The Comeback of the Cannon-Fodder Supporting Actress-Chapter 1017 - 994: Honor Amidst Chaos

In the middle of the night, Xiao Yuan sent people to every prefecture to call for others. As soon as these men heard, they knew it was urgent, so they hastily climbed out of their warm beds and rushed over.

The temperature was low at night, and the cold wind hit the body, it was really cold. Added to that, it had drizzled just as night fell, making it even colder now.

When those people arrived at the Xiao Mansion and entered the house, they were shivering from the cold.

Xiao Jin and Xiao Ling’s homes were nearby, so they were the first to arrive.

Following them were Yuan Wei and Dong Da. Mr. Song lived a bit farther, and being somewhat frail, he was the last to arrive.

Once everyone was present, Xiao Yuan said, "I just received word that our salt convoy heading to Yuexuan Prefecture was robbed."

Xiao Jin immediately stood up: "Where was it robbed?"

Xiao Yuan looked at Dong Da, who quickly stood up and said, "It was robbed in Yuexuan Prefecture."

Xiao Ling slammed his fist on the table: "That batch of salt is no small number. We’ve suffered a huge loss this time."

Yuan Wei started calculating in his mind how much silver coin had been lost.

At this moment, Anning walked into the study with Lin Lianshuang.

She smiled and said, "I’m sorry to have dragged everyone here in this freezing weather. I’ve specially cooked some hot food in the kitchen. Please eat something first, then we’ll discuss."

Anning instructed the maids to serve the small dishes and wontons.

The few people were indeed hungry, so they gathered around and started eating.

Anning handed a large bowl of wontons to Xiao Yuan: "Eat quickly while it’s hot."

Xiao Yuan held the bowl and ate with gusto.

After finishing the meal, Xiao Yuan smiled and said, "You and Miss Lin should sit and listen too."

Anning then pulled Lin Lianshuang to sit beside them to listen.

Xiao Jin then said, "Third Brother, we can’t take this loss without paying back. We must get an explanation from Yuexuan Prefecture, and they need to return the salt to us."

Xiao Ling also nodded: "Indeed, we must send people to urge Yuexuan Prefecture to return the salt."

Yuan Wei said, "This batch of salt is not small, originally meant for sale in Yuexuan Prefecture. If sold, we’d have gotten a considerable amount of silver taels, which would allow us to procure some goods locally. We were counting on exchanging these goods for grain in the South Ocean."

Dong Da clenched his fist: "My lord, I can gather our troops immediately and head to Yuexuan Prefecture to leave no stone unturned."

Mr. Song pondered for a moment: "My lord, were there any casualties among our men, if so, how many?"

Dong Da quickly replied: "Two people died, and some were captured. I’ve already sent spies to rescue our men."

Mr. Song then said, "We should let the spies investigate who exactly robbed our salt before preparing our next move."

Xiao Yuan thought for a moment and looked at Lin Lianshuang: "What does Miss Lin think?"

Lin Lianshuang hesitated: "Is Third Young Master asking me?"

Xiao Yuan nodded.

The others all looked at Lin Lianshuang.

They didn’t understand why Xiao Yuan would ask a woman, but as they were all his most loyal subordinates, they said nothing since he was asking.

Lin Lianshuang smiled and cupped her hands towards Xiao Yuan: "Congratulations, Third Young Master."

Dong Da glared angrily at Lin Lianshuang: "You, woman, do not appreciate kindness. Our lord is asking you a question, and you just say congratulations. Congratulations on what? On our salt being robbed?"

Xiao Yuan raised a hand: "Brother Dong, sit down and let Miss Lin finish."

Lin Lianshuang was not upset at all; instead, she smiled even more cheerfully: "Yuexuan Prefecture’s geographical location is excellent, it’s only separated from our Nanyi Prefecture by Pingyang Prefecture, and it’s a place that can be both attacked and defended. If we take Yuexuan Prefecture, Pingyang Prefecture, sandwiched in between, will be within reach. However, we never had any reason to march into Yuexuan Prefecture, but this time it’s different. Our salt was lost, which is a perfect excuse. The lord can send people to Yuexuan Prefecture to spread rumors saying that the lord sympathizes with the people of Yuexuan Prefecture for their lack of salt. The salt prices in Yuexuan Prefecture are rising daily, all due to collusion between officials and merchants, hoarding goods, and profiteering. The lord, unable to bear this, sent salt intended to be sold at a low price to Yuexuan’s people, but the big merchants and government colluded to raise salt prices by robbing them."

Xiao Yuan kept nodding: "Miss Lin, continue."

Lin Lianshuang continued: "Spreading rumors alone is not enough, it is also necessary to incite the people of Yuexuan to riot, causing chaos. At the same time, the lord can negotiate with officials of Pingyang Prefecture, offering them some incentives, to allow us passage to Yuexuan Prefecture to question why this happened and seek justice."

"Bang."

Xiao Yuan joyfully clapped his hands: "Miss Lin’s plan is excellent, once they agree to allow us passage, we can march our troops to Yuexuan under the guise of Pingyang. When Yuexuan descends into chaos, we seize the opportunity to capture Yuexuan and then, from two sides with the troops of Nanyi Prefecture, capture Pingyang, securing us the Five Prefectures."

Anning had already brought out the map.

Unfolding the map, Xiao Yuan led everyone to view it.

On the map, Nanyi Prefecture, Ningyang Prefecture, Yuexuan Prefecture, Xifeng Prefecture, and Pingyang Prefecture were all adjacent, forming a shape similar to a triangle. Yuexuan Prefecture was at the tip of the triangle. Capturing Yuexuan Prefecture not only increased Xiao Yuan’s power but also allowed a strategic offensive and defensive stance, thus no longer having any worries.

"Miss Lin’s strategy is brilliant."

Xiao Yuan slapped the map.

He turned to Yuan Wei: "Brother Yuan, do we have assurance of our supplies?"

Yuan Wei nodded: "I know the supplies at Nanyi Prefecture, they are sufficient."

Anning smiled: "We also have ample military supplies. Other prefectures are not short of food and drink now either."

Dong Da and Xiao Jin said: "We’ve also recruited some soldiers, and now have adequate troops."

Xiao Yuan then smiled: "In that case, let’s make some arrangements and act according to Miss Lin’s plan."

He cupped his hands towards Mr. Song: "Brother Song, I must trouble you to send more ships to the South Ocean to trade for grain, and wait until spring and summer next year when the grain in our five prefectures is harvested, we won’t lack food anymore."

Xiao Yuan spoke with confidence, firmly believing he could capture Yuexuan and Pingyang Prefectures.

After arranging these matters, Xiao Yuan publicly asked Lin Lianshuang: "I shamelessly ask Miss Lin to stay and be my military advisor."

Everyone was stunned again.

Xiao Jin and Xiao Ling both turned to look at Anning.

They were afraid Anning might have thoughts about it.

After all, Miss Lin was a woman, and a beautiful and talented one at that. If she were to stay as a military advisor for a long time, who knows what might happen?

But to everyone’s surprise, Anning showed no concern. Instead, she warmly linked arms with Lin Lianshuang: "Miss Lin, don’t think about anything else. Just ask yourself if you want to. If you’re willing to stay as our military advisor, we as husband and wife will surely treat you well. If not, things will remain as they are, and we won’t be upset or force you."

Those words were truly skillful.

Xiao Jin thought that his third sister-in-law was really good at winning people’s hearts.

However, everyone knew she was winning hearts, yet they didn’t feel the slightest resentment. On the contrary, they were very grateful to her, finding her particularly amiable.

Lin Lianshuang smiled: "Third Young Master and Lady are too kind. If I were unwilling, I wouldn’t have entered this study. Since I’ve come, I’ve decided to stay at Nanyi Prefecture."

Xiao Yuan immediately smiled: "With Miss Lin’s assistance, I can only describe it as adding wings to a tiger."

"It’s good that you’ve agreed. I was worried you wouldn’t and would have other thoughts. Now that you’ve agreed, we’ll be like family from now on."

Anning took Lin Lianshuang by the arm and started to leave: "It’s late, Miss Lin must be sleepy, and I’m tired too. Let’s go back to rest, and let these men discuss on their own."

Anning and Lin Lianshuang walked out affectionately.

Xiao Yuan helplessly smiled, rubbed his nose, and sat down to discuss with the others how to proceed.