"This is all the records of trade with Wu State that Wei Chen has compiled for half a year."
"At the same time, it also includes Wu's daily forged ordnance output, last year's grain tax, Wu's average field output and Wu's population..."
"Together all these things together, according to Weichen's estimation, Wu's current national stockpile of grain is only enough to last until the autumn harvest."
"As for the private sector, it's probably about the same."
"At this time, Wu State simply cannot support the consumption of food and grass during the army's campaign."
"So Wei Chen believes that the time is ripe to destroy Wu. If we miss this opportunity, we will have to wait until next summer."
After listening to Guan Zhong’s analysis,
Han Lin was thoughtful.
After a while,
He asked: "But what if the Wu army hunkers down in the city and cannot come out?"
A hint of sinisterness flashed in Guan Zhong's eyes: "We only need to find a way to ignite Wu's grain depot. Without Wu's remaining grain stores, they will have no food even if they want to defend the city."
"Furthermore, for the countries surrounding Wu State, Yue State is obviously not allowed to provide food and grass. Chu State is also currently at war with Qin State. The supply of food and grass on the front line is tight, and it is impossible to have any surplus grain to sell to Wu State."
"Most of Song's grain reserves were bought by us at high prices."
“The grain reserves of other small countries are negligible.”
"In this way, even if the Wu State has gold and silver mountains, it will have no place to buy food and grass, and it will collapse without a fight."
"Besides..."
"Even if we don't succeed in burning down the Wu State's grain depot, their grain reserves can only last for a month."
"We only need to surround Gusu City. Even if the food in other areas matures, we will not be able to send it into the city."
The size of Wu State is just that big.
There are only so many people.
The annual food production and the number of weapons forged.
As long as there is enough information, it can be estimated.
Now,
Guan Zhong took out a calculation result that Wu Guo had reached the edge of the cliff.
The food is only enough to last a month.
Although the autumn harvest will be here in a month.
but!
As long as the Qi army surrounds Gusu City,
No matter how big the harvest your country Wu has this year, the food will not be able to be transported to Gusu City.
This is the result of Qi State spending more than 300 million taels of silver.
This time the trade war
It consumed two-thirds of Qi's treasury.
Almost all the gold and silver previously donated from Yan, Song, and Zhao were spent on purchasing weapons from Wu and food from surrounding countries.
but!
As long as the state of Wu is destroyed,
This money is not from left hand to right hand.
All the gold and silver that flowed into Wu State must be returned.
As for buying grain from other countries?
That’s not a big loss either.
After all, food is hard currency.
Food is king.
As Guan Zhong narrated, Han Lin also briefly simulated it in his mind.
Wu Guo has indeed reached the edge of the cliff now.
All that is needed now is for Qi Jun to go over and use a little more strength, and push like this...
They will fall into the abyss.
"good!"
"Just follow the Prime Minister's words."
"Instruct Zhang Liao to lead an army of 100,000 men and send troops to Gusu City. After the siege, there is no need to attack. All we have to do is wait for the collapse of Wu."
"At the same time, Huo Qubing was ordered to lead an army of 100,000 to the Yue Kingdom to aid Wei Qing and capture Kuaiji!"
"Lieutenant Yue Yunfei is responsible for guarding the border and preventing changes in neighboring countries!"
"In this battle, I will win the land of Wuyue in one fell swoop!"
"Expand my Daqi territory to the South China Sea!"
"At the same time, I also want to go to the south of the Yangtze River and enjoy the scenery of the Qinhuai River."
...
An edict,
From the palace to the military camp.
Three days later,
Two hundred thousand troops marched out of Linzi City.
It is so majestic that it covers the sky and the sun, heading south along the official road.
Although the official road connecting Wu State has not been completed yet.
There is only a prototype now.
But this does not affect the speed of the army moving south.
Along the flat official road,
It only takes less than three days to get from Linzi to Qi's original southern border.
at the same time,
There is also an endless supply of food and grass,
Thousands of carriages loaded with countless grains and grass.
One car after another, endlessly,
There is no end as far as the eye can see,
Follow closely behind the army.
Such a large-scale troop dispatch.
Spies from all over the world are not fools either.
Countless secret messages were gathering towards the capitals of various countries like snowflakes.
.......
Zhao State.
Handan City.
Emperor Zhao's face was obviously not very good-looking.
Especially when I heard that Qi State dispatched 200,000 troops to go south.
An army of this size,
Obviously he was going to destroy Wu.
and,
In the past year or so,
The State of Qi has been purchasing grain, grass and weapons from the State of Wu at high prices.
This kind of behavior is obviously unkind.
Now, Qi has shown its fangs.
In fact, Zhao State is not very afraid of Qi State. The point is that the current Qi State is expanding too fast.
Han Lin has been in office for less than three years.
The states of Yan, Chen, Liang, and Ju have been destroyed.
Song Guo was also beaten into obedience.
Now,
He was about to annex Wu State.
Such an expansion rate has put Zhao Guo under great pressure.
"What do you think about this matter?"
In the court room,
Emperor Zhao asked.
The words fell,
A military general stood up and said, "Your Majesty, Qi State has dispatched 200,000 troops to go south. If you include the 50,000 people in Yue State, the total number is already 250,000 people."
"With such a large-scale move southward, Qi's domestic power will definitely be empty at this time."
"We can definitely take advantage of this opportunity to march eastward and catch Qi by surprise."
The man just finished speaking,
Lian Po glared at him.
Obviously dissatisfied with this guy's unauthorized assertion.
After hearing this, Emperor Zhao seemed quite interested, so he turned his attention to Lian Po and Li Mu.
After all, these two people are the cornerstone of Zhao State.
Li Mu said in a deep voice: "Your Majesty, Qi State is indeed empty at this time, but with the existence of Changlin Pass, even if we launch an attack, we will not be able to penetrate into the hinterland of Qi State."
"What's more, the State of Qi sent Yue Yunfei to guard the border, which is obviously a precaution. Even if we can send troops to attack Qi, we will definitely not get any benefits."
Emperor Zhao frowned and said dissatisfied: "Do you mean to just let us watch the Qi Kingdom grow stronger?"
Prime Minister Lin Xiangru stood up and suggested: "Your Majesty, since attacking Qi will do more harm than good, we might as well change the target."
Emperor Zhao asked: "Prime Minister, where do you want to attack?"
Lin Xiangru pointed to the east and said: "Zhongshan Kingdom!"
"Your Majesty, Zhongshan Country is fertile and densely populated."
"If we can annex Zhongshan, wouldn't we get more benefits than attacking Qi and losing our troops and generals?"
Emperor Zhao changed his mind and said,
There's nothing wrong with it.
Why do you have to chew hard bones?
Persimmons have to be picked and pinched if they are soft!
...
Song Dynasty.
Kaifeng City.
Wanyangou also received news that the Qi army was marching southward.
only,
When he heard that he was not attacking the Song Dynasty, he immediately stopped paying attention.
Instead, he turned his attention to the beloved concubine beside him.
...
Chu State.
It was late at night.
Chu Yuyi, the empress of the Chu State, was sitting in the spring with no trace of her body naked.
Three thousand black hairs are spread wetly on the back of the head.
Countless petals are scattered in the spring water,
inside the room,
The fog is rising.
Chu Yuyi's figure was looming among them.
At this time,
There was a sudden noise outside the door.
Chu Yuyi's eyes were cold and he looked out the door alertly: "Who?"
