Chapter 118 - The Strategist’s Mouth

Chapter 118: Chapter 112: The Strategist’s MouthUpon hearing this, Zhao Hanzhang immediately ordered, "Uncle Qianli, gather all troops, each person should carry enough dry food for three days, we depart in one hour."

Zhao Ju stood up and responded, "Yes."

Seeing she had made up her mind, Ji Yuan said, "If that’s the case, I will go to Shangcai County to lend a helping hand to the lady."

The village chief in Shangcai County was in chaos. County Magistrate Chai, upon seeing smoke signals, instinctively wanted to seal the city gates, but Chang Ning stopped him and suggested, "At this time, the County Lord should send someone to Yu Yang and Xiping to gather intelligence, and unite with Xinxi, Nan’an, and other counties to race to the aid of Yu Yang and Xiping."

"Yu Yang and Xiping have lit smoke signals, with Shangcai stuck in the middle, if we send deterrents, once the enemy army invades us, won’t we be like lambs waiting to be slaughtered?"

Chang Ning said, "If Yu Yang and Xiping can’t hold off the enemy, how can Shangcai withstand it? It’s better to repel the enemies at Yu Yang and Xiping."

County Magistrate Chai wouldn’t listen.

In the midst of chaos, Ji Yuan entered with his people, forcefully pushing aside the government officials, "County Lord, a great catastrophe is imminent, why are you still in Shangcai?"

County Magistrate Chai saw Ji Yuan and instinctively softened his voice, for this was once a strategist for Zhao Changyu, "What imminent catastrophe? Mr. Ji, do not exaggerate here."

Ji Yuan said, "Does the County Lord not know chaotic forces are attacking Yu Yang and Xiping? If those places are breached, Shangcai will be in danger."

"Yu Yang has Governor He, and Xiping has the Zhao Family, is it that easy to be breached?"

"Does the County Lord know where the chaotic forces attacking the two places come from?"

County Magistrate Chai had no idea. The two locations had only enough time to light smoke signals, the message definitely wasn’t sent yet, and even if sent, it would take time to reach him.

Smoke signals are lit to request aid when a battle occurs; a smoke signal post is located at intervals, and when the sentry sees smoke signals, he will light his own post’s signal, passing it layer by layer outward. It serves both as a warning and a call for help.

However, who the enemy is, and how many there are, these cannot be expressed by smoke signals. Detailed reports are needed.

Ji Yuan saw that he really knew nothing, feeling both disappointed and relieved, thus began to deceive him, "It’s the Xiongnu’s army!"

County Magistrate Chai’s eyes widened, he exclaimed loudly, "That’s impossible."

"Why impossible? Do you really think they were driven out of Luoyang?" Ji Yuan said, "They merely plundered Luoyang, finding nothing to steal, so they left. Prince East Sea only cared about his power, unwilling to clash with the Xiongnu’s army and returned to the Capital City after their retreat."

"The battle in Luoyang greatly boosted the Xiongnu’s morale, their intention to destroy the Central Plains has never changed. They even invaded the Capital City, what should they fear?" Ji Yuan said, "Therefore, as soon as they retreated from Luoyang, they began moving south, aiming to seize the lands of the Central Plains."

County Magistrate Chai sank into his chair, believing, even Chang Ning didn’t notice Ji Yuan was deceiving them, thinking he had special channels for information, quickly asked, "What should we do then?"

"There’s only one way now, send reinforcements to either Yu Yang or Xiping, keeping the enemy outside of Shangcai."

"The Xiongnu army that even the court’s forces couldn’t stop, how can we stop them?"

Ji Yuan pulled him aside and said in a low voice, "County Lord, why be stuck with one outcome? Sending reinforcements puts you in a position to advance or retreat."

County Magistrate Chai looked at him, confused.

Ji Yuan quietly said, "You send reinforcements, if they repel the enemy, you earn merit; if unable to, the battle ends outside Shangcai. When the enemy enters, you naturally can’t defend the city without troops, to protect the city folk, surrender, and the literate and noble of Great Jin will praise you for being adaptable."

"With the Xiongnu’s reputation for valuing talents, should the County Lord surrender, he will surely treat you well, isn’t this an advantageous position?"

County Magistrate Chai’s eyes lit up, he gave a thumbs up, "Mr. Ji, that’s brilliant."

Ji Yuan humbly smiled.

County Magistrate Chai then asked, "Where do you think I should send the reinforcements?"

Ji Yuan said, "Yu Yang has Governor He, and stationed troops. Other counties seeing the smoke will also rush to aid, but Xiping, has fewer stationed soldiers, even with Zhao Family there, it’s challenging against the Xiongnu army; perhaps the County Lord should send reinforcements there."

He continued, "Just as my lady is heading to Xiping to support family, the County Lord is of noble status and cannot easily leave Shangcai, why not entrust these troops to my lady?"

"This..."

"Certainly, my lady is willing to lead the troops scheduling under the County Lord’s command. When asked above, just say they are the County Lord’s troops and merit. Our lady has no use for fame, being a woman, she is soft-hearted and worried about her family in Xiping." Ji Yuan said.

County Magistrate Chai immediately agreed, "Alright!"

Ji Yuan stepped back and bowed deeply, "For the County Lord’s great virtue, I thank you on behalf of my lady and the Zhao Family in Xiping."

County Magistrate Chai felt flattered by this gratitude.

Chang Ning silently watched from the side, not reminding the County Magistrate that these troops might never return.

Zhao Hanzhang’s actions bore personal intentions, but she indeed went to rescue Xiping, saving Xiping equates to saving Shangcai.

Ji Yuan was correct, if either Xiping or Yu Yang couldn’t be defended, Shangcai was next.

And Shangcai definitely couldn’t withstand a chaotic army, leading to either a raid or surrender, no third option remained.

In this case, why not choose the path Ji Yuan offered?

However, he must ensure Zhao Hanzhang took the troops truly to save Xiping, and not escape.

Thus he held Ji Yuan back and said, "Mr. Ji, as Zhao Sanniang goes to rescue people in Xiping, only her widowed mother and weak brother remain in the other courtyard. As she works for the County Lord, the County Lord can’t just show nothing, why not move Mrs. Zhao and Zhao Erlang into the county government building, with the County Lord present, ensuring their safety?"

Ji Yuan’s smile slightly faded, he pondered, then slowly nodded, "Okay, but no need to move into the county office, the lady and Erlang are still in mourning, which would be inconvenient."

He said, "If the County Lord is sincere, maybe arrange another courtyard nearby for our lady and Erlang?"

County Magistrate Chai looked at Chang Ning, only nodding slightly before smiling, "That’s great, right next to the county office, there is just a courtyard. I’ll let my wife accompany the lady and Erlang, so they’re not afraid."

Ji Yuan agreed, reminding, "Our lady needs to set off immediately, these troops..."

County Magistrate Chai said, "I’ll assemble them at once."

Zhao Hanzhang also packed three days’ worth of pancakes, filled the water pouch, grabbed the spear and was about to leave, then turned back to take the sword with her.

Mrs. Wang heard Zhao Hanzhang was going to rescue people in Xiping, hurriedly dragged Second Son to come, but said nothing, just stood at the door staring at her.

Zhao Erlang was very excited, trying to break away from his mother, "Sister, I’ll go with you."