(Xie Zhaozhao: While Princess Yurong was sleeping, Xiluo took her fingerprints and sent her five million taels of silver!!)

"Your Majesty, I have successfully reclaimed wasteland and planted high-yield grains. The harvest over the past year has exceeded one million bushels, all of which have been donated to the court."

Xie Zhaozhao said, "Once the army returns victorious, Your Majesty and Grand Secretary Gu will inspect the barren and fertile fields together."

Emperor Hui said "good" several times.

The army is about to set off; as long as we can successfully overcome this calamity...

The donation list didn't include rice or flour, but rather high-yield corn and sweet potatoes from overseas.

"Your Majesty, these grains can be eaten after a little steaming or boiling, with minimal loss and easy consumption. The Earl of Annan (Li Yunmu) left the capital five days ago to oversee the transport of grain to the remote wilderness."

"Okay, okay."

Emperor Hui was in a very good mood.

Troops are in place, provisions are plentiful, and new weapons are ready! Wei, get your necks clean and wait!

On May 16th, the imperial army assembled a hundred miles outside the city and set off.

At dawn, Gu Shaoyu got up, but instead of wearing his usual purple official robes, he donned cold, hard black iron armor.

Xie Zhaozhao helped him get dressed, and Gu Shaoyu stared at her without blinking.

She took off her agarwood bracelet, smoothed the yellow tassels at the bottom, and silently recited a Buddhist mantra.

"Take this bracelet with you, and take care."

Gu Shaoyu looked at the prayer beads and at her outstretched hand, which was as beautiful as ever.

Her skin was so white it seemed to glow, so tender it looked like it could be pinched to release moisture; her fingertips were like the tender shoots of reeds in early spring, and her nails resembled lustrous pearls.

They had just gotten engaged, and when he went to Jiangnan, she gave him these prayer beads.

During his fight with the "bandits," the rope was snagged and broke.

Just then, the rope broke, saving him from certain death. The bandit slipped on the beads and fell, whereupon he was killed with a single sword stroke.

It truly lives up to its reputation as a protective amulet bestowed by a holy monk.

Without hesitation, he stretched out his large hand again and reverently accepted it, then stuffed it into his pocket.

He must come back alive and stay with her for the rest of his life.

She gently instructed him on his food, clothing, lodging, and transportation along the way, but didn't say much else.

At dawn, he went out, but before mounting his horse, he came back, hugged her tightly, rested his chin on the top of her head, and whispered, "Don't worry!"

The army set off for war, and His Majesty saw them off. At the beginning of the day, Gu Shaoyu, Yin Xiushan, Cao Wei, and other generals drank a farewell toast and waved goodbye to Emperor Hui.

He mounted his horse and departed.

I am willing to draw my sword and slay the Loulan.