Chapter 487 Acquaintances
When Dongqing arrived in the capital, it was already past 9 AM.
Unaware that someone was secretly following and protecting her, she walked for several hours straight, solely determined not to implicate Meng Lingge.
The capital city has indeed changed dramatically. The streets are clean and tidy, and the people are all smiling and welcoming, presenting a thriving and prosperous scene.
At this moment, Dongqing remembered a very serious problem.
She had been imprisoned for the past three years, eating leftovers and living in a dilapidated shack. She hadn't been out for a long time and had even forgotten that food, lodging, and transportation all required money.
She was starving and smelled the delicious aromas wafting from the street, but she had no money and could only swallow her saliva in secret. When a shopkeeper asked her for a ride, she left immediately, feeling ashamed.
Thinking of the letter she left for Meng Lingge, Dongqing smiled bitterly.
She can't even solve her basic needs for food and clothing, yet she has the audacity to say she wants to find a rural courtyard to raise chickens and grow vegetables. What a pipe dream!
They wandered around until noon, when Dongqing was so hungry she couldn't stand it anymore. She had no choice but to open her bag and prepare to pawn the dress that Meng Lingge had bought for her, to get some money to eat something, and then see if she could find a job in the capital.
When she took the clothes out, she could feel the unusual weight in her hand. Dongqing had a feeling, and with trembling hands, she slowly unfolded them. Sure enough, she found a thick stack of silver notes and a note inside. The note listed the places where Chunhong, Xiazi, and Qiulan had married and their detailed addresses, and instructed her to seek help from her sisters if needed.
Dongqing felt as if the clothes she was holding weighed a ton, so heavy that she squatted down and covered her mouth to sob.
Miss, oh Miss, Dongqing owes you so much that he may never be able to repay it, even in his next life.
Meng Lingge, who had already arrived at the next stop with Wen Zhiming, was finally relieved after hearing from the guards that Dong Qing had discovered what was inside the clothes and had delivered a message to Princess Jiahe and Chunhong.
Chunhong is two years older, so her presence should be able to comfort Dongqing. Princess Jiahe is a skilled physician, and she might be able to cure Dongqing's illness.
It took Meng Lingge and her party more than twenty days to reach the northern border.
We set off in the height of summer, and now it is early autumn.
The capital of Lanyu Kingdom is closer to the border than the capital of Jinyue Kingdom, so the prince of Lanyu Kingdom will definitely arrive first. Therefore, although they need to take care of the Empress Dowager and Princess Le'an along the way, they still cannot be too slow.
Fortunately, the whole family was together and looked after each other along the way, so it didn't take too much time, and they arrived on time on the expected date.
Three years ago, after Wen Zhiming withdrew General Leng from the defense of the northern frontier, the defense of this area was jointly managed by a young general named Lin Suo and the local prefect of the northern frontier.
Wen Zhiming and Meng Lingge had already decided not to send out a vanguard to notify the locals, but to arrive directly so as not to disturb the local people and to launch a surprise attack on the local officials.
But with over 50,000 people on their journey, their itinerary was no secret.
Upon entering the northern border region, Wen Zhiming was about to order the troops to set up camp and rest. He and Meng Lingge went ahead to scout the area and saw Lin Suo and the local prefect Xie Guanzhi leading a group of people to greet them from afar.
The two men each brought their elite troops, totaling several hundred men. Upon their arrival, the two officials immediately bowed and greeted them.
"Your humble servant Xie Guanzhi greets the Empress Dowager, the King of Northern Frontier, the Princess Consort of Northern Frontier, and the Princess of Le'an. After receiving the imperial decree, I have been eagerly awaiting your arrival day and night. It is truly a blessing for all the people that you have finally arrived. I have ordered the roads to be cleared and the residences to be cleaned. All your living necessities have been prepared. I respectfully invite you to take up your lodgings."
"Your humble servant Lin Suo greets the Empress Dowager, the King of Northern Frontier, the Queen Consort of Northern Frontier, and the Princess of Le'an. I learned that Your Highness has come in person with 50,000 troops. I have already received the imperial decree to expand the military camp at Nanmian Mountain. All the barracks, granaries, and training grounds are ready. Your Highness's elite troops can move in and rest at any time to relieve the fatigue of riding."
Wen Zhiming nodded upon hearing this.
The Nanmianshan military camp was a temporary camp he had set up in the northern frontier. It was a good place to set up a military camp because it was both offensive and defensive, and it was large enough.
It should have been only a little over half a month since the imperial edict arrived here. Lin Suo managed to prepare the barracks, granaries, and training grounds for 50,000 soldiers in such a short time, which shows that he is indeed a man of action.
Since Lin Suo and Xie Guanzhi have come to welcome us in person and arranged accommodations, there is no reason for the soldiers to rest on the spot.
Wen Zhiming and Meng Lingge exchanged a glance and nodded slightly.
"Thank you both for your meticulous preparations, which have relieved our worries about the army's accommodations. Your arrangements are very proper, and I am very satisfied. In that case, let us proceed immediately as you two have wished."
The group split into two groups. Wen Zhiming and others went back to the prefect's residence with Xie Guanzhi, while the remaining 50,000 soldiers went to the Nanmian Mountain military camp with Lin Suo.
Knowing that Wen Zhiming might summon officials, Lin Suo said that after settling the army, he would go to the prefect's residence to await the prince's instructions.
Xie Guanzhi's mansion was located in a relatively prosperous central area of northern Xinjiang. It had a large courtyard and many houses. Compared with the mansions of prefects in other cities, it was slightly dilapidated, but in the poor and backward northern Xinjiang, it was obviously dazzling and luxurious.
However, many of the decorations and furniture were clearly newly added.
Upon seeing Wen Zhiming enter the mansion, he remained silent and carefully observed him.
Xie Guanzhi was slightly nervous. He wiped the sweat from his forehead and explained.
"This mansion was built twenty years ago. The northern frontier is too backward, and its facilities cannot compare with those in the capital. However, I was worried that the Empress Dowager, the Princess, the Prince and the Princess Consort would not be comfortable living here, so I used my own monthly salary to purchase some new items. If the Prince does not like them, I will immediately send someone to remove them."
"Governor, you have put in such great effort, how could I possibly blame you?"
Wen Zhiming's expression was indifferent, revealing neither his joy nor anger.
"Thank you for your careful preparations. Once I have established the trade market and boosted the economy of the northern frontier, I will reward you accordingly."
Xie Guanzhi felt relieved to hear that there was no blame in his words, and quickly cupped his hands in greeting.
"This is my duty, and I dare not ask for any reward. This courtyard is called Green Garden, and it is the most spacious and comfortable place in my residence. The Prince's residence will take about three more months to be completed. In the meantime, I would be grateful if the Prince, Princess and Empress Dowager would have to make do here. If there is anything you need, please feel free to instruct my wife to procure it."
At this point, he looked around and said to the nearest servant, "Where is the madam? Didn't I tell her to greet the prince in the mansion?"
The servant replied, "Madam has prepared tea and refreshments in the front hall to await our distinguished guest. She may not know that you brought our guest to the back courtyard, and he should still be waiting in the front hall."
"Ignorant woman. I told her long ago to greet you outside the gate. She can't even handle such a small matter."
Xie Guanzhi looked at Wen Zhiming with a face full of shame.
"Your Highness, please forgive me. My wife is a member of the martial arts world and is not good at etiquette. When we meet later, I will make sure she apologizes to you."
Just as Wen Zhiming was about to reply, he heard a series of tinkling sounds from behind him.
Everyone turned around to look, and saw a beautiful and charming woman, adorned with jewels, walking gracefully with her servants.
Meng Lingge was taken aback when she saw the person's appearance clearly.
Coincidentally, it was another acquaintance.
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