RWNEFE -Chapter 196 The Imperial Edict Arrives—The Shen Family Women and Children Are Stunned!

After Shen Yuanjing left, he immediately went to Shen Lanxi’s courtyard.

“I’m here to see General Shen!”

The courtyard entrance was guarded by soldiers, and anyone approaching had to report in advance.

Since the last poisoning incident, everyone realized: the commander must never be allowed to come to harm.

Her overwhelming martial skill made people instinctively think she was invincible. In truth, however, any human can be injured or killed.

No matter how skilled in combat, even a kitchen knife can be dangerous. No matter how strong, even a packet of poison can be lethal.

Before Shen Lanxi could say anything, her staff had already acted, raising her security to the highest level.

No exaggeration—now, even drinking a sip of water required it to be tested with a silver needle first, then tested for poison by Ban Sicao personally, before Shen Lanxi could drink it.

When Shen Yuanjing entered, he saw Cheng Zheng, Ban Sicao, and the others still there. Like a child caught doing something wrong, he immediately bowed his head in apology.

“General, grandmother is old, and she doesn’t understand the situation in the army—that’s why she acted that way,” Shen Yuanjing said, lowering his head to defend her.

Shen Lanxi had no intention of quarreling over such matters. Everything was under her control.

“No need to explain for them. They have no influence at all!”

Shen Yuanjing thought to himself: he was just worried that if his eldest sister lost her temper, she might bury someone alive.

“We’re going to discuss market prices. You’ll stay and listen. If you don’t, then go rest.”

Naturally, Shen Yuanjing and the others wanted to listen, so they obediently went to the back.

Liu Yanhui continued from before: “Sorghum is now six taels of silver per dou, soybeans ten taels per dan. Good quality fragrant rice is already twenty taels per dou, while slightly inferior aged or broken rice costs eight or nine taels per dou.”

“Vegetable buns now cost forty wen each, some sold for thirty-five wen—slightly cheaper than before by seven or eight wen. Meat buns are sixty wen each. The main costs are the flour and meat; labor doesn’t actually make much profit…”

Some listening to these prices felt drowsy, while others’ eyes shone with interest—like Liu Yanhui.

“Prices are high due to the war. If the war doesn’t stop, even if we control prices, it’s only a temporary fix,” Liu Yanhui said.

Shen Lanxi had already said before that she wanted to restore prices to pre-war levels and had issued a few measures, but the effects were minimal.

They said starting a business is easy, but maintaining it is hard. Now she truly understood.

Shen Lanxi rubbed her temples: “To push prices down, we must invest heavily.”

Liu Yanhui replied, “We don’t have that many resources! So many soldiers to feed, just the daily rations are already overwhelming.”

Shen Lanxi raised an eyebrow: “Should we round up some corrupt officials and wealthy merchants for punishment?”

Everyone inwardly thought: Better not!

“That’s not suitable. We’ve already executed quite a few—it’s enough to set an example. More would unsettle the people.”

Shen Lanxi: “Still lacking money and food!”

Liu Yanhui: “Or, General, you could adopt more foster sons and daughters… if that doesn’t work, foster brothers or sisters—higher price gets priority!”

Pfft!

Shen Lanxi’s sharp eyes scanned them; everyone stiffened.

“We must control prices from the source. All grain in our jurisdiction must not be privately traded. The government will handle all procurement and gather merchants together to stabilize prices. Once prices stabilize, the government can give subsidies to the merchants. Cheng Zheng, you discuss the details with Liu Yanhui!”

“Yes!”

“No matter what methods you use, in three months, I want all prices in our jurisdiction to return to pre-war levels!”

“Yes!”

…

No sooner had the new Inspector General Che Mingyuan arrived than the imperial edict arrived as well.

“By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Shen Lanxi of the Shen family, loyal to the throne and patriotic, brave and admirable, is hereby conferred the title of Courageous Count, hereditary for three generations…”

Shen Lanxi: “I, your servant, accept the edict. Thank you for Your Majesty’s gracious favor!”

The Shen family women and children were dumbstruck!

Old Madam Shen fell to the ground in disbelief, staring blankly even after the eunuch who delivered the edict left.

How did she become a count?

She was clearly a woman!

Old Madam Shen silently screamed in her heart, questioning herself: did she misjudge? Had the Emperor never intended to revoke her military command?

Recalling the previous confrontation with her granddaughter, Old Madam Shen went pale and collapsed to the ground.

What had she done?

Madam Liu, Madam Miao, and Madam Tian knelt on the ground, speechless for a long time.

It’s over—they were done for. Lanxi would surely hold a grudge against them!

…

Shen Lanxi led her entourage, returning to the army in full glory.

Liu Yanhui held the imperial edict high, chin raised proudly.

The first thing upon entering the camp was to publicly read the edict.

The previously appointed Pacification General had no foundation. Once the war ended, his position would be awkward. Now, with the formal title of Courageous Count, Shen Lanxi had officially stepped into the court, able to compete with the men of the court.

“Should I call you General or Count?” Che Mingyuan, dressed in scholar’s robes, bowed respectfully.

Shen Lanxi sat on the tiger-skin throne, radiating authority.

“This is the army, so naturally—General!”

Che Mingyuan, in his thirties, was far from the elderly scholar imagined by the court. He was sturdy, clearly trained in martial arts.

“General!” Che Mingyuan said respectfully.

Qian Feng chuckled: “Inspector Che is still so formal. Our General doesn’t care about formalities, only strength.”

Che Mingyuan’s face remained stern, hands clasped behind his back like a pedantic scholar: “Manners cannot be abandoned!”

Qian Feng, knowing Che Mingyuan’s personality, explained: “General, Inspector Che is just like that. He is strict about military discipline.”

Shen Lanxi had met Che Mingyuan before, though not openly due to Wu Tong’s presence.

Moreover, she hadn’t yet discerned Che Mingyuan’s purpose for coming.

“Qian Feng, since you are familiar with Inspector Che, you’ll guide him and get him acquainted with the camp.”

Qian Feng immediately obeyed.

Later, the two of them approached her.

“General, I was forced to leave the Southwest Army back then, but I took some skilled men with me. Now I wish to bring them to help reorganize discipline in the army,” Che Mingyuan said respectfully.

Shen Lanxi observed him, expression calm and unreadable.

Qian Feng vouched for him: “General, those who left with Inspector Che were all elite soldiers from the Southwest Army, many from the Black Tiger Regiment. Each could take on a hundred enemies. If they join you, General, your strength would be greatly enhanced!”

Shen Lanxi’s gaze lingered on Che Mingyuan, a faint smile tugging at her lips.

“Che Mingyuan, from Zhouqiao County, Xing’an Prefecture, Pingnan Province. His father was a teacher at Luming Academy, his mother ran a tofu shop, and he had two younger sisters and a brother. Unfortunately, his family was caught in the chaos of the Tyrant King’s rebellion—some died, others scattered. Now, only you remain in the Che family.”

“In the second year of Renxiao, you passed the imperial examinations and later joined the Southwest Army under General Zhao Qinggeng, Marquis of Yong’an. You rose from strategist to military advisor, then Inspector General, until two years before Zhou Ruyuan took command of the Southwest Army, when you were unexpectedly injured and requested to retire home.”