Mountain and River Festival 293. Misfortune comes from the mouth

No matter how bloody the outside world is, the people in the northwest still live their own lives peacefully. With the Mohist Army, they never seem to worry about being involved in the war. It's just that the number of refugees pouring into the northwest from Feihong Pass has gradually increased. At first, the northwest is naturally willing to accept these refugees. After all, the area of ​​the northwest is not as large as that of the Great Chu, but the population is still not too large. Even though there have been continuous migrations to the northwest in recent years, it still cannot change the fact that the northwest has been a poor land with a sparse population since ancient times. In the past, no one would flee to such a place even if they were fleeing. However, the Northwest has already received a lot of refugees after two consecutive wars, and this war has obviously just begun. One day, the population of the Northwest will swell to a point where this land cannot bear it. For this reason alone, the Mohist Army also urgently needs to expand its territory.

"It has been less than two months since Xiling and Da Chu went to war, and the number of people pouring into the northwest from Feihong Pass alone has reached 300,000. If the war continues, the number of refugees will only increase. If this continues, we will have to close Feihong Pass in two months at most. The northwest cannot afford so many people." Zhou Yu reported respectfully with a solemn look on his face in the spacious study. After a few years, Zhou Yu, who was entrusted with an important task by Mo Xiuyao shortly after arriving in the northwest, has become a capable figure among the civil servants in Prince Ding's mansion. After Ruyang was renamed Licheng, Zhou Yu continued to be re-elected as the governor of Licheng. In the past few years, the people of Licheng have been stable, the people have lived and worked happily, and the number of foreign merchants has increased. This is all due to Zhou Yu's good governance.

The other people also looked a little solemn. In just over a month, more than 300,000 people poured into Feihongguan alone, not to mention that the total number of refugees entering the northwest from other places may have exceeded 500,000. You know, hundreds of thousands of people can't just be given a place to stay. They need food and drink. Fortunately, it's not winter now, otherwise there will be problems with clothing and housing. And we can't let them die of hunger and disease on a large scale. Let's not talk about the moral issue first. If so many people die of disease in summer, it is very likely to cause plague, so people have to treat them with caution.

"If it is locked, it will most likely cause anger among the refugees, and then..." Xu Hongyan, who was sitting on the side, frowned. Since the war with Da Chu, he and Xu Hongyu, who were originally free and easy, have returned. Although no one said it, everyone knew in their hearts that Prince Ding would soon lead his army to war.

Mo Xiuyao leaned back in his chair, propped his forehead with one hand, and listened silently to the people below expressing their opinions. After they finished speaking, he asked, "Try to resettle the refugees. But... I don't want to see those lazy people who like to eat and do nothing stay in the northwest. And I also don't want to see those spies and spies from all sides with ulterior motives. This matter... Wei Rui, Mo Hua, leave it to you to handle?" Wei Rui and Mo Hua stepped forward and said in unison, "Please rest assured, Your Majesty, I will not let you down!"

Mo Xiuyao nodded and said, "I am confident that you can handle the matter, but...be careful not to cause any civil unrest. Mr. Hongyan, I will need your guidance on this matter."

Xu Hongyan nodded and agreed, saying, "I will do my duty, Your Majesty, please rest assured."

Zhou Yu frowned slightly and asked, "Prince, if refugees continue to pour into the northwest, I'm afraid our reserves won't last until next year." Moreover, Prince is planning to send troops. The army cannot be short of food and fodder. If we don't take precautions early, I'm afraid many people in the northwest will starve to death this winter.

Ye Li, who had not spoken a word, said softly, "If used properly, it may not be a problem to support until next year. The harvests of the Fourth and Fifth Masters Xu in the north have been quite good in the past few years, and we have also been paying attention to storing food in the past few years. In addition, the Fourth Master Xu took the opportunity to write a letter last year to report that a crop called yam was introduced from the southwest. The yield is three to five times that of ordinary crops, suitable for filling hunger and growing in any soil. A trial season was planted in the early spring of this year, and the harvest was quite abundant. This kind of yam is not picky about the land it is planted on, and it can grow in very poor land and even in sandy land. The Fourth Master Xu meant to take advantage of the fact that we can still reclaim a large amount of land and plant it for another season. This requires a lot of manpower..."

Zhou Yu was delighted when he heard this. He was not a heartless person and would naturally be willing to take in those refugees if possible. He smiled and said, "So, the princess wants these refugees to reclaim the barren mountains?"

Ye Li nodded, and at the same time reminded them not to cut down trees wantonly. People in this era did not pay much attention to these problems, nor would they encounter them. But Ye Li understood that once trees were cut down wantonly for the sake of important land, the already not-so-good climate in the northwest would only get worse.

Someone in the audience still asked with some concern: "Even if this year is over, what will we do in the future?" The Northwest is only this big, but who knows how many years this war will take. And the number of refugees will only increase, but the grain harvest will always have a limit.

Mo Xiuyao raised his eyebrows slightly and looked at Xu Qingchen's half-smile. There will indeed be more and more people, but... the land in the northwest will not always be this big. Besides, when these refugees find that the northwest's capacity to accommodate them has exceeded their tolerance, they will leave on their own.

After the discussion was over, everyone left, leaving only Mo Xiuyao, Ye Li, Xu Qingchen, and Xu Hongyu in the study.

Xu Hongyu looked at Mo Xiuyao and asked in a deep voice, "Has Your Majesty already decided on the day to dispatch the troops?"

Mo Xiuyao nodded. Although the Mo family army was preparing in secret, they couldn't delay it for too long. If they were discovered by outsiders, they would lose the opportunity to launch a surprise attack on the Xiling army. "I'll trouble my elder brother and uncle for the northwest." Mo Xiuyao said in a deep voice.

Xu Hongyu frowned slightly, looked at Ye Li and said, "Li'er is going too?"

Ye Li nodded and smiled: "Yes, thanks to Uncle Lao."

Xu Hongyu looked at Ye Li with some disapproval. Although he knew that his niece was an extraordinary martial artist, she was the only child left by his sister. Xu Hongyu was strict with his sons and nephews, and even with his grandnephews Xu Zhirui and Mo Xiaobao, but he was always worried about Ye Li. Ye Li smiled and said, "Uncle, don't worry about Li'er. Grandpa also agreed."

Hearing this, Xu Hongyu was a little surprised. His father loved Li'er just as much as he did, so why would he allow Li'er to go to such a dangerous battlefield? After thinking about it, Xu Hongyu knew that his father had his reasons for doing so, even though he didn't understand. He just wanted to go back to the academy to ask his father for clarification, but he didn't stop Ye Li anymore, and sighed and said, "Forget it, you must be careful."

"Li'er knows, uncle can rest assured." Ye Li said with a smile.

Xu Qingchen pondered for a moment, raised his head and asked, "There are no more than 1.2 million soldiers in the northwest, and at least half of them need to be stationed in the northwest. In other words... you can only take 600,000 soldiers to the expedition at most. We have secretly investigated in the past few years, and the total number of soldiers in Xiling has exceeded 3 million. Lei Zhenting has invested nearly 1 million soldiers in Da Chu. Once you go deep into Xiling and he returns to rescue you, you will be surrounded from all sides. You will be surrounded by at least more than 2 million soldiers. What should you do then?"

Mo Xiuyao smiled lazily and said, "I went deep into Xiling, and Lei Zhenting also went deep into Da Chu. How can it be so easy to return for help? Even if all the soldiers of Da Chu are idiots, there are still millions of them, right? What's more... I only plan to lead 400,000 people to the battle, and only leave 400,000 people in the northwest. The other 400,000 people... are waiting for Lei Zhenting at the border. If he breaks through the blockade and still hasn't taken down Xiling Imperial City, he will use my head as a ball!"

Hearing this, even Xu Qingchen couldn't help but take a breath. A mere 400,000 soldiers and horses wanted to fight from the border to the Xiling Imperial City. Even though Xu Qingchen was not familiar with war, he felt that it was as difficult as climbing to the sky. Mo Xiuyao pretended not to see Xu Qingchen and Xu Hongyu's worries, and said with a smile: "This time... I'm afraid it will take a long time. Big brother and uncle will have to guard the northwest." Xu Qingchen's mind flashed with inspiration, and he said in a deep voice: "Are you saying that someone might take the opportunity to attack the northwest?"

"Well... it's very possible." Mo Xiuyao smiled and said, "If Lei Zhenting can't break the blockade for a while, he will probably turn to the northwest of the palace. And I... may not be able to come back in time to rescue him. So..." Xu Qingchen's face suddenly became particularly gloomy, "I thought the prince knew that I was powerless."

Mo Xiuyao waved his hand and smiled happily, "When scholars are ruthless, they are three times more powerful than others. I have confidence in Master Qingchen. Master Qingchen is definitely capable of planning and winning thousands of miles away. I have entrusted my entire family fortune to you, brother. Do you want to see your sister and brother-in-law defeated and homeless in the future?"

"Mo, Xiu, Yao..." The always elegant smile of Master Qingchen disappeared again, and he stared at Mo Xiuyao calmly, but under that calmness, there was a hint of shocking madness. Mo Xiuyao also knew that he couldn't really piss him off, so he said seriously: "Brother, I'm not taking risks, but I have to do it because of the current situation. Please forgive me."

Xu Qingchen snorted in displeasure and said to Ye Li, "Li'er, are you really not going to find a better husband?"

Ye Li smiled, neither of them helped. Mo Xiuyao grabbed Ye Li and glanced at Xu Qingchen unhappily, "Master Qingchen, I would rather tear down ten temples than break up a marriage. The king and A'li are deeply in love, and what you said is not gentlemanly." In an instant, throwing away the guilt he had, Mo Xiuyao stared at Master Qingchen with hatred in his heart. You want to snatch my A'li, you'll be exhausted!

Idiot, I won't bother with you! Master Qingchen resisted the urge to roll his eyes.

"Princess, the two Madams Xu and Madam Xu want to see you." In the study, the four were discussing the preparations before the troops were dispatched. Qin Feng reported outside the door. Ye Li was startled. "Aunt and Second Aunt?" The two Madams Xu knew that Ye Li was different from the ladies in the family who only guarded the small space in the backyard. She was usually busy with important matters, so it was easy for them to find Ye Li. Even if they came to Dingwang Mansion to visit the Queen and Hua Tianxiang or occasionally to look for Xu Qingchen's guards who refused to go home, they would just invite them in. Today, they came to ask for an audience so solemnly, so it must be an important matter.

Ye Li blinked and looked at Xu Qingchen and Xu Hongyu who were sitting next to her. Xu Hongyu smiled faintly and said, "It's not a big deal. Li'er can go see them." Ye Li raised her eyebrows in doubt and looked at Xu Qingchen. Xu Qingchen looked calm and at ease. When he met Ye Li's questioning eyes, he coughed lightly and whispered, "It's about your third brother."

Third brother? Ye Li blinked her eyes and suddenly realized. This time Xu Qingfeng was going to go with them, and it was self-evident why the two ladies came to her for Xu Qingfeng's matter. Shaking her head with a bit of laughter and tears, Ye Li asked, "Hasn't the third brother been fine these days? Didn't he come home?"

Xu Qingchen smiled and said, "He did go back the other day, but he showed up and disappeared again. I heard that he went into Prince Ding's mansion early this morning."

Ye Li looked at Qin Feng at the door. Qin Feng lowered his head, coughed lightly and smiled, "This morning, the third son of Xu did come to the palace. He sparred with others in the martial arts hall for a while, and then went to the library, and has not come out since then." In other words, the sons of the Xu family have gone crazy to avoid the two sons. Not to mention the third son who stayed in the barracks all day and dared not come out, there are also the fourth and fifth sons who ran to the north and only came back twice a year. Even the most elegant and dusty son Qingchen would rather live in the study room of the palace than go back to the palace for more than half of the month. It is extremely difficult for Qin Feng, a single man who dreams of a wife and children, to understand. The second son of Xu got married early, and he is living a happy life, right? As for being chased all over the sky? They really don't know how to appreciate what they have. How embarrassed are the numerous old bachelors in the Mohist Army who can't find wives?

Shaking his head helplessly, Ye Li stood up and said, "I'm going to go see my two aunts. Qin Feng, please ask the Third Young Master to come with you."

"I obey your command." Qin Feng said loudly, with a light of watching a good show in his half-closed eyes. It is said that it has become increasingly difficult to catch the Third Master Xu in the past two years, at least the people of the Xu family can't catch him. But this is not difficult for Qin Feng, because he taught the Third Master Xu.

In a pavilion near the water, a pool of emerald green water brought some coolness and comfort to the midsummer of June. Madam Xu II sat by the bed with an unpleasant look on her face, while Madam Xu Da and Qin Zheng were comforting her in a low voice. However, Madam Xu II, who was extremely angry with her son, was not so easily appeased. Although she could not get angry with her sister-in-law and daughter-in-law, her face was still gloomy.

"Second aunt, what's wrong? Who made you angry?" Ye Li walked in slowly and smiled softly.

"Who else could it be? The one who can make me angry right now is that unfilial son!" Madam Xu grabbed her handkerchief and said angrily. Ye Li walked up to her and said with a smile: "Are you talking about my third brother? He is in my house now. I will have him captured and beaten up to vent my anger!"

Madam Xu sighed, pulled Ye Li to sit down and said, "What's the point of punishing him? That kid... I don't know how many times his father has punished him, and he still makes me angry every day! Li'er, you say... I just want him to find a girl to marry, but can the girl eat him?"

Listening to the words of the second wife Xu, Ye Li couldn't help but think of what the first wife Xu said last year. It is true that the five sons of the Xu family are all outstanding, but except for the second brother, none of them is worry-free. The first wife Xu smiled and patted the back of her sister-in-law's hand and said, "At least Ze'er is obedient, and Rui'er is smart and cute. If they catch up with the three in our family, wouldn't you be worried to death?"

Madam Xu Er listened to the words of the first lady, and then looked at the gentle and gentle Qin Zheng beside her, and she felt comforted. At least she still had an obedient son, a virtuous and dignified daughter-in-law, and a smart and clever grandson. Thinking about the three of her sister-in-law, she was worried.

"Sister-in-law, aren't you in a hurry?"

Madam Xu smiled bitterly, "It's no use worrying so much that my hair has turned white. Forget about cleaning up the mess, but now I don't want to care about him anymore. Xiao Si and Xiao Wu simply stay away all year round and refuse to come back. Now I can't ask them to get married and have children. I'll be satisfied if they can come back to see an old woman like me often."

"Aunt, the fourth and fifth brothers are still young. It will be good if they settle down in two years. This way... if the fourth and fifth brothers still follow the eldest brother in two years, Li'er will help you organize a Hundred Flowers Banquet, and we will personally pick a daughter-in-law you like for them." Ye Li smiled. Madam Xu smiled and said, "Forget it. I can only comfort myself that they are still young." Madam Xu was also very angry with her eldest son. Unfortunately, even her own old man and the old lady could not say anything, so she gave up the idea of ​​Xu Qingchen talking about marriage. But the two younger sons must be watched closely. If they still don't have a good match after the age of twenty-four or twenty-five, she will force them to get married. Otherwise, she will not be ashamed to see the ancestors of the Xu family.

The three of them had been talking to each other and Madam Xu's anger had gradually subsided, but when she looked up, she saw Xu Qingfeng being led by Qin Feng walking towards her outside the water pavilion.

As soon as Xu Qingfeng saw the person sitting in the water pavilion, his expression suddenly changed and he shouted, "Qin Feng, you betrayed your friend!" He turned around and rushed out. Madam Xu Er was furious again, "Rebellious son! Stop right there!" I am your mother, and also your enemy in your previous life. Seeing her son hiding when he saw her, Madam Xu Er was furious.

Outside the door, Qin Feng looked at Xu Qingfeng leisurely as he slipped away from his side. As soon as he raised his hand, a long whip shot out from his sleeve and entangled one of Xu Qingfeng's legs, pulling him back. Xu Qingfeng quickly flipped in the air and landed steadily. As soon as he stood still, he kicked Qin Feng with a sweeping kick. Qin Feng raised his eyebrows and started fighting with him with interest.

The two of them were fighting outside, but Madam Xu's eyes were red with anger. She stood up and walked out of the water pavilion and yelled at Xu Qingfeng who was fighting: "Xu Qingfeng! Stop it!" Xu Qingfeng was slightly stunned, and in the blink of an eye, Qin Feng had already grabbed his right arm and pulled it back, and with his other hand locked his left arm's shoulder, he smiled and said: "Third Master, have you been playing too long in the past two years?"

"Despicable!" Xu Qingfeng said unwillingly.

"This is called seizing the opportunity. You've been in Qilin for so many years, don't you understand? Qilin just does everything it can to the extreme." Qin Feng replied with a calm smile.

Xu Qingfeng was silent. I just didn’t expect that you would go to such extremes even on your own people!

Ye Li, who followed out, looked at the two and shook his head slightly. The third brother's personality was not suitable for Qilin. Although he had been working hard in the past few years, and his qualities in all aspects were never worse than anyone in Qilin. But Ye Li still felt that he could better display his talents on the real battlefield. But... who hasn't been young? Just like every soldier in the previous life dreamed of becoming a special forces soldier, every soldier in the Mohist Army also dreamed of being able to enter Qilin. It was not because of how high the Qilin position and salary were, but because Qilin represented the most elite force of the Mohist Army.

"Mom..." Looking at his mother's angry face, Xu Qingfeng suddenly wilted. He kicked Qin Feng and muttered, "Let go, let go. I won't run away..." Qin Feng glanced at him with a smile and let go of the hand that was holding him. Can you run away?

Madam Xu sneered and said, "You still know that I am your mother?"

"Mother..." Xu Qingfeng lowered his head knowing that he was in the wrong. He didn't have the ability of his eldest brother to speak eloquently and confidently regardless of whether he was right or wrong, nor did he have the wooden face of his second brother, who always had the same expression.

Seeing her son's listless appearance, Madam Xu finally abandoned the upbringing she had received from a noble family for decades. She stepped forward, grabbed his ear and yelled, "Will I, your mother, harm you? Would you die if I let you find a date and get married? Our family is considered open-minded, and I, your mother, still gave you the opportunity to choose. Look at other families, how many of them have met before getting married? I'm telling you not to appreciate the blessings you have!"

"Mom, mom..." Being pulled by my mother's ears in front of so many people didn't hurt, but it was very embarrassing. "Mom, I know I was wrong!"

"Do you realize your mistake?" Madam Xu raised her eyebrows. "Go with me to see Miss Yang."

"Miss Yang? Which Miss Yang?" Xu Qingfeng was confused.

Mrs. Xu's eyes twitched, "What did you say?" It seemed that all her nagging in the middle of the night last night was in vain?

"No, no! I've never even heard of her! Who knows where she came from and just gave her to me? Even if she's not as good as my cousin, she should at least be as good as my second sister-in-law, right? Miss Yang? Did Licheng get this letter? Could it be that you, mother, were so hungry that you just gave me the daughter of a nouveau riche?"

"Hungry and indiscriminate? I told you to be hungry and indiscriminate!" Madam Xu II slammed Xu Qingfeng on the forehead with a slap. "I asked you to study since you were a child, but you refused. You are so hungry that you can't be picky about food!"

"Mom... I was wrong!" Xu Qingfeng hid in fear, "That's not what I meant. Anyway... Anyway, I don't want any Miss Yang or Miss Li. What I meant is that the girl I want to marry must be elegant and graceful... not vulgar..."

Bang! Before he could finish his words, something hit him hard on the head. Xu Qingfeng looked blankly at the book that flew from nowhere and hit his head. He turned around and saw Hua Tianxiang standing not far away, looking at him calmly. He suddenly felt embarrassed, "Miss Hua, why are you..."

Hua Tianxiang said calmly: "I was passing by and heard that Zheng'er was here, so I came to see her. I'll take my leave now."

Looking at Hua Tianxiang's departing back, Xu Qingfeng turned around and asked blankly: "Why did Miss Hua throw the book at me?"

Ye Li's eyes sparkled with light, and she said with a smile: "Because, she is the vulgar woman, the daughter of a nouveau riche that you mentioned, Third Brother... Miss Yang!"

In an instant, Xu Qingfeng's face turned pale.