Chapter 222: Inference
Editor: Atlas Studios
The people escorting the rations were from the 5th Division. Most of them knew Mu Yangling. The people who had wanted to stop Mu Yangling hurriedly smiled when they saw that it was her. “So it’s Miss Mu.” He glanced at the traces on the ground and came to a realization. “Miss Mu, don’t worry. We’ll get someone to deal with the traces now. Thank you for your reminder.”
Mu Yangling only nodded slightly before turning around to leave.
She used a tree branch to draw a rough map on the ground, highlighting Jingzhao Prefecture, Hanzhong Prefecture, and Cai Prefecture.
Since Hanzhong Prefecture was being attacked, if she was from the Jin Kingdom, she would first seek help from the Jingzhao Prefecture. At the same time, she would also send a message to the Cai Prefecture’s garrison to make preparations and provide support.
The Jingzhao Prefecture was the capital, and it was also the political center of the previous Great Zhou land now occupied by Jin soldiers. The people of the Jin Kingdom called this place Xijing. They definitely did not dare to send too many reinforcements in case someone attacked the Jingzhao Prefecture.
However, the number of Jin soldiers stationed in Cai Prefecture was no less than in Jingzhao Prefecture. This was because outside Cai Prefecture was the Yuan family’s army.
Mu Yangling had heard from Qi Haoran that there were more than 120,000 soldiers in the Yuan family’s army, and this was merely the data that Qi Xiuyuan knew. The Yuan family’s army would only increase in size after the restructuring of the military system, so the number of Jin soldiers stationed in Cai Prefecture was not small.
It would take seven days to march from Cai Prefecture to Hanzhong Prefecture. Unless Qi Xiuyuan could completely occupy Hanzhong Prefecture in seven days, he might face a pincer attack from three sides.
Mu Yangling propped her chin on her hand and squatted on the ground to think. Qi Xiuyuan was an experienced general when it came to leading troops, so he definitely knew this. She just didn’t know what other trump cards he had.
Mu Yangling quickly knew what trump cards he had.
Qi Xiuyuan’s dispatch of troops to Hanzhong Prefecture stunned a group of people. There were people who objected, and there were also people who cheered.
Discussions about this matter could be heard everywhere in Xingzhou Prefecture. The storyteller in the teahouse had already changed to talking about Qi Xiuyuan’s story and the anecdotes of various generals reclaiming their homeland.
As the magistrate of Xingzhou Prefecture, Wu Shancai only found out about this after Qi Xiuyuan sent out his troops. In the past, he could still restrain the army because the army’s rations came from the locals. However, now that the army’s rations were about to be self-sufficient, Qi Xiuyuan was not restrained at all.
Wu Shancai went to the military camp to protest, but he did not even see Qi Xiuyuan. The citizens of Xingzhou Prefecture looked outside Xingcheng Pass in fear and anticipation. On the first day, they only heard the shouts and horns outside the pass. After that, the soldiers led by Qi Xiuyuan seemed to have rushed to the territory of Hanzhong Prefecture, and the ordinary citizens could no longer hear any news of them.
Just as they were worried about the future of the West Camp and Xingzhou Prefecture, news came from Cai Prefecture that the Yuan family’s army had also sent troops to Cai Prefecture.
The citizens of Xingzhou Prefecture were instantly in an uproar as they shouted, “Reclaim our homeland!”
Everyone’s worries about Qi Xiuyuan vanished and they now said confidently, “With General Yuan sending troops, we might really be able to take back Hanzhong Prefecture this time.”
“The Yuan family army has a total of 130,000 soldiers and is very disciplined. Plus, General Yuan is very strategic. As long as the Emperor doesn’t stop him, he will definitely be able to take back Hanzhong Prefecture.”
Such comments filled the streets and alleys of Xingzhou Prefecture. Only then did Mu Yangling know the reason why Qi Xiuyuan dared to attack Hanzhong Prefecture.
Mu Yangling heaved a sigh of relief. With General Yuan sending troops, the pressure on the West Camp would be much less.
However, Fan Zijin was a little unhappy. It was clearly Eldest Cousin’s decision to send troops to take back Hanzhong Prefecture, and the troops were also sent by Eldest Cousin. Why did all the credit go to General Yuan in the end?
However, he could not say this to Rong Xuan. He could only complain to Mu Yangling when he returned to the 5th Division to transport the rations.
However, Mu Yangling said, “You think that General Yuan took the credit that rightfully belongs to General Qi, but how would you know that General Yuan is willing to take the credit? It’s still unknown if it’s a blessing or misfortune. But to General Yuan, such rumors are more harmful than beneficial.”
“The Emperor might be wary of him because of his accomplishments?” Fan Zijin asked in return.
Mu Yangling said, “Although I don’t know much, I’ve heard His Majesty is suspicious of General Yuan. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have sent eight gold medals to recall General Yuan back then, causing him to lose Jingzhao Prefecture and the other three prefectures. Now that such words have spread, wouldn’t it be more harmful than beneficial to General Yuan? He probably knows that the Emperor will be even more suspicious after he sends out his troops, but he still sent out troops to help General Qi restrain Cai Prefecture’s troops. To be honest, I admire him very much.”
Fan Zijin smiled bitterly. “I’ve judged a gentleman’s heart with my own narrow-mindedness.”
Mu Yangling nodded and patted his shoulder. “That’s why General Qi asked you to learn more from Brother Rong Xuan. You can tell Brother Rong Xuan about your doubts. I’m sure he will be happy to teach you.”
Fan Zijin raised his eyebrows and looked at her. “You’re addressing him so affectionately. When did you become so familiar with Brother Rong Xuan?”
Mu Yangling rolled her eyes and said, “Since when did I become familiar with Brother Rong Xuan? He was the one who asked me to call him that. Although we’ve only met a few times, I think I have pretty good judgment.”
Mu Yangling said, “Don’t interfere in this matter. Don’t clarify it, and don’t add fuel to the fire. The general should have a way to deal with it.” Mu Yangling looked at him and said, “You guys sent the troops without the Emperor’s approval this time, right? What’s the attitude of the emissary?”
“If they waited to submit a letter asking for the Emperor’s permission, the Jin Kingdom would have already deployed their troops.” Fan Zijin pursed his lips and said, “As for the emissary, he’s being served well in the General’s Residence now. He’s extremely comfortable.”
Mu Yangling knew that they had placed him under house arrest. She thought for a moment and said in a low voice, “Actually, it’s better to let him go now than to put him under house arrest.”
Fan Zijin blinked and looked at Mu Yangling for a while. Enlightened, he looked at Mu Yangling with a complicated expression and said, “I didn’t expect you to be so smart. I’ll remember this favor. When Eldest Cousin comes back later, I’ll tell him to come over and thank you.”
Mu Yangling waved her hand and said, “We’re grasshoppers on the same rope. It’s only when you guys are doing well that my family will be doing well. I don’t want you guys to celebrate in prison after risking your lives to take down Hanzhong Prefecture.”
Fan Zijin snorted. “You’re underestimating us too much. Eldest Cousin already has a way to deal with it.”
“It’s still inevitable to suffer, right?” Mu Yangling looked in the direction of Xingcheng Pass and asked, “Although I know I shouldn’t ask, I still want to know where the general and the others are now.”
Fan Zijin was silent for a moment before saying, “Your father isn’t with Eldest Cousin. He’s with Haoran at the back, but as long as Haoran is fine, your father should be fine.”
Mu Yangling patted his shoulder and said, “Thank you.”
Fan Zijin stood up and said, “I’m here to escort the rations. It’s time to leave now. By the way, more than half of the people from the 5th Division have been transferred away. There are very few people left now, so you have to pay attention to the large cornfields here. Keep a close eye on it and don’t let anyone steal from it.”
“Speaking of which, I remember now.” Mu Yangling jumped up and said, “Grandpa Sun asked me to ask you for an authorization document so that he can organize a patrol day and night.”
To Fan Zijin, this was very simple. He immediately got Yanmo to get a piece of ink and wrote it down. Then, he stamped his seal and handed it to her.