Chapter 249

Not only will we be able to escape, but we can also capture prisoners alive.

"Why don't you give me the specifications for the flying needles too?" That way, she can have a skilled craftsman make more when she runs out.

Anything that can replenish is a good thing.

After everything was settled, Gu Zhongtai left because he had important business to attend to with the Dark Pavilion.

The Tianshan Sect is currently in chaos, and it's unrealistic for the Celestial Venerable to go out and stabilize the situation.

Moreover, Fan Xiaoxiao understood that since the emperor had sent someone over, he must have some ulterior motive.

Especially since the princess is already dead, this matter can be kept secret for a while, but not forever.

The emperor in the capital already harbored ambitions to seize control of the Tianshan Sect, so naturally he wouldn't let go of such an excuse and opportunity.

I fear that if the message is sent back, a large army will be pressing in the next day.

Therefore, Fan Xiaoxiao also needs to make some preparations.

I went back to the courtyard.

Xiahou, Lord Lu, and Lady Fan, among others, were present.

Yu Xiaobao is playing inside the house.

"What's wrong?" Fan Xiaoxiao asked, puzzled.

"We've discussed it," said Madam Fan, stepping forward to take her sister's hand. "Er Ya, let's find a place to hide first."

"The Tianshan Sect is easy to defend and difficult to attack. Even if the imperial court attacks, it can hold out for a while."

"There's chaos and turmoil everywhere outside; it's impossible to survive."

"Why don't we take our belongings and find a secluded place to hide for a while?"

They had all thought it through: Princess Renle was already in such a state; if they were to run into the imperial court again, they would have no chance.

"I can't be a burden to you..."

Fan Xiaoxiao thought about how she had driven people away before, and then thought about her current life.

“We’re not a burden, how can you think like that?” She suddenly raised her eyes, her palms slowly clenching.

"Only by working together can we live a good life."

"How can I accomplish anything by myself alone!"

"Sister, everyone!" She looked around and said, "I've made up my mind!"

"Not only do we need to avoid the world, but we also need to get things done!"

The crowd exchanged bewildered glances. Everyone knew that Lady Fan was no ordinary woman, and there must be a reason why she said that.

All eyes then fell on her.

"We can take what we can do to the mountains. What we can't do, we can distribute!"

Fan Xiaoxiao had thought it through very clearly.

Ji Yushu sells wine outside; if he can sell it, he must also be able to brew it.

Malt and hops can be grown outdoors; what future generations can do, we can certainly do now as well.

However, because it was a chaotic time, some wealthy families would have fortified villages for self-defense, and Ji Yushu's people would come forward to discuss planting and purchasing.

In addition, the climate in the snow-capped mountains is cold.

Making glass is also inconvenient.

Most importantly, with the current political situation unstable, glass products are easier to make in times of peace and prosperity.

For now, we can only gather the skilled apprentices together so that they can shine when we reopen the business in the future!

Concentrate limited resources to accomplish great things!

"Does Lady Xiao mean to make dried meat and sell it?" Even Xiahou, who was standing to the side, was somewhat surprised.

“But Er Ya, this place is covered in ice and snow all year round. If we go into the forest, we probably won’t be able to raise pigs, cattle, or sheep.”

"We can go hunting." Xiao Bao ran over at some point.

Madam Fan lowered her eyes, patted his head, and sighed, "I'm afraid that won't work either."

It's fine if everyone is eating and drinking.

But she understood that if Xiaoxiao wanted to make something, it would definitely be more than just eating and drinking.

"Of course not." She turned her gaze to Xiahou beside her: "You are from the Tianshan Sect, so you must be more familiar with the terrain of this area than ordinary people?"

"Mm." Xiahou nodded.

However, he couldn't guess what the girl in front of him wanted to do.

"South of the Tianshan Mountains lies the Great Zhou Dynasty, but what about north of the Tianshan Mountains?"

Xiahou paused for a moment before answering, "To the north... there are barbarian horse pastures and cattle and sheep, but..."

This is exactly what Fan Xiaoxiao wanted.

The permafrost in the Tianshan Mountains is said to be caused not only by climate issues, but also by the rugged terrain and towering peaks.

However, there is another point: barbarians roam north of the Tianshan Mountains.

The reason why there was no border raiding in the north was because the Tianshan Sect was stationed there, and there were very few places suitable for trade, most of which were controlled by the barbarians.

Nobody would even consider it if it involved their life.

"Miss Fan, you wouldn't happen to be planning to trade with foreign tribes, would you?"

Fan Xiaoxiao nodded: "That's exactly what I was thinking."

"No way." Xiahou refused decisively.

"Those who are not of our kind are bound to have different intentions; this is too dangerous."

The Tianshan Sect enjoys great prestige, not only able to defy the Great Zhou Dynasty but also able to intimidate the barbarians.

At least the Tianshan Sect never considered doing business with those people.

It was like they were risking their lives.

"Business is business, and that doesn't conflict with this," Fan Xiaoxiao thought for a moment and then rephrased her statement.

"Young Master Xiahou, have you considered that if the imperial army were to invade, the Tianshan Sect would be in danger as well? Lady Bai is the daughter of a disgraced official, and we would all lose our support. What would become of us then?"

"This..." Xiahou thought about it carefully and pondered in his heart.

But this is not the time to hesitate. Fan Xiaoxiao continued, "I want to settle everyone near the border between the Great Zhou and the Northern Barbarians of Tianshan."

The so-called boundary refers to the place where, no matter how long the mountain range is, there will always be a border.

Such places may not be flat, but the terrain is situated in a series of peaks and valleys.

The area is usually very narrow, making it easy for troops to be cut off during marches, so plundering is not an option.

But hardly anyone passes through here.

In places like this, buying, selling, and transporting goods can be handled without requiring many people.

As long as they choose their hiding places carefully, they can largely avoid the surveillance of the Great Zhou Dynasty.

"Even if it doesn't work out in the future, we can still retreat to the outside of Tianshan if we have a solid foundation."

“The northern barbarians of Tianshan are mainly herders. They cannot graze cattle and sheep in this frozen soil, so they certainly will not stay too close to Tianshan.”

Master Lu was the first to nod: "I think what Xiao girl said is right."

"If we can organize manpower to buy cattle and sheep from the northern barbarians of Tianshan to make dried meat, we can solve the food problem and maintain basic survival."

"We can also buy furs and other materials to make warm winter clothes and exchange them for materials and supplies."

Xiahou finally nodded.

After all, he knew about Princess Renle's death, and now the imperial army was at an unknown time, so having more options meant having more ways to deal with the situation.

"Okay, I'll take you there."

He looked around and found that, apart from himself, almost everyone else there was elderly, weak, women, or children.

"However, I have a question."

If he were to nod in agreement, Fan Xiaoxiao's plan would be almost complete. In a great mood, she quickly said, "Please go ahead."

"Not to mention the people here, they can help with making clothes and meat jerky."

"But what about the craftsmen?"

He was referring to those who make glass bottles, brew wine, and so on.

Once war breaks out, the first thing to be affected will be food and supplies, so the production of alcohol will become impossible.

There wasn't even enough grain to fill our stomachs; it had all been requisitioned. Where would we find the ingredients for brewing wine?

Even beer requires malt.

(End of this chapter)