Clan Rise: Starting as a Grandfather

Chapter 827: Chapter 617: The Capture of Baoning Prefecture

In the main hall of the county government, Yang Mingzhao sat at the main seat, looking at the people below the hall, a kind smile appeared on his face.

”Taiping County’s peace is entirely thanks to everyone’s efforts, much appreciation to all of you!”

At this time, the aura of Yang Mingzhao also underwent a significant transformation. Previously, he was full of nobility and had an extraordinary aura, but now he seemed more approachable and carried more dignity.

Reside in one’s position and nurture one’s aura.

The change in identity and status allowed Yang Mingzhao to grow a lot.

”It’s not worth mentioning the hardships. Being able to serve the master is a blessing for us!” Qi Zhang was the first to speak.

These were his sincere words. He had lived for over forty years, yet could only work as a teacher in a private school.

The arrival of Yang Mingzhao not only changed his life but also gave him a chance to showcase his abilities.

Others felt the same; if Yang Mingzhao had not arrived, where would they have the opportunity to become officials in Taiping County?

”Haha, Mr. Qi, no need for modesty. We are all pleading for the people. Since the court is inactive, we shall rescue the world and its people!”

”I believe you all have heard; bandits from the north have occupied Han Zhong Prefecture, the righteous army holds Jiujiang Prefecture in the east, the Black Tiger King occupies Bozhou in the south, and the Nine Heavens King has taken Wusa Prefecture.”

”The world is in chaos; it’s precisely the time for us to accomplish feats and rescue the world and its people!”

”After two years of dormancy, it’s time for us to expand!”

Yang Mingzhao spoke calmly, but his words were filled with ambition and courage.

Two years ago, his occupation of Taiping County had elements of rebellion, merely driven by the thought of helping the impoverished people.

However, now his heart has sprouted a sense of grand ambition.

He wanted to rescue the world and its people, ensuring everyone could eat to their fill, wear clothes, have roofs over their heads, free from the exploitation of landlords and the oppression by corrupt officials.

He gained a sense of responsibility for the world, and an ambition and courage to conquer the world.

”Indeed, it’s time for us to expand! The people of Taiping County are living good days now, we should let more people live good days!” Chen Buyu was the first to express his support.

”Indeed, we want more people to live good days!”

”Eliminate all those corrupt officials!”

Everyone echoed in agreement.

Especially those who had pledged allegiance to Yang Mingzhao in Taiping County, mostly from poor backgrounds, harboring deep resentment towards corrupt officials and easily empathizing with impoverished citizens.

”Very well, then let each department speak about the military force and resources we currently possess!” Yang Mingzhao looked at Deng Xing, saying: ”Old Deng, start with our soldiers!”

Deng Xing immediately replied: ”Currently, we have three thousand camp soldiers, fully equipped, ready to set out anytime.”

”Apart from camp soldiers, we’ve trained eight thousand farm soldiers over the past two years. Farm soldiers lack combat power significantly but can serve as laborers.”

”Moreover, we have three hundred war chariots, eighty warships, and over three hundred mules and donkeys!”

Fighting in Bashu is entirely different from combat in Chongshan Town; northern border town battles mainly relied on cavalry, but in Bashu, that wouldn’t work.

Firstly, the southwestern Bashu horses are mostly small, unsuitable as war horses, only suitable as pack horses.

Secondly, Bashu is mountainous, especially in the north, dominated by forests, entirely unsuitable for large-scale cavalry operations.

Therefore, fighting in Bashu should mainly be infantry-based, supplemented by war chariots.

The warships Deng Xing mentioned weren’t sea vessels; they were flat-bottomed ships suitable for river navigation.

These ships could be used to transport troops and supplies or engage in river battles.

Yang Mingzhao nodded and then looked at Ma Yan: ”What about Silver Coin and grain?”

Ma Yan replied: ”Currently, we have thirteen thousand two hundred and sixty taels of Silver Coin, and as for grain, after collecting autumn taxes, we should have eighty thousand stones of provisions!”

Yang Mingzhao currently didn’t lack Silver Coin, having confiscated many during home raids, and in recent years, earned some through salt wells and tea.

If we expand, they wouldn’t lack Silver Coin either, as they would continue confiscating homes.

Comparatively, grain is more scarce, tallying up with only two years’ worth of agricultural tax collected.

Additionally, they had previously spent significant grain in building city walls, official roads, and more.

The construction of city walls and roads involved hiring civilians for labor, both feeding them and paying wages.

On the other hand, digging wells and building canals didn’t require wages or meals since it was a self-beneficial construction for civilians, where most were willing to exert effort with just one call.

”Eighty thousand stones! Enough for ten thousand people to eat for over half a year! However, we need to keep some reserve grain!”

Yang Mingzhao calculated as he spoke: ”Given the situation, we will deploy three thousand camp soldiers, seven thousand farm soldiers, leaving one thousand farm soldiers to defend Taiping Village in the north, five hundred farm soldiers at the county government, and one hundred soldiers at each of several checkpoints.”

”Thus, we can mobilize three thousand camp soldiers and five thousand farm soldiers!”

”Deployment duration is six months, target to capture Baoning Prefecture!”

The northern Taiping Village was specially built, initially to block northern bandits, now occupied by King Da Liang at Han Zhong Prefecture, so they also needed to guard against King Da Liang.

In this operation, Yang Mingzhao will not seize Kui Prefecture but instead aim at Baoning Prefecture west of Taiping County.

The terrain of Baoning Prefecture is high in the north and low in the south, with Wanshan Ridge to the north and the Ba Shu Plain to the south.

Yang Mingzhao and King Da Liang had the same idea, both wanting to seize a location that is easy to defend but difficult to attack.