eurekapd Chapter 405 Come on, we have plenty of provisions!
Chapter 405 Come on, we have plenty of provisions!
When Gao Mengli and Lin Xi carried in four large steamers, they saw several pairs of eyes staring intently at them. "What's going on here?"
Smelling the familiar aroma of crabs in the air, Zhu Ming quickly replied, "Weiyi said you have to order the village's specialty, rice paddy crabs!"
He had never eaten rice paddy crabs before, but given the widespread famine, the fact that they were able to eat crabs here was something he hadn't expected.
Moreover, the entire Ling'an Prefecture is mostly mountainous and hilly, yet it can produce crabs from the Jiangnan region, which truly surprised him!
Gao Mengli smiled and placed the steamer on the table. As soon as she opened the lid, the steam carrying the fresh aroma of crab instantly filled the air.
"Lord Dou is quick to speak!"
These paddy field crabs were just delivered from Wangyue Village this morning. Although they aren't very big, they're plump with meat and lots of roe. Xixi specially steamed them with ginger and wine so they'll warm you up."
The number of crabs in Wangyue Village is decreasing. At most, they will sell out of this year's crabs in three days.
The bright red and black paddy field crabs were neatly arranged in the steamer basket. As the steam dissipated, their rich and fresh aroma wafted into people's noses.
Zhu Ming had long forgotten his full stomach and was rubbing his hands together to grab it!
Once you take a bite, you won't be able to stop!
But he can't eat crabs as fast as Dou Weiyi and Dou Zhan!
It smells so good, it's so fresh, and I can't wait to eat it!
After everyone had finished eating, Gao Mengli sat down to the side and gestured for Lin Xi and Lin Chi to clear the table.
The table was cleaned up, and a pot of hot tea was served.
Gao Mengli took a sip of tea and glanced at Zhu Ming. "Lord Zhu, what is the purpose of your mission this time?"
Zhu Ming was patting his round belly when he heard this. He paused for a moment, then sat up straight and looked at Dou Zhan beside him.
Dou Zhan patted him on the shoulder, "Don't worry, your sister-in-law is no outsider!"
Zhu Ming took a deep breath, his fingers unconsciously stroking the rim of the teacup, and his voice deepened: "Actually, this opportunity to go on a diplomatic mission was one I fought hard for against all opposition."
The new commander wanted to take action against me as soon as he took office. He even planned to use the pretext of attacking Ling'an Prefecture to transfer all my remaining old subordinates from the Beijing Garrison to serve as vanguards.
To put it bluntly, I want to use your hands, or the swords of the battlefield, to wipe out my people.
Dou Zhan's face darkened. "So, they're about to make their move?"
Zhu Ming nodded, "Yes, because the old emperor allocated very little military rations, only enough to support 50,000 troops. One meal a day, only enough for a month, they can't afford it!"
"Fifty thousand troops?"
Dou Wei was taken aback. Could it be that they were recruiting soldiers midway through the process?
Zhu Ming traced a circle with his fingertip on the rim of the teacup, his face darkening: "It's not conscription, it's just filling quotas!"
Fearing that the army would be too small to control the situation, the old emperor included civilian laborers and even prison doctors in the 50,000-strong army.
The truly capable veterans of the Beijing garrison numbered at most 30,000, but among them, 10,000 were my own troops!
His ten thousand men didn't want this to be lost.
With no food or clothing, what's the point of even farting!
It's already early winter, but everyone is still wearing only light clothing.
The veterans are alright; they still have their stiff, cold cotton-padded coats, which is better than those who were just there to make up the numbers.
"Dou Zhan, their army will besiege the city in two days. Be prepared!"
Dou Zhan tapped his fingertip heavily on the table. "Fifty thousand troops, okay, I understand."
After saying that, he pulled out the dagger from his leg and slashed Zhu Ming's arm hard!
"what--"
"Dou Zhan, could you at least make a sound when you hit me? It hurts so much!"
Blood streamed down Zhu Ming's arm, and sweat beaded on his forehead from the pain.
Dou Zhan's sudden and ruthless attack caught everyone off guard.
"Shut up, you!"
Dou Zhan rolled his eyes at Zhu Ming and reached into Zhu Ming's arms to pull out a handkerchief.
He hastily bandaged the wound, saying, "Those who came to persuade you to surrender are all dead. If you go back unscathed, it might arouse suspicion!"
Don't even bother applying any medicine to the wound; the worse it looks when you get back, the better!
After saying that, he quickly asked Lin Chi to escort him out of the city.
After finishing their business, Dou Weiyi and Dou Zhan returned home.
Watching them leave, Gao Mengli turned and asked, "When will Doctor Li and her two apprentices arrive?"
Mengze whispered in his ear, "Doctor Li sent someone with a message a few days ago. Judging by the time, he will arrive at dawn tomorrow, and he will also bring six boatloads of herbs and medicine for injuries."
Gao Mengli nodded, "Go arrange accommodations and make sure Doctor Li is comfortable!"
"Yes!"
Winter clothing has been delivered and distributed to the soldiers.
Food supplies have arrived one after another, enough to feed the army every day for three months without any problem!
Zhu Ming's words just now made her realize that it's better to defend a city than to attack it.
Defending a city hinges on its food and supplies!
Whoever has more supplies is closer to victory!
With winter approaching, whoever voluntarily sets up camp outside the city will suffer!
Gao Mengli's lips curved into a smile. Perhaps she could reach Ling Si's residence with minimal cost!
Around noon, Lin's restaurant opened for business as usual!
"Madam, a letter from Du Hao!"
Hei Yi rushed over and handed over the letter.
Gao Mengli quickly opened the letter from the counter, reading it at a glance. After finishing the letter, she felt much better.
Du Hao wrote to report that winter wheat planting had been completed in all parts of the prefectural city!
The planting was entrusted to Du Hao, and he lived up to expectations, taking it very seriously.
She couldn't guarantee food supplies in other areas, but she would clear land wherever possible in the prefectural city and plant crops on it, even in hilly areas!
With the addition of a curved plow, land reclamation was quick.
Dou Weiyi also implemented a land reclamation policy, exempting the people from taxes for the first five years, which greatly boosted their enthusiasm for land reclamation!
The wasteland around the prefectural city was decreasing day by day.
The once barren hills are now planted with drought-resistant millet, buckwheat, and winter wheat. The lush green seedlings spread along the slope, a sight that brings a sense of peace and security.
Seeing Gao Mengli's doting smile, Lin Xi leaned closer.
Gao Mengli handed over the letter, and when Lin Xi took a look, her smile was even wider than Gao Mengli's!
Three days later, the 50,000-strong Beijing garrison was stationed five miles outside Ling'an Prefecture, very close to each other.
On the fourth day, the siege began.
There were martial arts masters in the enemy camp, and they almost managed to climb up the city wall.
Upon hearing this, Gao Mengli immediately closed the food delivery window and handed over all 98 people, including Wang Xiaoman, to the delivery service!
Upon hearing that they were going to war, everyone was incredibly excited and eager to get started!
"Xiaoman, you go over there. You don't need to charge into battle; just disrupt the morale of those martial arts masters!"
Wang Xiaoman gripped the dagger, his eyes suddenly lighting up. "Don't worry, boss, I know what they want. I guarantee they won't be able to hold out for more than two days!"
Although there is no morality involved, war does not require morality!
Gao Mengli's eyes sharpened, and she nodded approvingly: "As long as we succeed, we don't need to be particular about the methods. If you need any assistance, just let us know!"
But remember, know when to stop, don't linger!
"Yes!"
The people below responded in unison!