Chapter 316: Scheme Within a Scheme

He entered the room.

Liu Zheng looked at Qin Zhangfeng with a playful expression.

Qin Zhangfeng, feeling embarrassed, said: "Young master, young master I..."

Liu Zheng laughed heartily: "Qin Dage, this is a good thing, no need to worry at all."

Jiang Xuan also chuckled: "Exactly, when a man grows up he should marry, when a woman grows up she should marry—it's only natural. If Miss Sikong knows of this in the afterlife, she would also hope Qin Dage could choose a worthy partner again."

When Sikong Jing was mentioned again, the three still felt a faint ache in their hearts.

Qin Zhangfeng sighed: "It's just that Zhangfeng once swore never to marry in this life, but how could Miss Pei... actually..."

Liu Zheng and Jiang Xuan, their gossip hearts stirred, hurriedly asked what exactly.

Qin Zhangfeng's face turned red, he twisted and said: "She said, even if she cannot become a wife, she wishes to become a concubine... this this, this makes Zhangfeng..."

Upon hearing this, Liu Zheng and the others immediately began to clamor. This is simply encountering true love! As everyone knows, in ancient times it was commonly said: three wives and four concubines, three wives meaning the principal wife, the favored wife, and the inferior wife. Wives still had upper, middle, and lower ranks, let alone concubines. In ancient times, the status of concubines was practically the same as slaves—put simply, a concubine was a servant, not only suffering the wife's abuse but also having to serve both...

This Pei Yanran, a renowned talent of Shu, famous throughout the world.

To actually be willing to become Qin Zhangfeng's concubine—such love, how could it not move people?

Not only did Jiang Xuan envy it, but Liu Zheng also felt a twinge of envy.

Although the two had only corresponded by letter and never met in person, sometimes this kind of spiritual exchange and collision could match one with someone sufficiently compatible.

Ancient people.

Have always been conservative, but any woman who speaks such words must surely love deeply.

Liu Zheng, his face full of emotion: "Qin Dage, this matter needs no more listening to how the world judges! Since Miss Pei has such deep feeling, our Liangzhou cannot wrong her! In this southern barbarian invasion, we must ensure Miss Pei comes to no harm!"

Qin Zhangfeng was deeply moved.

Actually, everyone knows the current situation in Liangzhou is chaotic and unsuitable for large troop deployments. So Qin Zhangfeng is indeed in a difficult position, but upon hearing Liu Zheng's words, he hesitated for a moment: "Young master, this Liangzhou..."

Liu Zheng's eyes flashed with sharp light: "Qin Dage, how is this not an opportunity for us to purge Liangzhou's internal affairs?"

Qin Zhangfeng and Jiang Xuan both shuddered, looking over in unison.

Young master, are you thinking of sending troops to fish?

At this time, internal factions in Liangzhou were constantly fighting, but aside from passive neglect, no major conflict had occurred. This was because the Liangzhou Army remained strong, always under Liu Zheng's control.

But...

What if the Liangzhou Army lost most of its strength?

Perhaps when several hundred thousand Liangzhou troops had just left Liangzhou City, those local magnates would each be unable to restrain themselves.

"What does the young master mean?"

Jiang Xuan's eyes lit up.

Liu Zheng laughed heartily: "Currently, the Liangzhou Army numbers 150,000. I plan to nominally dispatch 100,000 troops, with Yinzhou contributing 50,000, for a total of 150,000 great army rushing to aid Shuzhou!"

The two were greatly startled, shouting in unison that it was impossible.

Thus, Liangzhou would certainly be left militarily empty... yet before they could speak, Liu Zheng's eyes flashed with killing intent: "But in reality, only 50,000 will actually go to Shuzhou, while the 100,000 great army will secretly camp outside the city, waiting for the big fish!"

Then, sensing their concerns, he continued with a smile: "Shuzhou has many mountains, and ridge airflow is sufficient—our gliders will be just the thing! By then, Shu's natural barrier will be meaningless."

"With this surprise unit, what fear is there that the southern barbarians will not be destroyed?"

Liu Zheng smiled confidently.

The two instantly rejoiced. Having seen the glider's heaven-defying power today, they could imagine: if the Yinzhou Air Force began bombing Shu, what a scene that would be.

At that time, any obstacle in their eyes would be as nothing.

Liu Zheng continued with a sinister smile: "In the Western Regions, we have already transported not a few Quelehuoduo—do you understand my meaning?"

The two were again startled by Liu Zheng's idea.

Air raids?

Dropping petroleum by air!

This is nothing less than modern bombardment warfare! With the help of gliders and Quelehuoduo, this is entirely achievable—by then, will it still matter how many people there are?

"Immediately send word to Master, ordering Yintan City: according to this blueprint, all hands to build gliders, the more the better!"

Liu Zheng said at once.

The two received the order and departed.

Indeed.

The next day.

Liu Zheng began mobilizing troops and generals; the news of the southern barbarian invasion of Chuan Shu spread instantly across the land. The court was furious, yet had no recourse.

The old emperor could only issue a single imperial edict, urging the feudal princes neighboring Shu to send troops for aid, promising the court would reward them according to merit.

As expected,

The Xiangwang of Jingzhou immediately declared: recently Jingzhou suffered floods, and the troops were busy with relief efforts—truly unable to spare manpower... but this Xiangwang, in fact, hastily moved troops to the vicinity of Yong'an, stationing 100,000 soldiers at Jiangling—anyone could see what he intended... if Shu fell, he would surely take advantage of the chaos!

Under the banner of righteousness, to meddle in Shu.

So, letting him go now, he would absolutely not go.

What is comforting is that the Gongwang of Hanzhong, upon learning of this, first sent 50,000 reinforcements to help Yizhou stabilize the situation, thus repelling the southern barbarians' repeated attacks.

Unexpectedly...

The Shuwang, who had bullied the Gongwang for half his life, finally repaid hatred with virtue—truly moving.

It is said that the Shuwang, lying in bed, wept tears of regret, unable to make amends.

Speaking of Liangzhou, the cries to rush aid to Chuan Shu have also been growing daily.

The louder the cries,

Ying Rong grew ever happier.

"Hahaha, Lord Ying, our opportunity has come!"

"Yes, once the army leaves, look at Governor Liu—what can he do to us?"

A group of people were excited beyond measure.

These past days, they had been completely suppressed by Liu Zheng; his one decree after another, his reforms, had left them barely able to breathe. As long as the army departed, even if Liu Zheng did not leave, they could somewhat ease the pressure, regroup, and replan the situation.

Ying Rong also laughed heartily: "Gentlemen, I have already contacted Eunuch Huang in Jinghua; as long as the gold and silver we offer this time are in place, he will surely find us a way!"

The group naturally responded in unison.

Ying Rong's eyes turned cold: "Gentlemen, it seems we ought to pull off something big!"

Everyone gasped in unison.

Pull off something big?

Suddenly, they thought of the army's departure—Liangzhou was in full swing, with countless people donating money, goods, and grain.

Could it be...

This Lord Ying...

Is he thinking of turning his mind to military supplies?

Everyone sucked in a breath of cold air.

This would indeed make up for the losses these people suffered due to the Anti-Corruption Law in one fell swoop. Moreover, if anything went wrong with military supplies, it could also throw the army's morale into chaos!

By then, Governor Liu would surely be overwhelmed!

It might even spark a mutiny in the army!

By then, Liangzhou City would be militarily empty...

Who knows what bad things might happen then?

Ruthless!

Two birds with one stone!

"My lord, this plan is excellent!"

"We'll go arrange it right away!"