Within the Warm Pavilion, the charcoal fire burned warmly.
Jiang Heng ordered Bao De to serve hot tea, then personally nudged it toward Wei Nisheng.
"Zi'an, warm yourself first in this cold. There is no hurry to speak."
Wei Nisheng accepted the teacup and took a sip. Warmth spread from his throat.
Then he set down the cup and began, "Your Highness, my Pacify the Rong Strategy comprises eight essays."
"The first concerns not troops, but grain."
"Grain?" Jiang Heng's gaze shifted slightly as he waited for Wei Zi to explain.
"The recovery of Gansu hinges not on troops, but on grain," Wei Nisheng said.
"However sharp Zhou Quan's axe may be, it cannot cleave a path where there is no grain.
"When grain flows, armies advance; when grain runs dry, armies crumble. This is the guiding principle of my strategy."
"Zi'an, your argument accords with my own thinking." Jiang Heng nodded.
"The pivot of the grain supply lies in Shaanxi," Wei Nisheng said slowly.
"The Shaanxi Office of Clear Accounts oversees the frontier provisions for Ganning.
"It is the throat of Great Zhou's Western Frontier.
"In my strategy, I recommended that Zhang Zai take charge of this office precisely to place that throat in Your Highness's hands."
"Zhang Zihou, I know him." Jiang Heng nodded again, like a well-behaved child.
"A man we can use."
"Though Zihou has talent, his transfer to the Shaanxi Office of Clear Accounts at present..."
At this point, Wei Nisheng fell silent and sighed softly. He raised his teacup, took a sip, and said no more.
Jiang Heng watched him and waited a moment. "Why have you stopped, Zi'an?"
"I..." Wei Nisheng set down his cup and said quietly,
"Should not trouble Your Highness with petty court affairs..."
"Zi'an." Jiang Heng cut him off,