The Prodigal Son

"What about the food and supplies supply to the front lines at Dingzhou?"

At this moment, Gao Yi hurriedly asked, "This campaign against Yan certainly won't end in a short time. The imperial court hasn't mobilized much grain there before. Will the army's food supplies be able to keep up?"

"Prime Minister Gao's vision is indeed far-sighted!"

Zhao Luan gave Gao Yi an approving look and continued, "In order to prevent the Yan spies from discovering that our dynasty is preparing to attack Yan, when our dynasty transported grain to Dingzhou to trade with Yan, I specifically ordered people to intercept and hoard a portion of the grain each time."

"The supply lines for the army at the front should be mostly secured within a month and a half!"

"However, in order to ensure the smooth progress of the campaign against Yan, it is necessary to transport grain and fodder to the front lines to ensure a reliable supply!"

"Prime Minister Gao, you are both the Prime Minister and the Minister of Revenue. This matter is entrusted to you!"

"I have waited so many years for this opportunity to attack Yan; we absolutely cannot allow the war to end in failure because of supply problems!"

Zhao Luan then handed over this extremely troublesome task to Gao Yi.

She did not give Gao Yi a chance to refuse.

Even Gao Yi couldn't refuse.

Zhao Luan has already said that he is the Minister of Revenue!

If he doesn't do it, who will?

Gao Yi nodded emphatically, his voice trembling with excitement, "This old minister has dreamed of destroying the Yan Kingdom, and now hope is at hand. This old minister will certainly not fail in his mission!"

"Then I'll have to trouble you, Prime Minister Gao!"

As Zhao Luan spoke, she looked at Du Zhiwen and said, "Lord Du, Prime Minister Gao is old and there are many affairs of state that require his attention. You have also served as Minister of Revenue. I hereby order you to assist Prime Minister Gao and ensure the supply of provisions for the army that is about to attack Yan!"

"I obey your decree!"

Du Zhiwen accepted the order.

Zhao Luan surveyed the assembled officials once more, then abruptly raised his voice: "I will not dwell on the grievances between our dynasty and the Yan state, nor on your grievances with the Yan rebels!"

"This battle is not only for the future of Great Ning, but also to avenge the loved ones of all of you!"

"I urge all of you to unite as one and fight a decisive battle to annihilate Yan!"

Zhao Luan's voice was loud and clear, and his gaze was firm, which stirred the passion of the assembled officials.

"Your Majesty, we obey!"

The assembled officials bowed and shouted in unison.

Yes!

Revenge!

Even though there have been many changes in the officials in the court in the past two years, more than half of the officials in the court still have relatives who died at the hands of the Yan people.

Their hatred for the Yan people was incredibly deep!

Now, the opportunity to get revenge is right in front of you!

If they can destroy Yan, they can die in peace!

The morning assembly lasted from morning until noon.

Zhao Luan not only handed over the task of transporting grain and fodder, but also drafted an imperial edict in court, ordering people to rush to Yinzhou, Hezhou, and Dieguan as quickly as possible to deliver the edict and mobilize 50,000 reserve troops to Dingzhou.

After the court session ended, Gao Yi and Du Zhiwen, without even having time to eat, immediately summoned officials from the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Works to begin various tasks such as transporting grain and replenishing military equipment.

The replenishment of military equipment is not too bad; all that's needed is to pour money and manpower into it.

However, the transportation of grain and fodder has always been a troublesome issue.

Even if all they need to do is transport the grain to Dingzhou, there are still many troubles involved.

Arrangements for the transfer of grain and fodder along the route.

Coordination between waterways and land routes.

The conscription of ships and laborers.

Calculate which areas would be the most cost-effective for transporting grain and fodder...

Soon it will be the season of continuous autumn rains, and we also need to ensure that the grain being transported does not mold and rot on the way.

All these things need to be sorted out.

Everyone worked from noon until dusk before finally getting things arranged.

This is just an arrangement!

There's still a lot of work to be done for them.

Zhao Luan said in court that the army should not lack food and fodder for a month and a half, so he only gave them one month.

After all, it takes time to transport supplies from Dingzhou to the front lines.

They also need to leave some room for maneuver to ensure that supplies can be delivered on time even in the event of an emergency.

"call……"

After finishing all these tasks, Gao Yi couldn't help but let out a long sigh of relief. "Lord Du, if it weren't for your assistance, I'm afraid my body wouldn't have been able to handle so many things!"

Du Zhiwen chuckled, "It's fortunate that Prime Minister Gao is so experienced. If I were to handle this, my head would probably be in a mess."

Gao Yi smiled wearily, "This old man's bones are only of this much use! Compared to Song, who offered such a brilliant plan, I am far inferior."

"Minister Gao, what are you saying?"

Du Zhiwen shook his head and smiled, "Among all the civil and military officials, didn't anyone see through Prime Minister Song's brilliant plan? Besides, if Prime Minister Song's brilliant plan were so easy to see through, how would our dynasty have had the opportunity to attack Yan?"

"Ugh!"

Gao Yi sighed deeply, his face full of regret, and said, "It's a pity that Prime Minister Song has passed away, otherwise I really wanted to have a few drinks with him!"

"We're on the same page!" Du Zhiwen, also showing regret, exclaimed, "Prime Minister Song's plan is so brilliant that it's unprecedented and unparalleled!"

After exchanging a few words of reflection, and seeing that it was getting late, the two of them walked out together.

Outside, their coachmen were waiting in their carriages.

"Old fox!"

"Thief!"

As they boarded the carriage, they both cursed inwardly at the same time, and waved goodbye to each other.

Du Zhiwen knew in his heart that Gao Yi had become suspicious.

He suspected that he knew Zhao Luan's plan in advance and was deliberately testing them!

Throughout the journey, Gao Yi kept his eyes closed in deep thought.

He returned to his residence when it was completely dark.

At this moment, the people in the mansion are still waiting for him to have dinner.

However, Gao Yi had no appetite for dinner and called Gao Dan directly into the study.

Gao Dan noticed his father's expression was off and asked with concern, "Dad, what's wrong?"

Gao Yi said with a gloomy look in his eyes, "His Majesty has probably never trusted me!"

"what?"

Gao Dan was slightly taken aback, then quickly realized, "Father has this idea because His Majesty didn't tell you about her and Song Zhuo's plan?"

He was also present at today's court assembly.

Although Zhao Luan's explanation was reasonable, and many ministers in the court were kept in the dark, she did go a bit too far.

My father was the Prime Minister of Da Ning!

Such a big matter was kept from even the prime minister; it's truly disheartening.

"That's not all!"

A glint of light flashed in Gao Yi's eyes. "Based on my understanding of Song Zhuo, he couldn't possibly have come up with such a brilliant plan! This seems more like the work of that treacherous Qin Yu!"

Song Zhuo was even more adept at political maneuvering!

This kind of vicious scheme—selling someone out and then having them count the money for them—doesn't seem like something Song Zhuo could come up with!

Qin Yu?

Gao Dan's heart skipped a beat.

If those strategies were all Qin Yu's ideas, then things are in serious trouble.

"Qin Yu probably doesn't have that ability, does he?"

Gao Dan frowned deeply. "The person who came up with this plan must be extremely skilled at exploiting human weaknesses! Qin Yu is just a hothead; he can't possibly be that shrewd, can he?"

"not necessarily!"

Gao Yi shook his head slightly, "Don't forget how Qin Yu tricked Yan Li during the negotiations! If he were really a fool, could he have fooled Yan Li, the Crown Prince of Yan, so easily?"

Gao Dan's eyelids twitched suddenly.

Yes!

When Qin Yu was negotiating with the Yan state, Song Zhuo was already dead beyond any doubt!

Surely it couldn't have been Song Zhuo who gave the instructions, could it?

After thinking for a while, Gao Dan tentatively asked, "Could it be that Song Xian is leading the negotiations?"

"Maybe!"

Gao Yi is also somewhat uncertain now, "but we must be careful! Otherwise, we'll be the kind of people who get sold out and then help the seller count the money!"

Gao Dan pondered for a moment, then nodded solemnly...