solemn promise

Chiyun nodded appreciatively: "Exactly. Therefore, we cannot let our guard down yet. With just the territory of Yanzhou, standing against the imperial court is no easy task. We must be prepared for five, ten, or even twenty years. We need to defend externally and consolidate internally, support the military with agriculture, and open up grain routes. That is the long-term strategy."

 

She looked around at everyone present, except for Bumu'er, who remained uncooperative, all waiting for her to continue.

 

"As autumn approaches, the imperial court will send someone to collect tribute before the end of the year. Before then, we must be prepared. As usual, I will outline my plan first, and everyone can share their thoughts. Let's pool our ideas."

 

 

Chiyun wore a lotus-colored dress, sitting beside Cui Yi, making her appear even more gentle and demure.

 

Her tone was calm and gentle: "The wheat in the fields is almost ripe. General Cao, you will have to work hard again. After harvesting the grains, they must be carefully counted, registered, and stored. After this harvest, select the best seeds for planting next spring. Then, we should not worry about food shortages anymore."

 

Cao Qian readily agreed and outlined the personnel arrangements for harvesting wheat, sorghum, and other crops. Chiyun nodded in approval.

 

Cui Yi interjected: "Yanzhou often has heavy rains in autumn. Be careful when drying the wheat."

 

Chiyun couldn't help but smile: "Does Your Highness understand farming now?"

 

Cui Yi raised his chin proudly: "This prince casually read some books you brought from the capital during my leisure time. Reading alone is insufficient; I should go to the fields soon."

 

Bai Li Zan, feeling gratified, cupped his hands: "If His Highness leads by example, it will be a blessing for the entire army!" Cui Yi had only mentioned visiting the fields, not working, and was thus left speechless, smiling awkwardly.

 

Chiyun chuckled inwardly and turned to Bai Li Zan: "Mr. Bai helps His Highness review documents daily, which is quite demanding. Fortunately, things have been relatively quiet lately, so it's a good time to relax."

 

"How exactly should I relax? Am I supposed to roll up my pants and cut wheat in the fields?" Bai Li Zan asked with a pleading look.

 

"Of course not!" Chiyun laughed. "I noticed that Yanzhou lacks quality schools. In winter, when the ground freezes, nothing much can be done. How about preparing to open a temporary private school for the children in the city? The requirements are not high; just teach them to recognize more characters and understand basic morals. What do you think?"

 

Bai Li Zan thought for a moment, finding it manageable since he had previously been a teacher. He agreed and asked: "Where will the school be located? Who can attend? Will there be tuition fees?"

 

Chiyun generously replied: "Next door to the palace, there's a yard where poultry and livestock are kept, and silkworms are raised indoors. But once winter comes, we won't be able to raise silkworms anymore, so we'll use the indoor space for the school. We'll put up a notice, inviting children under sixteen in the city to attend for free. You must strictly discipline them; any misbehaving students will be warned once and expelled after two offenses. They can try again next year."

 

Bai Li Zan was about to nod in agreement when Cui Yi added: "Also teach them military strategies and tactics. They are children now, but in a few years, they will be soldiers. It won't hurt to learn more."

 

"But... I've only read about military strategies in books and don't have much practical experience..." Bai Li Zan said hesitantly.

 

"Then visit the military camp frequently. Theory alone is shallow," Cui Yi retorted.

 

Everyone burst into laughter, turning away or covering their mouths. Cui Yi seized the opportunity to retaliate, leaving Bai Li Zan no choice but to accept tearfully.

 

Shan Jian said: "Regarding military strategies, I've read many books and can assist Mr. Wen Yu."

 

He had never volunteered to do anything since coming to Yanzhou, always being consulted by Cui Yi or Chiyun. This was unprecedented.

 

But Chiyun smiled and shook her head: "Mr. Shan, didn't you say that legitimate professions weren't suitable for you? I have something more important that only you can handle."

 

Xu Cheng curiously asked: "What's more important? I heard from Zhonghang that you lacked food earlier this year and went to Dongchang to buy rice. Yanzhou has relied on imperial aid for years. Now that the emperor isn't providing food, do we still need to buy it? Buying every year isn't sustainable."

 

"It's similar, but we're going to Xuanzhou instead," Chiyun explained without minding the interruption. "Traveling to Dongchang is too far and treacherous. Buying ten thousand stones of rice would be impractical. For Yanzhou's needs over the next ten years, we need at least one hundred thousand stones. Even if we could buy that much in Dongchang, transporting it back would be difficult."

 

Shan Jian frowned, pondering: "Xuanzhou is a land of fish and rice, and buying two hundred thousand stones shouldn't be a problem. But do we have enough money? Also, news of the Xie siblings' failed betrayal and deaths has spread. Whether Xie Xiaoxin believes it or not is uncertain. If he doesn't, rice prices in Xuanzhou might skyrocket, making it impossible to buy."

 

Chiyun smiled confidently: "Whether he believes it or not, merchants in Xuanzhou still need to conduct business. The Xie family can only create a fuss like they did with pork prices, preventing Xuanzhou merchants from selling rice to us. But we don't have to identify ourselves as Yanzhou's military representatives. There are other border prefectures adjacent to Xuanzhou besides Yanzhou."

 

Cao Qian suddenly understood: "We'll pretend to be Gan Prefecture's military!"

 

Chiyun continued: "However, this time, it's different from tricking the Northern Di troops. One hundred thousand stones of rice can't be gathered in a few days. If possible, we should also purchase leather armor, arrows, knives, and other supplies. It's challenging and risky, requiring careful deception. We must avoid being discovered by the Xie family or recognized by the governor of Gan Prefecture. The task is daunting—Mr. Shan?"

 

"Huh?" Shan Jian snapped out of his thoughts. Chiyun smiled: "You said you're skilled at deceit. This mission to deceive and obtain supplies falls to you."

 

Shan Jian smiled bitterly: "Understood."

 

Chiyun added: "It's also a chance to take a break and enjoy the scenery in Xuanzhou. Maybe you'll meet someone special. Next year, the mansion will be livelier."

 

Shan Jian was momentarily stunned. Chiyun nodded, and Shan Jian felt a mix of emotions. She had seen through his reluctance to fully commit to Cui Yi, treating him with understanding and acceptance, striving to meet his psychological needs.

 

"I will not fail Your Highness and Lady Chiyun!"

 

His gratitude transformed into a solemn promise.

 

Chiyun then assigned tasks to Yang Qiong, whose injuries hadn't fully healed. He was tasked with acquiring rapeseed, soybeans, and other high-quality seeds from nearby farmers before winter to plant new fields in the spring.

 

Xu Cheng needed to return home to report to his father. Chiyun had a maid bring him a beautifully crafted box containing valuable medicinal herbs from the capital and local ones collected by Yang Qiong during hunting trips. Xu Cheng gratefully accepted the gift.

 

With the tasks assigned, they moved on to casual conversation, drinking and eating. After several rounds of drinks, everyone became slightly tipsy. Suddenly, Cui Yi spoke: "Bo Muer, I respect you as a hero. You saved and sheltered Chiyun when she was in trouble. I will remember your kindness forever. If the Boxia tribe encounters any difficulties, come to Yanzhou, and I will help within my means. I won't force you to stay. After this defeat, the Northern Di won't dare to act rashly for a long time. If you wish to return to the Borjigin grasslands, you can leave anytime. I've already instructed the border guards to allow passage. I hope we remain friends when we meet again."

 

Cui Yi's words instantly silenced the banquet hall. Bo Muer, pouring himself another drink, coldly responded: "I never considered you a friend, nor do I seek such connections."

 

"That's your choice. Chiyun and I are husband and wife, inseparable. Since you are her friend, you are mine as well. Whether you see me as a friend or enemy is up to you."

 

Bo Muer sneered: "Considering a rival as a friend explains why you ended up exiled to Yanzhou."

 

For a moment, Cui Yi's eyes flashed with murderous intent, causing the temperature in the room to drop. Chiyun feared he might act impulsively and ruin their plans.

 

But Cui Yi controlled himself, remaining calm: "You consider me a rival because Chiyun loves me, while she doesn't love you. So, in my eyes, you aren't a rival at all."

 

Hearing this, Bai Li Zan and the others were awestruck. Cui Yi's words cut deeply, humiliating Bo Muer.

 

Bo Muer's face darkened, his hand clenching into a fist, veins bulging. Sang Duo quickly grabbed his arm: "Brother!"

 

"You merely exploit her intelligence to pave your path to the throne. What have you done for her? All you do is brag about her loving you. Why not prove how much you care in front of everyone?" Bo Muer accused coldly.

 

Cui Yi calmly asked: "How would you like me to prove it?"

 

Sang Duo tried to restrain him, but Bo Muer persisted, locking eyes with Cui Yi: "If she's the most important person in your life, you wouldn't mind rewarding me with gold for saving her."

 

Cui Yi sighed in relief: "Naturally willing. Guards—"

 

Bo Muer changed his tone: "But gold and silver are useless to the Boxia people, children of the grasslands. If I ask for Jinwu, would you give it to me?"

 

Cui Yi and Chiyun were stunned. Everyone else looked horrified.

 

Stallone couldn't contain himself and stood up: "This is outrageous! Just because you saved Lady Chiyun, you think you can demand anything? If you want Jinwu, you'll have to take my head!"

 

Cui Yi stopped him: "Zhonghang, stop!"

 

Bo Muer smirked, raising an eyebrow provocatively.

 

Chiyun hadn't expected her joke to come true. Jinwu was invaluable and nearly impossible to tame. How could Cui Yi part with a horse that had accompanied him through countless battles?

 

"Do you really want it?" Cui Yi asked calmly.