him off naturally couldn't leave either. Crown Prince Zhao and Tang Yue stood at the front of the group and whispered to each other.
“Does His Highness think they can win this battle?” Tang Yue didn't have a good impression of State Duke Lu. He had a bad feeling when he heard King of South Jin call him handsome.
Among the seven dukes, State Duke Ann was the most powerful. He was the mother of the queen, and State Duke Heng was the second. He was trusted by the king, but these two were the most powerful. They had a deep connection with the Crown Prince's Palace. Therefore, it was understandable that King of South Jin had given the military power to State Duke Lu, who was not in contact with the Crown Prince's Palace.
“The situation on the battlefield is ever-changing. It doesn't depend on numbers or equipment to determine victory or defeat. The most important thing is the leadership of the army, as well as the timing and geographical advantage. Therefore, I'm not sure if they can win or not. However, as long as Xia Kui is not stubborn and self-willed, I'm sure he won't lose too badly.”
Tang Yue could hear some disapproval from Crown Prince Zhao's words. Obviously, he didn't think highly of State Duke Lu.
“His Highness sent a hundred men of sacrifice last night. Is the target the southwest?”
Crown Prince Zhao looked at him and nodded lightly. “I hope they can succeed. Otherwise, once the southwest and North Yue are in a pincer attack, State Duke Lu will definitely lose.”
Seeing that King of South Jin had left the city wall and was escorted back to the palace by the guards, Crown Prince Zhao pulled Tang Yue into his carriage and planned to return to the Crown Prince's Palace.
In the carriage, Tang Yue and Crown Prince Zhao sat side by side. Looking at the people kneeling on the street, they thought of a famous saying. Rise, the people suffer, the people die, and the people suffer.
“Why did His Highness stop me from sending those hundred nurses to the battlefield? Isn't it for this day to train them?”
Crown Prince Zhao held his hand and lowered his head without saying a word. He also had his own selfish motives, just like how he had five thousand heavy cavalry, five thousand light cavalry, and Tang Yue's many supplies. He did not want to expose them too early.
These hundred nurses were built in the name of learning from Tang Yue. Outsiders only thought that they were learning medicine from Tang Yue. They didn't know that they were prepared for war by Tang Yue.
Apart from this, Tang Yue had prepared a lot of resources in the past few years. It was large enough for food and herbs, small enough for cotton cloth, and a huge amount of resources. Even King of South Jin was jealous when he saw it.
If such things were taken out now, they would undoubtedly become the focus of everyone's attention. Before the war reached its climax, these things would only bring disaster to them.
“It's not that I don't want to send them out, but I want to pick the right time. These people and things are too sensitive. If I'm not careful, I will be accused of deceiving the sovereign.”
Just those private soldiers were enough to make King of South Jin feel uneasy.
Tang Yue smiled bitterly. In the past, he did not fight for fame and did not fight for profit, but now he felt that it was better to have the right in his hands. If Crown Prince Zhao wasn't the crown prince but the king… Then they wouldn't have to hide so hard.
He was clearly doing a good deed, but he was still spending his own money to do a good deed. Why did he have to hide it in the end, afraid of being questioned?
However, if he was in King of South Jin's position and found out that his son had secretly created a strong army, he would probably suspect him of rebelling.
In the end, this was caused by the crisis of trust.
Tang Yue did not continue to talk about this matter. He continued to do what he should do. He was also a very busy person. Every day, he would take some time to educate his son and also deal with the daily matters in the Crown Prince's Palace. The rest of the time, he would either be at the pharmacy or at a certain patient's residence.
“Young master, the harvest this year is very good. The few villages have sent more food than the previous year. Do you think we should keep 30% or more?”
Other than the food that Tang Yue had stored in the Crown Prince's Palace, the rest of the food was from the villages that belonged to the Crown Prince's Palace. There were also trading companies that came back from various places. There were not many of them each time. They were like mice moving their homes. They piled up the granaries that he had built in other courtyards bit by bit.
“They're starting a war?” Tang Yue whispered. He looked up and instructed the butler, “This year's grain is no longer stored. Take out half to secretly transport to the border to replenish the civilians at the border. Don't be in a hurry to finish distributing all of them. Find a safe place to hide in case of emergencies.”
With Tang Yue's experience from TV movies, once the war started, it was easy for the warzone to fall into a food crisis. If they were accidentally blocked by the enemy and even trapped in the city, then the food shortage would become a fatal factor.
The butler understood his concerns and secretly praised Crown Princess's kind character. The country was in danger, and many noble children were still obsessed with fighting and fighting. Many noble children were still muddleheaded and had nothing to do, but Crown Princess had already made sufficient preparations for today.
This kind of character and ability, the butler felt that no one in the world could compare.
“This old servant will go and discuss with His Highness about sending people to deliver food. I remember hearing His Highness mention that he set up a few strongholds at the border. It is not difficult for him to hide some food.”
Tang Yue nodded. This kind of practical operation was not his concern. He had been able to accomplish these things in the past few years thanks to these capable people under Crown Prince Zhao. To him, these people were all capable.
As long as he gave an idea, they would be able to complete it perfectly or even beyond perfection. If he were to do it himself, he was afraid that he would only be able to stay on paper and talk.
“It's almost winter. Go and ask the Young Marquis. Is the batch of cotton clothes I asked him to make ready? If they're ready, send them to the border together.”
“Yes.” The old butler remembered the matter in his heart. After listening to the orders, he left with a gust of wind. The crown prince's residence usually had a few matters to attend to, but once the crown prince went to war, he would have to prepare a lot of things.
Fortunately, with Crown Princess around, the entire crown prince's residence could become His Highness's most solid and solid backing. Thinking back to when His Highness went to war, he could do nothing but guard this residence.
If His Highness was not injured back then, the matriarch of this residence would probably be County Princess Tangxi now. What else could that do other than live?
Thinking of this, the butler felt that Crown Prince's lack of blood wasn't something that was unbearable.
Losing meant losing something. To have a wife like this, what more could a husband ask for?
Days passed in the tense atmosphere. The first to receive the news was Songxi County, which was the closest to Ye City. General Fu Heng had just arrived at Songxi County with three thousand people when he found out that the enemy had left the coast by boat. At this time, they were wandering along the coast, obviously waiting for an opportunity to continue stirring up trouble.
In terms of numbers, they were evenly matched, and in terms of combat strength, they each had their own length, patience, and perseverance. Obviously, the soldiers of South Jin on land were even more persistent. After all, no matter how good a person's water quality was, it was impossible for him to stay on the ship forever without going ashore.
Fu Heng was not in a hurry to repel the enemy. He remembered that his mission was to stop the enemy from going ashore. As long as the enemy could stay on the sea forever, he would be able to complete his mission.
After some discussion with his aides, Fu Heng mobilized the local government and built many watchtowers near the coast. As soon as they found the enemy ships, they would immediately light up the smoke and report to them. Fu Heng would bring his men to guard the enemy. If the enemy had ten guts, they would not dare to go ashore and confront the South Jin soldiers head-on.
However, there was a drawback to this. Not only was the journey short, but the speed was also fast. On land, it would usually take twice or even more time. This way, if they wanted to save the enemy in time, the South Jin soldiers would have to travel day and night.
After a period of time, the three thousand soldiers were exhausted. Fortunately, the enemy did not know that most of them had come. Otherwise, they could have launched a diversion scheme.
“General, you should make up your mind as soon as possible. The soldiers are so tired that they can't walk anymore. I don't even know how many pairs of shoes have been stepped on. Half of them are bleeding from the soles of their feet. They won't be able to hold on for long.” One of the aides said worriedly.
Fu Heng was a middle-aged general, and he did not stand out among the generals. King of South Jin must have thought that such a mission was very simple, so he gave him a chance.
Fu Heng came with full confidence. He thought it would be very simple, but he ignored the actual situation. In just a month, all the soldiers had lost their fighting spirit.
If this continued, even if the other party dared to come ashore, they would not dare to raise their swords and resist.
He frowned. “Go and send a letter to His Highness. In this court, only Crown Prince can help me.”
They did not dare to ask Da Tian about the problem. Otherwise, the only thing waiting for him would be his dismissal. If they could not even do such a small thing, King of South Jin would naturally change to another general.
As for the other ministers, it would be good if they did not have ulterior motives to catch his pigtails. Who would be willing to give him advice?
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