FBC – Chapter 155 Military Provisions

Gu Hua had only taken a few steps before she suddenly stopped.

After a moment’s thought, she said, “I’ll speak to Mother about this tomorrow. Sister Zhilan, find a trusted servant and quietly send a note to Pei Yi. Ask him to come to the residence immediately. Try not to let anyone find out.”

“You plan to tell the Pei family about this?”

Gu Hua grasped Zhou Zhilan’s wrist and spoke in a voice low enough for only the two of them to hear. “The court’s grain convoy likely won’t make it in time for us to investigate. And the Southern Border can’t afford to wait for us to finish checking before reallocating provisions. What if, by the time we figure it out, the grain has already been stolen?”

Zhou Zhilan was startled as well.

Gu Hua’s eyes were rimmed red. “Whether or not this batch of grain gets robbed doesn’t matter to us right now—what matters is that General Mu’s army must have enough to eat.”

Just thinking of how Mu Junyan’s troops were trapped due to a shortage of winter clothing and food made her heart burn with anxiety.

“I understand. You want the Pei family to provide the grain?”

“Mm. Right now, only the Pei family has the means and the speed to gather that much food.”

“I’ll send someone right away.”

While Gu Hua waited for Zhou Zhilan, Chiyan returned.

He brought news from the Southern Border.

The military report stated that the Dali Commandery of the Southern Border had gathered many smaller nations and was wreaking havoc along Da Liang’s borders. Because the border was so long, Mu Junyan’s troops were stretched thin, leading to a lack of manpower.

It also said the Southern Border coalition forces allowed their soldiers to massacre entire cities and slaughter civilians indiscriminately—cruel tactics intended to intimidate Mu’s army.

The people living along the Southern Border had united—nearly all the men joined the army, while the women sewed military uniforms.

It also mentioned that the spies of Yifeng Hall were growing increasingly rampant. When they couldn’t steal information, they resorted to assassinations throughout Da Liang, throwing both civilians and the military into panic, attempting to sow unrest.

Gu Hua felt a chill run down her spine.

If the young master of Yifeng Hall was really Brother Ji… then he was the villain.

And yet, he was kind only to her.

When she had been captured, he saved her at the cliff’s edge—those eyes were so familiar…

Only now did she understand that Brother Ji’s feelings for her had never changed.

The whole world could curse him, but she could not.

However, what stood between her and Ji Xuanyu was not just affection, but also the justice of the world.

If Brother Ji insisted on going down this dark path, then she could only stand against him.

If she had to choose between Mu Junyan and Brother Ji, she would choose peace for the world.

There was already too much suffering—why must people keep killing each other?

An hour later, Pei Yi arrived.

By then, dawn was just breaking.

“Sister Hua, what’s wrong?” Pei Yi looked at her anxiously and noticed something was off.

“What happened to you? Did something happen?”

Zhou Zhilan and Dong Hua stood guard outside with the others.

Gu Hua invited him to sit and poured him a cup of hot tea. “Brother Pei, have some tea first. I have something important to discuss with you.”

Pei Yi accepted the tea cup but immediately set it down. “If you have something to say, just tell me. I’ll do everything I can.”

Gu Hua placed the envelope containing the silver notes he had given her onto the tea table in front of him.

“This is the 200,000 taels you gave me, Brother Pei. I want you to use it all to buy grain—rice or flour, either is fine.”

“What do you need that much for?”

“I want to send it to the Southern Border.”

Pei Yi was shocked. “The Southern Border? The Ministry of Revenue just shipped military provisions there—it’ll arrive in a month.”

It took a month for the journey.

Gu Hua silently thought, Just as I expected.

In her previous life, Mu Junyan had died in battle two months later after being surrounded—shortages of food likely played a critical role.

Pei Yi saw the unease in her expression and frowned. “Sister Hua, there’s no need for secrets between us. If something’s wrong, just tell me. Has something happened to the grain for the Southern Border?”

Gu Hua replied, “I fear the grain the court sent won’t make it to the Southern Border. I need to gather provisions and send them as soon as possible.”

“What? You mean something will happen to that shipment?”

“That’s what I’ve heard.”

“Then I’ll report to court right away—”

Gu Hua quickly interrupted, “There’s no time, Brother Pei. And think about it—who would dare to tamper with military provisions? Even if we had no evidence, others would accuse us of jumping to conclusions. And by the time the court finishes investigating, the grain might already be gone. It’ll be too late to send more.”

Pei Yi’s expression turned grim.

“Brother Pei, this is a great opportunity for your family. Duke Yong has said that this war must break the Southern Border’s nations and force them to submit to Da Liang. If the Pei family steps up in a time of need, not only Duke Yong’s mansion, but even the court itself will greatly reward you. Isn’t your family hoping to have more sons enter officialdom? Don’t you want to become the wealthiest clan in all of Da Liang? This is your chance.”

Pei Yi thought it over seriously. “You’re right. That 200,000 taels belongs to you—I won’t touch it. I’ll start gathering food and winter clothes immediately—anything I can collect. Within ten days, our Pei family escort agency will send everything to the Southern Border.”

Success!

Gu Hua let out a sigh of relief.

She stood up and gave him a deep, formal bow. “Brother Pei, thank you—on behalf of Mu Junyan.”

Pei Yi hurriedly stood and returned the bow. “Sister Hua, there’s no need for that. You’ve just shown our Pei family the right path.”

“Brother Pei, the whole operation of transporting supplies to the Southern Border must be done in complete secrecy. If anyone with ill intent finds out, they’ll definitely try to interfere. Even military grain can be stolen—your escort agency might not be able to protect it.”

“I understand. Don’t worry.” Pei Yi nodded firmly.

After sending him off, Gu Hua personally went to the kitchen and made two of the Old Madam’s favorite pastries, bringing them along with the breakfast tray herself.

At Xiangrui Hall, the Old Madam had just gotten up.

Seeing Gu Hua, she hurried over and held her hand. “Why are you up so early?”

Gu Hua smiled gently. “I wanted to greet Mother earlier and serve you breakfast.”

The Old Madam saw her reddened eyes and quietly ladled porridge for her.

“Something’s on your mind, isn’t it?”

At her words, Gu Hua’s eyes welled with tears again.

She looked at Yiniang. “Yiniang, please take everyone out. I need to speak with Mother alone.”

Yiniang obeyed and led everyone out, gently closing the door behind her.

Gu Hua stepped forward, knelt down, and placed her hands on the Old Madam’s knees.

In a soft voice, she said, “Mother, I have something to ask you to help me keep secret.”

The Old Madam stroked her head affectionately. “Go on.”

“I’m sending a shipment of grain to the Southern Border. But this matter must remain secret—only if the household helps me keep it hidden can I ensure the food reaches its destination.”

The Old Madam was shocked. “What did you say? You’re delivering the grain? Did something happen?”

Gu Hua explained what Biyu had overheard and how Pei Yi had agreed to gather the supplies.

The Old Madam’s expression turned solemn, and she helped Gu Hua to her feet.

After thinking for a moment, she said, “You mustn’t go. The journey is long, and your health is delicate. What if you fall ill?”

Gu Hua grew anxious. “Mother, Ziyuan has done so much for me—I can’t repay him. Please let me go.”

The Old Madam still refused. “He treated you well of his own will. You mustn’t go.”

Gu Hua fell to her knees. “If I don’t go, I won’t be at ease. I must follow the grain convoy myself to make sure it arrives safely. If anything goes wrong along the way, I’ll need to act quickly to find a solution. Mother, how are the soldiers supposed to fight if they’re starving and freezing?”

“Just send Chiyu and the others. You’re a girl—how can you go that far?”

“Mother, you were once a female general too—you fought on the battlefield. So can I. Besides, no one from the Duke’s residence can go—people in the capital are watching. Only I, slipping away alone with the Pei family’s convoy, can avoid suspicion and ensure the grain reaches its destination.”

The Old Madam was stunned for a long time.

She never imagined that the delicate Gu Hua possessed such a resolute heart.

“But won’t the Pei family resent you because of Concubine Pei? What if something happens on the road?”

“Don’t worry. They’re merchants—they won’t ruin their reputation and future over someone who’s already dead. They’ll do everything they can to protect me and the grain in exchange for future glory.”

Gu Hua was full of confidence. “Fortune favors the bold—they understand that.”

The Old Madam pulled her into an embrace, tears welling up in her eyes.

“I wasn’t wrong about you. And Ziyuan’s care for you wasn’t misplaced either—you’re a wise and selfless child.”

Gu Hua nestled into the warmth of her embrace, choking back tears. “Mother, you treat me like your own. Don’t worry—I’ll protect myself. And I’ll take care of Ziyuan too.”