Chapter 292: Grain and Fodder Move First

Yancheng, North Camp.

The generals were currently fighting over the Telescope.

One by one, they were pulling each other's arms, grabbing each other's hair, and tugging at each other's thighs, making a chaotic scene.

As for the generals who had already tried the Telescope, their eyes were dull, unable to calm the shock in their hearts for a long time.

From today on, the Prince's Personal Army has a "thousand-mile eye."

"Be careful, don't break it, stop grabbing!" Chang Wei felt heartbroken seeing the Telescope being treated roughly in the hands of the generals.

He had already earmarked this Telescope as his own.

"Don't be nervous, there will be plenty of these soon, it won't be a problem for everyone to have one," Zhao Xu said helplessly.

The craftsmanship of the Telescope is not very complicated.

Since Glass is in unlimited supply, mass production is also no problem.

Chang Wei breathed a sigh of relief and remarked, "With this thing, wouldn't we be able to see the enemy formation clearly on the battlefield? This general thinks we should give some to the Artillerymen; wouldn't that be like adding wings to a tiger on the battlefield?"

"Not bad, the Artillerymen naturally must be given some, and the Scouts too. Before the expedition, I will try my best to give you all some," Zhao Xu laughed.

Upon hearing this, Chang Wei and the generals all revealed expectant smiles.

It must be said, they felt that this thing called a Telescope really matched the temperament of the generals.

No matter who held the Telescope and took a look, hey, the whole person seemed to change.

Letting the generals get a taste of the novelty of the Telescope.

At this moment, Zhao Xu said sternly, "I have prepared the Artillery for you, I have also prepared the Flintlock for you, and now this 'thousand-mile eye' has also been equipped for you. If you fight the Jinzhuzhizhan unsatisfactorily this time, don't blame me for turning hostile."

Hearing this, the generals felt a shiver in their hearts.

They said in unison, "Yes, Your Highness."

Nodding, Zhao Xu left the North Camp.

Returning to the Prince's Mansion, Zhao Xu assigned the manufacturing of the Telescope to the Glass Workshop.

He also transferred several craftsmen specifically responsible for grinding to the Glass Workshop,

and several carpenters to make the cylinders for the Telescopes.

Thinking of the increasingly approaching departure date.

Zhao Xu was either urging Liu Fu to establish the logistics for transporting grain and fodder, or supervising the manufacture of Flintlocks and ammunition in the Armory.

Days passed one by one.

The chill of Yanzhou was gradually replaced by a faint warmth.

Red plum blossoms bloomed, and willow trees sprouted new buds.

There were also more wild ducks leisurely wandering in the river.

This day.

A team of Cavalry in red armor entered Yancheng from Nan Cheng, bringing an Imperial Edict from the Imperial Court urging the dispatch of troops.

"Going to war again, it's only been peaceful for a few months," Feng'er began to organize the Armor for Zhao Xu.

For this Jinzhuzhizhan, Yan Wang was going on an expedition again, and she couldn't help but worry.

Luan'er did not speak, but the worry on her face could not be concealed.

"Your Highness, this Xiliang is not like the Yuan Family. The Yuan Family's troops were mostly a mob, but these Xiliang soldiers are said to be fierce, no easier to deal with than the Beidi soldiers," Feng'er continued to nag.

Zhao Xu nodded. Xiliang being able to exist for so long in the cracks between Beidi and Dasong also has its own capabilities.

"This Jinzhou is not as flat as Yanzhou; it is said to be full of mountains. Your Highness must be careful when you go; even wild beasts and poisonous insects are dangerous," Luan'er said softly. Both she and Feng'er wanted to follow the army to take care of Yan Wang.

But Yan Wang did not agree.

The implication was that bringing them along would still be a burden.

The two were just giving instructions when someone came to report that Chang Wei and Liu Fu had arrived.

Zhao Xu got up and went to the Council Hall.

"Your Highness, this time your subordinate has conscripted 100,000 laborers to transport grain and fodder; most of them are former people of Jinzhou," Liu Fu said.

It is now spring, and soon it will be spring plowing, followed by the summer harvest.

If the common people of Yanzhou who had been allocated land were conscripted, it would certainly affect Yanzhou's production.

Fortunately, there were many common people who came from Jinzhou, which solved this problem.

Moreover, the people of Jinzhou were more expectant of Yan Wang taking back Jinzhou and were more willing to work hard.

Pausing, he continued, "As for the grain and fodder, there is no problem at all. The grain sent by the Xie Family is enough to fight several major battles."

Zhao Xu nodded with satisfaction.

As the saying goes, troops and horses move before grain and fodder.

The logistics of the Prince's Personal Army must be guaranteed.

After Liu Fu finished speaking, Chang Wei said, "Your Highness, this general has mobilized a total of 80,000 troops for the expedition to Jinzhou, including 30,000 veteran soldiers and 50,000 new recruits. Among these 50,000, 30,000 are new recruits equipped with Flintlocks."

Thinking for a moment, he continued, "There are another 70,000 men; this general has dispatched 40,000 of them to Yanguan to prevent any unusual movements from Beidi, and the remaining 30,000 are stationed in Yancheng to prepare for the unexpected."

"Good, three days later, we march to Feihu Pass," Zhao Xu said.

Liu Fu and Chang Wei's preparations were complete, so now they could set out with peace of mind.

Chang Wei replied yes, then continued, "Your Highness, we are sending out troops, but what about the Ma Family?"

"The Ma Family sent word that they are prepared and can march into Jinzhou at any time," Zhao Xu said.

Two days ago, the Ma Family had sent someone to Yancheng to discuss the dispatch of troops.

This time, Zhao Heng had him and the Ma Family dispatch troops to Jinzhou, giving him a temporary title of Xibeibingmazuoyuanshuai.

Simply put, even the Ma Family had to be under his command.

But just like during the Ningjindusizhizhan, this title did not have much meaning for the Shizu Army.

The symbolic significance is greater than the actual significance.

After all, at a critical moment, these Shizu Army units will not exhaust their own troops for the Imperial Clan.

"I hope the Ma Family can act like they have some backbone; otherwise, I fear we will have to face Xiliang on our own," Chang Wei sighed.

Although he said this, based on his understanding of these Shizu families when he was in Jingshi, he basically held no hope.

Zhao Xu heard this, knitted his brows, and said sternly, "Remember, no matter the time, do not place your hope in the hands of others. For this Jinzhuzhizhan, we must prepare a simulation for the worst-case scenario, understand?"

Chang Wei nodded slowly.

The Sand Table Simulation during this period had never stopped.

Overall, they had simulated three scenarios under different conditions.

The first: the Ma Family and the Prince's Personal Army cooperate in good faith.

The second: the Ma Family merely goes through the motions without putting in any real effort.

The third is the worst-case scenario: the Ma Family not only fails to assist but instead throws obstacles in their way.

The worst-case scenario Yan Wang spoke of was precisely this third one.

And it was for this worst-case scenario that they had performed the most simulations.

After all, achieving a great victory in the other two scenarios is not very difficult.

"This general will strictly follow Your Highness's instructions," Chang Wei said, cupping his hands, his expression serious.

War is not child's play; he could be a bit casual with Yan Wang in ordinary times.

But in this matter, not the slightest carelessness could be allowed.

After discussing for a while longer, Zhao Xu ordered Liu Fu to transport the grain and fodder to Feihu Pass tomorrow, and for Chang Wei to depart on schedule, with no delays permitted.

The two had just left.

Someone reported that Xu Ke had arrived, and Zhao Xu ordered him to enter.

Before a war, grain, fodder, and the army must naturally be prepared, but the secret war of intelligence was already underway in advance.

Before long, Xu Ke, dressed in green robes and wearing his official uniform, walked in.