Since the Inspectors had already investigated the matter, it meant the problem did not lie with Luo Shi.
Thinking about it, that made sense.
In this era, even the loss of a single warhorse would prompt an investigation to determine the cause, let alone nearly two hundred.
“Rest assured, my lord.” Luo Shi visibly relaxed, his expression easing considerably.
“Three li south of here lies a small freshwater lake. It is one of the sources of the Si River.”
“Every day, I arrange for the men to drive the horses there to drink.”
“After all this time, many of the horses have grown accustomed to the routine, and no abnormalities have been discovered.”
Luo Shi understood perfectly well how precious warhorses were.
Though he was stationed at Xiaqiu and no battles had occurred, merely caring for the horses was enough to keep him constantly on alert.
“Well done.” Zhang Jing nodded and said calmly,
“Walk around with me for a while. Later we’ll inspect the lake as well.”
“These warhorses are vital to our army’s future plans. Not the slightest carelessness can be tolerated.”
“When our grain reserves become abundant in the future, if you are willing, I can personally authorize you to command a cavalry unit.”
In this era, the number of cavalry a regime possessed was often a measure of its strength.
Not an absolute one, but close.
A powerful cavalry force could place tremendous pressure upon any opponent.
Just as Yuan Shao of Ji Province had once done.
When he learned that the White Horse General, Gongsun Zan, was preparing to turn against him, he hastily ceded Bohai Commandery to Gongsun Zan’s cousin, Gongsun Fan.
Had Gongsun Zan not been so ambitious, Yuan Shao might never have resolved to fight him to the death.
“My lord, I am willing!” Ecstasy flashed across Luo Shi’s face.
He hurriedly cupped his fists and said respectfully, “I know my achievements are still shallow, and my horsemanship and archery are far from exceptional. I would not dare shamelessly ask to command a full cavalry division. To be entrusted with even a single cavalry regiment would already be an immense favor from my lord.”
A qu consisted of five hundred men.
If forced to choose between commanding five thousand infantry or five hundred cavalry, Luo Shi would choose the latter without hesitation.
Armored riders and gleaming spears, galloping across the battlefield— it was the dream of every man who had taken up arms.
As for emulating the feats of Huo Qubing, sealing victory at Wolf Mountain and watering one’s horses in the northern seas— that could only exist in dreams.
“Good. Then it’s settled.” Zhang Jing laughed heartily.
“When the time comes, you will personally select the bravest warriors and organize a cavalry regiment.”
“These warhorses are your companions. You must care for them diligently.”
“Thank you for your great grace, my lord!” Luo Shi was so excited that his voice trembled.
“Please rest assured, my lord. In the past, these horses were my comrades-in-arms. From this day forward, they are my brothers.”
“Haha, well said!” Zhang Jing laughed aloud.
“The fact that you think that way means you already possess the qualities of a cavalry commander.”
“A warhorse is a cavalryman’s second life.”
Afterward, the two continued walking among the hills while conversing.
It had to be said that Mount Zi in this era was indeed lush with vegetation.
Then again, perhaps it was not only Mount Zi.
…………….
The following day, Xu Province.
Tan County, Donghai Commandery.
Tao Qian received yet another letter from Zhang Jing.
Calling it a letter was perhaps inaccurate.
It was more akin to an ultimatum.
“Gentlemen.” Placing the letter back onto his desk, Tao Qian spoke with a calm expression that revealed neither anger nor joy.
“I assume all of you have heard the recent news.”
“Yuan Shu of Yu Province, Kong Rong of Beihai, and Zang Ba of Langya have all, to varying degrees, sent grain shipments to Yan Province.”
“Among them, Yuan Shu has been particularly generous.”
“It is said he intends to send five hundred thousand shi of grain.”
The expressions of those present changed slightly.
They had naturally heard about the developments in Yu Province.
What they could not understand was Yuan Shu’s reasoning.
Apparently Zhang Yuheng intended to hand over the four southwestern commanderies of Yan Province to Yuan Shu’s control.
To them, such an arrangement seemed utterly bizarre.
Yet one thing was certain.
Zhang Yuheng and Yuan Shu must have reached some sort of agreement behind closed doors.
Which meant that Xu Province now stood alone.
“Since we’re speaking frankly,” Tao Qian continued, taking in the reactions of everyone present, “Zang Ba has sent word that the Yellow Turbans have already concentrated one hundred thousand troops at Boting, on the border between Langya and Taishan.”
“He is currently negotiating with them.”
“They seek permission to use the Guanyang Road and march directly upon Tan County.”
“Boting is less than two hundred li from Tan County.”
“If Zang Ba grants them passage… Then within three days, the Yellow Turban army will be at our gates.”
At this point, Tao Qian rose to his feet.
“The grain reserves in Xu Province’s treasury amount to no more than five hundred thousand shi.”
“Yet the Yellow Turbans demand two million shi.”
“This is nothing less than outrageous extortion.”
“I have therefore decided… To fight the Yellow Turbans to the death!”
“I ask all of you, after leaving this hall, to notify the various prefectures and estates. Bring your private troops and join me in defending Tan County. Even if—”
“My lord, you must not!”
Before Tao Qian could finish speaking, Chen Gui’s face turned pale, and he hurriedly interrupted:
“My lord, this must not be done!”
“Since Zang Ba only gave them fifty thousand shi of grain, and Kong Rong only gave eighty thousand shi, that means there is still room for negotiation.”
“If they were able to negotiate, then Xu Province can negotiate as well!”
Chen Gui also wanted to fight the Yellow Turbans.
But the reality was that they could not defeat them, nor were they prepared for such a war.
“My lord, you must reconsider!” Cao Bao said nervously:
“Just as Lord Hanyu has said, if Zang Ba and the others could negotiate, then Xu Province can do the same.”
“Perhaps the Yellow Turbans are merely bluffing. If we give them some grain, they might simply leave.”
“Please think this through, my lord.” Mi Zhu likewise stepped forward and cupped his hands in salute.
He knew that Tao Qian had no desire to go to war with the Yellow Turbans and was more than willing to cooperate with his lord’s plan.
“Yes, please reconsider, my lord…”
“Please think it over…”
“Hmph!”
Looking at the spineless civil and military officials before him, Tao Qian spoke with righteous indignation:
“At a time like this, how can all of you still be so foolish?”
“Brother Hanyu.”
“You, the Chen clan, possess countless estates throughout Xu Province. Between your tenant farmers and hidden households alone, you have no fewer than three hundred thousand people under your control.”
“You also have tens of thousands of able-bodied men.”
“And yet, at a time like this, you still intend to wait until the Yellow Turbans arrive?”
“To wait until they storm your fortified manors and estates and leave you with nothing?”
“Why can you not mobilize all your able-bodied men and join me in defending the city?”
“…”
Chen Gui fell silent.
The Chen clan alone possessed nearly ten thousand clan troops.
But those forces were the foundation of the family’s power.
Unless absolutely necessary, he could not commit them.
“And you, Cao Bao…”
Tao Qian proceeded to call them out one by one.
Naturally, Mi Zhu was not spared either.
Though the Mi family was technically a merchant family, it was no ordinary one.
A wealthy merchant household with more than ten thousand retainers and servants had already surpassed ninety percent of the great clans and local magnates in the empire.
The Mi family’s numerous estates could also field a respectable fighting force at any time.
“Why has everyone gone silent now?” Tao Qian scolded angrily.
“If any of you wish to negotiate, then go negotiate yourselves!”
“As for me, Tao Qian, I absolutely refuse to compromise with the Yellow Turbans!”
“The Xu Provincial Governor’s Office can provide no more than fifty thousand shi of grain!”
“Hmph!”
With that, Tao Qian flicked his sleeves and strode away.
Leaving behind a room full of Xu Province’s officials staring at one another.
At this point, how could they fail to understand what was happening?
Tao Qian was clearly trying to have it both ways—maintaining his righteous image while pushing the burden onto them.
“Let’s hear everyone thoughts.”
At that moment, the highly respected Chen Gui stepped forward and said:
“Should Xu Province fight, or should we make peace?”
“There is one thing the lord said that is undeniably true.”
“The Yellow Turbans of Yan Province harbor the ambitions of wolves.”
“They covet our family estates and fortunes.”
“If the day truly comes when they seize them by force…”
“Then any regrets we have will come far too late.”
— The end of the Chapter–
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