Chapter 82: Do you want a backer? I

Today the sky is overcast, and a cold wind whistles outside the house.

The large earthen bed in the main room, heated by Zhang Shen, is warm enough to be slightly hot to the touch; with a straw mat, a cotton quilt, and a coarse cloth sheet on top, sitting on it feels just right warm.

On the square kang table are laid out tea snacks for guests: five-spice fried beans, pine nut candy, and the southern honey tangerines brought by Meng Chengping.

Zhang Shen finished her preparations, then took Shitou to the kitchen to warm up and eat, so that the three young people could talk.

Meng Chengping sat cross-legged, upright and solemn, and said, "Sister-in-law..."

Gu Xixi held Little Flower, calmly lifted her head and smiled, "My surname is Gu; General Meng, could you change how you address me?"

Compared to before, when she was called 'sister-in-law', Gu Xixi's reaction was either embarrassed or helpless.

At this moment, her demeanor inexplicably made Meng Chengping nervous, his tongue getting tied as he said, "Gu..."

Thinking of the task entrusted by the Great General, he cleverly came up with: "Boss Gu!"

Gu Xixi blinked in surprise and asked, "You said you came on orders—what exactly is the matter?"

Meng Chengping pulled out a neatly folded piece of paper from his lap and, with both hands, passed it across the kang table to Gu Xixi.

"Besides that basket of tangerines, the Great General ordered me to deliver this to Boss Gu."

Seeing him solemn, Gu Xixi hesitated before taking it, her glance first flicking to Mu Nan Zhao.

But seeing Mu Nan Zhao's eyes calm and giving no warning, Gu Xixi then felt at ease to open the folded paper.

When unfolded, it turned out to be two silver notes, each worth one hundred taels.

Her pupils contracted sharply as she looked across and asked, "General Meng, what does this mean?"

Meng Chengping said, "These two silver notes actually concern two matters. First, thanks to Boss Gu and your teacher's help, the prefecture issued a notice the day before yesterday officially declaring the rat plague eradicated."

"Especially in the several western villages most severely affected, the spread of the rat plague was promptly checked, many lives were saved, and peace throughout the Northwest was maintained."

"This is greatly appreciated by the Northwest Army and also eases the Great General's worries. I, Meng, thank you on behalf of the Great General."

Having said that, he first clasped his fists respectfully, then bowed his torso toward Gu Xixi in a salute.

He then continued, "The Great General said that such merit deserves a temple for the people to worship in; it ought to be reported to the Imperial Court for commendation. But..."

Gu Xixi's face changed slightly.

"Report to the Imperial Court? How could that work! Mu Nan Zhao is still hiding incognito in her home!"

Meng Chengping paused, then said, "But the Great General has heard that Boss Gu and the divine doctor dislike commotion and care nothing for empty fame."

Gu Xixi breathed a sigh of relief, "What the Great General says is quite right; it's better to stay low-key."

Meng Chengping said, "So, this one-hundred-tael silver note is a token of thanks, also a personal gesture from the Great General."

"This..." Gu Xixi hesitated whether to accept it.

Mu Nan Zhao spoke up, "They also said it's just a token gesture."

"Your rat‑extermination plan, Doctor Jiang's prescription—if sold they'd fetch far more than this; you can safely accept this silver note."

Gu Xixi immediately replied, "Good!"

She lowered her gaze to the silver note and felt her heart bloom with uncontrollable little flowers popping open, pop-pop, she was delighted!

Meng Chengping then gave a wry smile and said, "Brother Mu, at least spare some face."

"Our Northwest Army has little surplus, and the Great General never engages in shady dealings; sometimes provisions run short and he has to dip into his own purse to make up the difference. Giving one hundred taels is certainly not because he's stingy."

Gu Xixi, pleased to have earned one hundred taels, smiled brightly, picked up a tangerine and began to peel it, about to eat, when Mu Nan Zhao reached out and took the whole fruit away.

He broke off a segment and put it in his mouth; the whole series of motions was utterly natural.

"Gu Xixi, don't get too excited just yet—General Meng has already started crying poor."

"Watch out—if you can't secure the second silver note, they might even take back the first one."

Gu Xixi had just brought the tangerine to her lips when it was snatched away; she glared angrily at Mu Nan Zhao. Looking at his expression, the tangerine must be sweet—doesn't he have hands to peel it himself?

Hearing Mu Nan Zhao mention the silver note, Gu Xixi's sharp gaze shifted back to the opposite side.

Startled, Meng Chengping waved his hands repeatedly, "No, no—I promised the money to Boss Gu; how could I dare take it back?"

"That's not what I meant," Gu Xixi said solemnly. "Since it concerns provisions, it's all the more important—General Meng, stop beating around the bush and just speak plainly."

Meng Chengping stared, stunned; he hadn't expected a woman's manner of handling affairs to be so decisive and efficient.

Moreover, she is very sharp; he had only mentioned a shortage of provisions in passing, yet she guessed that this was the primary goal of his trip.

Meng Chengping then sat up straight and proceeded to explain everything in detail.

Last year the court had just experienced a great turmoil, and the Great General refused to collude with certain factions in the imperial court.

The provisions allocated to the Northwest Army were not only delayed by layer upon layer of obstructions, but also subjected to layer upon layer of extortion.

The Great General recently also received news that several feudal princes in various regions are showing signs of restless ambition.

If this continues, it will inevitably lead to a reduction in the grain and tax revenue collected by the Imperial Court from all regions.

How much of that will still be left for the Northwest Army after distribution?

If internal strife later invites foreign invasion, how can the Northwest Army's soldiers and warhorses fight the enemy or defend the Northwest frontier if they can't even fill their stomachs?

Therefore, the Great General, looking far ahead, devised a plan.

In times of peace, could the vast wastelands of the border garrisons be put to use, cultivated by the soldiers?

Cultivation can strengthen the physique and combine with military drills; the grain grown can supplement army supplies.

Thus, drilling and provisions need not conflict.

Meng Chengping said, "However, the Great General comes from a military family and is not versed in agriculture,"

"He therefore wants to ask Boss Gu about the feasibility of this."

Gu Xixi pondered and said, "The soldiers are mostly strong; farming in their spare time from drills is indeed feasible."

"But I still need to see those wastelands with my own eyes to determine whether they can be farmed and what specifically to plant."

Saying that meant she agreed to help.

Meng Chengping expressed his gratitude with a clasped-fist salute, "Thank you!"

He paused, then gave a hesitant smile, "That..."

I heard Boss Gu has a secret method for grain that can increase yields more than double compared to others?

Gu Xixi stared, "Secret method?"

She didn't even know that the rumors of her millet farming had not only spread from Huachi Du Cun, but had spread to such a mystical degree?

Meng Chengping said solemnly, "The General said, if Boss Gu can wholeheartedly teach this method, he would be a benefactor of the Northwest Army."

Not only that, Boss Gu can set any conditions he likes.

From now on in Xi Bei, the entire Northwest Army will be Boss Gu's backing!

Gu Xixi hadn't recovered from one shock when another arose—conditions can be set casually? The Northwest Army as backing?

The temptation was too great; Gu Xixi decided to drink tea to calm down.

She sipped slowly, finished a cup of tea, and had already made a decision.

After I inspect the site in person, if the conditions are suitable for farming, I can guide you throughout the process on how to do it.

However, that's merely a farming method slightly different from others; it's not some secret method, nor can it be explained in a few words or a single sheet of paper.