Hearing what the young prince said, Chief Secretary Xie took out another account book: "Your Highness, take a look, what is this?"
Gu Yuzhi quickly leaned closer to take a look, then rubbed his eyes hard and exclaimed incredulously, "Cotton!"
He grabbed Xie Changshi's hand and shook it vigorously: "Xie Changshi! My brother said that all the cotton grown by the Ministry of Revenue has been arranged to be sent over!"
He jumped up suddenly, grabbed Xie Changshi's hand, and started to walk outside: "Quick, quick! Let's go check on the cotton!"
Recently, all the duck and goose down that could be collected in the northern desert has been gathered, and the cotton and willow fluff have been used up, but there is still a long way to go before the soldiers can get cotton-padded coats.
Although he knew there was no way to solve this problem, Gu Yuzhi still felt somewhat guilty.
He blamed himself for not having gone to the iron mines during his first year in the northern desert and discovered cotton, otherwise things would have turned out this way.
Who would have thought that his elder brother would send him cotton!
This news made him happier than receiving a gold reward or fertile fields in Jiangnan!
Gu Yuzhi ran and jumped all the way, and soon arrived at the backyard. The guards were unloading the cart. When they saw him, they stopped and bowed.
Gu Yuzhi waved his hand: "Where's the cotton? Let me see."
The guard smiled and pointed to several carriages behind, which were piled with bulging sacks.
Gu Yuzhi patted it hard, and the cotton was stuffed very tightly. He then raised his hand with a satisfied smile: "Hurry up and send it to the textile factory."
With the new cotton available, the textile factory resumed its busy sewing operations.
On the last day of October, the first snow finally fell.
Gu Yuzhi stood at the study door, watching the snowflakes fall gently, and couldn't help but shiver: "It's a bit cold!"
Granny Xu hurriedly draped a cloak over his shoulders: "Your Highness, please come inside. Judging from the weather, it's going to rain for a while longer."
Gu Yuzhi shook his head: "Mingli, go find Chief Secretary Xie, Guard Zhang, and Imperial Physician Qin. I need to go to Xinliang."
He gently tapped his chest, feeling a dull ache in his chest, as if something bad was about to happen.
If something really happened in Quanzhou, Xinliang can react quickly.
Just as Mingli was about to leave, the steward rushed in: "Your Highness!"
He was in a hurry to report and didn't notice that the ground was slippery. He suddenly fell down the steps and saw stars.
"housekeeper!"
Gu Yuzhi quickly stepped forward: "Quickly help the butler up!"
The steward suddenly coughed up a mouthful of blood: "Your Highness, Prefect Ke has sent an urgent report that the Northern Barbarians have discovered unusual activity!"
After shouting those words, the butler coughed violently, and soon collapsed with his head tilted to the side, the urgent report from Jeonju still safely in his arms.
Gu Yuzhi's expression changed drastically. He took the urgent report and headed to the study: "Mingli, go and call for help! Granny Xu, have the physician examine the steward. Also, gather all the guards in the mansion."
The group quickly sprang into action. Gu Yuzhi then opened the rapid report, which contained only a single sentence: "Scouts have detected unusual activity by the Northern Di army, which intends to gather and invade our border."
He puffed out his cheeks and sighed, "What was bound to happen has finally happened."
Shu Xiaohan and Wen Xiuzhu exchanged a glance, both of them unable to hide their worry. They kept giving each other meaningful looks, trying to find a way to say something nice to make Gu Yuzhi happier.
Fortunately, Xie Changshi and the others entered the room not long after. They read through the news report one by one before sitting down with heavy hearts.
When everyone came to accompany the young prince to the northern desert, they knew this would happen, and they felt that they had long been prepared.
But when that day finally arrived, while they felt relieved, they were also somewhat apprehensive.
Who doesn't want a peaceful life?
But someone has to do these things!
After a long silence, it was Chief Secretary Xie who spoke first.
He stroked his beard and smiled: "Your Highness, I think the Northern Barbarians' invasion is actually a good thing!"
Gu Yuzhi exclaimed, his eyes filled with confusion: "Why?"
He puffed out his cheeks: "Jingxiang hasn't recovered to its peak yet, the Mobei Army hasn't recovered to its strongest state, and we still don't have enough cotton-padded coats and down vests..."
Gu Yuzhi felt increasingly unprepared as he thought about it, his face scrunched up into a puff of wrinkles, and he paced back and forth with his hands behind his back, saying, "General Lu must already be making defensive preparations. We need to hurry and head to Quanzhou!"
Seeing that he looked restless, Chief Secretary Xie quickly comforted him, "Your Highness, please listen to what I have to say first."
Gu Yuzhi then said "Oh," blinking his big eyes with an urging expression.
Xie Changshi then cleared his throat: "The Emperor's gifts have only recently arrived in the northern desert. This is precisely the time when Your Highness's reputation is rising."
The others exchanged glances, and their expressions softened considerably.
Yes, the Emperor's rewards have spread throughout the Sang Dynasty, detailing His Highness's contributions to pacifying Jiangnan. At this time, His Highness is rising to prominence in the army. With His Highness and the warriors of the Northern Desert Army advancing and retreating together, the Northern Desert Army will surely be able to perform at an extraordinary level!
Gu Yuzhi had obviously thought of this as well, and was finally able to sit still, but he still felt that the soldiers were a bit tired: "But it's so cold..."
"Your Highness!" Chief Secretary Xie's smile deepened. "You always worry that you're not doing enough, that there aren't enough cotton and down jackets. So I think, if you have cotton-padded coats, then you don't need down jackets. Just distribute them separately. The quantity is sufficient."
Gu Yuzhi's eyes lit up, and she clapped her hands vigorously: "Yes, yes, you can do it like that too."
He chuckled: "This way, at least all the soldiers will be a little warmer than before!"
Anyway, let's get through this year safely!
Guard Zhang nodded and said, "Chief Secretary Xie is indeed clever."
Gu Yuzhi nodded repeatedly in agreement: "Of course! Chief Secretary Xie is super smart!"
As he spoke, he gave Xie Changshi a thumbs-up, looking quite proud.
Although Chief Secretary Xie knew that the young prince's praise was sincere, and he was often praised by him, he still felt a little overwhelmed every time the young prince used such a sincere tone and look in his eyes, and his heart would beat faster involuntarily.
He used the gesture of stroking his beard to conceal his deep breathing, and after calming down, he continued, "Besides, the news that His Highness had down jackets and cotton-padded coats made for the soldiers has already spread. The soldiers are only grateful to His Highness, and will naturally do everything they can to protect His Highness and protect the Northern Desert!"
Gu Yuzhi puffed out his cheeks and turned to look at Mr. Huo: "Mr. Huo, do you have any good ideas?"
Mr. Huo glanced at Chief Secretary Xie, and seeing the latter's look of impending doom, nodded heavily: "I do have a risky method..."
"Mr. Huo..."
Before Chief Secretary Xie could speak, the young prince exclaimed with delight, "What adventurous method is it? Mr. Huo, please tell me!"
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