Chapter 541: Entrusting an orphan and worrying about his heart (Thanks to the book friend Long Xiao 111 for the reward!)

Huang Wen Ze, who was about to dissuade Zhao Fuqu, understood Zhao Fuqu's thoughts after hearing what Zhao Fuqu said, and a solemn look appeared on his face...

Since retreating to Zhuo County, Zhao Fuqu has been actively developing Shunping and Xinle to build these two cities into barriers for Zhuo County and the first line of defense against the Fengwu Army in order to guard against possible invasion by the Fengwu Army at any time. On the other hand, he has also been preparing for war by recruiting soldiers to expand the army and prepare for war. So far, he has prepared more than 90,000 troops.

The cost of expanding the army to this size is that almost all men of military age between fifteen and forty in southern Youyan have been conscripted. If Zhao Fuqu was not worried about the complete paralysis of agricultural production, he would have intended to increase the upper age limit to fifty.

Even so, due to the large shortage of working-age labor, farming production in Youyan is currently almost entirely left to the elderly, children, and women. The consequence of this is a significant decline in labor output. So even though Zhao Fuqu has increased taxation, trying to squeeze the last bit of money out of the people, causing complaints among the people, there is still a significant fiscal gap.

Previously, the Yan Army was able to get some support from Hebei and Henan to make up for the financial gap. Although Gao Zongchang was cunning and treacherous, he did not want to directly confront the ferocious Fengwu Army on the territory, so the situation of the Yan Army could be maintained.

However, with the new changes in the situation now, not only Shunping and Xinle were lost, but the hinterland was also exposed to the iron hoof of the Fengwu Army after losing the barrier. If the Yan Army does not react at this time, it is foreseeable that even if the Fengwu Army is still restricted by logistics supplies and cannot launch large-scale battles, it will continue to erode step by step, swallow up the Yan Army’s territory bit by bit, and aggravate the financial difficulties of the Yan Army...

The peasant uprising that broke out in the Central Plains undoubtedly added fuel to the fire. Even if Gao Zongchang wanted to support them, he would definitely take care of his own affairs in the Central Plains first, suppress the peasant uprising to maintain his own rule, and providing blood transfusions to the Yan army would definitely be secondary to him.

These two events were undoubtedly fatal blows to the Yan army. After the fall of Yijing, the Yan army suffered successive defeats. The morale of the Yan army was very low, and some people even began to consider the issue of retreat. The Yan army was able to persist until now, largely relying on the prestige of Zhao Fuqu who had ruled Youyan for decades.

However, if there is a financial gap that leads to a shortage of money and food, the army will most likely be in chaos. At that time, even if Zhao Fuqu's prestige is strong, it will be of no avail if he cannot provide money and food!
Realizing this, Huang Wen Ze also understood why Zhao Fuqu was determined to fight the Fengwu Army. If he didn't fight now, even if the Fengwu Army didn't launch a large-scale attack, the Yan Army, which was in financial difficulties, would most likely self-destruct. So instead of self-destruction, it would be better to risk its life and then survive. Only the brave will win when two meet in a narrow road!

Seeing that Huang Wen Ze realized the problem, Zhao Fuqu's old eyes flashed with a gleam and he said in a deep voice:
"I've thought about it. This is my best chance now! It's also my last chance!"

“Although the Fengwu Army is winning battles one after another and looks invincible, this has also exposed the weakness of Ye Mingsheng. Ye Mingsheng is ambitious, arrogant, and blindly makes enemies. Externally, he annihilated more than 10,000 Luobi cavalry in Yuyang a few days ago, and the relationship with the Luobi people is very tense. The Luobi people are now excited and their army is approaching the northern border. The two sides may accidentally fire at any time..."

"Although Ye Mingsheng used force to force the noble families to surrender and wiped out the Ma family, the new policies he promoted have shaken the interests of the noble families. Gu Zhongshi and the others hate Ye Mingsheng in their hearts. If the Fengwu Army fails in the war, these people who only care about their mothers may have other ideas. They can betray me, so why can't they betray Ye Mingsheng?"

"I now have 90,000 soldiers and horses, and the Fengwu troops in Shunping and Xinle only have more than 10,000 soldiers in total. As long as our army can capture Shunping and Xinle before the Fengwu reinforcements arrive, Ye Mingsheng will have to accept this fact unless he mobilizes all forces. If Ye Mingsheng mobilizes all forces, that would be the best thing!"

At this point, Zhao Fuqu's eyes flashed with murderous intent, and he said in an extremely sinister tone:
"I have been dealing with the Luobi people all my life, and I know these barbarians very well. They are greedy by nature and will not let go of any opportunity. As long as I can contain the main force of the Fengwu Army on the southern front and create an opportunity for them, I believe that facing the empty rear of the Fengwu Army, the Luobi people will not be able to withstand this temptation and will definitely invade on a large scale. By then, the Fengwu Army will undoubtedly be defeated in fighting on two fronts!"

Listening to Zhao Fuqu's story, Huang Wen Ze couldn't help but feel excited. He clearly realized that Zhao Fuqu, who wanted to fight the Fengwu Army to the death, was not acting recklessly, but was going all out after careful and meticulous planning. The King of Youyan, who once dominated the northern border and frightened the Luobei people, is back!

Huang Wen Ze pondered for a while, then bowed to Zhao Fuqu and said:
"What do you need me to do, Marshal?"

Listening to Huang Wen Ze's words, Zhao Fuqu fell silent, then raised his head and said to Huang Wen Ze:
"Tomorrow I will gather troops and march towards Shunpingxin. Then you and Jian'an will secretly go to Chengfa County to investigate the situation..."

Huang Wen Ze was startled when he heard the name Chengfa County. Thinking of the geographical location of Chengfa County, he seemed to understand something. He then tentatively asked Zhao Fuqu:

"General, do you want me and Master Jian'an to go to Jinzhong?"

Zhao Fuqu nodded slightly and said:

"Although I am very confident about this battle, I still have to prepare for the worst. If I lose, Zhuo County will definitely not be able to be defended. You and Jian'an will immediately set off for Jinzhong. Although Yunbing borders Youyan, judging from Ye Mingsheng's strategic plan, his next step should be to continue moving south!"

"He doesn't want to go west to Guanzhong to fight Shangguan Hongyuan for the time being, so he probably won't invade Yunbing. Shangguan Hongyuan's main opponent is still the southern tour court of Sichuan and Shu, and he is unable to expand eastward. In this way, Jinzhong will form a buffer zone between their forces. They will temporarily acquiesce to our existence. Where Lao Jin and the 10,000 Yan troops stay, you can recuperate and accumulate strength there and wait for the opportunity!"

'Of the two children, Jianan and Jianwen, to be honest, I prefer Jianwen because I have spoiled him since he was a child. I have thought about passing the throne to Jianwen after a hundred years, but now it seems that Jianan is more suitable. He is more resilient and can respect others. However, he has not recovered from the defeat in Yijing for a while. In the future, I will need your help and advice, Wenze!'

Huang Wen Ze felt very complicated when listening to Zhao Fuqu's words which sounded like he was entrusting his son to someone else. Seeing this, Zhao Fuqu smiled and said to him:
“Wen Ze, there is no need to be like this. I’m talking about the worst case scenario! Ye Mingsheng only took advantage of my absence to launch a sneak attack before. Now I’m going to fight him head-on with real swords and guns. This little bastard who hasn’t even grown all his hair will not be my opponent. Maybe after this battle, I can take back Yijing. Then I’ll drink and have fun with you in Yijing…”

Huang Wen Ze was not enlightened by what he said, but felt even more sad. However, he managed a smile on the surface and said:
"Wen Ze is also looking forward to that day. I wish you a great victory in this battle!"

Zhao Fuqu nodded with a smile. When the meeting was over, Huang Wenzhe also said goodbye and left. Just as he was about to leave the room, Zhao Fuqu, who had been watching him, couldn't help but shouted:
"Wen Ze, the Zhao family will be in your hands from now on!"

After hearing these words, Huang Wen Ze held back his tears, turned around, bowed and said:
"The Marshal treats me so well, Wen Ze can only repay him with all his heart and soul until his death!"

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Liaoyang, Dongning

In Changshan Medical Clinic, Pei Zhixiu is taking the patient's pulse carefully. Although Ye Mingsheng allows her to open the clinic and treat patients in public, in order to avoid unnecessary trouble, Pei Zhixiu still covers her face with a white veil to hide her face. This is the best choice for both her and the patients.

Sitting opposite Pei Zhixiu at this time was a young woman, and behind her was a young man who looked like her husband. The young woman Wu held her husband's hand nervously, while her husband Zhang Lian spoke:
"Doctor Pei, my son Xingtong has been vomiting after eating these few days, and he is also very weak. Could you please take a look at what's going on?" Pei Zhixiu nodded slightly and motioned Xingtong to stretch out her hand, then placed his hand on her wrist to feel her pulse. After a moment, Pei Zhixiu withdrew his hand and said softly:

"Congratulations, this is a pregnancy pulse, but your wife is a little weak, she must take good care of herself, otherwise it will be easy to be in danger during the delivery process..."

Pei Zhixiu's words made the young couple feel mixed emotions. They both understood what Pei Zhixiu said. After all, in an era when childbirth was still handled by midwives, childbirth for women was extremely dangerous and it was common for two lives to be lost!

Holding Xing Tong's hand tightly, Zhang Lian said to his wife seriously:

"I've told you before not to go to the weaving factory to help out. My salary in the army is enough for our family. Now that you're pregnant, just stay at home and take good care of yourself. At worst, I can apply to my superiors to go to Youyan!"

"Husband, I don't want you to go to the battlefield!" Xing Tong became nervous when she heard Zhang Lian's words.

Zhang Lian smiled and soothed:

"Don't worry, the front lines are reporting successive victories. We are going to Youyan now to earn credit. Many of our reserve troops have applied to go!"

After saying this, Zhang Lian realized that this was a clinic, not his home. He immediately said to Pei Zhixiu apologetically:
"I'm sorry, Doctor Pei, but do you have any prescription that can nourish my Xingtong?"

Pei Zhixiu did not answer Zhang Lian's question but asked:
"You serve in the Fengwu Army?"

Zhang Lian heard this and said proudly without hesitation:
"Well, I was just transferred from the Fengzhou militia to the Reserve Department to serve as the Reserve Chief!"

Pei Zhixiu nodded after getting the answer and did not ask any more questions. Instead, he wrote a prescription on a piece of paper and handed it to Zhang Lian, saying:

"Take this to the pharmacy to get some medicine!"

After Zhang Lian took the prescription, he glanced at the contents and said with some doubt:
“Doctor Pei, I know about Chinese angelica, rehmannia root, wolfberry and the like, but what is this last one? I’m a little confused…”

Pei Zhixiu glanced at him and said calmly:

"That's not medicine, that's the Arabic numeral 7. It's a symbol. When the pharmacy sees it, they'll give you a % discount!"

Zhang Lian was a little surprised when he heard this. He looked a little hesitant, as if he wanted to ask something but didn't know how to start. Pei Zhixiu seemed to see what he was thinking and said directly:
"My husband also serves in the Fengwu Army. As a military dependent, I will naturally help him if I am able!"

Hearing what Doctor Pei said, Zhang Lian's doubts disappeared immediately. He bowed to Pei Zhixiu and said:
"So that's the case. Thank you so much, Doctor Pei. Zhang Lian will remember this kindness in his heart!"

Pei Zhixiu ignored Zhang Lian and whispered to Xing Tong:
"Take this medicine for a month and come back to my place! Remember to take good care of yourself and don't overwork yourself!"

"I understand. Thank you, Dr. Pei!"

Xingtong nodded gratefully.

After seeing off the young couple Xing Tong and Zhang Lian, the next patient walked into the clinic. Pei Zhixiu looked carefully and saw that the other party was holding a folding fan. He was a young man in blue with red lips and white teeth, very handsome, elegant and extraordinary bearing. When Pei Zhixiu saw the other party appear, a strange color flashed in her eyes.

The young man in blue bowed slightly to Pei Zhixiu and sat down. He stretched out his snow-white wrist and said to Pei Zhixiu:

"I have been feeling unwell lately, so please help me, Doctor Pei!"

Pei Zhixiu did not refuse the request of the young man in blue, and placed her jade hand on his wrist. After taking his pulse for a while, Pei Zhixiu said calmly:
"You are in good health. If you are really unwell, it must be a mental illness!"

Upon hearing this, the young man in blue waved his folding fan and said approvingly:

"Doctor Pei is indeed a famous doctor. He saw at a glance that I have a heart disease. I would like to ask if Doctor Pei knows any treatment for my heart disease?"

Pei Zhixiu still said calmly after hearing this:
“Heart disease should be cured by heart medicine. I can’t cure your heart disease. Only you can cure it…”

(End of this chapter)