Chapter 217: Long Time No See

The fully loaded grain carts returned to the realm, but failed to change the crisis.

There were only ten days of grain in the few military forts, and there was no surplus at all. Ten days of military rations for four thousand official soldiers, if ordinary people eat sparingly, they can eat for thirty days. If converted, Wei Yuan was busy for a whole day, which was equivalent to grabbing one day's food for the entire realm.

The military equipment and armor were grabbed a lot, and the value was not low, but these things couldn't be eaten now.

The largest granary in Ningxi County was still in Quliu Town, right next to the County Governor's mansion, next to the military camp. Wei Yuan's original plan was to directly raid Quliu Town, but after deep thought, he felt that the involvement was too wide. Just as Wei Yuan was hesitating, another ten thousand reinforcements arrived in Quliu Town.

According to the news from Xu Jingfeng, the ten thousand troops who arrived were all border troops transferred from the north, belonging to the elite of a hundred battles. The leading general had the surname Xu, from the direct line of the Xu family, having strength and background, and placing such a troop in Ningxi, the deterrent meaning was very obvious.

So Wei Yuan turned to the east, first dismantling Yuan Qingyan's blockade network, which he had spent so much effort to build, and seeing how he would respond.

After receiving the battle report, Yuan Qingyan was shocked and angry; he didn't expect that Wei Yuan would really dare to attack the official army, wasn't this rebellion?

As for being angry until smashing the cup, three parts were true, and seven parts were acting. In the past, many political opponents mistakenly thought Yuan Qingyan was irritable and easy to deal with, and tried every means to anger him, but as a result, they fell into his trap unknowingly.

Yuan Qingyan was already thinking about how to submit a memorial at this time, and how to word it so that the Prince of Jin would be furious, and it would be best to send troops regardless of everything to flatten Qingming, this thorn in the eye.

If he could force Wei Yuan to transfer the Realm Lord, then he, Yuan Qingyan, would naturally be the only candidate to succeed.

But at this moment, there was still this clown Xu Jingfeng jumping around.

After the servants cleaned up the teacup fragments on the ground, Yuan Qingyan looked at the Xu-surnamed general and said, "Xu Jingfeng defies this official, is bold and reckless, please General Xu take action and take this person down."

The Xu-surnamed general said, "Not going."

Yuan Qingyan's eyebrows stood up, coldly, "What did the general just say, I didn't hear clearly!"

The Xu-surnamed general raised his voice and said again, "Not going!"

Yuan Qingyan was so angry that he sneered repeatedly, "This is public defiance of orders!"

The Xu-surnamed general pointed to his head, "My superior is Yue the Provincial Military Commander, and I only accept the military orders of Yue the Provincial Military Commander. A county governor like you can't control me. Even if you could control me, do you think I would accept such an order that lets me die?"

Yuan Qingyan's expression tightened, "Why does the general say this?"

"The Xu family of Ningxi has been established in this land for several hundred years, and those few large mansions have always been the location of their branch families. The Xu family is also a prominent clan; you want me, a late-stage Dao Foundation cultivator, to go into a place that has been managed for hundreds of years to make an arrest? Magistrate Yuan, I advise you that it is best not to go in either. In places like the old mansions of aristocratic branch families, I fear even a Dharma Form cultivator might not be able to suppress the situation."

Then the Xu-surnamed general sneered again, pointing to the general sitting opposite, "Besides, the dog you raised is sitting opposite me. This kind of thing that offends the Xu family is just right for him to do, otherwise, what are you raising him for?"

That general's face turned green and white, "General Xu, this subordinate has not offended you."

The Xu-surnamed general sneered, "I don't care if you offended me or not, I just don't like you now, what can you do?"

That general turned to one side and could only not look at him.

At this time, rapid footsteps came from outside the hall, and a messenger soldier flew in and sent a document. These messenger soldiers all had Dao Foundation cultivation and all belonged to the prefecture city, specially delivering important documents.

Yuan Qingyan opened the document and read it carefully, saying, "This is a document issued jointly by Chen the Provincial Governor and Yue the Provincial Military Commander. The two lords are quite furious about the horse bandits attacking the military camp, and ordered us to rebuild the military forts and bring the horse bandit Maofei Zhan Tian Gang to justice within a time limit. General Xu, the document clearly states that I can mobilize the troops within the county for this matter, do you want to take a look?"

The Xu-surnamed general took the document and read it carefully, hummed, handed it back to Yuan Qingyan, and said, "I only care about the affairs related to the military forts and horse bandits, and it has nothing to do with the Xu family old mansion. Whoever wants to offend the Xu family can go, anyway, I'm not going."

Yuan Qingyan's smile just appeared and then froze, and then he barely suppressed his anger, "Then I will trouble General Xu to take over the few military forts in the east."

"Rest assured, with me here, there will be no more cases of the entire camp being stripped naked."

——

Anzhao County, Dingbian City.

At this time, Dingbian City was quite lively, with camps stretching continuously, and buildings of various sizes rising from the ground. Choosing this place to establish the prefecture city was also carefully considered by the big shots in the imperial court, just to choke the key points in all directions.

At this time, there were not as many common people in the city as soldiers, and the entire prefecture city was currently stationed with over one hundred thousand main troops, in addition to over thirty thousand wounded soldiers. Outside the prefecture city, a large cemetery was opened, and there were still twenty thousand corpses of those who died in battle that needed to be buried.

Over ten figures flew over the prefecture city and landed in front of the Town Defense Mansion gate. The soldiers guarding the gate saw the visitors and hurriedly saluted, calling General Yue.

The leader was Yue Jinshan, who waved his hand to let his followers wait in the side hall, and took two personal guards into the backyard study of the Town Defense Mansion. Chen Dao was reviewing documents in the study, and seeing Yue Jinshan enter, he stood up and asked, "Is the war going smoothly?"

Yue Jinshan said, "The Shaman tribe has temporarily retreated. But in reality, we didn't win, it was just a draw. The person leading the troops this time is very powerful, and has never made any mistakes, but instead almost ambushed me."

Chen Dao laughed, "You say you were almost ambushed every time, but I haven't seen you really ambushed any time."

"What about that eunuch with the surname Zhao, has he left?"

Chen Dao hurriedly said, "Watch your words!" and then looked at the two personal guards.

Yue Jinshan said indifferently, "They have all been through life and death with me, and are worth trusting.... Forget it, you two guard outside, I want to discuss secrets with Lord Chen." After the personal guards left, Chen Dao spread out a map and said, "Now there is a troublesome matter, that Wei Yuan almost pulled up the military forts on the east side of the realm by the roots, his

Yue Jinshan said, "He did not harm the lives of the government soldiers; he only seized wealth and grain. He still has some sense of proportion."

Chen Dao said meaningfully, "This person is unruly and stubborn, and he has the backing of a major sect. If it weren't for the fact that the aristocratic families are standing on our side this time, I fear it would be another case of a tail too big to wag."

"What do you intend to do?"

Chen Dao said slowly, "Although this person Yuan Qingyan is annoying, he does have vision and ability. This move of sealing off the grain is striking at the opponent's vital point; otherwise, they wouldn't have been driven to attack the military strongholds and seize military grain. If it weren't for the Shaman tribe's invasion, this alone would be enough to sentence him to death. Even the Grand Tai Tai Chu Gong could only choose between keeping the land or keeping the person."

Yue Jinshan frowned and said, "You people... that Yuan Qingyan is no good thing. When I was fighting a bloody battle against the Shaman tribe, I didn't see that fellow send a single soldier or a single general to reinforce us. But when it comes to dealing with his own people, he has plenty of methods!"

Chen Dao laughed and said, "I know you want to say that none of us are good people. But think about it: when the Shaman tribe retreats in the future, how will this piece of land be handled? You surely don't want an extra-legal zone appearing within your jurisdiction, do you?"

"Wouldn't it be fine to follow the usual practice?"

Chen Dao said softly, "According to the usual practice, this land might not necessarily be ours."

Yue Jinshan's brows locked tight.

!.

"So I think this strategy of sealing the grain is excellent and must continue to be used. You send some battle-hardened veteran soldiers to mix into the military strongholds and wait for him to attack. As long as I can seize solid evidence against him, I don't have to worry about him not falling into line!"

Yue Jinshan said, "What if he doesn't come?"

Chen Dao smiled slightly and said, "He has no choice but to come. I have already received confirmed news that there is only a few days' worth of grain left in the domain. Within a radius of several hundred miles around the Azure Void, there is no loose grain; only the strongholds have military grain. If he doesn't come, he will have to watch over a hundred thousand people starve to death. So I think, at the fastest two or three days, at the slowest five days, the Heaven-Slashing Gang will inevitably pour out in full force. When that time comes, it will certainly be a hard battle; it all depends on you, General Yue."

Yue Jinshan said indifferently, "If he truly dares to attack the main camp, then I will ensure he comes but never returns."

Chen Dao nodded and said, "Capturing him alive would be best. Once we catch this person, we won't have to worry about the Grand Tai Tai Chu Gong not bowing its head."

With these few words, this civil and military pair had laid out a heaven-and-earth net for Wei Yuan.

At this moment, in the vast Shaman Domain, several riders were passing through mountains and forests, heading east. Wei Yuan had only brought Xu Yi and Wang Yu on this trip; the three of them had profound cultivation, using Dao power to bolster their warhorses, crossing mountains and ridges as if walking on flat ground.

"Domain Lord, what are we going to do?" Xu Yi asked curiously.

Wei Yuan said, "To see an old friend, and incidentally, to procure grain."

"Isn't there grain in the military strongholds?"

Wei Yuan said, "Yuan Qingyan is not stupid; he didn't put much grain inside, actually wanting to lure us into attacking. It's just that he didn't expect us to sweep through five of his military strongholds in one go. With things blown up to such a scale, it instead makes him look incompetent. Now I estimate he is busy rebuilding the strongholds and preparing a surprise for us inside. Unless we pull out all the Dao Foundation elites in the domain, it is very likely we won't be able to chew through that surprise."

"The Domain Lord is truly amazing, anticipating the enemy's moves—much better than that so-called Prefect!"

Looking at Xu Yi's small face full of admiration, Wei Yuan shook his head inwardly. If it weren't for the fact that the Azure Qi from Xu Yi had always been just that faint little thread, Wei Yuan would have almost believed it. By contrast, although Wang Yu was silent and reserved, the Azure Qi he contributed was soon about to condense into a drop of Great Luck.

The three of them traveled with all their might, crossing over a thousand miles in half a day, arriving at the county seat of Bianning County.

Compared to Quliu Town, the county seat of Bianning County was much more prosperous. This city originally had twenty thousand residents, and after it was officially designated as a county seat, a crowd of officials of various ranks, guards, and soldiers, plus their retinues, added several thousand more people, and many scattered commoners from the surrounding area also moved in.

It was near dusk, and a squad of soldiers escorting an official sedan chair arrived in front of a newly built mansion, alighting in the front courtyard.

A slightly pale and plump official stepped out of the sedan chair; he actually had a good appearance. As soon as he alighted, the steward came up to meet him and said, "Master, three people claim to be your old acquaintances; I have already let them wait in the study."

The official's face sank, and he said coldly, "There haven't been a hundred, but there have been eighty old acquaintances coming to find this official during these days. If I let everyone in, will this official still be able to sleep?"

The steward hurriedly said, "How could I be someone who doesn't know the difference between high and low? But these few people are truly different."

As he spoke, the steward presented an object—it was a heavy piece of immortal silver. The official knew at a glance it was at least fifty taels!

The official flicked his robe sleeve, and the immortal silver vanished. This flick was as light as a cloud or a breeze, without a trace of worldly smoke, showing at least twenty years of cultivation.

The official's face was full of smiles, and he said repeatedly, "With old acquaintances visiting, how can I let them wait long? Quickly take me to see them! Also, tell the kitchen to prepare a table of good dishes; today this official wants to drink until he's drunk!"

The steward led the official to the study, and upon seeing the few people in the room, the official's body instantly stiffened.

Wei Yuan stood up and bowed, smiling, "Magistrate Sun, long time no see."

(End of chapter)