Chapter 194 Movements in the Wes (2/2)
Meanwhile, Ju Shou also led the men to ransack the city's treasuries.
”Take all the gold and coins, leave the useless vases and the others!”
”Take all the provisions! Sack the houses of nobles, but leave the peasants' houses alone!”
The ten thousand men acted like bandits. They rushed into noble manors and plundered all of their gold and food. Strangely, they did not ravish, kill, or harm civilians.
A portion of the men rushed into the city's barrack, stealing weapons and soldier uniforms.
Before the sunset, these ruffians left the city, leaving the confusion and the mess behind.
”Bastard!”
”Curse your mother, Dong Zhuo!”
The families of the nobles cursed after the leaving soldiers. They swore that they would never be on the same page as Dong Zhuo and his men ever again.
Meanwhile, Zhang He and Ju Shou continued their operation.
”What's the next move, Sir Ju Shou?”
Although Jia Xu told Tong that they would occupy Henei to cut off the Imperial armies supply lines, it was a false info that Jia Xu intentionally leaked to fool the potential ally, Dong Zhuo, and any spy that was still lurking inside Tong's troops.
Jia Xu and Ju Shou had had a detailed discussion before their deployment. Only Ju Shou knew about Jia Xu's true aim. This venomous strategist only gave Ju Shou the general plans while Ju Shou had the authority to improvise.
Both strategists did not want to claim Henei from the very beginning. They wanted to use this city as a bargaining chip and sabotage Dong Zhuo's reputation in the long run. The city that they were eyeing on was Shangdang of Zhang Yang, which was a better strategic location to establish a foothold for the future expansion toward the south and the capital city.
However, since they were at it, Ju Shou believed that it would not hurt to steal a bit of wealth from this city's nobles, treasuries, and granaries.
”We take everything to Shangdang. First, let's change our uniform and the flags. Switch our flags to ”Wang” and the uniform into Henei Force.”
…
…
October 14th.
Shangdang City. South of Jinyang and west of Ye City.
Liu Ping sat on the main seat in the government hall, attending the military assembly.
Last month, this young Emperor had sent an edict to the governor of Jinyang and ordered Ding Yuan to tribute his resources and soldiers to his crusade army. Now, he was listening to the reply letter of Ding Yuan, reading by an official of this city.
[I, Ding Yuan, had served the Han Empire for all my life. This time, I shall do something that goes against my loyalty.
I have to apologize to Your Majesty! I will not tribute my resources and my men into this fight!
The famine this year hurts our economy and our food supply storage. I'm afraid that I cannot help Your Majesty for your ambition as I have to ensure the livelihood of the peasants and the soldiers of my city!
You may bypass my city to Julu if you wish, but my city gate will be closed! We have our hands full dealing with the border and the barbarian tribes. We shall not join you in this conflict!]
The official read the letter with trembling voice. He did not dare to look upward to glance at the Emperor.
*BANG*
Liu Ping flipped the small table in front of him over out of anger. His superman strength sent the table flying to the ceiling, crashing it into small pieces.
”That damn Ding Yuan. Is he rebelling!?” Liu Ping roared out. His voice echoed in the hall.
”Please appease your anger, Your Majesty. Ding Yuan is known to be a loyal minister. He must have his reason to decline an Imperial Edict.” Wang Yun attempted to calm this youth.
Every official nodded as they agreed to Wang Yun's words. They also knew about Ding Yuan's character.
Liu Ping snorted and sat down. He was still frustrated by the rejection.
”And what can we do to solve our food supply shortage!”
The Emperor realized he had made a huge blunder in this campaign. He was too optimistic about this year harvest and did not calculate the provision consumption of his massive troops!
Liu Ping stole Dong Zhuo's 150,000 conscripted militias with no military background. Wang Kuang took 50,000 combined forces of garrison soldiers, private soldiers from nobles, and mercenaries along from Henei City.
Shangdang Governor, Zhang Yang, and all his generals and nobles also wanted to tag along with Liu Ping in this crusade against Zhang Jiao of Julu. The eyes of these nobles were clouded with greed and ambition. They wished to take this chance to reap some benefits and achievements for their careers.
As a result, they rallied 50,000 combined armies of various organizations and joined Liu Ping's coalition as well.
The total of 250,000 soldiers would be marching to Julu!
The number was impressive. Unfortunately, because of the miscalculation in the provision supply and the plummetted harvests, everyone would starve if Liu Ping and his entourage did not do something before the end of November.
Therefore, Liu Ping came up with a plan. He wanted to move to Jinyang first to ask for Ding Yuan's supplies as he heard that this city had stocked plenty of supplies for the frontline troops at the border.
Alas, the reckless Emperor was disappointed again. Ding Yuan refused to tribute a few tons of grains, and he would not participate in this crusade as they had to defend the border.
”Lu Zhi! You come up with a plan, or I'll kill everyone in your family!”
Everybody in the hall looked at Lu Zhi with pity and sympathy. He was once a high-ranking official with prestige and honor. However, all of them knew that Lu Zhi had a close tie with Zhang Tong as they were mentor and disciple.
Right now, he was a hostage and a death row prisoner who would be killed the moment they reached Julu. Moreover, his family members were also being held captive by Liu Ping. Lu Zhi was always forced to utilize his talent for the Emperor against his will. If he were to refuse, heads of his relatives would roll.
Lu Zhi stared at Liu Ping in solemn. He did not reveal his anger or despair. On the contrary, his eyes were full of hope.