Chu Chengji, after capturing Qingzhou, had been planning to take another city.
This way, regardless of which direction the enemy attacked from, the two cities could support each other, effectively trapping the enemy between them.
Zhao Kui, wounded by the soldiers of Meng Prefecture but lucky to survive, ordered Lu Ze and Wang Biao to lead troops to besiege Meng Prefecture.
Wang Biao was fierce, while Lu Ze was skilled in military strategy. With these two leading the troops, they could adapt to any dangerous situation.
Everyone assumed that they were planning to attack Meng Prefecture to boost morale and avenge Zhao Kui.
They also intended to seize the granary of Huainan.
However, little did they know that their real target was Xu Prefecture.
Xu Prefecture was strategically important, being a vital transportation hub and naturally defensible.
It had always been a contested area for military strategists.
After Song Heqing issued a proclamation condemning Li Xin and declaring the restoration of Great Chu, those who came to join were mostly minor officials and officers.
The true power-holders were still hesitant, thinking that the influence of Qingzhou was too weak to make a difference.
Many were still observing the situation.
Taking Xu Prefecture would be a significant blow to the new dynasty.
Coincidentally, the imperial court was mobilizing troops from Xu and Hu prefectures to attack Qingzhou together.
The three prefectures, Xu, Qing, and Hu, along with Meng Prefecture, formed a rectangular shape.
Xu Prefecture and Hu Prefecture were located diagonally across from each other, making it possible to attack Qingzhou from both sides.
However, Xu Prefecture was closer to Meng Prefecture and farther from Qingzhou, while Hu Prefecture was the opposite.
Following the original plan, Chu Chengji let Wang Biao and Zhao Kui lead the troops to Meng Prefecture, creating the illusion of attacking Meng Prefecture.
The Prefect of Meng Prefecture sent troops to besiege and kill Zhao Kui, feeling naturally nervous, thinking that the large Qingzhou army had come to seek revenge.
Fearing for the safety of Meng Prefecture, they immediately sought reinforcements from nearby prefectures.
As Xu Prefecture’s troops went to support, only the army from Hu Prefecture remained to attack Qingzhou.
Before Chu Chengji knew about the imperial court’s troop deployment plan, he had already considered countermeasures in case other troops attacked Qingzhou.
While Qin Zheng reinforced the defense of Qingzhou City, Chu Chengji ordered his men to dig several trenches outside the city.
Underneath, they laid bed of nails. If infantry or cavalry fell into the trenches, they would either die or get injured.
Moreover, it hindered the transportation of siege weapons like catapults, ladders, and siege towers.
Whenever a large army approached, these trenches would first weaken the morale of the enemy.
Lin Yao remained in Qingzhou to command the battle.
When Shen Yanzhi attacked Qingzhou, Chu Chengji personally defended the city with him.
Lin Yao was confident in how to defend the city, especially since Qin Zheng had reinforced the earthen walls with bricks and stones.
Qingzhou City was now as strong as “a city of gold.”
The army from Hu Prefecture, thinking that Qingzhou had mobilized all its forces to attack Meng Prefecture, came with great momentum.
However, as their cavalry stepped into the first trench, the ground suddenly collapsed, and horses and soldiers fell into the trench, meeting their demise on the bed of nails over a foot high.
The army from Hu Prefecture indeed had their morale shattered by the trenches, expending great effort just to transport their siege equipment to the foot of Qingzhou City’s walls.
Their catapults and ballistae were not yet fully set up when they faced wave after wave of rolling stones hurled from the city walls like hail.
The elevated position of the city walls allowed for longer-range projectile attacks, and as the soldiers from Hu Prefecture retreated to reduce casualties, they found their siege weapons hindered by their limited range.
This siege was proving to be quite ineffective.
Seeing that the defenders of Qingzhou seemed well-prepared and that the city was not abandoned, the army from Hu Prefecture feared losing all their troops here.
Therefore, they decided against further direct assaults and planned to lay siege for a few days.
They hoped that when the troops from Xu Prefecture discovered that the siege of Meng Prefecture was a ruse, they would rush to join forces, allowing them to then launch a concerted attack on Qingzhou.
The exploits of Chu Chengji, defeating the imperial army with inferior numbers, had spread far and wide.
The army from Hu Prefecture had learned their lesson and set up rotating patrols specifically to guard against a night assault from Qingzhou’s army.
However, they were so focused on watching the city of Qingzhou that they left an opening for Wang Biao and his men, who had returned from their feigned attack on Meng Prefecture.
Lu Ze suggested emulating Chu Chengji’s strategy and launching a surprise attack at night, catching the army from Hu Prefecture off guard.
That very night, with 5,000 troops in tow, they routed the army from Hu Prefecture, sending them fleeing in disarray.
What had originally been a force of tens of thousands attacking the city was reduced to barely over two thousand retreating soldiers.
Qingzhou once again gained fame through victory.
Just as news of Xu Prefecture’s capture reached Qingzhou, bringing a double dose of good news, Chu Chengji himself led three thousand troops to take down Xu Prefecture.
Qin Zheng had hardly slept since the siege began.
Day and night, she stood at the city walls.
When Lin Yao and Song Heqing discussed strategies for defense, they never excluded her.
After all, in Chu Chengji’s absence, she was the most influential figure in Qingzhou.
Seeing Lin Yao and Song Heqing’s deep respect for Qin Zheng, the others dared not voice dissent.
On the night when news of Chu Chengji’s victory arrived, Qin Zheng sent a messenger to Xu Prefecture, fearing that Chu Chengji might not have capable aides around him and sent Wang Biao there as well.
Now that Xu Prefecture had just been captured, Chu Chengji needed to stabilize the situation there.
He wouldn’t be returning to Qingzhou anytime soon.
In the days that followed, as news of Xu and Hu prefectures’ failed attack on Qingzhou spread, various factions began to take this newly emerged Chu army seriously.
People from smaller factions began flocking to join them, ranging from dozens to thousands, eager to be part of the growing power.
Chu Chengji had already formulated a comprehensive process with Lin Yao for incorporating various bandit groups into the fold when he subdued them within Qingzhou’s territory.
Now, it was simply a matter of following the established procedures.
Back then, with fewer men under his command, the leaders of these groups had diverse intentions, requiring constant vigilance and appeasement.
But now, with tens of thousands stationed in Qingzhou, those seeking to join didn’t dare to make unreasonable demands.
Everything was done according to military regulations.
The number of refugees joining the army continued to grow, but the seasoned soldiers were adept at handling the newcomers.
However, the swelling ranks presented a logistical challenge. Lin Yao had to periodically dispatch troops to Liangyan Mountain to transport provisions.
As the food reserves dwindled by the day, there was a sense of urgency.
During one such discussion about military provisions, Qin Zheng suggested, “Let’s cultivate the abandoned fields of the common folk. We need to sow seeds before autumn to yield a harvest.”
Lin Yao frowned in distress, “But there are only so many people among the Qingzhou populace. Where will we find laborers to till the fields?”
Qin Zheng’s gaze was unusually serene as she replied, “When the army isn’t training, let them tend to the fields.”
Lin Yao was dumbfounded for a moment, unable to find the words. “Your Highness... The common folk are afraid of being affected by the war and dare not farm. You want the soldiers to till the land?”
Qin Zheng looked at Lin Yao and said, “In essence, this is no different from the soldiers tilling their own fields in the past.
The refugees joined the army to receive rations and survive.
Before joining, many of them were farmers. By cultivating the land and producing food, they will have a sense of belonging here in this foreign land.
It’s not only beneficial for morale but also ensures self-sufficiency in food production. Why not?”
With her explanation, Lin Yao understood.
Most refugees enlisted for survival.
If Qingzhou were attacked and they couldn’t hold it, the refugees wouldn’t have much attachment to the city.
If they were scattered, they would join other armies to make a living.
But if they developed an attachment to this land through farming, they would protect Qingzhou as their own homeland.
Lin Yao immediately clasped his hands together and said to Qin Zheng, “Your Highness is wise. I’ll arrange it right away.”
It was late May, and there was still time to plant a batch of late rice.
Qin Zheng nodded and reminded, “Farming is secondary. We can’t neglect the army’s training.”
“I understand,” Lin Yao replied promptly.
Lin Yao was efficient, and soon the army was cultivating the fields.
On the day of sowing, Qin Zheng personally went to the fields and, in front of the soldiers and onlookers, sowed the first seeds.
In this era where agriculture was the primary source of production, the people seemed to have a special affection for farming.
As Qin Zheng scattered the seeds into the earth, it was as if the soldiers and civilians could already see the day of stability ahead.
Someone cheered, and everyone’s faces lit up with smiles.
Seeing the military start farming, the local peasants, who had been hesitant to cultivate their land due to the turmoil, also returned to till their fields diligently.
The entire Qingzhou region was revitalized, brimming with vitality.
Upon witnessing this transformation in Qingzhou, the strategists who had come to seek refuge couldn’t help but be deeply moved.
They composed poems praising Qingzhou, likening it to an idyllic paradise.
The influx of talented individuals drawn to the fame of Qingzhou continued to grow.
However, Qin Zheng became even busier.
With more time on her hands now, she wanted to construct “horse-faced” structures outside the city walls.
These were platforms built every twenty zhang on the city wall, protruding four zhang beyond the wall, primarily for defense purposes.
In the event of a siege, the city walls and the horse-faced structures on either side would create a three-sided attack against the enemy.
Furthermore, Qingzhou had four city gates, each defended differently.
To ensure quick redeployment in case of emergencies, Qin Zheng planned to connect the main roads within the city, forming a “field” shape with the city gates as the corners.
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This way, troops could be mobilized along the shortest paths to any gate under attack.
With the designs finalized, construction began in earnest.
The old dilapidated houses were replaced with grand buildings made of green bricks and gray tiles.
The local populace was overjoyed, and there were no complaints.
Qin Zheng couldn’t help but feel emotional about this.
Back when she started construction projects, there were rumors of residents demanding exorbitant prices for their properties.
Initially, the compensation for relocation was astronomical, but it improved after policy adjustments.
Qin Zheng went out clean every day but returned covered in dust from the construction sites, too tired to think about someone still in Xu Province.
After ten days or so, she finally received another letter from Chu Chengji.
Now, Xu Province had raised an army of over twenty thousand men.
Despite several attempts by the Xu Province governor to attack, they ended in defeat.
With Qingzhou and Xu Province growing in strength, Li Xin couldn’t sit idly by.
He sent his eldest son with fifty thousand troops to reclaim lost territory.
Learning that another war was imminent, Qin Zheng felt a heavy weight in her heart.
However, considering the current strength of Qingzhou and Xu Province, even if they were to face off against the fifty thousand troops from the imperial court, victory wasn’t out of reach.
She began to accelerate the construction of defensive works.
Lin Yao, on the other hand, was fretting like an old mother.
Seeing that this year’s autumn harvest in Qingzhou was secured, he began to worry about the equipment for the newly recruited soldiers.
Up until now, all their military equipment had been obtained through conquest, without spending a single coin.
The meager treasury funds allocated to Qingzhou were barely enough for fortifications, let alone providing uniforms and weapons for the soldiers.
As for military pay, the last time they distributed it, there weren’t as many soldiers.
When Lin Yao was losing sleep over the lack of funds for the next military pay, a mobile treasury arrived.
The Lu family of Yingzhou seemed to have recognized Chu Chengji’s potential through the impressive victories in Qingzhou and Xu Province.
They sent their eldest daughter directly to marry into the Chu family.
The purpose is obvious.
Lu Ze was transferred to Xuzhou, so the task of welcoming the eldest daughter of the Lu family fell on Lin Yao’s shoulders.
Qin Zheng knew that news from Chu Chengji’s side would probably come soon.
Everyone in the government office was on edge, afraid of her anger.
Even the people from the Lu family in the capital city became reclusive, as if they knew her status in Qingzhou and feared her wrath.
Qin Zheng herself acted as if nothing was wrong, still pushing forward with the construction progress.
Unfortunately, the day the eldest daughter of the Lu family entered the city happened to be the day Qin Zheng was directing craftsmen and soldiers to build the horse-faced wall outside the city.
She was covered in plain clothes, dusty from work, and didn’t bother with any fancy hair accessories on her head.
After Chu Chengji returned from Liangyan Mountain, he did gather a whole box of pearl hairpins and jewelry for her, but wearing those things to the construction site would just be a waste.
The eldest daughter of the Lu family, sitting in the opposite carriage with the curtains lifted, had delicate makeup and was adorned with jewels.
They exchanged a brief glance, and when the girl greeted Qin Zheng, her face turned pale, tears welling up in her eyes, leaving Qin Zheng puzzled.
After exchanging a few words of concern, Qin Zheng had Lin Yao escort the girl to the separate residence where the Lu family in the capital city stayed.
Even on the way back, Qin Zheng was still perplexed and had Song Heqing send someone to keep an eye on the residence.
However, Song Heqing misunderstood, thinking she was wary of the Lu family, and Qin Zheng couldn’t be bothered to explain.
The news that quickly came from the residence left Qin Zheng even more puzzled.
It was heard that the eldest daughter of the Lu family from Yingzhou had been crying in her room all night and had even written a letter to the Lu family in Yingzhou.
Song Heqing intercepted the letter and presented it to Qin Zheng, saying, “Madam, please take a look.”