Chapter 361: Such Aphrodisiacs

They might not directly command troops, but their intricate network of relationships, their pervasive commercial channels, and their infiltration and influence over local powerful clans, at specific times, have power no less than a hundred thousand troops!

The Cui Family betting on Western Liang is showing their "sincerity" and "strength".

Wei Wenlie clapped his hands and laughed: "Good! Duke Cui's generous intention, this King will keep in mind! With the Cui Family's all-out assistance, why worry about the difficulty of the road to Shu? Mr. Si, the specific strategy still needs you and the various generals to plan in detail!"

Just as Western Liang decided on its strategy and prepared to send troops to the Shu region, the Ming Army in Beijiang was not idle either.

Not many days later, Jiang Jinshi received intelligence reports from all sides.

Yan Shining returned, his attitude reversed, representing the Yan Family to express full acceptance of the conditions and willingness to defect with the whole clan.

And the Cui Family's public opinion offensive began in secret, and the news of the marriage alliance between Western Liang and the Cui Clan also spread like wildfire.

Jiang Jinshi knew that the Cui Family had already chosen the Western Liang King.

"No wonder everyone says Yan Chonggu is an old fox; he really has a keen sense of smell."

Jiang Jinshi looked at the intelligence, his expression somewhat surprised. He did not expect that under such conditions, the Yan Family would still dare to choose him. If they weren't reckless fools with big guts, then they had seen through his intentions.

The current situation was already very clear: the Si Family, the Cui Family, and the branch of the Fu Family had all chosen Western Liang, while the Yan Family and the branch of Fu Ruyan had chosen Beijiang.

As for the Lu Clan, they were still planning to hollow out Da Qian and currently had no unusual movements.

"My Lord, the Cui Family is spreading rumors to slander our army. Should we counterattack?" Wang Hou asked.

"No need." Jiang Jinshi waved his hand, "How can our control of public opinion in the south compare to the Cui Family? There is no need to waste this time and energy!"

Wang Hou nodded and continued to ask: "Then how should we deal with this Yan Family?"

Jiang Jinshi thought for a while before saying: "Handle it according to the regulations, treat everyone equally. Carefully verify the lists of farmland, shops, and book collections sent by the Yan Family. If there are Yan Family disciples with true talent and learning, they can be employed according to their ability, but there will be absolutely no special privileges.

Let the people of the world see that if you enter the gate of our Beijiang and abide by the laws of our Beijiang, you can get fairness and display your talents."

"Yes!"

"For us now, what is more important is how to solve Yang Jiye!" Jiang Jinshi's gaze swept over the civil and military officials of Beijiang.

Since Yang Jiye retreated to guard Shuoning, the two sides had been in a stalemate for more than a month.

During this period, it was not that there was no movement at all.

The Ming Army sent elite scouts to constantly harass the grain routes and sentries of the Imperial Court's army, and there were dozens of small-scale engagements, with both sides having wins and losses.

Yang Jiye firmly guarded his camp, reinforced his fortifications, and sent cavalry to counter, also intending to cause some trouble for the Ming Army.

Of course, this was just testing; currently, neither side had yet made a real move.

Yang Jiye defended flawlessly, his 250,000-strong army relied on the city, and his grain and fodder were sufficient; he had clearly made up his mind to consume them over the long term.

The cost of a forced attack was too high. Jiang Jinshi was confident he could take the other side, but the Ming Army would also face huge casualties.

But dragging it out was not a good thing for Beijiang either; Western Liang and the Imperial Court could both have new variables.

"This Yang Jiye is like an iron turtle, shrinking in its shell and not coming out easily; it's hard to fight." Zhang Honghong scratched her hair with some irritation.

"He is waiting for the Imperial Court's decision, or waiting for changes in Western Liang or the Central Plains." Yan Wu analyzed.

"We cannot keep consuming with him."

Jiang Jinshi said in a deep voice: "We must find a way to pry open this iron shell. If a hard attack won't work, then attack the heart. Wang Hou! How is the intelligence on Yang Jiye, especially his personality, past, and family affairs?"

Wang Hou stepped out and presented a secret report: "Yang Jiye is from Bingzhou. Yang Jiye joined the army at sixteen, later accumulated merit and was promoted to Zhonglang General in the Zhenbei Army, famous for being good at defense.

His personality is upright, he governs the army extremely strictly, and he does not flatter the powerful, so he is not successful in the Imperial Court.

And because... he has a hidden illness, he also has no offspring, only adopting a nephew from a distant branch of the same clan as an heir, but the relationship is indifferent.

His hidden illness, it is said, is congenital kidney Qi deficiency, and later in his early years, a fierce battle damaged his foundation, resulting in... being a eunuch by nature, unable to perform the act."

"Eunuch by nature... no offspring..."

Jiang Jinshi tapped his fingers lightly on the table, light flashing in his eyes.

This might be a breakthrough. For the other party, this is a knot in his heart, a regret that perhaps touches the foundation more than the concept of loyalty to the monarch.

Jiang Jinshi looked at Han Xiao: "General Han, do you have any old friendship with this Yang Jiye?"

After all, the two were previously in the Zhenbei Army, so perhaps they had some contact.

Han Xiao was stunned for a moment, not expecting Jiang Jinshi to ask this, and after a slight hesitation, he nodded:

"This subordinate has indeed met General Yang. At that time, General Yang was already a Zhonglang General, and this subordinate was just a small squad leader. But we haven't seen each other for many years, and now we are serving different masters..."

His tone was somewhat complicated; he clearly did not want to use old feelings for private gain.

"It's good to have old feelings."

Jiang Jinshi nodded, a meaningful look appearing on his face. He still had hundreds of bottles of aphrodisiac pills in his system; perhaps they would be of great use?

"I have a good thing here, called Aphrodisiac Pill!"

Everyone's expression was a bit strange upon hearing this.

Aphrodisiac Pill?

The Lord is young, why would he need such a thing?

"It's not for me to eat! This was obtained by chance!" Jiang Jinshi always felt that everyone had misunderstood, and hurriedly explained.

"Cough, cough!" Feng Chunsheng hurriedly echoed, "Naturally obtained by chance, definitely not something sought after with great effort!"

Huang Yan nodded as if it were true: "That's right! It must be like this!"

"What the Lord says, we naturally believe!"

"Right, right!"

"Such aphrodisiacs, I fear they will damage the foundation, Lord... uh... others should eat less!"

Jiang Jinshi was speechless. If he had known, he wouldn't have explained. He continued the topic: "If this thing can solve Yang Jiye's lifelong regret and continue his bloodline, you say... this gift, compared to 250,000 troops, which is light and which is heavy?"

Han Xiao's whole body shook, and he instantly understood Jiang Jinshi's intention, "The Lord wants to... use the pill as a lure to persuade Yang Jiye to surrender? This... General Yang has a fierce personality, and his concept of loyalty to the monarch is deeply rooted, I fear..."

"Loyalty to the monarch?"

Jiang Jinshi waved his hand, "The monarch he is loyal to, is that Imperial Court that left him idle for many years and secretly despised him just because he had a hidden illness?

Or is it that Emperor who now only knows how to hide in the deep palace and let treacherous officials like Si Gui do whatever they want?"

Luo Feng said to Han Xiao: "General Han, the Lord does not want you to use old feelings to coerce him, nor to use the pill as bait to do dirty things."

Bai Ting nodded: "It's easy to talk since you know each other. Go and catch up on old times with him, talk about this world, and also talk about the common people!"

"Right!" Jiang Jinshi patted Han Xiao on the shoulder: "Tell him, our Ming Army does not want to be his enemy, and even less wants to start a war; we just want to establish a fair new dynasty!"

Han Xiao cupped his hands: "This subordinate... is willing to go and try!"

Jiang Jinshi nodded, "Wang Hou! Arrange this matter, show that Han Xiao is not bringing anyone, to show sincerity." ===== CHAPTER 362 =====