Transmigrating to the Song Dynasty: Water Margin Business Management

After meticulously planning for many days in his study, Cai Jing finally began to gradually put his hidden conspiracy into practice.

He first used various means to secretly cut off the military funds allocated by the imperial court to the border. Using the pretext of tight finances and the need to prioritize the defense of the capital, he successfully persuaded the emperor to temporarily reduce financial support to the border. This resulted in the border troops struggling to make ends meet, soldiers being owed wages, and morale plummeting.

Next, Cai Jing manipulated the transfer of officials. He placed some close confidants, who had no military talent or experience, in important positions on the border. After taking office, these people not only knew nothing about military defense, but also engaged in rampant corruption and embezzlement.

Meanwhile, Cai Jing deliberately created chaos in the allocation of supplies. He instructed the officials in charge of logistics to delay and misissue military supplies, causing the border troops to be unable to obtain urgently needed weapons, armor, and medicines for a long time, while some insignificant or even inferior items piled up.

To further demoralize the troops on the border, Cai Jing also sent people to spread rumors in the army that the imperial court had abandoned the border and would no longer provide support, making the soldiers feel hopeless about the future.

As a result of this series of conspiracies, the Song army's combat effectiveness on the border plummeted, and its defense system became riddled with holes. Cai Jing, however, believed that everything he had done was flawless and that no one could detect it.

Once everything was ready, Cai Jing secretly informed Gao Ke of the situation. Upon receiving the news, Gao Ke immediately reported this crucial intelligence to the Liao emperor.

Upon learning this news, the Liao emperor was overjoyed, believing it to be the perfect opportunity to break through the Song army's defenses. Therefore, the Liao army amassed a large force and pressed aggressively towards the border.

Faced with the sudden attack by the Liao army, the Song generals on the border were thrown into chaos. They found that their pay was insufficient, supplies were scarce, and morale was low, making it impossible for them to organize an effective resistance.

At this critical moment, a general named Su Lie stepped forward. Su Lie came from a poor background, but through his bravery and wisdom, he gradually distinguished himself in the army. He was well aware of the severity of the situation, so on the one hand, he reassured his soldiers and boosted their morale; on the other hand, he quickly adjusted the defensive deployment, attempting to resist the Liao army's attack with limited resources.

However, the Liao army was numerous, well-equipped, and launched relentless attacks. Although the Song army fought desperately, their defenses were constantly being breached.

Su Lie was extremely anxious and repeatedly sent messengers to the imperial court for help. However, Cai Jing had already arranged for people to intercept these letters, keeping the imperial court completely unaware of the critical situation on the border.

Under the fierce attack of the Liao army, some cities fell one after another, and the border people were plunged into dire straits. They were displaced and their cries were deafening.

Su Lie was filled with grief and indignation as he looked at the tragic scene before him. He knew that Cai Jing was behind this disaster, but he was powerless to expose the truth.

Meanwhile, Cai Jing continued to live a luxurious life in the capital, secretly pleased with the success of his conspiracy.

Gao Ke was highly regarded by the Liao emperor for providing crucial intelligence, and he was very proud of himself.

The Liao army continued its advance, and the Song army suffered repeated defeats. The situation on the border became increasingly critical, and the Song dynasty faced a serious threat.

The grain supplies requisitioned by the imperial court have been delayed, and the supply of provisions for the army at the front lines has fallen into an extreme crisis.

Lu Junyi and Zhao Tianming discussed countermeasures with grave expressions and deep concern in their tent.

“Sir, if this matter of provisions is not resolved soon, the army may not be able to hold out for much longer.” Zhao Tianming frowned, his tone filled with anxiety.

Lu Junyi nodded heavily. "Yes, the imperial court's supplies are nowhere in sight, and we must find a way to save ourselves."

At this time, Song Jiang received their message and rushed over to discuss the matter.

"Brother Gongming, the situation is critical. Why don't we use the strength of our mountain stronghold?" Zhao Tianming said urgently.

Song Jiang pondered for a moment and said, "I also have the same idea, but this is not an easy task."

Wu Yong, fanning himself with a feather fan, slowly said, “Brothers, this matter is feasible, but it is fraught with difficulties. First of all, the inventory of our restaurant and the grain stored in the stronghold can meet our needs for the time being, but the quantity is limited and cannot satisfy the needs of the army in the long term. Moreover, transporting grain is not an easy task. The journey is long, and we may encounter attacks and robberies from enemy troops along the way.”

Upon hearing this, everyone felt a chill in their hearts.

Zhao Tianming said, "Even so, we can't just sit here and wait to die. We should send our existing inventory to the front line and hold out for as long as we can."

Therefore, Zhao Tianming sent people to quickly move all the fresh meat in the restaurant's inventory to the front line.

However, it wasn't long before most of the stored grain was used up.

Song Jiang convened everyone again to discuss the matter.

"Brothers, given the current situation, short-term support is unlikely to last," Song Jiang said with deep concern.

Wu Yong continued, "Furthermore, our use of the mountain stronghold's power will inevitably arouse the court's suspicion. If it is used by those with ulterior motives to say that we are hoarding troops and have ulterior motives, then we will be in trouble."

Zhang Shun said, "Why should we be afraid of him! We are wholeheartedly fighting the enemy, and we have a clear conscience!"

Wu Yong shook his head: "Brother Zhang Shun, we must not act rashly. The situation is complicated now, and we must proceed with caution."

Xie Zhen said, "Are we just going to stand by and watch our brothers starve and be defeated without a fight?"

Everyone fell into silence.

At this moment, Lu Junyi stood up and said, "Brothers, we are now on the verge of disaster and have no choice but to act. Even if there are many difficulties, we must do everything we can to overcome them."

Song Jiang nodded and said, "General Lu Junyi is absolutely right. We can divide our forces into several groups, one to continue searching for sources of grain and the other to strengthen the escort of the transport to ensure the safe delivery of the grain."

After a moment's thought, Wu Yong said, "Brother Gongming, this plan is feasible. We can also send people to the nearby prefectures and counties to borrow grain from wealthy households, promising to return it after the war."

Zhang Heng said, "But borrowing grain may not be easy, and those wealthy households may not be willing to help."

Song Jiang said, "We reason with them, appeal to their emotions, and explain the stakes. If they can contribute to the fight against the enemy, it will be an honor for them."

Everyone nodded in agreement and decided to proceed according to the agreed plan.

However, they encountered many setbacks in the process of borrowing grain. Some wealthy households kept their doors closed and refused to lend grain; others imposed harsh conditions.

The Liangshan heroes had to use all their persuasive skills and even resort to some forceful measures to barely manage to borrow some grain.

Meanwhile, the supply convoy was repeatedly harassed by enemy troops. Zhang Shun led his men in a fierce battle against the enemy in the water, managing to salvage some of the supplies.

As expected, the imperial court became suspicious of the Liangshan heroes' actions and sent an envoy to question them.

Song Jiang had no choice but to explain to the messenger that he was wholeheartedly devoted to the country and had no other intentions.

After a series of arduous efforts, the Liangshan heroes temporarily alleviated the food and supplies crisis at the front lines, but they knew that this was only a temporary measure and that the road ahead would still be full of difficulties and dangers.

Just as the Liangshan heroes were struggling to solve the problem of food supplies for the front lines, Gao Qiu stabbed them in the back.

Gao Qiu, flattering and sycophantic before Emperor Huizong, said, "Your Majesty, Zhao Tianming and his men, leading a large army, have delayed their advance and are holding back. Now that the enemy is pressing in, their actions are clearly aimed at demoralizing the troops, and they may harbor rebellious intentions!"

Emperor Huizong already harbored suspicions about the Liangshan heroes, and Gao Qiu's words only fueled his doubts. "Gao Qiu, do you have any solid evidence to back this up?" Huizong asked, frowning.

Gao Qiu quickly bowed and replied, "Your Majesty, although there is no conclusive evidence, the situation at the front is urgent, yet they have done nothing. Such abnormal behavior must be guarded against. Furthermore, the Liangshan bandits are originally outlaws, unruly and difficult to tame. Now that they hold a large army, it is inevitable that they will harbor rebellious intentions."

Emperor Huizong's face was grim. After a moment of contemplation, he said, "Issue my decree, ordering Zhao Tianming and others to immediately send troops to meet the enemy. If they delay any longer, I will not let them off lightly."

When the imperial decree reached the front lines, Zhao Tianming and his men were filled with grief and indignation. "We have tried every means to raise grain to protect our homes and country, yet we have been slandered like this!" Zhao Tianming was furious.

Lu Junyi was also filled with righteous indignation: "That treacherous Gao Qiu, for his own selfish gain, has actually framed us like this."

Suppressing his anger, Song Jiang said, "Brothers, we must not act rashly at this time. We cannot disobey the emperor's orders; we must consider this carefully."

Wu Yong analyzed from the side, "Our supplies are not yet sufficient. If we rush into battle, we may not be able to win. But the imperial decree has been issued, so we need to think of a way to achieve the best of both worlds."

Everyone fell into deep thought.

At this moment, a scout reported: "Gao Qiu is spreading rumors in the court again, saying that we are holding military power and intend to rebel."

Upon hearing this, all the generals glared angrily.

Xie Bao cursed, "That scoundrel Gao Qiu, how dare he twist the truth like this! He's utterly despicable!"

Song Jiang said, "Gao Qiu's actions are nothing more than an attempt to use the Emperor to get rid of us. We need to quickly demonstrate our loyalty to the Emperor and at the same time find a way to solve the problem of food supplies in order to prove our innocence."

Therefore, Song Jiang decided to personally write a memorial to Emperor Huizong explaining the actual situation at the front and requesting an extension of time to allow the troops to be ready before launching an attack.

However, Gao Qiu had already bribed the close ministers around Emperor Huizong to intercept Song Jiang's memorial and alter its contents, which deepened Emperor Huizong's misunderstanding of the Liangshan people.

Emperor Huizong issued another decree, sternly rebuking Zhao Tianming and others, and ordering that if they disobeyed the order and sent troops again, they would be punished according to military law.

The situation at the front lines became increasingly tense, and the Liangshan heroes found themselves in a dilemma.

Faced with this dilemma, everyone gathered in the central command tent to ask Wu Yong for advice. After pondering for a moment, Wu Yong said, "Don't worry, everyone. I have a plan that may resolve this crisis."

Wu Yong's plan was to first send someone secretly into the capital to contact a trusted minister of Emperor Huizong, hoping the minister would speak well of the Liangshan heroes to the emperor and explain the true predicament at the front. Simultaneously, he planned to expedite the gathering of provisions, aiming for results in a short time to demonstrate the loyalty and effort of the Liangshan heroes.

However, Gao Qiu had many spies, and the people sent by Liangshan encountered danger and obstacles many times. But through everyone's unremitting efforts, a loyal and righteous man finally agreed to pass on messages for the Liangshan people.

As everyone anxiously awaited news from the capital, the atmosphere in the army grew increasingly tense, with everyone eager to know the final outcome. "Wu Xuejiu, what do you think we should do about this?" everyone asked again.

Wu Yong reassured everyone, saying, "Don't be impatient, I believe things will turn around soon." But he also knew in his heart that whether this crisis could be resolved was still unknown.