Chapter 889: I'm About to Starve

Xiao Yuanhang shouted, "Send the order: aside from the cannon ships, leave two warships behind; the rest need not stay, return to Quanzhou immediately."

"Xiao Ningchen, you select five thousand naval troops to stay on the island; make sure to ask: those with lone, elderly or young family members are not to stay. The rest all return with the ships; no one may linger."

"After the selection, bring them back to Relanzhecheng and transport all the food and medicinal herbs from the ships into the city."

"Until the island's civilians are properly settled, everyone may only eat the provisions brought with them; no one may go down the mountain to disturb the people."

"Tell the soldiers we are here to guard the frontier; those who disobey will face Military law punishment."

"Yes!" Xiao Ningchen took the order and left.

Xiao Ze praised, "Prince, you have thought of everything; I admire you."

Xiao Yuanhang smiled, lifted his hand to pat his daughter's little head, and said, "Seventh Prince, our Tuan Tuan is hungry; let's go to Relanzhecheng!"

"Alright!"

The party turned and mounted their horses, heading toward Relanzhecheng.

Luo Zhenjiang lowered his head to look at the little child in his arms and said, "When we arrive, Uncle Luo will personally cook a tasty meal for you!"

Tuan Tuan covered her little belly, nodded, and said, "Great! Uncle Luo's cooking is surely delicious!"

Luo Zhenjiang pulled her into his embrace and said, "Hold on a bit longer; we'll be there soon."

Relanzhecheng was empty; its great gate stood open, and the crowd swaggered into the city, only to stare dumbfounded.

All that could be seen was a mess on the ground: tricolored flags lying on the earth, several empty wooden crates toppled, and scattered papers fluttering everywhere in the wind.

The group dismounted in front of the Governor's Office, and Luo Zhenjiang handed Tuan Tuan to Xiao Er, saying, "You hold her for now; I'm going to find the kitchen—Tuan Tuan is starving!"

Having said that, he jogged through the first‑floor hall straight toward the kitchen.

In the once‑glorious hall, chairs lay askew on the floor, half of the white tablecloth on the long table was overturned, and a half‑empty bottle of wine spilled beside the table.

Xiao Ningxun sighed, "When they were ruling here with power, they never imagined a day like this would come."

Soon, Luo Zhenjiang ran back, his brows knit, and said, "These red‑haired devils' kitchen is a total mess! There's not even a proper stove! No wonder they can only eat raw meat!"

Lu Qi's face was full of surprise, "No stove? Then how do they cook?"

Luo Zhenjiang gestured, "There's only a big hearth! A few copper pots hang on an iron rack; you can't even stir‑fry a dish."

Xiao Ze laughed, "Looks like if we want to cook a meal for Tuan Tuan here tonight, we first have to build a stove."

"There's no time for that; even if we build one, it won't be until tomorrow," Xiao Ningyuan shook his head, "How about this: tonight we go to Lin Jiang's house, let Tuan Tuan have a hot meal, and check on him as well."

He scanned the surroundings, "It's a mess here; after we tidy up tomorrow we can move in. Tonight we'll stay at Shopkeeper Ye's place, just make do for one night."

"Speaking of Lin Jiang," Xiao Ningxun slapped his forehead, "Xiao Er, Lu Qi, you both have a hard task: go to Madou Society and bring Cai Tong's family back."

"Tell them that tomorrow at noon, they should come to Relanzhecheng with Elder Ma."

"Then you return to Shopkeeper Ye's place; we'll meet at the inn."

"Yes!" Xiao Er and Lu Qi replied.

Tuan Tuan clung to Xiao Er's neck, "Uncle Er, if you and Uncle Qi see anything tasty on the way, eat up first! Don't starve yourself."

Xiao Er and Lu Qi felt warmth in their hearts, thinking, the young lady is still the best!

"Got it," Xiao Er gently placed Tuan Tuan into Luo Zhenjiang's arms, "Watch closely, miss."

Luo Zhenjiang looked at the little Tuan Tuan in his arms and said, "Don't worry."

The two mounted their horses and left.

Xiao Yuanhang said, "You know this place well; lead the way quickly—Tuan Tuan can't stand hunger."

Tuan Tuan blinked her big eyes, "Is A Dai at Uncle Lin's? I want to go play with her!"

Luo Zhenjiang placed her on the horse's back and said, "Just go see; then you'll know. Let's go! Uncle Luo will take you!"

Everyone mounted together and rode toward Lin Jiang's village.

In the village, the Lin Jiang family's courtyard gate stood wide open, and people filled the courtyard inside and out.

Some held water bowls, some cradled children; the children had already fallen asleep, yet the adults were reluctant to leave, fearing they'd miss some important news.

Lin Jiang stood beside a stone pedestal at the courtyard entrance, Lin Shan crouched at his feet, Lin Xi clutched A Dai, and the group all gazed toward the village entrance.

Outside the village entrance, several torches were stuck into the stone cracks in the ground, burning bright red, their flickering light illuminating the dirt road leading into the village.

A Dai looked up and asked, "Mother, where is Tuan Tuan now?"

Lin Xi shook her head, "Mother doesn't know either."

"Commander Jia," a villager asked, "You say those cannon sounds—are they really the Imperial Court's navy?"

Lin Jiang nodded, "If not, the red‑haired devils' tax officials would have returned long ago."

"What about their people?"

Lin Jiang shook his head, "I don't know either; wait and see, eventually we'll find out."

Lin Shan sprang to his feet, "Horse hooves!"

Everyone simultaneously fell silent and all turned toward the village entrance.

"Could it be that the red‑haired devils have arrived?"

The one holding a child, upon hearing, turned and fled home.

Lin Xi clutched A Dai tightly, her face tense as she stared at the village entrance.

"Tuan Tuan!" A Dai pointed, "Mother! Tuan Tuan is here!"

"And Seventh Prince!" Lin Jiang's eyes instantly reddened, "They've all arrived!"

Having said that, he ran toward the village entrance.

As soon as the words finished, the villagers erupted in a frenzy.

"Who is that? They're still wearing armor!"

"Must be a great general!"

"From the Imperial Court? I've never seen a general before!"

The villagers couldn't stay any longer and all ran toward the village entrance.

At the village entrance, the crowd halted their horses, dismounted, and calmly tied the horses to a tree.

Lin Jiang came before Xiao Ze, knelt and paid his respects: "I, Lin Jiang, a humble villager, have seen Seventh Prince!"

Xiao Ze hurriedly reached out and helped him up: "Lin Jiazhang was startled today."

When Lin Jiang shouted "Seventh Prince," all the villagers were startled.

Immediately, "That's the Seventh Prince! He's a prince, after all!"

"Heavenly Lord, I've lived half my life and have never seen a prince!"

Tuan Tuan sat in Luo Zhenjiang's arms, her big eyes scanning around, and at a glance she saw A Dai.

Her eyes lit up, and she waved her little hand vigorously toward her: "A Dai! I'm here!"

"Do you still have rice at home? I'm starving to death!"