Although Wuzhou is a barren place, it has many wealthy people because of the many merchants. This is why Xu Zhi and Shen Mingwan opened a branch here.

Sure enough, business was booming after the shop opened. Not only did the small cakes sell well, but the expensive cream cakes also sold very well.

After the shop got back on track, it was already December. Xu Zhi had some free time and was looking at the heavy snow falling outside, wondering how Zheng Boyuan was doing. Just then, the doorman came to report that Zheng Boyuan had arrived.

Xu Zhi hurried to the stable. Zheng Boyuan had just dismounted when he saw Xu Zhi. He came over with a smile and said, "I came to the city to see Lord Feng about some things, and I just happened to come and see you."

The snow fell heavier and heavier, and Zheng Boyuan was covered in a thick layer of snow. Xu Zhi pulled Zheng Boyuan into the corridor and helped him brush the snow off, saying, "Why did you choose such a weather to come? The road must have been difficult to travel on."

Zheng Boyuan nodded and said, "The road is indeed not easy to travel."

Seeing that it was getting late, Xu Zhi said, "Let's rest at home for a while, have lunch, and then go to Lord Feng's house."

Zheng Boyuan agreed, and Xu Zhi went to the kitchen to arrange for some of Zheng Boyuan's favorite dishes to be prepared.

The two went to Xu Zhi's room. Zheng Boyuan took off his shoes. His pants were a little wet because of the snow. Xu Zhi told him to take off his pants and find him a new pair to change into.

Zheng Boyuan said, "Xi Jing'an came with me. He said he was going to the street to buy some things for someone and would be back soon. Have someone prepare some food for him."

Xu Zhi agreed and arranged for Bai Ying to keep an eye on things. She stood at the door and looked at the heavy snow falling outside. She came back and sat down opposite the kang table, saying, "Is there something you need from Lord Feng?"

Zheng Boyuan pondered for a long time and said, "It's about military rations. If we don't send them soon, we'll run out of food in a few days. The quartermaster came to me and asked me to come and ask Lord Feng for help in finding a solution."

Xu Zhi frowned and said, "Didn't the imperial court send you any provisions? That shouldn't be the case."

Zheng Boyuan took a sip of hot tea from his teacup, and only then did he feel warm all over. He stretched and said, "It should be delivered as usual, but the weather has been bad lately, and the journey from Wuzhou to the capital is long. Even if we send someone to urge them, we don't know how many days it will take on the road."

Seeing Xu Zhi's thoughtful expression, Zheng Boyuan smiled and said, "Don't worry, I'll come and discuss it with Lord Feng. I've also sent someone to Yanmen Pass. The road from Wuzhou to Yanmen Pass is relatively easy to travel. If all else fails, we can ask General Wei for help and borrow some grain to solve our immediate problem."

The recent events concerning the Great Yan have been weighing heavily on Xu Zhi's mind. She's starting to have conspiracy theories. Wuzhou is so important right now, so why isn't it being given sufficient supplies? Also, the spy in the capital hasn't been found yet, and I heard he holds a high-ranking position. Could it be that spy who's behind this mess?

Xu Zhi became increasingly alarmed as she thought about it. Zheng Boyuan had been watching Xu Zhi's expression closely. Seeing that Xu Zhi's face was getting worse and worse, he said, "It's my fault, it's my fault. I shouldn't have told you these things. Telling you only caused you more trouble."

Xu Zhi shook her head and said, "Brother Boyuan, since we've encountered this problem, let's find a way to solve it. So what if we don't have enough food? The imperial court hasn't delivered it on time. Let's find a way to solve it ourselves first. So many people are waiting to eat. Can we let them go hungry?"

Zheng Boyuan nodded and said, "Now we are also trying to save ourselves. When we go out for field training, we break the ice on the river to catch a few fish, or we go to the forest to catch a few wild animals. However, the mountains and forests around Wuzhou are too small. We have searched all the hills, but we have not caught anything."

There aren't any decent mountains or forests around Wuzhou, so hunting wild game is quite difficult.

Xu Zhi thought for a moment and said, "Brother Boyuan, write a letter to my father and I'll have someone send it back so he can find out what happened. If it's true that the grain delivery was delayed because of the bad road conditions, then we should send someone to pick it up. If it's true that someone is secretly sabotaging things and no grain is being sent here, then we'll have to find a way to plug this hole ourselves."

Zheng Boyuan thought of the possibilities he had considered when discussing the matter with Mu Yiqian, and felt a pang of alarm, but he didn't show it on his face. He said, "Azhi, don't worry, there are so many of us, we'll find a solution."

Xu Zhi wanted to say something more, but seeing the exhaustion on Zheng Boyuan's face, she could only swallow the words that were stuck in her throat. She knew that Zheng Boyuan must be under a lot of pressure right now, so she couldn't put any more pressure on him. But this matter was very important.

Xu Zhi had a plan in mind. Seeing that the kitchen had already prepared the meal, she busied herself setting out the table for Zheng Boyuan.

Zheng Yuanyuan returned to Beijing a few days ago. She is now determined to find a way to get a batch of cotton quilts. Xu Zhi was busy with the shop and didn't pay much attention to Zheng Yuanyuan. Considering that winter in Wuzhou is even colder than winter in Beijing, it's good that Zheng Yuanyuan went back to Beijing. At least, spending the winter in a familiar place is better than being in an unfamiliar place.

Zheng Boyuan finished a bowl of rice in just a few bites, eating very quickly. Xu Zhi kept putting food on his plate. After finishing his bowl of rice, Zheng Boyuan said, "Don't keep putting food on my plate, you should eat some too."

Xu Zhi nodded, but kept putting food on Zheng Boyuan's plate. After Zheng Boyuan finished eating, Xu Zhi had the food cleared away. Zheng Boyuan thought for a moment and said, "Azhi, if everything here is done, you can go back to the capital."

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