CHAPTER 298: CHAPTER 9 KNOWING THE SOLDIERS_3

"If that Yan bastard wants to move south, let him try. Let’s see if he can bite into the three major strongholds of my Great Qian."

Four hundred and fifty thousand reinforcements—though there might be a questionable 100,000 imperial guards and 100,000 local garrison soldiers among them—combined with Old Bastard Yang’s forces in the three towns, would be sufficient for city defense rather than open warfare. Prince Fu felt that once he returned to his fiefdom, he could finally sleep soundly.

"It’s not easy for the ministers," Man Le remarked, his tone tinged with emotion.

"Indeed," Prince Fu chuckled, then continued, "this realm has long been rotten to the core. To gather so many troops for a northern campaign in such a short time is already a feat. The subsequent transport of provisions will also be a tremendous headache for the ministers."

"In the current situation, as long as Great Qian holds the three northern prefectures and blocks that Yan bastard, the Yan State itself will likely collapse from internal strife," Man Le suggested.

This was, in fact, the view shared by Zheng Fan and Blind Tie. The Yan State’s current situation, while seemingly fiery and prosperous, was ultimately unsustainable. It desperately needed a massive victory in external expansion to divert domestic conflicts. Otherwise, the adverse effects of suppressing the great clans would gradually become apparent.

"The ministers think so too. The Yan Emperor is indeed a ruthless character. With this strike of his, who knows how many centuries-old noble families will survive? However, the Yan Emperor’s bloodthirsty warmongering is ultimately a path to self-destruction; it cannot last. Moreover, His Majesty has already dispatched three other imperial envoys. The standing of those three envoys is much higher than mine, hehe."

Two of the three imperial envoys were easy to guess: one to the Chu State and one to the Jin State. Since the Yan Emperor had already cracked his whip at the Qian State, the other two states would certainly react, knowing that if the lips are gone, the teeth will feel cold.

As for the third imperial envoy...

Man Le was initially puzzled, then understanding dawned on him.

Prince Fu nodded. "That’s right. The desert tribes."

"In that case, Great Qian merely needs to hold the three border regions for a year, and the Yan State will crumble under internal and external pressures!" Man Le’s eyes gleamed.

Prince Fu reached up and patted his own fleshy cheek. "Actually," he said, "I don’t like those civil officials. They’re always trying to take a bite out of me to curry favor and build their reputations. But I have to admire them; those few ministers are truly extraordinary. Hehe, I think that Yan bastard Emperor and his cohorts are probably still dreaming that the court will recall Old Bastard Yang."

Troop deployment, strategic formulation, diplomatic maneuvering, and forging alliances—each step, each measure, could be said to have pushed political wisdom to its limits. To devise such a series of plans in so short a time was truly remarkable.

At this moment, however, Man Le sounded somewhat wistful. "It’s just a pity that if our Great Qian..."

He started to speak but didn’t continue.

If Great Qian’s 800,000 border troops and 800,000 imperial guards hadn’t fallen into disarray, if the majority weren’t just names on a roster, dealing with the Yan bastard would be much more manageable.

It was a known fact that Great Qian disbursed provisions and salaries annually based on the full numbers on the military rosters, effectively supporting hundreds of thousands of non-existent soldiers for years...

"Our Great Qian cannot produce a Tian Wujing," Prince Fu stated.

News from the Yan State had long since reached Qian. Over the years, Qian’s Silver Armored Guard had done an excellent job of infiltrating Yan and gathering intelligence. At the very least, the Silver Armored Guard’s performance far surpassed that of Great Qian’s border armies.

An embarrassed look appeared on Man Le’s face. Producing a Tian Wujing was, of course, impossible. The ministers couldn’t possibly emulate him. Though they were all aware of Great Qian’s "three redundancies" problem, no one had been able to change it. This was because they themselves, including the ministers’ own families, their protégés, and former subordinates, were all part of the problem. When reform required reforming oneself, it naturally stalled.

"Meng Geng, why are you so quiet?" Prince Fu asked. "This time, Old Bastard Yang specifically requested that I bring you along. It’s clear he genuinely appreciates you. Having traveled with you for many days, I know you’re not one for boasting or idle talk, but you must understand that life’s opportunities hinge on one word: ’seize’."

Hearing this, a look of gratitude spread across Meng Geng’s face. He naturally understood that tonight’s conversation was more than just Prince Fu idly chatting to pass the time; it was Prince Fu intentionally mentoring him. By sharing the intelligence he had gathered and the details he knew, Prince Fu was helping him prepare to make a good impression when he met Grand Commandant Yang tomorrow. This was a great kindness.

Meng Geng knelt. "This subordinate thanks Your Highness for your guidance," he said sincerely.

"Quickly, get up, get up! You mustn’t speak of this outside. This Prince is like a latrine pit—foul and best avoided. You absolutely mustn’t let anyone know of your connection to me, lest it hinder your prospects."

His words were spoken with sincerity.

Meng Geng kowtowed three times to Prince Fu, now regarding him as an elder.

Meng Geng hailed from the Meng Family. His father had once been a commander-in-chief under the Tattoo-faced Master. During the unprecedentedly large rebellion in the Southwest, which the Tattoo-faced Master ultimately suppressed, his father, as commander-in-chief, had held a lone city in the Southwest with only eight thousand Qian army soldiers for a year until reinforcements arrived. The Tattoo-faced Master was renowned for his daring and aggressive military tactics. Consequently, Meng Geng’s father played an even more crucial role. Whenever aggressive maneuvers were employed, a general skilled in defense was needed to secure vital positions. Meng Geng’s father fulfilled this role perfectly; no city under his defense was ever breached.

Skill in defensive strategy was, one might say, a Meng Family heirloom.

Unfortunately, after the Tattoo-faced Master met a bleak end, the Meng Family, having been one of his key supporters, was subsequently sidelined and dispatched to a remote post.

This time, Grand Commandant Yang had thought of this descendant of the Meng Family. His intentions were self-evident.

"Meng Geng, why don’t you share your thoughts? This Prince will help you evaluate them."

Tomorrow, he would meet Grand Commandant Yang. It felt like an impending examination.

Prince Fu genuinely had no intention of gaining anything from Meng Geng. As a vassal prince, the only way for him to seek personal gain was through rebellion. His support for Meng Geng stemmed purely from an appreciation for talent.

Meng Geng took a deep breath, appearing somewhat hesitant.

"Speak. Speak freely," Prince Fu encouraged.

Meng Geng nodded. "The arrangements made by the ministers and the decision made by Grand Commandant Yang are not wrong," he said. "Nor is what Your Highness has said incorrect."

"Say more."

Meng Geng took a step back and bowed to Prince Fu. "However," he said, "Your Highness does not understand military affairs."

Prince Fu was silent.

"AHEM..." Man Le, standing to one side, couldn’t help but cough.

Prince Fu, however, laughed nonchalantly. "If I understood military affairs, that would truly be..." He trailed off. Great Qian reared its vassal princes like pigs to be fattened, so Prince Fu simply made himself into one. If a vassal prince actually understood military strategy and warfare, how could the imperial court rest easy?

"Grand Commandant Yang’s decision is also excellent," Meng Geng continued, "but Grand Commandant Yang, in truth, also does not understand military affairs."

Grand Commandant Yang had indeed led troops and quelled numerous rebellions, but those were mostly peasant uprisings or bandit insurgencies.

"Continue," Prince Fu said, his expression beginning to darken.

"The ministers’ plans are also excellent, but the ministers, in truth, also do not understand military affairs."

This statement was tantamount to directly accusing the ministers of being mere armchair strategists, proficient only in empty talk.

Prince Fu was somewhat perplexed. "Is there more?" he asked.

"Yes."

"Continue."

"Your Highness, how do Li Liangting and Tian Wujing of the Yan court compare in status to our own ministers?"

"They are their equals, if not superior," Prince Fu replied.

Heaven knows what that Yan Emperor is thinking, daring to trust two military commanders who are also powerful nobles like that!

"What this subordinate wishes to say is this: Li Liangting and Tian Wujing understand military affairs."