The Prodigal Son

Beiqi is a bountiful plain.

Located north of Dapan City, Fengshou Plain benefits from the abundant water of the Damo River, which provides ample water for crops and makes it the largest grain-producing area in Beiqi.

At this moment, Murong Wujiang, who was patrolling the Harvest Plain, had just completed a small-scale massacre.

And she personally chopped off those dozens of heads.

These heads belong to the sons of officials and their families who rode horses and devoured the seedlings.

Actually, it was just a small matter, and she didn't need to handle it personally at all.

But she still came, and did it herself!

Horses grazing on seedlings is absolutely unforgivable!

She wants to make an example of someone!

Murong Wujiang glanced coldly at the heads in front of him, his anger still burning.

Beiqi is not Ningguo, so it can purchase large quantities of grain from Chu, which produces grain.

Although Beiqi possesses vast and boundless land, there are only a few actual grain-producing areas.

Even now, Beiqi is still not fully self-sufficient in terms of food.

For many people, not to mention filling their stomachs, they were lucky if they didn't starve to death!

So what if Northern Qi has hundreds of thousands of troops?

Without enough food, let alone recovering lost territory, it's hard to say whether they can even hold onto their current territory!

These damned people aren't just letting their horses graze on the seedlings; they're destroying the very foundation of Beiqi.

"Someone come here!"

Murong Wujiang threw down the still-dripping knife in his hand, pointing angrily at the several severed heads before him. "Find some poles and plant these heads next to the soil where the crops have been devoured! I want everyone to know the consequences of letting horses graze on crops!"

"yes!"

The guards obeyed.

Murong Wujiang withdrew his gaze from the crowd, his icy eyes sweeping over the accompanying officials: "I said at the beginning of my reign that food is the foundation of the nation! If anyone dares to let their horses graze on seedlings or destroy farmland again, I will not hesitate to exterminate their entire clan!"

"We will remember this!"

The ministers all bowed their heads in response.

After warning his ministers, Murong Wujiang mounted his horse and led them back.

Before the group had even returned to Dapan City, Fu Jiu, the commander of the Jiyi Division, galloped up on horseback.

The Intelligence Bureau is the intelligence agency of Beiqi. Its commander, Fu Jiu, is a confidant of Murong Wujiang and also her cousin.

Fu Jiu dismounted a few feet away from Murong Wujiang, quickly trotted forward, and presented the secret report with both hands: "Your Majesty, an urgent secret report has arrived from the capital of Ning Kingdom!"

Urgent confidential report?

Murong Wujiang's eyelids twitched, and he quickly took the secret report to examine it.

Upon reading the contents of the secret report, a slight smile finally appeared on Murong Wujiang's usually cold face.

Murong Wujiang turned to the accompanying high-ranking officials, "Gentlemen, please come aside to discuss matters!"

As he spoke, Murong Wujiang immediately spurred his horse to the side.

Xiao Baoju and the others exchanged a silent glance and immediately followed.

Soon, they came to the side.

Murong Wujiang then handed over the secret report in his hand for them to read.

Upon seeing the contents of the secret report, joy spread across the faces of the group.

Yelü Shu, renowned for his bravery, suddenly raised his head, his fighting spirit blazing, and said, "Those two women in Da Ning are fighting again! This is the perfect opportunity for us to launch a military campaign against Ning! I am willing to lead the army to attack Ning and recover our lost territory!"

"No!"

Military Advisor Xiao Yanguang immediately objected, "This is absolutely not the right time to attack Ning. We should sit back and watch the tigers fight!"

Beiqi was divided into civil and military officials.

The civil minister is mainly responsible for civil administration, while the military minister is responsible for internal or external wars.

Even so, internal strife was inevitable between the civil and military prime minister groups.

"Prime Minister Xiao is right!"

This time, Minister Han Cizhang did not contradict Xiao Yanguang, but agreed, saying, "If we send troops to attack Ning now, it will only hasten the end of their internal strife and force them to put aside their personal grudges and unite against a common enemy! We should wait for the right opportunity, preferably when Ning is in turmoil before sending troops to attack..."

They should send someone to assassinate Zhao Yan, thereby forcing Prince Zhao Chong of Chengyang to rebel.

Zhao Chong is guarding Yinzhou!

That's the gateway to Ningguo!

As long as Zhao Chong sides with the State of Chu, the State of Ning will definitely face internal strife.

That will be the best time for them to attack Ning!

Hearing Han Cizhang's words, the others nodded in agreement.

Emperor Xiaowen of Ningguo left Zhao Luan with a wealth of resources. If Beiqi were to fight Ningguo head-on, it would likely end up like it did a few years ago, with both sides suffering heavy losses.

If they wait until Ningguo is embroiled in large-scale internal strife or its own backyard is in turmoil before launching an attack on Ningguo, their chances of success will be much greater.

Moreover, it can also reclaim the land of Kyushu at a much lower cost!

"That's what I meant too."

Murong Wujiang nodded slightly. "But what I'm curious about is why Zhao Luan disregarded the objections of the entire court and insisted on protecting Qin Yu?"

When Qin Yu was mentioned, a murderous glint flashed in Murong Wujiang's eyes.

Lu Ji went to assassinate Qin Yu, but there has been no news of him since, while Qin Yu is still alive and well.

This can only mean that Lu Ji's assassination attempt failed and he is already dead.

Lu Ji was one of the people she trusted most!

She and Qin Yu already had a score to settle, and now they have a new grudge!

If she could, she would tear Qin Yu to pieces!

"It must be because of Qin Fumeng, right?"

Xiao Baoju pondered, "Qin Fumeng commands nearly half of Ningguo's army. If something happens to Qin Yu, who knows what that old scoundrel Qin Fumeng might do! If I were Zhao Luan, and had to choose between Zhao Chong and Qin Fumeng, I would definitely choose Qin Fumeng!"

"not necessarily!"

Murong Wujiang shook his head slightly, "Don't forget, Qin Fumeng has already returned to the Ning Kingdom's capital! It will probably be much easier for Zhao Luan to take Qin Fumeng's life than to take Zhao Chong's..."

If it were her, she would abandon Qin Fumeng and ensure the safety of Yinzhou's gateway first.

Even if you don't give up completely, you should at least pretend to give up!

Hearing her say this, the others couldn't help but ponder it.

Murong Wujiang's words make sense; Zhao Luan couldn't possibly be unaware of the importance of Yinzhou.

As long as Zhao Chong guards Yinzhou well and doesn't give Chu any opportunity to take advantage, Ningguo won't have trouble in its own backyard and can continue to maintain a long-term trade relationship with Chu, receiving a steady stream of grain from Chu.

Thinking about it this way, Zhao Luan's attitude is indeed a bit abnormal!

Could it be that Zhao Luan has really taken a liking to Qin Yu?

What is it about Qin Yu that Zhao Luan would be interested in?

Didn't we hear intelligence that Qin Yu's thing was completely useless?

What, it's healed again?

Han Cizhang pondered for a moment, then looked up at Murong Wujiang. "I believe we have too little intelligence to make a judgment! Thinking about this now is useless. We should find a way to assassinate Zhao Yan and force Zhao Chong into rebellion first!"

One force can overcome all laws!

As long as Zhao Chong rebels, it will be the most beneficial thing for Bei Qi!

Relying on limited intelligence to speculate now will only waste their energy.

Murong Wujiang still had many doubts in his heart.

However, she also agreed with Han Cizhang's words.

After a moment's contemplation, Murong Wujiang made up his mind and sternly ordered Fu Jiu: "Order your men to assassinate Zhao Yan when the opportunity arises, and frame Zhao Luan or Qin Yu! Tell them to act only when they have a chance, and not to make any rash moves if there is no opportunity, lest they be exposed!"

"yes!"

Fu Jiu accepted the order...