The letter was sent by Pang Tong, saying he had already occupied Chenliu.
He wanted to request reinforcements, an additional 20,000 men, so he could capture Puyang and connect Chenliu and Puyang, two major cities in Yanzhou, thus linking them with Jizhou and expanding his territory.
"Did Xu Shu see this?"
Lu Ming asked again. Military affairs were generally handled by Xu Shu.
Fa Zheng was also a member of the Military Affairs Department, but he was helping to manage Xiliang, which connected to the Silk Road and was now preparing to attack the Kushan Empire.
Both sides had discovered each other, and the Kushan Empire was preparing to invade the Western Regions.
The kingdoms of the Western Regions were all small states, some with only a county seat, yet they dared to call themselves "kingdoms"!
These small kingdoms all had unique products.
These were one of the economic sources of the Xiliang region, so they couldn't tolerate others snoring beside their own side!
Wang Yi had already left; she had only brought Hu Sanniang with her.
Essentially, she was no stranger to military knowledge, as her study contained numerous military books, all beautifully bound and revised.
She could read them, and she was also responsible for guiding her "son's" studies; as a mother, how could she not understand?
Although it was absurd to have a girl pretend to be a boy and inherit the throne, it was unavoidable.
Hu Sanniang, unaware of the secret, nodded, placing her hands on her lower abdomen, stroking her belly. The baby inside had just kicked her! This was the fruit of her love with Lu Ming!
"I've seen it. It was sent by Military Advisor Xu. He said he'll report back when my husband has time."
Lu Ming stroked his chin; clearly, Xu Shu understood him well.
And a clever person like Xu Shu was happy to work for Lu Ming.
Because Lu Ming only set the bottom line and requirements; he didn't interfere with the specifics of how things were done or how personnel were allocated, giving them considerable power.
It is precisely because of this that the sentiment of "a scholar would die for one who understands him" arises.
"Then let him report to the Grand Council."
Lu Ming stretched and pinched He Wan's cheek. "I'll pamper you again tonight. Go practice yoga."
The Grand Council was also outside the palace, but in a nearby area, very close to the palace for convenient operation.
Moreover, the Grand Council was also Xu Shu's residence, serving as both his office and home.
The Prime Minister's residence was the same; both were across the street, conveying a sense of high status.
Lu Ming drove to the Grand Council, with guards clearing the way.
Nowadays, carriages were no longer needed for travel; bicycles were used—fast and lightweight.
Bicycles symbolized a high level of light industry; after all, design and, most importantly, rubber refining were key.
Besides Lu Ming, even if other feudal lords knew about it, they couldn't make bicycles.
The reason is simple: rubber requires planting and refining, and it's neither edible nor usable—a real waste of resources. Growing grain is far more efficient. Lu Ming's confidence stems from his status as the largest landowner.
On his private land, he can grow whatever he wants. With advanced irrigation and fertilizer, he can plant whatever he needs—this is the foundation of industrialization.
Industrialization is indispensable. Agriculture supports industry, and industry, in turn, supports agriculture; they complement each other.
Without standardized and industrialized farming, an acre yields only about 100 jin (50 kg).
With standardized design, advanced irrigation combined with industrialization and fertilizer, the yield can reach around 500 jin (250 kg) per acre.
But that's not the key point. The key point is that the millet and rice grown are just ordinary varieties, not high-end hybrids. Hybrid rice could potentially yield over 1000 jin (500 kg).
Riding his bicycle, Lu Ming was in high spirits.
Clearly, industrialization brings greater convenience to daily life, symbolizing his personal alteration of history. This feeling is quite satisfying.
It proves he existed, he came, and he changed things!
Riding a bicycle from the palace looks somewhat odd.
In less than ten minutes, he arrived at the Grand Council. The Grand Council even had to build a shed next to it to store bicycles.
These days, not owning a bicycle, or not knowing how to ride one, is considered laughable; bicycles are undeniably convenient.
Lu Ming subtly exudes the aura of an emperor, though he hasn't declared himself emperor, nor has he been eager for quick success. The officials below him are equally aware of this, but no one has dared to expose it.
Therefore, Lu Ming is indeed an emperor; an emperor's preferences can influence his ministers. And this emperor is one with both courage and ability, making him even more worthy of respect.
Even someone like Emperor Ling, riding a donkey, could inspire his officials to buy donkeys; how much more so Lu Ming!
Xu Shu, of course, also had a bicycle, a gift personally bestowed upon him by Lu Ming at the New Year's Eve banquet, bearing his name and courtesy name.
This was a great honor, a special privilege!
Jia Xu, naturally, also had one. As the Prime Minister, it would be quite embarrassing not to have one; it was also a bicycle bestowed by the Emperor.
When Lu Ming arrived, both Jia Xu and Xu Shu came out to greet him.
"Greetings, My Lord!"
"Hmm, come, let's go inside and talk."
Lu Ming, without hesitation, led the way into the Military Affairs Office and sat down at the head of the table.
The others followed suit, including Jia Xu, Xu Shu, Tian Feng, Pang Degong, and others.
The Military Affairs Office's meeting room was simply decorated, the walls covered with maps, devoid of any other miscellaneous decorations; it existed solely for military discussions.
Xu Shu picked up a ruler and approached the map, a huge one.
Various colored flags made of magnets were attached to it, used to observe the military movements of both sides.
"Pang Tong has now captured Chenliu. Intelligence indicates that Cao Cao is mobilizing troops to counterattack Chenliu. However, there's also the possibility that he might abandon Yanzhou, enter Jingzhou, and join forces with Liu Biao.
Pang Tong has requested 20,000 reinforcements. He has persuaded the bandits of Liangshan Marsh to help capture Puyang, promising to absolve them of their crimes.
After discussion at the Military Affairs Department, 60,000 reinforcements are planned, divided into two forces of 30,000 each, to reinforce Chenliu and Xiapi respectively."
Lu Ming then realized that Zhuge Liang's army had already entered Xiapi. Pang Tong's initial plan to counterattack Chenliu was merely a reckless, instinctive act.
Meanwhile, Zhuge Liang's forces, starting from Nanpi and attacking Beihai, had also captured Xiapi silently!
That was Liu Bei's stronghold; how could it have been so easily taken?