Chapter 72 Autumn Harvest

"Damn it, I knew those good-for-nothings would try to shirk their responsibilities again."

"What did they say when they came to procure the grain? Huh? It's already September, and the grain still hasn't arrived! A bunch of good-for-nothings!"

Qi Rong sighed: "Alright, the autumn harvest is coming soon, the granaries can hold out for a while. I'll go ask the Ministry of Revenue again."

Lin Changning sighed, "Asking won't help. Commander, we should think of other ways. We can't just wait around."

Qi Rong remained silent, his brows furrowed so tightly they could crush an ant.

"I'll go ask other garrisons to see if we can transfer some over first..."

Lin Changning thought for a while but couldn't come up with a good idea, so he nodded and said, "That's the only way. But the end of the year is just a few months away, and I doubt we can borrow much more."

After everyone left one by one, Qi Rong sat in his seat, worried. The two thousand dan (a unit of weight) that had been transferred to Fengyang a few months ago had indeed not been transferred back.

The Ministry of Revenue said that the full amount of grain would be delivered by October at the latest. Suzhou Prefecture had already received it, but it was already September, and the autumn harvest in Daxing was just a few days away. If the grain did not arrive soon, how would they survive the winter?

In previous years, he would always prepare an extra three to four thousand shi of grain, so even if it was a little late, it wouldn't matter, as it would be enough for everyone to last for two months. This year, he sent out two thousand dan directly, and the five thousand shi in between were not given in full. The garrison was really in a tight spot. Even with the grain harvested in the autumn, at least eight thousand shi would be needed to get through this winter before the next grain distribution.

In previous years, the Tartars would come down to harvest hay in October. If they didn't arrive before October, the soldiers would go hungry this year.

Qi Rong pondered for a long time before finally saying, "No, I'll go to Shuntian Prefecture to borrow grain first, and then return it when I get there."

Lin Changning was extremely upset that she hadn't read the novel carefully back then. Regarding the King of Chu's rebellion, she only remembered that it happened within the last three years, and she didn't know anything else.

"Commander, why don't we wait another month? I doubt the Ministry of Revenue would dare to let us fight on an empty stomach; they can't afford that."

Qi Rong nodded: "Then let's wait another month. By the way, I'm planning to send An'an back to the capital recently. I've told him several times but he just won't go. Can you help persuade him? The Tartars will probably come down in the next two months. I don't have much time to take care of him, and the border is not peaceful either."

Lin Changning nodded, and soon after, Zhiqi brought Qi An'an over.

During the months he spent there, Qi An'an got a tan and became stronger. Every day he helped with chores at the stables, and learned martial arts and literacy from Lin Changning. Occasionally, a group of people would take him to the grasslands to hunt. Although he wasn't pampered like he was in the capital, he became much more robust and cheerful.

Children are healthy if they can run around freely without being restricted.

"Little Sixth Brother! Are you going on patrol today? Take me with you!"

Qi Rong: "Qi An'an! You're not allowed to go! I called you here to tell you that the autumn harvest is coming soon. Pack your things and get out of here in the next couple of days. We're too busy to take care of you."

Qi An'an pouted: "I'm not going back, I won't. What's the point of the capital? There's no Da Huang, no Mo Yun, and no Little Six Brother. Besides, it's been months and my parents haven't come to see me. I guess I'm not important to them. If you want to go back, Big Brother, go back. I'm not going back."

The veins on Qi Rong's forehead throbbed: "I! Did! Not! Discuss! With! You! Qi An'an!"

In fact, the Duke's mansion had sent people to pick up Qi An'an. A few months ago, she caused trouble in front of Qi Rong's camp and was beaten up. After that, she behaved herself. This month, the territory was relatively peaceful, but Daxing was about to have its autumn harvest, and war was likely to break out on the border soon. That's why Qi Rong was in a hurry to send her back.

Qi An'an threw herself at Qi Rong, wrapping her arms and legs around his legs and crying out, "Big brother~ good big brother~ I don't want to go back. You said back then that as long as I could endure this hardship, I could follow you."

Qi Rong grabbed his younger brother and scolded, "Stand up straight! What kind of behavior is this? Qi An'an, after the autumn harvest in September, the Tartars will come down to steal hay. I won't have much time to take care of you then, so you have to go back to the capital. It's still relatively safe in the country right now. I'll send a team of guards to escort you back. Don't cause trouble!"

Qi An'an pouted, feeling a little aggrieved, but she knew her older brother was doing it for her own good: "Could we leave a little later? Xiao Ya said there's a bonfire party at the end of the month, and I haven't seen it yet. Can I leave after I've seen it, brother?"

Qi Rong didn't want to be too harsh on him, so he hesitated for a moment and said, "You must leave by the end of September at the latest."

Qi An'an jumped up and cheered, "Big brother is the best!"

Lin Changning looked at the two of them with a smile on her lips, feeling a sense of warmth. A few months ago, she had written to her younger brother, informing him that he was not allowed to take the imperial examination for three years. Although her younger brother did not understand, he still agreed, saying that he would take the examination after three years when his knowledge was solid, and he would definitely win her the top scholar title. He also asked if her injury had healed. It was amazing that he still remembered something that happened eight hundred years ago.

The letter also mentioned that Songbai Academy had many books, the teachers treated him very well, and he had made a friend who was a very nice person. The friend often helped him clean the courtyard and classrooms at the academy and would always find some excuse to give him money, writing materials, and so on. The friend was also smart and eager to learn, but he was always sleepy and seemed like he couldn't wake up.

He also mentioned that his second brother's leg had improved considerably, and his second sister-in-law was now all smiles and cheerful. Finally, he mentioned that he had won first place at the academy and received a tael of silver as a prize. He gave half of it to his uncle and sent the rest home. His uncle was very happy, as were his maternal grandparents. However, his aunt was not in good spirits and often mistook him for her cousin. Nevertheless, she was very kind and loving, saying that he was doing well at his uncle's house and that she should not mistreat herself when she was away from home, and that she should keep as much money for herself as possible.

Qi An'an tugged at Lin Changning's sleeve: "Sixth Brother? Shall we go?"

Lin Changning snapped out of her daze: "Huh? Yeah, let's go..."

One month later—

The autumn harvest is over, and this year's harvest is not as good as in previous years, decreasing by about one-fifth. We finally managed to add new grain to the granary before it was emptied.

The grain supplies distributed by the imperial court still hadn't arrived. Qi Rong sent letter after letter to the capital reporting the urgent need for grain, but each time the Ministry of Revenue said they were calculating this year's grain and would distribute it after the calculation was completed. However, a month had passed without any definite news. Qi Rong was so angry that he smashed several teacups. Fortunately, in the middle of the month, other garrisons and the Prince of Chu sent more than a thousand dan of grain, which relieved the immediate crisis.

Today's bonfire party is coming up, and Qi An'an will be heading back after watching it. So Qi Rong has brought a group of officers to join in the fun with the people.

Autumn is a good season for harvesting grain. It would be even better if the Tartars didn't come down to steal the grain from time to time. The people would live in peace and contentment, with enough to eat and wear, and every family would be happy.

Night fell over Daxing. Everyone ate dinner early and went out, wearing clothes they usually wouldn't wear, and dressed neatly before heading out.

In the open space of the city, huge piles of firewood stood tall, waiting for the soldiers to arrive so that bonfires could be lit to celebrate the harvest.

Qi Rong led Qi An'an in front, followed by several commanders, while Lin Changning walked in the middle.

The women cheered as they welcomed the soldiers who were protecting them. A girl dressed in a colorful cloth dress floated in like a butterfly and handed Qi An'an a bunch of unknown wildflowers.

Qi An'an raised her little face excitedly and waved her hand: "Thank you, elder sister."

But in the shadows, unseen by anyone, a team stealthily made its way towards the city gates...