Chapter 272: with translation of chapter title

Gu Clan Elder looked toward Jiang Mingyuan, "At year's end you'll be setting off for the capital, right?"

Next spring, Jiang Mingyuan will take the metropolitan examination in the capital.

Gu Clan Elder then said, "Perfect—this half year Gu Xixi has been busy with her affairs, so you can study in peace."

"There's plenty of time ahead—I just don't believe you'll ultimately lose to that Chen kid."

Far away, Mu Nan Zhao suddenly sneezed several times in a row.

Inside the commander's tent, they were discussing tomorrow's tactics.

Huo Jiang looked at Mu Nan Zhao, frowned, and said, "You really can't take it anymore, huh? You'd better go back and rest a while."

Last night Mu Nan Zhao had just returned, didn't go back to his own tent to rest, and immediately took Huo Jiang's military order to secretly go out and contact old acquaintances inside the city.

He only returned this morning, then came straight here to the meeting, having gone almost a day and a night without sleep.

Mu Nan Zhao said, "Thank you, General, for your concern—I'm fine."

In the army, ranks are strict; before everyone, he naturally would give Huo Jiang some face.

Mu Nan Zhao continued, "The inside‑outside cooperation plan devised by the General last night—I, Mu, finally managed not to disgrace the mission."

Now the troops are at the walls of Fengcheng, and tomorrow will be the first assault on the city.

Fengcheng has a hundred‑year‑old wall that still stands tall, high and thick, sturdy, easy to defend but hard to attack. Since ancient times it has been the eastern gateway, a contested spot for military strategists.

Once Fengcheng is taken, the army can march straight in; reaching the capital is merely a matter of time.

Thus Fengcheng houses heavy Imperial Court troops.

If the Northwest Army launches a strong assault, it will surely pay a heavy price and take a long time.

Given the current tense state of the court in the capital, it's unclear how long the advantage that He Jinghui painstakingly secured can last.

If the Empress Dowager's faction catches its breath, both the capital and the Northwest Army will face even more variables.

Upon hearing that Mu Nan Zhao had succeeded, all the commanders showed joy on their faces.

Mu Nan Zhao, however, didn't look that optimistic, saying, "But this inside‑outside cooperation still mainly depends on us."

Huo Jiang's expression turned solemn, and he said, "Go on."

…

Huachi Du Cun, in the morning, Gu Xixi went down the hill to loosen the soil around the tea trees, carrying her hoe back home when she saw from afar someone pacing back and forth outside her gate.

He walked a few steps, stopped, then peered through the crack of the door, and resumed his pacing.

Isn't that Gu Erye?

It's been a while since I last saw him; it seems he didn't even go to the Tudimiao last time.

Gu Xixi walked over with her usual expression.

Gu Erye heard the movement, turned his head, saw it was her, and was actually startled.

Gu Xixi froze, not even having time to speak, before seeing Gu Erye turn around, lower his head, hunch his back, and run off.

Gu Xixi shook her head, pushed the door, and entered the courtyard.

Zhang Shen was picking vegetables in the cool shade under the eaves, "Back already? I'll ladle you some mung bean soup."

Gu Xixi set down her hoe, "No rush—did Gu Erye not say anything to you just now?"

Zhang Shen frowned, looking outward, "Him? You mean he's outside?"

Gu Xixi told her what she had seen outside the door.

Zhang Shen already disliked such people; hearing this, she displeased said, "I didn't even know he was lurking outside, sneaking about—who knows what mischief he's up to!"

Although Gu Xixi had her suspicions, she said, "Never mind, let him go."

"Exactly!" Zhang Shen nodded, "Who has the leisure to try to figure out what he's thinking?"

At noon, a villager eating at his own doorstep saw a convoy of four donkey‑carts enter Huachi Du Cun.

The youth leading the way on horseback at the front had yellowish‑brown curly hair and deep blue eyes.

"An Qinghe?!"

"Little An is back!!"

The villagers who first saw An Qinghe ran happily all the way, shouting so the whole village knew:

"An Qinghe has arrived! Our pesticides and fertilizers are here! Everyone, come out quickly!!"

Four fully loaded carts rolled straight to the threshing ground in front of the Tudimiao.

As soon as the donkey‑carts came to a stop, the villagers rushed forward in a scramble.

Everyone gazed, anticipated, and some asked about prices, making the scene noisy and bustling.

An Qinghe wasn't in a hurry to talk business; he simply smiled and responded to each, first telling the drivers to unload the goods.

Only when he saw Gu Xixi arrive did he announce the prices.

This shipment included a mixed fertilizer and two kinds of pesticide, all formulas Gu Xixi had devised for millet.

The fertilizer is sold in 100‑jin bags; the pesticide powder is used in small amounts, needs to be mixed with water, and comes in 30‑jin bags, sold by the bag.

An Qinghe announced the prices publicly.

To the villagers, this was certainly no small sum, yet it was a bit lower than what they had privately expected.

Thus no one on site raised any objection.

Lao Qian organized everyone into a line, treating cash buyers and those on credit equally.

Only those buying on credit needed to hold a contract as proof, register the quantity, and could then take the goods directly.

As for how much was needed, each villager had previously reported to He Jinglan how many mu of millet they planted, and Gu Xixi calculated the amount from that.

The transaction proceeded smoothly; An Qinghe walked up to Gu Xixi, smiled, and said, "Your share will be delivered straight to your home later."

Gu Xixi saw he looked a bit thinner and said, "You went to Shu to tend the new orchard and also had to keep this workshop running—time is tight, really hard on you."

An Qinghe grinned broadly, "Gu Xixi, with you caring for me like this, even if I work myself to death, it's worth it."

He Jinglan glanced sideways, "Don't talk as if you're not doing it to make money for yourself."

An Qinghe, having been called out, wasn't angry, "Both factors are there, both are there—you can have both fish and bear's paw."

Gu Xixi and He Jinglan both laughed.

In the days awaiting An Qinghe, the villagers also weren't idle.

Everyone studied enthusiastically; even the Village Chief's household organized four study sessions a day.

At least for now, everyone has fully grasped the first stage's "secret formula."

We just need to get the fertilizer and pesticide in hand, then we can proceed with actual operation.

Gu Xixi casually glanced at the people in line, noticing Gu Lao San also there; he stood silently in the purchasing queue, seemingly sensing Gu Xixi's gaze, he hurriedly lowered his head and darted his eyes away.

Gu Xixi lightly shifted her gaze; she wouldn't actively help Gu Lao San's family, but if Gu Lao San came to buy things himself, or went to others to learn how to use them, no one would stop him.

He Jinglan whispered, "Your Gu Daye and Gu Erye—both families don't seem to have come."

Gu Xixi smiled, "Not necessarily."

He Jinglan doubted, "You say they could still shamelessly bask in your glory?"

Gu Xixi smiled without speaking.

Not to mention Gu Erye has long been eyeing the so-called secret formula, using both soft and hard tactics, exhausting all means.

Speaking of Gu Daye, although his family are vegetable farmers, they also need to grow grain.

The most critical point is that his family's unique position has long been shaken by Gu Xixi.

Nowadays, there's already Sister-in-law Zhou's orchard growing vegetables; her husband Zhou Huode often goes to the city to sell vegetables recently.

The couple—one sells pickled vegetables, the other sells fresh vegetables; who knows how much money they've made, truly enviable.

In the village, several households have already privately probed Gu Xixi's intentions, also wanting to learn how to grow vegetables.

These matters, Gu Xixi doesn't believe that Gu Daye's family is completely unaware.