61 Red Agate
"Five hundred taels."
Meanwhile, thousands of miles away, Xiao Pingchuan was also staring blankly at the agate fragments on the table.
He bought this agate from a merchant who frequently traveled outside the Great Wall.
That day, he followed Shatuo to Yiyang County and took the opportunity to inspect the city. He stopped when he saw a familiar vendor selling hairpins.
"Crippled man, let me see your most expensive hairpin," he said.
He knew this person; he was incredibly powerful and had access to all sorts of good things.
Previously, Xiao Pingchuan had purchased grain several times through his connections.
The cripple chuckled, lifted his animal-hide cloak to reveal a dazzling array of goods, and said with a wink, "General, you've won your first battle. Take whatever you like; consider it my congratulatory gift to you."
“No need,” Xiao Pingchuan said, his gaze sweeping around. “I still have enough money to buy a hairpin.”
"How about this white jade hairpin with two butterflies playing in the clouds? It's elegant and refined, carved from a single piece of white jade, with exquisite craftsmanship. Look at the butterfly wings, they're so lifelike."
Xiao Pingchuan took it and examined it carefully, but he wasn't very satisfied.
"Nothing else? Something brighter."
"Glamour? What about this gold filigree hairpin inlaid with chalcedony and kingfisher feathers? It's red and green, isn't it glamour enough?"
"Too tacky."
The cripple was speechless. "Then what kind does the general want? Tell me and I'll have the craftsmen make it for you."
When the topic turned to having a craftsman work, Xiao Pingchuan's heart stirred, and he asked, "Do you have any red agate? Just give me the raw stone."
The cripple knew immediately that he wanted to do it himself: "Do you have the skill? Don't waste my stone."
Although he said that, he still threw off the satchel on his shoulder, squatted down and began to rummage through it.
“I’ve heard that Ningyuan is quite lively lately. Every household is making some kind of heated kang (a traditional heated brick bed). Some people went to see it and said it was amazing, so they went home and started making their own.” The lame man asked Xiao Pingchuan while rummaging through some things, “Do you know what this thing is? They say it was made by the general’s wife and her people.”
“She led the people to do it, but I never interfere in her affairs. I didn’t expect it to spread this far.” Xiao Pingchuan’s tone was a little higher than usual.
The cripple sneered, "Here, the biggest piece," he stood up and stuffed it into Xiao Pingchuan's arms, "five hundred taels."
It was a palm-sized piece of natural red agate, normally selling for no less than a thousand taels, but the cripple didn't raise the price for him.
Xiao Pingchuan patted his money pouch. "I'll get you some good wolf pelts and send them over in a few days."
"Okay, I want one with fewer stray hairs."
His memories returned. There were still some agate pieces left on the table. He planned to carve another pair of teardrop-shaped earrings to match the hairpin; it should look nice.
He touched the warm, smooth agate, put it in a cloth, wrapped it up, and tucked it into his bosom before leaving the tent.
Outside the tent were the waiting generals. He swept his gaze across them and said in a deep voice, "In this final battle, I will make Zhu Xiegebo kneel and roll out of Daliang!"
Zhao Chengchun and others raised their arms and shouted, "Victory is certain! Victory is certain!"
This time, the battlefield was moved to the outskirts of Yiyang County. Relying on the supplies from Yiyang County, the Black Flag Army's morale soared. As soon as the horn was blown, they advanced directly and aggressively on flat ground without the slightest hesitation.
Shatuo gritted his teeth and charged forward, and the two armies immediately clashed in close combat.
Xiao Pingchuan charged into the formation, wielding his heavy sword and sweeping across the area, with no one daring to approach him.
Zhu Xie Ge Bo was protected by his subordinates and watched from a distance, not daring to approach. He was still thinking about the scene that afternoon when Xiao Pingchuan pressed him against the armrest of a chair and slammed him down. Suddenly, a throbbing pain shot through his forehead.
Perhaps he shouldn't have ignored his brother's advice.
At first, he heard that Xiao Pingchuan's Black Flag Army had been transferred away from Shule River, and then he heard that he would not be able to become a general.
He was so excited he couldn't sleep, and that very night he mustered his troops to cross the river. But his brother said that Xiao Pingchuan's control over the Black Flag Army was not just a nominal one, and he shouldn't launch a rash attack.
But he thought that his brother had been terrified by Xiao Pingchuan and wouldn't listen to a word.
Later, he led his troops across the Shule River and easily defeated the makeshift garrison, which seemed to come from nowhere. He dared not go east into Ningyuan, but instead went directly south to Liangzhou.
He indeed had a smooth journey and reaped the benefits.
But the sweet dream was interrupted by the sudden appearance of the Black Flag Army.
They attacked swiftly and ruthlessly, giving him almost no chance to retaliate. He had no choice but to lead his troops in a retreat while fighting, with fewer and fewer men remaining, while the road stretched ever longer.
He knew that Xiao Pingchuan intended to let him go; otherwise, he would have died long ago at the border of Jinzhou.
Although he didn't know why he had let him go, he knew that after this battle, regardless of victory or defeat, he had to retreat.
The war raged from noon until the sun began to set.
Zhu Xie Ge Bo finally sounded the retreat and fled back to the city.
He came with a claim of 100,000, but returned with less than 20,000. He didn't know how to explain this to his brother.
He was surrounded by people and fled westward in a disheveled state. Although no one was chasing him, he always felt a sense of urgency, as if he were being watched by a fierce, hungry wolf.
Xiao Pingchuan was indeed watching him from a distance, with Chai Shun and Zhao Chengchun beside him.
"General, are you really going to let him go?" Zhao Chengchun asked, puzzled but doing as instructed.
Chai Shun explained to Xiao Pingchuan, "Zhu Xie Zhikun has been seriously injured and has not yet recovered. I'm afraid his days are numbered. Zhu Xie Gebo is the most promising candidate to succeed the Shatuo king, but his cousin Zhu Xie Shalu is a troublesome character behind him. We can't let him take the throne."
"If his cousin is really as powerful as you say, how could Zhu Xiegebo have seized the throne?"
"That depends on fate. At worst, Zhu Xiegebo will die at his hands, causing an internal conflict, which is better than him dying at our hands."
Zhao Chengchun nodded and sighed, "If only we had more manpower and more provisions, we could have attacked the Shatuo royal court directly and vented our anger."
Xiao Pingchuan's gaze drifted into the distance, and he replied, "That day will come, very soon."
Everyone silently gazed in the direction of Shatuo, thinking, "One day, one day."
"Alright, let's rest for a bit and head back to our base in Shule River. The New Year is almost here."
"Yes, General."
Everyone turned around.
On the way back, Chai Shun asked Xiao Pingchuan in a low voice, "Is the general still spending the New Year at the Shule River this year?"
Xiao Pingchuan glanced at him expressionlessly.
Chai Shun chuckled: "Look at my feigned ignorance, General, you naturally want to go back to Ningyuan for the New Year."
"Yes, I want to go back earlier this year, so please make arrangements as soon as possible."
"Yes, General."
The days flowed by peacefully like water, and soon it was December.
By this time, the greenhouses in the western suburbs had been built, ten in total, each covering about five acres.
With wooden beams, oiled paper walls, and a roof woven from reeds, it looked very sturdy.
From the outside, the greenhouse doesn't look very tall, only about half the height of an adult. But it goes deep into the ground, and you have to go down steps to get in; the height inside is nearly six feet.
On the day the firewall was lit, Shen Suqin brought Shi Ye, Xu Youcai, and the others with her.
Zhou Baihu divided the thousand or so people into ten groups, with each group responsible for one shed.
After the fire was lit, Shen Suqin led Shi Ye inside. As the temperature inside the shed rose at a visible rate, Shi Ye's brows furrowed more and more.
"Are you sure this can really grow vegetables?"
“I’m sure,” Shen Suqin said confidently. “Once the land is prepared, we will plant the seeds. We’re planting cabbage that can be eaten in about half a month. With its lush green leaves, it will definitely make money.”
Shi Ye was deeply moved: "If this thing were promoted throughout the entire Liang Dynasty..."
Shen Suqin interrupted him: "Your Highness is overthinking it. Commander Zhou, tell His Highness how much a greenhouse costs."
"Reporting to Madam, it is four thousand three hundred taels of silver."
"Your Highness has heard this. Ordinary families cannot afford it, and for the noble families who can afford it, are you sure you want to add to their wealth?"
Shi Ye sighed: "Then let's keep it a secret for now."
Shen Suqin nodded: "Zhou, the centurion."
"Your Highness, please rest assured."
"Did you find the person I asked you to?" Shen Suqin continued to ask.
It's not just the people who farm the land, but also those who harvest, pack, and transport the vegetables later on.
This batch of vegetables will inevitably be transported to all parts of the country. The route can be through Xingyuan's own internal roads, but the person transporting the goods must come from her side.
"We did search, but due to confidentiality concerns, we mostly contacted family members. We don't know..."
Zhou Wu felt somewhat guilty as he said this. He had to admit that keeping it a secret was one reason, but another was out of personal motives.
Previously, by weaving reed curtains, every household in the village had made a small fortune, enough to at least buy their children a winter coat.
From then on, everyone knew that working with the lady would definitely make money, so they would always consider their own people whenever they had the chance.
I wonder if Madam would mind this idea of keeping things private.
Unexpectedly, Shen Suqin clapped his hands and said, "How could I not have thought of that? This is very good. Commander Zhou has considered everything carefully."
After saying that, she looked at Xu Youcai and said, "The person recommended by Brother Xu is indeed reliable."
Xu Youcai scratched the back of his head, feeling quite happy, and instructed Zhou Baihu, "Do a good job."
"Yes!" Zhou Baihu shouted excitedly.
After leaving the greenhouse, the group headed towards the city. As December approached, the weather grew increasingly cold. Even though Shen Suqin was bundled up like a ball, she was still shivering with cold.
Shi Ye glanced at her, then quickly walked a few steps to the wind's edge to shield her from the wind, saying, "The land survey has been arranged, and it's planned to be completed before the end of the year, but I don't know if that's feasible."
Xu Youcai didn't like hearing this and said coldly, "Your Highness is overthinking it. Although my brothers have retired from the army, they still consider themselves Black Flag Army members at heart. The Black Flag Army obeys orders without question. Since they said they would finish before the end of the year, they will definitely finish."
Shi Ye: "General Xu is right."
“Everyone can guess the reason for measuring the land, and they are naturally motivated. Even if the weather is bad, I believe everyone will be willing to put in the effort,” Shen Suqin said, trying to smooth things over. “After all, it concerns their own livelihood.”
At this point, Shen Suqin remembered that there seemed to be tens of thousands of veterans. They couldn't just give them land to farm, so other industries should be gradually established as well.
But alas, I'm short of money.
It seems we still have to wait until we make some money from the greenhouses and hot pot restaurants first.
Yes, we still need to think about what to plant on the divided land.
Millet thrives in warm climates, so it's more suitable to plant it in cooler areas. Jinzhou is supposed to have fertile soil and low temperatures, making it ideal for growing corn, potatoes, soybeans, and other crops, but unfortunately, none of these are grown in Daliang.
Wait, if Daliang doesn't have it, perhaps it will be outside the pass.
Should she write a letter to ask about Brother Yan's recent situation?
“Madam, Madam…” Xu Youcai called out to her.
Shen Suqin snapped out of her daze: "What's wrong?"
"The general asked me to ask you whether your wife would like to go winter hunting with him."
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