RWNEFE -Chapter 259 Zhou Ruan Forced to Face Zhou Ruyuan in the Arena!

Zhou Ruan returned to the camp after inspecting it, drenched in cold sweat.

In the vast camp, there were only a dozen or so leftover bags of provisions. The men guarding the granary told him that the Zhenbei Army consumed at least thirty dan of grain per day—there wasn’t even enough for a single day!

Thinking about how, upon arrival, he had sent Shen Lanxi to recruit troops, he broke out in another cold sweat.

The northwest wind blew, clearing his mind.

This mess—he couldn’t take responsibility for it. Not yet. First, the supply situation had to be resolved, then Shen Lanxi could be sent away.

He had already come up with an excuse: he was new to the northwest, unfamiliar with the terrain, ignorant of everything—he needed time to adapt.

But just as he returned to the tent, Shen Lanxi hauled him up.

Shen Lanxi said: “How wonderful! Dongchuan has the Third Prince, and we in the northwest have the Second Prince. The Third Prince is the Zhen’nan King, a war god of Great Zhou. Once the Second Prince drives out the foreign tribes, His Majesty will surely grant him the title of Zhenbei King. Then the Second Prince will be another Great Zhou war god!”

“Times make heroes—how true!” Shen Lanxi said, nodding sincerely.

Zhou Ruan was hoisted onto the roof, and the ladder was removed. He now had no easy way up or down!

“I’m still unfamiliar with the military affairs of the northwest. I need General Shen to guide me properly!” Zhou Ruan thought he could exploit the situation, assuming Shen Lanxi would be easier to manipulate than Wei Dongzhu.

Shen Lanxi replied: “General Wei knows the northwest far better than I do. I haven’t been here long. If the Second Prince wants to learn, he should consult General Wei. You are all men—it’s easier to discuss things with them than with me, a woman!”

Zhou Ruan felt choked by her words but said nothing in response.

In his eyes, Shen Lanxi’s willingness to hand over authority must mean she feared royal power and his status as a prince.

That was a good thing for him.

On the way here, he had considered what measures he would take if Shen Lanxi clung to power.

In the end, he didn’t have to do anything—she was already willing to step aside.

Women were women; lacking responsibility and decisiveness, perhaps they simply waited for someone else to take over a mess.

But the provisions—Zhou Ruan still hesitated.

After Shen Lanxi signaled him, Liu Yanhui fumed: “Why did His Majesty give the supplies to Dongchuan? We clearly won our battles here! Did Dongchuan also defeat the rebels and take them prisoner?”

Che Mingyuan stomped angrily, adding: “In the past, the northwest had continuously retreated and lost several cities. When we arrived, we used a small stratagem to crush the three tribes and even recaptured a city. Such merit deserves rewards and supplies—how could it be ignored?”

Wei Dongzhu looked at Zhou Ruan: “Second Prince, do you know if His Majesty has given any commendation for our Zhenbei Army retaking a city?”

Zhou Ruan lowered his eyes, lost in thought. After a while, he said: “I will petition the court for supplies. The army already has very little. Do any of you have a solution?”

Wei Dongzhu blocked Shen Lanxi, speaking plainly: “We can borrow provisions from Xiling City, but we must first seek the court’s approval.”

Zhou Ruan thought this would be easy; his father would approve and allow him to act.

“Take my order token and borrow the grain from Xiling City.”

“Yes!”

Shen Lanxi quietly left the tent, followed silently by Ban Sicao, Qian Feng, Cheng Zheng, and others.

The Zhenbei Army had experience with farming. When Shen Lanxi arrived, the agricultural unit was already dividing land and allocating crops.

“General, the northwest is arid. Farming may not be as ideal as in Dongchuan,” Qian Feng remarked.

Shen Lanxi had already planned for this.

“Divert water from Qinglong Lake for irrigation, and plant crops suitable for the soil in each area.”

Cheng Zheng had already planned which crops would grow where and would later submit a detailed list.

As for diverting Qinglong Lake’s water—now that the frozen ground had thawed, it was the perfect time to start construction.

Shen Lanxi continued: “The distance between each city is too long. If an enemy attacks, reinforcements from another city cannot arrive quickly.”

Qian Feng asked: “General, do you plan to continue building military forts?”

Shen Lanxi nodded: “The northwest is vast, with much land to utilize. Previously, I had people buy watermelon and Hami melon seeds from the Western Regions; these can be planted on sandy and rocky soil.”

Surprised by her agricultural insight, Cheng Zheng quickly noted it down, then asked: “Can cotton be cultivated here as well?”

Shen Lanxi glanced: “In Dongchuan it only yields one crop per season, but here it can yield two or three.”

Cheng Zheng was amazed; after a few years in Dongchuan, his mind felt frozen.

High-yield crops like cotton, corn, wheat, sweet potatoes, and soybeans really weren’t picky—they just needed proper care.

Diverting Qinglong Lake’s water was assigned to Qian Feng. Shen Lanxi’s main visible task now was: recruiting soldiers.

There were very few men available locally, so she considered another option: relocating civilians.

Che Mingyuan’s position became awkward—the new prince supervisor’s presence made it impossible for him to continue overseeing the army without interference.

After discussion, Shen Lanxi gave Che Mingyuan a direction:

“You will oversee civilian relocation. Anyone migrating within the northwest and Dongchuan region falls under your authority. Anyone who dares block or disrupt this, I’ll take responsibility!”

Che Mingyuan understood immediately.

“I’ll request a posting from Zhou Ruan tomorrow. He’ll probably wish he could have me carried away from the camp!”

Shen Lanxi chuckled.

Che Mingyuan continued: “Due to frequent wars in the northwest over the past two years, relocating ordinary civilians might be difficult. I suggest starting with prisoners in the jails.”

“Some petty thieves—if their families move here willingly, certain punishments can be waived!”

Shen Lanxi nodded but reminded: “There must be limits! Don’t bring all kinds of troublemakers to the northwest.”

Che Mingyuan added: “We can also petition the court to send exiles to help build fortifications.”

Shen Lanxi looked at Wei Dongzhu, who said: “I’ll mention it to Zhou Ruan tomorrow. Since he’s a prince, requesting people from the court will be easy.”

Shen Lanxi smirked: “Then we should make good use of his royal status.”

Everyone finally understood her intention.

To outsiders, sending a prince to supervise the army looks like a power grab, but it could just as well be sending a lamb into the tiger’s den.

If this were two countries, Zhou Ruan’s status would essentially make him a hostage.

Just as they were about to discuss relocation details, Chunxue reported:

“General, the Second Prince has arrived. He wants to see the Princess Zhou.”

Princess Zhou?

Everyone hesitated, then remembered Princess Zhou Yunyue, the fifteenth princess removed from the royal family.

All eyes then fell on Shen Yuanjing.