"It's really unfair to let people fight without giving them food!"
"This is going to cost Erhu and the others their lives!"
The shouting came through the wall and floated over from the next yard.
The noise came from the neighboring Ding family. This family has lived for three generations. The eldest son is on patrol in Beiguan City and is a small leader in the patrol. The second son just turned sixteen this year and joined the Northern Army at the beginning of the year.
Although minor conflicts often occur on the northern border, there has not been a real war for many years. But this year, not only did we encounter a war, but the imperial court also failed to provide enough food...
It’s no wonder that the old lady of the Ding family spoke without thinking and yelled directly.
The Wei family was able to learn from the City Affairs Office that the court was not sending food and fodder to the troops stationed in the north, so naturally others could also learn from it.
Before it was completely dark, the news had already spread throughout Beiguan City.
People in the north city are still cautious about what they say, but ordinary people in the south city are not so particular. From time to time, you can hear a few swear words on the streets.
In the past, anyone who dared to criticize the imperial court and the present emperor would inevitably be caught and warned by the city officials, but now the City Affairs Office can no longer care.
Not to mention that the people want to curse, they themselves want to curse too!
If the imperial court does not provide food to the north, it will be like roasting the troops stationed in the north and the officials in the north alive.
If the army stationed in the north is really defeated and the northern barbarian army rushes into the northern gate, they will be the first to suffer!
"We can't just sit there and wait for death. We have to find a way to help General Shi raise food." The fighting on the front line was intense. In the City Affairs Office, several of the most powerful men in the city gathered together.
Gong Xishan, the border defense commander of the Northern Gate, said, "The food previously collected by the families and the people has been sent to the camp, and the second batch of potatoes has been sent from Huangzhou. Together, these will be enough to last for another two or three days, but after three days..."
"Write letters to the nearby states and request for grain support. Hanzhou, Yuezhou and other places also need some support. Once the North Gate is lost, they will be the first to bear the brunt. I don't believe that they are not afraid!" Lord Zhou, the North Gate Farm Envoy, said while slamming the table.
Another lord at the side took over the conversation, "It will take time to collect food from Hanzhou and other places. Now is a critical moment. We must not let the Northern Army be cut off from food supplies. I know that all of you have stored food. Why don't we all gather it together and get through these few days first!"
The gentleman who was speaking kept glancing at the military supervisor Qiu who was sitting opposite him.
"Okay, don't bother with me. We still have 800 dan of grain in our house, which can be used to support the Northern Army, but I have a condition." Military Supervisor Qiu looked at everyone in the room and said solemnly, "If the border is really breached, when you evacuate the Northern Pass, you must take my family with you. Especially my wife and daughter, please make sure they are safe!"
"Of course. Lord Qiu, rest assured. If the time comes when we need to send our family away from Beiguan, we will definitely protect the safety of Madam Qiu and Miss Qiu."
The news that the City Affairs Office was collecting food reached their ears.
Wei Yunlan thought for a moment and decided to take out a portion of the grain that he had collected earlier at the entrance of Yandu Gorge.
Taking advantage of the night, she asked Heiyun to leave Beiguan City and find the manor she had previously occupied near Beiguan in Huangzhou. She transferred bags of food from the space to the locked warehouse in the manor.
It just so happened that the people brought by Brother Tang Hai were still in the city.
Wei Yunlan planned to ask them to go and transport the grain back to Beiguan, but he was troubled about in whose name to "donate" the grain.
This batch of grain is different from others. It is very likely that it was intercepted from the barbarians. At this juncture, she should try her best to avoid attracting the attention of the northern barbarians.
After thinking about it for half the night, she finally called Zou Yun over after dawn.
"Fifteen thousand dan of grain?" Zou Yun was shocked by Wei Yunlan's generosity.
At this critical juncture, if such a batch of grain was released, if the one sitting on the throne was a wise ruler, he would at least rehabilitate the Wei family or confer the title of a county lady on Miss Wei.
What a pity...
"This batch of grain was obtained by accident. I don't want to let anyone know for the time being. It came from me or the Wei family." Wei Yunlan explained simply.
Zou Yun immediately understood, "But there is a problem with the source of food?"
There was nothing to hide. Wei Yunlan nodded and said, "It is very likely that the barbarians are hiding near the border."
Of course, it is impossible that these grains were transported from the northern barbarians by the barbarians.
The only possibility is that they plundered from Dayong, took from Dayong, and returned it to Dayong's northern garrison, which was most appropriate.
If that's not enough, she still has half of it in her space.
She planned to keep those things as a backup in case of emergency. After all, they were temporarily stored in the space and would not go bad.
"If Miss Wei trusts us, please give us these 15,000 dan of grain. It will be of great use to us." Zou Yun's eyes lit up.
Miss Wei's batch of food arrived at the right time.
It will be a great help to the master's next plan!
…
On the North Gate side, everyone is united and working hard to collect food and resist the northern barbarians.
In the capital, Emperor Xiaoming once again suspended court on the pretext of being ill.
This is the third day in a row that Emperor Xiaoming has found an excuse to adjourn from court, ever since the increase in grain tax collection was obstructed, the grain transport team was intercepted by mobs, and he ordered the troops stationed in the north to solve the food and fodder problem on their own.
Everyone knew whether the emperor was ill or he was too embarrassed to face the court officials.
In the Qionghua Palace, where calming incense is burning.
Concubine Ling looked at Emperor Xiaoming who was hiding here and refusing to see anyone else. She dismissed the palace maids, walked over with a wet handkerchief, and gently wiped Emperor Xiaoming's cheek.
Then she placed her slender fingers on the other person's forehead and pressed gently.
"Your Majesty, do you feel more relaxed?"
Her voice was as gentle as her movements.
Emperor Xiaoming, who had been tense for many days, finally felt himself gradually relaxing.
He let out a long sigh, "It's still the most comfortable here, my beloved."
"Your Majesty, as long as you feel comfortable, please lie down and I will help you to relieve your fatigue..."
Concubine Ling had been with Emperor Xiaoming for many years and understood his preferences best.
After being served, Emperor Xiaoming's brows relaxed as if he had temporarily forgotten all his worries, and he showed a satisfied look.
Concubine Ling raised the corner of her mouth slightly and deliberately made her breathing heavier.
Emperor Xiaoming raised his hand and patted the back of her hand, "My beloved concubine, you have worked hard. Lie down and rest with me for a while."
On the couch that was wide enough for seven or eight people to lie down, Emperor Xiaoming held Concubine Ling in his arms. Thinking of having to deal with so many troubles in the court later, he couldn't help but sigh.
Concubine Ling, who was in his arms, had a twinkle in her eyes. "Your Majesty is so tired, I feel really bad for you. Now Yao'er has grown up, why not ask him to share your worries?"
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