Chapter 155: with translation of chapter title

Gu Xixi finished speaking, a smile lingered at the corner of her mouth, and she walked out of the tent without looking back.

The inner partition opened, and Mu Nan Zhao stepped out slowly, his face as black as a pot bottom.

He raised his arm, frowned, and said, "Why can't I smell it? Is there still any medicinal scent?"

Huo Jiang leaned in, sniffed around, and also shook his head, "I can't smell anything at all."

"Could it be that we men are too coarse? Boss Gu's sense of smell is much sharper?"

This time, as war breaks out, Mu Nan Zhao is about to shoulder a heavy responsibility, and his actions will directly affect whether the first battle can be won in one fell swoop.

Therefore, the medicinal scent clinging to Mu Nan Zhao is a loophole that Huo Jiang and Mu Nan Zhao have not failed to consider.

Water sources in Xi Bei are exceedingly precious, yet Mu Nan Zhao still takes a bath every day, which is truly wasteful.

Fortunately, the medicinal scent on his body has finally begun to fade gradually.

Huo Jiang specially summoned several people today to sniff, and they all said they couldn't smell anything.

Huo Jiang's heart, which had just been set at ease, was lifted again by Gu Xixi's two sentences.

"No, we'd better believe it exists; after all, an eagle's sense of smell is also very keen."

In the Bei Li army there is an eagle handler, specially tasked with scouting out the hidden Da Ye forces.

Although selecting and taming such eagles is difficult, the Bei Li people have only two of them.

But who can guarantee we won't run into one?

Huo Jiang looked solemnly at Mu Nan Zhao, "Your safety and the progress of the tactics—both cannot afford any loss!"

Mu Nan Zhao rubbed his forehead with a headache, "Then what do you want? Keep bathing? Take two baths a day?"

Huo Jiang rolled his eyes, "Now there's so much wheat needing water—where would we get all that water for you to waste?"

"There is still a way, the old method—even simpler and more convenient."

Mu Nan Zhao had an ominous feeling, his face solemn as he asked, "What method?"

Huo Jiang said, "Apply warm horse dung to the body, especially more on the face and neck."

"Just do it like that!"

He patted Mu Nan Zhao on the shoulder, his expression bearing a solemn air as if heaven were about to bestow a great mission upon him.

In the evening, Gu Xixi returned to the small courtyard.

As soon as she entered, Jing Lan stared at her eagerly.

"I've already prepared the water for you to wash your hands; shall I get you a cup of honey water, or would you prefer tea?"

Gu Xixi chuckled, glancing askance, "Stop acting; this little-wife demeanor doesn't suit you."

Jing Lan also couldn't hold back, she gave up the coy pretense, let out a long sigh, "Don't just look at me acting like this for a moment—it exhausts me."

She immediately asked, "Hurry up and tell me, how did it go?"

Gu Xixi nodded while washing her hands, "The commander-in-chief has already agreed to let us help with this."

Jing Lan had been waiting for this news all afternoon; hearing it, she instantly jumped up with joy.

She exclaimed, "Great! When will we let everyone know?"

Gu Xixi said, "Wait until tomorrow; once we're truly busy, don't wear yourself out crying and shouting at me."

Jing Lan linked arms with Gu Xixi as they walked into the house, saying, "Am I really that delicate and pampered a lady?"

"Even if I get tired a bit easily, I can still hold up; when have you ever looked down on me?"

Gu Xixi smiled faintly, "That's true."

The room where Jing Lan lives already had food and dishes set out.

Gu Xixi returned just in time, and the food was still warm.

Jing Lan murmured, "This time it wasn't sent by Meng Chengping; it's a dark sentinel stationed in the village."

Gu Xixi sat down, picked up her chopsticks, and said, "I didn't ask you about that either."

She didn't mention what she had seen of Meng Chengping in the army, so as not to keep Jing Lan worried for long.

"You're annoying!" Jing Lan said coquettishly.

But she also intended to divert her thoughts, so she asked, "You said last night that we had to wait for the commander-in-chief's nod before revealing the plan; can you tell me now?"

Since Jing Lan will still be needed to work together tomorrow, Gu Xixi naturally explained everything in full.

She only omitted the genuine, deep reasons that could convince the commander-in-chief.

Jing Lan, upon hearing this, sped up her eating.

After finishing, the two cleared the bowls and plates together, and Gu Xixi first returned to her own room to rest.

However, she usually stays up late, and when the moon was high in the sky, she heard a knock at the door.

She tentatively responded, "Jing Lan? Is that you?"

"Are you asleep?" Jing Lan's voice sounded excited, "I have something to show you!"

Gu Xixi walked over and pulled back the door bolt, "Come in."

Jing Lan placed the two sheets on the table, then reached out to trim the wick and brighten the lamp.

She pressed Gu Xixi to sit beside the table, and then shoved a paper filled with exquisite small regular script into her hands.

"According to what you said, I have drafted the claim deed for the Pinyin fruit; please look it over carefully to see if anything is missing."

Gu Xixi glanced at Jing Lan with some surprise, then lowered her eyes to examine the deed.

At just a glance, she was drawn in, her expression unusually serious.

After a while, Gu Xixi finally lifted her head again.

Jing Lan nervously rubbed her small hands and asked, "This is my first time writing; will it be incomplete or unclear, the words not conveying the meaning?"

Gu Xixi stared at her, her eyes as if they had just met her, "No."

Seeing her reaction, Jing Lan became a bit anxious.

Can't you go into detail? Exactly what's wrong and needs improvement?

Gu Xixi's face lit up, she laughed, "Nothing is wrong; everything is fine, no need to change anything."

He Jinglan, however, thought Gu Xixi was just comforting her, and she was somewhat doubtful.

Gu Xixi had to put on a serious expression and said, "The contract you drafted is better than what I wrote myself; the terms are clearer and easier to understand, with not a single loophole to be found."

"To be frank, when I learned this was your first time drafting a contract, I was truly impressed when I read it."

He Jinglan's cheeks flushed, "You're praising me so much, I'm embarrassed!"

Gu Xixi thought to herself, "Her logic is clear, her thinking meticulous, her writing flows smoothly, and her characters are written exceptionally well. Such talent—she's fit to be a lawyer."

The next morning, He Jinglan went out to notify everyone.

Before she had even returned, the women of the village were already rushing over to the small courtyard.

Soon the road outside was filled with people.

Gu Xixi stood outside the door chatting and laughing with everyone, waiting for He Jinglan to return and have her confirm that everyone had arrived; only then would today's proceedings officially begin.

He Jinglan first announced that each household would receive one mu of oat field, and everyone present was overjoyed and energized.

Someone said gratefully, "The General surely knows we're short on grain; this is his grace to us!"

Someone laughed, "One mu of land is something each of us can manage without neglecting our household affairs."

The crowd chatted excitedly, faces full of joy, eager to roll up their sleeves and go to the fields right away.

He Jinglan signaled for everyone to be quiet, then continued with the matter of claiming the fruit trees.

Gu Xixi had originally thought everyone would have some reservations, making it not so easy to proceed.

However, as soon as He Jinglan finished speaking, several people stepped forward to join.

Moreover, their attitudes were enthusiastic, as if they feared they might be too late.

A middle-aged aunt laughed, "On the surface, this contract means we give the fruits we grow to Boss Gu to share the profits."

"But actually, it's that Boss Gu doesn't take money, gives us the fruit trees to plant, and then shares the profits from the fruit with us!"

Gu Xixi stared wide-eyed; this logic is impossible to refute!