Cao Xiushi had come to Chen Prefecture to serve as Chief Administrator after the Pingtan anti-feudal war. Three or four years ago he might still have had the qualifications to speak with Han Qian, but at this time, subjected to Han Qian’s repeated questioning, his face looked dejected and he was tongue-tied, able only to look helplessly toward Shen Yang and Zheng Chang…

Shen Yang’s face was grave as water. After pondering for a long while, he told Cao Xiushi and Zhou Qinian: “You wait outside first.”

Once the matter was exposed, at least at this moment, Tangyi occupied all the reasoning.

No one could say four thousand Xuzhou elite troops besieging bandits was wrong. No one could accuse Xuzhou at this time of definitely planning to frame them and attack the Chen Prefecture tribal battalion with ambitions to annex Chen Prefecture.

Especially since the Tangyi army had just recovered western Huai’s three prefectures and twelve counties, expanding their forces to over sixty thousand men. The Shouzhou army to the north was in great anxiety—not to mention having the capability to counterattack into western Huai’s heartland, they could hardly even contain the Tangyi army’s main forces. At this time, wanting Han Qian to order Xuzhou troops to withdraw from Longtan Mountain made no sense. What other choices remained?

Cao Xiushi glanced at Zhou Qinian. Seeing Zhou Qinian rise from his table, he followed him out of the great hall. Subsequently Qin Wen, Guo Rong, Feng Liao, Wang Zhe, Han Chengmeng and others all filed out of the hall. Watching the guards close the row of wooden doors to the great hall, they waited patiently in the corridor.

In the vast hall, finally only six people remained seated behind their individual long tables: Shen Yang, Zheng Chang, Han Daoming, Yao Xishui, Yuan Guowei, and Han Qian.

“What does Xuzhou need to agree to withdraw troops?” Shen Yang also tore off the veil of pretense, looking directly at Han Qian and asking bluntly.

“Has Teacher Shen seen the memorial I submitted to the capital?” Han Qian asked.

“I’ve seen it. Since you command the Tangyi Campaign Pacification Commission forces stationed in western Huai, in urgent times you naturally have autonomous authority. Regardless of whether your so-called theory of expelling barbarian invaders has merit, the Tangyi Campaign Pacification Commission forces recovering western Huai’s twelve counties, bringing over five hundred thousand people and five hundred li of territory back under Great Chu’s domain—this is an achievement witnessed by all and undeniably meritorious…” Shen Yang said.

Shen Yang’s meaning was also clear. He didn’t acknowledge the reasoning Han Qian stated in the memorial, but the Tangyi army’s achievements were undeniable to anyone. At this time arguing over reasoning, or forcibly putting the hat of colluding with enemies on Han Qian’s head, was all inappropriate.

Yao Xishui and Zheng Chang understood even more clearly in their hearts—the capital only had thirty thousand Imperial Guard親troops, while Han Qian sat across the river commanding sixty thousand elite armored soldiers. What use was arguing these reasonings at this time?

Putting on the hat of collusion with enemies but being unable to punish—it would be better to just treat Han Qian’s memorial, or treat the matters of communicating intelligence and Emperor Liang Zhu Yu’s daughter being captured by Tangyi, as if they didn’t exist.

Otherwise, if all these matters spread, stirring up Jinling City with rising public opinion and surging popular sentiment, wouldn’t it only make the court even more embarrassed?

Everyone was pragmatic. No matter what, at least before the capital’s Imperial Guard forces were truly strengthened, this account could not possibly be settled clearly.

“Bandits plundered Xuzhou. I’m not certain whether Chen Prefecture participated, but these years Chen Prefecture has eyed Xuzhou covetously—this is a fact witnessed by all,” Han Qian said. “I can hand over the three hundred tribal bandits defending Longtan Mountain to the Chen Prefecture tribal battalion to eliminate their nest. I only need the Chen Prefecture tribal battalion to deliver three hundred tribal bandit heads afterward. But at such a sensitive moment, I’m uneasy about the Chen Prefecture tribal battalion continuing to remain at Xuzhou’s bedside…”

“You mean to transfer the tribal battalion out of Chen Prefecture?” Shen Yang asked.

“General Zheng Hui’s attack on Yong Prefecture—isn’t the campaign going rather poorly? Place the Chen Prefecture tribal battalion under the Right Vermillion Bird Army banner,” Han Qian glanced at Zheng Chang and said.

Yao Xishui gnashed her teeth in secret hatred. She hadn’t expected Han Qian to directly give such a huge advantage to the Zheng clan, and she couldn’t stand up to say no.

The Chen Prefecture tribal battalion with three thousand troops could be said to be one of the few elite combat forces that could directly threaten Xuzhou. Transferring the Chen Prefecture tribal battalion away, not allowing it to return to Chen Prefecture without Han Qian’s permission, while Chen Prefecture’s counties retained only small amounts of county troops to maintain local security—at least in the regions north and east of Xuzhou there would no longer be any direct threat. This was naturally an advantageous condition for Xuzhou.

However, Zheng Chang absolutely didn’t believe Han Qian would be satisfied with just this, forcing the Wash family to hand over three hundred tribal bandit heads. Since everyone was negotiating conditions behind closed doors, he also didn’t beat around the bush, narrowing his eyes and asking directly: “The unruly tribal soldiers are a trouble—they should be given continued opportunity to serve Great Chu loyally. But surely Your Lordship isn’t merely satisfied with just this?”

“After recovering Hao Prefecture and the central-southern regions of Huo and Shou Prefectures, subsequently we must both guard against Liang forces dispatching troops from Xu and Si into Hao Prefecture, and prepare for campaigns to recover the three cities of Shouchun, Fengtai, and Huoqiu. The Tangyi Campaign Pacification Commission forces’ thirty thousand troops are already severely insufficient. And no matter what, the depth of defensive lines western Huai is responsible for already exceeds eastern Huai, and we don’t occupy advantages in terrain. I’m preparing to memorialize the court requesting the Tangyi Campaign Pacification Commission forces expand to sixty thousand men, with the court providing all money, grain and military provisions according to Imperial Guard standards. Simultaneously, since Hao, Chu, and Chao Prefectures have been completely recovered, prefects, chief administrators, adjutants and other appointments should also be established early. At this time Shiliang has historically always been under Chu Prefecture jurisdiction, so there’s no longer any need for eastern Huai forces to assist in defense…” Han Qian said.

Hearing Han Qian list so many conditions in one breath, even Zheng Chang, who had gained advantages and was inclined to speak for Han Qian, sucked in a cold breath.

Restoring Hao, Chu, and Chao Prefectures—at most giving out a few hats of prefect, chief administrator, and adjutant, formally establishing the Tangyi Campaign Pacification Commission to exist above the prefectural offices with authority equal to a military commissioner’s office—this was perhaps a reality the court had no choice but to bear and accept at this time.

However, Han Qian wanted to reclaim Shiliang County. But at this time Shiliang County was in eastern Huai’s grasp. How were they to “persuade” them to give up Shiliang County and share equally with Tangyi the advantageous terrain of Hongze Lake and Fanliang Lake?

Furthermore, Han Qian requested formally expanding the Tangyi Campaign Pacification Commission forces to sixty thousand men, demanding the court double military resource allocations to Tangyi again after barely one year. If the court could squeeze out this much money and grain, the Imperial Guard would have expanded long ago. Why wait until now, sitting and watching Tangyi grow too powerful to rein in?

Han Daoming leisurely tapped the table with his fingers.

Even though Zheng Chang felt Han Qian’s conditions were somewhat excessive, his heart at this time was more focused on thinking how to ensure the Chen Prefecture tribal battalion smoothly came under the Right Vermillion Bird Army’s organization.

Yao Xishui wanted to speak several times, but thinking that standing up to speak at this time would only be more humiliating, she could only bitterly endure.

Shen Yang remained silent for a long time before finally saying: “You also know the court fundamentally cannot produce more money and grain…”

Not counting military merit rewards, doubling military resource allocations to Tangyi meant each year, besides an additional three hundred thousand strings of cash, they would need to produce another three hundred thousand shi of grain, one hundred thousand bolts of cloth and silk, as well as three hundred thousand measures of salt and other materials.

Now all sides of court and country were trying every means to expand the Imperial Guard’s scale. Where could they squeeze out money and grain?

Shen Yang saying this was also very clear—the other three main conditions could all be agreed to, but not a single grain could possibly be produced.

“I also won’t fail to understand the court’s difficulties, which is why when Xuzhou suffered bandit plunder, I didn’t think of troubling the court to dispatch large armies for suppression,” Han Qian said. “If Shiliang County isn’t transferred to Chu Prefecture, even if channels are dug between Shiliang River and Puyang River, naval forces won’t be able to enter Hongze Lake for operations for some time. Returning to Xuzhou to recuperate for a period is also appropriate…”

Han Qian couldn’t possibly withdraw troops from Longtan Mountain before obtaining benefits. The Tangyi navy still had to transfer back to Xuzhou according to the original plan, even on an increased scale. Conducting large-scale military mobilization too much affected Xuzhou’s established production plans. Before matters were completely resolved, he still needed to transfer part of the forces from Tangyi back to Xuzhou, enabling some reserve veterans to be replaced and return to production positions.

After eastern Huai forces withdrew from Shiliang County, then urge the Chen Prefecture tribal battalion to besiege Longtan Mountain and transfer out of Chen Prefecture—that would be best.

“Fine, then let’s leave it at that for now,” Shen Yang said.

“The mansion has arranged an evening banquet. Please…” Han Qian said courteously.

“Affairs in the capital are pressing. I also temporarily requested permission to leave the capital. His Majesty is still waiting for me to rush back to Jinling. Minister Han and Minister Zheng may remain to attend the banquet,” Shen Yang didn’t want to stay in East Lake a moment longer and wanted to return directly to Jinling tonight.

“Then I won’t see Teacher Shen off from afar,” Han Qian said.

Shen Yang came hastily, stayed in East Lake for two days, met with Han Qian once, then departed hastily. Yao Xishui also didn’t want to remain and suffer Han Qian’s humiliation, so she departed with Shen Yang along with Cao Xiushi, Zhou Qinian, Qin Wen and others.

Needless to say about Han Daoming—Zheng Chang’s heart was full of thoughts about the Chen Prefecture tribal battalion coming under the Right Vermillion Bird Army organization. This matter also extremely needed Han Qian’s good cooperation, so of course he had to stay and discuss some more specific details.

After the anti-feudal war, the Tan Prefecture rebel army retreated to defend Yong and Chen areas. Afterward Miao Yong also led his forces to defect and join them. Although the rebel forces entrenched in Yong Prefecture had very difficult days, their troop numbers were not few.

After Zheng Hui led the Right Vermillion Bird Army to exchange defense positions with Chai Jian, subsequently further taking control of Shao and Heng Prefectures’ provincial troops, his total forces were only thirty thousand. Attacking Yong and Chen Prefectures to suppress rebels naturally couldn’t be expected to succeed in one stroke. Starting from last autumn and winter, using Five Finger Ridge as foundation, they advanced step by step south attacking cities and seizing strongholds. Progress couldn’t be called very smooth—they needed an elite force skilled in battle like the Chen Prefecture tribal battalion transferred over to serve as vanguard in attacking cities and seizing strongholds.

Han Qian had Yuan Guowei, Guo Rong, Feng Liao and others first accompany Han Daoming and Zheng Chang to the banquet hall. He found Lin Zongjing and Feng Yi with Gao Shao and Yang Qin to arrange subsequent matters of dispatching reinforcements to Xuzhou.

“Really letting the Wash family off? In the future there may not be such a good opportunity again,” Feng Yi asked with some regret.

“Shen Yang personally coming over means he’s determined to prevent us from annexing Chen Prefecture. The Zheng clan, Prince Shou’s mansion, the Hunan Pacification Commission and so on all won’t want to see this happen. Simultaneously, if we alarm them too greatly, Si and Ye Prefectures may also more tightly collude with powerful families in Qianzhong prefectures. Currently we don’t have the surplus strength to maintain large forces in Xuzhou long-term or campaign in Qianzhong. Quitting while ahead is also necessary,” Han Qian said. “Besides, with the Chen Prefecture tribal battalion coming under the Right Vermillion Bird Army organization, the Zheng clan will try to win over the Wash family, but they’ll also necessarily make great use of the tribal battalion, continuing to consume the Wash family’s effective strength. Whether we annex them or not—the difference isn’t large…”

“You’re using an extinction strategy,” Feng Yi said.

“Why say it so unpleasantly?” Han Qian laughed and scolded. “You and Zongjing return to Xuzhou. First ensure the situation is controlled. Be careful not to create any mishaps.”