IDWBE -Chapter 276 Humiliation

After the palace maids finished packing the trunks, Hong Ying personally led Xiao Xizi to load them onto the carriage. Such matters could not be entrusted to unrelated men.

But Consort Yuan came from a military family. From the Old Madam to her mother and aunts, all were heroines of the army. She had grown up playing in military camps and was broad-minded by nature, unconcerned with trivial formalities. She did not even wear a veil—she stepped straight out of the tent and leapt onto the carriage.

Looking at her son riding ahead on a donkey, grinning foolishly at her, she grew angrier the longer she looked.

Even as his own mother, she couldn’t help sharing the doubts of many: how could someone so timid, greedy for life, and mediocre in both letters and arms command seven provinces and lead an army north?

And then chat and laugh freely with the Emperor in the Hall of Diligent Governance?

“Mother Consort, I’m riding a horse!”

Lin Ning snatched the reins from Xiao Xizi and swung herself onto the horse in one smooth motion, smiling brightly.

“The carriage is stuffy. I’m not sitting in there.”

Raised by Consort Yuan, she shared her temperament—but was even more influenced by Lin Yi. She had none of the rigid notions of “strict separation between men and women.”

“Where is your decorum?” Consort Yuan shot her a glance before entering the carriage, saying no more.

As the sun slowly rose, a thousand cavalry from the vanguard rode ahead to clear the path. Lin Yi followed lazily behind on his donkey.

By midmorning, they had finally exited the “fire disaster” region.

Once they entered the prosperous towns and villages, the atmosphere changed entirely.

The locals had dealt with the Sanhe people before. These “Southern Barbarians,” who insisted on settling everything with money, were adored beyond measure.

If anyone dared utter the word “no,” these broad-bladed saber-wielding southerners would simply hurl silver at their faces—

Humiliating them with silver.

Were they the sort to bow for a little silver?

Of course not!

They’d practically kneel on the spot. These gentlemen were simply too lovable.

The Southern Barbarians even had amusing catchphrases:

“As long as everyone talks money, the world will become a better place.”

“Fighting and killing isn’t environmentally friendly.”

They sounded crude at first—but the more one pondered them, the more sense they seemed to make.

If everyone spoke only with money instead of blades, wouldn’t the world be peaceful?

In some towns, Sanhe troops or laborers passed through almost daily, though usually not for more than ten days at a stretch.

Once they left, quiet returned—but some people were unwilling to let that happen.

Food vendors and washerwomen simply pushed their handcarts and followed behind the Sanhe army. Wherever the army went, they went.

Some towns, upon receiving word that the “Southern Barbarians” were approaching, would even set up stalls along the main road in advance, displaying old hens, fat pigs, goats, and other livestock for sale.

Wherever Sanhe troops passed, it was like New Year’s market day—pure festivity.

For soldiers and laborers, there was no need to wait for the communal kitchen. Food was always available. Especially when camped in remote mountains—at midnight, under the quiet sky—having a steaming bowl of dumplings was sheer delight.

But inevitably, many purses grew thinner and thinner.

“Don’t you understand the saying ‘Poor at home, spend freely on the road’? Spending more is normal. Why the long face?”

Zhu Rourong comforted Butcher Jiang beside him.

“You’re injured. A hundred days for bones and sinews to heal. Isn’t it reasonable to eat an old hen a day to nourish yourself?”

“Hmph,” Butcher Jiang grumbled. “I only drank some soup. Where did the meat go?”

Zhu Rourong grinned. “The soup’s the nourishing part. Can’t waste the meat. As your brother, I reluctantly ate it for you.”

“Fine then—tell me what kind of chicken costs one tael of silver each? These days I’ve already lost ten taels!”

If not for his injury limiting his movement, Butcher Jiang might have turned on Zhu Rourong.

“Brother, that soup had ginseng, angelica, even deer antler in it,” Zhu Rourong said smugly. “I prepared it for myself in case I got hurt. I only shared it because you’re injured. Anyone else wouldn’t get a drop.”

“You’ve got the nerve to call that ginseng? It was all root hairs!”

Butcher Jiang’s face darkened.

“See? No worldly experience,” Zhu Rourong said boldly. “Ask Shopkeeper Liang whether those ginseng rootlets are worth a tael.”

Leaning against a tree nearby, Liang Qingshu, who had stayed out of their quarrel, finally smiled.

“Brother Jiang, ginseng grows in the coldest, darkest lands. A thumb-length root might take decades to mature. Without a hundred taels, you wouldn’t get it. Even those rootlets are likely worth about one tael.”

“See? Finally someone fair-minded,” Zhu Rourong spread his hands. “And ginseng prolongs life. I’ve decided to save a couple roots for emergencies.”

Butcher Jiang sighed.

“Tomorrow I’ll just eat from the communal kitchen. You can keep your hens and ginseng. I can’t afford it.”

“Haven’t you noticed any changes lately?” Zhu Rourong grinned widely. “That stuff truly strengthens the kidneys and boosts virility. Incredible effects.”

Butcher Jiang’s eyes lit up.

“Really? No wonder I’ve felt warmth in my lower abdomen lately.”

Zhu Rourong chuckled triumphantly. “So—still think one tael is expensive?”

“Not at all!” Butcher Jiang clasped his hands politely. “Then I’ll trouble you to keep boiling that soup a few more days. I feel my injuries still need consolidation.”

Li Sanniang nearby couldn’t help but laugh.

After more than twenty days of marching, the Sanhe army formally entered Wuzhou.

“Where’s that old bastard Mei Jingzhi?”

Recently this was Lin Yi’s biggest concern.

“He’s neither entering the capital nor returning to Nanling—just sitting in Jizhou doing nothing? Damn it, does he think feeding that many troops is free?”

Shen Chu replied, “Your Highness, Mei Jingzhi’s army hasn’t moved.”

“Hmph.” Lin Yi turned toward the listless Prince Yong’an riding beside him.

“Old Twelve, big brother’s giving you a chance. Want it?”

“Imperial Brother, please speak,” Prince Yong’an answered nervously. He’d been tricked by Lin Yi too many times to believe any opportunity was good.

Lin Yi grinned. “Didn’t you want to take up your fief?”

“Imperial Brother jests…”

“No joke.” Lin Yi spat out the blade of grass in his mouth. “You can take Yong’an as your fief—but first, do something for your brother. Lead the vanguard and take Wuzhou for me.”

“Imperial Brother…?”

Prince Yong’an was completely bewildered.

Lin Yi suddenly raised his voice:

“Pass down the order! Someone dared attempt to assassinate Prince Yong’an in Jinling City. Enter the city to arrest the assassins. Anyone who resists—kill without mercy!”

“Yes, sir!”

The generals accepted the command eagerly.

Lin Yi patted Prince Yong’an’s shoulder.

“Go with them. If all goes well, tomorrow you’ll be strolling the Fengshui River with your brother. Oars and lamplight stretching ten li, singing girls and painted boats stirring the murky waves… Just thinking about it makes one a little excited.”