Chapter 82: Do you want a backer?
It's cloudy today and there's a cold wind blowing outside.
The big earthen kang in the main room was heated by Aunt Zhang and was slightly hot to the touch. It was just the right warmth to sit on, with a kang mat, a cotton mattress and a coarse cloth covering the bed.
The square kang table was filled with snacks for the guests, including five-spice fried beans, pine nut candy, and the southern tangerines that Meng Chengping had brought.
After Aunt Zhang finished her preparations, she dragged Shi Tou to the kitchen to warm up and eat something so that the three young people could talk.
Meng Chengping sat cross-legged, "Sister-in-law..."
Gu Xixi held Xiaohua in her arms, raised her head and smiled calmly, "My last name is Gu, General Meng, can I call you something else?"
Compared to before, Gu Xixi's reaction when being called sister-in-law was either embarrassed or helpless.
Her behavior at the moment made Meng Chengping inexplicably nervous, and his tongue became tied, "Gu..."
He thought of the task assigned by the general and thought of a quick solution, "Boss Gu!"
Gu Xixi was startled and asked, "You said you came here on orders, what exactly is the reason?"
Meng Chengping took out a neatly folded piece of paper from his arms and handed it to Gu Xixi with both hands across the table.
"In addition to the basket of oranges, the general asked me to give this to Boss Gu."
Seeing that he was serious, Gu Xixi took it hesitantly and glanced at Mu Nanzhao out of the corner of her eye.
But seeing that Mu Nanzhao's eyes were indifferent and there was no intention of warning, Gu Xixi felt at ease and opened the origami.
When unfolded, they turned out to be two silver notes with a face value of one hundred taels each.
Her pupils suddenly contracted and she looked across, "What does General Meng mean?"
Meng Chengping said, "These two silver notes are actually two things. First, thanks to the help of Boss Gu and Master Ling, the prefecture issued an official document the day before yesterday, officially declaring the rat infestation to be eradicated."
"Especially in the several villages in the west that were hit hardest, the spread of the plague was contained in time, many lives were saved, and peace was maintained throughout the northwest."
"I have helped the Northwest Army and the general a lot. I would like to express my gratitude on behalf of the general."
Having said that, he bowed solemnly and bowed to Gu Xixi.
Then he continued, "The general said that for such a great deed, it would not be excessive to build a temple for the people to worship, and it should be reported to the court for commendation. But..."
Gu Xixi's expression changed slightly.
Report to the court? How can this be possible! Mu Nanzhao is still hiding in her house under an assumed name!
Meng Chengping paused, "But the general heard that Boss Gu and the miracle doctor don't like noise, and don't care about those false names."
Gu Xixi breathed a sigh of relief. "What the general said is very true. It's better to keep a low profile."
Meng Chengping said, "So, the 100 taels of silver as a thank you gift is also a personal token of appreciation from the general."
"This..." Gu Xixi hesitated whether to accept it.
Mu Nanzhao said, "They also said it was just a token of their appreciation."
"The method you came up with to kill rats and Elder Jiang's prescription can be sold for much more than this amount. You can accept this banknote with confidence."
Gu Xixi immediately responded, "Okay!"
She looked down at the banknote and felt little flowers in her heart blossoming uncontrollably. She was so happy!
Meng Chengping smiled bitterly and begged for mercy, "Brother Mu, please at least show some mercy when you speak."
"We in the Northwest Army don't have much money, and the general never does anything shady. Sometimes, when there's not enough food and grass, the general has to pay for it out of his own pocket. Giving him a hundred taels is not because I'm stingy."
Gu Xixi was in a good mood because she earned 100 taels. She took an orange and peeled it with a smile. Just as she was about to eat it, Mu Nanzhao reached out and took away the whole orange flesh.
He broke off a piece and put it into his mouth. The series of actions seemed natural.
"Gu Xixi, don't be too happy yet. General Meng has already started to cry poor."
"Be careful that you don't have the ability to get the second banknote, or they might take back the first banknote as well."
Gu Xixi's orange was taken away from her when it was about to reach her mouth. She glared at Mu Nanzhao angrily. Judging from his expression, this orange must be very sweet. Can't he peel it himself if he doesn't have hands?
When Gu Xixi heard Mu Nanzhao mention the banknotes, she turned her sharp gaze to the opposite side again.
Meng Chengping was so scared that he waved his hands repeatedly, "No, no, I promised to give the money to Boss Gu, how dare I take it back?"
"That's not what I want to talk about." Gu Xixi said seriously, "Since it is related to food and fodder, it is naturally more important. General Meng, don't beat around the bush and just speak directly."
Meng Chengping was stunned. He didn't expect a woman to be so decisive in her style of doing things.
And she was very smart. He just mentioned that there was not enough food and supplies, but she guessed the most important goal of his trip.
Meng Chengping then sat up straight and told everything in detail.
The court had just experienced a great turmoil last year, and the general refused to go along with certain people in the court.
The food and fodder allocated to the Northwest Army was not only delayed by numerous obstacles, but also exploited at various levels.
The general has recently received news that several princes from various places have shown signs of becoming restless.
If this continues, it will inevitably lead to a reduction in the amount of grain and taxes collected by the imperial court from all over the country.
How much will be left after being distributed to the Northwest Army?
If civil unrest leads to foreign invasion in the future, and the soldiers and horses of the Northwest Army cannot fill their stomachs, how can they resist the foreign enemies and guard the gateway to the Northwest?
So the general took a long-term view and came up with a solution.
In times of peace, is it possible to utilize the large tracts of wasteland on the border and have soldiers cultivate it?
Farming can strengthen the body and be combined with military training. The food grown can supplement military supplies.
In this way, both training soldiers and supplying food can be achieved.
Meng Chengping said, "But the general comes from a family of military commanders and is not an expert in farming."
"He just wanted to ask Boss Gu about the feasibility of this matter."
Gu Xixi pondered and said, "Most soldiers have good physical strength. It is indeed feasible for them to farm after training."
"But I have to see those wastelands with my own eyes before I can determine whether they can be cultivated and what to plant specifically."
This means you agree to help.
Meng Chengping clasped his fists in gratitude, "Thank you very much!"
He paused, and smiled as if he was about to say something, "Um..."
"I heard that Boss Gu has a secret method for growing crops that can more than double the income of others?"
Gu Xixi was stunned. "Secret method?"
How could she not know that the anecdote about her growing corn had not only spread beyond Huachidu Village, but had also become so mysterious?
Meng Chengping said solemnly, "The general said that if Boss Gu could teach us this method, he would be the benefactor of the Northwest Army."
"Not only can the boss open any conditions, he can do it at will."
"From now on in the Northwest, the entire Northwest Army will be Boss Gu's backer!"
Gu Xixi was shocked, and then she got shocked again. Can you just set any conditions? With the Northwest Army as your backer?
The temptation was too great, so Gu Xixi decided to drink some tea to calm down.
She took small sips and finished the cup of tea, having made up her mind.
"After I have a look at it on site, if the conditions are suitable for farming, I can guide you throughout the process on how to do it."
"But it's just a slightly different way of farming from others. It's not some secret method, and it can't be explained in a few words or a piece of paper."
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