Chapter 244: Chapter 244: Mobilizing the Troops (Part 1)
Chen Jinyu did not mean to discourage, she was only stating the real and possible issues that could arise.
Jiang Shaohua gave a light sigh, "If we are to act, some risks must be taken. Currently, Nanyang County has an abundance of grain; watching the people in the northern counties starve one after another is unbearable to my heart."
Under the condition that the people of Nanyang will not go hungry, she must take action.
This is the responsibility required of her as the Nanyang County Princess of the Jiang Family’s Imperial lineage.
Chen Zhuo glanced approvingly at the Commandery Princess, "Since the Commandery Princess has decided, I will go and draft the official document."
Jiang Shaohua nodded slightly and specifically instructed, "Besides the official document, write a letter to all the County Magistrates. The grain exchange should not be rushed, nor should anyone use it to oppress the people."
Chen Zhuo raised an eyebrow and smiled confidently, "Even if they were given the courage, they would not dare; Commandery Princess, you can rest assured."
Jiang Shaohua made a sound of acknowledgment, yet her mood remained heavy.
In the past life, Emperor Taikang passed away from a stroke. Calculating the days, less than a year remains.
After Emperor Taikang passed, the young Crown Prince ascended to the throne. The tribes outside the Da Liang Country borders took advantage of the unstable times and boldly sent troops to invade the border, resulting in years of war for Da Liang Dynasty, leading to a decline in national fortune and hardship for the people. Especially the northern populace, suffering from drought, locust plagues, and then war, living days bitterly beyond words. Starved corpses were seen across thousands of miles.
Upon returning to this life, she has been preparing for the chaos soon to come, yet when the curtains opened, she still felt sorrowful and perplexed.
Chief Historian Chen hurried to write official documents and letters, while Chen Jinyu accompanied the Commandery Princess, observing her heavy heart, he began to console, "The matters of the court, the Emperor, Crown Prince, Prime Minister Wang, along with the Empress Dowager and Duke An, will be handling them. We in Nanyang are far from the Capital City; even if it’s chaotic there, it can hardly affect us here in Nanyang County."
Jiang Shaohua looked at Chen Jinyu, "Thinking like that, you seem rather naive. If the Capital is stable, the court is stable, then the world can be at peace. We in Nanyang can live a peaceful life. Once the court falls into chaos, the world follows suit, seeking a whole life’s stability in such tumultuous times, how difficult it is."
Chen Jinyu scratched his head, "What should be done then?"
Jiang Shaohua was silent for a moment, then softly spoke, "First, do what I can now, until the day really comes, with sufficient strength, to protect Nanyang Prince Mansion and safeguard the people of Nanyang County."
...
On that day, the official documents and letters from the Prince Mansion were swiftly dispatched. The distances to the Fourteen Counties varied; the closest took half a day, the farthest about five to six days.
The County Magistrates quickly became busy.
For the people, exchanging grain was a favorable thing. Corn and sweet potatoes were new grains and not too accustomed to eating. Leaving enough seed grains, exchange the remaining corn and sweet potatoes for wheat, millet, rice, and beans. The people were quite pleased.
Quickly, the grain at Taiping Grain Warehouse was gradually swapped.
Speaking of grain warehouses, the West E Tang Family must be mentioned.
In these two years, the Tang Family fully invested in buying and storing grain, achieving great merit. Grandmaster Tang became a frequent guest at the Prince Mansion, having a seat at the Prince Mansion’s spring banquet for two consecutive years. This was the greatest honor to the Tang Family. Grandmaster Tang’s position as Family Head was solid as a mountain, unshakeable by anyone.
Presently, the Tang Family encountered difficulty.
The North suffered two years of drought, and the court requisitioned grain from the South for relief. Under such circumstances, the Tang Family’s grain-buying channels abruptly shrank by eighty percent. The remaining twenty percent had to be quietly purchased and transported back. If during the journey they encountered rioting hungry people robbing grain, they would face a significant loss.
On this day, Grandmaster Tang received the bad news.
Among the five groups sent out to buy grain, one encountered bandits. The grain was not only stolen, but several house servants transporting grain were killed, and two Tang Family men also met with disaster.
The news spread, and Grandmaster Tang’s face turned extremely grim.
While he strained to comfort the crying womenfolk, he also sent someone to the Prince Mansion with fast horses.
The Commandery Princess had said, the Tang Family is buying grain for Nanyang County. If something happens, the Commandery Princess will surely stand by the Tang Family.
"That’s clearly speaking to deceive you, and you dare to believe it." Old Master Tang, idle for over two years, spat harshly at Grandmaster Tang, "This time, losing a thousand stones of grain is nothing, but having two legitimate descendants of the Tang Family killed, along with more than ten house servants, I want to see how you handle this mess."
Grandmaster Tang’s mouth was covered with blisters, his eyes red; he spoke resolutely, "I believe the Commandery Princess will truly stand up for the Tang Family."
Old Master Tang snorted coldly, "Then let’s wait and see! If the Commandery Princess is unwilling to stand up for the Tang Family, you might as well give up the position of Family Head."
In the three days waiting for news, Grandmaster Tang felt like he was being fried in oil, visibly losing weight.
Three days later, Nanyang Prince Mansion sent someone.
The one delivering the message was the Commandery Princess’s trusted aide Qin Hu.
Qin Hu dismounted, took out a letter from his chest, and handed it to Grandmaster Tang, "This is the Commandery Princess’s personal letter, for Grandmaster Tang’s review."
Jiang Shaohua’s courtesy towards Grandmaster Tang was well-known throughout the Prince Mansion. Qin Hu, as the Commandery Princess’s personal guard, was more than aware and was very polite to Grandmaster Tang.
Grandmaster Tang’s anxious heart was greatly eased the moment he saw the Commandery Princess’s letter. After opening and reading it, he was moved to tears, "The Commandery Princess shows such generosity towards the Tang Family; I, Tang Wu, will become a loyal servant to the Commandery Princess."
Qin Hu quietly comforted the agitated and distressed Grandmaster Tang, "Upon learning the grain was snatched by bandits, the Commandery Princess was furious. She wrote two letters, one for you, and the other has been sent to the Nanyang Army Camp. Within days, the Nanyang Army will dispatch to eliminate those bandits, retrieve the grain, and avenge the Tang disciples’ grievances."
Grandmaster Tang wiped his tears heavily, "The Nanyang Army is, after all, a court army, dispatched under the Commandery Princess’s orders; will this provoke the court’s apprehension?"
No wonder Grandmaster Tang could earn an exceptional view from the Commandery Princess. Even during such moments, an undistracted mind from hatred, still considered for the Commandery Princess.
Qin Hu’s gaze towards Grandmaster Tang grew warmer, "Rest assured, the Commandery Princess has already sent a memorial to the court."
Simultaneously dispatching troops and submitting a memorial, it’s completing the procedure later. Currently, the court is in chaos due to Emperor Taikang’s stroke, hardly caring about the Nanyang Army.
Grandmaster Tang thought for a moment, then said, "The Nanyang Army is dispatched, the Tang Family shouldn’t just watch and do nothing. Somebody must lead the way for the troops. I’ll go to the Nanyang Army now."
Grandmaster Tang intended to personally lead the way.
Truly a man!
Qin Hu gave Grandmaster Tang a thumbs-up, didn’t say much, instead spoke directly, "I’ll accompany Grandmaster Tang."
Old Master Tang opened his mouth to say something, but seeing the resolute face of Grandmaster Tang, suddenly couldn’t speak a word.
Over these two or more years, whenever he thought about the sibling who took the position of Family Head, fiercely burning anger arose in his heart. At this moment, he suddenly woke up.
The Tang Family’s Family Head should indeed be Tang Wu.
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