Allure of a Country Maiden-Chapter 255 - 253

Due to Brother Ri’s impending departure, the entire residence has been filled with tension these past few days.

Underneath it all, the servants speculate about what might be happening. The atmosphere in the residence has changed, and everyone is handling matters more meticulously than ever.

Mrs. Liu would attend to the domestic affairs in the residence daily, clutching her sewing basket, reluctant to sleep before midnight.

Shen Chengyao would rise early, send the three children to school, report to the Ministry of Revenue, pick them up from school in the evening, and return home together.

The daily meals at home were prepared based on Brother Ri’s preferences.

During these remaining days, Mrs. Liu intended to do everything for Brother Ri, replicating all the things a parent should do for a child within a lifetime.

However, something occurred just before Brother Ri’s departure.

On January 19, after the morning court session, in the Royal Study.

Several princes, General Di, the Minister of War, the Minister of Revenue, and the commander-in-chief of the capital defense force stood on both sides.

"Received urgent news last night; the damage caused by the pirates to the public has been getting worse. A fishing village in Nanzhou has been completely looted, slaughtered, and burned. It is urgent to suppress these pirates. It was previously decided to mobilize the troops after the first month. Now the plans have to be brought forward. Is there any issue with marching in ten days?" frёewebηovel.cѳm

General Di stepped forward: "Your Majesty, there’s no issue."

"Good,"

"How is the preparation of supplies coming along?"

The Minister of War stepped forward: "Your Majesty, all preparations are in order, and we can start the campaign at any time."

The Ministry of War in this dynasty was in charge of military selection, maps, carriages and horses, armors and weapons, military supplies, and more.

"Very well. General Di will lead the army, with General Lin as his deputy and Wen Zhanglei as the military strategist. They will lead fifty thousand cavalry. We will set out on the 29th of the first month. As the old saying goes, ’Before the cavalry moves, supplies come first’. Zhao Youhe, the second son of the commander-in-chief, will lead the transport of supplies, starting with one hundred thousand stones of grain in five days."

"Your Majesty’s servant obeys!" The people who were named all stepped forward to accept their orders.

All the details regarding the campaign to suppress the pirates had been discussed before the end of last year. The Emperor didn’t say much more, and let his few sons remain while the other ministers left.

After Shangguan Xuanjun and others left, he asked for permission to speak, "Father, I wish to join General Di and go on the expedition!"

He had never fought a naval battle and was keen to try it.

"The kingdom of Xiyue is stirring. I have received secret reports that Xiyue is secretly training and recruiting soldiers. You have spent time in the west border and are quite familiar with it. You should continue to train the soldiers and be ready to set out to the west border with General Li at any time."

Dealing with Xiyue, a kingdom in the desert, is actually more challenging than a naval battle.

The west border is frequented by sandstorms, extreme day and night temperature differences, and harsh living conditions. It’s next to a desert where the shapes of the sand dunes change unpredictably. Sometimes they change every day.

If one lacks experience, one could be lured into the heart of the desert, become trapped, and never find their way out.

"Your son obeys." After hearing this, Shangguan Xuanjun complied.

With the country in danger, personal interests can be set aside.

Xiyue is the kingdom that is most eager to invade Minze. They would mobilize troops every couple of years, which can be quite annoying!

Their harsh living conditions and scarce resources make life difficult.

To break free from these circumstances permanently, they could only steal the fertile lands of neighboring countries.

Human history is filled with wars, plunder, and resistance, and only the strong survive.

"Yi’er, you should also follow General Di to gain some experience, and take Shaowei with you."

Now in the Imperial Court, only General Di and General Li are wise, prudent, and reliable generals.

The other generals are either careless or brave but thoughtless, and they can’t be entrusted with heavy responsibilities.

Both good generals are also not young anymore. They might have to retire due to old age in about ten or eight years. Therefore, it’s urgent to train one or two outstanding generals as soon as possible.

The future responsibility of defending our country and safeguarding our home will fall on the younger generation.

Taking this opportunity, the Emperor decided to send out several individuals he had high hopes for to gain experience and receive training.

After all, talking military tactics on paper, no matter how elaborate, can never compare to securing a victory on the battlefield.

Shangguan Xuanyi received his orders.

The troops will set out in ten days, and the provisions will be dispatched in five days.

Shen Chengyao was also in charge of the country’s granary.

These few days were enough for him to be busy, supervising people to count one hundred thousand stones worth of grains.

The soldiers at the forefront braved death and shed blood in order to protect their homes and their country; these provisions were of utmost importance to them.

They could not be sent into battle hungry nor allowed to eat a single grain of moldy grain. This was Shen Chengyao’s firm belief!

Xiao’er prepared some necessary food and household medicines for Brother Ri, along with some supplies for Shangguan Xuanyi and Di Shaowei for their battle.

These two people had been of great help to her in this world.

Xiao’er spent the whole night busy in her space. She guessed that as long as Shangguan Xuanyi didn’t win a battle, she would not relax a single day, taking the time to plant food and medicinal herbs in the space.

On the 28th of the first lunar month, after a farewell banquet at the Four Seasons Restaurant, Shangguan Xuanyi escorted Xiao’er back to the mansion.

In the carriage,

Xiao’er handed Shangguan Xuanyi a brocade box.

Shangguan Xuanyi opened it, only to see a beautifully crafted yellow diamond ring lying peacefully within.

Xiao’er held up her left hand where a pink diamond ring rested on her middle finger.

At a single glance, Shangguan Xuanyi knew they were a pair.

"Help me put it on." Shangguan Xuanyi extended his left hand, offering the ring to Xiao’er.

"Brother Shangguan, please drop a bead of blood on it."

Although Shangguan Xuanyi had questions in his heart, he still took out a dagger, gently rifling a cut on his fingertip and letting a single drop of blood fall onto the yellow diamond.

Xiao’er took the ring, gently taking Shangguan Xuanyi’s left hand and placing the ring on his middle finger. The ring was a tad large and slipped on easily. Yet, once it was on his finger, the ring magically adjusted its size, fitting perfectly without being loose or tight.

Shangguan Xuanyi calmly looked at Xiao’er, seeking an explanation.

"This was given to me by my Master, study it more when you return to the palace." Xiao’er handed him an envelope, "The method lies within."

Shangguan Xuanyi accepted it with full of doubts, but he chose not to voice them out.

Since the girl intended for him to study it once he returned to the palace, it meant it was not convenient to discuss at that moment.

"I will see you off at the city gate tomorrow."

"No need to. There will be lots of people and I don’t want you to get jostled."

Xiao’er didn’t respond to his words. In any case, she was determined to go.

Shangguan Xuanhao reached out and tucked a loose strand of Xiao’er’s hair behind her ear.

"If you ever need anything, use the token I gave you to enter the palace and seek the Empress Mother. She will help you."

"Alright."

"Take good care of yourself and grow up quickly, wait for my return."

"Alright." Xiao’er agreed verbally, but thought to herself: time is not under my control, it would be great if it were possible to speed up the course of growth!

"If anything comes up at the shop, go find Xiao Fuzi."

"Got it."

"Do not attempt anything dangerous!"

"Alright." She didn’t have the ability to discern danger from safety, only whether she could or could not cope with a situation. So long as she could, she would carry it out.

Alas, it seemed that even Brother Shangguan could lose his temper at times.