The plan that Lu Qiqi came up with was the best option she could think of in a short period of time.

As long as she spreads the papermaking formula.

Whether it was imperial power or merchants, they would focus their attention on papermaking formulas.

This could provide her with a time window to ensure her safety and reach the border.

Once she arrived at the border, she sent a message to Tianxin Village, instructing them to reduce the production of bamboo paper by half.

Firstly, it gives all those who are eyeing the papermaking process an opportunity to test their methods.

Secondly, it would let the world know that the paper mill would have problems operating without Lu Qiqi.

Therefore, they would not set their sights on the paper mill in Tianxin Village.

After all, the owner of the fiefdom was far away on the border, and it was uncertain whether he would be able to return alive.

As the saying goes, "the mountains are high and the emperor is far away," this was the last plan Lu Qiqi could make for Tianxin Village before leaving.

Li Changlong wanted to accompany Lu Qiqi to the border, and Lu Qiqi did not refuse.

They've already survived the plague, so they don't mind going to the border again.

Moreover, Lu Qiqi was confident that she could return to Tianxin Village as soon as possible.

As long as the paper mill remains stable, those who want to recapture its former glory will definitely try to bring it back.

Even with the imperial power, she didn't believe the emperor would remain indifferent amidst the lamentations of numerous scholars and widespread public discontent.

After all, in the Jin Dynasty, scholars had always been a very important group since the founding of the dynasty.

If the current emperor still wants to maintain a good reputation, he will not offend the scholars of the land.

Lu Qiqi's gamble this time is on damaging her reputation.

If an emperor were to disregard the resistance of scholars for the sake of money, even before he passed away, people would immediately begin to subtly criticize him, creating various satirical stories and children's songs that would circulate widely.

After paving the way for her return to Tianxin Village and entrusting Zhao Xiaodong with the task of expanding the paper mill and lime factory, Lu Qiqi went to the city.

She wrote a letter and asked the Tianlang Escort Agency to deliver it for her.

The letter informed Lu Dahai that Tianxin Village needed to be expanded and he couldn't return for the time being, and told them not to worry.

She originally intended to slip several hundred taels of silver into the envelope, but fearing that Lu Dahai would become suspicious, she took it out instead.

She wasn't worried that Lu Dahai and his group would be short of money.

The noodle shop and mushroom factory that Lu Qiqi opened in Luzhou Prefecture are enough to ensure that they have no worries about food and drink.

Not to mention the planting of medicinal herbs and grains on thousands of acres.

She wanted to send money home, but it was simply because she was homesick and wanted to do something for her family.

With that thought in mind, Lu Qiqi walked into the Tianlang Escort Agency.

Manager Gu happened to be watching the bodyguards practice in the courtyard, so he invited Lu Qiqi into the main hall.

Lu Qiqi handed the letter to Manager Gu. This time, he accepted the letter calmly, without any of the previous resistance to taking on small tasks.

Since it's all about making money, and it's just delivering messages, the bids are quite substantial, so why not?

After figuring this out, Manager Gu was still troubled as to why Lu Qiqi didn't communicate more frequently with Luzhou Prefecture.

He could not forget the hot and sour noodles of Luzhou Prefecture, day and night.

Delivering a message takes only a day or two; you can eat a bowl of noodles and then return to the escort agency—it's very convenient!

Now he can go eat noodles again!

Just as Manager Gu was about to enjoy the hot and sour noodles he had been longing for, he heard Lu Qiqi say that she was going to the border.

"The border?" Shopkeeper Gu's eyes widened. "My lady, you can't joke about that!"

Manager Gu kindly advised, "These days, the border town is under attack by the Tartars."

To put it bluntly, the Tartars would capture the city in no time.

Your Excellency, you should reconsider.

That's not a good place; you should avoid going if you don't have to.

Lu Qiqi said, "Thank you for the reminder, young manager. I have no choice but to go this time. His Majesty has ordered me to go to the border to treat the soldiers."

The order has been given and must not be disobeyed.

Manager Gu never expected such a thing to happen.

In his view, Lu Qiqi was nothing more than a weak woman who knew medicine, and it was inhumane to send her to the border alone!

However, he could only say these words in his heart. If he uttered even half a word of such treasonous words, his head would roll.

He has a large family to support, and he would never want to invite trouble upon himself.

Manager Gu looked at Lu Qiqi for a long time before saying, "The Sky Wolf Escort Agency will take on this shipment!"

Lu Qiqi had expected this, but she still couldn't help but curl the corners of her lips into a smile.

Manager Gu added, "The village chief saved Heshun Prefecture from disaster, sparing it from the calamity of plague and destruction."

"I will personally escort you to the border this time!"

Lu Qiqi clasped her hands in thanks, "Thank you very much, Manager Gu."

The two signed a contract, and Lu Qiqi paid one-third of the bid fee. The remaining two-thirds would be paid to Tianlang Escort Agency in one lump sum once they reached the border.

After leaving the Tianlang Escort Agency, Lu Qiqi took the two contracts and returned to Tianxin Village.

The next day, Lu Qiqi took Li Changlong and Zhou Yi to Heshun Prefecture for a shopping spree.

Their journey to the border was long and arduous, and with the border war raging, many things were lacking.

They had already suffered the hardship of fleeing famine once, and they never wanted to experience it again.

Therefore, when Lu Qiqi went on a shopping spree, Li Changlong, who was always stingy with money, didn't say a word.

When they were fleeing famine, Lu Qiqi forgot to buy shoes and mended her cloth shoes many times.

Fortunately, she managed to find some shoes in the bandits' den; otherwise, her feet would have been blistered and raw by the time she reached Luzhou Prefecture!

This time, Lu Qiqi not only bought another carriage, but also prepared all the necessary items, including clothes, shoes, food, oil, salt, soy sauce, vinegar, and tea.

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