Chapter 445: with translation of chapter title

Seeing Gu Xixi's very serious expression, Mu Nan Zhao couldn't help but laugh, indulgingly saying:

"Just now you said, in case she is a Bei Li noble, you should keep your distance to avoid suspicion."

"Now you also want to protect her—wouldn't that be too blatantly utilitarian?"

Gu Xixi didn't mind, "What's there to fear? She doesn't know what I'm thinking."

"Besides, I never harm anyone; it's just that we have no relation, each taking what we need."

"Stubborn." Mu Nan Zhao sighed, "If your heart is only for profit, why go to the trouble to save her?"

"Can we recoup the cost from those few pills we gave her?"

Gu Xixi was caught, she pursed her lips and muttered softly, "When rushing to save someone, who has time to worry about that?"

"It also doesn't hinder my later plan to use her."

"I now especially hope she can give birth to a boy."

She frowned again, puzzled, "Does this count as favoring males over females?"

In the present age, males are considered heavy, females light; men are heaven, women earth—this is a commonly accepted principle.

Since everything is taken for granted, there is neither blame for favoring males over females nor the concept itself.

Mu Nan Zhao was also hearing the term "favoring males over females" for the first time.

In the past, he might have been a bit doubtful.

But after getting to know Gu Xixi, he now not only understands the meaning easily, but also feels nothing wrong with it.

"This..." Mu Nan Zhao pondered, "It probably doesn't count."

"Your hope for him to be a boy is no different from your hope that the workshop could produce a few more bags of fertilizer."

"Moreover, giving birth to a male heir is likely also the Second Princess's own wish."

Gu Xixi's mouth twitched; the words weren't wrong, but the metaphor used…

Mu Nan Zhao, however, turned around at this moment, half-smiling, said, "That child isn't for carrying on our family line."

"You might consider whether, in the future, our family should have a daughter or a son inherit."

Gu Xixi, thinking of things, answered instinctively, "I naturally like both boys and girls, trying to keep things balanced."

She had just finished speaking when she saw Mu Nan Zhao laughing heartily, and instantly realized she had fallen into his trap.

Gu Xixi, annoyed, lifted her foot and kicked.

"Nonsense! Who's with you, 'we'?"

"I haven't agreed to you yet—don't go forcing a relation!"

"You're still laughing! Still laughing! No laughing allowed!"

Mu Nan Zhao smiled, letting her kick and hit, happily thinking, "It's only a matter of time!"

In the evening, General Liu personally came to the small courtyard, one to deliver this settlement's payment, two to consult Gu Xixi about the plan for next season's land reclamation and planting.

Hearing that grain could also be planted in the second season this year, General Liu's reaction was the same as everyone in the Dependents Village.

He joyfully stood up, then sat down again, rubbing his hands and said, "Planting sorghum—great!"

"Coarse grain is still grain; in our Xi Bei, sorghum seeds are also easy to obtain."

General Liu asked again, "Are we still planting pumpkins?"

He looked a bit cautious.

Because the Senior General had previously said, the entire reclamation effort should follow Boss Gu's lead.

One must not act on one's own initiative, nor interfere with Boss Gu's decisions.

Gu Xixi nodded, "Of course we can."

"Besides last year's pumpkins and red-and-white radishes, the land has now accumulated some fertility, so scallions, napa cabbage, and these storage‑friendly winter vegetables can be planted in moderate amounts."

General Liu was delighted, "That's wonderful!"

"Those old pumpkins from last winter were a great help—used in stewed dishes, soups, stir‑fried veggies, braised meat, and pasted pancakes."

"Everyone says this stuff is good—it can serve as a vegetable and also as a staple to fill you up."

"The mess hall only asked me to inquire, to see if we can still plant it this year."

Although the Northwest Army will no longer have its rations withheld as before,

but the whole undertaking still needs rest and recuperation—how abundant can Xi Bei's grain really become?

As the Senior General, Huo Jiangshen understands the principle of preparing for danger while in safety.

Therefore, borderland reclamation must not only continue, he especially memorialized the emperor to formally obtain permission for reclamation.

Gu Xixi calculated the required quantities of each seed type, made a list, and handed it to General Liu.

"You can first purchase according to this list."

"As for the specific planting methods, I'll need to go back and plan, then inform you in detail."

The land of the Northwest is precious; it must be utilized to the maximum extent and most reasonably.

For example, sorghum fields can be intercropped with cabbage that has low light requirements.

Pumpkins and radishes can be planted on land that is more severely sandy or not so flat.

……

After General Liu thanked Gu Xixi repeatedly, he was still grinning as he took his leave.

Until Mu Nan Zhao whispered a few words to him, General Liu's smile vanished abruptly.

He solemnly clasped his fists in a military salute, "This subordinate will certainly inform the Senior General word for word."

Lv Jing saw the guests out.

She heard nothing, although curious, but also understood that not everything is for her to know.

Gu Xixi certainly knew what Mu Nan Zhao had said.

Yi Na is likely the private matter of the Second Princess Consort of North Separation that must be promptly told to Huo Jiang.

As for how Huo Jiang should further verify it, that is his matter with the Northwest Army.

The next morning, Gu Xixi set off to return.

Mu Nan Zhao still needs to stay a few more days.

He helped Gu Xixi onto the carriage, saying, "You can't stay away from the capital for too long."

"This time I'm heading straight back to the capital; next time I come to Xi Bei, I'll return to the village to find you."

Gu Xixi nodded in agreement.

Mu Nan Zhao suddenly leaned close to her ear, "The Cha Yuan project is underway there, giving the Jiang County Magistrate reason to meet you frequently."

"And there's also An Qinghe; he's likely to return soon."

Gu Xixi smiled, pretending not to understand, "Why are you suddenly thinking about those two?"

Mu Nan Zhao said helplessly, "I'm warning you not to even think about climbing over the wall."

Gu Xixi raised her neck and said mischievously, "What if I don't obey?"

Seeing her mischievous look, Mu Nan Zhao couldn't bear to be harsh.

Gritting his teeth and smiling, he said, "I can't guarantee what I'll do if I go crazy."

……

After the wheat harvest, successive clear days passed; by the time Gu Xixi returned home, every household's wheat had been stored away.

After subtracting the portion paid to the hired workers, Gu Xixi's Houyuan granary was completely filled.

For farmers, this is the greatest sense of security.

From the moment Gu Xixi entered the door, she saw Zhang Shen bustling in and out with a smiling face, busy back and forth.

Zhang Shen said she would make cold noodles at noon using fresh wheat and flour, no coarse grains, hand-rolled into long noodles, paired with fresh vegetables and seasoned broth shredded chicken, for the whole family to enjoy a delicious meal.

Gu Xixi laughed, "There's no place like home."

"On the road I was just thinking about this bite; once home I didn't even need to ask, and Aunt had already prepared it."

She observed that Zhang Shen was in a good mood, then paused and said, "Aunt, do you still remember the Regent Prince's notice?"

Zhang Shen nodded while picking vegetables, laughing, "How could I forget?"

"One surnamed Mu, the other surnamed Gu, just like our family."

Gu Xixi nodded, "Hmm, the Gu clan mentioned in the notice is me."