"Go in first."
Mu Jingrui walked into the hall holding Shangguan Wanning's hand. Shangguan Wanning found that in such cold weather, Mu Jingrui's palms were still warm.
"How's the situation outside the city?"
Shangguan Wanning took out a handkerchief and wiped the snow off Mu Jingrui's shoulders, then turned around and took a bowl of hot soup from the table.
"There is a food shortage now, and we don't have any special treatment. This soup doesn't have much flavor, so you have to drink it anyway."
"The situation outside the city is stable, and I received news from His Royal Highness the Crown Prince today that he will be here soon. So, you don't have to worry."
"Really?" Shangguan Wanning smiled comfortably, "That's good."
"You have been out for a long time. Your parents must be worried about your recent situation. I have selected a few smart and capable people with strong martial arts from among my men to escort you back to the capital tomorrow."
"Why?" Shangguan Wanning was a little confused by Mu Jingrui's sudden decision.
"No reason." Mu Jingrui had a blank expression on his face, showing no emotion. "You are a lady from a wealthy family, and if you stay here for a long time, you will be easily criticized."
After Mu Jingrui finished speaking, he turned around and was about to walk out, but he heard Shangguan Wanning's questioning voice behind him.
"Your Highness has received no news at all, and the situation outside the city is not as stable as you said. In fact, it's quite the opposite, right?"
Mu Jingrui stopped and frowned.
Sometimes, Shangguan Wanning is just too smart, making people wonder whether to be happy or sad.
"Whether it's right or not, it has nothing to do with you. Just do as I say." Mu Jingrui's tone was firm and unquestionable.
Shangguan Wanning didn't want to argue with Mu Jingrui about these things. She calmed down a little and walked in front of him.
"Then...at least you should tell me what you are going to do?"
"I will find a way. Anyway... I will do my best to prevent such a large number of disaster victims from starving to death."
Mu Jingrui's tone slowed down. He looked at Shangguan Wanning with a look of reluctance in his eyes. "Be obedient, go back to your room and rest. We will leave for Beijing early tomorrow morning."
Mu Jingrui didn't dare to continue talking to Shangguan Wanning. He was afraid that he would develop more affection for her and would be even more reluctant to let her go.
"Are you planning to open the government granary?"
An idea suddenly occurred to Shangguan Wanning's mind, and her heart began beating violently.
Because in the current situation, apart from the government granaries, it is impossible to mobilize such a large amount of grain for disaster relief within a short period of time.
After she asked, Mu Jingrui said nothing, which was considered as his agreement.
"Are you crazy?" Shangguan Wan Ning said in a low voice, "You are a descendant of a military family. You know better than anyone what the consequences of opening a warehouse without permission will be."
After listening to Doctor Qin's explanation, Shangguan Wanning understood the interests involved.
In a hurry, she grabbed Mu Jingrui's hand and said softly: "Jingrui, let's think of other ways. Maybe... it really hasn't come to this point, we... um..."
Mu Jingrui didn't let Shangguan Wanning finish her words. He pressed her acupoints, picked her up and walked towards the room.
Shangguan Wanning leaned in Mu Jingrui's arms, feeling anxious and angry, but she couldn't even speak at this moment.
She could only glare at Mu Jingrui angrily to express her dissatisfaction.
Mu Jingrui gently placed Shangguan Wanning on the bed and looked down at her tenderly.
"Ning'er, I'm doing this for your own good. Just have a good sleep and go home when you wake up tomorrow." After saying that, he tapped Shangguan Wanning's brow.
Shangguan Wanning completely lost consciousness.
Early the next morning, Mu Jingrui saw Shangguan Wanning off and came to the door of the granary with a few trusted men.
The officers and soldiers guarding the granary immediately came forward and saluted.
"Open the granary."
The guard looked up at Mu Jingrui's eyes, which were colder than ice and snow. He shuddered subconsciously, but still mustered up the courage to ask, "General Mu, do you have any official documents from the county magistrate or your superiors?"
"No."
"Then..." The soldiers were embarrassed, but firmly rejected Mu Jingrui's request. "General Mu, please don't make it difficult for us. Without the approval of the county magistrate or the superior, the door of the granary cannot be opened, otherwise... it will be difficult for us to explain."
"Don't worry, I will give you an explanation."
As soon as he finished speaking, Mu Jingrui jumped up from the horse's back and kicked the two men to the ground before the guards could react.
This sudden change came unexpectedly, and the other guards saw it and drew their swords to meet the attack.
At this time, Mu Jingrui stood still.
Several of his men who followed him rushed forward to fight.
Mu Jingrui walked towards the granary calmly, used his inner strength to break the chain, and pushed the door of the granary hard with his palm, and it opened.
He walked in to check and found that there was sufficient food reserve in the granary. If a war really broke out, it would be enough to support the border for more than three months.
Mu Jingrui turned around and walked out. His men had already knocked down all the officers and soldiers guarding the granary.
"Now, you should be able to explain to the county magistrate." Mu Jingrui said calmly, "Go back and tell him that I have moved the grain in the granary. I will distribute it to the victims outside the city and nearby areas, and leave a half-month reserve in case of war."
The officer who was knocked to the ground with a bruised face and a swollen nose struggled to get up. The leading officer reminded him: "General Mu, if the court investigates you for doing this, it will be a capital crime."
"I know, whether it's life or death, I will bear it all."
After Mu Jingrui finished speaking, he signaled his men to enter the granary and start moving grain.
The officers and soldiers who had fallen to the ground stood up and wanted to rush over to stop them, but were stopped by the leader.
They gradually understood and stood aside watching silently. No one spoke, only the biting cold wind whistled past.
When the magistrate learned that Mu Jingrui and his men had robbed the grain in the granary, he was so frightened that his face turned pale. He immediately summoned all the yamen runners and rushed to Mu Jingrui to argue with him.
"Are you looking for me, Mr. Magistrate?"
The magistrate was so angry that he trembled when he saw Mu Jingrui coming towards him. However, the majestic aura emanating from Mu Jingrui made him dare not act presumptuously. He could only suppress his anger and asked in a trembling voice: "I heard that General Mu moved the grain in the granary. Is this true?"
"Yes, I am here to inform the magistrate. I will send food relief outside the city this afternoon."
"No!" The magistrate's face turned pale and he refused. "General Mu, it's your business if you don't want to die, but please don't use me as a burden. If there is a liter or a bucket of grain missing from the granary, and the court investigates, you will lose your head."
The magistrate looked at Mu Jingrui's indifference and knelt down with all his anger. "General Mu, please think twice and return the grain in the granary."
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