Allure of a Country Maiden
Chapter 1172 - 1169_1

Chapter 1172: Chapter 1169_1

Zezhou

Cartloads of grain were being transported into the slightly rundown county town.

The streets were sparsely populated, with most shops closing down for good. Damaged houses could be seen everywhere.

If it wasn’t for the heavily guarded city gates and the occasional passersby on the street, one might think this was a deserted city.

As Di Shaowei watched cartloads of grain and medicine entering the city, he said to the person next to him, "Notify the citizens to come and collect the grain."

Soon, sounds of drumming and bell-ringing echoed through the streets and alleys: "The government is distributing grain. Everyone, hurry to the city gate to get some!"

Upon hearing this, the spirit of the citizens lifted. They were city dwellers without farmland, mostly relying on purchasing food and vegetables for a living. Currently, all the grain stores had closed down, and whatever little food they had at home was already depleted even if they had only been consuming porridge daily.

Upon hearing this news, many open their doors, poke their heads out to see if it’s true.

Many people were still somewhat fearful of the soldiers from Minze Country. Some people waited for a while, and then, driven by hunger, couldn’t help but venture out to investigate.

Upon arriving at the city gate, they saw stacks of grain in sacks on one side and soldiers distributing grain.

An old woman couldn’t help but go forward to ask, "Is there grain for sale here?"

A soldier replied, "No, it’s not for sale. This is distributed by the imperial court, and each household can get a litre of rice every day. Old lady, you can go home and bring your household certificate to exchange for a grain card, and then you can come to collect rice every day until the grain stores in the city reopen."

One litre of rice isn’t much, but it’s enough to make porridge for a family’s three meals a day.

For the citizens who surrendered in the conquered city, Di Shaowei arranged for the distribution of household certificates immediately. These certificates were prepared beforehand, and only needed to be filled with names.

Only those who possessed a household certificate could stay in the city. If anything happened, the certificate would facilitate a search by the soldiers.

"Is this true? No need for silver coins?" The old woman, thinking she had misheard, asked again.

This was not a year of famine, and there were no natural disasters. Could it be possible that the imperial court was actually distributing grain to them?

"Yes, it’s true. You don’t need silver coins. This is a special relief effort by the imperial court to help everyone through this difficult time. When the magistrate arrives, the imperial court will help everyone lead better lives!. If anyone in your family is sick and needs to see a doctor or get medicine, go to the Renji Hall to get medicine and treatment. There’s a doctor on duty there." Di Shaowei stood aside and explained specially.

The Renji Hall was originally a well-known clinic in Xu County. When their troops attacked, the entire clinic was deserted, which provided a temporary consultation place for the military doctors.

Upon hearing the news, the old woman ran back home happily, shouting along the way, "The imperial court is distributing grain! One litre of rice per household per day! Hurry up and take your household certificates to get some rice!"

The soldiers watched the old woman running away, dumbfounded, wondering where she got the energy to run so fast and shout so loudly.

Upon hearing the old woman’s words, the citizens began to open their doors one by one.

The old woman’s neighbour asked, "Mrs. Liu, is this true? Is the new imperial court distributing grain? Is no silver needed?"

"Yes, it’s true. I’ve just asked. I’m going home to fetch my household certificate now!" After leaving her words behind, the old woman hurried into her house.

Upon hearing her words, the neighbour immediately ran into his house to get his brand new household certificate.

Soon, the area for grain distribution was filled with people queued up to receive grain.

Di Shaowei observed the situation for a while, gave some instructions to the soldiers, and then left.

At this time, some shops on the street secretly opened their doors. They saw people on the street either running towards the city gates with their household certificates or walking towards their homes with small cloth bags of rice.

The generals of Minze Country were really bold enough to use military food to help local citizens?! The shopkeeper of a certain shop saw this and his expression became hard to read.

Inside the Imperial Palace of Nangong Country

"Using military food to aid the citizens? Let’s see how long their military food lasts!" Upon hearing the news, Gong Qinghua couldn’t help but reveal a strange smile.

His objective had been achieved, he knew that Shangguan Xuanjun would certainly use military food to aid the citizens.

Humph! Just a tiny Minze Country. Nangong Country hasn’t even launched an attack yet, and they dare to attack directly!

After enjoying a few good days, they dared to challenge such a big country. He was determined to show them what a strong nation truly meant!

He had just received their battle plan and the route for food transportation.

First, cut off their military food supply. Then drive them out of Nangong Country!

Based on his understanding of Minze Country, they would definitely fall for this trick and wouldn’t change the battle plan.

And how could such a perfect battle plan be modified?!

No matter how they would modify it, it would only add a risk to this war.

Where would Di Shaowei and Shangguan Xuanjun attack next?

Gong Qinghua glanced at the piece of paper on the desk, densely covered with tiny black ink characters, and pondered.

After a while, he finally spoke, "Announce, General Liang, General Wang, ... and the six Secretaries from the Ministries to enter the palace immediately for an audience!"

"Yes!"

Half an hour later, several generals hurriedly arrived in front of Gong Qinghua. Then, they knelt on one knee and saluted, "Your Majesty, long live Your Majesty!"

"Rise!"

"General Wang, immediately mobilise fifty thousand troops and secretly advance to Nanjiang County. Then, station your troops there and wait for further orders.."

Nanjiang County was the neighboring county of Jiangdong County.

"As commanded by Your Majesty!"

"General Tang, lead fifteen thousand elite troops to Sansha Bay. Guard the three forks secretly. If you find the enemy’s food transport team, you must seize their food! If you can’t seize it, destroy it. You must not let the enemy’s food reach the front line!"

"Your Majesty, I will not disappoint you!" It might be a bit difficult to seize the food, but it was easy to destroy it!

"General Tang, you can leave now to make arrangements!" This matter was urgent.

"Your Majesty, I’ll take my leave!" General Tang, hearing this, immediately left to handle the matter.

At this time, other officials also rushed over.

"Gentlemen, come and see!" Gong Qinghua called several of them to the map of Nangong Country.

This map was much more detailed than the one in the palace of Minze Country, but not as detailed as the one painted by Xiao’er.

"At present, both armies had just completed a battle, with our army suffering numerous casualties and losing a city.

Minze Country’s sudden attack took us by surprise. Losing two cities is understandable, but we cannot keep this up!"

Gong Qinghua paused and then continued, "Just received news that the enemy army is using their military food to aid citizens. Presumably, they won’t go to war for the time being.

If they do go to war, they are bound to attack Jiangyang County. This is Jiangyang County..., when the time comes, General Wang..." Gong Qinghua detailed his plan to them and asked, "What do you all think?"

Upon hearing Gong Qinghua’s words, everyone praised the Emperor’s wisdom!

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