After being demoted, my 300,000-strong army trampled the imperial city!

"The noble families have no grain? And they can only offer 10,000 shi?" Chen Futu couldn't help but sneer. "They think I'm a beggar? Humph, even if I were a beggar, I'd beg for it standing up!"

"Your Majesty means..."

"Old Zhang, if we can't do it openly, we'll do it covertly. What kind of background do the powerful families of Dongchuan have?"

Zhang Liang said, "The Dongchuan aristocratic families have many connections with the imperial court, but the imperial court is currently in dire straits. They rely on the 50,000 Daqian Dragon Cavalry that the Marquis of Dongchuan is guarding in Fucheng Town."

Zhang Liang produced a map.

The granaries of Dongchuan and Guanzhong were extremely important, so even when the Great Qian Dynasty was in turmoil, the new emperor did not summon the Marquis of Dongchuan back, but instead ordered him to continue guarding the prefectural city in order to harvest the first crop of grain this year.

"Fifty thousand Great Qian Dragon Riders? That's a bit tricky."

Chen Futu stared at the map, lost in thought. It wasn't just the 50,000 Great Qian Dragon Cavalry; there was also a vassal king stationed in the south of Dongchuan. If the two sides joined forces, it would be extremely dangerous.

The Dragon Riders are numerous and have been recuperating. They can be considered one of the few elite forces in the Great Qian Dynasty. Even if An Jingsi and Qin Liangyu can defeat them on the front lines, they will have to pay a considerable price. Therefore, they cannot force their way in.

Zhang Liang said proudly, "What's so difficult about that? I already have a plan. I guarantee that within half a month, Your Majesty will be able to sleep soundly in the city."

A strategist is a strategist indeed. With Zhang Liang by his side, Chen Futu doesn't even need to use his brain; he is the most powerful mind.

Next, Zhang Liang summoned Qin Liangyu and An Jingsi, and gave them a brocade pouch, saying, "Generals, you must act according to the plan. Remember this well."

"The last general takes orders."

The two took the brocade pouch and left in a hurry.

Chen Futu said irritably, "When did you learn from Zhuge Liang that you like to use brocade pouches?"

"A little mystery is always good, Your Majesty. You may stay in Yong'an County for a while and wait for the good news to come back."

Zhang Liang was a wise strategist who planned for the country, and Chen Futu believed in his infallible plans. Therefore, he devoted his time and energy to settling the people. As for food, Zhang Liang would certainly find a way to obtain it.

Half a month was the agreed-upon time for Zhang Liang to capture the city. During this period, news of victories kept arriving at Chen Futu's hands. First, Guan Yu's eastern army advanced triumphantly, sweeping away a rebel king and eight or nine large and small alliances of righteous armies. Zhuge Liang's main force of the royal court advanced into the Guanzhong region. Meanwhile, Yue Fei's western allied army captured Minzhouwei, slaughtering the Shi Kingdom and Hu people's allied generals who were defending the city. The next step was to capture Songpanwei, advance on Baoningfu, and cut off the retreat route of the Western Regions allied army.

Once the royal army has invaded and conquered the Guanzhong region, we can consider closing the door and beating the dog.

Yu Qian was not idle either. He successively dispatched some talented scholars from the northern frontier whom he had recruited recently to local areas to take over the cities.

With Yu Qian providing logistical support, Chen Futu could recklessly charge forward on the front lines without any worries.

Time flew by, and the meat and grain that Qin Liangyu had seized in Yong'an County were almost gone. Chen Futu had taken the work-for-relief program to a whole new level, and had promised wealthy merchants in the northern frontier the agency rights to the new creations, as well as the right for their offspring to participate in the imperial examinations and become officials.

As the saying goes, "a great reward will surely bring forth brave men." They were tempted by the potential profits and took their money to various places to unite the people in establishing workshops and infrastructure projects to restore people's livelihoods.

In short, they must make grand promises at this stage, and whether their descendants can succeed in the imperial examinations in the future will depend on whether they have the talent.

"Old Zhang, didn't you say you'd get good news in half a month?"

As evening approached, Chen Futu and the others grew somewhat anxious.

I haven't seen Qin Liangyu for the past two weeks. She didn't even take many of the White Spear Soldiers with her, leaving at least half of her troops to protect Yong'an County for Luo Wushuang.

Zhang Liang remained calm and composed, shaking his head with his eyes closed. "Your Majesty, please don't be impatient, wait a little longer."

As soon as he finished speaking, a scout brought a battle report: "Your Majesty, strategist, Dongchuan Prefecture has been captured by General Qin and General An in a coordinated attack from within and without. They have also captured the Marquis of Dongchuan alive."

"Really?" Chen Futu's head was buzzing as he looked at the battle report.

Zhang Liang laughed and said, "Tell the two generals to guard the city well. The King and I will arrive soon."

After the visitor left, Zhang Liang explained the inside story.

It turns out that Marquis Dongchuan planned to marry the sister-in-law of King Zhouping to jointly resist the Northern Frontier Army. Two days ago, Marquis Dongchuan arranged for his trusted confidants to secretly send his daughter out of the city, but she was intercepted by Qin Liangyu and An Jingsi on the way. Qin Liangyu disguised herself as Marquis Dongchuan's daughter, and the Jingyue Army also changed into their personal guards' armor to escort the carriage back to Dongchuan Prefecture. An Jingsi led the White Spear Soldiers to pursue them closely from behind.

When the Marquis of Dongchuan learned that his beloved daughter had been attacked, he was so anxious to save her that he hurriedly opened the city gates. This gave Qin Liangyu and An Jingsi the opportunity to work together from the inside and outside, and they succeeded in the battle.

Chen Futu stared wide-eyed as he listened, “As expected of you, you would rather destroy ten temples than break up one marriage.”

"Your Majesty, my plan is complete, and we may depart tomorrow."

Zhang Liang was all smiles.

Chen Futu pressed further, "Wait, how did you know about this?"

"Thanks to the little princess."

Zhang Liang pointed to the fast-sleeping Little White.

That day, one of the aristocratic family representatives was killed by Qingyi. They left in anger, and Xiaobai followed them to find out what was going on. From their secret conversation, Xiaobai learned that Marquis Dongchuan was going to form a marriage alliance with King Zhouping. Therefore, the aristocratic families were all eagerly waiting for the allied forces to arrive and defeat the Northern Frontier Army.

Chen Futu clicked his tongue in amazement. Xiao Bai usually just ate and slept, and couldn't even speak properly. It was simply outrageous that Zhang Liang could use her to gather useful information.

"Your Majesty need not concern yourself with those details. Now that we have taken Dongchuan Prefecture, the Great Qian Dragon Cavalry still needs your personal command to subdue them. If you can win their hearts, you will gain a powerful fighting force."

Zhang Liang's strategy allowed him to conquer Dongchuan without bloodshed, and he gained not only 50,000 cavalry but also grain.

Most of the aristocratic families' grain was stored in Dongchuan Prefecture, so the current food crisis has come to an end.

The following morning, Chen Futu left Luo Wushuang to continue overseeing the overall situation and rallying the local militia. Once the officials arranged by Yu Qian arrived, she would go to Dongchuan Prefecture to meet them.

When Chen Futu left Yong'an County this time, he had no army to protect him, so he took off his armor and disguised himself as an ordinary farmer's son.

The woman in green was leading the not-so-bright little white dog, looking like a mother and son. Coupled with her commoner's attire, it all looked rather strange.

"Waaaaah, God is blind!"

"How are we supposed to live like this—"

The group passed by a dilapidated village where refugees were gathered together, and heart-wrenching cries could be heard coming from inside.

Chen Futu pondered for a moment, then led a few people to investigate.

In the crowd, a gaunt couple held their child's body and wept bitterly. The child had died tragically, his body mangled and bloodied, and he had been dead for some time.

Chen Futu asked the refugees around him, who whispered, "This couple came here to seek refuge with relatives, but the village was destroyed. In the blink of an eye, their child was bitten several times by starving creatures and died."

Upon hearing this, Chen Futu was terrified.