Reclaiming Wasteland: Carefree Mountain Farmer

Chapter 105 Countermeasures
It wasn't just Shannong County that was busy with spring plowing; all over Wenchao, people were also busy with farming.

Because the area is located in the Central Plains, spring plowing begins relatively early.

In the Imperial Garden, Emperor Wen of the Ming Dynasty hosted a banquet for his officials, where they drank wine and watched dance and song performances.

Drinking alone is boring. Wan Ye likes a lively atmosphere and enjoys talking with others, rather than being in complete silence.

"Father!" Crown Prince Wan Dai approached with a wine cup. "Father, the country is now at peace and prosperous. Your son would like to offer you a toast."

Wanye smiled and raised his wine glass. "You and I, father and son, need not stand on ceremony. After you finish this drink, come and sit down. I have a question for you."

"Yes, Father!" Crown Prince Wan Dai drank the wine first.

Wan Ye also drank a cup and waved to Wan Shi.

Wan Dai walked over, and a nearby eunuch brought a chair for him to sit in the seat below the emperor.

After his son sat down, Wanye asked, "What have you been busy with lately?"

Wan Dai replied, "I've been busy getting familiar with government and military affairs. Several generals who went out to quell the rebellion have returned. I asked them about the rebellion, wanting to know why they rebelled and how they were resolved as quickly as possible."

Wanye nodded. "Then tell me, why did the Arctic Martial Arts rebel?"

The eunuchs around and the ministers in the distance were all listening to the conversation. Some people seemed to be enjoying the song and dance, but in reality, they were all listening intently to the inside information a few meters away.

The power transition between the emperor and the crown prince will determine the future of many powerful and influential people.

A new emperor brings a new court; historical records rarely document a close relationship between the emperor and the crown prince.

Wan Di was cautious in his actions and wanted to have a better relationship with his father, but he was also aware of the difference between ruler and subject.

"Your Majesty, I sent someone to inquire with Marquis Shannong, and he said it was due to the circumstances."

“Forced by circumstances.” Wan Ye’s expression instantly turned cold. “Forced by circumstances, we kill civilians and officials and rebel? Forced by circumstances, we seize a prefecture, which hangs like a knife over the throat of the north?”

Wan Dai knew that his answer had not satisfied his father.

This is not just about being scolded; it will also affect how your father evaluates you, and it will affect many, many other people.

Wan Dai said, “Father, please calm down. I recently heard that the mountain farmers are busy planting crops because there was no snow last year. Since the autumn harvest last year, many places behind the mountains have not seen a single rain. Now many people are saying that there may be some trouble this year.”

Wan Yede's expression remained calm; he had already been aware of this matter for some time.

"You mean the Arctic martial arts will cause trouble this year?"

Wan Dai replied, "That's not necessarily true. But if the situation forces him to, even if he doesn't want to, he probably won't do nothing."

Wanye asked, "Then tell me, how should we deal with this?"

The problem was then passed on to Crown Prince Wan Dai, who, as the Crown Prince, had already discussed the matter with the others.

"The first step was to increase the garrison at Yanmen Pass, to defend the city, and to build high walls to prevent anyone from sneaking in at night."

"Several cities were lost because of inadequate defenses after nightfall, which allowed them to be taken advantage of."

"Also, we should send more people to observe and understand the movements of the Mountain Farmers. The Mountain Farmers have always been known for their speed in warfare, but if we know their movements in advance, we can prevent their sneak attacks."

"Although the Arctic warriors are brave enough to withstand ten thousand men, they will run away when they encounter arrows, crossbows, or carts, or when they are surrounded by a large army. They are not fearless."

As the crown prince shared his thoughts, he kept an eye on the emperor out of the corner of his eye. Seeing that his father's expression was calm and somewhat indifferent, he immediately realized that his answer had not satisfied the emperor.

The bond between father and son appears particularly fragile in the relationship between ruler and subject. No matter how good the relationship has been for the past few decades, if the other party develops suspicions, and there are other children to choose from, then the crown prince will become very dangerous.

Wan Dai immediately said, "Your subject has noticed that the Shan Nong tribe is ignorant of etiquette and acts willfully, which has led to a large number of Shan Nong people secretly running back to our dynasty."

"Rumor has it that the Northern Martial is a ruthless killer, killing whenever he wants, and he doesn't care about the corruption of his subordinates, saying that's just human nature."

"Although this man was brave and skilled in martial arts, his governance was worse than that of the barbarians. He was extremely cruel and tyrannical, forcing male doctors to undress pregnant women to deliver babies. He committed countless murders throughout his life, and many doctors who suffered this great humiliation committed suicide after returning home."

"He also forced everyone to be his slaves, to work day and night without stopping."

"Within Shannong County, countless people are complaining. In just a few months, even though the Shannong tribe ordered that anyone who tried to escape would be killed, their houses and women confiscated, and their neighbors punished, it still couldn't stop those who fled south."

"This year, there is a severe drought in the border region. As long as we can hold Yanmen Pass, we will be able to defend against the Arctic attack with the help of the fortified city of Yanmen Pass!"

Opposite Wan Di, Emperor Wan Ye did not show a happy expression.

Everyone could tell from the old man's dignified face that the crown prince's answer had greatly displeased him.

Looking at his son, whose forehead was starting to sweat, Wan Ye coldly said, "Have you ever thought about why the Mountain Farmers tribe keeps growing despite the fighting?"

Wan Di lowered his head and replied, "Because the Northern Army does not kill the people in the city, does not plunder or massacre the city after it is captured, is willing to give money and food to the soldiers guarding the city, and allows those who surrender to be reinstated to their original positions, thus winning the hearts of the people."

For the first time, Wan Ye showed a look of disappointment and sighed, "The people's hearts? If it weren't for the incompetence of those generals, how could the city have been breached!"

"Why doesn't Li Laiyong surrender? Because I am sitting right here!"

"So what if the Arctic warrior is exceptionally brave? Let him kill! My million-strong army will not fear the bravery of this mere brute!"

"It's been almost half a year, and you still haven't figured out why you've failed so many times. All those scholars around you have taught you this useless stuff. They should be killed!"

The crown prince hurriedly knelt down and cried out, "Father, please calm your anger! Your son knows his mistake! I beg you to forgive your teacher!"

Wan Ye looked calmly at Wan Chao, truly disappointed in this son.

He could simply sit in the back and kill anyone who dared to surrender, or have archers far from the battlefield shoot anyone who dared to lay down their weapons.

Just like Li Laiyong urging tens of thousands of people to attack the city to the death, as long as you have an elite force, you are not afraid of rebellion.

Li Laiyong died because he underestimated Beijiwu, and Zhang Jian died because he was killed while leading the charge. As a result, the entire supervisory team lost its commander and also lost a large number of soldiers and weapons defending the city.

Zhang Jian, who caused the Wen Dynasty to lose the nine provinces behind the mountains, deserved to die along with his entire family, and all the women in his household were enslaved by the Hu people.

As long as Beiji Wu charges ahead, Wanye is not afraid of him risking his life on the battlefield.

The common people are merely food for the city; the garrison commander is the key.

Wanye has already sent a special commander to defend the city. This commander has more than 20 years of experience in defending cities.

He had eaten everyone in the city several times, but he never surrendered.

The soldiers wouldn't rebel under his command. Firstly, their wives and children were in the rear; secondly, they were all from the same village; and thirdly, anyone who dared to surrender would be killed!

Dealing with Arctic Wu is simple: just let your men fight him while you watch from behind, winning from afar.

However, Wanye does not want to fight for the time being. At present, it is necessary to quickly form another elite force from the million-strong army, a law enforcement elite force that can suppress the other soldiers to fight.

(End of this chapter)