usatvline Chapter 100 Losing Both Wife and Army
Chapter 100 Losing Both Wife and Army
“Two hundred thousand men probably won’t be enough.” Shen Li frowned after hearing this. “Not only will we send reinforcements, but the enemy will also suffer heavy losses in the siege and will inevitably continue to replenish their forces.”
“The court can mobilize at most 200,000 people without shaking the foundations.” Gu Chang’an sighed as he spoke: “The Great Liang came too fast. If I had another two years, I would have provided them with sufficient money and grain.”
Although he now makes solemn vows before the emperor, the empty national treasury had already shown signs more than a decade ago. It is not something he can reverse in one day, and it will be difficult to offset the losses at the front.
Moreover, with the war already underway, his reforms could not proceed at this time; otherwise, with internal and external troubles, the court would inevitably descend into chaos.
"With such a shortage of troops, money, and supplies, it's already difficult to avoid defeat, let alone win." Shen Li dared not imagine what Lin Wan'er was facing on the front lines.
Gu Chang'an nodded: "Chief Minister Zhou has already considered peace talks, and His Majesty seems to be wavering as well. They must all know that the situation is not optimistic."
"I can guess that."
This was within Shen Li's expectations. Although everyone understands the principle that peace is never achieved through negotiation, negotiation often benefits the rulers, while it is only the common people who suffer.
But once a war breaks out, things will be different. The royal family will face a survival crisis, and it will be a question of whether they can still sit firmly on the throne.
"We can't put all the pressure on the soldiers." Shen Li had already started thinking.
Gu Chang'an understood her meaning and nodded, saying, "His Majesty just summoned Zhao Jing for a meeting, and I imagine he will consult with us before making a decision. Does A-Li have any good ideas?"
As we all know, war is never confined to the battlefield; often, the key to victory or defeat is achieved through means outside the battlefield.
"The old foxes in the court are very good at this kind of thing, so I won't try to teach them a lesson," Shen Li said, sounding somewhat troubled.
In her previous life, she devoted almost all her energy to scholarship, calligraphy, and painting, and was somewhat involved in court intrigues. She didn't even know much about governance strategies, and she had only read a little about military tactics and warfare, so she made no achievements whatsoever.
With the border in dire straits, all she could do was prepare for the initial stages. Now that the money had been allocated and firearms were in mass production, she realized she couldn't offer any other assistance.
"Don't worry, Ah Li. The war can't be decided overnight. We'll just do our best," Gu Chang'an comforted her.
"Mmm," Shen Li responded softly.
Hopefully, Lin Wan'er is well-prepared and will have a smooth fight.
The next morning at the court meeting, Emperor Cheng appointed two chief envoys who led a group of people to the Rongdi and Daliang respectively. The group going to the Rongdi carried dozens of carts of goods.
After the court session ended, people were filled with anxiety. Officials mostly hoped to resolve the war through negotiations, and no one thought it was possible to win or even hold the line.
After the court assembly, Emperor Cheng kept his confidants in the Imperial Study for a secret two-hour talk before they dispersed. Apart from a very few people, no one knew what they talked about, only that Zhao Jing, the commander of the Flying Fish Guard, became very busy after that.
The Ministry of Works was also very busy. Prince Yi had always attached great importance to supervising the manufacture of firearms, and now he was even more dedicated, actively coordinating with various departments to maximize the efficiency of firearm manufacturing.
The Crown Prince was not to be outdone. As instructed by Zhou Zhen, he stayed by the Emperor's side every day, helping him with some of the state affairs. He was particularly concerned about the results of the censors' investigations, waiting for the Prince Yi's faction to be wiped out in one fell swoop.
Instead of the desired outcome, he received an imperial edict stating that local officials who had paid their taxes in full would not be held accountable for the reasons for the arrears or for any crimes committed, and that no action would be taken against them.
Li Heng was stunned. So, money could make him completely unharmed?
Zhou Zhen had not expected the emperor to pull such a stunt, but he quickly realized that there was no way to dissuade him, because the court was in dire need of money, and the approach of winning people's hearts and money through benevolent governance was impeccable.
Li Heng was unwilling to accept this, but Zhou Zhen told him not to lash out and to praise the emperor's wisdom, which made Li Heng extremely frustrated.
They thought they could use Gu Chang'an to eliminate the Yi King's faction, but unexpectedly, war broke out, and all their previous preparations were in vain.
The local officials seemed to have prepared the money well in advance; in some areas, the carts carrying the silver had already set off before the censors even arrived.
The censor had prepared many charges on his way, but by the time he arrived, he had nothing left to use. He returned home the next day, feeling utterly helpless.
King Yi breathed a sigh of relief, and Gu Chang'an's Ministry of Revenue gradually became more prosperous as a result, a win-win situation.
Only Li Heng was furious, because some of the local officials on the inspection list were his people!
He thought the censor's visit would be just a formality, but money was being sent from other places. To avoid seeming abrupt, he had no choice but to order them to raise money and send it up as well.
Some who didn't have enough money sent what was originally intended as tribute to the Crown Prince to the Ministry of Revenue, making Li Heng feel like he had lost both his wife and his army.
He has recently been suspecting that he is having bad luck with the year, as his well-planned strategies are always failing to be executed satisfactorily. Instead of suppressing the King of Chess, he has been losing influence in the court.
He often experiences bouts of helplessness.
Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.
"Miss, it was slipped in through the back door, please take a look." Lianqiao and Shaoyao quietly entered the inner room, placed a small bundle on a small table, and opened it to reveal a black silk garment inside.
Shen Li was feeling rather listless after lunch, but her eyes lit up when she saw the black silk robe and the several ancient books on it.
The King of Chess is really a shrewd person; he actually gives things away.
Gu Chang'an has offended many local officials this time. Even with the emperor sending people to protect her, she is still not at ease. With this vest, she feels much safer.
"Good, put it away." She nodded and told Lian Qiao to handle it.
"Miss, didn't Princess Yi send this gift once? Why didn't you accept it then?" Peony asked, puzzled.
Shen Li relaxed slightly as she read, her body stiffening a bit, before saying, "Back then, it was a case of not accepting a reward without merit. Now, this is his gift of gratitude, so naturally the circumstances and timing are different."
"Oh." Peony responded, but she didn't quite understand. In short, whatever the young lady said was different.
Shen Li has been in a better mood lately. Reinforcements are advancing steadily, supplies are being mobilized, and even firearms are being manufactured day and night.
Two more reports came from the North after that incident, both confirming that the city had been firmly held and that the general had suffered no casualties.
Emperor Cheng was initially waiting for the Seventh Prince Li Rui and Lin Wan'er, the people who had rewarded the army, to return and explain the situation. However, he received news that the two had already led the Shenji Battalion into battle, and Lin Wan'er was even able to hold one side of the city gate.