Chapter 269 – A Harmonious Family
“I have no intention of obtaining provisions from Xize County or Luo City.”
As the little one had said, these two places were impoverished and commerce was underdeveloped. Requisitioning more provisions from these two locations would increase the burden on the commoners. Moreover, the western frontier of Great Chu had experienced continuous warfare these past two years. Forcibly collecting provisions would certainly cause public resentment and might even trigger civil unrest if mishandled, which would be counterproductive.
“Then where do you plan to transport military provisions from?”
Unconsciously, Yan Xiaosi showed extreme concern about this issue.
Long Yu smiled with satisfaction.
“From Heping Prefecture.”
Was this little one worried about him losing the battle?
Yan Xiaosi felt this wasn’t quite appropriate.
Although she had never been to Heping Prefecture, she knew that from Xize County to Heping Prefecture was at least three or four days’ journey by cart. A round trip would take seven or eight days, and adding the time to gather provisions, it would take at least about half a month. During this period, if the Rongdi people learned that the Great Chu army had lost half its provisions and seized the opportunity to launch an attack, they would be finished.
“Don’t you think Heping Prefecture is too far from Xize County? Going there and back, plus the time to collect provisions, would take at least half a month. What if during this half month, the Rongdi army attacks? What then?”
“Heping Prefecture is the closest and most prosperous city to Xize County. Going there to transport military provisions is the best option. As for the Rongdi army, I can hold them off for a while.”
By the end of his words, Long Yu’s brows were furrowed enough to hold chopsticks.
Over the years, in order to pacify the realm of the Great Chu Dynasty, he had been stationed across the east and west. Rongdi King Chunyu Hanfeng was the only person he considered a worthy opponent. Now, Chunyu Hanfeng was just across the Yunluo River. If news of this loss of military provisions leaked out and Chunyu Hanfeng personally led troops to attack, it would indeed be troublesome.
Yan Xiaosi had known him for quite some time. This man was always calm and composed, unmoved by wind or thunder. If the situation wasn’t particularly thorny, he would never frown like this.
Thinking of the stockpiled food in her Portable Space, probably enough to replace the lost portion of military provisions, she gritted her teeth and said: “Your Highness the War King, this commoner knows a friend who deals in grain. Perhaps he has enough grain on hand. Would you be interested in meeting this commoner’s friend?”
If Long Yu were defeated, this entire western frontier of Great Chu would fall into Rongdi hands. At that time, Xize County would cease to exist, and Ms. Zhong and the others would become displaced—a sight she was unwilling to see.
If there was a better solution to the provision problem, Long Yu would naturally not choose to transport provisions from Heping Prefecture.
His eyes flashed as he looked at Yan Xiaosi.
“Is your friend from Xize County?”
“Even closer than Xize County. He’s in Daxing Town.”
“Tomorrow morning, go and bring your friend to the military camp to meet me.”
With the matter of military provisions showing promise, Long Yu’s tightly knit brows relaxed, and he felt the pan-fried potatoes return to their original flavor—fragrant, glutinous, and delicious.
Deep into the night, Yan Xiaosi lay slumped at Long Yu’s bedside, sleeping like a pig.
After the anesthetic wore off, Long Yu didn’t feel sleepy at all. He lay on his side, looking at the person sleeping like a pig beside him.
Due to deep sleep, her cheeks were flushed red, her eyelashes resting on her cheeks, looking so docile and harmless, especially those crimson lips, which looked so soft and tempting, making one want to bite them.
Bite them!
Realizing his thoughts, Long Yu’s heart gave a violent jerk.
He must have been addled by the arrow, actually wanting to kiss this little troublemaker.
His heart thumped heavily, and he frowned, looking toward the curtain of the military tent.
“Long Yi.”
Long Yi entered upon hearing the summons, glanced at his master who seemed in good spirits, and felt relieved. Then, looking at Young Master Yan who was slumped on his master’s bed sleeping like a pig, his brow twitched.
Only Young Master Yan would dare to be so unrestrained in front of his master.
“Master, what are your orders?”
Long Yu sat up, raising his hand to press his brow, and said: “Go prepare the couch nearby.”
Looking at Yan Xiaosi sleeping so deeply, Long Yi immediately understood his master’s intention.
After he had made the nearby couch comfortable, he returned, preparing to wake Yan Xiaosi, when Long Yu promptly stopped him with a gesture.
“Don’t disturb him.”
Long Yi’s brows furrowed with difficulty.
Not waking the person but wanting them to go lie on the nearby couch—did the master want him to carry the person over?
That should be correct.
He bent down, about to reach out and lift Yan Xiaosi’s body, when Long Yu’s expression immediately changed.
“You may go.”
Sensing the sudden drop in temperature, Long Yi tensed up and withdrew his hand that was about to touch Yan Xiaosi’s body.
“Yes, sir.”
Before he could leave the military tent, he saw his master lift the covers, unsteadily get out of bed, and then with great effort, despite his injured body under anesthesia, lift Young Master Yan and walk toward the nearby couch.
His master carefully placed Young Master Yan on the couch, then gently covered him with the quilt.
These consecutive scenes left him petrified on the spot.
So his master also had such a gentle side.
The couch, which Long Yi had covered with several layers of cotton quilts, was naturally much better than sleeping on the floor of the military tent.
Yan Xiaosi slept extremely comfortably and woke up the next morning refreshed and at ease, somewhat unsure of where she was.
“Awake?”
A neutral voice came, and she looked toward the sound, seeing a dark robe. Only then did the scenes from last night gradually return to her mind.
Last night, hadn’t she been attending to the War King at his bedside?
How did she end up sleeping here?
Being an attendant like her—she felt quite helpless. Seeing that Long Yu wasn’t blaming her, she quickly used both hands and feet to get off the couch.
“Your Highness the War King, good morning.”
Long Yu observed her embarrassed smile as she greeted him, and the corners of his mouth lifted slightly.
“Do you still remember what you told me last night?”
Yan Xiaosi carefully recalled.
“About the military provisions?”
“Mmm, not completely muddled from sleep.”
“Please rest assured, Your Highness. This commoner will contact that friend today.”
Long Yu glanced at her, noting her disheveled hair and sleepy appearance, and said: “Go wash your face, then come back and have breakfast with me.”
Yan Xiaosi glanced at the table.
Steaming meat buns, hot vegetable porridge, and side dishes—much better than what they ate as soldiers or medical officers.
It wasn’t as if she hadn’t shared a meal with the War King before. With a relaxed face, she gladly accepted.
“This commoner obeys.”
Long Yu saw her staring at the steaming buns on the table, her throat bobbing once, and turning to walk out with a speed faster than an arrow. He couldn’t help but lift the corners of his mouth again.
“When invited to eat, you agree quite quickly.”
Yan Xiaosi not only agreed quickly but moved even faster, running out to quickly wash up, then racing back to Long Yu’s side.
When Long Yi and Long Er came to report, they saw Young Master Yan and their master sitting face to face at a table having breakfast, the scene as harmonious as if they were family.
