PSLMD Chapter 277

Chapter 277 – This Taste

Yan Xiaosi looked at the list.

The War King’s handwriting was superb. In modern society, such powerful yet elegant handwriting would be worthy of a calligraphy master.

However, the War King, whose handwriting exuded a tough-man aura, had actually instructed her to buy date cakes, osmanthus cakes, mung bean cakes, walnut-peanut brittle, and lotus cakes.

All of these were sweet treats typically favored by children or women.

Yan Xiaosi scrutinized him with puzzled eyes.

“Your Highness, are you sure you didn’t write the wrong characters?”

“Do you think I’m the kind of confused person who would write the wrong characters?”

Yan Xiaosi shook her head.

“I never imagined that Your Highness, with such heroic spirit and tough masculinity surrounding you, would enjoy sweet foods.”

“Do you have an objection?”

“This commoner has no objection. This commoner will definitely purchase everything listed on this note for Your Highness.”

After a pause, she held the list in one hand and extended the other toward Long Yu: “Your Highness, you haven’t given this commoner any money yet. This commoner is completely broke and has no money to pay for you.”

Without thinking, Long Yu opened the drawer under his desk, took out a piece of silver, and handed it over.

As Yan Xiaosi accepted the silver with a smile.

He suddenly realized that giving this kid money to spend had somehow become a habit.

Estimating that Long Yi and Long Er should have finished gathering the soldiers, Yan Xiaosi tucked the silver into her pocket, smiled at Long Yu, and bowed in farewell.

“This commoner will take leave now.”

Walking outside the tent, she saw Long Yi and Long Er leading over a hundred soldiers toward her.

Two hours later, all hundred-plus soldiers had changed their equipment, disguised as an ordinary merchant caravan, and left the Tongluo Plain military camp under the leadership of the three.

Although the distance from the Tongluo Plain military camp to Daxing Town wasn’t far, to prevent unexpected complications, disguising themselves as merchants to receive supplies was more appropriate.

Just as the caravan left the camp, a man in red clothing rode up on horseback.

“Brother Yan, wait for me.”

Yan Xiaosi looked back and saw that the flamboyantly dressed man in red was none other than Murong Qinjian.

She pulled on the reins of her chestnut-red horse, waiting for Murong Qinjian to catch up.

“Military Doctor Murong, are you planning to go to Daxing Town with us?”

Murong Qinjian’s eyes danced with excitement as he winked at her.

“Indeed. Would Brother Yan be willing to take me along?”

Yan Xiaosi looked at his arrogant yet frivolous manner, thinking that even if she refused, would he really obediently stay in the military camp?

“Doctor Murong, you have your own hands and feet. If you want to go to Daxing Town, just go. Why do you need me to take you?”

Murong Qinjian waved his folding fan on horseback, replying in what he considered a dashing manner: “Following Brother Yan is more fun—there’s meat to eat and wine to drink.”

Yan Xiaosi rolled her eyes.

“Then Military Doctor Murong has misjudged me. I’m poor—I can’t afford meat or wine.”

“Then I’ll treat you. Would Brother Yan honor me with your company?”

Yan Xiaosi thought this was acceptable.

“Hmm.”

Thus, the two reached an agreement and headed toward Daxing Town, chatting and laughing along the way.

Long Yi and Long Er occasionally glanced at Doctor Murong, who was flirting and batting his eyelashes at Yan Xiaosi, their hearts deeply conflicted.

Should they report to their master about Doctor Murong’s flirtatious behavior toward Young Master Yan? If they reported it, their master would certainly not let Doctor Murong off easily. If they didn’t report it, and their master found out about this matter, he would neither let Doctor Murong off easily nor would he let them off easily.

When they arrived at the Wan Family Grain Merchants in Daxing Town, it wasn’t yet noon. Shopkeeper Wan was directing assistants to move sacks filled with grain.

Seeing Yan Xiaosi riding the chestnut horse and leading a large contingent of soldiers, Shopkeeper Wan felt relieved.

Fortunately, this kid had told the truth yesterday. If he had been deceived, he would have transported so much grain from elsewhere that it would have molded before he could sell it all.

“Brother Yan, you’ve finally arrived.”

Yan Xiaosi dismounted and was pulled aside by him to talk.

“My basement is full of various grains. Brother Yan, how did you manage this?”

Acquiring so much grain overnight demonstrated incredible ability, almost inhuman.

These words couldn’t be overheard by Long Yi and Long Er. Yan Xiaosi pulled him further away and replied in a low voice: “Shopkeeper Wan, didn’t I tell you yesterday? All that grain belongs to my friend. My friend’s business is very extensive—bringing in this much grain overnight is not difficult at all. My friend had urgent matters and left Xize County last night.”

He paused, glancing sideways at Long Yi and Long Er before continuing: “Do you see those two? They’re both generals stationed at Tongluo Plain. Just tell them that all the grain in the shop is yours. After you receive the money, I’ll share more with you. As for other matters, don’t say too much to avoid bringing trouble upon yourself.”

Shopkeeper Wan nodded repeatedly.

As long as there was money to be made, Yan Xiaosi’s secrets were none of his concern.

Seeing him nod, Yan Xiaosi sighed in relief and said, “Come, let’s go meet the two generals.”

Shopkeeper Wan approached Long Yi and Long Er, and noting their cold and serious demeanor, nervously paid his respects: “This commoner greets the two generals.”

Long Yi nodded slightly.

“Are you the shopkeeper of Wan Family Grain Merchants?”

“This commoner is indeed.”

“Is the grain all prepared? We’ve come to collect it.”

“It’s all ready. Please follow this commoner.”

Long Yi beckoned, calling several soldiers to enter with him, while the rest, including Murong Qinjian, waited outside.

Murong Qinjian found the shop too cramped and messy with sacks piled up, so he didn’t bother to squeeze inside.

Shopkeeper Wan and Yan Xiaosi first led Long Yi and the others on a tour of the shop, then headed to the basement.

When they saw the mountain of grain stored in the basement, Long Yi and the others were completely relieved.

This much grain was enough to replace the missing half of the military provisions.

Upon leaving the basement, Yan Xiaosi asked, “Is this much grain enough?”

She hadn’t seen how much military provisions had been lost, so she wasn’t sure if what was in the basement would suffice.

Long Yi and Long Er both nodded.

Long Yi said, “There’s more than enough. Long Er, go call people in to move the grain and weigh it.”

“Alright.”

For the next hour or so, Long Yi and Long Er organized the hundred-plus soldiers to move and weigh the grain.

All the grain in the basement belonged to Yan Xiaosi: 40,000 jin of corn, 50,000 jin of rice, 30,000 jin of wheat, 20,000 jin of sorghum, plus 10,000 jin of grain from Wan Family Grain Merchants, totaling 150,000 jin of grain.

According to Xize County prices, rice was 10 wen per jin, while wheat, sorghum, and corn were 8 wen per jin. Selling this much grain, Yan Xiaosi earned 1,220 taels of silver.