Chapter 26

It must be said that Huo Qubing was very moved by Zhao Kuo’s words. Which general wouldn’t want a warhorse like Red Hare? Especially since Huo Qubing was good at riding and archery, and loved fighting in the Xiongnu grasslands, a good warhorse was more valuable than an ordinary one to him.

Besides, he was indeed a little eager to kill the Hu people.

It’s likely for this reason that Zhao Kuo made this suggestion to him.

So, the two young men exchanged looks and, finding a chance to stir up trouble, planned to wait until Beidi County became more stable. Then they would go out, kill some barbarians, and give the girl a chance to draw cards.

Looking at the two teenagers huddled in the corner, whispering to each other and not hearing what they were about to do, the brave young man leaning against the wall with his hands behind his back glanced at the two but ultimately didn’t remind Ying Yue, who was still talking to Jia Xu.

There was no need for that.

At least, after the training starts tomorrow, the two teenagers who wanted to cause trouble wouldn’t have time or energy for these little things. Maybe, just maybe, they could have peace for at least a month.

So there was no need to bother the little girl with this and make her worry even more.

_

The next day.

After waking up early and studying with Cai Yan for an hour, Ying Yue put down the study outline with her beautiful handwriting, said goodbye to the elegant woman in front of her, and ran to find Shen Shutan to ask about the farmers she needed to hire.

When Ying Yue asked her, Miss Shen smiled slightly and said, “My Lord, you really came to the right person.”

“I happen to know a few farmers who are quick, hardworking, and have good character. I’ll write down their addresses later, and my lord can send two people to hire them, okay?”

She had originally planned to send servants to invite them but remembered that the County Magistrate’s Mansion had just been cleaned, and now there were no servants except for them. 

Though it couldn’t be helped, she sighed, realizing that the servants in her house were useless.

Fortunately, Ying Yue still had about thirty men under her command, so they didn’t need to handle everything alone.

The county magistrate’s office still needed to hire new servants, Ying Yue thought to herself.

“Alright,” Ying Yue nodded. Then, after a moment, she asked, “But do we have enough land under the county magistrate’s name to grow cotton?”

It was farming season, and she was worried that all the land had already been used for planting grain crops.

Removing the existing seeds or seedlings was an option, but she knew it was best to avoid that unless absolutely necessary. Food was too valuable to waste.

“Don’t worry, my lord,” Shen Shutan replied. “In Beidi County, we may lack many things, but there’s no shortage of land for planting.”

Ying Yue was confused. “Why is that?”

Shen Shutan sighed and explained, “Over the past few years, the bandits from Black Wind Village and the Turks^[1]which is Nomadic groups that raided Chinese borders during historical periods. caused chaos. They always sent people to rob the crops during the harvest season. To avoid losing their hard work, farmers stopped planting large fields. For the last two years, people have only grown enough food for their families to survive.”

“What about taxes?” Ying Yue asked.

Shen Shutan nodded. “In the past two years, taxes have been based on how much food the people could harvest.”

The government wasn’t happy, but they couldn’t protect the farmers’ crops either. So, both sides compromised.

Rather than lose everything to the invaders and still fail to pay taxes, the farmers planted small amounts of food. This way, they could at least survive and give the government a share of their limited harvest.

During a time when the people almost rioted, Shen Shutan had spoken up for them. This earned her respect among the people, who believed she supported their struggles. In truth, her actions were selfish. She only wanted to gain the people’s trust to secure her own comfortable life.

“Not planting year after year isn’t a solution,” Ying Yue said worriedly. “If we face a natural disaster in the future, the people won’t have any extra food. What will happen then?”

“You’re right,” Shen Shutan agreed. “So far, we’ve been lucky. There haven’t been any disasters, so the little we plant each year has been enough. But if bad luck comes, the people will either flee to other counties or starve here.”

The people only focused on surviving the present. They couldn’t afford to think about the future.

Ying Yue’s heart sank at this. After thinking for a moment, she asked, “If I promise the people that the barbarians won’t rob them during this year’s harvest, will they be willing to farm again?”

Shen Shutan thought carefully before replying, “If you can really remove the threat of the barbarians, then yes, the people will farm again. In fact, I believe that with you taking over Beidi County and the presence of strong generals, the barbarians won’t dare attack anymore.”

“Training soldiers and dealing with the barbarians takes time,” Ying Yue said. “But farming can’t wait. If we miss spring planting, it’ll be too late even if the people want to farm.”

“What if I promise the people that if the barbarians attack again this year, the government will cover all their losses?” Ying Yue asked suddenly. “I can even sign a contract with them.”

Shen Shutan froze in shock. After a long pause, she said, “My lord… you’re very bold.”

It was already spring, and the harvest would come in just half a year. Ying Yue was willing to take this huge risk.

“It’s not about being bold,” Ying Yue replied gently, her earlier sharpness gone. “I just believe in the people.”

Still, Ying Yue knew she couldn’t act impulsively. She needed to consult Jia Xu to see if this plan was realistic.

Thinking of Jia Xu, Ying Yue began planning her day. “I need to go to the government office later to persuade the officials in Beidi County to work with me. Wen He said yesterday that Bai Qi will join us today.”

Zhao Kuo and Huo Qubing had already gone to Shangwu Hall to train the troops. Jia Xu believed Bai Qi could control the situation, so he stayed behind to go with Ying Yue instead of joining the camp.

Jia Xu’s plan was simple: bring Bai Qi to the government office to intimidate the officials. Bai Qi’s presence alone, with a hint of his murderous aura, would scare the officials into obeying Ying Yue’s orders.

Although there are no exceptionally talented individuals among these people, they are educated and literate, so they can manage for now. Given the current manpower shortage, this will have to suffice.

Afterward, Ying Yue checked the day’s schedule and noticed a pot of tea brewed on Shen Shutan’s desk. She asked, “I’m feeling a bit thirsty. Could I have some tea?”

Shen Shutan responded with a smile, “Of course. If I had known the Lord would drink it, I would have prepared a better tea.” She then added, “But this pot is already on its second brew, so it might taste a bit bitter.”

“It’s fine,” Ying Yue replied, shaking her head as she walked to the table.

“My Lord,” Shen Shutan suddenly called out hesitantly. “I have a question that’s been on my mind for a long time, but I don’t know if I should ask.”

“Hmm?” Ying Yue, who had just reached the table, turned her head, surprised. “What is it?”

Encouraging her, Ying Yue gently said, “Shutan, if you have questions, ask directly. I won’t be upset.”

Shen Shutan hesitated briefly before asking, “Are General Bai and the Lord in a relationship?”

As soon as Shen Shutan spoke, Ying Yue had just leaned slightly to pick up a teacup to pour tea. Upon hearing those words, her hand trembled, and the cup slipped from her grasp.

With a “click,” the teacup rolled across the table but miraculously came to a stop just before it fell. The precious purple clay tea set remained intact.

However, Ying Yue didn’t even notice this near mishap. Shocked by Shen Shutan’s question, her face went blank, and her mind froze.