Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey-Chapter 576: Military Rations (Part 1)

An entire night of profound feelings, no need to elaborate.

The following morning, after having breakfast, Cui Du rode to the field manor.

Jiang Shaohua personally saw Cui Du out of the city.

Cui Du had already gone far away when he couldn’t help but look back, only to see his newlywed wife still standing there. His eyes suddenly welled with emotion, and he immediately turned his horse around and galloped back. Under the surprised gazes of his trusted aides, he dismounted and rushed forward to embrace Jiang Shaohua.

Jiang Shaohua’s heart felt a bit sour too, nestled in Cui Du’s embrace.

"Shao Hua, I can’t bear to leave you. Am I being too weak?" Cui Du’s voice carried a nasal tone.

All these years, the two had been apart more than together, each busy with their own tasks, and it became normal to see each other only occasionally. Even after expressing their feelings and getting engaged, they didn’t have much time to linger together.

He thought he could leave as casually as before, with a wave of his hand, but he didn’t expect his heart to be so reluctant to part.

Jiang Shaohua softly said, "I can’t bear to leave you either."

Cui Du let out a long sigh, holding his beloved wife tightly in his arms.

If he truly was an unambitious son-in-law, it would be fine; he could stay by her side all day. Yet, he was an important and capable minister of the Nanyang Prince Mansion, indispensable in the cultivation of grain seeds and fruit and vegetable seeds in the field manor. Not only was this his passionate career, but it was also a matter of great importance to the people of Nanyang County and all the people of Da Liang.

"The field manor isn’t too far, I’ll come back in three to five days." Cui Du whispered in her ear.

Jiang Shaohua responded with a hum.

After lingering in this close embrace for a while, Cui Du finally made the painful decision to let go of his beloved wife, mounted his horse, and left again. This time, he didn’t look back.

Jiang Shaohua stood there until Cui Du’s figure disappeared from sight before returning to the Nanyang Prince Mansion.

The mansion was still the same, with officials following their duties, and every department was busy. Jiang Shaohua, the Nanyang County Princess, was the most carefree.

She first wandered to the Official Room. Chief Historian Chen was busy processing official documents, too occupied for idle conversations. After sitting idly for a while and drinking a cup of tea, she got up and went to the Household Department.

The Household Department was even busier, with Chief Historian Feng instructing clerks to calculate accounts and prepare the compensation arrangements for the Nanyang Army and the Personal Guard Camp. Once busy, Chief Historian Feng’s temper grew significantly. Even when the Commandery Princess arrived, Chief Historian Feng didn’t hold back, glaring at all those who came to request silver.

Jiang Shaohua rarely touched her conscience, wondering if she had placed too much pressure on Chief Historian Feng. Raising an army was no easy task, with her issuing commands, Chief Historian Feng had to work tirelessly, and the entire Household Department had to desperately gather money and grain.

Next, Jiang Shaohua went to the workshop.

The workshop was even busier. Shen Mu had gathered a few skilled craftsmen to study how to forge sharper weapons and more durable armor.

Jiang Shaohua had some knowledge of weapons and couldn’t help but join the discussion. Thus, half a day’s time was finally spent.

After having lunch, she took a nap alone, feeling an emptiness by her side.

Chen Jinyu couldn’t help but chuckle softly: "With Elder Changning gone, does the Commandery Princess find it hard to get used to?" Throughout most of the day, the Commandery Princess forced herself to keep up her spirits, yet she seemed distracted and restless.

Jiang Shaohua knew she couldn’t hide it from those closest to her, and she chuckled self-deprecatingly: "Yes, indeed, it’s hard to get used to it. In this month of marriage, Cui Du was by my side every day, inseparable from me. Now that he’s suddenly gone, it feels like something is missing by my side."

Chen Jinyu, in a knowing tone, said: "At first, separation is hard. Eventually, you’ll get used to it as time goes by."

Jiang Shaohua nodded.

Three days passed, and as dusk approached, a familiar figure appeared before her eyes.

Jiang Shaohua was a bit surprised and even more delighted: "You came back so soon?"

Cui Du strode over, holding Jiang Shaohua’s hand tightly: "I left in the afternoon, just in time to arrive at the mansion before dark. I’ll leave early tomorrow morning, and by noon, I’ll reach the field manor without delaying business."

The field manor wasn’t very far, but neither was it very near, spanning dozens of li; a fast horse would take two to three hours. For skilled martial artists like Qin Huma and Meng Sanbao, such daily journeys were no problem. However, Cui Du had never practiced martial arts, making such traveling quite tiring.

Nevertheless, the fervor of newlywed love filled his thoughts; he wished he could fly back with wings. He found it not tiresome at all.

Sweetness welled up in Jiang Shaohua’s heart as she grasped his hand in return and led him into the bedroom.

Dinner was naturally delayed.

It wasn’t until nearly midnight that Jiang Shaohua ordered dinner. The young couple, both tired and hungry, only had the strength for small talk after filling their stomachs.

"Can the hybrid rice you mentioned really be cultivated?" Jiang Shaohua asked with a low chuckle.

Cui Du raised an eyebrow with a smile, "Of course."

"Hybrid rice doesn’t taste as good as southern rice, but it can be farmed without paddy fields. Moreover, its yield increases several folds. If hybrid rice can be grown in the North, all the people in the north can have rice to eat."

Jiang Shaohua relaxed her eyebrows, smiling: "This way, people’s tables can add another staple source of sustenance. This is a great matter benefiting all people, so you must pay special attention."

Cui Du nodded with a smile and added, "Oh, and I’m planning to develop some delicious and nutritious military food that’s long-lasting and easy to carry."

Jiang Shaohua suddenly perked up: "What kind of military food?"

Soldiers ate well in the military camp, but once on long journeys, they only had dry cakes and cold water. In hot weather, the dry cakes could only last three to four days. The kitchen struggled to make military rations. If Cui Du’s described military rations became a reality, it would be a great boon for all soldiers in the military camp.

Cui Du rarely kept secrets: "I can’t say now, but once it’s developed, you can try it yourself and see."

...

A half month later, Jiang Shaohua rode to the field manor and saw the new military food Cui Du had mentioned.

A large, sturdy wooden bowl was piled with powdery stuff.

"Is this the new military food?" Jiang Shaohua’s curiosity was piqued.

Cui Du smiled: "Indeed. This is made from several grains like wheat, corn, and millet roasted, then ground into powder with a stone mill, with salt added. It can be eaten directly or made into a more delicious meal by adding some hot water."

Jiang Shaohua immediately reached out and took some, placing it into her mouth.

It indeed had the flavor of roasted grains, with a savory taste, quite delightful. It was slightly dry, though, and eating too fast might choke someone.

"Have a sip of warm water." Cui Du carefully held out a bowl of warm water, Jiang Shaohua slightly lowered her head to take a sip, then nodded and praised, "Eat a few bites of military food, drink a sip of warm water, perfect."

Cui Du grinned: "Now try another way to eat it."

Hot water was poured into the wooden bowl, and it was vigorously stirred with chopsticks. Even before tasting it, a strong aroma wafted into her nose.

Jiang Shaohua tasted it and, without a word, finished everything left in the bowl.