Chapter 360 (1/2)
“Not enough provisions?” Inside the main hall of Shouchun, a provision officer had given his report to his two Lords. One was his Lord the other was his Little Lord. One was the nominal owner of Yangzhou while the other was the actual one.
“The provisions are running out again?” Lu Bu felt a headache. When he obtained Lujiang, there were hundreds and thousands of provisions. This was obtained by raiding the n.o.bles. His treasured son-in-law even executed them. The n.o.bles raided were those that could even eat their fill while the common people starved. It was enough for the Lu Bu’s Army to eat for several years. However, they quickly ran out to the point they need to stinge on food the moment Liu Mang gave out the recruitment order. One of the reasons is because of Sun Ce who gave him millions of people to feed.
They initially had enough to feed hundreds of thousands of people but it was definitely not enough to feed millions. Lu Bu was angry that Liu Mang did not consult him first but felt better when he thought that this would give Liu Mang experience. Besides, Sun Ce had also given Yangzhou a lot of opportunities by scheming against them.
There would be new hope once they get past their provision problem. Shouchun was a fertile land. With this many people, they would be able to expand their army. Lu Bu would once again be able to return amongst the top few warlords.
In ancient times, war is waged using funds, provisions and population.
“The hundred thousand provisions sent to us by Cao Cao is also about to finis.h.!.+” Liu Mang and Xu Shu had found out that Cao Cao had sent provisions just in time for them to appease the people. It could be said that Cao Cao had helped them in their hour of need.
“Milord. These hundred thousand provisions may be a lot but it is not enough for millions of people. Right now, the next harvest would be in about four months while our provisions could only last for one month!” Xu Shu cupped his fist as he said to Liu Mang.
Lu Bu voiced no complaints about Xu Shu calling Liu Mang ‘Milord’ as Xu Shu was Liu Mang’s subordinate. Lu Bu even considers Liu Mang his successor.
“One month. Four months!” These words gave everyone a headache. With more than two months difference, they were unable to tough it out.
This serious problem poured cold water on Liu Mang’s joy of defeating Liu Bei and Zhang Xiu. Sun Ce’s stratagem was still in effect. Handling this poorly would result in a riot. After all, the people only cared about whether they could eat their fill. They would not care about who was in charge.
“Hanyang. I will have Gongtai send you provisions from Lujiang first.” Lu Bu saw Liu Mang frown and also knew of the urgency at Yangzhou. Lujiang had just received a large amount of provision from the main camp of the Jingzhou navy. This was one of the reasons Lu Bu was able to dispatch so many troops despite being watch by Sun Ce.
“It is not enough!” Liu Mang shook his head and declined. Lujiang had almost been emptied by Liu Mang. There would not be much even when counting the ones they obtained from Jingzhou. These hundred thousand provisions was not enough. What would another hundred thousand provisions do? Besides that, the people at Lujiang would also need to eat.
“Milord. There are three ways to obtain provisions.” Liu Ye opened his mouth. Liu Ye became Liu Mang’s Military Advisor when he went out to fight at Yuzhou. Naturally, he had to return his position when he returned to Shouchun. After all, Xu Shu was Liu Mang real Military Advisor while Liu Ye’s main position was to handle Liu Mang’s industrial zone. Unfortunately, the industrial zone had been destroyed and they would need quite some time before it could be set back up. That was why Liu Ye was here.
“Ziyang. Tell me all of it!” Liu Mang replied to Liu Ye. Lu Bu nodded as he looked at Liu Mang’s two advisors. Liu Mang was no longer alone. He now had Xu Shu and Liu Ye to advise him.
Lu Bu had never heard of these two men before but their achievements had told him that they were capable. Xu Shu managed to defend Shouchun with only tens of thousands of soldiers. If it was not because of Pang Tong’s schemes, the gate may not have even be opened. Yangzhou was well run under Xu Shu’s guidance. The people also worked in peace.
Liu Ye have also contributed a lot by following Liu Mang on his expedition. They ambushed and defeated seven thousand Xiliang Cavalry. They even managed to obtain three thousand cavalry soldiers and five thousand horses. How could Lu Bu not feel delighted from this-?
As far as generals go, Yangzhou was already stable. Liu Mang now not only have the Black Flag Army and the Urban Army. He now also have the White Horses led by Zhao Yun. The White Horses had given Lu Bu and impression as the White Horses led by Gongsun Zan was not that far away from the Wolf Cavalry in strength. Even then, Lu Bu did not drool at Liu Mang’s talented personnel. For advisors, Chen Gong was enough for him. As for the generals, he had Zang Ba, Zhang Liao and Gao Shun. He himself was also a fearsome general as he was the G.o.d of War. He looked at Liu Mang like an elder watching a junior.
“Milord. The first method would be to rob others!” Liu Ye said to Liu Mang.
“Rob?” Liu Mang thought about it and then asked, “Is there even anywhere you can rob nearby?” Liu Mang only had two neighbours which was Cao Cao and Liu Bei. Although Cao Cao had provisions, his provisions were all placed at Jinzhou. Liu Mang would only be able to attack Yanzhou and Xuzhou. Besides that, Cao Cao had given him provisions in his time of need. At the very least, he needed to remember this favour. The other option was to attack Liu Bei. It may be a good plan but it may also cause Liu Bei to enter a life or death struggle. Besides that, Liu Bei may not have much left and dispatching the troops would also need a lot of provisions. As a result, Liu Mang rejected this first option.
“Then, the second method would be to borrow provisions from our neighbours.”
“Borrow provisions?” Liu Mang shook his head as he laughed bitterly. This was not possible. When Cao Cao sent provisions over, he also sent a messenger saying that he wanted Liu Mang’s ballista. The ballista was something Liu Mang could sell to anyone except Cao Cao. The ballista would allow Cao Cao to unify the North quicker. Once that happens, Cao Cao would turn his eyes on the Central Plains. The Lu Bu’s Army would then suffer from this. As a result, borrowing provisions from Cao Cao would not be possible and the plan was rejected.
“Milord. The only remaining option is to buy provisions.” Liu Ye helplessly shook his head. The only option left was to buy provisions.
“Is it possible to buy provisions?” Liu Mang was not confident. During times of war, provisions were a necessity and is rarely traded.
“Milord. Other than the methods Ziyang have suggested, do you have any other ideas?” Xu Shu interjected.