The Prodigal Son

Zhao Luan's sudden arrival surprised both the grandfather and grandson.

Just as the grandfather and grandson arrived at the door to greet the emperor, Zhao Luan had already entered with his two henchmen.

"Greetings, Your Majesty!"

The grandfather and grandson quickly bowed.

No need for formalities.

Zhao Luan's gaze swept over Qin Yu. "You got beaten up again?"

Qin Yu nodded, replying with a bitter expression, "This humble subject is truly wronged this time!"

Zhao Luan was secretly annoyed, then glared at Qin Fumeng, "Duke of Wei, didn't I tell you? Don't resort to violence so easily. Qin Yu is now a Palace Attendant and concurrently a Director of the Six Ministries. You're saying you're going to beat him black and blue? What kind of behavior is that?"

How many times has this happened?

If he doesn't get rid of Qin Fumeng's bad habit of beating people at the drop of a hat, he doesn't know how many more times he'll be implicated.

Qin Fumeng shrugged it off, laughing it off and saying, "Your Majesty, rest assured, I know my limits and didn't embarrass him!"

"Hitting him won't work either!"

Zhao Luan glared at him with her phoenix eyes, "I still need him to advise me. If you beat him up, I'll have you come up with the advice for me!"

"Yes, yes!"

Qin Fumeng nodded perfunctorily, then immediately changed the subject: "Your Majesty's arrival, what brings you here?"

Zhao Luan composed himself. "I just came from Prime Minister Song's residence when I heard that someone was coming to the Qin family to demand an explanation from Qin Yu, so I came to check! Now that you've resolved the matter, I'll ask the Duke of Wei for his opinion! Qin Yu, you will also come and listen in!"

"yes!"

Qin Yu accepted the order, but felt secretly frustrated.

Why didn't you come sooner?

They only arrived after the fight was already over?

Are you filming a police thriller here?!

Led by Qin Fumeng, they sat down in Qin Fumeng's study.

Qin Fumeng knew that Zhao Luan wanted to inquire about military affairs in the north, so he immediately recounted the problems he had discovered during his inspection.

The military preparedness of the seven northern provinces is still somewhat lax, and their military equipment is also somewhat inadequate.

However, these are minor issues.

The biggest problem is that the military is redundant!

Despite the fact that the imperial court has deployed nearly 400,000 troops in the seven northern prefectures, after deducting various miscellaneous soldiers and garrison troops, the actual number of combat-ready soldiers is only 200,000.

Although an army of 200,000 is not a small number, it is still a bit difficult to deal with both the Northern Qi and Yan states at the same time.

During this inspection, Qin Fumeng also made some adjustments to the troop deployment.

He mobilized 100,000 capable soldiers to garrison at Wuguan and Wuzhou, and added a military camp south of Qingshan County and north of Yishui in Dingzhou, which was large enough to house 50,000 soldiers.

The remaining combat-ready troops were mostly stationed in Panyang County and Qingshan County, which are located on the front lines of Dingzhou.

With this arrangement, the defensive capabilities should be sufficient as long as no major battles occur.

Moreover, supplies to Dingzhou can be transported by water, which greatly reduces the pressure on logistics.

However, such a deployment also has drawbacks. In the event of a major war, there will be no troops available to be mobilized.

Currently, he has ordered Guan Tingshan to select 60,000 brave soldiers from various garrisons to prepare in Jiaozhou and Lizhou, striving to have 60,000 combat-ready soldiers ready before launching a military campaign against Yan next year.

Based on what he knew, although Bei Qi was mobilizing its troops, it seemed more like they were applying pressure rather than preparing for full-scale war!

Therefore, they should have had enough time to prepare 60,000 combat-ready troops.

However, the imperial court must keep up with the weaponry and equipment of these 60,000 troops.

"This can only be done step by step."

Zhao Luan said with a headache, "I have already ordered the Ministry of Works to prioritize the supply of weapons and armor to the seven northern states, but the equipment for so many people cannot be made in a short time."

"I understand."

Qin Fumeng nodded. "Furthermore, I believe that Shuozhou and Zhenzhou in the northwest must also strengthen their military preparedness. Once our dynasty launches the war to destroy Yan, the main direction of Bei Qi's attack should be the northwest! The northwest must withstand Bei Qi's first fierce attack!"

"Um."

Zhao Luan nodded. "Lord Xue has already mentioned this matter! He also said that if necessary, we can abandon Shuo and Zhen prefectures and retreat to Iron Wall City in Wei Prefecture! Relying on the natural defenses!"

"Retreating to Ironwall City is a last resort," Qin Fumeng said in a deep voice. "If necessary, we may have to send troops out of Wuguan to contain the main force of Northern Qi!"

"We'll discuss this later!"

Zhao Luan raised her hand and gently pressed it down, her gaze falling on Qin Yu again. "The Duke of Wei has said so much, is there anything you'd like to say?"

Qin Yu was surprised that Zhao Luan would suddenly ask him that question.

He paused for a moment before replying, "I think that once Yan falls into chaos, Bei Qi is very likely to send troops to attack and capture Yan's Panshan Pass, thus dividing Yan among themselves!"

Upon hearing Qin Yu's words, Qin Fumeng immediately bristled and glared, retorting, "You only think about immediate gains, don't you even consider the principle of 'if the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold'?"

Qin Yu was speechless: "What do you mean by 'if the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold'? I think you're getting senile!"

Snapped!

No sooner had Qin Yu finished speaking than Qin Fumeng slapped him on the head.

Qin Fumeng was too fast; Zhao Luan had no time to stop him.

Having suffered another undeserved misfortune, Zhao Luan glared at the grandfather and grandson with annoyance, "Continue!"

One is that he's just being impulsive!

One is that he has a sharp tongue!

"That's exactly right!"

Qin Yu rubbed his head, looking at Qin Fumeng with displeasure: "What do you mean by 'if the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold'? Do you think we're still at our peak? Do you think Bei Qi would consider them weaker than us?"

Faced with his grandson's question, Qin Fumeng was speechless.

Yes!

Daning is not the Daning it used to be!

In terms of territory alone, Beiqi is about twice the size of Daning!

Its military strength is in no way inferior to that of Daming, and may even be slightly stronger!

If Bei Qi can obtain enough benefits, it may not necessarily need Yan to restrain Da Ning.

"Isn't that enough?"

Qin Yu pointed to the map spread out in front of them, "It will cost Bei Qi much more to reclaim Shuozhou and Zhenzhou, and the benefits gained will be far less than those from conquering several rich states of Yan."

"The right choice is to obtain the greatest benefit at the lowest cost."

"Once they break through Panshan Pass, they can quickly seize the rich territories of Yan State, including Muzhou, Jizhou, and Yunzhou, and even Yuanzhou, Cuizhou, and Huzhou, before we can..."

Especially Tiger Prefecture!

That's a strategic location!

If Beiqi seizes Huzhou, it will not only prevent Daning from competing with them for territory, but also establish a bridgehead for attacking Daning.

As things stand, as long as Bei Qi breaks through Yan's Panshan Pass, at the very least they can divide up the three prefectures north of the Panjiang River from Yan!

Muzhou was the largest horse-producing area in the Yan Kingdom, and it was distributed across several states around the Panjiang River. It was also an important grain-producing area in the Yan Kingdom!

Why would Bei Qi abandon such a good place and use a large army to seize the devastated Shuo and Zhen prefectures? Isn't that just plain crazy?

Therefore, he believes that once the war to destroy Yan begins, the largest battlefield for Da Ning and Bei Qi will likely be within the territory of Yan!

Both sides will see who is faster, can seize more territory, and gain more benefits!

If he were the Empress of Northern Qi, he would spare no effort to seize Tiger State, a strategic location in Yan State, as quickly as possible.

Zhao Luan's gaze followed Qin Yu's words as he moved across the map, secretly surprised.

That bastard has a discerning eye!

Is he truly a born leader?

Finally, Qin Yu asked Zhao Luan, "If the two prefectures of Zhen and Shuo could be exchanged for the three prefectures of Ping, Ju, and Mo in Bei Qi, would Your Majesty agree?"

"Change it! Definitely change it!"

Without hesitation, Zhao Luan replied, "I agree with you! What do you think, Duke of Wei?"

"That depends on what Empress Murong thinks."

Qin Fumeng said solemnly, "From a long-term strategic perspective, Bei Qi should not want the Yan Kingdom to be destroyed!"

"After all, if we fail to completely annihilate the Yan state this time, it will become our mortal enemy after this battle!"

"From Bei Qi's perspective, having another mortal enemy would also be of great benefit to Da Ning!"

"But if, unfortunately, this beast's prediction comes true, Tiger Prefecture will be of paramount importance in the war to destroy Yan! We and Northern Qi may very well engage in a major battle for control of this strategically vital location!"