Alongside the massive army of ghosts was an even larger population of ordinary people. No one expected that the imperial court would organize such a large-scale migration before spring had even arrived, in the freezing cold and snowy weather.
Starting from the fifth day of the lunar month, when the first vanguard army set out, large numbers of ordinary people from the capital and surrounding areas left their homes and, driven by the army, marched northward in a mighty wave!
Such a large-scale operation spread far and wide in just a few days.
Chen Qing received the news immediately and convened a meeting with everyone.
" Dragon Capital and the other three cities are the four barriers surrounding the capital of the Great Jin Dynasty, and also the main destinations for refugees from all over the country. According to our previous speculation and descriptions from some merchants who came from the chaos of war, those four cities are now overcrowded, with the population exceeding tens of billions. This forced emigration is probably because the Xiao Household has made preparations to restart other cities, especially agricultural cities near the north, before the spring planting season."
"Four cities. Can they accommodate tens of billions of people?" Young Shen Shiyi asked curiously. "Even if the entire southeast and Jiangnan were to suddenly receive that many people, it would be a struggle. Can the capital city prepare that much food?"
This question caused a slight pause in the atmosphere of the room. Shen Laosan looked at Shen Shiyi, hesitated for a moment, and then decided to educate him about the cruelty of the world.
"You've stayed in Jiangnan for too long, so perhaps you don't quite understand what most cities in the Central Plains were like during times of natural disasters or man-made calamities. Do you think it will be like the treatment those northerners received when they fled to Jiangnan? Thousands of people starved to death, bones littering the ground, people swarming like locusts, even exchanging children to eat—these horrific scenes were commonplace during truly disastrous years. This time, with the Earth Spirit Revival and the proliferation of demons, nine out of ten cities in the Central Plains near the north are empty. For many, in this situation, having a dilapidated temple to shelter from the wind and a bowl of thin porridge to sustain life is already an immense stroke of luck."
"How can you live like this?" Shen Shiyi couldn't understand.
"Those who couldn't survive are all dead!" Shen Lao'er said coldly. "Before, the Central Plains, Guandong, and Guanxi were fertile lands spanning millions of miles, with a population of tens of billions. Where do you think they all went?"
"Uh..." Shen Shiyi was taken aback. "Wasn't it... that they were seeking refuge everywhere? Some fled to Jiangnan, but most went to Dragon Capital and the surrounding areas."
"As you just said, the four regions of Dragon Capital can only accommodate a limited number of people, and food is also limited. You find it unbelievable that there are billions of people, so where have the tens of billions of people gone?"
Upon hearing this, Shen Shiyi swallowed hard but remained silent. Xu Hu, standing to the side, also silently watched the warm jade on the table.
In Jiangnan, everyone has plenty of food and clothing. Even those who are down on their luck can at least have a bite to eat and a warm coat once they arrive in this land. But he had also experienced the battlefield and had seen what a real natural disaster was like. He dared not imagine how tragic this large-scale natural disaster would be.
But who talks about it on a regular basis?
Hundreds of billions of lives were lost in just one winter. Human life in chaotic times is truly as fragile as an ant.
"But can we guarantee food supply with such a large-scale relocation?" Xu Hu couldn't help but ask.
The Shen Family members looked over, Wei Gongcheng said directly, "Old Xu, you're also in charge of the army, so even if you're not fully responsible for logistics, you should at least have a general understanding, right? A massive migration of billions of people—do you think the current court can provide adequate supplies? And this migration is happening in the dead of winter; it would be a miracle if more than half survive."
Xu Hu: "."
Chen Qing looked at the map and said, "The Yin Army has one advantage: they don't need a lot of food. They only need the energy from the jade stones to maintain their bodily functions. This is an advantage of the Ghost King Army. This way, they can save a lot of food for the people. But even so, with billions of people migrating, it's unlikely that they can completely guarantee supplies. Most of the food will be barely enough to keep them alive. In this harsh winter, after such a long journey, how many will be able to survive until the end?"
"My lord," Xu Hu looked directly up at Chen Qing, "What can we do?"
These words silenced everyone present once again.
The Xiao Household wants to relocate people to populate the northern cities and revitalize them. They're even willing to launch a massive migration in the dead of winter, disregarding the lives of their own people. Logically speaking, what business is it of ours?
Since they are enemies, the slower the other side's progress, the more advantageous it is for their preparations. Ideally, their future would fail and the people would be filled with resentment, which would deal a greater blow to the Kingly Dao's destiny.
But
Would Chen Qing do that?
"How much food can we provide?" Chen Qing asked Chen Ying.
Chen Ying's heart warmed, and she quickly said, "My lord, this year's harvest is bountiful, and the entire Jiangnan has plenty of grain. However, we have just conquered the southeast, and a large number of people in the southeast need food to get through the winter. The immigrants from the West Sea also need a large amount of grain for reserves. In addition, we need to prepare military rations for the spring, even if we have plenty stored now, I'm afraid it will be insufficient."
She verbally dissuaded Chen Qing, but deep down she harbored a different kind of expectation. Reason told her that she shouldn't have that thought now, but...
"My lord, please reconsider." Seeing Chen Qing actually calculating the grain supplies, Shen San frowned and said, "You yourself said that the Spring Gathering will be a crucial battle. Xu Hu's entire Fighter Army will be deployed. Regardless of the outcome, military supplies are indispensable. You should understand the wartime consumption of the Fighter Army."
Chen Qing naturally knew that when a warrior was preparing for battle, his blood and energy were always active. In wartime, his food consumption would be three times that of normal times, and if morale was to be maintained, it might be even higher. At this time, food shortages were absolutely unacceptable.
Warfare is about military strength and resources, and we can't compare to the Xiao Household. Our soldiers all need to eat.
"I know what I'm doing," Chen Qing said, taking a breath. "Send a message to Jiangnan, saying they are willing to share the burden of this relocation and provide some food supplies to help the relocated people get through the winter."
"My lord." The Shen Family couldn't help but look up. Xu Hu's face was excited, but he hesitated. He knew that a merciful general couldn't command an army, and that if they continued to support the export of grain at this time...
"Just do as I say." Chen Qing waved his hand. "Have someone send a message over immediately."
A great war is about to break out. In this Demon World, the hearts of the common people have never really mattered, but the Divine Path Style is different. Since they have chosen this path, they must persevere through this most difficult time, even with tears in their eyes.
Chen Qing's announcement quickly spread throughout the world, and at that moment, all forces were shocked by Chen Qing's actions.
The first to be surprised were the headquarters in the capital.
Upon receiving this news, all the civil and military officials in the main hall were shocked. Whispers filled the hall as the ministers expressed disbelief at the announcement from the King of Qin of Jiangnan.
Everyone knows that Jiangnan isn't truly loyal to the imperial court, and a war between the two sides is inevitable. At this time, why would they send grain? Are they out of their minds?
The emperor looked at the proclamation sent from afar, then at the assembled officials in the hall. "What do you think?"
"A publicity stunt!" a black-robed civil official hurriedly said, "It's just a show to gain fame. Your Majesty needn't pay any attention to it. Chen Qing is just hoping our people suffer. This announcement is only to show how benevolent he is. We'll just say we didn't receive any grain from Jiangnan. What can Chen Qing do then?"
The emperor looked at the other man. "In Minister Chen Qing's memorial, he requested that we loosen our defenses and allow them to send in grain convoys to ensure that everyone receives rations."
"Your Majesty, this is absolutely unacceptable!" several ministers hurriedly said, "What if they take this opportunity to try and take advantage of us?"
"Take advantage of the situation?" The emperor immediately laughed. He was quite looking forward to this opportunity to make a move against him.
In the imperial court, all the Ghost General revealed sinister smiles. They no longer believed that any power in the world could contend with them.
"But what if they've really come to deliver grain?" A gentle voice rang out. The emperor looked over and saw that it was the old patriarch of the Yuchi Household, the only military general in the court who had not yet been corrupted by demonic possession.
These words caused the entire court to burst into laughter. At that moment, almost no one believed it, but the emperor sitting on the throne fell silent.
For some reason, although he thought it was incredibly stupid, he still felt that the kid might actually do it.