Chapter 199 Public support is more important
Two days later, Song Zhimian led her convoy to the southwest.
There were ten carts full of goods, plus the accompanying people, making about twenty carts in total.
The Crown Prince and Ye Yunshu sent imperial guards to accompany them, and Ye Yunshu even selected four steady and highly skilled guards from her own side for Song Zhimian.
When they left the city gate, Mu Xiaolai saw Song Zhimian off.
"Zhimian, you must be careful on your journey. Don't forget about me once you get to the southwest."
If you find anything delicious or fun over there that's easy to bring back, please bring some back for me.
I'd be happy even if you just picked a flower from the roadside and brought it back.
Also, if you see Wei Yanli, be sure to ask him when he's coming back.
Although I've managed the Beijing Spring Festival Gala quite well, it's ultimately their business, and I can't keep managing it forever.
And as for Xiao Huaijin, just give him my regards.
Oh, and the little prince too, you need to take good care of him too, I've put all his gifts in the box..."
Princess Yongxin talked on and on, and Song Zhimian listened with a smile.
Finally, Song Zhimian pulled Princess Yongxin aside and said, "Princess, you are the most adorable person I have ever met. I hope you are doing well in the capital."
When I return from the Southwest, we'll go to Jiangnan together.
Let's go visit the best male brothels in Jiangnan, one for you, one for me!
Princess Yongxin's eyes lit up immediately.
...
Song Zhimian was sitting in a carriage, accompanied by a palace maid.
To ensure her comfort, the Imperial Household Department arranged the carriage according to Ye Yunshu's request, and Song Zhimian didn't feel any bumps while sitting inside.
The carriage was filled with many books and pamphlets.
These were all sent by Ye Yunshu; they were all books about the Southwest and the Kingdom of Biao.
Those booklets were information about the current situation of Biao Kingdom that Chun Buwan had specially compiled.
The journey to the southwest was long, so Song Zhimian could finish reading all of this from the carriage.
Inside the spacious carriage, a small table was placed in front of Song Zhimian, with books on it. Song Zhimian was carefully reading each book.
When she sees important information, Song Zhimian will pick up a brush and mark it down.
Near the carriage door, the palace maid Suzuran carefully attended to her.
Whether it's tea or snacks, as soon as Song Zhimin looks up, she can immediately bring them to Song Zhimin's side.
Linglan appeared to be a docile palace maid, but Song Zhimian knew she was highly skilled in martial arts. With her by her side, those with ill intentions would not be able to get close to her...
...
Sun City, where the main camp of the Southwest Army was stationed.
Xiao Huaijin, dressed in a silver-white brocade robe, and Wei Yanli, dressed in red, were strolling around Sun City with a middle-aged man over forty years old.
The man was none other than Huangfu An, the ninth master of the Huangfu family and commander of the Southwest Army.
“Ninth Uncle, the Southwest Army has put in a lot of effort to make Sun City what it is today!” Xiao Huaijin said as he walked.
“Yes, sir! Sun City is just as good as Dian City!” Wei Yanli chimed in.
In their minds, Sun City, with the Southwest Army stationed there, should be a solemn and imposing place.
But Sun City is now bustling with activity.
There were small business owners, acrobats, and passing caravans...
"The people of Sun City also need to make a living. We can't just let them suffer because we're here!"
"Come on, let me treat you to some sweet and sour glutinous rice cakes. I love them!"
As Huangfu An spoke, he pulled Xiao Huaijin and Wei Yanli forward a couple of steps.
I stopped in front of an old woman's stall, her body hunched over.
"Auntie, three or four servings of sugar-coated glutinous rice cakes, please!"
"They each get one serving, but I want two servings!" Huangfu An pointed a finger at the old woman.
The toothless old woman burst into laughter when she saw Huangfu An.
"Sir, didn't you have your young servant buy two portions yesterday? You want to eat some more today!"
Sugar-coated glutinous rice cakes are delicious, but you can't eat this much every day!
How about we have just one serving today?
Here, I'll give you three portions, one for each of you. These two young men are also junior generals in the Southwest Army?
"You look unfamiliar; I've never seen you before!"
As the old woman spoke, she placed a piece of sugar-coated glutinous rice cake on an oil paper and handed it to each of the three people.
Huangfu An accepted it with a smile, and Xiao Huaijin and Wei Yanli also accepted it.
"They are both new here, so you'll see them often from now on."
"Auntie, here's some silver!" Huangfu An said, placing a piece of silver on the old woman's stall.
The old woman immediately became anxious upon seeing this.
"My lord, you already had that young general give you a piece of silver yesterday, enough to last you a month without running out of money."
My wife knows that you are kind to me, so she came to help me out.
But the old woman has enough money now, so she really doesn't need it anymore.
Sir, my eldest grandson is already able to farm. At the beginning of the year, he rented land from Master Wang's family to farm.
Things are much better at home now, so there's really no need for you to worry, Mr. Handsome.
As the old woman spoke, she stuffed the piece of silver into Huangfu An's hand.
"Auntie, take this! Your little granddaughter was sick a few days ago, wasn't she? I heard that the medicine cost a lot of money."
Please take this money; you never know when you might need it!
"At worst, I'll just come back and have a couple more servings of sweet and sour glutinous rice cakes!"
As Huangfu An spoke, he placed the piece of silver on the old woman's stall.
The old woman watched Huangfu An leave with Xiao Huaijin and Wei Yanli for a long time.
"What a good man! The Marshal is a good man, and the Southwest Army are all good men."
The rumors circulating outside are definitely lies.
"The commander wouldn't abandon Sun City. Even if war breaks out, the Southwest Army won't let those foreigners into Sun City..."
...
"That old lady's eldest son used to be a soldier in the Southwest Army, but he was killed in a conflict with the Biao Kingdom."
Although they gave me money, it was only temporary.
Later, the old lady started setting up a stall in Sun City, specializing in selling sugar-coated fried dough sticks.
Many people in the Southwest Army found out about it, and whenever they went out, they would buy a serving to try.
Later, the old lady's youngest son also joined the Southwest Army, but he accidentally fell off a cliff during a patrol.
Although he didn't die, both of his legs were ruined.
At that time, the old lady was raising her youngest son, as well as her eldest son and his children, all by herself.
I wanted to arrange for someone to take care of her, but she absolutely refused, saying that she could still work and make a living.
The old lady also told me that we can't set this precedent. Once we do, what will happen to the families of other fallen soldiers?
"How could the Southwest Army possibly take care of everything!" Huangfu An said as he finished the sugar-coated glutinous rice cake in two bites.
Xiao Huaijin suddenly understood why Huangfu An disagreed with launching a large-scale military campaign against Biao Kingdom.
With large-scale military operations underway, will Sun City still be as bustling as it is now?
My elder sister in the capital wrote the same thing.
Small-scale operations are acceptable, but large-scale military operations should be approached with caution.
Just as Xiao Huaijin was about to ask Huangfu An about the recent movements of the Biao Kingdom, he suddenly saw a soldier running hurriedly over from not far away.
"Sir, there's an urgent message from the army. The deputy commander requests your immediate return!"
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