"Is the meat tasty?"
"tasty!"
"Would you like to eat some more?"
"think!"
The shouts of the soldiers in the makeshift camp were deafening.
Mu Shao and the Fourth Prince were both somewhat surprised: In the morning they were a group of listless beggars, but after just one meal, how did they all become so loud and boisterous?
"If you want to eat, then get some work done!"
Helian Chen stood before the eight hundred guards and shouted loudly, "See that forest over there? Her Highness the Princess has already bought the trees from the master. You two go and cut down the trees!"
"……yes!"
Although everyone was somewhat puzzled, they still obediently responded.
The meat at lunch was so delicious that they wanted to eat it again in the afternoon!
Helian Xiaowei made it clear that as long as they worked hard, they would be able to eat well and be full.
"Mu Shao, what is the Xie family trying to do?"
The fourth prince rubbed his head, completely baffled by Xie Yuan's actions.
"Your Highness, I do not know either."
Mu Shao was also puzzled. He stroked his chin and muttered to himself, "The Xie family also had many craftsmen brought in."
"Wood? A craftsman? Is she going to build a house?"
The fourth prince found it unbelievable.
Even if the Xie family took advantage of some loopholes in the imperial edict, they couldn't be too arrogant.
After all, Mu Shao and the Fourth Prince are both here keeping an eye on things.
If she were to stay in the town and refuse to leave, even without Mu Shao, the general in charge of "escorting" her, urging her on, the Fourth Prince would rush to the palace overnight to file a complaint.
"General, Princess Xie has ordered people to find cattle and horse traders in the vicinity and spread the word that she wants to buy cattle!"
A guard from the Imperial Guard came running over to report.
A sudden inspiration struck Mu Shao. "I know! She wants to make an oxcart!"
"Tsk tsk, she's definitely a lady from a noble family, always so particular about appearances." Mu Shao couldn't help but shake his head and sigh as he recalled Xie Yuan booking the inn and having hot water boiled for washing every day.
"Hmph, I think it's Helian Jue who's being arrogant. He thinks he's the crown prince, even his carriage has to be the best."
The fourth prince simply disliked Helian Jue and blamed everything on him.
"This couple is quite well-matched!"
Mu Shao also had a grudge against Helian Jue, so he naturally wouldn't defend him.
Helian Jue and Xie Shi, one eccentric and extravagant, the other meticulous and fond of comfort, were truly a match made in heaven.
The fourth prince nodded, agreeing wholeheartedly.
Regardless of Mu Shao and the Fourth Prince's comments, Xie Yuan settled down in the small town.
The fourth prince still wanted to watch the show, but he couldn't afford to wait.
He regretfully led his men to the post station thirty miles away to welcome the returning general.
In the small town, soldiers helped cut, transport, and divide timber, while craftsmen hammered and pounded their way into making carriages.
Xie Yuan bought dozens of strong yellow oxen and a number of horses in one go.
The oxcart was available, and some horses for the guards were gathered, but the armor and weapons were still nowhere to be found.
"Your Highness, may I find a blacksmith to forge my own armor and weapons?"
Although he thought it was impossible, Xie Yuan still found Helian Jue and tentatively asked him a question.
Helian Jue didn't say anything, but just looked at Xie Yuan with the eyes of someone looking at an idiot.
Great! I understand!
Private individuals are indeed not allowed to forge armor and weapons.
The Prince's residence is especially unacceptable, otherwise it would be treason!
"It shouldn't be considered treason! The weapons and equipment of the Prince's personal guards should have been provided by the imperial court!"
Xie Yuan complained with dissatisfaction.
When she went to the Ministry of War to demand soldiers, she also inquired at the Directorate of Works.
The Director of Works simply brushed it off with the statement, "There are no extra weapons in the warehouse."
Xie Yuan wanted to work on it further, but there wasn't enough time.
Sigh, if she had a few more days, even if she couldn't get a brand new one, she could at least get some damaged parts.
With the remaining parts, and by gathering a few more blacksmiths, we can gradually assemble all eight hundred soldiers.
"You want the broken ones too?"
Hearing Xie Yuan's mutterings, Helian Jue suddenly asked a question.
"ah?"
Xie Yuan was taken aback for a moment, then quickly realized, "Your Highness, do you have a way to obtain the damaged armor and weapons?"
"I don't know! But I do know that at the post station thirty miles away, the Northwest General is leading an army of thirty thousand back to the capital."
Naturally, there were broken and damaged weapons in the army.
Xie Yuan's eyes lit up. "Your Highness, you and that General Dugu—" you shouldn't have any grudge, right?
Ideally, it should be someone you have some prior acquaintance with.
In this way, Xie Yuan could buy some "outdated" military equipment from the general.
“Three months ago, that old scoundrel Dugu Xiong also impeached me!”
Helian Jue looked at Xie Yuan's expectant face with amusement, then cruelly poured cold water on her hopes.
Xie Yuan: ...I knew it!
Given Helian Jue's petty and vindictive nature, he certainly didn't have many "friends."
"I don't really have any relationship with Dugu Xiong. However, I know that Dugu Xiong is a smart man."
Being smart means knowing how to be flexible and how to weigh the pros and cons.
As long as Xie Yuan has something that can entice Dugu Xiong, Dugu Xiong is willing to make a deal with her.
"What could possibly move Dugu Xiong?" Xie Yuan hesitated.
She knew nothing about this General Dugu.
The original owner had heard of this person's name, but she was, after all, an unmarried woman and didn't know much about "strange people and events" outside.
Suddenly, Xie Yuan seemed to realize something, and his eyes turned to Helian Jue—
This man was once the crown prince; he should have some understanding of the prominent officials in the court.
"Your Highness, does this General Dugu have any preferences?"
Knowing yourself and your enemy is the key to victory in every battle.
"Preferences?"
Helian Jue raised an eyebrow and said casually, "Dugu Xiong has always been stationed in the Northwest. I have almost no relationship with him, so how would I know his preferences?"
Xie Yuan looked at Helian Jue with suspicion.
Helian Jue said he had no relationship with Dugu Xiong, and Xie Yuan believed that this man was too arrogant and not a person who respected and valued talent.
Furthermore, if the crown prince has too close a relationship with a general who holds significant military power, it is easy to commit a taboo.
However, as the crown prince of Cheng, even if Helian Jue didn't dare to openly win over Dugu Xiong, wouldn't he at least investigate him secretly?
Helian Jue sensed Xie Yuan's doubt and pretended to suddenly realize something. "Oh, I remember now. Someone once said that Dugu Xiong, that old scoundrel, doesn't love wealth or women, but only craves food and drink."
“A few years ago, a chef won over Dugu Xiong’s palate with a dish of chrysanthemum fish and received a reward of a thousand gold pieces.” Helian Jue deliberately tugged at the corners of his mouth, revealing a cryptic smile: “If Your Highness can cook a dish that satisfies Dugu Xiong, perhaps you can exchange it for the weapons and horses you desire!”
Helian Jue's tone clearly contained a mocking element.
Xie Yuan raised her chin high and said confidently, "If it were anything else, I wouldn't dare to say! But when it comes to cooking, I really want to give it a try!"
As a citizen of a nation of food lovers, Xie Yuan has never been afraid when it comes to delicious food.
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