The Slender Waist-Chapter 267 - 187 Asking for Money or Goods

Uncle Wentian brought the measuring tape and tools, with two artisans measuring by his side and one person keeping records. Time was tight, and everyone took their tasks seriously.

Feng Yun brought Tan Dajin over. This child’s cleverness really didn’t seem like he could be Xing Bing’s own, following closely behind Feng Yun, addressing her with ’ah niang’ and looking simple and honest, but carrying out tasks with remarkable efficiency.

After taking him for a walk around the area, Feng Yun turned back and gave her instructions.

"Xiaozhou, I need you to take care of something for me."

Tan Dajin always enjoyed working with the young lady the most. Seeing her gentle smile, his eyes would flicker with anticipation, knowing something good was bound to happen.

He bowed and said, "Please instruct me, young lady."

Feng Yun said, "Do you see the land in front of us?"

Tan Dajin nodded, "I have heard that a council hall is to be built here."

Feng Yun said, "Go and inquire about it, find the village chief and buy some wasteland in the village. Ten acres won’t be too few, a hundred hectares won’t be too many."

Tan Dajin was greatly puzzled.

"Why would the young lady want to buy land? We have more than enough acreage at Changmen Village that we cannot cultivate."

Feng Yun smiled faintly, "Just go and inquire. Aside from asking if there is wasteland, also ask about the price, and don’t worry about the rest."

Tan Dajin always followed orders, so he set off straight away.

When Feng Yun had completed her tasks here, he returned.

"There is wasteland, and the price isn’t steep. However, I heard from the villagers that since the Beiyong Army occupied Xinzhou, there’s talk of war. Many folks are packing up and fleeing south to safety. Even if we buy the land, we won’t find people to cultivate it..."

Feng Yun smiled, "Not to worry."

Tan Dajin couldn’t understand the young lady’s intentions, but if she said it was okay, then it surely was. He said, "Shall I make the deposit now?"

"No rush," Feng Yun said. "The time is not yet right."

Tan Dajin was even more confused.

On the road back to Xinzhou, the youngster was still lost in thought.

He loved to ponder, feeling uncomfortable until he figured things out. He opened his mouth several times, wanting to ask Feng Yun, but seeing her rest with closed eyes, he couldn’t bring himself to speak.

It wasn’t until they returned to Chunmeng Hall and dismounted from the carriage that she opened her eyes to look at him.

"Whatever you want to ask, go ahead."

Tan Dajin’s face flushed, meeting her meaningful gaze, the embarrassment of being seen through immediately surfaced.

"Why does the young lady understand everything?" he asked.

Feng Yun laughed and said, "This is what we’ll do. Tomorrow morning, bring the account books to me, and I’ll explain in detail. Remember, you’ll need to organize how much silver coin can be mobilized."

Tan Dajin’s eyes lit up, and he bowed deeply.

"I understand."

Daman and Xiaoman had followed Feng Yun all the way, also watching everything, equally puzzled by her actions.

Xiaoman asked, "What exactly does the young lady want with the land, anyway?"

Feng Yun glanced at her, "Go prepare some water, your master needs to bathe."

She was extremely fond of cleanliness; after returning from a trip, she’d want to soak, wash off the dirt, and then comfortably lie down to cuddle up to her ...

-

It rained continuously for two days, and the weather in Xinzhou grew increasingly cold. It seemed a bit colder than in previous years, and soldiers going out on patrol had to breathe on their hands and stomp their feet before swearing at the heavens...

Such cold weather undoubtedly increased the likelihood of the forthcoming peace negotiations.

It was too cold, and no soldiers wanted to fight.

When Pei Jue entered the barracks, a few soldiers were gathered around the stove, shivering as they warmed themselves and looked quite cold.

The sudden sight of the Great General in front of them changed their expressions in fright.

"The Great General has come!"

"The Great General..."

They thought they had met their end, huddling for warmth during their watch.

To their surprise, Pei Jue just knitted his brows slightly.

"The military punishment can wait. Get back to your posts."

After saying that, he left.

The soldiers stood startled for a moment, looking at each other, then broke into relieved smiles.

"The Great General has become more amiable since his marriage."

"That’s for sure. Now that he has an outlet for his frustrations, he doesn’t trouble us anymore."

"Cut the crap. Hurry up to the watchtower."

"Damn it, it’s truly cold."

Unusually cold.

Yet the winter clothes had not been distributed, and wearing just a single layer was a struggle...

Throughout a year of warfare, military provisions had been continuously supplied, but now they had been delayed for nearly two months.

In previous years at this time, the lack of winter clothes might have been bearable, but winter had come early this year, with rain and cold enough to freeze a dog, leaving soldiers facing a shortage of winter garments...

Pei Jue reached the Central Military Tent and called for the Marching Commander Tan Dajin.

People need to eat, drink, relieve themselves, and keep warm, so Tan Dajin, who oversaw all these necessities, was in a state of constant stress every day. He wished he could scrape the fat off his waist to make broth or peel his skin to make clothes.

Seeing Pei Jue, Tan Dajin could hardly lift his head.

"I’ve already sent people to pressurize them twice; every time, the Arsenal Department kept saying it’s coming soon, it will be shipped immediately. However, no matter how much we wait, it just doesn’t arrive," he lamented.

Pei Jue’s face was stern as he lowered his head to write a few words on the document and passed it to him.

"Transfer a batch of winter clothes from the Tiger Guard Army."

The Tiger Guard Army was stationed in places like Pingyang, Longguan, and was considered the great rear.

Meanwhile, the Northern Yong Army had been at the forefront of the charge since the beginning of the war.

In principle, the distribution of winter clothes should prioritize soldiers at the front lines, yet the Armory Division claimed that the former storeroom official made a mistake, sending all the winter clothes to the Tiger Guard, Dragon Cavalry, and the Imperial Guards, leaving not enough for distribution.

Tan Dajin was livid, about to erupt in anger, when they told him that the official responsible for the distribution had already been dismissed by the Imperial Court and those who should be punished had been punished; however, the winter clothes that had been distributed couldn’t possibly be collected back piece by piece for the Northern Yong Army.

Tan Dajin felt sick to his stomach.

He knew very clearly that someone was deliberately making things difficult for the Northern Yong Army.

Although the Northern Yong Army, the Tiger Guard, and the Dragon Cavalry were all part of Dajin’s forces, the Northern Yong Army’s predecessor was the Pei Family Army, led by Pei Jue’s ancestors, who had once followed the founding Emperor of Jin and been recognized for their meritorious service...

Later on, during the Emperor of Xifeng’s reformation, it was restructured into the Northern Yong Army with a new name.

However, in the eyes of some at the Imperial Court, they were still habitually regarded as the "Pei Family Army."

With such targeted actions this time, and with the additional issue of Deng Guang’s betrayal, not to mention Pei Jue, even Tan Dajin felt fury simmering in his heart...

"Isn’t this just a covert way of bullying us?"

Pei Jue calmly handed the sealed letter to him, without saying an extra word.

"Go handle it."

Tan Dajin swallowed his anger, "Understood."

After taking a few steps, he turned back to salute Pei Jue.

"With the Empress Dowager coming for the peace talks in Xinzhou, the General must personally report this matter, for Her Highness is wise and holds the General in high regard. She will surely stand up for the Northern Yong Army."

In the hearts of most soldiers, Empress Dowager Li Sangruo had a favorable image.

Through many years of meticulous governance, she had presented herself with the benevolence and integrity expected of a ruling Empress Dowager.

Tan Dajin’s thoughts aligned with many others’.

Having supported the Young Emperor’s ascent to the throne, the Empress Dowager was expected to align with them wholeheartedly, without the notion of crossing the bridge and discarding the plank afterward.

Before Pei Jue could respond, he noticed Feng Yun outside the door.

She approached gracefully, carrying a food box in her hand, curtsied to the guards outside the door, then paused, waiting gently as if letting them finish their discussion.

Pei Jue: "You may go now."

Tan Dajin acknowledged and turned back to meet Feng Yun’s smiling face. Suddenly, he recalled that the General and Empress Dowager Li had a former marriage arrangement, and there were past rumors in the court about their personal relationship...

Realizing his words might have reached Feng Yun’s ears, he felt extremely embarrassed and apologetic, and he couldn’t help but look at Pei Jue more deliberately.

Not looking would have been fine, but a closer look seemed to reveal a hint of guilt.

Feeling the heat on his face, he bowed respectfully to Feng Yun as he left.

"Madam."

Feng Yun glanced past him at Pei Jue sitting in the hall, smiled slightly, and returned the bow, crossing the threshold without a word.

Her demeanor was gentle and propriety, yet Tan Dajin felt a tightness in his chest.

Stepping outside and reaching for the back of his neck, he found it eerily cold.

-

"General," Feng Yun approached and bowed slightly.

Pei Jue: "What brings you here?"

Feng Yun brought the food box over, placing it on the desk in front of Pei Jue and uncovering it to release the delicious scent. She smiled lightly with pursed lips.

"I heard from Guard Ye that you’ve been working hard and your appetite hasn’t been good lately. I felt concerned upon hearing this. As the weather cools, you really must eat well."

Pei Jue’s gaze flickered, he pursed his lips looking at her.

Without a word.

His expression was as if he was watching to see what trick she was up to.

Feng Yun’s eyes curved with a smile as she pushed the chopsticks into his hand.

"Why does the General stare at me? Please, eat."

Pei Jue did not take them, but continued to stare at her.

"Unexpected kindness raises suspicions, what are you after?"

Feng Yun let out a chuckle, "Do I not hold a trace of warmth in the General’s heart?"

Pei Jue: "No."

Feng Yun’s lips curved downward slightly, "Alright then."

She lowered her eyes, began tidying up the dishes on the table, and spoke with a touch of grievance, "If that’s the case, I’ll take it back. My sincere intentions misinterpreted, I’m very aggrieved..."

Pei Jue pressed her hand to indicate she should leave the items.

"Speak up, what do you want?"

Feng Yun’s face brightened with a smile, "Money."

Seeing Pei Jue remain expressionless, she added two more words, "A lot of money."

Sincere intentions, a lot of money.

Pei Jue raised his eyebrows.

"What do you need so much money for?"