An unexpected surprise

Gao Yuan didn't expect Xian Ying to move so quickly; there was a reply in just two short months, though it seemed this woman was bragging.

In Lianzhou Prefecture, the provincial inspector Xian Xing only had control over fewer than 1,200 troops, and they were all in the prefectural city of Hepu. This meant that the surrounding counties had to be cleared by Gao Yuan himself.

Fortunately, the total military strength in Lianzhou Prefecture was only around 4,000 men, and they were stationed in various locations, making it easy to defeat them one by one.

The situation in Leizhou Prefecture wasn't much better. Mu Shun, the Zhechong Commandant of Leizhou, controlled most of the troops there, but he only had control over five hundred men in the prefectural seat, Haikang City.

"That woman—there isn't a single word of truth in her mouth. Next time we meet, I'll have to give her a good beating."

After thinking it over carefully, Gao Yuan decided to stick to the plan. It would just require a few small battles, which could serve as training for the Beiwei Army, lest those veteran soldiers get restless from being idle for too long.

"Husband, I heard there's a response from the Mu Family?"

Gao Yuan handed over the letter.

"It's a bit different from what I expected, but it shouldn't be too difficult."

"What beautiful handwriting!"

Zhao Xiyao exclaimed as she took the letter, then read it seriously before putting the paper down a moment later.

"Husband, are you going on an expedition again?"

Gao Yuan nodded.

"Liu Renguis courtesy name is in Zhongnan Circuit, Zhongye is in Dali guarding against Western Kang, and Bang Jie is a simpleton; the only one left who can lead troops is me."

Seeing the unhappy expression on the woman's face, Gao Yuan walked over and took her in his arms.

"Don't worry, this time it's mostly about taking over territory; there isn't much danger. And with Ma Song and the Beiwei Army following me, I won't need to charge into the thick of battle."

The woman cheered up a bit and leaned into her husband's embrace, enjoying the warmth.

Although the timing there hadn't been confirmed yet, Gao Yuan needed to prepare in advance.

As the saying goes, before the troops move, the supplies must go first. The logistics for the Beiwei Army were even more complex; besides the regular grain and fodder, they needed dried mushrooms, dried meat, refined salt, and a full supply of various arrows and spearheads.

War is a game of logistics, and elites are built upon a mountain of supplies. Every few days, three to four hundred wagons of materials were transported to Cao Bang.

Except for the Second Division and Third Division in Zhongnan Circuit, the First Division and Fourth Division of the Beiwei Army were fully deployed, totaling over 3,800 men. Combined with the Xuanjia Army units transferred from various locations, an army of over ten thousand soon converged on Cao Bang.

Having received Gao Yuan's orders, Ma Song was also raring to go. Ever since leaving Zhongnan Circuit for the peaceful Cao Bang, he felt like he was becoming stagnant from idleness.

Hearing that there was a war to be fought, he was so excited that he wished he could set out tomorrow. During these days of waiting, he practiced his Spearmanship at home every day.

While the preparations for the expedition were in full swing, Gao Yuan suddenly received a system notification.

"Congratulations, Host. The ability value of your general Liu Rengui has increased from A+ to S- (Peak)."

"Congratulations, Host. You have received an achievement reward: one Random Special Talent Summoning Card."

"Special Talent Summoning Card? What is this?"

Gao Yuan couldn't wait to click on this new card.

"Random Special Talent Summoning Card: Can randomly summon a talent with special skills in fields such as agriculture, industry, commerce, or medicine."

"This... is simply top-tier!"

A regular talent card, if not of a high grade, would at most bring an assistant.

But this card was different. If someone like Hua Tuo, Sun Simiao, or Jia Sixie showed up, wouldn't that be hitting the jackpot?

"System, draw, draw, draw!"

"Host is using the Random Special Talent Summoning Card. Randomly drawing..."

This time, Gao Yuan stared intently at the ever-changing character images on the system interface.

"King of Medicine, Sage of Medicine, Sage of Tea—they're all heavyweights... Wait, why are there even eunuchs? Aren't these characters from movies and TV shows?"

Soon, the speed of the changing images slowed down, finally stopping on a character image.

"Zao Zhi? Who is this?"

The system introduction arrived quickly.

"Zao Zhi, birth and death dates unknown, a native of Yangzhai, Yingchuan. He was the inventor of the Tuntian system in the late Eastern Han Dynasty."

"Main Achievements: Pioneered the Tuntian system, encouraged agriculture and sericulture, and developed water conservancy, laying the material foundation for Cao Cao's unification of the North."

Although he didn't recognize the name, one look at these achievements told him this was definitely a brilliant man.

A golden light flashed, and a young man dressed in coarse cloth appeared before Gao Yuan.

After a brief chat, Gao Yuan was certain that this was a person of true talent and learning.

Without wasting words, he followed his usual routine and took the man to recommend him to Zhao Xiyao.

Hearing that Gao Yuan had brought someone skilled in agriculture this time, Zhao Xiyao and Song Yong were quite curious.

As agricultural questions were thrown at him one by one, Zao Zhi was able to answer them all fluently.

Not only could he quote classics, but he also had many unique insights of his own, leaving everyone in awe.

Finally, at Gao Yuan's suggestion, Zhao Xiyao made the final decision and appointed Zao Zhi as the Agricultural Commandant, granting him the status of the lower fourth rank to oversee agricultural affairs across both circuits.

During dinner that evening, Gao Yuan felt that the looks the women were giving him were a bit strange.

Gao Yuan put down his chopsticks with an innocent look.

"What's wrong? Is there something on my face?"

"Husband, how do you find these talents? From Huo Jun and Liu Rengui to Zao Zhi, every single one of them is a rare talent."

Song Yao looked at Gao Yuan with a face full of curiosity.

"Yes, Husband, do you have people specifically assigned to scout for talents outside?"

Zheng Wan also nodded.

"That's not all; don't forget Wu Zetian in her youth and Yueying, who are both heroines not inferior to men."

Gao Yuan really didn't know how to explain; he couldn't exactly tell them they were sent by a system.

His mind raced, and Gao Yuan finally thought of a reasonable explanation.

"We are resisting foreign tribes and expanding our territory; this reputation has long since spread across the four seas."

"Presumably, they are all people with ideals and ambitions, which is why they have come to join our ranks."

Zhao Xiyao nodded in agreement.

"That makes sense. Throughout the dynasties, those who could achieve either resisting foreign tribes or expanding territory were great heroes who left their names in history."

"Husband has achieved both, so it's not surprising that these talents are willing to serve under you."

Zheng Wan also nodded along.

"Indeed, by following Husband, they have a chance to shine in the annals of history. It's no wonder these scholars flock to us."

"These people have good judgment, unlike those from the great noble families who look down on others with snobbish eyes..."

"Cough, cough, cough..."

Gao Yuan choked on the woman's complaint and reached out to rub Song Yao's small face.

"Yao Yao, don't forget, we are all members of noble families ourselves..."

"We are different."

"Right, we are different. Let's eat."

The days passed quickly, and in April, Gao Yuan finally received a letter from Xian Ying.

Gao Yuan immediately shared the news with the others.

"Feng Pu can't wait any longer; he's preparing to declare himself king and will raise troops to attack Region and other areas after the autumn harvest."

Mu Sheng spoke up immediately.

"Rest assured, Commandery Duke, over seventy percent of the military supplies and grain have been allocated; it certainly won't delay our military plans."

"The Beiwei Army and Xuanjia Army have also assembled in the designated areas as requested and are ready to deploy at any time."

Zhao Xiyao suddenly spoke.

"Husband, do you think we should notify Governor Wang Chuan and Wang Fu so they can be prepared?"

This question made Gao Yuan fall into silence, as every choice had its pros and cons.

If the two of them were unprepared and Feng Pu captured the Region and Yongzhou areas, Gao Yuan could justify sending troops to occupy them.

But if they were prepared, they could pin down Feng Pu's main force, making it smoother for him to take over Lianzhou Prefecture and Leizhou Prefecture.

After weighing it repeatedly, Gao Yuan finally made up his mind.

"I think it's better to notify them in two or three months, so we don't end up scaring them away immediately."