novelraw Chapter 578: The Three Kingdoms' Little Cannon Fodder 20
Chapter 578: The Three Kingdoms' Little Cannon Fodder 20
In the fourth year of Jian'an, after An Ning had consolidated internal affairs and suppressed the local powerful and influential aristocratic clans, bringing all power under her control, things remained as usual.
Regarding Gongsun Zan, who was holed up in Yi County, aside from continuing the economic and trade pressure tactics that were like pulling rabbits out of a hat, An Ning did not specifically go looking for trouble with him for the time being. Instead, she devoted most of her energy and time to developing her own territory.
She focused on constructing water conservancy projects, distributing improved seeds, and innovating planting techniques, especially for cotton. This crop, which had been introduced to this land as early as the Qin and Han dynasties, was mostly treated as an ornamental plant.
Through An Ning's guidance and improvements, a group of research maniacs from the Agricultural Ministry and the Ministry of Works worked together vigorously. Soon, cotton-made cloth and warm cotton-padded jackets gradually made their way into the military and many households across Ji Prefecture.
Especially in winter, the nobility and wealthy commoners were still okay; they had furs, pelts, and even precious charcoal for heating. However, for ordinary commoners, layering a few more pieces of linen clothing and stuffing some flax straw inside was already considered a luxury.
It's easy to imagine that in such harsh conditions, just one winter could claim countless lives among the commoners, even young children, from freezing alone.
One could only say, it's no wonder that ancient people, regardless of wealth or poverty, mostly strove desperately to have many children. There was no other reason; the survival rate was simply too low.
As before, before winter arrived, An Ning quickly issued another decree: those holding local household registration could purchase one cotton garment each at a low price.
Of course, according to regulations, there was still a distinction between children and adults.
After all, given the current productivity levels, even though she was essentially an agricultural expert, An Ning did not dare to be overconfident.Yet, even so, a single cotton garment that wasn't particularly thick still moved many people to tears on the spot.
It wasn't until the tenth year of Jian'an, the eighth year since An Ning had established herself here, and not until the winter of that year, that she personally led troops northward!
Without any surprise, the conclusion of this war could be said to have held no suspense whatsoever; even the casualties were pitifully few.
Our side: Soldiers and horses were robust, military equipment was ample, morale soared as they brandished their long blades!
The enemy side: Not eating their fill, not keeping warm, shivering in their icy armor amidst the howling wind and snow.
As the saying goes, the trouble lies not in scarcity but in inequality.
If everyone were in the same boat, it might still be somewhat bearable. However, with such a stark contrast, one must ask, even the finest young men, who could still muster any fighting spirit?
Especially as neighbors, even though the Governor above and the various scholar-official clans had blocked information while repeatedly issuing strict orders not to boost the enemy's prestige or be corrupted by their sugar-coated bullets...
Yet, with such a short distance, who could be blind enough not to see how the soldiers and commoners on the neighbor's side were living? Many well-informed merchants even went to great lengths to run to the other side.
Especially since the other side, every year during festivals and when the harvest was abundant, would deliberately spend lavishly to hold fireworks displays, proclaiming it as a celebration for the entire city!
The scale was truly grand.
The laughter, excitement, and the lights that remained bright as day throughout the night from next door were all objects of envy.
Even for them, the most anticipated and joyful event each year was craning their necks to stare eagerly at the sky.
One must ask, how could a fight even start under these circumstances?
If their land also belonged to that Young Lady across the way, wouldn't it be...
Holding such thoughts, before long, the sounds of discarding armor and abandoning weapons began to echo from the city walls.
Thus, although it wasn't exactly achieved without a single soldier or weapon, from raising the army to consecutively capturing several cities and advancing north all the way to the territory under Gongsun Zan's control, the time spent was less than half a month.
That year, the entire territory of You Prefecture completely fell under An Ning's control.
The speed was so fast that everyone was caught off guard.
When the news spread, many fell into complete silence. In several military tents, the lamps remained lit throughout the night.
At the same time, in a civilian dwelling in Nanyang:
"Mas... Master? What's wrong with you?"
"Nothing!" the man replied indifferently. Only after his disciple's figure had completely disappeared did he let out a soft sigh:
"Presumably, barring any accidents, the unification of the realm in the future is merely a matter of time."
***
"Brother Kongming, why do you say that?"
Upon hearing this, the visiting friend couldn't help but be greatly alarmed. After a moment to collect himself, he spoke:
"Brother Kongming, are you referring to that Young Lady from Ji Prefecture from earlier? One must admit, her methods are indeed formidable, and her military campaigns are swift and decisive. To conquer You Prefecture in such a short time, she truly possesses the qualifications to contend for the realm."
"But the tides of the realm change in the blink of an eye. Isn't being so certain..." The man couldn't help but hesitate.
After all, judging by the scope of her influence, at most, she was comparable to that Great General Yuan. After securing Northern Ji, she spent a full eight years just recuperating and building up strength before leading troops north.
Although in the eyes of most, she simply didn't want to burden the soldiers and commoners, attempting to capture the territory with minimal losses.
However, such behavior, while consistent with her usual style of caring for the people like her own children and prioritizing people's livelihood development after each conquest, still led many to label it as "the benevolence of a woman."
The benevolence of a woman?
The man addressed as Kongming shook his head almost imperceptibly.
As the saying goes, kindness does not command troops, and emotions do not establish affairs.
A person capable of commanding three armies, building her current foundation from nothing... kindness?
It's like using ordinary people's moral standards to evaluate an emperor who has forged great achievements.
This statement is simply too absurd and laughable, Zhuge Liang couldn't help but think to himself.
"Mingjun, sometimes, having the realm in one's heart and being kind are not necessarily the same thing."
"That's true!" The man quickly understood. "Then what does Brother Zhuge mean?"
"Some people cannot achieve their goals due to various reasons, but some people..." The man in plain clothes, with a handsome and clear countenance, couldn't help but sigh:
"...are merely waiting, waiting for the most opportune moment, or perhaps a method that causes the least loss to the people of the realm."
"Ah, this... isn't that being overly confident!"
The man opposite couldn't help but click his tongue. But then again, considering the occasional news he received...
"Ah, when all is said and done, the advantages held by that disciple of the reclusive master are too great. Medicine, astronomy, machinery, mathematics, and most crucially, the path of agriculture and people's livelihood."
"Such fortune, born with it, ah..."
"Mingjun, you are somewhat overly attached to appearances here." The man opposite stood up and said with a faint smile:
"In this world, countless people receive fortune. Some are born as kings and marquises, standing above all others. Some are born with talents worth ten thousand gold, coming from illustrious families. Others are born with extraordinary wisdom, able to unleash their intellect freely.
Similarly, there are those who, even if born with surpassing wisdom, are limited by their horizons, seeing only yellow earth all their lives. Even if they possess the spirit of a hero, they ultimately never gain the name of a hero."
"Not to mention those far away, among the current several warlords, how many do not possess substantial foundations themselves?"
Those who can leave their names in the historical records, aside from their own abilities, are also, in the rolling red dust of the world, fortunate individuals, are they not?
In the end, the person who obtained this fortune is willing to hold benevolence in her heart for this realm.
"Truly worthy of Kongming! So insightful!"
The man called Mingjun expressed even greater admiration.
"But since Brother Kongming sees things so clearly, do you have any plans for the future?"
The response he received was an almost imperceptible shake of the head from the person before him:
"I'm afraid before long, that person is going to make a major move!"
At the same time, Cao Aman, once again having his alliance request rejected by his childhood friend, nearly wanted to grab his friend's collar and roar:
"Benchu's temperament, it really is!"
One must ask, what time is it now? Can't he put away that bit of Eldest Young Master's arrogance and sense of righteousness for the time being!