Chapter 420 The Past!

In addition to his own situation, which made Ye Mingsheng decide to send troops as soon as possible, the situation in the palace capital also made Ye Mingsheng determined to cut the Gordian knot!

Ever since he learned that Wang Kangxin was trying to seize power in Gongdu and was in cahoots with Shen Jianzhong, Ye Mingsheng had a bad feeling, so he had been asking Huo San to collect intelligence about Gongdu. After a few days, Huo San's work had some results and he reported them to Ye Mingsheng.

From this Ye Mingsheng also understood that Wang Kangxin's control over the new army in Gongdu was not strong. The reason why no one in Gongdu has stood up to fight Wang Kangxin was all thanks to the Black Dragon Society and Shen Jianzhong who were secretly helping to maintain it. Even so, although the situation in Gongdu seemed peaceful on the surface, there were actually undercurrents. Even the alliance between Wang Kangxin and the Black Dragon Society was superficially harmonious, with frequent conflicts...
If it weren't for the existence of Ye Mingsheng, their common enemy, the two families might have started fighting each other!

To be honest, if entering the pass to attack Youyan was not the top priority of the Fengwu Army, and it was necessary to ensure that it was foolproof and could not be delayed or affected, Ye Mingsheng could really drag it on. I believe that within half a year, the conflict between Wang Kangxin and the Black Dragon Society would no longer be reconciled, and a civil war in the palace capital would be the inevitable result!
It was precisely because the situation inside the palace capital was so chaotic that Ye Mingsheng firmly believed that as long as his offensive was swift and his results were brilliant, the rule of Wang Kangxin, who was already unpopular in the palace capital, would immediately collapse and would not be able to hold out for too long!
If one wants to occupy the palace capital, one month is definitely not enough. However, Ye Mingsheng’s purpose of this battle is not to occupy the palace capital, but to smash the alliance between Wang Kangxin and Shen Jianzhong and eliminate the trouble of sneak attacking Youyan. If he can get some wealth from the palace capital by the way, that would be the best thing...

Although there were still some different opinions, He Jingyun also understood that what Ye Mingsheng said made sense. Compared to being tied up by Wang Kangxin's new army in Gongdu in the early spring of next year, which would affect the entry into the country, it would be better to take the initiative to attack and kill Wang Kangxin now. This would solve the problem once and for all and leave no future troubles!

Realizing this, He Jingyun took a deep breath, bowed to Ye Mingsheng and said:

"I will obey your orders!"

Seeing that He Jingyun had figured it out, Ye Mingsheng nodded slightly. In the leadership of the Fengwu Army, he and He Jingyun had a clear division of labor. He was mainly responsible for strategy, such as who to attack, while He Jingyun was responsible for the formulation of specific tactics and how to fight. Now that He Jingyun could understand his strategic intentions, he would naturally be able to better implement the strategy into tactics.

"I plan to mobilize Yuan Song's First Division, Guo Zhiping's Third Division, and Peng Ce's Fourth Division to attack Gongdu. The combat time is set to one month. Even if the predetermined goal is not achieved, they must not linger in Gongdu and must withdraw immediately. Do not engage in a war of attrition in Gongdu! Your staff department must come up with a combat plan as soon as possible!" Ye Mingsheng hesitated for a moment and made a decision:

Seeing Ye Mingsheng so calm, He Jingyun's last bit of worry disappeared and he immediately said:

"Sir, I will give you the battle plan in two days!"

As the chief of staff of the Fengwu Army, He Jingyun knew the combat effectiveness of the Fengwu Army best. He was not worried at all whether the Fengwu Army could defeat the Gongdu New Army. What he was worried about was the weather and logistical supply...
Having fought in battles all his life, He Jingyun has come to realize that war is not just a contest between two armies, but also a contest on many levels, including the mobilization capabilities, organizational capabilities, logistical support, fighting will, and comprehensive strength of both sides.

Ye Mingsheng only planned to attack Gongdu for one month, which was the best option at present. If the battle lasted longer, the consumption would be too great and it would affect the Fengwu Army's plan to enter the pass. Even if he could capture Gongdu by then, it would be a loss for the greater good.

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Outside the city of Dongning, in the dilapidated land temple.

Hearing the familiar footsteps behind him, Kobayakawa Takahide, who was carefully examining the dilapidated land statue, spoke without turning around.

"You are late············"

"Something happened at home, so I was delayed for a while!"

Standing next to Kobayakawa Takahide, Akiyama Morie also looked at the land statue in front of her.

There seemed to be some mystery in this land statue, which attracted the two women. They didn't say a second word for nearly a cup of tea. After a while, Kobayakawa Takahide took his eyes off the land statue and said with a hint of meaning:

"Do you mind telling me how you and he met?"

Although Kobayakawa Takahide did not say who he was, there was no doubt that Akiyama Morie knew who she was talking about, and asked in surprise:
"Why are you asking this all of a sudden? Did he tell you anything?"

Kobayakawa Takahide shook his head and said:

"Nothing, Mori Hui, if you don't want to tell me, forget it, just pretend I didn't ask!"

Seeing this, Akiyama Morie hesitated for a moment, but chose to explain:
"At that time, there was a traitor in the organization. The base of Kuroki Shinnosuke and I in Miyato was targeted by the Supervisory Department. In order to escape the encirclement of the Supervisory Department and save my life, Kuroki Shinnosuke used a trick of self-torture, and I took advantage of the situation and came to his side."

Originally, I planned to leave and return to the organization as soon as possible, but later I thought it was good to go on like this. I don't have to worry about you killing him today and him killing you tomorrow. And you know he treats me very well, so I continued like this by mistake..."

Hearing this answer, the one who was surprised was Kobayakawa Takahide. She frowned and said:

"Didn't you commit yourself to him because you saw his heroic character and his promising future?"

"You're just overthinking it. When I first met him, he was just a small military officer who was in a state of panic and could barely protect himself. How could he be a hero, let alone have any future... As for now, maybe this is what the Zhou people said, if you don't make a sound, you will be amazing when you do!" Akiyama Morie explained:
Upon hearing this, Kobayakawa Takahide looked at her dear sister and was speechless. Back then, she had put a lot of effort into getting a suitable identity for Akiyama Morie, and was preparing to arrange for her to become a concubine in the royal palace in the palace. From then on, the younger sister was in the light and the older sister was in the dark, and the sisters joined forces to control the palace.

She thought that her sister gave up her plan because she saw the potential of that man and used her charm. She didn't expect that Mori Hui was really stupid. She gave up the glory and wealth of a concubine and really ran away with a small military officer. Among the women in the world, it is estimated that only Mori Hui can do such a thing of being indifferent to fame and fortune.

But maybe it's just that fools have good fortune. Now that man is a hidden dragon in the abyss. If he is really allowed to develop, being an ordinary concubine by his side will be more glorious and honorable than being the queen in the palace!

After adjusting his mood, Kobayakawa Takahide continued to ask:

"You said last time that he knew your identity. What's going on? Did he say it or did you guess it, Morie?"

Hearing this, Akiyama Mori Hui shook her head and said, "He has never asked me anything, but I feel like he knows everything, as if everything is under his control..."

At this point, Akiyama Morie's beautiful eyes revealed a bit of complexity. Her life experience is her biggest secret and also the secret that is most difficult for her to talk about. Sometimes she really wants to tell the truth, but she is afraid that after telling it, she will lose everything she has now!
"That's just your feeling? Don't you have any evidence?" Kobayakawa Takahide continued to ask:
Akiyama Morie thought for a moment, then recalled:

“Although he treats me the same as always, he has a loyal confidant. When we met, I could feel that there was vigilance and a hint of fear in his eyes when he looked at me... I think he must know something, and if he knew it, he would definitely report it to Ye Mingsheng!”

Hearing this, Kobayakawa Takahide's expression became serious. Seeing her like this, Akiyama Morie couldn't help but look at her and wait for an answer.

Under the gaze of Akiyama Morie, Kobayakawa Takahide first shook his head, then continued:

"I reached an agreement with him. The Fengwu Army should send troops to Gongdu within seven days! Mori Hui, you should hand over the list to me now, right?"

Akiyama Morie stood there quietly after hearing this, as if she was thinking about something. Seeing her like this, Kobayakawa Takahide said anxiously:

"What are you still hesitating about? This is not for me! Don't you see what the weather is like now? The Fengwu Army doesn't have much time. The list in your hand is crucial!"

After saying this, Akiyama Morie was silent for a while, then he sighed and said quietly:
"Although I don't like Kuroki Shinnosuke, I promised him that I would hand over the list safely. During this period of time, I have decided to leave. I also planned to let this list disappear into thin air. I don't want to use it against the Black Dragon Society..."

"Mori Hui, what are you thinking? The Black Dragon Society has now become Sato Kaga's, and even I have been forced into a homeless dog by him. Now that list is our best chance to turn the tables. Why should you be reluctant to deal with this old thief Sato Kaga?" Kobayakawa Takahide advised:
Akiyama Morie was silent for a while before reluctantly nodding. Seeing this, Kobayakawa Takahide was delighted and asked immediately:
"Mori Hui, where did you put the list?"

"I have burned the list!" Akiyama Morie replied:

Before he could finish his words, upon hearing that the list had been burned, Kobayakawa Takahide said with disappointment:

"Mori Hui, how could you burn the list? Don't you know how valuable it is?"

Akiyama Morihui frowned slightly and said coldly:
"Listen to me! Why are you in such a hurry?"

"I burned the list, but before I burned it, I wrote down everything on it. I'll give you the list as soon as I find paper and pen!"

Kobayakawa Takahide, who was originally very depressed, was filled with joy again after hearing this and said happily:
"Yes, how could I forget, Mori Hui, you have a photographic memory. When you were a child, you could recite such a long medical book after reading it once..."

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In Gongdu, in a craftsman's workshop in Ruishan County.

Looking at the enthusiastic craftsmen working in the workshop, Shen Jianzhong nodded slightly and asked Xu Liu, the factory manager behind him:

"How many craftsmen are there in the factory now? What is the output of firearms?"

Hearing Shen Jianzhong's question, Xu Liu did not dare to delay and quickly replied:
"Your Excellency, our factory is now operating day and night, and there is an adequate supply of raw materials. However, these people in Gongdu are very inexperienced in making firearms for the first time. Although they make a lot of firearms, the yield rate is very low..."

Before Xu Liu finished speaking, Shen Jianzhong interrupted him and asked in a deep voice:

"Don't tell me these things. Just tell me how many firearms your factory can produce every month!"

Feeling Shen Jianzhong's tone, Xu Liu wiped the sweat from his forehead with trepidation and said carefully:
"Your Excellency, the maximum number of firearms produced by my factory each month is fifty at most!"

Hearing this answer, Shen Jianzhong's face became even gloomier, and he glanced at Xu Liu with cold eyes. Seeing this, Xu Liu lowered his voice and said in a sad tone:

"Sir, I have tried my best. I have used all the methods I can, including killing people and offering huge rewards. However, these people in Gongdu are just stupid. Just to collect these fifty sticks, I have already lowered the quality standard..."

Looking at Xu Liu who was about to cry, Shen Jianzhong undoubtedly felt heavy in his heart. When Wang Kangxin imposed this task on him, although he knew that this task was heavy, it now seems that he still underestimated the difficulty.

Xu Liu is the only one around him who understands technology and management. Even if he is replaced, he will not be able to find a better candidate than Xu Liu for the time being!
Although in addition to Xu Liu's firearms factory, he also has another factory in Liujing, the factory in Liujing is not as good as the one in Xu Liu in terms of the number of craftsmen and the scale of the factory.

Now that the situation in Xuliu is so bad, I think Liujing will not be any better, it can only be even worse and more disappointing! If the current situation continues, even if the two factories are added together and all their production capacity is taken into account, they will definitely not be able to meet Wang Kangxin's requirement of 100 units per month...

Thinking of this, Shen Jianzhong continued to ask Xu Liu unwillingly:

"Is there really no other way?"

(End of this chapter)