Chapter 290: Protracted War

"Mother!"

Liu Zheng was overjoyed to see Feng Sanniang.

In this world, he only had these two closest kin; after all, blood is thicker than water, and the affection Feng Sanniang held for him was no small thing.

As soon as Liu Dahao saw Feng Sanniang, the air of a Western Regions Commissioner he had put on for the entire journey instantly collapsed, and he trotted over to his wife's side: "Oh, Sanniang, you didn't even send word before coming back, so I could have gone to pick you up!"

Then, he obediently stood behind Feng Sanniang and began to massage her shoulders.

The others looked at each other, all unable to hold back their laughter.

They had not expected that this Liu Dahao had the flaw of being henpecked.

"Greetings, Madam!"

"Paying respects to Madam!"

The civil and military officials of Yinzhou had all come; it was no joke, this elusive Madam had returned, so they had to come and pay their respects properly.

Many people were sizing up Feng Sanniang with curious eyes...

Yinzhou had been developing for so long, yet only a few had seen this Madam—now, Feng Sanniang was already a Third-Rank Lady of Honor of the Longyan Dynasty!

Hu Xi'er, in particular, kept her large, blinking eyes fixed on Feng Sanniang.

Feng Sanniang was a forthright person and laughed heartily: "Oh, everyone, please don't be so formal, don't be so formal, come, come, come, Madam is giving out red envelopes to you all!"

And then...

She miraculously took out one red envelope after another. She handed them out in turn, not forgetting to say that while she was away from home, she had troubled everyone to look after this father and son.

Liu Zheng nearly face-planted on the ground.

But regardless, Feng Sanniang quickly gained the warm welcome and deep approval of everyone.

After a grand family banquet.

Liu Zheng, Qingyang Shuo, Qin Zhangfeng, and Jiang Xuan sat together once more.

Of course, today there was one extra person: Feng Sanniang.

Feng Sanniang was quite interested in Liu Zheng's Think Tank. Qingyang Shuo was also seeing this spirited and heroic Madam for the first time and was very courteous toward her.

The battle reports coming from the front were very unfavorable for Cheshi.

One thousand people blown to death!

In the context of such a slave system in ancient times, this was not really a big deal. But because it involved the current Liu Zheng and Zheng Yuxing, the matter became sensitive. Zheng Yuxing also seized upon this pretext, surrounding Cheshi and clamoring that if Prefect Liu could not give him an explanation, he would take Cheshi City!

Liu Zheng smiled bitterly: "Liangzhou has changed hands, and it is understandable that Zheng Yuxing wants to seek a voice in the military. But such an extreme approach is certainly not something he thought of himself."

Qingyang Shuo nodded and said: "The Third Prince!"

Jiang Xuan cursed angrily: "This guy is so ruthless, he's even willing to sacrifice his own brother's life?"

Liu Zheng glanced at him: "A general's success is built on ten thousand bones; one thousand people? If he could truly seize the world, I suspect a man like the Third Prince wouldn't even blink at three hundred thousand."

Qin Zhangfeng also said angrily: "Young Master, give me fifty thousand armored soldiers, and I will definitely defeat the Northern Border Army!"

Just as Qingyang Shuo was about to speak, Feng Sanniang, who was beside them, laughed coldly: "Rest assured, this Zheng Yuxing absolutely does not dare to attack the city."

Qingyang Shuo was stunned.

Liu Zheng also looked over.

Jiang Xuan and Qin Zhangfeng were also dumbfounded. In such a situation, he still wouldn't dare to attack the city?

Feng Sanniang chuckled and said: "Does this even need to be said? After Zheng Yuxing attacks the city, what benefit is there for him? Does he dare to occupy Cheshi? Once he takes Cheshi, it is the grave crime of treason! Don't forget, the current Western Regions Commissioner is my husband; what does it have to do with him?"

Qingyang Shuo was surprised by Feng Sanniang's foresight and asked with a smile: "Then what does Madam mean?"

"Surround without attacking, and seek an explanation!"

Feng Sanniang said: "What he wants is a promise from my son! That is what best serves his current interests! Of course, if he can exhaust the Western Regions Construction Corps and block the Grand Canal, that is even more what the Third Prince hopes to see."

Liu Zheng took a deep breath upon hearing this.

Wasn't that the truth?

This was the Third Prince's true intention!

One word: drag it out!

Let Zheng Yuxing come to destroy Liu Zheng? That was clearly impossible! So the Third Prince's intention was to create chaos in Liangzhou. Create trouble for Liu Zheng and drag it out until the Emperor dies; how to manipulate this Prefect Liu would then be whatever the princes wanted, wouldn't it?

However.

This was also a trap.

If Liu Zheng learned of this and led his army to attack, he would first be at a disadvantage morally. Zheng Yuxing wanted an explanation; if you go to war with him, are you in the right? When the time comes, if this Zheng Yuxing really engages you in a hard battle, regardless of who wins or loses, Liangzhou will be the one to suffer.

At this, the few of them were at a loss.

Qingyang Shuo chuckled: "Madam means that since the Third Prince wants to drag it out, we should just wear the Third Prince down?"

Feng Sanniang nodded with a smile: "Exactly!"

Liu Zheng's eyes also lit up: "Mother, you mean a Protracted War? To compete with the Third Prince on logistical supply capabilities?"

Qingyang Shuo and Feng Sanniang nodded at the same time.

That's right!

Since Liu Zheng arrived in this world, the longest battle he had fought was the conquest of the Western Regions, but in reality, taking Yanqi only took a little over two months in total. In an era of ancient warfare where campaigns often lasted half a year or several years, this already counted as a Lightning War.

Therefore.

This naturally gave Liu Zheng the concept that speed is the essence of war.

However, when his focus began to shift, he had to consider a Protracted War.

Time was tight and the task was heavy!

The old Emperor was already on his way back to the capital, intending to begin arranging the Territorial Exchange. Liu Zheng could imagine that if this decree were issued, it would surely cause a huge uproar in the Longyan Dynasty, and it was even possible that some would take a desperate risk. However, the Territorial Exchange was a major trend, and Liu Zheng and Liangzhou had to be prepared to deal with any possibility.

Liu Zheng naturally could not lead troops to Cheshi again.

He had too many things to do.

Furthermore, the current troop strength of the Liangzhou Army is truly somewhat worrying.

It is not even two hundred thousand!

How can one fight a war?

A Protracted War!

Liu Zheng immediately made the decision and smiled: "It is time to let the Longyan see our Yinzhou's powerful logistical support capabilities. Qin Zhangfeng, Jiang Xuan!"

"Present!"

The two stood up and cupped their fists.

"Pass down the order: provide logistical support, but do not provide military reinforcements!"

"Exert the full strength of the Yinzhou Chamber of Commerce to transport grain, water, and weapons from all over the country, including Loulan in the Western Regions!"

"Pass the order to Ling Chen: the Western Regions Construction Corps has a special system and should be highly autonomous and self-reliant. Yinzhou can only provide money; there are no troops! Tell him to find a Method himself!"

"And..."

He smiled faintly: "Tell Ling Chen that the supplies and money supported by Yinzhou must be returned to me in their entirety when the time comes!"

"Yes!"

After giving these instructions, Liu Zheng finally felt relieved.

At the same time, he was also looking forward to it.

It is often said that fighting a war is about fighting for logistical support capability.

Now, it is time to verify the power of the logistics networks he has established all over the country and abroad.