Chapter 20, General
Old Gong from the military camp set off again.
Su Qing instructed Lao Gong to pay close attention to the situation in the military camp, as he had heard that there had been constant small battles in the past two months.
Let's see if this is the reason why the military has no time to attend to this matter.
That's what they say, but Su Qing had a vague feeling that it wasn't the reason.
However, this time, the garrison on the other side of the river did not puzzle her for long.
Gong Bingfang set off on the fourth day of the third lunar month.
He returned on the fifth day of the third lunar month.
And it wasn't even him coming back on his own.
Behind him followed more than a hundred wounded soldiers, many of whom had serious injuries. They were also carrying two wooden stretchers with even more seriously injured soldiers on them.
ah? !
What are you doing?!
At the wharf in Nanjiang County, the sudden appearance of so many bloodied people frightened the locals into retreating.
It wasn't until Manager Su arrived that everyone dared to gather around and watch the excitement.
Su Qing arrived very quickly upon hearing the situation. Without asking what happened, she simply said, "Heal your wounds first."
"Send them to the Bai family clinic and the Hao family clinic."
"Just say it's a message from me."
Gong Bingfang breathed a sigh of relief and looked at Steward Su with a sense of guilt.
When no one was around, Gong Bingfang explained the situation in one go.
"Small battles are constantly taking place on the front lines. The rebel generals now have a lot of tricks up their sleeves, and the imperial army is exhausted and has suffered several defeats."
Su Qing frowned.
Even Nanjiang County, which is very close to the front line, was unaware of this.
It seems the imperial court is intentionally concealing this.
"I went there this time to take a look at the military camp, but I didn't expect to be caught red-handed by Xue Shoubei's men."
"However, the other party did not say much, but took me to see the wounded soldiers in Beijiang County."
“There are not enough people over there, and the logistics can’t keep up. Many wounded soldiers are left unattended.”
The rest is self-explanatory.
Gong Bingfang had also been a soldier, so the bond between them was naturally extraordinary.
With just a few words from Commander Xue, he unwittingly brought back more than 140 wounded soldiers.
More than twenty of them were seriously injured and were on the verge of death.
Fortunately, the two counties are very close to each other; you can get there by crossing the river.
Otherwise, these wounded soldiers might never see a doctor.
Luo Hufang was about to say, "Old Gong, you're confused."
Nanjiang County is in a better situation compared to other counties.
But neither the stored grain nor the treasury silver is much.
Caring for the wounded is extremely costly, both in terms of manpower and money.
Besides.
This time it's over a hundred.
What about next time?
Before he could even say these words, Gong Bingfang already knew the answer in his heart.
Unexpectedly, Steward Su said, "Old Gong, you've done a great thing."
Why?
Because they save lives?!
Luo Hufang immediately said, "It is indeed a good thing for soldiers to fight against the rebels for the country and the people!"
When Gu Congsi arrived, he only told the whole story and said, "Serving the country and making contributions can bring longevity."
Gong Bingfang, who was already feeling guilty, immediately had tears in his eyes when he heard the two of them say that.
If he had had an official like that willing to help him when he was in the army, the soldiers' lives wouldn't have been so hard.
Su Qing remained silent.
That's not what she meant.
Everyone looked at her, and Su Qing coughed lightly and said, "What I mean is, since last year, Beijiang County has been on the front line for almost a year, so its logistics must be weak."
“Nanjiang County is very close to Beijiang County. If we have the capacity, we should provide assistance.”
To establish connections with the inner circle, one must pay a price.
Su Qing had considered bribery because he realized this.
Unexpectedly, what Commander Xue wanted was not gold or silver, but rather Nanjiang County's help in taking care of the wounded.
Su Qing not only accepted this, but even welcomed it.
One reason is that these soldiers defended their homeland and saved Nanjiang County.
Secondly, it would be strange if she wanted to sell wound medicine and didn't deal with the wounded.
As the county closest to the front line.
It would be foolish to insist on covering one's ears and keeping to oneself.
But she wasn't as righteous and awe-inspiring as everyone thought!
She just wanted to take care of the people of Nanjiang County.
However, in the eyes of others...
Su Qing's attitude is truly admirable.
In particular, the leader, Commander Zhou, relayed the attitude of the Nanjiang County officials back to the other side of the river, and then to Commander Xue.
Then, Commander Xue delivered it to the General.
Commander Xue added, "As expected of a general, he really thinks long-term."
"And this Su Qing is truly a heroine among women."
"Deliver this letter to Manager Su and assure her that the medicinal herb procurement is not a problem."
The second year of Yong Sheng, the sixth day of the third month.
Su Qing had just left the Bai family and Hao family medical clinics when she received a letter from Commander Zhou.
This week, Qianhu also suffered an arm injury, but it was minor; he was the leader of these wounded soldiers.
Even so, he still traveled back and forth between the two places, bringing back Xue Shoubei's letter as soon as possible.
Su Qing's eyes lit up, and she quickly opened the letter.
Commander Xue had a strong military style, and the content of his letter was very concise.
First, he thanked Nanjiang County for taking care of the wounded soldiers.
Then, he directly said that the General had already sent a message to the newly appointed eunuch, explaining the situation of medicinal herbs in Nanjiang County.
At that time, the eunuch will come to inspect in person.
However, with the General speaking up, it's highly likely that this is true.
This letter is not long.
However, a lot of information can be extracted from it.
First, the front lines had long been aware of the situation in Nanjiang County and were extremely familiar with the availability of wound medicines there; the general was paying close attention.
Second, Gong Bingfang went to Xue Shoubei's place five or six times, but there was no news for a long time, which is most likely related to the handover between the old and new eunuchs.
Third, as long as they entertain the new eunuch well, they can get their hands on the medicinal herb business in Nanjiang County, as well as the subsidies for the wounded soldiers' logistics department.
That's right.
Taking care of wounded soldiers naturally requires asking the court for subsidies.
If we could get our hands on this money.
It's even more stable than buying and selling medicinal herbs.
At that time, the lives of the people of Nanjiang County will be, if not extremely wealthy, at least very stable.
After putting the letter away, Su Qing smiled at Commander Zhou and said, "With Commander Xue and the General's words, I can rest assured."
"The Bai family's and Hao family's medical clinics are just temporary places to stay."
"I have ordered people to clean the local sales home, which will serve as a hospital for wounded soldiers. Could Commander Zhou go there and see if there is anything that needs to be replenished?"
Commander Zhou rarely smiled: "Steward Su is indeed very thoughtful. Shall we leave now?"
Dealing with the military isn't bad either; at least they're efficient.
If the soldiers are like this, then the commander-in-chief leading them must also be of the same temperament.
I heard that he is the new emperor's younger brother, and he is only nineteen years old this year.
It was this identity that gave Su Qing considerable confidence in this transaction.
For the next period of time, Su Qing had people inspect the medicinal fields while quickly setting up the orphanage and transferring the wounded soldiers there.
In addition to drawing manpower from seven pharmacies, a group of elderly women were temporarily recruited to care for the wounded and learn simple nursing and bandaging skills.
In this regard, Su Qing also formulated guidelines to help everyone get started quickly.
Unbeknownst to them, wounded soldiers began to wander around the town of Nanjiang.
At first, the local people were afraid and no one wanted to get close.
But as time went on, they naturally realized that there was still fighting on the front lines.
Were they hiding from the wounded, or were they pretending not to know that the fighting was still ongoing?
Deceiving oneself is rather pointless, and soon everyone started playing together, giving the wounded soldiers a place to relieve their boredom.
Upon seeing this, Su Qing was not overly happy; instead, she felt somewhat worried.
Luo Hufang, Gu Congsi did not know why.
Gong Bingfang, however, knew a thing or two: "Sir Su, are you afraid the soldiers will cause trouble?"
Su Qing nodded.
There are countless soldiers in the world.
Not every family's soldiers are like those in her previous life.
Now that we are aware of the problem, we must take preventative measures.
Su Qing immediately summoned Commander Zhou and explained his intentions.
Taking care of wounded soldiers is acceptable, but the lives of local residents must not be disturbed.
If any soldiers or soldiers get drunk and cause trouble, or forcibly seize goods, abduct women, or harass the people, they will be expelled from Nanjiang County.
Su Qing kept his word. One of the soldiers, who had just recovered, got drunk and smashed things in the shop.
He was immediately apprehended by the constables, tied up, and thrown to Commander Zhou.
After he sobers up and pays compensation, he will be loaded onto a ship and sent back to Commander Xue's place, and he will not be allowed to come here again.
Commander Zhou had no complaints about this and secretly praised Su Qing for doing the right thing.
The soldiers looked at each other, realizing that they were in the wrong first.
Some people say that she disciplined her third uncle, who then became obedient.
This matter is now concluded.
Su Qing couldn't help but sigh, wishing he could earn some money from the army.
That's really difficult.
However, what Su Qing least expected was that after the general learned about this, he actually wrote a letter to her personally.
The general's handwriting was extremely sharp and powerful, and in the letter he praised Su Qing for having the demeanor of a general.
That's how you should govern an army.
Su Qing raised an eyebrow.
This general is quite interesting.
I know that medicinal herbs are grown in Nanjiang County.
They knew they wanted to get in touch with the eunuchs.
They were also aware of the potential dangers these wounded soldiers might pose.
But each time, she would only push things along after she had solved most of the problem.
It seems that they are researching.
We need to examine what she is capable of and whether she is worth cooperating with.
Now it seems that it has passed the test?
He truly deserves to be a general; he is quite capable.
Anyway.
Their commander-in-chief has spoken.
The peaceful days in Nanjiang County can continue. Su Qing will have something to say about punishing these wounded soldiers again.
Su Qing initially wanted Liu Xiaomei to put the letter away, but then she looked at the words on it again.
I wish I had that kind of handwriting.
This will surely shut Gu Congsi up.
Su Qing thought for a moment and said, "Wait a minute, I'll copy it a few times first."
The usually quick-witted younger sister nodded blankly. Su Qing was a little puzzled and was about to ask what was going on when she saw Luo Hufang walking over quickly.
"Master Su! Garrison Commander Xue has sent word that the eunuch will arrive in five days!"
"We will specifically set up shop in Nanjiang County!"
eunuch!
The eunuch who buys medicinal herbs!
Su Qing couldn't help but laugh and said, "Great, it's finally coming."
Their medicinal herbs from Nanjiang County can now be sold!
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