Chapter 151 Buying Grain from Jiang Ling
Just then, Xiaoran and Xiaoyi came over with freshly brewed tea.
Cheng Fang's gaze fell on them, with a hint of curiosity.
Jiang Ling explained with a smile, "These are my helpers, Xiao Ran and Xiao Yi."
Zhao Jingxing's gaze fell on Xiao Yi: "I remember Xiao Ran, but this is the first time I've seen someone named Xiao Yi."
Jiang Ling smiled, briefly mentioned it, and then told Xiao Ran and the others to go outside and get busy.
Zhao Jingxing and Cheng Fang's visit this time was definitely not just for catching up.
The group exchanged a few brief pleasantries about their recent situations.
Cheng Fang's expression became slightly more serious as he explained:
“Miss Jiang, we should have come to visit you sooner. However, some time ago, some rumors about Goddess Jiang started circulating in the capital. They were so bizarre and exaggerated that they attracted attention from all sides.”
He paused, his tone tinged with helplessness and caution: "Jingxing and I inevitably have some spies around us. At that time, the situation was still unsettled, and we were afraid that if we came rashly, we would disturb you and cause you unnecessary trouble, so we hesitated to bother you."
He originally thought that not disturbing her was a way to protect her, but he didn't expect it would make their relationship more distant.
This is the last thing Cheng Fang wanted to see.
rumor?
Jiang Ling overheard a few words occasionally, but didn't pay any attention to them.
Moreover, no one in the village would spread such rumors.
It turns out they didn't come because they were afraid of getting into trouble.
“You two are very kind. I have heard some of those unfounded rumors, but I haven’t taken them to heart. They haven’t caused me any trouble either. You don’t need to worry about them.”
If something really happens, she can just stay inside and not come out. Who else could possibly come all the way to the 21st century to cause her trouble?
Cheng Fang breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this. "It's good that it didn't cause any trouble for Miss Jiang. Fortunately, the matter has been resolved, and there won't be any more rumors like this now."
Cheng Fang and Zhao Jingxing exchanged a glance and pondered for a moment.
Zhao Jingxing took over the conversation at the opportune moment, his tone gentle yet earnest:
“Miss Jiang, to be honest, we have come here today for two reasons: first, to visit you, and second,… at the request of His Highness the Crown Prince, to ask you for a favor.”
Jiang Ling paused in pouring tea. Finally, it was time to get down to business.
"The disaster situation in the north is severe, with displaced people and unstable borders. Food and winter supplies are being consumed at a great cost. The Great Yu Dynasty is facing internal and external troubles, and His Highness the Crown Prince is extremely worried... His Highness has heard that the young lady... has quite a few connections and can raise cloth and food."
Especially after seeing those hundred cartloads of grain today, His Highness specifically ordered the two of us to come and inquire whether... whether it would be possible to procure another batch of grain and thick cloth to settle the refugees within the Great Yu Dynasty. As for the money, His Highness will certainly not let the young lady suffer any loss.”
After he finished speaking, both of them fell silent, their expressions showing obvious unease and shame.
They were all old acquaintances and really didn't want to put Jiang Ling in a difficult position because of this.
But thinking of the soldiers suffering in the bitter cold of the border and the people who might be freezing and starving, he had no choice but to bite the bullet and speak.
Jiang Ling was not surprised at all when she heard this.
Having resolved Qin Qian's problem, the next issue naturally falls to Qin Zhao.
Everyone in the court knew that Zhao Jingxing and Cheng Fang were on the Crown Prince's side.
I heard that the appointment of Qin Zhao as crown prince at the time caused quite a bit of controversy.
Even today, some people in the public still believe that the Crown Prince is inferior to the First Prince.
The Great Yu Dynasty is currently beset by internal and external troubles, and these two princes are the most powerful and prestigious in the court.
One led troops to pacify the border regions, while the other defended the capital and resolved internal troubles. This was undoubtedly another invisible contest concerning the very foundation of the nation.
The commotion caused by the hundred carts of grain being transported out of her shop at noon today was so great that it couldn't have been kept from them.
Jiang Ling will never forget that it was because of them that she was able to pay off her debts.
Moreover, both of them had saved her from danger.
She looked outside and saw several villagers passing by, deliberately slowing their pace as they watched the child reading, their faces showing contentment as they walked past.
Xiao Ran's reading voice could be heard outside the door, along with Fu Chengze's occasional corrections of her pronunciation.
Now she has more and more things she can't let go of in this world: Xiao Ran, Xiao Yi, the villagers of Jishui Village, and her good friends.
Seeing the genuine concern for their country and their families in their eyes, and then thinking of the despairing faces in front of Hakuryu-ji Temple...
Well then, since I want to stay in this world, I should at least do something for it.
She took a deep breath and looked up to meet their expectant gazes.
"I admire the two gentlemen's dedication to the country and its people. As for grain and cloth... I can provide them."
Upon hearing this, Zhao Jingxing and Cheng Fang's eyes flashed with surprise and relief.
Cheng Fang immediately added, "Don't worry, young lady, I promise you won't be taken advantage of. Everything will be at market price, no, at the price you set."
Zhao Jingxing bowed deeply: "On behalf of His Highness the Crown Prince and on behalf of the countless disaster victims, Zhao Jingxing thanks you for your kindness, young lady!"
"However, I have one condition." Jiang Ling pondered for a moment, then changed the subject slightly.
The two men immediately stopped laughing and looked at her, their expressions somewhat nervous: "Please speak, Miss Jiang."
"You are not allowed to question the origin of anything in my general store, including the grain and cloth we've just received!"
Upon hearing this, Cheng Fang and Zhao Jingxing immediately breathed a sigh of relief.
They had known the grocery store's secret for some time now.
They knew the gravity of the situation and naturally wouldn't publicize it.
Cheng Fang nodded immediately, his tone resolute: "Of course! We will not ask a single question, nor will we utter a single word to anyone else!"
Zhao Jingxing echoed, "Don't worry, young lady. We know what's important. We will never reveal the source of the goods, nor will we let anyone trace it back to you."
"That's good." Jiang Ling nodded, relieved.
Zhao Jingxing then asked, "How long will it take Miss Jiang to prepare the supplies?"
Jiang Ling thought for a moment. Grain was easy to get; the previous managers had all left their contact information, so she could just ask them to deliver it.
The fabric is a bit of a problem; she'll have to find another manufacturer.
"I will provide the first batch of supplies in three days, about a hundred grain carts. You need to prepare the transport personnel and vehicles in advance. The cloth is special and will take some time to purchase. I will tell you the specific time in three days."
"Okay! We'll definitely be there on time in three days!"
With the agreed time, Cheng Fang and Zhao Jingxing finally felt relieved.
Cheng Fang patted his chest and assured her, "Miss Jiang, rest assured, we will never let you give in vain. If you need anything, just ask. We know you don't want to be disturbed, and all this grain is in the name of the caravan, guaranteeing that the source of the goods will not be leaked in the slightest! We two swear on our lives!"
Jiang Ling chuckled: "Alright, what would I need your heads for? It's only been two months, and you've become so formal with your speech."
Cheng Fang scratched his head and laughed, "Perhaps it's because we haven't seen each other for so long that I feel a bit more reserved around you. Actually, I didn't mean to be."
Jiang Ling smiled, and only then did she regain some of the feeling she had when they used to get along.
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