Too high to reach

Chapter 344 Each with their own plans
News came from Guannan that a group of bandits had been entrenched there for many years and their numbers were growing larger and larger.

Several attempts to suppress the enemy were made, but the enemy had capable men with good equipment who could maneuver according to the terrain. The government troops were unable to subdue them and suffered considerable losses.

A few days ago, that bandit leader even called himself "King of Victory".

This news must have violated the Emperor's cardinal sin.

After the morning court session, some people stayed behind in the imperial study to discuss how to eliminate the enemy.

Prince Yong'an, standing in the crowd, secretly frowned.

His most important secret base was not far from the place mentioned, and in some parts they were even adjacent. Although according to the imperial system they were under the jurisdiction of different provinces, they were actually next to each other, and the accents were almost the same!
The key point is that he didn't receive any news about a "King of Everlasting Victory"!

As for bandits, they've always existed. And there are even his men in disguise!

But he was aware of all of these things.

How could he not have known about all this commotion around his own hideout? Unbelievable, intuition tells me... something's up!

Calling it their old stronghold is no exaggeration; the industry they built was perfectly suited to the right time, place, and people.

Only then did they apply this experience to Moy's hometown.

Now, we have 50,000 well-trained soldiers, truly a force with ample supplies.

Those who were evacuated earlier have also been brought here. They are still being resettled…

So we can't panic, but how could this have happened?

If the imperial court sends someone, the variables will increase.

What if a shrewd person notices something amiss?
I've just suffered a huge loss. If something else goes wrong, all these years of hard work will have been for nothing!
Something feels off.
Just then, Li Jing said to the Emperor, "Father, I have been back for quite some time now. I have completed all the tasks you assigned me. I happen to have some free time now, so why don't I make a trip?"

Prince Yong'an was startled. "No!" he blurted out.

Everyone was looking at him, even the Emperor was looking over...

He was embarrassed and didn't know what to say for a moment.

"What are your thoughts? Just say them..." The Emperor was very good-natured towards him, even his tone was gentle.

Prince Yong'an blinked. "Your Majesty... what I mean is: these are just ordinary petty bandits. The fact that they weren't captured means the local commander is definitely a good-for-nothing. Also... the bandits have a slight advantage in terms of terrain. From what I've heard, they only number twenty or thirty thousand. Sending a prince from the capital would be like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut. I am familiar with that area, though..."

Once the beginning was out, the rest flowed smoothly. "Your Majesty, look here..." Prince Yong'an stepped forward, pointed to the map, and began to speak.

Li Jing also looked at the map and listened attentively to his explanation, appearing very focused. In her heart, however, she thought: "He's quick-witted!"
It's our stronghold after all; we're on edge.

Judging from the way Prince Yong'an gestured and talked so eloquently... he must have already thoroughly understood this area.

The emperor was also very surprised. Listening and watching, he sighed inwardly: He is indeed quite capable. Look, he speaks so logically!
The crown prince was also looking at the map... He discovered that this place wasn't far from Tongguan, and was right next to that "ox" territory.

The fact that the Emperor specifically summoned people to discuss this matter indicates that these bandits are not easy to defeat.

Sending Li Jing there to wear him down wouldn't be a bad idea.

Even if he wins, it's just pacifying a few bandits, not a great achievement!

Sending him away would make things easier for me, in case anything changed. He wouldn't have time to rush back anyway…

Prince Yong'an was still gesturing on the map, suggesting: "Let the three surrounding provinces send troops to cooperate, encircle and blockade them, cut off their supplies, and wear them down for a while. They will collapse on their own without a fight... This is the easiest way, the most cost-effective way, and the least likely to cause casualties."

Then, those captured could be thrown into the mines to work...

That does sound reasonable.

The Emperor listened and nodded slightly.

After Li Jing and the Prince of Yong'an finished speaking, he said, "This idea is very good, but closing the road not only blocks them, but also the common people. This area is a vital passage for trade between the north and south, and east and west."

These bandits must have a considerable stockpile of supplies and provisions to have managed to go this far. A complete blockade would take at least a year to be effective. What about the common people and merchants? They can't just starve until the bandits surrender, can they?

The Crown Prince listened attentively, nodding frequently, clearly supporting Li Jing's statement. Inwardly, however, he thought to himself: If he were to go, he would certainly send men from Tongguan. That would be his opportunity.

Speaking of the gains from the competition, this person surnamed Niu is a very important one.

We couldn't deal with Li Jing before because we didn't have any troops. Now it's different. This man has sincerely surrendered, and this is a perfect opportunity for him to make a name for himself. He will definitely take it very seriously.

I will write to him when I get back. If he has truly rendered meritorious service... it wouldn't be a big deal to grant him a title.

Moreover, Yu'an... is his!

While camping in the western suburbs, this "cow" saw Princess Yu'an.

He was completely dumbfounded. He had seen countless beautiful girls, but one so noble was a first for his entire family across generations…

“Father…” The Crown Prince then spoke up, “Your subject thinks what Seventh Brother said makes a lot of sense. It is autumn now, which is the harvest season for the people. The produce of the family should be sold to exchange for money and the necessities for the family to live on.”

If we delay, winter will come, and the roads will be cold and difficult to travel, which will be terrible. Then there's the New Year... Therefore, a swift victory is the best policy. My seventh brother has led troops for many years and is very experienced; he can quickly quell these bandits. Father, you don't need to worry. The local people can also celebrate the New Year in peace.”

His remarks were insightful and far-sighted.

Li Jing smiled, "Father, the Crown Prince is right!"

The Prince of Yong'an wore a fake smile, but inwardly he was furious: He hadn't been taught a lesson yet, and he was still spouting nonsense here!

The people are reaping the rewards, and so am I! Wouldn't that make it easier to expose the deception?

That bastard, just you wait!

Actually, the Emperor didn't have many thoughts about it. Seeing that Li Jing wanted to go, he didn't mind. "Then you go, come up with a plan, and present it to me!"

Li Jing couldn't directly lead his troops to suppress the rebellion; he mostly relied on local forces.

The Emperor and the Ministry of War would both need to issue orders. Therefore, Li Jing had to submit the plan for the suppression.

"Yes!"

After leaving the palace and returning home, Prince Yong'an sent out several letters in no time.

Of course, these messengers were also being tracked.

The plan had been prepared long ago, and after a few minor modifications, Li Jing submitted it to the Emperor within two days.

After reading it, the Emperor passed it on to the Crown Prince.

The crown prince was secretly delighted; he had indeed managed to get involved with that "cow".

So he hurriedly went home, wrote a letter, and sent it out.

During the preparations, it happened to be Li Chang's wedding day. Li Jing was pleased to see him get married before leaving.

It was a very lively day.

The Crown Prince himself has come...

The Crown Princess didn't come; Mo Yuan came with the Crown Prince.

Mo Yuan has been very well-behaved lately, and she has lost weight.

Upon seeing Mo Yi, she ran over and whispered, "The Crown Prince has encountered many troubles lately and is in a bad mood. Moreover, he always discusses matters in the main study, which I can't access. So, I haven't been able to find out any important news. Please don't blame me."

Mo Yi laughed and said, "What are you talking about? How could I blame you?"

Her attitude made Mo Yuan uneasy.

A pair of beautiful eyes blinked and spotted Zhang Debao in the crowd...

I accompanied my brother to the hospital today, and we're still there. So this chapter is short and rushed... Sorry.