Chapter 335: Going with the Flow

We've come all this way; after landing once at Zhao River, I took people to search the shore, found no natives, and the Great King felt even more at ease taking this land for himself.

I reckon the East Xianbei won't have any objections.

"All the spring plowing is done; we'll plant nothing but corn." Whether Meng Meng can directly count this land as his on the cultivated field is uncertain. For now, this stretch is still something he manually allocated to himself, and the system lacks a full topographic map.

The Great King thought, even if the land is barren and nothing else can grow, can't corn grow?

He already had corn planted on his own hundred mu of land; Meng Meng had given him seeds before, so buying more from Baiyang wouldn't incur extra fees. If the harvest fails, he'd just spend a bit more on seeds. Thinking this, the Great King again felt vexed—he still needed money, his treasure balance was only thirty thousand, and he'd have to find another way……

As noon passed, they began distributing military rations. Everyone was still stunned, not snapping out of it, and no one had a moment to think about their stomachs.

The Canglang Ship was carrying this many heads for the first time, and without the fire‑team troops, they ate whatever the chief steward's ration workshop on board had produced: red‑sugar sweet potato, peanuts, eggs, milk powder, flour, vegetable oil, and salt, pressed into oil‑paper‑wrapped blocks, salty‑sweet and quite filling.

The common folk hadn't expected an extra surprise—the Great King even provided meals!

Each person was reluctant to eat, nibbling little bits, planning to save some to bring back and show off. The rest, including those from the Academy, also found it fragrant—sweet and fragrant—and in the Great Jin, how could these not be considered good things!

Only the Great King and Wei Shen—these two retched after a sniff. They'd been eating this for half a year, complaining more than once that the chief steward's fare made them nauseous when eaten too much.

"I miss that tavern on Vermilion Bird Avenue…"

The Great King sighed beside him, "Even the prince's mansion's food would do."

Only Wei Ke, after getting over his seasickness, with an empty stomach, now found this stuff simply a heavenly delicacy.

He utterly didn't get the two affectations, pointing at the map: "Just ahead isn't it Youzhou? Bear with it a bit longer and go back to the mansion to eat, Wei Shen—your expression is putting me off my meal!" Meaning: if you won't eat, get out!

The Great King's eyes lit up. "Right, why would he have to go back to Dragon Head?"

He wants to disembark at Youzhou!

This guy gathered up his choking‑hard rations, ran over, and presented them to Xie Yuan.

"Sir, this is your first time eating military rations, right? Can you eat your fill? I'll let you have my share."

At this moment, Xie Yuan's look at the Great King was more complex than any of the times he'd caused trouble in the Academy.

Never mind.

Heaven has already arranged things; just go with the flow.

He took the Great King's rations, "Your Highness, regarding what you mentioned earlier, this old man agrees."

The Great King, out of it: "Which one? Leaving the mountain… or… leaving the mountain?" He said it halfway, then realized.

Xie Yuan bluntly said, "Grand Censor. This old man is willing to assist Your Highness in achieving a great undertaking." To end the chaos early, to contribute to peace under heaven, would also be worthy of the Xie clan's ancestral teachings.

Has the surprise come this fast? How did he suddenly see the light! The Great King struggled not to laugh too loudly.

Xie Yuan has left the mountain!

What standing does the Xie clan have in the Great Jin? Almost every Jin person knows it. Though Xie Yuan isn't the current clan head, he's a top‑influence figure; having allied with him, how far off can the Xie clan be?

Is the Qingyang Academy still far away!

The Great King was so excited he didn't know what to do, looking at the rations in Xie Yuan's hand—does sharing a bite really move him this much?

This guy snatched Wei Shen's portion in one gulp, happily stuffed it into Xie Yuan's hands, "Sir, have another!"

Wei Shen: ……

Xie Yuan: ……

★

Great King's Diary:

【Twelfth day of the twelfth month, Canglang Ship, clear and windless, sunshine bright, birds singing, flowers fragrant, the air sweet.

Xie Yuan has come out of the mountain!

According to this king's analysis, there are two reasons: one, awed by this king's firepower, he again realized the Northern Border's forces are strong, and realized the Northern Border is the Xie clan's ultimate choice.

Two, because of this king's personal charm.

Understanding, steady, magnanimous—choosing it.

Definitely two!!!

★

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Tomorrow daytime, two more updates.