vstars Chapter 767: Chicken, duck, fish, pig, everything
Chapter 767: Chicken, duck, fish, pig, everything
The next day, just after dawn, Prince Yan set off with his guards. The sound of horse hooves soon disappeared in the morning mist at the entrance of the village.
Zhou Wei was summoned back to the study by Jing Yongcheng and Jing Changning. The conversation lasted a full half hour, punctuated by hushed discussions and arguments. Finally, Zhou Wei, with a solemn expression, pushed the door open and hurried away.
Jing Chunxi and Xu Zize were called in next. The old general, the old lady, and Jing Yongning were already seated in the room. The old general sat in the main seat, his fingers tapping the armrests. The old lady clutched a string of Buddhist beads, her eyes filled with anxiety.
Jing Yongning, who was in the next position, could only be seen from the side and his expression could not be seen clearly.
Even though she slept with her granddaughter last night, the old lady hadn't slept all night. She would occasionally get up to check on Jing Chunxi's sleeping face, or stare blankly at the moonlight outside the window. But Jing Chunxi fell into a deep sleep the moment he touched the pillow, his breathing steady and long.
The old lady had countless questions in her mind, but she didn't get to ask anything. At this moment, it felt like there were millions of ants crawling in her heart, making her feel uneasy.
"Why did you dream about your second uncle? How is he? Is he in the enemy camp? Can he be saved? Tell me!" Jing Yongcheng spoke first and asked a series of questions.
His sharp gaze shot straight at Jing Chunxi, his eyes were complicated and difficult to read, showing both expectation and worry.
Seeing that the three of them were staring at him, Jing Chunxi pursed his lips nervously and thought for a while before speaking.
She deliberately omitted some details, keeping the dream simple and clear. Regarding the scene in the swamp where Jing Chang'an was bleeding and barely breathing, she simply described it lightly, "My second uncle seemed to be slightly injured, but he wasn't caught. He's in a swamp." After saying this, she quietly observed the elders' reactions.
"How long have the people my uncle sent to look for him been gone? Is there any news?" The old lady's voice trembled. She leaned forward, the Buddhist beads in her hands creaking. Her eyes were more anxious than the other two, as if she was ready to set out to find her son herself at any moment.
Even so, Jing Chunxi was relieved after changing the subject. If she continued to ask about her second uncle's business affairs, she was really afraid that she would tell everything.
She replied softly, "Before Sister Xi left Lingnan last year, the five hundred elite soldiers assigned by my uncle had already set off lightly, led by General Su himself."
She paused, and seeing that the old lady wanted to ask more questions, she added, "It probably hasn't been found yet, otherwise there would definitely be news."
Seeing Jing Chunxi stop talking, the old lady's face wrinkled even deeper. "This divine aunt..." She hesitated, finally squeezing the Buddhist beads on her wrist and swallowing the words that were on the tip of her tongue. The beads made a small clinking sound in her hand.
"Don't worry, old lady. No news is the best news." Xu Zize couldn't stand this atmosphere and their dejected look, so he quickly interrupted.
His voice was steady and powerful, his eyes sweeping across everyone's face. "Xiao Kang also believed Xi'er's dream, which at least means that the Second General is still alive."
"That's right," Jing Chunxi quickly agreed, "Since it's a tip from the fairy aunt, it's always a good move. Aunt is helping us!" She tried to make her tone sound lighter, but she couldn't hide the worry in her eyes.
"I hope so! God bless my son and keep him safe." The old lady closed her eyes and turned the Buddhist beads in her hands faster.
Her lips trembled slightly as she silently recited a prayer.
"What about you? Making a promise is like issuing a military order to King Yan. What are your plans?" The old general finally got to the point in a low and majestic voice.
Upon hearing this, Jing Chunxi and Xu Zize immediately straightened their backs and their expressions became serious.
"There's not much food in the space, right?" Jing Changning suddenly asked, his sharp eyes seemed to be able to see through people's hearts.
Their main purpose for this trip was to unload sweet potato flour, dried bamboo shoots, tea, and porcelain. The food reserves in the space might not be as abundant as they claimed. He knew it was hard to guarantee.
Jing Chunxi: "I will unload the sweet potato flour, dried bamboo shoots, black fungus, shiitake mushrooms and so on to the backyard later. The empty space can soon be used to plant new rice or wheat." In order to reassure the elders, she deliberately spoke with confidence.
In reality, she was thinking, the crops in this space have a short growth cycle, allowing for four or five harvests a year. After unloading the porcelain and tea in Xuwen County, she would plant food in every nook and cranny, letting it sprout wherever there was soil.
She turned to look at Xu Zize, seeking support and asked, "We still have to go to Jiangnan, right?"
Xu Zize nodded without hesitation: "Of course, it is the granary of the world. Although it has been getting worse year by year in recent years, as long as you can afford the price, you can still get a lot."
"There's no need to unload the sweet potato flour," the old lady said suddenly, opening her eyes, and the Buddhist beads stopped turning in her hands. "The soldiers can eat it even if they cook it into a paste. Also, collect all the steamed and dried vermicelli in the workshop in the backyard." Her tone left no room for doubt, and it was obvious that she had thought it over carefully.
Her words were met with an appreciative glance from the old general, who nodded slightly. "You are indeed thoughtful, old woman. The people are struggling, and it may not be easy to collect food. Taxes have been increasing over the past few years, and the common people certainly don't have much food left. We can only rely on the owner of the manor."
The old lady who seemed to be resting with her eyes closed was actually listening to their discussion with her ears perked up. As soon as she talked about the food issue, she immediately had an idea.
She sat up straight, a shrewd glint in her eyes. "Food isn't just rice and wheat. Sweet potatoes and taro are enough to fill our stomachs. We've harvested tens of thousands of pounds of unpulped sweet potatoes. Sister Xi will collect them all later."
Having said that, she paused, and as if afraid that Jing Chunxi would refuse, she added: "Eat it when you run out of food, and bring it back to me if you can't finish it." At this time, the old lady had completely regained her former shrewdness and ability, her eyes had regained clarity, and she began to make arrangements in an orderly manner.
"Yes! If we can't harvest grain, we can harvest miscellaneous grains from Lingnan. Beans and dried fruits can also fill our stomachs."
"Let's also collect the sea ducks and dried fish raised by the fishermen! The soldiers can't live without some meat." Thinking of the continuous loss of several cities and countless defeats, it's no surprise that the dog emperor is angry and doesn't send military rations. Xu Zize suggested.
"Collect them all, chickens, ducks, fish and pigs. This way the soldiers will know who is good to them and whether the people are on their side. It will be clear at a glance then." Jing Changning's words were a bit harsh.
If he had not studied since childhood and was not good at fighting, he would really like to ride his horse and whip it, rush to the battlefield, and drive out the Tatars himself.
The old lady was still scolding them, "Don't be short of salt, prepare plenty. Lard alone won't do. Bean oil from Lingnan is the best."