Chapter 1070: Analyzing Pros and Cons

Chapter 1059: Analyzing the Stakes

"Hmm? What?""Nothing," He Lingchuan said, patting his shoulder. "To meet again across such vast distances is fate. If you have any requests, just ask; I'll do my best to help if I can."

The Lu family was experiencing a decline in talent. The emergence of these two young generals was a rare occurrence, and by seniority, they were He Lingchuan's nephews and nieces. With Lu Qingbang currently defending Bailie against foreign aggression, He Lingchuan naturally hoped he would persevere.

"Thank you, Brother He!" Lu Qingbang also found it strange. He wasn't the type to make friends easily, but upon meeting "Brother He," a sense of closeness immediately welled up within him.

"Are things very bad on the eastern front?" Lu Qingbang was at an age too young to know sorrow, yet his expression was not bright. He Lingchuan surmised this was likely due to the front-line battles. After Bailie's veteran general, Miao An, was injured, the conflict with the Ya Kingdom seemed to face an uncertain future.

"On the contrary, two months ago, my sister and I won several consecutive battles, pushing the Ya Kingdom's army back beyond their borders. They haven't invaded since then."

"Oh?" He Lingchuan said, looking surprised and giving a thumbs-up. "That's excellent! Why are you still troubled after winning a victory?"

Actually, these reports had already reached him. After nine months of meticulous management, the intelligence system in the Yangshan Archipelago was far more refined than when he first arrived.

Lu Qingbang sighed, "When I used to watch my grandfather fight, he would still be troubled even after winning. At the time, I didn't understand why, but now that I lead troops myself, I realize Bailie has its own troubles."

He Lingchuan smiled, "Is it a lack of provisions and pay for the front line?"

Lu Qingbang was startled. "How did Brother He know?"

"Seven or eight out of ten armies sent to the front line face this problem," He Lingchuan said. "The northern front of the Yuan Kingdom, resisting the Grand Commander, constantly worried about provisions and pay. Soldiers were starving and crying out in hunger. General Ke Jihai even rushed back from the front lines to Yuandu to beg for money. When I borrowed several million silver for the Yuan Kingdom, the Yuan court immediately treated me like a money god, with everyone from top to bottom showing extreme deference."

"Furthermore, I heard from Third Master Lu that last winter, he personally paid for and donated over eight hundred sets of winter clothes to the front line," He Lingchuan said, smiling. "Third Master Lu was drunk at the time and spent the entire night criticizing your eldest uncle, saying he never solved the front's lack of food and pay, only knew how to send money west."

Lu Qingbang's eldest uncle was Lu Zhensheng, the clan leader, and 'the west' naturally referred to the Mou Kingdom.

He Lingchuan maintained a long-term trade partnership with Third Master Lu and Sixth Master Lu. Initially, the two Lu brothers were wary, but over time, with more interactions, they couldn't resist He Lingchuan's precisely aimed 'sugar-coated cannonballs.'

Lu Zhensheng and his son were hostile toward He Lingchuan, but Third Master Lu and Sixth Master Lu were on good terms with him, often eating and drinking together.

Sixth Master Lu was more reserved, but Third Master Lu was a big talker when drunk; he would spill all of the Lu family's secrets as soon as he had too much to drink.

"Criticized him all night?" Lu Qingbang felt embarrassed. It seemed Third Uncle had already spilled everything, both what should and shouldn't be said.

Since He Lingchuan already knew, Lu Qingbang didn't hold back:

"When my grandfather led the troops, there were always discrepancies in pay, which caused dissatisfaction among the soldiers. Last autumn, the additional winter clothes ordered by the army didn't arrive until mid-December. In the end, it was Third Uncle who paid out of his own pocket, otherwise those eight hundred soldiers would have frozen."

He sighed, looking at the bonfire on the beach. "And provisions—they're actually not enough either. It's just that my father subsidizes the front line every now and then. The supply line is short, so losses during transport are minimal, which is why things look alright for now."

A father's heart ached when his son was fighting, and with the front line lacking food and clothing, Sixth Master Lu naturally had to find a way to help.

Thanks to the money he had earned over the past year or so, he was able to provide the subsidies.

Where did the money come from? Mostly from He Lingchuan, of course.

This was also He Lingchuan's deliberate strategy. Before revealing his true identity, no alliance was more reliable than one based on shared interests. Furthermore, he was unwilling to stand by and watch Bailie's soldiers suffer from hunger and cold, nor did he wish to see Bailie thoroughly beaten by the Ya Kingdom.

He Lingchuan feigned sudden understanding. "No wonder Sixth Master Lu, the great grain merchant, uncharacteristically pre-ordered thousands of loads of grain from me. So, he was planning to support the eastern front. In that case, I'll give you an even better discount on the price."

Lu Qingbang said gratefully, "Thank you, Brother He."

"Don't mention it; I don't like the Ya Kingdom either," He Lingchuan said lightly. "I have tribes under my protection who were pursued by the Ya Kingdom."

Lu Qingbang shook his head. "The Ya people tried to burn down our granaries twice. They never went to the empty ones, which shows they have a considerable understanding of our logistics."

In a nearby puddle, another crab poked its head out, trying to emerge. He Lingchuan flicked a small pebble, instantly startling it back into the water. "You've won battles, so logically, none of these should be problems."

There's nothing a victory can't solve. If there is, then have a few more.

"It is a problem, and in Bailie, it's a significant problem," Lu Qingbang scratched his head. "My father ranks sixth in the clan and is not from the main branch. I only returned from my studies abroad a year ago and only have limited battlefield experience."

At this point, he suddenly fell silent.

He Lingchuan finished his thought for him: "Is your predicament that you can't secure the main family's support for the front line?"

Lu Qingbang scratched his head. It was indeed effortless to talk to a clever person. He still found it difficult to voice the clan's internal matters.

"First, you need to understand how the main family thinks," He Lingchuan analyzed for him. "Lu Zhensheng, as the Lu clan leader and Lord of Bailie, should prioritize the welfare of the Bailie people and the security of the borders. Instead, he has chosen to prioritize the Mou Kingdom. From the perspective of the main family's responsibility, this is a dereliction of duty."

Lu Qingbang remained silent.

He Lingchuan knew he was uncomfortable openly agreeing, and his silence signified his implicit consent.

This sentiment was not unique to Lu Qingbang. As far as He Lingchuan knew, other members of the Lu clan were also very dissatisfied. Not to mention distant examples, Lu Zhensheng's eldest son, Lu Qing'an, had argued with his father several times over this very issue.

"However, from Lu Zhensheng's perspective, his second son, Lu Qinglin, is just a step away from success, so of course he would do everything in his power to help him. As Lu Qinglin's status in the Mou Kingdom rises, Bailie's importance also increases. As long as the Mou Emperor allows Lu Qinglin to return to his native land to lead troops—and from what I know, there are many such precedents—Bailie will be secure from then on. Whether it's the Qing Kingdom or other surrounding nations, they will all have to show Bailie more respect."

Lu Qingbang hesitated, wanting to speak but holding back.

"But there's a problem here: until he achieves his goal, which is during this current period, Bailie is isolated and helpless. The Mou Kingdom is currently fighting Beijia, and as long as it doesn't believe the Ya Kingdom can swallow Bailie whole, it won't send troops to help. And Lu Qinglin is in the Mou Kingdom; distant water can't quench a nearby fire."

He Lingchuan patted Lu Qingbang's shoulder. "The fundamental reason you're fighting such a difficult battle is that Bailie has run out of money. Bailie was originally prosperous, but having to continuously send provisions and funds to the Mou Kingdom while also dealing with the Ya Kingdom's insatiable demands would deplete even a mountain of gold and silver."

(End of Chapter)