Chapter 62: Chapter 61 Strong Unease Chapter 62: Chapter 61 Strong Unease Yang Zhenshan didn’t know what was happening in the main general’s tent; at this moment, he was worrying about the grain and fodder for the Left Camp.
The army’s advance depended on rations being dispatched first. However, the mobilization from Chongshan Town had been too rushed, and both the Governor’s Office and the Governor’s Office were underprepared.
This time, the Left Camp only carried a month’s worth of grain and fodder. It wasn’t that he and Zhao Yuan didn’t want to bring more, but that was all the Governor’s Office provided them with.
Now, they had been away from Chongshan Pass for over half a month, meaning the remaining grain and fodder would only last for about ten more days.
“Mr. Zhao, we must return to the city to transport grain as soon as possible!”
In the camp of the Left Camp, Yang Zhenshan and Zhao Yuan walked side by side around the granary, assessing the remaining supplies.
Zhao Yuan’s complexion was somewhat pale, his brows laden with unmistakable exhaustion.
Matters in the military were complicated, and logistical affairs were even more disorderly and numerous. The Supply Team was responsible not only for transporting food and fodder but also various equipment.
If it was a field battle, they also had to take care of the soldiers’ weapons, armor maintenance, and replacements. If it was a siege, they needed to handle wood logging, stone gathering, and the making of siege equipment, and so on.
Since the campaign started, Zhao Yuan had not had a good sleep, perpetually busy and overextended.
Similarly, Yang Zhenshan was also constantly busy, even busier than Zhao Yuan in many aspects, even though Zhao Yuan had been in the military for four years, he was not as capable as Yang Zhenshan in many areas.
Zhao Yuan rubbed his brow and said helplessly, “The task of transporting grain depends on Mr. Zhengshan, I’m afraid I can’t leave the camp!”
“I understand, your subordinate can handle this matter!” Yang Zhenshan naturally understood that Zhao Yuan couldn’t go back.
“Desuccess!”
Zhao Yuan wasted no words, immediately calling over his capable subordinate.
“Sir! You called for me!”
Soon, a youthful man in his twenties with a slim face and sharp features hurried over.
“Take two teams and five hundred civilians, follow Yang Hundred Households back to the city to transport the grain from the granary!” Zhao Yuan said wearily.
“As you command!” Zhao Desheng glanced at Yang Zhenshan and quickly agreed.
With Zhao Yuan’s order, Yang Zhenshan did not delay further and left the camp the same day with his soldiers and civilians.
However, once out of the camp, Yang Zhenshan felt an unsettling feeling, as if some significant event was about to happen.
He rode his horse alongside the group of civilians, looking back towards the fluttering flags of the camp, his brow tightly furrowed.
The feeling of unease was intense, but he did not know where it stemmed from.
Was it from the main army’s camp, or was it from themselves?
“Dad! What are you looking at?”
Yang Mingzhi rode over and asked softly.
“It’s nothing,” Yang Zhenshan shook his head and spurred his horse forward.
The procession moved on, civilians in the middle driving carts, soldiers around them providing escort, with Yang Mingwu and others riding as scouts.
“Dad, do you think we can win?” Yang Mingzhi followed beside Yang Zhenshan, asking in a lowered voice.
It was everyone’s first time being dispatched with the army, and they were all very nervous.
Yang Zhenshan, holding the reins, gave him a glance and said calmly, “If we encounter the enemy, stay close to me, and never leave my side!”
He did not offer words of encouragement because he also did not know if they could win this battle.
Instead of giving Yang Mingzhi unrealistic expectations, it was better for Yang Mingzhi to focus on preserving his life.
For them, simply surviving on the battlefield was already a victory; whether they could win the war was not something these minor figures needed to worry about.
“Will we encounter the enemy?” Yang Mingzhi’s figure jolted, vigilantly scanning the surroundings.
The rolling hills connected to the grey sky, and looking around, all was a verdant green without a single person in sight.
“I don’t know, just be careful. Go and inform Ming Wu and the others!” Yang Zhenshan instructed earnestly.
“Okay!”
Yang Mingzhi responded and hurriedly rode his horse to find Yang Mingwu and others.
The troop advanced, but Yang Zhenshan’s worries seemed unnecessary, as they didn’t encounter a single enemy until they reached Chongshan Pass.
However, even as Yang Zhenshan entered Chongshan Pass, the unease in his heart did not subside.
When Yang Zhenshan returned to Chongshan Pass, the Eastern Army set off again, leaving Black Cloud Mountain and heading towards Fushan City.
By the time Yang Zhenshan left Chongshan Pass with the provisions, the Eastern Army had already reached the outskirts of Fushan City.
At the same time, Yang Zhenshan also received news that Left Camp had already headed to Fushan City.
Left with no choice, Yang Zhenshan could only follow the orders and lead the provisions towards Fushan City.
The road from Chongshan Pass to Fushan City differs from the one to Black Cloud Mountain; heading to Black Cloud Mountain requires going straight north, but it’s best to go to Fushan City by circling the rolling hills from the east along the north of Songyuan River.
Although this requires a detour, the route is relatively flat and faster.
Of course, the route of the army’s provisions is not for Yang Zhenshan to decide on his own; which path to take is arranged by the subordinates under the command of the main general.
As rear troops are also needed along the way, Yang Zhenshan and his group are just the Supply Team, with the task of protecting the provisions left to the rear camp of Left Camp.
Although the change of the provision route made the journey much smoother, transporting provisions remains a strenuous task, and both the oxen, mules, and porters were extremely tired after days of continuous travel.
At noon that day, under the scorching sun, Yang Zhenshan allowed the troop to stop for a rest on a riverside.
In fact, Yang Zhenshan already treated the porters quite well, at least not allowing the soldiers to whip them nor letting them go hungry.
During the rest, porters took out their dry food and started eating while the soldiers gathered in small groups eating their cold mixed-grain pancakes.
“Sir, according to our journey, we should be able to catch up with the main army by tomorrow!” Zhao Desheng, sitting next to Yang Zhenshan, spoke while biting into a pancake.
Despite Zhao Desheng’s sly appearance, after getting to know him, Yang Zhenshan found him to be a sincere person.
Although Zhao Desheng is a flag officer under Zhao Yuan, in truth he is Zhao Yuan’s servant. Having followed Zhao Yuan since childhood, he is one of Zhao Yuan’s most trusted people.
This time, Zhao Yuan let him accompany Yang Zhenshan to transport provisions was also to provide some support to Yang Zhenshan.
Although in terms of capabilities and strength, Yang Zhenshan far surpasses Zhao Desheng, in understanding Chongshan Pass, Zhao Desheng is far more knowledgeable than Yang Zhenshan.
The swiftness in obtaining provisions from the Ministry of Revenue this time was all due to Zhao Desheng’s efforts.
Yang Zhenshan handed Zhao Desheng a piece of dried meat, saying, “Eat more, later you’ll need to be responsible for looking after these porters!”
Zhao Desheng took the dried meat, looking at Yang Zhenshan in surprise, “Sir, are you worried that we might encounter enemies?”
“Yes!” Yang Zhenshan nodded subtly, “The closer we get to Fushan City, the more cautious we must be!”
“Isn’t it said that the main army has already surrounded Fushan City?” asked Zhao Desheng.
Yang Zhenshan drank a gulp of cold water, his brow creased with unconcealable worry.
The closer to Fushan City, the stronger the unease in his heart.
This feeling was strange, almost like a constant premonition alerting him.
Sixth sense!
Always without proof, yet its existence cannot be denied.
Especially since Yang Zhenshan had been drinking Spiritual Spring Water for almost a year, enhancing all his senses, perhaps this sixth sense was also enhanced?
Yang Zhenshan wasn’t sure whether this unease was accurate or not, but that didn’t stop him from being cautious.
“It shouldn’t be!” Zhao Desheng showed a nervous expression.
After all, he was just over twenty, about the same age as Yang Mingwu, still a young man, facing his first battlefield with a heart full of fear and anxiety.
However, no sooner had Zhao Desheng finished speaking than several urgent hoofbeats came from the west.