"What happened?"
Seeing Zhong Yanchong rush in from outside, Xu Churen frowned and asked.
"Your Highness, sir, Brother Han has sent people to deliver eighty thousand shi of grain, as well as medicine, gold, silver, and copper coins totaling nearly one million guan. The goods have already arrived at Dengzhou!"
"What did you say?"
Hearing Zhong Yanchong's words, not only Xu Churen but even Zhao Zhen couldn't help but stand up.
He had been exiled from Bianliang City. Although the Emperor couldn't say anything officially, Bianliang City was now surrounded. The issue of grain and fodder allocation naturally had to be resolved by themselves.
He had originally thought that Xu Churen, having managed here for so long, would have some inventory on hand. However, after his 100,000 troops arrived at Yuancheng County, he realized that the foundation of Hebei was much thinner than he had imagined!
Although Xu Churen had used some underhanded tactics back then, he had indeed filled all the official granaries in Hebei. But the problem was that most of this grain and fodder had already been plundered by Tong Guan and his men.
Even though some food was later transferred from various places.
However, overall, grain was still in short supply throughout Hebei.
After the Jurchen invasion, the connections between various places were suddenly severed, and the situation in Yuancheng became even more precarious. Xu Churen's own trained troops could still be barely fed, but the 100,000 men brought by Zhao Zhen had truly given Xu Churen a headache.
Just moments ago, in desperation, both Zhao Zhen and Xu Churen had even considered attacking the Jurchens. However, both Xu Churen and Zhao Zhen knew in their hearts that forcing a military action in this situation, if they failed, would lead to utter ruin.
For them, the supplies sent by Han Mo could truly be described as a timely help.
"Your Highness, please look, this is the carrier pigeon message they sent!"
While speaking, Zhong Yanchong quickly handed the letter he was holding to Zhao Zhen.
After hastily taking the carrier pigeon message and reading it carefully more than ten times, Zhao Zhen finally believed the contents of the note.
"That I could earn Brother Han's favor is truly the blessing of my past lives, Zhao Zhen!"
Even Zhao Zhen, who was usually cold-hearted, was so moved at this moment that tears welled up in his eyes.
What Han Mo was sending him now was not just grain; it was his opportunity to sweep across the land!
With this grain, if used sparingly, he would not have to worry about food for at least three months!
He could wait for three months, but those Jurchens certainly couldn't. By then, whether they advanced or retreated would be entirely within his control!
"Your Highness, it seems Han Mo is still loyal to you. You have indeed misunderstood him before!"
Xu Churen, who had already wanted to mediate the dispute between Zhao Zhen and Han Mo, seized the opportunity when Zhao Zhen was emotionally shaken and immediately spoke.
"Sir is right. At this critical juncture, we still have to rely on Brother Han!"
The heavy stone that had been weighing on his heart had finally been lifted. Zhao Zhen's mood suddenly improved considerably, and even the usually unpalatable words of advice now sounded much better.
"Your Highness, the urgent matter now is that we must transport these supplies back as soon as possible! Dengzhou is not a place to linger!"
Seeing that Zhao Zhen had accepted his suggestion, Xu Churen did not dwell on the matter any longer, but instead actively changed the subject.
"Sir, you may not know this, but after they resupply in Dengzhou, a fleet will directly deliver the supplies to us near Cangzhou. Brother Han's intention is for us to mobilize manpower to renovate the nearby port, so that if we need it in the future, we can continue to use this sea route!"
As soon as Xu Churen finished speaking, Zhong Yanchong hurriedly said.
"Transporting supplies is a good thing, but the matter of renovating the port..."
Xu Churen's words trailed off halfway, and a look of worry appeared on his face.
A port itself was a double-edged sword. If they repaired the port, what if the Jurchens also came from the sea? Wouldn't that be like lifting a rock only to drop it on their own feet?
"Sir is worried that the Jurchens might come by sea?"
Seeing Xu Churen fall silent, Zhao Zhen immediately guessed his thoughts.
"Your Highness, this matter cannot be guarded against! Han Mo's fleet can come by sea, why can't the Jurchens?"
Although this possibility was indeed very low, Xu Churen had to guard against it. After all, the remaining strength they had was their last bargaining chip. If these men were wiped out, Zhao Zhen would have no hope of a comeback in his life!
"Sir, there is something I'm not sure if I should say..."
After hesitating for a moment, Zhong Yanchong still spoke.
"There are no outsiders here, so just say whatever you have to say!"
Glancing at Zhao Zhen beside him, Xu Churen looked at Zhong Yanchong again.
"Replying to sir, I do have some humble opinions, which are the opposite of yours!"
"Oh, tell me about it!"
Hearing him say that, Xu Churen asked curiously.
"Sir, I have heard recently that the Jurchen navy suffered heavy losses at sea. Near Cangzhou, people have been finding Jurchen flags and wreckage of ships..."
"Indeed, there is such a thing, but do you think this matter is reliable? While the Jurchen navy may not be powerful, to reach that extent, it's not something that a few shipwrecks can achieve. They wouldn't just be casually crashing into reefs..."
Mid-sentence, Xu Churen's expression suddenly changed. He immediately understood what Zhong Yanchong meant.
Under normal circumstances, the Jurchens' losses would certainly not be so severe.
But what if it was a real battle?
An evenly matched naval battle?
The ships sent by Han Mo to transport grain were already daring to patrol near Dengzhou. Doesn't this already explain a lot?
"You mean, those ships carrying grain have already... Impossible, impossible!"
Although it was just a guess, the cause and effect involved made Xu Churen's heart race.
If this were true, what a great victory that would be!