A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace-Chapter 724 Battle Plan
Minister Yang, after listening, pondered for a while and expressed his strong agreement.
However, Yang Chenyi, who had been standing behind him, was very puzzled.
"Emperor, your servant still doesn’t understand something. If the enemy is extremely familiar with naval warfare, what will we do if they are unwilling to land easily?"
Zhao Junyao smiled faintly.
"What if... they die if they don’t go ashore?"
The people present were even more puzzled.
Zhao Junyao then pointed to the map and said,
"Based on the intelligence we’ve received, it’s very likely that the enemy will arrive at Xiahe Town in three days!
"This place happens to be a harbor. We only need to set an ambush on its outskirts. Once the enemy enters, we’ll immediately seal off the entrance!
"At that point, if they don’t land, they will die!"
As for how to surround the enemy, Zhao Junyao said that it was very simple—use fire!
Why? Because the enemy uses wooden ships.
"No matter how formidable their marine troops are, they can’t just float on the water!"
Won’t they run if their ships are set ablaze?
Yang Chenyi, due to his youth and lack of experience, was even more confused.
"Emperor, how do we set a fire at sea?"
"Indeed, Imperial Brother, the sea is full of water, how can we set it on fire?" Seventh Prince Zhao Junyan also asked.
Zhao Junyao looked at them, then turned to General Liang with a smile.
"That’s a good question! You tell them about it!"
It’s not terrible for the younger generation to lack experience. What’s important is their strong desire to learn, their willingness to know—that is what’s most crucial!
General Liang hurriedly cupped his fist in salute and proceeded to explain the reason in detail. 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂
It turned out that fishermen living in seaside villages all liked to use fish oil.
They used it for lighting oil lamps and making candles. It burned well, was cheap, and if they saved up enough, they could even sell it for money.
And where does the fish oil come from? Of course, from the sea.
In the sea, besides small fish, there was also a kind of extremely large fish.
Their flesh was much inferior to other fish, not very tasty.
But they had one advantage: they could be used to produce oil.
Catching one big fish and refining its oil could cover the entire village’s needs for a year.
If there was a surplus, it could be sold to supplement the household income.
Of course, these fish also had a drawback: they weren’t easy to catch.
Each time, all the young men from the village had to mobilize to hunt one.
Therefore, the fishermen didn’t usually bother these large creatures unless necessary.
Yang Chenyi, Little Fifth, and Little Seventh were stunned after hearing all this.
"So... there are such fish..."
"So that’s how candles are made!"
General Liang smiled.
"It’s not strange that you don’t know!
"These seaside villagers make their living by fishing. Whether it’s eating fish, trading fish for money to buy grain, or fulfilling other needs, their lives are inseparably linked to the sea."
"Oh..."
The group nodded thoughtfully.
Zhao Junyao continued,
"I have already dispatched people to purchase fish oil from the fishermen. If that’s not enough, we shall have people hunt them!"
Compared to the common people who were about to face the chaos of war, a few fish truly didn’t matter much.
"What a good idea!"
"Imperial Brother, let us go too!" Seventh Prince Zhao Junyan’s eyes shone.
Yang Chenyi was also tempted.
"Emperor, your servant wishes to go as well!"
The already mature Fifth Prince was more composed and said,
"We have never even seen them before; we’ll need to find some fishermen to guide us!"
Zhao Junyao nodded in approval.
"Indeed! If you truly wish to go, you must find someone to lead the way!
"After all, you are there to help, not to add to the chaos!"
"Yes!"
"Thank you, Imperial Brother!"
Little Seventh and Yang Chenyi exchanged a glance, both exclaiming excitedly.
Zhao Junyao nodded without saying more.
The battle plan was decided.
In the barracks, the various commanders took up their posts, busily preparing for the campaign.
Several large ships were filled with fish oil, ready to be sprinkled on the sea surface.
The marine forces, selected from the best of the best, comprised an elite unit of one thousand troops with General Liang as the lead commander.
Their special tasks were to set fires at sea, create diversions, and misdirect the enemy.
At the same time, the infantry was also busy with arrangements.
As this campaign’s Left Commander-in-Chief, General Xiao undertook the role of main commander without any doubt.
It had been quite a while since he’d fought in a battle, and he was itching with excitement.
"Your Majesty, just you watch! If they dare set foot on shore, I will make sure they can’t return!"
He might not be an expert at sea, but on land, that was his domain!
Zhao Junyao squinted his eyes, smiling like a cunning fox.
"Good! I will sit steadily in this large tent, waiting for your good news!"
"Yes! Your servant shall not fail Your Majesty!"
Zhao Junyao swept out his hand grandly.
"Alright, everyone go and prepare!"
All complied and dispersed.
...
After the pre-war deployment meeting had concluded, Zhao Junyao was in high spirits.
Having nothing else to do, he decided to go out for a ride on his horse.
Just as he changed his clothes and stepped out of the tent, he saw Xia Tingfeng pacing in circles outside.
With his long legs and large strides, he’d walked back and forth so many times it almost made Zhao Junyao dizzy.
"What’s going on with you?"
Zhao Junyao was a bit perplexed.
At the sound of the Emperor’s voice, Xia Tingfeng stopped immediately and greeted him with a cupped-fist salute.
"Your Majesty!"
Zhao Junyao approached.
"What’s the matter, you seem so anxious!"
"Anxious?"
Xia Tingfeng was also a bit stunned.
"Your Majesty, I... I’m not anxious!"
Zhao Junyao glared at him. Noticing the ground had been worn into a circle by his pacing, he said,
"If you’re not anxious, then why are you pacing back and forth?"
Xia Tingfeng followed the Emperor’s gaze to his own feet.
Indeed, a dense circle of footprints was visible.
Uh... was the Emperor talking about this?
Zhao Junyao raised an eyebrow. What else did you think I meant?
Xia Tingfeng fell silent for a moment, began scratching his head, then quickly changed the subject.
"Your Majesty, you were planning to go out, weren’t you? I’ll go call someone to prepare at once!"
Zhao Junyao’s gaze remained cool as he continued to stare at him.
"Since when did you become Li Shengan? Stop evading and confess, what is making you anxious?!"
With no escape, Xia Tingfeng hesitated for a moment before spilling the beans.
"Your Majesty... I... am also aching for some action!"
Even though he was on the front lines, he had to stay back in the camp while others went off to fight gloriously.
That was truly agonizing!
Upon hearing this, Zhao Junyao felt it deeply. Xia Tingfeng had voiced exactly what was on his mind—it hit the nail on the head!
After looking around to make sure nobody was watching, he pulled Xia Tingfeng towards the outside of the camp.
As they walked, he lowered his voice to say,
"You think I’m not anxious?
"But I am the Emperor, and they will never allow me to go to the front line!"
At this point, he looked around vigilantly.
"But rest assured! I will definitely not just sit in the tent and wait idly. Everything is arranged!"
Xia Tingfeng’s heart was so agitated it nearly leapt from his chest.
"Really?!"
His voice unintentionally grew louder; in fact, he really wanted to flourish his sword in celebration.
Zhao Junyao nodded solemnly.
"Of course. Those old men could never stop me!
"Let’s go! We’ll go pick out some horses!"
Suppressing his excitement, Xia Tingfeng offered a resolute cupped-fist salute.
"Yes!"
Then, the two, like partners in crime, rather shamelessly pretended they were just going for a leisurely ride and headed to the stables to select their horses.
When they arrived at the stables, Xia Tingfeng suddenly spotted a familiar figure.
"Ye Tang?!"
