Within Swords Gate Pass.
Li Chengqian's army was stationed here.
Although Li Chengqian had Swords Gate Pass in his hands, in reality, he was facing a great deal of pressure. This was because Swords Gate Pass was the last strategic location in the Bashu region. Once Swords Gate Pass was lost, it would be difficult for his army to resist the surging Xia Xia's army.
However, Li Chengqian had to defend Swords Gate Pass, and the army had to spend an uncountable amount of food every day. This caused Li Chengqian to face great pressure. At first, Li Chengqian had brought food, but there were too many people, and the food he brought was quickly used up. Now, he had to collect food from the local areas to ensure that the army could continue.
Even so, the pressure was great.
Within the main tent of the army camp.
Li Chengqian was currently making arrangements. The person sitting below was none other than Lu Deming. Lu Deming was once Li Chengqian's teacher in the Eastern Palace, but because he was against Du Qi, he was removed from his position. After many years, Lu Deming had aged a lot, but the only thing that did not change was his hatred for Du Qi.
Li Chengqian was talking to Lu Deming. The things he was arranging were mainly related to the soldiers' pay. After all, food was scarce, but the soldiers' pay could not be delayed. After everything was said, Li Chengqian said, "Master Lu, when it comes to the soldiers' pay, you must not be careless. The more difficult it is, the more you have to pay attention to this. I don't trust the others. I can only be at ease if you do it yourself. If you find anyone who dares to embezzle the soldiers' pay, don't hold back. Punish them directly. "
Lu Deming said, "Your Highness, please rest assured. I will complete the task. This is the pay that should be given to the soldiers. No one can embezzle it. Whoever dares to embezzle it will have their hat taken off. "
Li Chengqian said, "That's what I mean."
Lu Deming turned and left.
After Lu Deming left, Li Chengqian sighed in his heart. At Swords Gate Pass, the soldiers' pay was not difficult. He had not used up all the money he brought. The soldiers' pay could be distributed, but food was still a big problem. If they were unable to gather food, even if Li Chengqian stayed in the pass, he would be like a housewife who cannot cook without rice.
Just as Li Chengqian was thinking about the follow-up arrangements, a soldier came in and bowed respectfully to Li Chengqian, reporting that Wang Yuan had returned.
Li Chengqian was overjoyed when he heard this and immediately ordered Wang Yuan to enter.
Previously, there was a shortage of rations in the army. Therefore, Li Chengqian sent Wang Yuan to Pu 'an County to collect rations from the local merchants so that they could tide over this crisis. Now that Wang Yuan had returned, Li Chengqian was quite excited.
Wang Yuan entered the tent and saw Li Chengqian. He bowed and said, "Your Highness."
Li Chengqian said, "How about a treat?"
Wang Yuan said, "Your Highness, I went to beg for alms this time and asked the big families in Sword Province to provide food. Some small merchants were eager to donate food. These small merchants gathered together and collected 50,000 dans of food, which is enough for our soldiers to eat for a while."
"However, the Yang Clan's original plan was for the Yang Clan to give them a hundred thousand dans of grain. However, the Yang Clan's Clan Head directly refused and only gave them ten thousand dans of grain. In the end, I still accepted it. "
"However, Yang Lu is domineering and arrogant. He doesn't care about Your Highness at all. He doesn't care about the general situation of the Tang dynasty at all. Yang Lu is too selfish. "
"The Yang Clan is a big family. They are the biggest merchants and control countless resources. A mere hundred thousand dans of grain is not difficult for the Yang Clan. However, the Yang Clan refused. Your Highness, this Yang Clan is really hateful. "
Wang Yuan's face was full of resentment.
He looked disgusted.
Li Chengqian said in a low voice, "This Crown Prince will remember the Yang Clan's performance this time. However, since the Yang Clan is willing to give us food, we will turn a blind eye to it for the time being. We only need to wait for this difficult period to pass, then we can make a move against the Yang Clan. The Yang Clan is such a big family, yet they only gave us ten thousand dans of grain. This is like sending away a beggar! For the sake of the general situation and stability, we will ignore him for now. "
Wang Yuan said in a low voice, "Your Highness is wise!"
Li Chengqian said, "In total, 60,000 dans of grain will be sent to Sword Gate Pass."
"Yes!"
Wang Yuan immediately responded.
Li Chengqian said, "The grain of our soldiers can't last much longer. Now that we have this batch of grain, it can alleviate the urgent situation. Moreover, the autumn harvest is near. When the grain is collected, we can use the imperial court's name to collect the grain. With the grain, things will be much easier. Wang Yuan, when will this batch of grain be sent? "
Wang Yuan said, "Three days later!"
Li Chengqian waved his hand, "Okay, you go arrange it. You will be responsible for the inspection of the grain."
"Yes!"
Wang Yuan stood up and took his leave.
Li Chengqian sat alone in the tent. His slightly dignified expression revealed a slight smile. The problem of grain was solved. At least the soldiers wouldn't starve and could continue to fight with Xia Xia's army.
After Wang Yuan left, another general entered and reported to Li Chengqian that there was a shortage of grain. The soldiers couldn't eat their fill every day. If it was before, Li Chengqian would be in a difficult position because there was no grain.
Now, Li Chengqian wasn't worried at all. He waved his sleeves and said in a domineering manner, "Pass down the order, let the soldiers hold on. I have collected sixty thousand dans of grain. It will arrive in three days. After this batch of grain arrives, the soldiers won't have to worry about the grain anymore. "
After the general acknowledged, he asked suspiciously, "Prince, is there really grain?"
Li Chengqian said, "Enough!"
The general was relieved.
Since the prince said so, he didn't bother to ask anymore. He went back to inform the soldiers. Not long after, the news of Li Chengqian receiving the grain had spread in the checkpoint. The soldiers were relieved when they heard that the grain was coming.
In times of war, as long as there was grain, there was no need to worry.
…
Outside of Sword Gate Pass, Xia Xia's camp.
Xiao Yuan Qi now patrolled the camp every day and looked at the Sword Gate Pass from afar. This checkpoint was very steep, easy to defend and hard to attack. Even if he had sharp weapons, he couldn't break through it. Ma Zhou had left the camp for a few days, but until now, there was still no news. Xiao Yuan Qi was still worried.
Even if Xiao Yuan Qi was worried, there was nothing he could do. He could only suppress the worry in his heart. While Xiao Yuan Qi was patrolling, suddenly, a soldier rushed to him and reported, "General Xiao, there is a man outside the camp. He said he is here to deliver a message from Advisor Ma."
Xiao Yuan Qi heard it and went straight to the camp gate. He didn't wait in his tent, but went straight to the gate. When he saw the man waiting for him, he walked over and said, "I am Xiao Yuan Qi, what can I do for you?"
The man was sent by Yang Lu.
He handed over a letter and said, "General Xiao, this is a letter from Advisor Ma. You will know everything after you read it."
Xiao Yuan Qi took the letter and quickly read it.
Because it was a pigeon, the letter was folded into a piece of paper and tied to the leg of the pigeon. Therefore, the letter was very concise. It directly said that Ma Zhou had persuaded Yang Lu to surrender, and that Yang Lu would make a move on the grain in Sword Gate Pass. Xiao Yuan Qi was asked to be prepared for war.
After reading the letter, Xiao Yuan Qi looked at the man and said, "Write back to Advisor Ma, tell him that I know the situation. Everything is fine here, he doesn't need to worry. "
The man turned and left.
At this moment, Xiao Yuan Qi was completely relieved. Now that Ma Zhou had arrived in Pu An County and had already convinced the Yang Clan of Pu An County, Ma Zhou was now safe.
What Xiao Yuan Qi needed to do now was to keep an eye on the Tang soldiers at the checkpoint and be ready for war.
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