C115. The Strategy of Farming.

C115. The Strategy of Farming.

After Chu Hechao had ruined the pair of shorts and they had dried, he secretly stuffed them to the bottom of the box.

For a whole half month, Yuan Li didn't notice anything he had done. It wasn't until the end of August when the imperial edict from Luoyang arrived in Youzhou again.

Yuan Li received the news early in the morning. He called for Chu Hechao to wake up and went to bathe with his clothes in hand.

They bathed together, and Chu Hechao washed Yuanli from head to toe, scrubbing his skin until it turned red and stung. When he stopped, Yuan Li quickly leaped out of the tub and grabbed the nearby pair of shorts to put on.

As Chu Hechao looked at him, he noticed the crooked and twisted stitching on the backside of Yuan Li's shorts.

"..."

He suddenly felt guilty.

Yuan Li turned to see him still inside, furrowing his brow and urging, "Hurry up, I want to have breakfast before the imperial edict arrives."

Chu Hechao responded twice, got up, and stood behind Yuan Li. He absentmindedly wiped the water stains on his body with a towel, sneaking glances at Yuan Li's boxer underwear.

Yuan Li was not fat, but this area was quite fleshy. As he moved, the stitching resembling a centipede wriggled along. Whether the shorts looked good was another matter, but Chu Hechao couldn't help but feel excited.

As Yuan Li's dressing slowed down, he keenly noticed his wandering gaze, chuckling knowingly. He half-jokingly asked, "Chu Ciyé, what are you looking at?"

Fearful of being caught for the crooked stitching, Chu Hechao coughed and averted his eyes, "Do you want to change your shorts?"

Perplexed, Yuan Li asked, "Why would I change?"

Chu Hechao vaguely replied, "These aren't very flattering."

Yuan Li didn't catch on, "What?"

"...It's nothing," Chu Hechao's expression remained unchanged, "Quick, get dressed, let's go eat."

After the meal, the imperial edict arrived. They went to receive it, with this time being issued by a low-ranking official from the court who was trembling and dared not even glance at Yuan Li and Chu Hechao.

The imperial edict contained two main decrees. The first appointed Yuan Li as the Governor of Bingzhou, concurrently holding the position of Governor of Youzhou. The second expressed the Emperor's deep appreciation for the loyalty displayed by Chu Hechao and Yuan Li and ordered them to proceed to Luoyang immediately to accompany the royal entourage.

The first decree was clearly an attempt by Li Li to incite discord between Yuan Li and Chu Hechao.

Their successful administration of Bingzhou had evidently unsettled Li Li. This was why he used the allegiance to the Northern Zhou mentioned during the incident of refusing Li Li's compensation last year to manipulate them into going to the capital.

If they truly went to Luoyang, they might not return. However, if they refused to go, their previous loyalty to the Emperor would be seen as a joke.

Accompanying the imperial edict was also a personal request from the Emperor.

Luoyang had run out of provisions, and the Emperor wanted Youzhou to send a shipment of grain to Luoyang, to supply the palace and officials.

This request, obviously under Li Li's guise, using the Emperor's name to ask for grain from Youzhou, was not easy to refuse.

Without changing his expression, Yuan Li first calmed down the procession delivering the edict, then convened with their trusted individuals and Chu Hechao to discuss how to handle the situation.

The consensus was to not go to Luoyang and find a polite way to decline. As for providing grain, there were two opposing factions.

Liu Ji, Xin Guo Mao, and others suggested offering some grain to appease Luoyang, showing loyalty and an apology for being unable to go to Luoyang.

On the other hand, Yang Zhongfa, He Lang, and their allies were resolute. As the Prince and Consort of Chu had been killed by Li Li, they harbored strong resentment and adamantly refused to provide grain to Luoyang, fearing Li Li would divert it to his supporters.

If they gave grain to Luoyang once, they would likely keep asking for more from Youzhou.

"Damn it!" Yang Zhongfa's face flushed with anger, "When we begged the court for grain, they turned us away. Even the grain given after the Eldest Chu's death was water-soaked. Now Luoyang has the nerve to ask for grain from Youzhou! Do they not know what kind of place Youzhou is? This blatant bullying!"

Privately, Yuan Li did not want to send grain to Luoyang, but he knew Liu Ji and Xin Guo Mao's approach was the most prudent. He turned to Chu Hechao, "General, what do you think we should do?"

He did not want to force Chu Hechao to send grain to their enemies, but if Chu Hechao refused, they could simply decline the request.

Chu Hechao closed his eyes briefly, then calmly stated, "Give them the grain."

He Lang exclaimed, "General?!"

He continued, "Not too much, just enough for three months' worth of provisions for the Emperor's palace and officials. Trading three months of stability for a year is a fair exchange. As for Li Li…"

His gaze darkened, and as he surveyed the group, a fierce determination emerged on his handsome face. Finally, he turned to Yuan Li and said solemnly, "My parents have been dead for nearly three years, Bingzhou is stable, and Youzhou's granaries are full. With a total of 100,000 troops in Youzhou, and 130,000 in the northern army, including 30,000 cavalry, it's time to prepare for revenge."

Chu Hechao had 23,000 cavalry, and Yuan Li had acquired around 10,000 warhorses with the help of Zhang Ji and Zhang Ming over the years. Together, they had amassed a formidable cavalry force of 35,000.

Yuan Li had previously mentioned a major battle with Li Li after about three years, and the time had come.

With no hesitation, Yuan Li nodded, his eyes also filled with determination as he exclaimed, "Very well!"

The following day, Yuan Li began to organize the grain for Luoyang.

Meanwhile, in Bingzhou, Zhang Liangdong heard about the food shortages affecting the Emperor and promptly dispatched a significant amount of grain from the local granaries to be sent to Yuan Li, to be delivered to the Emperor.

His disciple, who escorted the grain, spoke, "Our master is always concerned about the Emperor's welfare and asked me to convey this message. If the Emperor faces hardships, it is our duty as loyal subjects to do everything in our power to alleviate his burdens. While the people may endure hunger, we cannot allow the Emperor to go hungry."

As Yuanli gazed at the convoy of grain carts, which turned out to be three times more than originally planned for Luoyang, he furrowed his brow slightly, "Is this the grain from Yamen County in Bingzhou?"

Zhang Liangdong's disciple replied cautiously, "Yes."

He seemed a bit embarrassed.

After all, this was the grain of Bingzhou, and their teacher had unilaterally sent the grain from the granary without the consent of Yuan Li and Chu Hechao, which was somewhat inappropriate. They had advised against it, but Zhang Liangdong, a loyal minister of Northern Zhou, was deeply concerned for the Emperor.

Upon hearing about the food shortage, he was willing to sacrifice his family's resources to send grain to Yuan Li. Despite his disciples' advice, he became angry and insisted that Yuan Li, as a loyal subject to the Emperor, would be pleased to receive the grain.

But Yuan Li was not pleased.

Although Zhang Liangdong was the magistrate of Yamen County in Bingzhou, it did not mean he could freely dispose of the people and the precious grain in the county.

However, as a loyal minister, Zhang Liangdong's actions were out of concern for the Emperor, and it also benefited Yuan Li, so Yuan Li could not say much.

With a quiet sigh, Yuan Li casually said, "Alright, leave the grain here. Please inform your master to focus on the cultivation of farmland in Bingzhou, as stability and increased grain production in Bingzhou will enable us to provide more grain to the Emperor. Leave the rest to me and the General. Your master should not worry too much and focus on his duties in Yamen County."

Seeing that Yuan Li did not reprimand or send back the grain, Zhang Liangdong's disciple breathed a sigh of relief and wholeheartedly acknowledged Yuan Li's loyalty, saying, "The prefect upholds the Northern Zhou's nobility and makes me admire him."

After they left, Lin Tian hesitated as he looked at the grain carts, "My lord, do you really want to send this grain to Luoyang?"

"Arrange a team to send it to the northern border," Yuan Li said calmly, "and send some people to Yamen County to keep an eye on Zhang Liangdong."

Lin Tian bowed and said, "Yes."

Ten days later, Liu Ji Xin and Guo Mao saw off the Luoyang convoy.

Before parting ways, Guo Mao looked distraught and sorrowful, especially as he watched the loading of the grain onto the carts.

Withdrawn, he shifted his gaze from the grain and said to the leader of the convoy from Luoyang, "Last year in the north, we experienced a snow disaster that hadn't been seen in decades. I'm sure the court has heard about it. Several prefectures were affected, and the land was ravaged. It took a year to recover from the devastation, and as a result, last year's harvest was not bountiful. We in Youzhou are not as wealthy as other provinces like Jizhou or Qingzhou. The grain we are providing was split from the personal provisions of the prefect governor and the grand general. We hope the Emperor will understand."

Similarly, Liu Ji Xin smiled wryly and added, seemingly casually, "We were planning to ask the court for grain ourselves…"

At this, the people from Luoyang dared not complain and quickly expressed gratitude before fleeing with the grain carts, fearing they would be asked for grain in return.

As Guo Mao and Liu Ji Xin watched them run away, they composed themselves and looked somewhat disdainful as the people disappeared from the road.

To think that the court had fallen to such a state.

Guo Mao shook his head, "Brother Liu, let's return as well."

*

When attacking Li Li, some troops would inevitably have to be brought along, leaving insufficient troops behind.

As soon as the people from Luoyang left, Youzhou and Bingzhou began conscripting soldiers.

Youzhou planned to conscript 50,000 soldiers this time, while Bingzhou aimed to conscript 100,000 soldiers.

As soon as the conscription order was issued, people flocked to join the army.

In recent years, the treatment of soldiers in Youzhou had become well-known throughout the region. They were equipped with the latest weapons, wore the warmest clothing, and were provided with meals that ensured they were well-fed.

This alone made the common people yearn for such treatment, but there was more - the soldiers in Youzhou were even able to eat meat once a month!

And it wasn't just a small tasteless bite of meat for each person; rather, it was hearty bowls brimming with juicy meat!

For most impoverished villagers, they would never taste meat in their lifetimes. When rumors spread that soldiers were able to eat meat, the common people were skeptical and couldn't believe it.

Soldiers had always been of lower status than civilians, so how could they have meat to eat?

And once a month at that?

It wasn't until they witnessed the transformation of the Youzhou soldiers with their own eyes and heard it from the soldiers themselves that they realized it was indeed true.

The soldiers were given leave to visit their families, and when many soldiers returned home for the New Year, their parents could hardly recognize their sons, who had grown strong and formidable.

After years of experience in the military and having been through battles and even killing, the Youzhou soldiers had transformed into a true elite force, becoming sharp and effective warriors.

Due to Yuan Li's daily rigorous training, strict military discipline, and moral values instilled in them, their spirits had undergone a significant change. At first glance, they were completely different from before joining the military, as if they had become entirely different people.

Just by looking at them, one could tell they were soldiers, and what was even more remarkable was their sense of righteousness combined with ferocity. During the New Year at home, they eagerly helped with various tasks, and when asked if they had meat to eat in the military, they honestly answered.

"We do have meat to eat. We have a chance to eat meat once a month, and that meal is not only filling but also incredibly delicious," the soldiers licked their lips, reminiscing with a hint of envy, "We consider ourselves fortunate, but the cavalry, for example, can have meat every ten days!"

Upon hearing this, the common people couldn't help but be tempted.

Therefore, despite Youzhou only intending to conscript 50,000 soldiers, the number of people volunteering for military service exceeded that mark.

When Yuan Li learned that the number of volunteers far exceeded the target, he didn't know whether to feel pleased or worried.

Because they were about to go to war with Li Li, some of the food supplies could not be used.

Yuan Li did not want to recruit more soldiers, but he had previously taken in many refugees and provided a large amount of food aid to Bingzhou to help them survive the snowstorm and the war. Now, the 50,000 soldiers he could recruit in Youzhou and the 100,000 soldiers in Bingzhou were almost reaching his limit.

The next day, he personally went to the conscription site to take a look.

Many young men refused to leave after learning that the conscription was full. They knelt on the ground, hugged the thighs of the officials, and cried bitterly, begging the army to take them in.

Most of these people were refugees who had wandered into Youzhou during the snowstorm, or those whose families were all dead and they were the only ones left. They were not afraid of death, but only wanted a place to shelter.

Yuan Li watched for a whole day without saying a word.

That night, he solemnly dragged Chu Hechao into the study and asked him, "General, have you heard of the Tuntian policy?"