Chapter 1243 - 306: Wolf Smoke (Part 3)

Chapter 1243: Chapter 306: Wolf Smoke (Part 3)

Laborers, even more so, because after a national war, the logistical pressure is immense, requiring a large amount of human and material resources to support the front line.

At the same time, the increase in taxes has already begun.

Previously, it was living from hand to mouth; now, taxes are really being collected years in advance.

Large households and families have voluntarily begun "destroying their homes to relieve the crisis," where those with notable names must at least disperse more than half of their wealth and stored grain, otherwise, their stance is considered unsteady.

Vigorous war preparations are already in full swing.

It is said,

Ji Chengjue once sat dazed in his Ministry of Revenue office for an entire afternoon, responding to no one who called him.

For Ji Chengjue, who is adept at financial management, clearly understood in his heart,

that after this national war,

Yan’s finances, which were barely maintained, would directly declare bankruptcy.

Not to mention the vast amount of money and food invested,

the mobilization of a large-scale youthful workforce, removing them from their usual productive operations, would also result in an astronomical deficit.

This war,

can only be won,

not allowed to be lost.

If victorious, it’s not expected that the deficits will be completely filled; after all, that’s fundamentally impossible to recover. Even with Yan and Jin’s vast territories and large populations, no matter how great the spoils from invading Chu, it’s impossible to account for through warfare like the small location of Snow Sea Pass, using a profitable combat model.

The total mobilization of Yan has begun, and at the same time, the Yan Emperor’s edicts have started to be issued to Jin land.

The Yan court, which originally harbored tender feelings towards Jin land, has finally revealed its conquering ferocity at this time.

All Jin army camps have begun mobilizing and are allowed to expand, with the forces of Jin land beginning to head towards the eastern Jin region.

Major cities and families within Jin land have all been subjected to levies.

The Yan court does not negotiate with you, nor will it consider your specific difficulties,

The money, grain, manpower, and various material demands set down must be met, or it’s considered defying the edict.

This approach somewhat carries the meaning of "Heaven and Earth are not benevolent, treating all things as straw dogs."

This is a national war, the point of which is to stake the national destiny.

I will do it,

as you wish.

As the saying goes, the son of a thousand gold does not sit under dangerous eaves, and wearing shoes changes one’s mindset compared to those barefoot. Smallly rich families treasure stability the most, while greatly rich families aim to elevate their status to secure wealth for many generations.

And the royal family,

The emperor,

has actually reached a pinnacle.

Why do emperors like to seek immortals and the Dao? Offer sacrifices and worship gods?

Even the royal family of Qian State enjoys wandering around in a Taoist robe inside a warm room;

Is it possible that they are truly devoted to the Dao? Buddha? Gods?

No;

It’s simply to hope for an extension of life, to enjoy a few more years on the throne of supreme power.

Already the supreme lord among humans, why seek temple gates elsewhere?

One can only say,

Yan State is an anomaly;

Its anomaly is not due to Lord Zheng and seven demon kings awakening in its realm, but inherently within Yan State.

Sometimes, Lord Zheng involuntarily ponders who truly is the demon king?

Compared to those three, our side indeed seems somewhat insignificant.

An emperor who directly decentralizes military power while regarding his own flesh and blood, his confidante, as nothing more than straw;

A Southern Marquis who annihilates his entire family, and on the night prepared to celebrate the conferment of a noble title, bathes everything in blood;

A Lord North who sends his daughter away, with unclear whereabouts for his son, possessing the most formidable and loyal military power of Yan, yet willingly gnaws on sand in the desert.

These three being born in a single nation, standing together, is it that nation’s fortune or misfortune?

The day West Zhi Gate raised swords and took an oath,

Edicts issued from the central authority to Yan and Jin were like snowflakes;

Among them, the most eye-catching and foundational decrees were:

Restoring the title of Prince Jingnan to Tian Wujing;

Appointing Prince Jingnan as Grand Marshal against Chu, controlling all forces in Jin land and those entering Jin land;

Granting the Sword of the Son of Heaven, allowing officials in Jin land, from governors to commoners, regardless of Yan or Jin, to kill without being questioned!

Another decree was even more concise:

During the campaign against Chu, from the emperor to commoners, any who impeach or criticize Prince Jingnan will be killed without pardon!

Yes,

This decree, which obviously violates the system, was still issued from the central authority under the strong execution of the Yan Emperor, even bringing the Son of Heaven within its regulations.

Lord Zheng once said to the Qian State official that he did not know the military.

In fact, the Yan Emperor, who had not left the capital nor led troops since ascending the throne, probably also did not know the military.

But what the Yan Emperor did,

was completely hand over military power and frontline matters to the commanding marshal,

while he,

was willing to sit in the rear to suppress pressures and discord from the back, and at the same time, procure provisions and troops for it.

......

Lord Zheng and the Fifth Prince parted ways at Wang River. The Fifth Prince intended to go to Ying Capital City; simultaneously, he planned to lead a group of Ying Capital City officials who understood water management to personally inspect the river routes;

Although he roughly understood in his heart that with the national war approaching, he probably wouldn’t have the capability to repair river works, but as long as the imperial edict hadn’t reached Ying Capital City, he had to continue with his duties.

Meanwhile, Lord Zheng,

continued without rest, traveling day and night, rushing back to Snow Sea Pass at the fastest possible speed.

Lord Zheng’s Pixiu mount was fine, but a large portion of his personal guards were left behind midway due to the horses’ endurance, illustrating the determination of Lord Zheng’s journey.