Chapter 155: Changes in Huaicheng

After leading his troops back to Mengyi, Meng Di headed straight for Huaicheng. He wanted to inspect how well Bai Gui had managed Huaicheng during this period, and he also wanted to meet the legendary Gongsun Ye, as well as see the strange furnace mentioned by Liuxia Tuo.

Passing through Zhongqiu, Meng Di met with Han Zhan. Having not seen each other for some time, Han Zhan looked much more haggard. Evidently, the heavy burden of the recent military affairs had made him quite thin, which made Meng Di feel a pang of sympathy.

"Our situation has not been very good lately, and there are many things requiring your attention. Once we have more people at our disposal in the future, I will transfer a few to come and help you."

Han Zhan, however, showed not a trace of dejection; instead, his face beamed with excitement.

"It is a bit tiring, but this period has allowed me to learn a great deal. My lord need not worry about me. Now that our influence is growing larger, once we are strong enough in the future, we won't have to live such a hard life anymore."

At this, a somewhat embarrassed expression appeared on his face, and he tentatively asked, "My lord, if there is more Mengbai wine in the future, could you save a few jars for me? Such fine wine is truly rare, and I would like to send some back for my family to taste."

Hearing this request, Meng Di smiled and patted him on the shoulder.

"How could family be left out when it comes to drinking wine? It's just that horses have been scarce recently, which is why we traded wine for horses. Once this battle is over, I will send you a few jars, and at the same time, have someone bring a hundred jars back to Gumie City so they can taste it too."

However, looking at the empty and desolate city, Meng Di could not help letting out a sigh in his heart. After all, his strength was still too weak; otherwise, he would never have had to abandon Zhongqiu City.

Although this time Gao Zhang had been forced to retreat by cutting off his supply route, if the Qi army launched another offensive next, it would be a bitter struggle. Nevertheless, Meng Di had already prepared himself and would surely give Gao Zhang a surprise when the time came.

Seeing the worried look on Meng Di's face, Han Zhan assumed he was concerned about the current state of Zhongqiu City and said, "My lord need not worry about this place. Although the commoners have all left, I have sent soldiers to cultivate these farmland plots, and we will reap a harvest when autumn comes. If the Qi army does not come, well and good."

"If they do come, I will simply set a fire and burn Zhongqiu City to the ground. What we cannot have, we will not let the Qi army have either. When our strength is sufficient in the future, we can simply take it back."

Hearing this, Meng Di burst out laughing. Letting out a long breath, he said, "Zhongqiu City is merely a small city, but we must keep it firmly in our hands. While the Qi army is powerful now, the state of Jin is no weaker. If Lu falls into a critical situation, Jin will definitely dispatch troops."

"Therefore, there is no need to destroy Zhongqiu City. We will take it back later, and only in this way will our connection with Huaicheng remain unbroken. Right now, we are merely preparing for the worst."

"When the time comes, you only need to strengthen the defenses and clear the countryside, preventing the Qi army from obtaining supplies from Zhongqiu. Then, dispatch a detachment of cavalry to continuously harass their supply lines, and the Qi army here will certainly not be able to hold out for long."

Following this, the two discussed specific countermeasures. Meng Di rested in Zhongqiu City for the night and set off again the next day.

Upon seeing Huaicheng once more, Meng Di could not help being startled. The city walls were basically built, and what surprised him even more was the volume of people coming and going. The bustling atmosphere was hardly inferior to when he had first arrived at Feiyi.

Judging by their attire, however, most of these people were merchants. Caravans of all sizes, large and small, transported various goods in and out. Seeing this, Meng Di involuntarily slowed his pace, walking and observing at the same time.

Huaicheng no longer looked like a city; rather, it resembled a massive marketplace. Rows of low houses met the eye, and in some places, tents had been simply pitched.

Although it looked very crude, the goods on sale were remarkably comprehensive—ranging from food, drink, and daily necessities to warhorses, fine swords, pearls, and gemstones, everything was available.

Furthermore, these people sold their goods in designated zones. Near the city gate were small peddlers, and as one walked deeper inside, the market began to divide into various districts, partitioned according to categories and functions.

Thus, although the entire market looked somewhat chaotic, it was actually well-organized. The streets were left quite wide, and the crowds moved slowly along both sides in an orderly fashion.

At the same time, soldiers patrolled the area incessantly. Moving through the center of the road, if they spotted anything amiss, they would immediately step forward to stop it, causing Meng Di to nod repeatedly.

The fact that these tribal people could be governed so orderly demonstrated that Bai Gui's administrative ability was quite exceptional.

Just then, a military officer leading a patrol of soldiers suddenly caught sight of their party and hurried over.

Judging from the officer's expression, Meng Di knew the man had recognized him. Before the officer could salute upon approaching, Meng Di said, "You are on duty, so there is no need for formalities. I am just walking around to take a look, so do not disturb the people nearby."

The officer was a quick-witted man. Hearing this, he simply cupped his fists and said, "This subordinate understands."

At that moment, Meng Di suddenly caught sight of a figure ahead that felt very familiar to him. He nodded to the officer, took a few quick strides forward, and wanted to see if that person was indeed an acquaintance.

However, there were simply too many people here, and after being blocked a few times while weaving through the crowd, Meng Di lost sight of that figure. Still, he did not give up; he followed the street further ahead, constantly scanning his surroundings.

Finally, at a spot where gemstones were being sold, he caught sight of that figure once more. Meng Di walked straight toward him.

The man seemed to sense someone staring at him, so he turned his head, and his eyes met Meng Di's.

Instantly, Meng Di confirmed that he had seen this man before. However, the look in the other's eyes was full of unfamiliarity, clearly failing to recognize his identity. Step by step, Meng Di walked up and asked, "Pardon me, is Your Excellency from the state of Chu?"

Hearing this, the man's expression froze for a moment, and then his entire demeanor filled with vigilance as he cast a cold glance back.

Seeing the other's attitude, Meng Di became even more certain that he had not mistaken his man, so he said amiably, "You need not be so nervous. The reason I ask is because I met you once while in the state of Chu. You may not remember it, but for a warrior like you to serve as an attendant to a mere merchant is quite a waste."