Chapter 122 I will surely earn you the title of 'Imperial Merchant' before the Emperor.
Accord.
Meng Xi leaned against the window, his knuckles tapping absently on the wooden frame, his gaze lazily drifting down to the street below.
Several horse-drawn carriages were rolling over the bluestone slabs, with heavy boxes piled up like mountains.
Lu Zhaoruo, dressed in a blue robe, walked at the front, her steps as steady as if measured with a ruler, without the slightest lapse.
Chang Hong approached with a cup of tea and sighed, "These past few days, Madam Lu has practically emptied the embroidery shop's storeroom, buying up all the medicinal herbs, grains, and shipbuilding timber... Today, she even personally escorted the cart to the naval stronghold. This act is truly kind and righteous, done for the sake of the country, and everyone in the city praises her."
"Kindness? Righteousness?"
Meng Xi scoffed lightly, "She's just a scheming woman."
Chang Hong was taken aback: "A scheme?"
"She donated all her savings, which seemed generous, but in reality she was betting everything on Xiao Yeming's victory in the battle."
Meng Xi's gaze shifted slightly, as if he saw through everything yet remained unconcerned. "If she wins, she will be a heroine who saved the country and aided the army, and the title of Imperial Merchant and other honors will be within her grasp; if she loses..."
He paused, his smile growing colder. "It's just a lost gamble, better than a mediocre life and being forever trapped in the merchant class."
He raised his hand and lightly brushed away non-existent dust from his sleeve, as if brushing away a boring drama.
“Look at how she does things. She quietly purchases all the supplies and then delivers them to the military camp in a grand manner. Every step she takes is as precise as using an abacus. This is not kindness; it is using money as a blade to carve a ladder to heaven.”
As the carriages and horses gradually moved away into the distance, dust rose slightly and then slowly settled.
Meng Xi finally withdrew his gaze and said lazily, "Where in this world is there so much 'righteousness'? It's all just about each person getting what they need and pursuing their own interests. She's gambling with her future, and I..."
He lowered his eyes and smiled, his unspoken words dissipating in the wind.
He then said, "This trip wasn't entirely boring; it's time to go back."
He stood up: "Let's go back and catch a... pretty good show."
However, if such a woman, with such a temperament, were a man, she would surely have a place in the imperial court.
Lu...Zhao...Ruo.
Meng Xi silently recited the name in his heart.
When the carriages arrived at the gate of the water fortress, Xiao Yeming, dressed in black armor, was walking out of the camp.
His brows furrowed with a fierce resolve, as if preparing to mount his horse and head towards the embroidered pavilion...
Unexpectedly, as soon as they stepped out of the village gate, they ran into the caravan and Lu Zhaoruo, who stood quietly beside the car, dressed simply yet undeniably beautiful.
Xiao Yeming paused in his steps.
Lu Zhaoruo stepped forward, curtsied, and spoke in a clear voice that was easily heard by the surrounding naval officers and soldiers: "I have heard that Commander Xiao will soon lead the royal army to conquer the pirates and ensure the peace of Linhai. I am unworthy to do my part. The few supplies here were raised by the whole family of Xiulou and are intended to supplement the military funds. I hope they can lend a helping hand to the commander and the soldiers."
She handed over the detailed list, her eyes earnest: "These are all practical items such as medicine, grain, and timber. I hope they can relieve the army's urgent needs, help my Linhai soldiers suffer fewer casualties, and increase their chances of victory. This is not for any other purpose, but truly to do my part for the thousands of people of Linhai."
Xiao Yeming took the heavy list and glanced at it. The amount and variety of items listed far exceeded his expectations.
He knew full well that this was by no means a mere "small contribution".
"Madam Lu..."
He spoke, his voice low and hoarse, "This is a timely help. On behalf of all the soldiers, I thank you for your noble kindness, madam!"
Lu Zhaoru shook her head slightly, a dignified smile playing on her lips: "Commander, you flatter me. Protecting our homeland is everyone's responsibility. I only hope that you will achieve a resounding victory on your journey, wipe out the invaders as soon as possible, and restore peace to our coastal regions."
She spoke slowly and softly, but her voice remained clear: "When the time comes, in front of the Emperor, if we discuss military achievements, I hope that the Commander will not forget the expectations of the people of Linhai and the small but significant assistance from those who are of one mind with the people."
Her words were impeccable, expressing both support and implicit expectations...
Hopefully, this achievement will be remembered by him and reach the ears of the emperor!
Xiao Yeming clenched the list tightly in his palm and said in a deep voice, "My lady's kindness today will be remembered by Yeming and the entire army. When we return victorious, we will surely repay you handsomely!"
With military affairs in the camp numerous and complex, and the expedition imminent, he was indeed unable to attend to everything.
Seeing that all the supplies had been delivered and that he had said what needed to be said, Lu Zhaoruo did not linger any longer. He gave a slight bow, his demeanor still composed: "May the general achieve a resounding victory and pacify the coastal regions."
After saying that, she turned around and led everyone away.
Wan Wanning followed at the back of the group, unable to resist secretly glancing back at the imposing figure in black armor.
Xiao Ye stood still, watching Lu Zhaoruo's receding figure. She was dressed in a simple blue robe, her back straight, as elegant as a bamboo stalk, yet she had made such a thunderous and extravagant move that exhausted her family's wealth.
How could he not know what she was thinking?
She practically emptied her savings to donate military funds in a grand manner; what she wanted was far more than just a simple thank you.
He lowered his eyes, his gaze falling on the list filled with sincerity and calculation. A knowing smile curved his lips as he murmured to himself, "Sister Lu... you've gone to such lengths to use these military merits as a stepping stone to secure a future as a noblewoman, haven't you?"
Immediately, his gaze hardened, as if making a solemn promise, and his voice was soft yet deep: "Very well. If we succeed in this battle, I will surely earn you the title of 'Imperial Merchant' before the Emperor."
Having already traveled some distance, Lu Zhaoruo seemed to sense something and suddenly turned around.
Across the noisy camp and busy soldiers, she could only see his tall, straight back as he calmly walked toward the central command tent, giving orders with composure.
She was thinking.
Is it not a good idea to use General Xiao in this way?
Wan Wanning quietly turned around following Lu Zhaoruo's gaze.
The figure in black armor, with a fierce aura of battle between his brows, seemed to still be right before my eyes.
She tugged at Dongrou's sleeve, her voice barely audible, tinged with the shyness typical of a young girl: "Sister Dongrou... that Commander Xiao just now was truly... truly extraordinary in his bravery."
As soon as she spoke, she lowered her head, her ears turning a light red.
Lu Zhaoruo had lifted the curtain and looked over at some point, just in time to hear and see Wan Wanning's girlish demeanor and soft murmurs.
When Wan Wanning looked up, she met her elder sister's calm and unwavering eyes. She was immediately startled into silence, flustered and at a loss, her fingers twisting the hem of her clothes tightly.
Lu Zhaoruo didn't say anything, only glanced at her indifferently, and then lowered the carriage curtain.
Inside the car, she pursed her lips slightly.
Wan Wanning's subtle behaviors made her feel that this person was not as simple and obedient as she appeared on the surface.
Inside Jizhou City, in the streets and alleys, in teahouses and taverns, the people were whispering and discussing the important matter of the navy's upcoming expedition to suppress the Japanese pirates.
The drizzle was fine and the night was quiet.
Lu Zhaoruo sat alone in the pavilion, facing an unfinished embroidery pattern, her fingertips hesitant to put the needle and thread to work.
Feeling inexplicably annoyed, she got up, walked to the window, and opened the hinged window.
A cool breeze carrying raindrops swept over my face.
She looked down, but suddenly froze—
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