Xie Nanxiao repeated himself: “Fuchuan and Xianglu have been recaptured by the Jinyang Army. You’re coming back to the city with us now.”
“Move quickly. If the other Quzhao soldiers discover us later, we may not be able to protect you while fighting them.”
The commoners were all startled and hurriedly formed a line according to the Cangming Guards’ orders.
Xie Nanxiao came to Datou and his mother. “How are you two? Can you stand?”
Bighead’s mother endured the excruciating pain in her body and struggled to her feet. Nervously, she said, “W-We can. Don’t leave us behind.”
Datou also forced himself up, the bloody streaks on his emaciated face especially conspicuous.
Xie Nanxiao frowned slightly, took a small bottle of hemostatic powder from his pocket, and handed it to them. “Apply some medicine and stop the bleeding first.”
How could Bighead’s mother dare accept something so valuable? “N-No, thank you. We can manage.”
This Han army had appeared out of nowhere like divine rescuers, saving her and her son. How could she possibly take their supplies as well?
Xie Nanxiao shook his head. “Take it. Otherwise, the blood on your bodies could easily expose our position.”
Bighead’s mother accepted it with trembling hands. “Th-Thank you, sir.”
At that moment, a villager asked, “C-Can we go back to the village and get our things?”
They had practically nothing, but they did at least have their chipped bowls—their only possessions.
Xie Nanxiao frowned. “No. If you want to retrieve anything, come back for it later. Leave with us now.”
This was a critical moment, and every second counted. Once their lord had completely seized Donghu Commandery, they could take whatever they wanted.
The villagers dared not say anything more. Supporting one another, they followed the troops away.
The Cangming Guards swiftly retrieved their arrows. This was one of the reasons they preferred shooting at the neck: there was no armor there and not much bone, making the arrows much easier to recover.
Of course, this also stemmed from their confidence in themselves. Their accuracy was exceptionally high.
Before long, only several dozen corpses of Quzhao soldiers remained scattered across the farmland.
Some time later, a small unit of Quzhao cavalry arrived. When they saw the blood-soaked fields and the corpses of their soldiers, they were both shocked and terrified, and hurried back to report.
Xie Nanxiao led the Cangming Guards and divided them into several groups. They wiped out nearly all the Quzhao soldiers who were still outside and unaware of what had happened, while also bringing the villagers back to Xianglu.
Jiang Jin had received the good news early that Fuchuan and Xianglu had been taken.
She had already traveled all around Shantong County, including the coastal areas.
After a full day, she was even more satisfied with Shantong County and began considering building the weapons district there.
Shantong County was undoubtedly easy to defend and difficult to attack. Not only was it isolated from the surrounding regions by its continuous mountain ranges, but it was also near the sea.
Being close to the sea meant convenient transportation. They only needed to build a military harbor in Shantong County.
When she returned to the county office, the civil officials and the members of the construction team had already arrived.
“Greetings, my lord,” several leaders said, bowing to her.
Jiang Jin nodded. “There’s no need for such formalities.”
She took her seat at the head of the room and looked toward Yu Shu. “Do you know whether there’s any clay, limestone, or similar materials nearby?”
Yu Shu bowed slightly. “Yes.”
When Spring Glory County had been recruiting clerks, Yu Zhu had applied, and so had he.
He had never imagined that his lord would seize Shantong County so quickly, yet still allow him to continue serving as its magistrate.
His heart was filled with gratitude and admiration for Jiang Jin’s boldness. At that moment, he was so inspired that he wished he could devote himself to her completely.
Jiang Jin smiled. “Good. Take people to inspect the sites tomorrow. Construction must begin as soon as possible.”
“As for the former residents of Shantong County, if they wish to return, let them.”
She then looked toward Kang Sheng, the head of the construction team. “Have you inspected the locations for the watchtowers?”
Kang Sheng nodded. “Captain Yun had someone take me there. There are no problems. We can begin as soon as the cement, bricks, and tiles arrive.”
Jiang Jin nodded. “Tomorrow, take people to inspect the places Magistrate Yu mentioned. Get the brick-and-tile kiln and the cement workshop built as quickly as possible.”
While they were discussing these matters, Tang Tishou suddenly spat out a mouthful of blood.
Zhu Dian was startled. “General!”
Tang Tishou braced both hands against the table and ground his teeth. “I’m… fine!”
How could he possibly be fine?
Not only had Fuchuan and Xianglu fallen, but all the civilians farming outside the two counties had been taken away by the Jinyang Army, while every soldier guarding them had been killed!
And the soldiers sent to Shantong County had yet to return. Something had most likely happened to them as well!
Early the next morning, Jiang Jin hurried back to Shanguan County.
When Zhou Sui saw her, he secretly breathed a sigh of relief. “My lord.”
Jiang Jin nodded. “How is it?”
Zhou Sui’s expression was grave. “There’s been no movement.”
Yun Ci was stationed in Goe, while Zhou Sui held Shanguan County. Their purpose was to guard against Zhou County or Dancheng making a move, but neither side had acted.
Zhou Sui continued, “However, Quzhao has sent additional troops to Dancheng and Pingwan County.”
Dong Si sneered. “They’re worried that we’ll seize Pingwan and then circle around to attack Heichun County. Unfortunately for them, they don’t know that Pingwan County is nothing more than bait to us.”
The Jinyang Army had long been waiting for Quzhao to send reinforcements to Pingwan. They had already set an ambush along the route, and the battle should have begun by now.
Zhou Sui nodded. “Lu Ping is commanding this operation, so there shouldn’t be any problems.”
Jiang Jin said languidly, “It’s good that Quzhao is making a move. I was only afraid they wouldn’t.”
Zhou Sui agreed. “Exactly. If Quzhao simply holds its cities, we’ll be the ones at a disadvantage. It’s just that they probably won’t move easily against Dancheng and Heichun.”
Jiang Jin had thought of that as well, so she changed the subject. “How is Zeya Commandery doing?”
At the mention of it, Zhou Sui sighed helplessly. “It probably won’t hold out much longer. The aristocratic clans may very well flee to Sizhou.”
Jiang Jin let out a cold snort. “The clans can leave, but their wealth must stay behind.”
Sizhou was wealthy enough already. Since those riches belonged to Fengzhou, they should remain in Fengzhou and be used for Fengzhou.
Zhou Sui stared at her in astonishment. “You mean to—”
Jiang Jin nodded decisively. “Exactly. Have Xie Nanxiao keep an eye on the ships leaving Zeya Commandery.”
Dong Si slapped his palm in delight and voiced his full support. “Excellent! I’ve disliked those people for a long time.”
Zhou Sui was left with complicated feelings.
Was his lord seeking revenge for the Northeastern Army’s past defeat?
Jiang Jin had no idea what was going through his mind. Looking at the map, she said, “We must also act quickly and finish this war as soon as possible. We have to take Donghu Commandery before Zeya Commandery falls. Otherwise, we’ll be the ones at a disadvantage.”
Yao Ji of Xianglu County began putting the recruitment plans into action. The veteran soldiers had to be used where they were needed most.
Whether in Xianglu or Fuchuan, as long as the sea routes were controlled by their own navy, they did not actually need to station too many troops in the cities.
This had been part of the plan from the beginning: recruit a group of soldiers from among the newly incorporated residents of the two counties. After a brief period of training, the veterans could lead the new recruits in training while simultaneously defending the cities.
What no one had expected was that most of the able-bodied men of suitable age would actually volunteer. The conditions offered by the Jinyang Army were simply too tempting.
The promise of unlimited food alone—of being able to eat until they were full—was impossible to resist.
Hua Ruo sighed. “The people have suffered too much. They’re all so starved that they’re nothing but skin and bones.”
Yao Ji replied as he looked through the documents in his hands, “They’ll recover after a few days of proper nourishment.”
Hua Ruo nodded. “The assessments have already been arranged.”
As the two were speaking, Zhao Feng hurried in. “News from Fuchuan: Tang Tishou of Heichun County didn’t send reinforcements to Tai’an. Instead, he sent a messenger. Quzhao has decided to abandon the city.”
Yao Ji frowned slightly. “Did they intercept the messenger?”
