Jiang Yuzhu is a layman when it comes to warfare.
Xie Zhao took out a miniature map and patiently explained the benefits of transporting food and fodder.
"On our way to the northern border town, we passed a fork in the road. This place is a no-man's land, and the surrounding mountains are filled with vicious bandits."
Bandits have been occupying the mountains and acting as kings for many years. The officials in charge of the three places once joined forces to encircle and suppress them, but someone leaked the news and the mountains were deserted.
After the incident had passed, the bandits returned to their lair and continued committing crimes.
"Over the years, the court has sent people many times, but nothing has been found."
Those bandits even dared to rob the government silver for military supplies. They must have someone supporting them.
When traveling from the capital to the north, Sancha Road is the only way to go.
It was for this reason that Xie Zhao made arrangements in advance, distributing food and military supplies to hundreds of merchant caravans for transportation.
Even if the bandits got the news, they would be in a panic even if they attacked from all sides.
"And the issue of loss raised by Madam is easier to answer."
The various cities of Da Qi maintained a very balanced state in terms of food and other supplies.
"If we go to the surrounding areas of the Northland and buy up food and fodder on a large scale, we will indeed minimize losses. However, a short-term food shortage and unscrupulous merchants driving up food prices to profit from the war will inevitably cause food prices to soar."
Food is the most important livelihood issue.
The soaring food prices and the successive price increases of various daily necessities are bound to cause turmoil in Da Qi.
Just as Xie Zhao was about to continue, Jiang Yuzhu understood. "The north only produces one crop per year, so people usually stockpile food and vegetables before winter. Once food prices skyrocket, the people suffer the most. They're filled with panic and anxiety. They've already suffered from the cold and war. They used to eat sweet potato rice, but now they can only count grains of rice. It's too hard."
Jiang Yuzhu had read the travel notes bought by her mother Chen, and she also understood the defects in the transportation of goods due to limited conditions, which were inevitable in Da Qi.
"Yuanhe, I am willing to use my private money to purchase a batch of food and other supplies in Jiangnan and transport them to the north."
There are special ration officers responsible for purchasing military supplies, and there are complicated issues involved.
The prices of brown rice, japonica rice, old rice and moldy rice vary greatly.
Some unscrupulous merchants mix glutinous rice into rice to increase its weight.
If the grain officer loosened his grip, tens of thousands of taels of silver would easily go into his pocket, making money against his conscience.
When Jiang Fulu mentioned this incident, he was extremely indignant and cursed the grain officials for being heartless.
At that time, Jiang Yuzhu suddenly realized that there was a chain of contempt among corrupt officials, and her father Jiang Fulu was at the top.
The couple discussed and decided to set off at any time.
Before leaving, Jiang Yuzhu became even busier.
The horses and carriages for travel must be modified according to the plan, and the clothes brought must be kept simple.
During this period, he also had to comfort his parents and relatives, say goodbye to his sisters, and instruct the owner of the shop under his name to invite the caravan to go to the south of the Yangtze River to buy food and fodder. He only slept two hours a day.
Xie Zhao was busy until late at night when he returned home. It was just when Jiang Yuzhu was drowsy. She was so tired that she was too lazy to open her eyelids.
The next day, before dawn, Jiang Yuzhu's side was empty and the bedding had been turned over, proving that Xie Zhao had returned.
For breakfast, Shen asked the cook to cook bird's nest porridge and personally served it to her daughter-in-law.
Jiang Yuzhu was terrified and quickly stood up and said, "Mother, what are you doing? How can you serve your daughter-in-law?"
"Yuzhu, mother is leaving for Jiangnan today."
Shen was not hiding it on purpose. She had observed for a few days and found that Jiang Yuzhu stayed up too late. She didn't want to distract her daughter-in-law with her own affairs.
"Mom, why are you in such a hurry?"
These days, Shen often went to stay at the farm for a short time. Jiang Yuzhu thought her mother-in-law wanted to relax, so she didn't ask about it.
Shen smiled and replied, "Mother went to the farm to prepare some local specialties from the capital to send back to Jiangnan."
Since Jiang Yuzhu married into the Xie family, she has never given any gifts, and she can never get over the loss of face.
The Xie family has many rules, and Shen didn't want her daughter-in-law to be criticized by the Xie family for such a trivial matter.
Shen knew the preferences of her clansmen, so she took the trouble to prepare for a few days. When the time came, she would send it back under the name of Jiang Yuzhu, ensuring that no one would hear any discordant sounds.
"Mother, your daughter-in-law is not polite, thank you for being here."
Jiang Yuzhu thanked him sincerely.
In Da Qi, it is natural for a married woman to serve her mother-in-law. Not only does Shen not need her to serve him, she also considers her in every detail. Jiang Yuzhu even suspects that she is God's chosen daughter. This treatment is too good!
"And Lao Wu, he didn't neglect the rules while studying at Qingzhu Academy. He collected the examination papers, writing brushes, inkstones, and other items from the capital, and sent them back to Jiangnan early in your name, Yuzhu."
Xie Xuan was more thoughtful and worked silently. If Shen had not received a letter from the clan thanking Jiang Yuzhu, she would not have known about this.
No wonder Jiang Yuzhu's status in the Xie family continues to rise. Those who have taken favors from her will remember her kindness.
Before leaving, Shen had a few more words of advice.
"Yuzhu, if this trip is dangerous, don't try to take the lead. We women are weak and should hide behind men."
"Go to the north and write a few letters to let you know you're safe. When you return to the capital, why don't you come directly to Jiangnan?"
Shen meant that her son Xie Zhao didn't have to come back because he was busy, and that they had a good relationship and it wasn't suitable for them to be separated for too long.
"Mother, my daughter-in-law hasn't returned to the clan since she married Yuanhe."
Jiang Yuzhu didn't hesitate and agreed quickly.
After sharing a lot of travel experiences, Shen combined them with her own experience and said, "Yuzhu, your waist and legs are sore from sitting in a carriage all day, especially your neck is stiff. Yuanhe has good strength, so ask him to give you a massage to relieve it."
"Besides massage, Yuanhe is also a master at making tea."
"If you need to go to the toilet or wash up while passing through the wilderness, just call him to keep watch."
Shen saw that Jiang Yuzhu was independent and didn't want to trouble others, so she advised, "You're husband and wife, so it's only natural for you to ask him for help. If you just throw all the brain-burning problems to him and don't use them, what if someone else gets the benefit?"
"Mom, I'll listen to you."
Jiang Yuzhu couldn't help but explain to Xie Zhao, "Mom, Yuanhe is not that kind of person."
Shen nodded. She also felt that her son was not that kind of person, but women were at a disadvantage. If they divorced, the man could remarry at will, which would be fatal to the woman.
"Look at Fendie. You have to be careful and be on guard against Yuanhe. Get all his money in your hands."
Shen chattered for half an hour but still wasn't satisfied.
As Nanny Shen listened, she felt more and more that something was wrong. If she had not been by the side when the Madam gave birth, she would have really suspected that the young master was not the Madam's biological son!
It is very common to see biased mothers-in-law, but it is rare to see biased daughters-in-law who step on their sons.
Ever since the lady came to the capital and started dating Chen, her personality has changed drastically.
Although Madam Shen had become aggressive, had lost her previous etiquette and rules, and had become somewhat unreasonable, Nanny Shen noticed that her Madam was living a carefree and carefree life that she had never experienced even before she got married.
After a period of time, Nanny Shen gained experience and was able to remain calm and composed when dealing with her wife's harsh words.
"Yuzhu, if you feel wronged, come and tell me. I will be the bad guy and deal with Yuanhe. This will not affect the relationship between you and your wife."
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