Nine Princes Struggle for the Throne: The Mad Prince

Chapter 128 Arrangements: Supply Problems, Qin Wu's Favors Spread Evenly

"Your Highness, do you intend to take over the entire Southern Qi?"

Marquis Zhennan could hardly believe what he was hearing, after all, Southern Qi still controlled a considerable amount of territory.

It won't be easy to win.

"Yes, almost all of the Southern Qi's army is currently gathered in the capital. And with the capital in chaos, the Southern Qi has no time to attend to other places. This is a good opportunity for us to take over the entire Southern Qi."

Qin Wu said affirmatively.

This is a rare opportunity, as the core of Southern Qi is currently in turmoil.

With no time to attend to other places and without the leadership of these people, each region can only fight its own battle, which is a good opportunity for them to defeat them one by one.

Qin Wu couldn't possibly let such an opportunity slip by.

In addition, the internal strife in Southern Qi had previously depleted a significant portion of its military strength, and the remaining troops were used to block them, as well as those transferred to the capital to prepare for the struggle for the throne.

In other places, it can be said that there are no soldiers available.

As for the capital of Southern Qi, Qin Wu believed that a war was inevitable.

Once the war starts, it cannot be stopped, nor will he allow them to stop.

In the end, it can only end with one side winning.

That was the best opportunity for him to take over Qidu.

"Your Highness, when shall we begin our operation?"

Marquis Zhennan understood Qin Wu's meaning.

He also knew that this was indeed the best time.

"After a night's rest, the four armies will set off immediately tomorrow morning. I will also send troops to the capital of Southern Qi after I have made the necessary arrangements."

Qin Wu acted immediately upon hearing the order.

After all, the longer the delay, the greater the potential for unforeseen events. The battlefield is ever-changing, and Qin Wu absolutely cannot allow any unforeseen events to occur.

"Yes."

"However, Your Highness, I'm afraid our supplies won't keep up."

After a moment's hesitation, the Marquis of Zhennan voiced his concerns.

"The supplies aren't keeping up? What's going on?"

Qin Wu inquired.

He hadn't paid attention to this point; he had been directly seizing supplies along the way.

There were no problems with food supplies.

If the Marquis of Zhennan hadn't brought it up now, he wouldn't have known there was a problem with the grain supplies.

“Our grain transport route is too long, and there are now many bandits and thieves harassing us along the way, which slows down our grain transport speed and causes considerable losses. Now the grain supply is not keeping up.”

"Not only that, the grain we delivered doesn't match up properly, except for the losses along the way. I'm afraid someone is sabotaging us."

Marquis Zhennan reported the situation in detail to Qin Wu.

In fact, such things have happened many times in the past; during every major war, there were always people who would secretly embezzle supplies and pay.

However, as the commander-in-chief, he had no way to resolve the situation.

With Qin Wu present, he no longer had any reservations and spoke his mind directly.

This is a perfect opportunity to use Qin Wu to teach those shady characters a lesson.

"You mean someone is embezzling rations?"

Qin Wu's expression changed, and his tone turned icy.

Even when he personally led the troops, some people dared to tamper with his provisions and pay; these people were truly audacious.

"Yes, the amount is small each time, but it adds up to a considerable sum over time."

Marquis Zhennan nodded.

"Someone, go and summon the logistics officer to me, and have him bring the accounts with him."

Qin Wu gave the order directly.

Two guards immediately left.

Before long, the logistics officer was brought over.

"This humble official greets Your Highness and all the generals."

The logistics officer bowed respectfully to Qin Wu and the others, his steps faltering.

He was taking stock of the grain and weapons left behind by the Southern Qi dynasty when he was approached by the personal guards of the Divine Martial King.

He's still living in fear.

"Bring me the ledger."

Qin Wu ignored him and instead gave instructions to his personal guards.

The guards immediately stepped forward and took the ledger.

Qin Wu picked up a book at random and began to flip through it. A quarter of an hour later, he had finished reading all the dozens of accounts.

"This is the accounting you prepared?"

Qin Wu gave the logistics officer a cold look; the accounts were in complete disarray.

It doesn't look like something someone who knows how to keep accounts would do.

If such a person were in his army, he would have been beaten to death long ago.

"Your Highness...Yes...Yes."

The logistics officer was terrified when he saw Qin Wu's anger, and he could barely speak.

"What kind of things are you recording? It's a complete mess. Who arranged for such a useless person as the Marquis of Zhennan to be placed here?"

Qin Wu threw an account book at him.

He turned to ask the Marquis of Zhennan.

"Your Highness, this man was sent by the Ministry of Revenue to accompany the army."

The Marquis of Zhennan said helplessly that he had no choice, as this person was not under his jurisdiction and he could not deal with him.

"Sent by the Ministry of Revenue? How could such a piece of trash be admitted to the Ministry of Revenue?"

"I think the Minister of Revenue doesn't want to continue his job. Drag him out and beat him to death."

"Qi Ye, go and summon our army's logistics officer and have him sort out the accounts for me."

Qin Wu snorted coldly.

This was the first time in all his years of leading troops that he had encountered accounts he couldn't understand.

Logistics is of paramount importance in the military; how can the overall situation be controlled if the accounts are unclear?

"Yes."

Qi Ye accepted the order.

"Liu Qiu, aren't there many bandits on the road? Take your men to deal with them and thoroughly investigate whether there are people behind these bandits. Those involved should be exterminated and their families wiped out. Send them their stored grain to me."

Qin Wu then looked at Liu Qiu.

Since they've set their sights on his supplies, don't blame him for using them as pawns and turning them into granaries.

Qin Wu believed that as long as he killed quickly, he would not lack food supplies.

This is also why he never lacked food and supplies along the way.

"Yes, Your subordinate will ensure that there is no shortage of food and supplies at the front."

Liu Qiu revealed a bloodthirsty smile.

He really liked this command, and it was also his specialty.

Those who knew Liu Qiu felt a chill run down their spines upon seeing his smile.

They knew very well that every time Liu Qiu showed that smile, it meant a bloodbath would ensue, without exception.

"Send word to me to return to the capital. The Minister of Revenue has worked hard for the front lines; he shall be rewarded with 20 strokes of the military rod."

Qin Wu then issued another order.

Upon hearing this order, the Marquis of Zhennan and the others couldn't help but gasp.

When there are problems with rations and pay, they don't even investigate; the first thing they do is give the Minister of Revenue a beating, or even a flogging...

Even a military officer wouldn't have an easy time after receiving 20 lashes, but a civil official like the Minister of Revenue would probably be bedridden for half a month after receiving 20 lashes.

Marquis Zhennan couldn't help but sigh inwardly, "As expected of the Divine Martial King, he truly bestows his favor equally upon all."

Those who robbed grain must be dealt with, and problems with the grain supplies must also be dealt with. The key is not to deal with other people, but to deal with the Minister of Revenue.

I doubt even the Minister of Revenue knew why he was suddenly given 20 lashes.

"Your Highness, should we investigate those who embezzled grain and salary?"

Liu Feng inquired.

"nonsense."

Qin Wu snorted coldly.

How dare they covet Qin Wu's things and not investigate? Do they really think Qin Wu is a pushover?

"Yes."

Liu Feng understood Qin Wu's meaning and immediately sent people to investigate.

"Continue. Your food supplies will be arranged by me. Just focus on conquering the entire Southern Qi for me."

"If anyone drags us down, don't blame me for sacrificing them as a sacrifice."

Qin Wu glanced at the assembled generals.

"Please rest assured, Your Highness, we will do our utmost to take over Southern Qi as quickly as possible."

The generals immediately knelt on one knee and made their promises to Qin Wu.

"Get up, all of you! You can decide how to distribute the troops and who will lead which route."

"I don't care about the process, I only care about the result."

"Go ahead and get busy!"

After Qin Wu finished giving his instructions, he dismissed his generals.

Next, his main target was the capital of Southern Qi. As for other places, they were all veteran generals, and he believed they could take them.