Gefeng's water source was in Mount Gesi, but Gefeng had built underground aqueducts, so no flowing water could be seen on the surface.
Having previously occupied Gefeng, the Quzhao army naturally knew where the water source was, so they had gone straight to cut it off.
Qu Cong understood his meaning. That is right. When we sent men to cut off their water source back then, the soldiers all returned safely and did not notice anything unusual.
However, he added, they must have dug wells inside Gefeng City.
Sieges generally aimed to exhaust the enemy's food supplies. Water was relatively easy to resolve, as digging wells was enough, and some cities already had them to begin with.
This was also why Qu Bai had not paid further attention to the matter.
Looking at it now, Gefeng City must have dug wells. They had absolutely no shortage of water and even had a surplus, otherwise, how could they have water for farming?
It was just too strange. His soldiers had entered Mount Gesi before without any issues, but now...
While Qu Bai was making all sorts of guesses, Jiang Jin had already arranged for people to start disposing of the corpses. Fortunately, the weather was still cold, so it would not be a big problem if the bodies were not completely handled for a day or two.
When night fell and none of the five thousand soldiers led by Wu Yihan had returned, Qu Bai was forced to believe the truth: his five thousand troops and the fierce general Wu Yihan had been wiped out!
Furious and shocked, he smashed several cups.
The atmosphere in the Quzhao military camp was dismal. Everyone knew that today, another five thousand of their soldiers had been annihilated, wiped out without a sound.
A few days passed like this. The scouts outside gradually brought back many fleeing refugees.
More people joined in the various construction and land reclamation projects.
Mu Qing did not waste the land used for planting vegetables inside the city last year. He even expanded it outward, reaching about fifteen mu.
He planned to first cultivate seedlings inside the city for crops like rice that required it.
Jiang Jin found an opportunity to bring out some potatoes, instructing Mu Qing to plant potatoes, Napa cabbage, and white radishes in the extra space aside from cultivating the seedlings.
Looking at the baskets of potatoes, Mu Qing was astonished. My Lord, did you say this yields five or six thousand jin per mu?
Jiang Jin confirmed it. Coupled with the various composting methods I taught you, it should not be a big problem. Although the yield of these potatoes is not as high as white radishes, they can be stored for a long time.
The composting methods she provided included indigenous chemical fertilizers and indigenous compound fertilizers. Although they were simplified versions, they were already the best fertilizers for this era.
Speaking of this, Mu Qing felt it was a great pity. These vegetables had high yields and short growth cycles; it would be wonderful if they could be stored longer.
Seeing his thoughts, Jiang Jin could not help but find it amusing. When the time comes, the Napa cabbage can be made into dried vegetables, and the white radishes can be made into dried radishes. Both can be kept for a long time.
Mu Qing's eyes lit up. That is excellent.
Jiang Jin detailed the planting methods and precautions for potatoes, how to apply fertilizer, and so on.
Mu Qing listened very carefully, while Mu Wanbai took notes with a brush.
After the two had fully understood and digested the information, Jiang Jin continued, The new city also needs to hurry up, otherwise we will miss the season.
I will have the soldiers participate in the land reclamation and farming as well, she added after a moment's thought.
Mu Qing nodded. We can reclaim land and plant at the same time. We will plant as much as we clear.
It is just that, he showed a look of concern, it is not safe outside the city right now. If we plant, I am afraid the Quzhao people will sabotage it.
Jiang Jin also knew it was not safe, but the seasons waited for no one. We will start planting from the north gate tower side. The eight-ox crossbows can shoot up to 1500 meters.
After a winter of teaching, she could finally use the length units she was familiar with.
Just as Jiang Jin returned to the county office, a scout brought back an unexpected piece of news.
In the past two days, many Quzhao soldiers have been deploying reinforcements towards the southeast? Jiang Jin frowned as she looked at the map.
A moment later, she looked up at Zhou Sui, Yun Ci, and the others seated below. Are they reinforcing Ze'a Commandery?
Yun Ci nodded. They should be.
Ze'a Commandery was located to the southeast of Fengzhou.
The great aristocratic Sheng family was located in Ze'a Commandery.
The saying iron-clad noble families, flowing dynasties was absolutely correct. The Yan Kingdom had only been established for a hundred years, but the Sheng family had endured for over five hundred years.
The noble families were deeply intertwined and closely connected. When the barbarians invaded and the situation looked grim, the Sheng family united with several other major families to retreat and defend Ze'a Commandery.
The noble families all maintained private armies, and in significant numbers. With several major families joining forces, their strength could not be underestimated.
After the Northeast Army was gone, Quzhao shifted its focus to Ze'a Commandery.
The major families joined hands, and with ample rations and weapons, although outmatched in sheer power, they utilized the favorable terrain and had only lost two cities so far.
As a battlefield, Ze'a Commandery was in utter chaos. Burning, killing, and looting occurred almost every day.
This was also the reason why, even though there were Han-populated cities in Fengzhou, the commoners preferred to flee to the south rather than go to Ze'a Commandery. It was not that they did not want to; they did not dare to.
Zhou Sui pondered for a moment and said, Could it be that Quzhao's war situation is critical?
Impossible. If Ze'a Commandery had that kind of strength, they would not have lost two cities in a row. He then denied his own speculation.
After the weather warmed up, Gefeng dispatched many scouts to investigate the situation. Ze'a Commandery, which was currently at war, was naturally a key target for reconnaissance.
Because Gefeng was somewhat far from Ze'a Commandery, their scouts only sent back information every few days.
Although Gefeng's scouts did not dare to get too close to investigate specific details, the fact that two cities in Ze'a Commandery had been captured by Quzhao was still very easy to find out.
Then there is only one possibility, Yao Ji spoke up. Quzhao's attack on Dongcheng County must have reached a critical moment.
Quzhao's main force was currently attacking Dongcheng County in Ze'a Commandery. It should be said that they had started attacking last year; as for whether there were any sneak attacks during the winter months, it was unknown.
Yun Ci nodded. That is right, Quzhao probably wants to take down Dongcheng County as soon as possible now.
And their casualties are probably not small, otherwise they would not need to transfer troops over from other commanderies and counties, Zhou Sui added.
Qu Bai had nearly ten thousand men wiped out by her, yet Quzhao did not send him any more reinforcements. This also indirectly showed that Quzhao's military strength was currently stretched thin.
The corners of Jiang Jin's mouth curled up slightly. How is this not an opportunity for us?
What opportunity? Xie Nanxiao was puzzled.
Zhou Sui, Yun Ci, and the others, however, had already understood her meaning, their eyes brightening.
Jiang Jin smiled radiantly. The opportunity to force Qu Bai to retreat!
On the official road, a group of six or seven hundred people was advancing towards Gefeng.
In a carriage, a beautiful young woman pulled back the curtain to look outside, curiosity written on her face.
The middle-aged woman inside the carriage gave her a scolding glance. What are you looking at? Put the curtain down.
The young woman obediently lowered the curtain. Mother, we should be arriving at Gefeng soon, right? Are the houses there really as magical as Father described?
They were none other than He Li's wife and daughter, Guan Rong and He Qiuchi.
Just as winter passed and the ice and snow melted, He Li hurriedly took his family out of the city and headed straight for Gefeng. Traveling with them were his father-in-law and a lifelong family friend.
Guan Rong sighed. We will know whether it is good or not once we get there.
She did not want to leave Daqing Commandery for a barren little city like Gefeng, but she also knew that the situation in Daqing was grim. She only hoped that Gefeng was truly as good as her husband claimed.
He Qiuchi understood her mother's worries. She said no more and obediently sat up straight.
In another carriage, He Li harbored his own anxieties, though he kept them carefully hidden. With a reassuring smile, he said, "We will reach Gefeng soon. The journey has been safe and sound, with a few scares but no real harm done."
Sitting across from him was a man around forty named Sun Jiang, a merchant who ran a textile business.
Sun Jiang was equally worried, but he placed immense trust in He Li. Besides, Daqing Prefecture had indeed reached a critical juncture of life and death.
Therefore, upon learning of He Li's departure, he had asked to travel together, bringing his entire family along to seek refuge in Gefeng.
"Thank you for looking after us on this journey, Brother," Sun Jiang said with heartfelt gratitude.
Right as the two men were conversing, a troop of riders suddenly appeared ahead, blocking their path.
