Chapter 442 Autumn Harvest

The autumn wind blows all along the Jingshui River, and the vast fields are golden.

Beside the field ridge, the carriage was about to rest. The charioteer took a bag from the side and fed the concentrated feed mixed with beans to the two horses along the way.

Wei Liao just got off the carriage, stretched his body along the way, looked at the movements of the charioteer, and asked.

"Do pack horses also need to eat such good feed?"

The charioteer smiled honestly.

"Lord Lieutenant, these two are not pack horses, they are two fine war horses that have just come from the Northland Racecourse."

Wei Liao went to Qin as an envoy to discuss the alliance between Qin and Wei. However, this matter was done, and others were left behind.

The king of Qin knew that he was an outstanding talent and appointed him as a national captain.

"workhorse?"

Wei Liao just took a glance and saw that the two horses were small in size and thought they were pack horses. After a closer look, he realized that the two horses had good muscles and strong hoofs.

"Most of Qin's war horses are from Longxi. Did they come from the Xiongnu?"

"They came from Hanyang Jun's horse farm. They just sent fifty fine horses this year."

Zhao Shuang?

Wei Liao thought of the man who forced him to jump into the river on the bank of Zhangshui River that year. In the long time since I entered Qin, I have not seen him.

"Since it's a war horse, why not send it to the army but become a pack horse?"

The charioteer smiled and looked at Wei Liao. As he spoke, the movements in his hands did not stop.

"Master Guowei, who doesn't know that you are trusted by our king? The people at the Che Mansion and the Horse Guarding Garden are also looking at the dishes. A total of ten war horses have been left behind. I have sent two to you. .”

Wei Liao didn't expect that there were so many other things involved. He smiled, nodded, and walked deep into the fertile fields.

There was a severe drought in the spring and summer this year, followed by heavy rains. Between the drought and the flood, no matter how good the seedlings were, they would not be able to survive. The six countries in Shandong were all affected by the disaster and had more or less bad harvests.

But Qin is different. This year, unlike the six Shandong countries, it needs to rely on the grain stored in the warehouse to survive.

Looking at the large fields of crops in front of him that were ripe and about to be harvested, Wei Liao had to sigh that Qin's national power was getting stronger and stronger, and it had gradually gained the ability to dominate the world.

Even if the grain stored in the warehouse is not used, it is enough to survive this famine year. Perhaps, there is still progress.

Wei Liao walked forward and saw a familiar figure between him and Qian Mo.

Right Prime Minister Chang Pingjun!

Compared with Zhao Shuang, Wei Liao met him frequently in the Qin court. Although he did not have a close relationship with him, he could be said to be acquainted with him.

"Changping-kun!"

When Lord Changping saw the visitor, he seemed a little surprised as he did not expect to meet him in the fields.

"What's the matter with Lieutenant Guo here?"

"Qin wants to use troops against Zhao next year, so he came to see how the harvest in Guanzhong will be this year."

Chang Pingjun nodded.

"The Prime Minister is here for this reason. Although the grain harvest situation in various parts of the Qin State this year is not satisfactory, judging from the reports from various places, the remaining grain can still support a war."

After saying that, Changping Jun looked at Wei Liao with a smile on his face.

"I was about to ask my husband for advice. What should I do if I want to attack Zhao?"

"Qin wants to attack Zhao. One of them leaves Hangu, enters Sanchuan, and goes north via Yedi; the other goes out of Shangdang, enters Taihang, and goes south via Jingxing. Each of the two routes, the south and the north, has its own advantages and disadvantages.

The former is easy to transport grain, and now that Ye land has returned to the Qin Dynasty, the battle line has been shortened. It can approach Zhangshui and attack Pingyang for a long time. However, the disadvantage is that even if Pingyang is captured, it will still have to face the Great Wall built by the Warring States Period at Zhangshui. Even if all the surrounding cities were lost, Handan could still mobilize sufficient strength to defend the capital by relying on the Great Wall. The resistance faced by the Qin army will be great.

The latter does not need to face so many strong defenses. In addition, General Wang Jian has already captured Queyu and Huyang. The Qin army can go straight out of Jingxing. However, the shortcomings are still obvious. The grain road is more than twice as long. If they go south to Handan , If the important towns along the way are not captured and sufficient defenders are left, once Li Mu's army goes south, the return route will be cut off and the army will be in danger of destruction. "

At this time, in the distance, county officials and people from nearby counties came to collect grain. Seeing that the people here were well-dressed and guarded by soldiers, they walked around cautiously.

"These grains will be sent to Yueyang Dacang. Once the grain collection from various places is completed, Fan Yuqi's army will move to Sanchuan."

At this time, south of the river, the three kingdoms of Han, Wei, and Qi had allied themselves with Qin, and the pressure on Dongjun had been relieved. For the Qin army, the diplomatic strategy of attacking Zhao has been completed.

Changping Jun said and glanced at Wei Liao.

"Sir, what route do you think our army should take?"

Wei Liao didn't speak, and Chang Pingjun stopped and looked at him.

"Why don't you speak, sir?"

"Mr. Changping, do you have a choice in your mind?"

Chang Pingjun smiled. If you take the north route, you may meet Li Mu. Moreover, Qin's harvest this year is not much, and the military rations provided by the rear cannot support the army's persistence on the north road for a long time.

Working hard but without success is not what Changping Jun wants to see.

"I heard that when our army attacked Zhao that day, my husband was also in Zhao. I wonder if you have any insights on that battle?"

"It's amazing that tens of thousands of troops were able to attack Handan City in that battle. But if General Wang Jian hadn't captured Queyu in time, emerged from Jingxing, and completed the encirclement between the north and the south, the final result would not have been what it is now."

"Yes, but this time it's different."

Fan Yuqi's army did not go northward at first. Seeing that Wang Jian's army and Yang Duan's army had achieved such great military exploits, the soldiers and generals all complained.

The reason why Lord Changping wants to fight for the position of general this time is not only to control Zhao Shuang's power, but also to give his own generals the opportunity to gain military exploits and calm the grievances in everyone's hearts.

In contrast, taking the southern route will lengthen the maintenance time of the grain road, allowing Fan Yuqi enough time to arrange an attack. Moreover, he will not encounter Li Mu, so the risk is much smaller. The important thing is that what Zhao Shuang was able to do that day, Changping Jun wanted to prove that it was not that extraordinary.

Only in this way can Zhao Shuang's growing power in the army be curbed.

Wei Liao knew in his heart that there were internal disputes in the Qin State, so he didn't want to say anything. Seeing Mr. Changping's confident look, he already knew the other party's choice.

At this time, on the road in the distance, a caravan was approaching, heading towards Xianyang.

"Who is that caravan?"

Wei Liao was a little surprised. This caravan didn't look like Qin's caravan in terms of clothing or horses.

Chang Ping-kun smiled, his expression a little strange.

"That's Zhao Shuang's caravan, back from Qi State. My son-in-law is about to reach his prime, but he has no intention of becoming an official in the court. He only focuses on his career as a merchant."

This caravan from Qi State will pass through Dongjun, so naturally it cannot be hidden from Lord Changping.

"We made some money from the trade route with the Yueshi. This time, it seems that we will increase the size and number of the caravan, and we also specially brought treasures produced in Qi."

"Mr. Changping doesn't seem to be very optimistic about it?"

Lord Changping smiled, his eyes dark.

"The journey to the west is difficult and dangerous, and we are in a barbaric land. The barbarians are cunning and changeable. Who knows?"