Chapter 92: Wind Rising

"The Autumn Hunt has been moved up?"

In the Zhang Family secret room, after reading the secret letter Tuoba Lie had tossed onto the table, Zhang Kang was slightly surprised.

Tuoba Lie sipped his tea leisurely and said indifferently, "It's all because of that trade matter. Now, both Yan Wang and Yanguan have tightened their patrols of the border, and the merchants have all become timid. This has made the supplies from the Grassland much scarcer this year than in previous years. Furthermore, the longer Yan Wang prepares, the more disadvantageous it is for us."

Zhang Kang nodded.

Indeed, the previous incident had not only caused losses for the Yuan Family and the Northern Di, but other merchants had been frightened as well.

Most importantly, this season had always been the time when trade between the Yuan Family and the Northern Di was most frequent.

But fearing they would be caught by Yan Wang, the Yuan Family had been forced to suspend their private trade.

"That's fine. Yan Wang is becoming more and more of an eyesore. Now that the Emperor of Great Song has allowed him to expand his army, if this continues, he will become too powerful to control." Zhang Kang's eyes narrowed. "Now, the death squads have all entered the city. When the time comes, as soon as the Nine Great Kings' army arrives, we can coordinate from within and without to open the city gates."

Hearing this, Tuoba Lie felt a surge of satisfaction.

Originally, things had been going smoothly for him in Yanzhou, but ever since this Yan Wang appeared, everything had been thrown into chaos.

However, during this Autumn Hunt, as long as Yan Wang is killed, Yanzhou will return to his control once again.

Then, he can proceed to the next step, paving the way for the Northern Di to move south.

"Zhang Kang, there must be no mistakes this time. Otherwise, my life will be forfeit, and don't think you'll survive either." Tuoba Lie's tone rose sharply.

Zhang Kang shivered. He gritted his teeth and said, "There will certainly be no more failures this time. Both the Nine Great Kings and the Yuan Family want Yan Wang dead; he must die."

"That's good." Tuoba Lie set down his teacup. "Once Yan Wang is dead, the next target is the Yuan Family. You understand."

Zhang Kang's eyes darted around.

This was part of the plan he and Tuoba Lie had devised.

The first step: control the Zhang Family and dominate Yan Commandery.

In this way, it would be equivalent to driving a nail into Yanzhou; this was the foundation.

The second step was to incite the Yuan Family to defect.

This plan was very bold and also very risky.

But once successful, it would be of the greatest benefit to the Northern Di.

After all, once the Yuan Family submitted to the Northern Di, with the Yuan Family's military strength, they could fully cooperate with the Northern Di to take Yanguan.

By then, the Northern Di army could drive straight in, and the Great Song empire would be within their grasp.

"Once Yan Wang is dead, I will find an opportunity to sound out Yuan Li," Zhang Kang said.

Tuoba Lie nodded with satisfaction. "Also, what have they been doing in the countryside lately?"

Mentioning this, Zhang Kang also revealed a look of confusion.

The situation in Yan Commandery was very peculiar now, ever since the Rich Clan sold their land to Yan Wang.

Yan Wang effectively controlled most of the land in Yan Commandery.

And the commoners on Yan Wang's land were Yan Wang's subjects, but at the same time, they were also Yan Wang's tenant farmers.

Therefore, the Yan Prince Mansion had no need to issue government decrees through the Government Office to make these commoners do things.

Instead, they directly had an office within the Prince Mansion, managed by Liu Fu, dispatch officials.

Because of this, he knew nothing about what was happening in the countryside, only hearing some fragmented information.

Such as news about "digging pits to hide grain."

And the people he sent out to inquire returned saying the same thing.

"They are digging pits to hide grain," Zhang Kang said.

"Hiding grain? Hahaha, truly cowardly rats." Tuoba Lie laughed after hearing this. "Then we shall see if their hiding is more effective, or if the iron hooves of our Northern Di are more formidable."

……

Fushi Village.

Liu Fu and some officials were in front of a family's kitchen stove.

The commoner of this household lifted the pot, revealing a deep tunnel underneath.

Lifting the hems of their long robes, Liu Fu and the officials followed a ladder down into the tunnel.

They walked forward, hunched over, for a distance until they reached a spacious area.

This place was higher than the tunnel,

enough for people to stand.

There were even things like tables and chairs here.

Although he hadn't received Armor and Weapon from Yan Wang yesterday,

the things he had to do still had to be done.

"Lord Tutor, the village heads have all arrived." Feng Zheng came over from another tunnel with the village head of Fushi Village.

"Everyone, sit. Regarding the Weapon and Armor, His Highness said he will have them sent to you in a while, but His Highness also said that from now on, you must train during your spare time and simultaneously study how to use these Tunnels to fight," Liu Fu said. "Tomorrow, His Highness will personally bring troops here to have a mock battle with you."

"Ah, a battle?" One village head was startled.

"It's not a real battle, just acting as the Northern Di people. Your Fushi Village is the first; next, they will go to other villages," Liu Fu laughed.

He had come personally today because he didn't want the first village to become a laughingstock for Yan Wang, so he inquired about it himself.

Once Fushi Village was prepared, he would have the village heads of other villages come to observe, so it could be quickly promoted throughout the entire Yan Commandery.

Recalling something, his expression suddenly turned serious. "Also, the maps of the Tunnels must be kept secret. You must also heighten your vigilance. Every year at this time, it is when enemy spies are most active. Be wary of people coming from outside the village."

Pausing, he emphasized his tone. "You must supervise one another. If anyone leaks the true purpose of the Tunnels, this official will certainly hold you collectively responsible and punish you."

Liu Fu had always been close to the people and very kind to the commoners.

Seeing Liu Fu so solemn now, everyone felt a chill in their hearts.

These words were certainly not a joke.

"Yes, Lord Tutor," everyone said.

Liu Fu nodded, "Do not blame this official and His Highness for being heartless; if one of you makes a mistake, tens of thousands of commoners might end up dead or injured. The Northern Di invade south every year; how long do you think you can hide? Only now does His Highness, the Yan Wang, have the mettle to fight a battle against the Northern Di, to strike terror into their hearts so they never dare set foot in Yan Commandery again."

The young and able-bodied village heads nodded heavily upon hearing this.

"Please convey to His Highness that we will absolutely not hold the Prince's Mansion back. His Highness has allowed us to live comfortable lives, and everyone cherishes these days," Feng Zheng said, rolling up his sleeves. "Though I am old, I will certainly not be hesitant when it comes to fighting the Northern Di."

A look of gratification appeared on Liu Fu's face.

In the Yan Commandery of the past, whenever the Northern Di held their Autumn Hunt each year, the Rich Clans only cared for themselves, and the commoners were nothing more than scattered sand.

When the Northern Di arrived, the commoners could only flee for their lives individually.

But things are different now; under the governance of the Yan Wang, the commoners have been organized.

Just as the Yan Wang said, a flock of sheep twisted into a single rope will not fear any jackals, tigers, or leopards.

During this Northern Di Autumn Hunt, they will no longer allow the Northern Di to slaughter them as they did in previous years.

Spreading out the diagrams, Liu Fu discussed matters with the officials and village heads.

They planned how to fight, because early tomorrow morning, the Yan Wang would bring men over to launch a surprise attack on Fushi Village.

After discussing until dusk, Liu Fu returned to the Prince's Mansion to report on the matter.

"Hmm, then this Prince shall see exactly how they perform."

For the moment, the Prince's Personal Army had nothing to report, as everything was proceeding according to plan.

He was only a little worried about the villages, as he was the one who had proposed digging the Tunnel.

If it proved ineffective, he would be cursed by the commoners behind his back.