Chapter 1495: Two Solutions

The arsonist not only evaded the notice of all Qing Palace disciples but also quietly sabotaged several formations, which was truly remarkable. She even suspected it was an inside job; otherwise, how could it have been done so stealthily?

However, the burning of the transit depot, which resulted in a grain shortage for the entire army, was an undeniable truth. She had no way to argue against it and could only accept it resignedly. The immediate priority was to resolve the current predicament.

Lu Wushuang also understood that Bai Moji was entirely unwilling to request grain from Lingxu City. Transporting grain from within Beijia to this location, even from the closest Baoshu Kingdom, would involve crossing vast swamps and then traversing the Xiluo and Jintao Kingdoms. Although Xiluo Kingdom seemed weak, its territory was quite extensive, making the transport route extremely long. Seven or eight tenths of the grain would be lost en route, with only about two tenths actually reaching the Jintao front line.

As an ancient saying goes, "When a nation's army relies on distant transport, the people become impoverished." While Beijia was a vast empire and would not be impoverished by a few long-distance grain transports, relying on domestic supply would certainly prove Bai Moji's incompetence! Why not seize grain locally? This was the best strategy for a distant expedition: to secure their own food supply while depriving the enemy of theirs.

Moreover, Fu Shanlie had described the richness of the Mao River Plain, and it was currently autumn harvest season. How could Beijia's army possibly fail to seize grain? As for the objective limitations faced by the front line, why would the high-ranking officials in Lingxu City take those into consideration for Bai Moji? You were sent there specifically to intimidate Panlong City and Yuheng City. Not for you to return begging with a rice bowl, and incidentally, demanding a share for the Xiluo army as well.

Even conceding more, even if Lingxu City agreed to transport grain from the rear, it would still take one or two months to travel from Baoxiang Kingdom to the Jintao front line. Even if they exclusively used ox-demons and elephant-demons, which could carry heavy loads, the speed wouldn't increase by more than ten days. As the saying goes, "Distant water cannot quench a nearby thirst." The Jintao front line was facing an immediate food crisis.

So, Lu Wushuang offered no defense, simply stating, "I will take responsibility for my issues. General Bai, do you have any ideas to resolve the current predicament?"

Seeing that she wasn't shirking responsibility, Bai Moji snorted, "Make Jintao continue to send grain. Also, Xiluo Kingdom is not far from here; they cannot shirk their responsibility either!" A country is like a sponge; squeeze it, and you can always wring out some resources. The cruelty implicit in his words would send shivers down the spines of the Jintao and Xiluo people if they were present.

"I have also sent a message to Nanding." Nanding was a small kingdom north of Jintao, roughly equal in size but usually having little presence. However, at a time like this, Bai Moji wouldn't overlook it.

Lu Wushuang immediately pressed for an answer, "Has Nanding responded?"

"...Not yet."

Lu Wushuang nodded. Although there was no prior relationship between Nanding and Bai Moji, the latter was still a general of Beijia. Since he had asked, Nanding would likely give him some face and send grain and fodder. However, the quantity of this grain and fodder would be limited, and the entire process—from coordination, shipping, transport, and customs clearance, all the way to the Jintao front line—would take at least ten days, and more likely half a month or longer, moving very slowly. Lu Wushuang knew very well the administrative efficiency of these small kingdoms; it wasn't something that could be sped up simply by wishing for it. The tens of thousands of troops on the Jintao front line couldn't possibly wait for just a few handfuls of rice to be cooked.

Bai Moji had no choice but to ask her, "By the way, what was the second solution you mentioned?"

Lu Wushuang immediately replied, "Immediately attack Yuheng City."

"Hmm?" Bai Moji had actually been contemplating this idea himself, and hearing it made him even more eager. He most yearned to go to the Panlong City Northwest front line to kill enemies and earn merits, but Lingxu City had specifically assigned him to the Jintao front line, tasking him with coordinating with the progress on the northwest front! His superiors had even sent a message, telling him to simply focus on defending the Jintao front line and not to act rashly. If he didn't "act rashly," there would be no battles, and thus no military achievements. Were they planning to let people like Lu Wushuang and Fu Shanlie take all the credit? Although the general stationed in Yuheng City had some ability, having once driven away Fu Shanlie, how could he compare to General Hong of Panlong City? But if the first battle of this war were to break out on the Jintao front line, the engagements here would also be significant in Lingxu City, and Bai Moji would receive more attention.

"Considering Takikawa's terrain," Lu Wushuang began, "a large army cannot advance directly, and small, scattered groups would not demonstrate Beijia's strength." Regardless of her true thoughts, she would not openly blame Bai Moji for failing to make progress in Takikawa or seize grain. "Continuing to stall like this is not a solution," she continued. "It would be better to seize the opportunity to attack Yuheng City. Employ General Bai's most effective tactics, bringing overwhelming force to bear. If successful, the best outcome is capturing Yuheng City, in which case all problems will be resolved easily."

"The worst-case scenario," she continued, "is that we can at least charge across to the other bank, seize an auxiliary city to establish a foothold, and then continuously send troops into the plain to seize grain." The troops Bai Moji led were Beijia's finest! If they couldn't achieve the best outcome, surely they could achieve at least the worst? Lu Wushuang continued, "The Mao River Plain is abundant; Panlong City grew strong as soon as they acquired it. There's plenty of grain here; it could supply not just forty thousand troops, but even four hundred thousand."

The biggest problem on the Jintao front line was the inability to seize a foothold in Yuheng City's territory. As Bai Moji thought of this, he felt a surge of irritation. As Lu Wushuang said, continuing to stall was not a solution. Although this did not align with the strategy Lingxu had set early on, one couldn't be stifled by rigid adherence to rules, could they?

"You and I will sign a joint petition to Lingxu." Messages could be exchanged quickly.

Lu Wushuang still did not shirk, simply saying, "Alright."

As she walked out of the main tent, a faint smile finally bloomed on her lips.

"Lord Chief Aide." Her personal guard, a female soldier who attended her, brought a thin outer garment and draped it over her shoulders. The night wind by the river was already quite chilly.

Lu Wushuang strolled along the river, her sleeves fluttering, when she suddenly said, "The wind has changed direction."

"Yes, it has been an easterly wind at night recently."

On the opposite bank of the river, there were only two faint points of light. These were Yuheng City soldiers patrolling the riverbank. Lu Wushuang stared at these two lights and cursed, "Useless good-for-nothings!" Her personal guard did not know what she meant by this and dared not respond. "Relying on their ancestors' legacy, they truly believe they are indispensable." This remark was even more obscure, and even the personal guard couldn't hear it clearly.

Lu Wushuang strolled by the river for over an hour. Only when the lights on the opposite bank disappeared from view did she turn and walk back towards the camp. She was actually not at all anxious about the fighting on the Jintao front line. She was merely an inspector for the Xiluo army, and her only task at hand was to drive these cannon fodder onto the front lines to their deaths. These were not her soldiers, nor her people, so why should she be anxious? Although the petition Bai Moji sent to the imperial capital bore her signature, everyone knew she was just a co-signer; the true petitioner was Bai Moji.

A few days later, Lingxu City replied: "Absolutely not! No unauthorized action! The battles in Panlong Wasteland and Mao River Plain are part of a larger chess game. What right does Bai Moji have to make the first move? You must obey the overall strategy."