The night was getting darker, and after Yu Ziyou fell asleep, Yu Zheng came back wrapped in the howling cold wind.
"Husband." Jiang Shu immediately stood up to greet him and hugged Yu Zheng's arm.
Yu Zheng asked in a hoarse voice: "Is Ziyou asleep?"
"Yes." Jiang Shu nodded, pulled him to sit down at the table, and asked Chu Yu to pass the meal quickly.
"Husband, warm your hands first." Jiang Shu put Mrs. Tang into Yu Zheng's hand.
Shuanghua served a cup of hot tea, and after Yu Zheng drank it, the chill in his body dissipated a little, and his dry throat felt much better.
Jiang Shu saw that he looked tired and frowned, and his voice was strange, so he knew that something serious had happened. Thinking that Yu Zheng was cold and hungry at this time, Jiang Shu resisted the doubts in his heart and ate with him.
After taking a shower and lying on the bed, Jiang Shu asked tentatively: "But something happened at the border?"
"No, it's Southwest." Yu Zheng's voice was low and he briefly explained to Jiang Shu.
At the end, Yu Zheng said: "Father said that we should transfer a month's worth of food to the southwest first, so I'll have to trouble you again."
Jiang Shu didn't care about this, but asked worriedly: "Is it dangerous to conquer the southwest in person?"
Yu Zheng didn't know how to answer. After pondering for a moment, he said, "I will protect myself."
However, even if Yu Zheng didn't say anything, Jiang Shu understood in his heart.
The two countries are at war, fighting to the death, swords and guns blind, rivers of blood... how can it not be dangerous?
Selfishly, she didn't want Yu Zheng to go. But she understood that Yu Zheng was King Jing, and this was his unshirkable responsibility.
He is not only her husband, but also Yu Ziyou's father. He is also King Zhaojing and the hope of the soldiers and the people.
Seeing that Jiang Shu was silent, Yu Zheng's heart tightened and he sighed: "Shu'er, I have to go. Southwest is very important and cannot be broken..."
"I know." Jiang Shu interrupted him and choked slightly: "You must protect yourself and come back safely."
"Okay." Yu Zheng responded solemnly, hugging her tightly with his arms, reluctant to leave her.
The expedition is scheduled for the day after tomorrow.
Jiang Shu snuggled into Yu Zheng's warm chest, calmed down and asked, "Have we discussed the follow-up plans for food and grass?"
Yu Zheng said: "Not yet. After I lead the army and leave the capital, my father will discuss these matters with the court officials again."
Jiang Shu remembered Father Jiang's words, pursed his lips and said, "There is food in the south of the Yangtze River."
Yu Zheng responded calmly.
The south of the Yangtze River is rich in food, and the court knows it. The emperor and courtiers know it, and they will discuss and raise it later.
It's just that food is tight this year. Grain merchants in Jiangnan are afraid that they are hoarding and raising prices, making it difficult to raise food. Furthermore, the imperial court had limited money.
Seeing that he didn't understand what he meant, Jiang Shu added, "I mean, there must be food in Pingyang."
Hearing this, Yu Zheng finally heard the deeper meaning of her words and said in a serious voice: "You mean, ask the Lu family for help?"
Pingyang is close to the sea and is rich in products. It is one of the most fertile places in Dazhao.
And the county governor Lu He is a man who is good at governing and has foresight, so he will definitely hoard food.
It's just that the private food stored by the Lu family is probably not enough to supply the southwest, and there is no reason for anyone to take it out. On the other hand, the grain merchants stocked up grain that the Lu family could come forward to negotiate the price for.
Pingyang to Yicheng...
Yu Zheng couldn't sleep anymore, so he got up and asked someone to bring him a map.
Jiang Shu also put on his clothes and stood up, looking at the map with Yu Zheng.
Yu Zheng flattened the map on the case, looked at it carefully and analyzed: "Shangjing is between Pingyang and Yicheng. If you start from Shangjing, you can get to Pingyang in ten days by hurrying up. However, from Pingyang to Yicheng, the transport of baggage is slow. , it will take about one month.”
In January, just enough food and grass can be supplied to Yicheng.
But, how can we make the Lu family willing to help?
Although Pingyang is the land of Dazhao, the mountains are high and the roads are far away. The Lu family has been rooted for many years, and it has long been the territory of the Lu family. Although Lu He was a minister of Zhao, he was only a minister. He was not close to the emperor, so he might not be able to exert his efforts.
The money that the national treasury can provide is limited. Without the help of the Lu family, grain merchants will not easily sell grain to the court at low prices.
Lu family, Lu family...
Jiang Shu asked softly: "What does the Lu family lack or want? Can the court satisfy it?"
Yu Zheng frowned and thought.
Although the county governor was only a Western-grade official, Pingyang was rich and far away from the emperor, so he had almost no control and could do whatever he wanted. Therefore, Lu He gave up his promotion in these years and willingly became the county guard, guarding Pingyang all his life.
Official rank is not rare to Lu He. The Lu family has no shortage of money, and neither does the national treasury. reputation……
Yu Zheng thought carefully, put away the map, and took Jiang Shu to bed to rest.
"Husband, have you thought of a way?" Jiang Shu saw his sudden change and his expression was slightly happy. He must have thought of a plan.
Yu Zheng nodded, got on the bed, pulled the brocade quilt over him, and whispered to Jiang Shu in a low voice.
The next morning, Yu Zheng proposed to go to Pingyang to ask the Lu family for help in raising food.
The emperor and officials had the same idea as Yu Zheng, worried that the Lu family would not fully help.
"I don't want to help you for nothing, but what if it's to express my gratitude to the emperor?" Yu Zheng was already prepared.
"What do you mean by this?" the emperor asked.
Yu Zheng said: "Lu He is loyal and has outstanding political achievements. He is deeply loved by his father. I specially designate Lu He as the Marquis of Pingyang as an encouragement."
In this way, the Lu family is grateful for the emperor's favor and will do their best to help the court despite the pressure of people's words.
There was silence in the palace for a moment, and Taifu Zhou praised: "Your Majesty, this plan is very clever."
The emperor glanced at the ministers and asked in a deep voice: "What do you think?"
All the officials looked at each other and said in unison: "I have no objection."
The emperor nodded: "Then make Lu He the Marquis of Pingyang."
Prime Minister Xie said: "The appointment of a marquis is a big matter, and raising food is even more important. Who does your Majesty want to send?"
If it is just the decree of the feudal lord, you can just send someone to convey the decree at will. But asking the Lu family to help raise food requires both sincerity and intimidation, and not just anyone can do it.
The emperor frowned when he heard this and asked Prime Minister Xie: "Who does Prime Minister Xie think is suitable?"
Prime Minister Xie said: "I believe that His Royal Highness King Jing is the perfect candidate."
In terms of rank, the Marquis is above the officials. None of the officials in the court can intimidate him, only Yu Zheng, who is King Jing, can represent the emperor.
The Minister of War said: "If the prince goes to Pingyang, who will lead the army to the southwest?"
Time was running out, and Yu Zheng couldn't do anything else, so he could only focus on one thing.
One of the courtiers said: "Your Majesty will go to Pingyang first and then to Yicheng. This can also achieve the effect of personal expedition and stabilize the morale of the army. It is the best of both worlds."
"As for leading the army to the southwest, I think Mr. Zhou is worthy of the task."
Zhou Boxu is the consort and can be considered a member of the royal family. He will lead the army first, and then Yu Zheng will escort the grain and grass. Not only will the soldiers and people of Yicheng not be dissatisfied, but their military morale will be boosted.
"I second the proposal. The prince and Mr. Zhou will jointly take command and ensure peace in Yicheng."
After someone took the lead, the ministers echoed one after another.
Taifu Zhou looked at Zhou Boxu and sighed in his heart.
The southwest battlefield was his destiny after all.
Zhou Boxu also understood that this was the best arrangement.
Taking a deep breath, Zhou Bo prefaced: "I would like to lead the army to Yicheng first."
"Yes." The emperor agreed.
With Zhou Boxu accompanying him and taking care of each other with Yu Zheng, Yicheng would have a better chance of winning, and Yu Zheng's safety would be better guaranteed.
The emperor felt that this arrangement could not be better.
