Chronicles of the Qin Dynasty

Chapter 167, Section 166: The Barking of a Defeater
Since it couldn't be used in the palace, Prince Qian's movements as he carried the mold and pressed it down became less nimble.

Therefore, Qin Shi started making empty promises again: "However, this thing also has its advantages. For example, if the prince leads a large army to conquer the Xiongnu in the future, it will be much more convenient to transport coal briquettes than timber for the army's supplies."

Indeed, the saying "an army marches on its stomach" means that "supplies must precede its advance" refers to the logistical supplies, including firewood.

After all, military expeditions are scheduled, and it's impossible to send people to collect firewood every time they arrive at a place. If they pass through a forest, that's fine; they can use the materials they find there.

For example, some areas of Baiyue.

However, most of the time, the supply wagons traveled on the main roads.

Especially the Xiongnu mentioned during the Qin Dynasty, the further they went into the Ordos region, the more firewood and charcoal they needed to carry. And cooking in large pots required an enormous amount of firewood and charcoal.

Not only do 60-70% of rice and grains end up being consumed on the journey, but the same goes for firewood and charcoal. If it's a forced march, there's limited time to cook, and if they can't make it in time, they'll have to eat dry rations raw.

Even if the coal briquettes are broken, they can still burn as long as they don't get wet.

Even when wet, it dries faster than firewood.

Her example made Wang Ziqian, though still unaware of why coal briquettes could start a fire faster than firewood, prompt him to begin imagining the possibilities.

If I were to lead an army...

cough.

He came to his senses and, sure enough, poked out a few more honeycomb briquettes with great force.

Two piles of honeycomb briquettes, each with a different amount of loess added, were quickly completed under his vigorous assistance.

However, there's no need to rush this batch; we can just leave it here under the eaves.

She checked the time, then invited, "The honeycomb briquettes made by the craftsmen yesterday are now dried. Would the prince like to come with His Majesty to see these important military supplies?"

Indeed, the coal briquettes that are ubiquitous in later generations—she just had a sudden inspiration to put the word "military supplies" on them, and I think Ji Heng would be very interested in them too.

Prince Qian hesitated: "I want to go with my father..."

Alas! Why must I do this wonderful thing with my father?

Qin Shi then asked Wu Zi, "Did Your Majesty receive the Commandant of Yan Commandery at Zhangtai Palace today? I've heard that the two sisters of the Commandant of Yan Commandery are very fierce in battle and are also valiant generals of Qin—is that so?"

A fierce general?!
Prince Qian immediately perked up: "Where is that coal briquette? I, the prince, will personally carry it to see my father!"

The attendant beside him raised an eyebrow and glanced at him, then remained silent.

……

Qin Shi was right; Ji Heng was indeed listening to Yan Ying describe the affairs of the Baiyue people.

In the previous battle against Baiyue, the army withdrew after only a little over a year due to the unresolved situation of the six states.

Saying that we've conquered a certain place... well, that's not really accurate.

However, in places like Xiangjun and Guilin in the South China Sea, there were already prefects and restless Baiyue people.

Yan Ying and her men were stationed here for two reasons: first, to hold onto the land they had already captured, and second, to take the opportunity to gather more information.

The Baiyue region has a unique terrain, and most areas are hot and humid. Before the Qin army had even started fighting, many of its soldiers suffered from acclimatization issues after traveling thousands of miles to reach the area.

After a hard-fought battle, with countless lives lost, they finally managed to capture this tiny piece of land.

Ji Heng then ordered a withdrawal of troops.

This move was ridiculed by the six states at the time, and he was also called a childish brat and unfit for courage.

But Yan Ying now feels lucky:
"It was thanks to Your Majesty's swift withdrawal that year that the soldiers were able to fight so hard. The local Baiyue people are skilled in mountain warfare and are exceptionally ruthless, like wolves and jackals. Our Qin army has always relied on overwhelming force in battle, so I fear it would have been difficult to win."

The Qin state's military operations were based on the fact that after Shang Yang's reforms, the entire population was mobilized for war, thus allowing them to conscript hundreds of thousands of troops at any time.

Furthermore, their weapons have been standardized into mass-produced equipment, far surpassing those of the six other states in both replacement and quality.

Then, with favorable timing, location, and human factors, various advantages came together.

In individual combat, they might not be as formidable as the Wei Wuzu of yesteryear or the Baiyue Wolf Soldiers of today. However, when their army sweeps across the land with overwhelming force, ordinary troops would find it extremely difficult to withstand them.

Such a large army fighting in the mountains and forests revealed its disadvantages.

Now, Yan Ying and Yan Xuan have been stationed in the Baiyue region with their soldiers for several years, and they have only just begun to develop some skills.

When this matter is mentioned now, a smile appears on his face.

"Your Majesty's decision to withdraw the troops that day, and tolerating the cold stares and ridicule from the other rulers, was truly wise!"

At that time, the king issued an order to dig the Ling Canal to facilitate the long-distance transportation of soldiers and the turnover of supplies.

The second order was to allow the country to recuperate and rebuild its strength, thus accumulating manpower for the army.

If we now have the right timing and location, it is not impossible to fight against the Baiyue.

Being invincible when you're full of vigor and high spirits is nothing special.

But a great man's ability to endure humiliation and have patience is the most important quality in military campaigns.

At this moment, Yan Ying was truly convinced and sincerely convinced.

Ji Heng didn't think there was anything wrong with it.

When the late king came to power, although he was the ruler of a country, he could endure far more humiliation than the rulers of the six other countries.

In his heart, the six states were nothing but the barking of defeated dogs, and sooner or later he would knock their teeth out.

The Baiyue region was a strategically vital area for Qin, and even if it took 10 or 20 years, Qin would eventually obtain it.

Having heard what Yan Ying said, he responded calmly:
"Qin Qing once promised to present divine weapons early next year. If they are successfully forged, they can be equipped in our Great Qin army."

Qin Shi was always afraid that he would go to war as soon as he got the divine weapon, but in reality, the Lingqu Canal had not yet been completed. Going to war now would be twice as difficult and half as effective, which was really unwise.

We must wait until the Lingqu Canal is completed before we can fight.

The Lingqu Canal, which is thirty or forty kilometers long, may not sound remarkable, but it runs through the fortress, saving the army a lot of time in terms of mobilization.

If we were to attack the Baiyue, it would be the most important waterway.

Now, Yan Ying was also full of anticipation: "Yes, I have met Qin Qing. She is kind-hearted, calm, and tolerant..."

She couldn't help but laugh again as she said this: "Congratulations, Your Majesty, on welcoming the new mistress of the harem."

It was all too rushed. She didn't even have time to prepare a congratulatory gift, and the palace couldn't hold a proper ceremony...

However, this was the king's private matter, and the Imperial Clan Affairs Minister and others would take care of it, so she kept quiet and listened to Ji Heng's next instructions.

Just then, Zhou Ju came to deliver a message:

"Your Majesty, Minister Qin and Prince Qian have come to see you."

……

Upon entering Zhangtai Palace, Qin Shi was surprised to find that Yan Ying, whom he had used to appease Prince Qian, was still there.

Huh?
Previously, Yan Ying said she was in a hurry to return home, and she thought she had already left. She never expected that she was still in Xianyang Palace.

Little did they know that Yan Ying had already packed her bags and was just waiting to report to Ji Heng before setting off.

But then news of the Queen's affair spread through the palace, and for both reason and emotion, she had to linger for two more days.

Originally, all that was needed was to treat them with courtesy, but the journey to Baiyue was long, and she hadn't had time to update herself on many things. Only now that she's returned does she know—

With a single word from the King of Qin, the Qin beauty in the palace was demoted two ranks.

After another remark, Imperial Censor Wang Xueyuan was demoted to Dongjun and made an inspector with no real power.

Thus, she had no choice but to hastily open the Yan family's treasury again, racking her brains to pile up more gifts on top of what she had already prepared.

This queen is truly remarkable!
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　　(End of this chapter)