The loss of a large number of personnel was one thing, but the loss of food alone made Wang Xiang's heart ache.
To solve this problem, they could only mobilize heavy troops to escort it along the way.
However, the cost of doing so was too great. Although it was somewhat more loss than gain, fortunately, the final outcome was still grudgingly acceptable.
But as for money, it was a bit beyond Wang Xiang's capabilities.
To know that hundreds of thousands of troops, their monthly provisions at five guan per person, would already be two and a half million guan.
Ordinary people were fortunate enough if they could ensure their families wouldn't starve, where would they have extra money to pay taxes to the court?
As for levying contributions on merchants, once or twice might work, but after repeated instances, those people weren't fools either!
In this day and age, most people who made their businesses big had some backing.
Even Wang Xiang dared not incur public wrath at this time.
"Sir?"
Seeing Wang Xiang fall silent, Zhao Zhen spoke again.
"My humble opinion is that since the imperial granaries are already empty, why not collect next year's taxes in advance?"
Seeing Zhao Zhen ask, Wang Xiang simply followed suit.
After all, Tong Guan was doing the same in Hebei, and there was already a precedent. Even if he was criticized, he wouldn't be the only one.
However, after hearing his words, Zhao Zhen almost rolled his eyes to the heavens.
It was fine for Tong Guan to do this in Hebei, as Hebei was still relatively stable.
But their situation was entirely different!
Rebels were everywhere. If they pressured too much at this time, they might have just suppressed them in the front only to have people rebel in the back.
If Zhao Zhen dared to do this, he probably wouldn't be able to leave the Six Southeastern Circuits alive.
"Sir, do you think this is feasible?"
"Your Highness, this is truly not my forte..."
Despite some embarrassment, seeing the cold smile on Zhao Zhen's face, Wang Xiang coughed and said.
"Sir, are you joking with me? Do you know what will happen if the provisions are cut off?"
Hearing him say that, Zhao Zhen was almost amused to death.
This old fellow hadn't said that before!
Initially, he had intended to hand over the task of raising provisions entirely to Han Mo.
It was Wang Xiang's repeated insistence and voluntary offer that finally led him to assign this matter to him.
Now that the moment of truth had arrived, this fellow actually said such a thing, wasn't this just setting him up?
"Your Highness, please calm your anger. It is truly because of the recent tense warfare. The court is spending money everywhere, and I, I cannot conjure up copper coins..."
As Wang Xiang said this, he felt his old face flush.
"Sir, don't forget, it was you who voluntarily took on this task. Haven't you heard that orders in the army are absolute?"
"I am senile, please punish me, Your Highness!"
Hearing Zhao Zhen say that, Wang Xiang simply started to act shamelessly.
Damn you!
Seeing his rogue-like demeanor, Zhao Zhen wished he could chop him to pieces.
"You!"
After pointing at Wang Xiang several times, Zhao Zhen finally huffed and left, flicking his sleeves.
After Zhao Zhen left, Wang Xiang slowly stood up with a wry smile.
How could he not know that after causing such a scene, he would soon lose power?
But there was no alternative!
Who told him that he had a handle in Han Mo's hands?
In any case, even if he lost power temporarily, he was still the court-appointed Deputy Pacification Commissioner.
But if he truly fell out with Han Mo, and that fellow revealed what he had in hand, his lifelong reputation would be ruined!
Which was more important, which was less?
Wang Xiang could still calculate that account clearly!
No matter how angry Zhao Zhen was, hundreds of thousands of mouths were waiting behind him, expecting to eat.
After being stifled for a long time, Zhao Zhen finally sent someone to invite Zong Ying over.
"Your Highness summoned this humble subject so urgently, is there something important?"
Seeing Zhao Zhen again, even Zong Ying's attitude was not as friendly as before.
Looking at the business-like expression on Zong Ying's face, Zhao Zhen felt a pang of discomfort.
"Mr. Zong, are you still angry with me?"
In his utter helplessness, Zhao Zhen forced himself to speak.
"Your Highness jokes. This subordinate is merely busy lately due to my father's poor health!"
Hearing him say that, Zhao Zhen became even more dejected. Wasn't this clearly an accusation?
After all, everyone in Suzhou knew how Zong Ze's illness came about. It was all because of the matter involving Han Mo!
Zong Ze had strongly supported Han Mo, but Zhao Zhen had acted unilaterally, insisting on trusting Wang Xiang, which ultimately infuriated Zong Ze to the point of illness.
He had even deliberately kicked Zong Ying to Hebei to prevent him from sending information to Han Mo.
"I have a few superior quality ginseng roots here. I will have someone send them to the elder gentleman later!"
Regardless of whether Zhao Zhen was willing or not, he could only try his best to appease Zong Ying at this time.
After all, at this moment, Zong Ying seemed to be the only one who could speak to Han Mo.
"Thank you, Your Highness!"
Seeing Zhao Zhen's submissive demeanor, Zong Ying felt a cold sneer in his heart.
If you knew this would happen, why did you do it in the first place?
"Sir, have you been in contact with Brother Han recently?"
After clearing his throat, Zhao Zhen shifted the topic back to the main point.
"My father has been critically ill recently, so I haven't had the chance to contact Brother Han. Does Your Highness suddenly ask this for a reason?"
"Actually, it's like this, the army's provisions have been problematic recently. Based on the taxes collected from various regions, the army will run out of food in about a month..."
"Then what does Your Highness mean?"
Zong Ying spoke while feigning ignorance.
"This..."
Seeing Zong Ying not taking the bait, Zhao Zhen was truly helpless. He understood in his heart that Zong Ying was using this method to express his dissatisfaction.
"I want to ask Mr. to inquire with Brother Han to see if he has any other solutions for this matter?"
Clearing his throat somewhat awkwardly, Zhao Zhen could only speak again with his head bowed.
"Then why doesn't Your Highness ask Han directly? Does Your Highness not remember, outside Bianliang City back then, when Your Highness was just a leisurely prince? In such circumstances, Han was still willing to protect Your Highness, let alone now?"
After sneering in his heart, Zong Ying spoke again.
"This..."