Lin Yi, you've gone too far!
In that instant, several images of how he would torment Lin Yi flashed through He Zudao's mind; he was determined to avenge this humiliation.
However, his face remained expressionless, and he said in a deep voice, " Mi Zhu, is this the supplies that the Prince of Beining Commandery is providing to Xiliang Commandery, a total of equipment and food for 50,000 troops..."
He pointed behind him, where not only were there weapons and equipment, but also a considerable number of warhorses. This time, his lord had really gone to great lengths.
However, these warhorses, though they look good, are not suitable for large-scale military campaigns because they have very poor stamina. They are a breed of horse native to Great Ning and are generally used by the common people to haul grain.
Anyway, they only promised 50,000 units of supplies, and didn't say it had to be the best quality supplies, so they can't blame us.
Before Mi Zhu could speak, the guard captain beside him spoke up, his face grim. "Grand Commander, these warhorses are completely unskilled in combat; they're trying to ambush us!"
He was a seasoned veteran of the battlefield and could immediately discern the quality of these warhorses. Clearly, the Prince of Beining Commandery wasn't genuinely offering supplies.
Ha ha!
Mi Zhu couldn't help but laugh. He glanced at the supplies, calmly nodded, and indicated that he understood.
He wasn't surprised at all; this was something the lord had extorted from him. It would be strange if the Prince of Beining Commandery were still so convinced.
Grand Steward?
Upon hearing this title, He Zudao's pupils contracted. He had underestimated this person; he was actually Lin Yi's chief steward, a position that not everyone could attain.
If we had to find a comparison, it would be equivalent to Wang Ziwen Wen of Northern Liang conquering Wang Half-City.
Holy crap, this is a big shot, one of the top figures in Xiliang.
Cough cough!
He coughed lightly twice to ease the awkwardness, and said in a deep voice, "So it's the Grand Steward of Xiliang. I was very rude earlier."
"Haha, I'm just the chief steward managing the money for the young master, not like Chief Steward Wang. General He, you don't need to be so polite!" Mi Zhu saw through his thoughts at a glance and couldn't help but burst into laughter.
As a shrewd businessman, his greatest skill was reading people and he naturally understood He Zudao's thoughts. This guy was quite interesting.
He sneered inwardly. Although he wasn't a petty person, he was never generous.
Underestimate me, the manager! I'll bury you in money later!
He Zudao Zudao's pupils contracted. The person in charge of money is usually a confidant. It seems that this person is Lin Yi's true confidant, otherwise he wouldn't be in charge of the finances.
He dared not underestimate him in the slightest, and chuckled dryly, "Hahaha, with the Grand Steward in charge of the finances of Xiliang Commandery, his future is certainly limitless."
"Haha, thank you for your kind words, General! Let's begin the reception now. Our young master has prepared a banquet at his residence and is waiting for you." Mi Zhu smiled and said directly.
"Good!"
Hearing this, He Zudao had no objection.
Although he and Lin Yi were of the same rank, Lin Yi was the Heir of Northern Liang, so their statuses were naturally different, and it was understandable that he didn't come to pick him up.
With the two working together, the handover was completed quickly.
Looking at the records in his hand, Mi Zhu couldn't help but laugh and cry. Apart from food and fodder, the warhorses and weapons were almost obsolete. The Prince of Beining Commandery was really generous.
However, he was not angry and directly led He Zudao to the prefect's residence.
Although the new mansion was completed ahead of schedule with the help of cement, some decoration issues are still being dealt with, and it is still the old prefect's mansion.
Mi Zhu brought He Zudao to the prefect's residence. As for the soldiers, they had already been arranged to eat elsewhere, as the prefect's residence could not accommodate so many people.
Looking at the familiar Prefectural Government Office, He Zudao finally regained some sense of familiarity. It was indeed the same Xiliang Commandery. Only the exterior had changed; the real Xiliang Commandery remained exactly the same.
When he saw Lin Yi, his pupils constricted. In this carefree young man, he actually saw a trace of majesty, like that of his own prince. This guy has grown up.
He Zudao dared not be careless in the slightest when dealing with this fellow who dared to extort his own prince and threaten the emperor.
He bowed from afar and said, "Your Highness, I've come to bother you again!"
"Haha, General He, you flatter me. I'd like to bother you a few more times." Lin Yi couldn't help but laugh. He didn't like other kinds of bothering, but he had no problem with receiving gifts.
Regardless of the quality of the item, it's free money, so why not take it?
We've got a lot of money-bringing boys, the more the merrier!
He immediately invited He Zudao to sit down. After all, He Zudao had come from afar, and if he didn't even offer him some hospitality, All Under Heaven would really think he was stingy.
Upon hearing this, He Zudao, who had just sat down, turned ashen-faced, as if he had eaten shit. This guy really had no manners at all. If this happened a few more times, even if the food wasn't very good, he would still bankrupt his prince.
He chuckled dryly, "Your Highness is joking. If we send so many supplies a few more times, we'll be starving."
"Haha, thank you very much, Prince of Beining Commandery. You truly are a worthy prince of my Great Ning. However, I wonder what Your Highness has thought of my suggestion to jointly attack Tuoba Yu?" Lin Yi asked with a smile.
He Zudao's face turned green; this guy was deliberately preventing him from eating properly.
Have you even considered this? Don't you have any self-awareness?
If you, with only a thousand men, want to join forces with the Prince to attack Tuoba Yu's army of one hundred thousand, then either you're foolish, or our Prince is foolish.
He chuckled dryly, "Your Highness, this matter is not so simple. Tuoba Yu's army of 100,000 is no small force. Crossing the Ziwu Road is even more difficult. Therefore, our Prince has decided to proceed with caution and reconsider!"
What a joke! If you want to fight, then fight! Whoever hits is a coward.
"Oh, what a pity, that was a real opportunity," Lin Yi sighed, looking disappointed.
hehe!
He Zudao smiled without saying a word, "Opportunity my foot! But your opportunity in Xiliang Commandery is coming soon, I reckon Tuoba Yu will be attacking soon."
At this moment, a thought struck him, and he couldn't help but probe, "Your Highness, I see that your Xiliang Commandery is bustling with activity. Xiliang City has been almost repaired in just a few days. Are you really planning to train another 50,000 troops?"
It should be noted that news had already circulated that many people had defected to Lin Yi Lin Yi, greatly increasing the strength of his forces.
At first, he didn't believe it either. After all, how could tens of thousands of people surrender so easily? It seemed a bit illogical. But since Lin Yi had asked for 50,000 pieces of equipment, it was probably true.
Although his spies had gathered a lot of information, the fact that many of these tens of thousands of people were growing sweet potatoes was hard for him to believe.
If everyone is planting sweet potatoes, then who is responsible for repairing this city?