Chapter 15: Sending New Battle Robes to Xiao Moting

Bai Wei's consciousness had already arrived.

She heard the conversation between Xiao Moting and Qin Zhan, and her heart could not help but stir.

As expected.

No matter the dynasty, the imperial family could never escape the struggle for power and profit.

Xiao Moting stepped into the military tent, with several Deputy Generals following behind him.

The oil lamp in the military tent was lit, and the light was dim.

Xiao Dabao muttered, "This is too dark..."

Qin Zhan interrupted, "Don't you know? To save money, His Highness only uses one wick for the oil lamp."

Once he said this, Bai Wei realized that Xiao Moting's Chief Commander tent was far too shabby.

Not only did the oil lamp have only one wick, but even the bedding on the couch was old, though it was folded very cleanly and neatly.

She lowered her head and saw the deep red battle robe Xiao Moting was wearing; it had been washed until it was somewhat faded, and the cuffs were even frayed.

Bai Wei's brows knitted together.

No matter what, Xiao Moting was the noble Fourth Prince of Daliang and the Chief Commander of the army, yet his life was so frugal.

Qin Zhan said, "Your Highness, the Second Prince has always been your enemy. His initiative to bring troops for reinforcements is likely a trap; I ask that you think twice."

"What kind of reinforcement is he?" Xiao Dabao said indignantly. "The Second Prince asks the Imperial Court for horses, grain, and military equipment, yet we don't get a single thing. In the past, the Second Prince intercepted our military supplies; now, he's using the name of reinforcement to openly rob our things."

A cold light flickered in the depths of Xiao Moting's eyes.

How could he not know what Xiao Rui was planning?

It was nothing more than using the name of reinforcement to expand his own military strength.

"Xiao Rui cannot be trusted. Have the gyrfalcon send a letter to Old General Han at the Northern Frontier Camp to request reinforcements."

After speaking, he looked up and asked.

"How much grain and fodder is left in the army?"

"Shennü Daren sent quite a lot of supplies. I had the Military Supplies Officer take inventory; if we eat sparingly, we can last until the day after tomorrow. But the charcoal in the army has already been exhausted, so we can only let the soldiers eat cold food."

Everyone remained silent.

The great battle was in three days.

It was not just the lack of supplies; more importantly, the reinforcements were being led by the Second Prince. The Second Prince had always wanted to get rid of Xiao Moting, and no one knew if a disaster would occur when the time came.

The current hope rested on whether the reinforcements from Old General Han at the Northern Frontier Camp would arrive in time.

If they could not arrive in time, what awaited them would be an unprecedentedly fierce battle.

Thirty thousand remnants against one hundred thousand elite troops of the barbarians—did they really have a chance of winning?

At this moment, a soldier reported at the entrance of the tent.

"Your Highness, the families of the fallen soldiers are here to ask when their compensation will be issued."

Xiao Dabao said, "The Imperial Court hasn't allocated any compensation to us since last year, so where would we get compensation from..."

"Use my salary to issue the compensation to the soldiers," Xiao Moting interrupted in a deep voice. "The great battle is imminent; we cannot chill the hearts of the soldiers."

Qin Zhan hesitated for a moment and said in a low voice.

"But Your Highness, your salary has already been used to buy military grain for us; it has long since been spent completely."

Xiao Moting held his breath, his fists slightly clenched.

That was right.

He was a destitute prince; his men were risking their lives for him, yet he could not even afford to pay the soldiers' compensation.

Xiao Moting pulled off the Dragon-Shaped Jade Pendant hanging around his neck.

"Take this to the pawnshop in Xuancheng and exchange it for silver to pay the soldiers' compensation."

Qin Zhan was shocked. "Your Highness, this is your family heirloom. You are far away in Beijiang, separated from Yunfei for many years; this is the only memento she left for you. How can you take it to be pawned?"

Xiao Moting stroked the jade pendant.

When he was six, the imperial guards stormed into the palace, forcibly snatched him from his mother's side, and sent him to the land of Beijiang. His mother had cried as she rushed out and shoved this jade pendant into his hands.

"Ting'er, do not be afraid. Holding this jade pendant is like seeing your mother."

When he was young and missed his mother, he could only look at this jade pendant.

Xiao Moting closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

"Pawn it!"

Suddenly!

A strong light flashed from the wardrobe, stinging people's eyes so they could not open them.

Xiao Moting turned his head and was instantly stunned.

Inside the wooden cabinet, a "lamp" with a strange shape was placed upright. A bright light bulb was embedded in the metal cylinder, and the strong light it emitted was as bright as daylight!

The originally dim commander's tent was instantly illuminated as bright as day.

Several soldiers had never seen such a bright lamp and exclaimed in surprise.

"What a bright oil lamp!"

"The divine lamp is even brighter than the sun."

"Is this the kind of lamp Shennü uses? It's too magical."

At this moment, Xiao Moting saw a line of handwriting slowly appearing on the wooden board of the wardrobe.

"Xiao Moting, this is called a flashlight. It can be used for lighting; install the batteries and it will shine. I am sending you a few to start with, and I will send the rest tomorrow. I have already written the method to turn it on on the paper."

"I will send the military grain tomorrow morning! Tell the soldiers not to save it; let them all eat and drink their fill to prepare for the enemy! I have a farm, and I will provide all the logistical supplies for the army!"

"Don't sell your jade pendant. Tell the families of the fallen soldiers to come and collect their compensation tomorrow morning. One hundred bags of Refined Rice and one hundred boxes of Dried Noodles per person, plus five pigs and five sheep—see if that is enough?"

Xiao Moting looked at the handwriting appearing on the wooden board, his emotions surging.

That is too much!

The compensation the Imperial Court allocates for fallen soldiers is very low; ordinary soldiers receive only one bolt of Coarse Cloth and three shi of grain, while those at the rank of Thousand-Man Commander and above receive three bolts of Coarse Cloth and five shi of grain.

Yet the one hundred bags of Refined Rice and refined flour, along with the pigs and sheep that Bai Wei provided, are practically the treatment for high-ranking officers, or even more!

The Goddess possesses a heart of compassion for the common people!

He immediately picked up a pen and wrote on the wooden board.

"Many thanks, Shennü Daren. These supplies are more than enough! On behalf of the people of Daliang, Mo Ting thanks the Goddess!"

The calligraphy, written with iron-like strokes and silver-hook flourishes, vanished from the wooden board as soon as it was finished.

Soon, another line of handwriting appeared.

"We are so familiar with each other now, don't be so formal; there's no need for all this thanking back and forth."

"By the way, how tall are you? I will send you new clothes, and I'll also include a hair ribbon for you."

Xiao Moting was stunned, and his handsome face could not help but heat up.

Shennü Daren actually wants to send him clothes and a hair ribbon?

He came to the Northern Frontier Camp at the age of six and stayed by the side of the Old General Han, who guarded the pass; the clothes he has worn from childhood to adulthood were all military uniforms uniformly made by seamstresses.

Usually, when he interacts with the soldiers, the brothers are all rough men who would never send clothes.

And a hair ribbon is an intimate item... only people with a close relationship would gift them to each other.

For example, young men and women who are already betrothed, or a young woman giving one to a man she admires.

Xiao Moting grew up in the army; the desert frontier is filled with endless yellow sand, and even hens are rare, let alone women. Having grown up this big, he has hardly interacted with any young women, let alone had one send him clothes or a hair ribbon.

Beside him, Qin Zhan asked curiously, "Prince, are you very hot? Why are your ears red?"

"I... it is nothing." Xiao Moting collected himself, hesitated for a moment, and picked up the pen to write, "Mo Ting is over eight feet tall."

After writing it, his entire handsome face turned bright red.

Xiao Dabao stretched his neck, "Prince, what are you writing on the wooden board in the wardrobe?"

Xiao Moting was slightly startled, "Can you not see the words on it?"

Qin Zhan shook his head, "I cannot see them."

Only then did Xiao Moting realize that everyone else was unable to see the words Bai Wei wrote; it was likely that only he could communicate with her smoothly.

For some reason, his heart stirred subtly, and his ears turned red again.

Suddenly!

A large iron pot appeared in the wardrobe, with an iron plate inside dividing it into two halves, forming a Taiji pattern; the pot was filled with cooked food, and the aroma was intoxicating!

The red pot on the left was floating with chili oil and filled with beef balls, crab sticks, tripe...

The white pot on the right was filled with bone broth, containing fish tofu, enoki mushrooms, lotus root slices...

Immediately after, over a dozen bottles of drinks appeared out of thin air: Master Kong Ice Black Tea, Genki Forest, Cola, Wanglaoji...