Chang Hantang was silent for a long time before asking:

"Jingzhe, have you counted the remaining food and grass in the army?"

"Um."

Chang Jingzhe just responded without giving a specific number.

Several other generals subconsciously looked at Chang Jingzhe, and it could be seen from his expression that it must not be good news.

"Tell me~"

There seemed to be no fluctuation in the old man's tone: "Everyone here is a military lieutenant, there is nothing we can't say.

When we are fighting on the battlefield, we should not keep secrets even from our own people in critical moments~"

The old man's expression was quite calm, and his eyelids did not even tremble.

Chang Jingzhe pursed his lips and said with difficulty:

"If we save a little on distribution, the army's food and grass can still support it.

Support, support for three days.”

It took a lot of effort to hold these two words out.

"What, three days!"

"Is there only three days left?"

The expressions of several generals changed suddenly. They had been stable generals who had led troops for many years. They were still shocked when they heard this number.

What does it mean to save food and have three days left? It means that the army at this moment has actually run out of food.

"As expected~"

The old man murmured: "It's pretty much what I expected."

The food problem has always been the most troublesome problem for the Chang family's army. In the past, hundreds of thousands of troops went south to fight. It required the efforts of Pinghan Dao and Tianning Dao to provide supplies to barely sustain the army. Now the rear is completely occupied by the Yan army.

, naturally there is a lack of food supplies.

When retreating from Jiaodong Road, the Chang family emptied almost all the granaries in the territory. Some of the weapons and supplies could be discarded, but no food was wasted at all.

Even if this is the case, it is not enough for the daily consumption of hundreds of thousands of troops. The amount of food and grass that hundreds of thousands of troops need to eat every day is simply an astronomical figure.

Chang Jingzhe said with a somewhat depressed mood:

"Not only is there a shortage of food, but now even the concentrated feed needed by the war horses is gone. The most common fodder is barely supplied. If this situation continues for four or five days, these fine war horses will probably become more powerful.

discount."

In fact, the war horses in the army are much more delicate than the soldiers.

Soldiers who have no food to eat can still survive after one or two hungry meals. They can survive by digging wild vegetables and drinking cold water. But these war horses cannot do that. The quality of the feed is almost equal to the combat power of the war horse.

Don't be careless at all.

Everyone lowered their heads silently. Everyone knew that before the soldiers and horses were moved, food and grass should be used first. What did the lack of food mean? It meant that the siege of the city would not last long.

This is why the Chang family is so anxious even though the Yan army suffered heavy losses. They can't afford to wait~

Chang Huaiyi added softly from the side:

"The general has sent soldiers to nearby counties and villages to collect grain. I believe there will be news back in the next two days."

"I'm afraid that the food collected from the people is just a drop in the bucket~"

Chang Hantang smiled bitterly and shook his head: "The Yan army knows that we are short of food and grass, and will never leave food for us. Even if it is robbery, they will take away all the surplus food from the people's homes."

Chang Huaiyi's face was full of sorrow. It is difficult for a clever woman to make a meal without rice. Even if he could fight again, he would not be able to produce food.

Chang Yao, who had been on the front line directing the siege despite being injured, said cautiously:

"General, once there is a shortage of food, the morale of the army will be weakened. We must come up with an idea as soon as possible."

"Any ideas?"

Chang Jingzhe rubbed his sore brows: "I've tried every possible way, but it's useless."

Chang Hantang hesitated for a long time before softly saying:

"Are there still many injured and weak horses in the army?"

"yes."

Chang Jingzhe's pupils shrank and he murmured: "What does father want?"

"Gather all the weak horses together. Since there is no feed to feed them, we can only kill them for food. They can last for one day." Chang Hantang said with a cold face:

"At the same time, we need to increase efforts to collect grain nearby and expand the scope. Regardless of whether we can find grain, we still have to give it a try."

"promise!"

Several generals nodded awkwardly.

War horses are the lifeblood of the soldiers on the frontier. Their feelings for them are like comrades in life and death. If they want to kill the war horses now, I am afraid that many soldiers will be reluctant to part with them. After they return, they have to appease the grief of these soldiers. It gives them a headache.

~

Chang Hantang said calmly:

"I know what everyone is worried about, but at this moment, the life and death of the army has come, and we can no longer be kind to women.

The intensity of the siege will increase tomorrow! We must use all our strength to capture Ningzhou City as soon as possible!"

"As you command!"

"Go for it!"

Several generals retreated one after another. Chang Jingzhe walked the fastest because he had to find a way to raise food and grass, and the burden on his shoulders was extremely heavy.

Dudu Changhuaiyi never left, but stood silently beside his grandfather.

"Don't keep your head down."

The old man said calmly: "Everything that happens here will become the most precious memory in your life. Since ancient times, among all the handsome men, who has not suffered hardship?

Remember, don’t be discouraged, don’t be discouraged, and face it bravely!”

The old man taught his grandson in a persuasive manner. From the expression on Chang Hantang's face, you couldn't tell that he was a father who had just lost his eldest son. He looked more like an elder who was carefully teaching his younger generations.

Chang Huaiyi gritted his teeth and was silent for a long time before asking:

"Grandpa, what will happen if we fail to capture Ningzhou City?"

This question was so serious that even Chang Hantang's face trembled unconsciously.

"Can't we attack it?"

Chang Hantang murmured softly: "Then my Chang family will suffer a disaster."

"No, absolutely not!"

Chang Huaiyi looked fierce: "My grandson will never let the Chang family come to this point! Grandpa, I will personally lead the army to attack the city tomorrow and conquer Ningzhou City as soon as possible!"

Chang Huaiyi's eyes were full of murderous intent, with a hint of madness.

"Huaiyi, don't be impulsive." Chang Hantang said softly:

"As a general, you can just encourage morale on the front line. It's better not to participate in this kind of siege in person~"

Chang Huaiyi raised his brows, why did this sentence seem so unlike what his grandfather said? Chang Hantang usually taught him to live and die with his soldiers, but today's words seemed to be telling him to pay attention to his safety.

.

"My grandson knows~"

Although confused, Chang Huaiyi nodded obediently.

"Okay, let's go back."

Chang Hantang stretched out his old palm and patted Chang Huaiyi on the shoulder:

"Grandpa is a little tired and wants to take a rest."

"Then grandpa, take a rest early and say goodbye to your grandson."

Chang Huaiyi didn't stay any longer, stood up, bowed and slowly left.

Chang Hantang, who was leaning on the chair, watched his grandson disappear quietly, then turned his attention to the map, and murmured softly with a face full of vicissitudes of life:
Chapter completed!