The emperor is biased and wants to kill me, but you chickened out when the army is at the city gates

The billowing dust has been gone for ten days.

Ten days after Qin Xuan left with 100,000 Shence Army soldiers, Emperor Qin Tian sat on the dragon throne in the Great Qi Imperial Palace with a gloomy expression.

Below, Minister of War Fan Jin reported: "Your Majesty, I have already followed the previous plan and driven the disaster victims from the three prefectures and four counties along the way toward the northern border. I presume that the King of Chu's army should have been stopped by now."

Even after Qin Tian was forced to issue an edict of self-reproach to stop the attack, he did not give up his revenge.

How could a monarch of a nation truly tolerate a coup?

"What about the people from before?" Qin Tian asked in a sinister tone.

He was referring to those who supported Qin Xuan during the coup attempt, including some members of the royal family and high-ranking officials.

"Qiu Xingzhi, the Chancellor of the Imperial Academy, has been dismissed from his post but is currently serving as an assistant instructor. As for the others, they have all been reassigned." Su Xueji of the Ministry of Personnel used the word "reassigned" very cleverly.

The Imperial Academy was the highest institution of learning in the Great Qi Empire, and the Chancellor was equivalent to the principal. As for the instructors, they were not even considered formal teachers, which shows the emperor's magnanimity.

"In that case, I will not ask any further questions. However, in order to ensure that the Prince of Chu can defeat the Jurchens in the north, the national treasury has been emptied. The Ministry of Revenue should hurry up and prepare new funds and provisions."

When Qin Xuan left, he had almost emptied the national treasury, but Qin Tian had a plan in place to make up for the deficit by finding the four major merchant houses and the eight major escort agencies.

"The four major chambers of commerce and other chambers of commerce all have a heart to serve the country, and even the eight major escort agencies are willing to lend their utmost efforts," the Minister of Revenue replied meaningfully.

The Emperor of Daqi smiled faintly, inwardly scoffing, "Qin Xuan, you will regret everything you've done!"

Meanwhile, Qin Xuan's army was only a hundred miles away from Tianshan City, but their marching speed was getting slower and slower.

"Your Highness, the number of refugees coming to seek refuge has been increasing these past few days. If this continues, even with the grain and fodder donated by the four major merchant guilds, we may not be able to hold out until we reach the northern border!"

On horseback, Zhao Luoying, clad in silver armor, stood tall and straight. A few strands of her hair were ruffled by the wind, but they could not conceal her stunningly beautiful face.

Qin Xuan had noticed this problem long ago, but he couldn't just sit idly by.

Most of these disaster victims fled from other prefectures and counties. If they were refused, not to mention how the people would view them, they themselves would not be able to live with their conscience.

"How much food do we have left?" Qin Xuan asked.

Zhao Luoying said solemnly, "Less than half."

According to the original plan, the grain provided by the Emperor of Daqi was not only enough for the Shence Army to reach the northern border, but there would even be surplus grain to prepare for the next battle against the Jurchens.

But as the number of disaster victims grew larger and larger, food supplies began to run out.

Qin Xuan frowned and asked again, "How many disaster victims are there?"

“Nearly 30,000 people, and the number is still increasing,” Zhao Luoying replied, her face full of worry.

"Go and invite Mr. Zhuge Xuan over. Tell him I have something important to discuss with him." Qin Xuan pondered for a moment, then continued, "Also, order them to set up camp on the spot, and then cook a pot of relief porridge."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Luoying was somewhat puzzled, but she did not refute it.

She believed in her man and knew he would never abandon refugees.

Before long, a scholar in a blue robe entered Qin Xuan's tent. He was none other than Zhuge Xuan, the only strategist in the Shence Army.

Zhuge Xuan was originally from Suzhou, but he abandoned his pen for the sword and joined the border defense army because he hated the darkness of officialdom.

During an attack from another region, he fought bravely against the enemy but was seriously injured. He was eventually rescued by Qin Xuan, and the two became acquainted.

In the year that followed, Zhuge Xuan demonstrated exceptional military talent and wisdom, while Qin Xuan gradually accumulated remarkable military achievements and rose rapidly through the ranks.

Thus, Zhuge Xuan became Qin Xuan's strategist.

"Your Highness the King of Chu invited me here, presumably for the sake of the refugees, right?" Zhuge Xuan was in his thirties, thin and with sunken cheeks, but his eyes shone like stars, gleaming with wisdom.

Qin Xuan nodded slightly: "This group of refugees is rather strange. I wonder what your opinion is, sir?"

Zhuge Xuan smiled slightly: "This is an open strategy!"

“These refugees are currently coming from four states and three counties, and they all happen to be not far from our route to the North.”

"Your Highness's reputation has already spread throughout the entire Great Qi in the past few days. If Your Highness refuses to accept refugees, you will inevitably be criticized for seeking fame and fortune, and then the popular support you have worked so hard to build will be lost."

“But if Your Highness takes over, Your Highness’s Shence Army will inevitably be hindered, and there may even be a mutiny. At that time, Your Highness will still suffer some losses.”

The provisions prepared for this march were intended solely for the army.

If the distribution is repeated, resulting in soldiers not having enough to eat, it will naturally easily lead to rebellion.

Zhuge Xuan's speculation was exactly the same as Qin Xuan's. He couldn't help but laugh and said, "Sir, you are indeed thinking the same thing as me, but I suspect that there could not possibly be so many refugees in the four prefectures and three counties."

Zhuge Xuan's eyes lit up immediately, and he laughed heartily: "Your Highness is indeed wise!"

He immediately took out a map of the provinces and counties of the Great Qi Empire, spread it out, and explained:

"Based on the extent of the disaster in the four prefectures and three counties and the total population, I boldly conclude that some of these 30,000 refugees must be imposters."

"However, I'm somewhat at a loss as to how to distinguish between real and fake refugees."

Just then, Zhao Luoying walked into the military tent with two soldiers carrying a pot of congee.

Zhuge Xuan asked, somewhat puzzled, "Your Highness, what are you trying to do?"

Qin Xuan smiled faintly: "Cook porridge."

Upon hearing this, not only was Zhuge Xuan confused, but Zhao Luoying was also somewhat bewildered.

Although this congee is thin and watery, it is clearly cooked. What is Qin Xuan up to?

Qin Xuan suddenly brought out a basin of sand and gravel from somewhere, and then, to Zhao Luoying's astonishment, poured it all into the congee.

"Your Highness, isn't this a waste?" Zhao Luoying said, somewhat annoyed.

With food so scarce these days, she naturally couldn't bear to part with even a single grain of millet, let alone a whole pot of porridge.

But Zhuge Xuan suddenly burst into laughter, cupping his hands in a fist salute: "I admire you, I admire you! Your Highness the King of Chu is truly wise and resourceful, far surpassing me!"

"What are you two talking about? I'm getting more and more confused!" Zhao Luoying said anxiously.

Zhuge Xuan smiled faintly, and only after Qin Xuan gave him a meaningful look did he explain:

"Deputy General Zhao, you see that the clear porridge has turned into sandy porridge. If you were a refugee, would you eat it or not?"

"Nonsense, of course I'll eat it," Zhao Luoying replied irritably.

Zhuge Xuan didn't mind and continued, "But what if you weren't a refugee? Or what if you could already eat your fill?"

“I…” Zhao Luoying hesitated immediately.

"With over 30,000 refugees, as long as we drink this pot of porridge, we can distinguish who are the real refugees and who are spies sent by the enemy to sow discord among the troops. Such a brilliant plan could only have been conceived by His Highness, the King of Chu!"

Zhuge Xuan once again cast an admiring glance at Qin Xuan.