Chapter 1239: Further Infiltration of Yangshan

The Mirror sighed, "The Situ family must have incredible luck! A hundred sixty or seventy years ago, the Ying people also borrowed money from the Yao Nation, and it drove them to destitution."

"That's different. The Yao Nation used money, grain, and every other means to control its neighbors and weaken those who opposed it. Besides, we weren't here a hundred sixty or seventy years ago."

The Master's words prompted the Mirror to ask, "Then what about our actions?"

He Lingchuan simply smiled without a word.

The Yangshan Archipelago had experienced several consecutive bountiful harvests. As per He Lingchuan's instructions, Ding Zuodong ensured sufficient reserves were kept, and grain exports were strictly rationed, prohibiting large-scale over-selling. The archipelago's trade and logistics had also become well-established. The Mou Nation and Beijia were major clients, and their fleets spurred commercial growth on the islands, even using Yangshan as a primary hub for collecting and distributing goods.

From that point on, income from farming became a minor portion of their revenue. Grain prices in the region were never high; how much could one truly earn just from selling grain?

The immense wealth generated was too vast for Knife-Edge Port to handle; the overflow was largely absorbed by the Yangshan Archipelago.

The initial phase of explosive infrastructure development on the islands had concluded. While somewhat crude, the subsequent refinements and upgrades were not urgent and could be implemented gradually. Consequently, the Yangshan Archipelago, with He Lingchuan's backing, was now rich in both grain and funds, fully capable of supporting the Situ family through several major battles.

The sea journey from the Yangshan Archipelago to Julu Port on the Shanjin Plain typically took about seven days, or just five and a half with a favorable wind. This was far more time and cost-efficient than land transport, with minimal expenditure on provisions for people and horses. This presented a significant advantage.

Upon arriving at Julu Port, the supplies would then be transferred to land transport. The newly established Peng Nation suffered from poor public order and rampant banditry. To ensure the safe passage of Yangshan's goods and funds through Peng Nation to the Situ territory, a strong escort force was essential. Conveniently, the Yangshan Archipelago also had an agreement with the Peng Nation allowing for armed escort. This meant the Yangshan Merchant Guild and its security detail could be effectively utilized.

Following the coup in Peng Nation, the Yangshan Archipelago had already sent personnel to Julu Port to establish and register the Yangshan Merchant Guild and the Changlong Martial Arts Hall, which opened its doors with a prominent signboard. The Changlong Martial Arts Hall served as Yangshan's armed presence in the Shanjin Plain, specializing in various escort, transport, and security services. Its future business expansions remained to be seen.

With the local logistical arrangements now in place, He Lingchuan requested in a letter that the Yangshan Archipelago use this opportunity of supply escort to send an additional two thousand people to the Shanjin Plain, in several batches. These two thousand individuals included civilian staff from the merchant guild, such as stewards, assistants, accountants, and legal officers. This was a management team spun off from Ding Zuodong's command, intended to form the core of the operation upon arrival. However, the majority comprised the Yangshan security detail, personally led by Wan Qifeng!

In addition to escorting supplies, He Lingchuan planned to assign them further tasks. This significant deployment was no minor undertaking. Those familiar with He Lingchuan knew that their benefactor was once again embarking on a major initiative.

"During the previous coup in Bo Nation, you remained uninvolved, citing concerns about incurring karmic consequences," Dong Rui questioned him. "This time, why are you actively helping the Situ family?" Were you no longer concerned about karma?

"Firstly," He Lingchuan slowly explained, "my dealings with the Situ family are purely commercial. While Yangshan provides them with money and grain at preferential rates, it's fundamentally a transaction. The Situ family must still rely on their own efforts to win their upcoming battles. My declared identity is that of a merchant. Merchants engage solely in trade; they don't participate in combat. Other factions, if they have the means, can also purchase goods from us, so no one can accuse me of impropriety."

"Secondly, this presents another excellent opportunity for Yangshan." It's an excellent chance to establish a firm foothold in the Shanjin Plain. An opportunity to further extend Yangshan's influence into the Shanjin Plain. With the Situ family's territory now open, Yangshan had advanced another step into the heart of the Shanjin Plain. Although he was venturing into unfamiliar territory, he now had a base of operations, money, supplies, and personnel, giving him ample means to act. He was no longer like when he first ventured into Beijia, a lone stranger in a foreign land, isolated and helpless. He had built his own organization and amassed his own personnel. The scope of his potential actions had significantly broadened.

Situ Yu's recapture of Jucheng also secured control over the mountain range. It was unclear whether this was due to He Lingchuan's good fortune or the Situ family's genuine capability, but they swiftly captured Yuanshui while the Bixia forces were unable to reposition in time. With Yuanshui secured, a new path opened for reclaiming the former territories of the Gaopu Nation.

A series of crucial victories propelled the Situ army forward with immense momentum and soaring morale. Victory reports poured in, and their dominance was now established. War can be illogical: victories often lead to more victories, just as defeats can cascade into further losses.

The Bixia deployed emergency reinforcements, hoping to halt the Situ family's eastward advance. However, the Situ family's two allied forces finally arrived, outflanking the Bixia and shattering their attempt at a blockade. The three armies converged at Yuanshui, fully provisioned with elite soldiers, abundant supplies, and complete armaments.

Once the Situ family secured the assistance and commitment of the Yangshan Archipelago, they prioritized sending all their territorial reserves to the front lines, providing food, drink, and combat provisions for the soldiers of all three armies.

Seven days later, the first promised shipment of grain from the Yangshan Merchant Guild reached the Situ territory. This delivery was four days ahead of schedule because the grain wasn't shipped directly from the archipelago but was drawn from existing stock that had arrived earlier at Julu Port. The Yangshan Merchant Guild prioritized diverting grain originally destined for other locations to the Situ territory. Naturally, this presented some challenges, but Guan Ke, another Chief Manager of the Yangshan Merchant Guild, promptly arrived at Julu Port and devised solutions. True competence and effectiveness are demonstrated by stepping up during critical moments and alleviating the concerns of your superiors. In this regard, Chief Manager Guan proved no less capable than Ding Zuodong.

Four and ten days later, respectively, subsequent shipments from the Yangshan Archipelago gradually landed at Julu Port, before being escorted to the Situ territory by the newly established Changlong Martial Arts Hall. Along the way, they encountered several bandit groups, all of whom were either killed or repelled by the Changlong Martial Arts Hall. Wan Qifeng ordered the bandits' bodies to be strung on poles, dubbing them "human banners," and erected them along both sides of the road as a grim warning. One to two hundred "human banners" lined the roadside, serving as a gruesome feast for flocks of crows. Whenever someone passed, the crows would caw and flutter up, creating a striking visual and auditory impact that left onlookers visibly shocked.

With a ceaseless supply of provisions and weapons from the rear, Situ Yu remained unperturbed, commanding with even greater composure. He had never fought a battle with such ease! Previously, they had always been stretched thin, struggling to make ends meet. He Lingchuan had also proven his foresight—or perhaps his luck—in selecting the Situ family as such a promising asset capable of winning battles.

When two more strategically important cities fell in quick succession, the Bixia lines finally broke, and the Situ allied forces grew more invigorated with each engagement. At this juncture, several factions that had previously remained on the sidelines finally expressed their desire to join the conflict.