Chapter 99: Soft Confrontation between Counsellors

Wushang County

Recently, Kan Ze felt that every day was like a year. Just a few months seemed like a lifetime.

Kan Ze also experienced the same desperate experience that Yu Fan had experienced.

"The refined management pioneered by Ming Gong has indeed achieved good results."

Some of them are just useless.

When he was tired, Kan Ze would always sigh that his predecessor Yu Fan had extraordinary abilities.

Kan Ze had already recruited all the scholars he knew to serve as his assistants, but even so, he started losing his hair at such a young age.

At the beginning of next year, he will only be 18 years old!

Originally this was a job for him and Xi Zhicai, but now he has to do it alone, but Kan Ze has no complaints.

Because the current Xi Zhicai is not much better than him.

One person has to be responsible for maintaining public security, transporting food, and coordinating the battle situation on the front line. Kan Ze believes that he cannot do it as well as Xi Zhicai.

It can be said that the reason why Jinmao can play so smoothly in the front is mostly due to Xi Zhicai.

December twelfth.

Xi Zhicai came to Kan Ze again to coordinate issues concerning the collection of late rice.

"Now, all our grain transportation is carried out by water."

Xi Zhicai drew a sloppy map on the ground again, and pointed to the two coastal counties in the east.

“The grain from Zhang’an County and Yongning County no longer needs to pass through Daxi to reach our county.”

Xi Zhicai took a stick and drew a line on the eastern sea: "From here, go north along the coast and reach Juzhang County."

Kan Ze frowned and asked, "Juzhang County is adjacent to Yongdong, which is a pirate den. Can the food really be transported there smoothly?"

"Don't worry, I have already discussed the details with Captain Gong."

Xi Zhicai said confidently: "Captain Gong has already led 300 elite soldiers to Zhang'an County, and will set off with food in the near future."

Kan Ze frowned, feeling that something was wrong, but he couldn't put his finger on it.

Just at this time, Yu Fan came to see Kan Ze about the literacy class, so Xi Zhicai dropped the topic.

"Yu Fan pays respects to the county magistrate and meets Principal Kan."

Xi Zhicai greeted him with a smile: "Teacher Yu, why should you be so polite?"

The two of them pushed and shoved each other again.

During this period, Yu Fan gained a lot from the literacy class.

The relatives of those soldiers were not reasonable at all. When something happened, they would cry, make a fuss, and then complain. At first, Yu Fan lost control of his emotions.

Once, Yu Fan tried to deal with the situation in the same way that Jin Mao dealt with him, and the effect was surprisingly good.

From that moment on, Yu Fan suddenly realized, "It turns out that you have always been tolerating me!"

From that time on, Yu Fan took the literacy classes seriously.

From being bullied in the beginning to being able to handle most things now, Yu Fan would only come to Kan Ze to discuss matters involving others.

Although it was called a discussion, Yu Fan had actually already thought of a countermeasure, and he just came to ask Kan Ze for power.

Kan Ze and Xi Zhicai naturally knew all this, so they treated Yu Fan with great courtesy.

Everyone knows that it is only a matter of time before Yu Fan rises again.

soon.

Yu Fan's problem was solved. Just as he was about to leave, Kan Ze stopped Yu Fan and said, "Zhong Xiang, give me some advice."

He also told Yu Fan about Xi Zhicai's plan.

In fact, Yu Fan had been paying attention to everything. He saw everything Xi Zhicai did. Yu Fan knew Xi Zhicai's purpose better than Kan Ze.

"Xi County Magistrate, please don't follow my old path." Yu Fan asked meaningfully, "Should I ask your Excellency for your instructions on this matter?"

Suddenly, Kan Ze turned his head and looked at Xi Zhicai.

The latter smiled calmly and said, "As expected, Zhong Xiang saw through me."

"I did discuss with Captain Gong that we should eliminate the pirates along the way."

"Waterways are our main transportation routes, so we must not be negligent in the slightest."

Yu Fan twirled his beard and squinted his eyes as he thought. Based on his understanding of Xi Zhicai, this matter was definitely not that simple.

"Xie County Magistrate is really good at using sleight of hand!"

Yu Fan asked: "Pirates roam the vast ocean, how can we wipe them out just like that?"

Kan Ze clapped his hands and said, "Yes! Although our army is elite, do we think we can wipe out the pirates with only 300 people?"

Idiot's dream!

Xi Zhicai appeared calm and composed on the surface, but in fact, he was panicking inside. He boasted that he was very smart and confident that he could deceive either Yu Fan or Kan Ze. He never expected that the combination of Yu Fan and Kan Ze, who had turned over a new leaf, would actually produce a greater effect than the sum of their parts.

Seeing that Xi Zhicai did not give a direct answer, Yu Fan and Kan Ze looked at each other and both realized that there was something fishy.

The fighting spirit in the eyes of the two was instantly ignited. They were all scholars, and there has been no best in literature since ancient times. The two did not want to be looked down upon by Xi Zhicai.

During this period, Xi Zhicai could be said to have made no major mistakes in his plans, which was completely different from before.

Not to mention Kan Ze, even Yu Fan, who had been secretly competing with him, was shocked.

"There really are such powerful people in the world!"

This time, Xi Zhicai seemed to be planning something big, and the two decided to work together to expose Xi Zhicai's purpose.

First, Yu Fan took the initiative and pointed out the key point: "Juzhang County is located in the lower reaches of Zhejiang Province, where the river and the sea meet."

"The great pirates have already been defeated by you, my Lord. The remaining small pirates are not worth worrying about. How dare they rob the grain team escorted by 300 elite soldiers?"

"The only force nearby that is capable of robbing food is..."

"Wu Jun!"

Yu Fan and Kan Ze screamed almost at the same time, and Xi Zhicai's eyelids twitched violently.

Guessing the place isn’t enough.

Kan Ze took over the analysis: "Wujun Governor Sheng Xian had a dirty relationship with you earlier."

"Let them rob food again?"

This seems to be of no use. The feud has already been formed, and as soon as Jinmao returns, he will attack Wujun.

At this time, should we send food to our opponents?

Kan Ze shook his head, thinking that Xi Zhicai was not that stupid.

The problem seemed to be stuck here, and the two were stuck in a dead end and couldn't get out.

"You two are worrying too much." Xi Zhicai interrupted, "I just want to open up the grain route, I have no other intentions."

"I understand!" Yu Fan suddenly screamed, scaring the other two.

"You are such a demon!" Yu Fan said bluntly, "My Lord will never agree to this!"

"No wonder you want to act on your own. I'm afraid Captain Gong is still kept in the dark, right?"

"You know, this will put you in an unjust position!"

Kan Ze was confused and asked, "Zhong Xiang, what are you talking about?"

Yu Fan roared, "Xi Zhicai is going to bury Captain Gong and his three hundred men!"

"So that you can have a reason to attack Wujun!"

Kan Ze took a deep breath and understood all the key points in an instant.

The only ones who had the ability to rob the grain were Wujun County Magistrate Sheng Xian or Commandant Xu Gong, and everyone knew Gong Lei's temper. He was loyal and would never give up the grain as long as he was alive.

There is only one outcome to this: it is better to die with honor than to live in disgrace!
Suddenly, Kan Ze looked at Xi Zhicai as if he was looking at a demon.

"I will tell you about this matter." Yu Fan threatened: "Xi Zhicai! Put away your little tricks, otherwise, I will take your head next time!"

"I didn't think so and I didn't do that! I don't know what you are talking about." Xi Zhicai looked ugly and left in anger.

Yu turned around and asked Kan Ze: "You are the one in charge now, please send someone to stop Captain Gong as soon as possible. This matter must be decided by Ming Gong!"

Kan Ze bowed deeply: "Today I finally understand the righteousness of Lord Yu!"

After Kan Ze stood up, he quickly arranged people.

Xi Zhicai did not stop him, but just watched silently and turned around to do his own thing.

December 14th.

When Jin Mao led his troops back to Wushang County for rest, Yu Fan and Kan Ze came to complain.

At that time, Jin Mao believed that Xi Zhicai always liked to take risks in his schemes, which was in line with his style.

But Xi Zhicai didn't say or do anything, so we can't forcibly convict him on false charges.

This march also reminded Jinmao that the waterways in the south were unobstructed, so there was no need to rely on roads for transportation like in the north.

Military tactics cannot be bound by formalities, but must conform to local customs and go with the flow.

To take a step back, near-sea transportation is indeed important. If we have the capability for near-sea transportation, we don’t have to worry about being strangled by Wujun.

"Okay!" Jin Mao said after careful consideration: "This matter ends here, and it won't happen again!"

Xi Zhicai, Yu Fan and Kan Ze were all startled. Jin Mao was warning all three of them at the same time.

"You have done a great job these days." Jin Mao smiled again and said, "I will give you another credit on top of your original achievements!"

"Thank you, my Lord!"

The three of them bowed in admiration. In their eyes, Jin Mao was becoming more and more powerful and looking like a wise leader.

(End of this chapter)