Chapter 63: (Revised) Have You Done This with Other Women…

Chapter 63 (Revised) A Woman's Authority

Ruo Lan and her entourage journeyed for two days and finally arrived at Tumochuan by the evening of the second day.

The leaders of the Du and Yu tribes, upon hearing that they were sent by Tuo Baxiao, hurried to greet them.

"Lord Tuo Bahuai," they first paid their respects to Tuo Bahuai, then turned to Ruo Lan with puzzled looks, "And this is..."

A woman, surrounded by attendants, stood half a step ahead of Tuo Bahuai. Her age and attire clearly distinguished her from a concubine, and most importantly, she was actually Han Chinese, which was strange from any perspective.

Tuo Bahuai was about to introduce her, but Ruo Lan spoke first, "I am Zhou Ruo Lan, the Khatun's officer. You may address me as Lady Zhou."

"Once the King became aware of the situation in Tumochuan, he discussed it with the Khatun and the other lords, and ultimately decided to send me and Lord Tuo Bahuai to handle this matter."

She spoke in Xianbei, and everyone understood, which only heightened their surprise.

The King had actually sent a Han Chinese to handle the wheat seedlings, not just a Han Chinese, but a woman.

Moreover, it seemed she was in charge, with Tuo Bahuai merely as her deputy?

Their faces registered astonishment, and they instinctively glanced at each other, then at Tuo Bahuai.

Tuo Bahuai's expression remained calm, showing no emotion, as if he had no objections to the King's decision.

Ruo Lan commanded attention from the outset, her demeanor gentle, yet her words exuded both kindness and authority, and continued, "The King holds the wheat seedlings in high regard and is determined to grow wheat here successfully. Regardless of whether this year's wheat can be harvested, we will continue farming next year. This matter is not up for debate. I have come with the King and Khatun's mission, and I have made a decision before setting out: I will not depart until the wheat issue is resolved."

"You have been working on the wheat for half a year, plowing, sowing, watering, and irrigating, expending so much effort. If all your efforts yield nothing, would you be content? Not only that, but you might also face the King's wrath. This is a situation neither of us would like to see."

"I have brought many agricultural experts with me, all with extensive experience in farming. Whether it's fertilizing, watering, or dealing with pests and diseases, they have solutions. I am confident that by working together to identify the cause, we will surely succeed in resolving the issue and making the wheat seedlings bear grain."

Leaving everyone momentarily stunned, her gender momentarily forgotten.

They glanced behind Ruo Lan and saw a sizable entourage, including twenty armored soldiers with swords, not drawn but standing there with an imposing presence, full of pressure.

"Lady Zhou... rest assured, we will dutifully follow the King's commands," they could only say.

Ruo Lan nodded, "With your assistance, I am reassured."

"As night falls, perhaps Lady Zhou and Lord Tuo Bahuai should retire to the tent?" someone suggested.

Ruo Lan looked over, did not respond, but instead asked politely, "I have yet to inquire about your names."

"I am Du Gubo."

"I am Yu Wentuo."

The two introduced themselves succinctly.

"Chief Du, Chief Yu, farming is akin to battling a blaze; every moment counts. Though it's too late to inspect the fields today, there's still time before nightfall. Could you two brief me on the situation in Tumochuan?"

"After all, everything is in service to the King's command."

Having said this, Du Gubo and Yu Wentuo naturally had no reason to refuse.

Ruo Lan then invited the two into the tent, where they sat on the carpet. Ruo Lan took out paper and pen, asking A Mao to assist in confirming communication and recording the details they provided.

Du Gubo and Yu Wentuo detailed that the wheat seedlings had been sown two months prior, and about twenty days ago, the leaves began to turn yellow and die.

"How much wheat field have you planted?" Ruo Lan asked.

"It should be about three million mu," Du Gubo said uncertainly. They hadn't measured carefully, only cultivating a few plots of land near water sources.

Ruo Lan did some quick mental math. According to the lady, the land in Tumochuan could potentially develop about twelve million mu of farmland. Currently, only three million mu had been cultivated, less than a quarter of the area. The Xianbei people likely found their first attempt at land reclamation quite laborious, plus their small population and lack of farming know-how.

"Are these farmlands cultivated by both your tribes together? How exactly are they divided?"

"Where are the dead wheat plants? Do they have anything in common?"

...

Ruo Lan fired off a series of questions, finally gaining a deeper understanding of the situation in Tumochuan. She also made marks on the map as she asked.

Yu Wentuo noticed this and frowned slightly.

"Can someone show me the wheat fields tomorrow?" Ruo Lan finally asked.

"Of course, you are the king's envoy," Du Gubo said.

They talked for over an hour until the night grew dark. Ruo Lan then saw them off with an apologetic smile and turned to Tuo Bahuai, saying, "Lord Tuo, you must be tired as well."

"No, it's you, Lord Zhou, who's truly tired," Tuo Bahuai replied. "I haven't done much."

He spoke the truth. Ruo Lan's preparations were thorough, and even though she wasn't very familiar with the Xianbei language, she had a young girl by her side who, despite her age, was quite proficient in various Hunnic languages, hardly needing his assistance.

"You should get some rest. We have an early start tomorrow," Ruo Lan said.

Tuo Bahuai nodded and gave a Han-style farewell salute. As he turned away, his eyes darkened slightly.

Her capabilities were even more impressive than he had thought. After two days of travel, everyone was exhausted, but she didn't rest at all upon arrival, immediately focusing on the key issues. What's more, the team she brought was entirely her own, following only her commands, leaving him no chance to step in.

He had hoped to make a name for himself with this wheat issue, but now he was just a stepping stone for that Han Princess.

Tuo Bahuai looked up at the dark night sky, where the stars twinkled like a dazzling ribbon.

Tuo Baxiao was truly lucky. A trip to Liang State had brought him back such a formidable princess, not just this time, but also before.

---

The next day, at the first light of dawn, Ruo Lan set out with her team.

She had guides from the Dugu and Yuwen Tribes take her on horseback to inspect the farmlands.

Ruo Lan wasn't an expert in farming, but she had often accompanied the lady to various experimental fields, giving her a basic understanding of agriculture. She immediately spotted many issues.

The Xianbei people's wheat fields looked more like patches of grass with a few wheat plants randomly stuck in.

At a glance, the wheat plants were sparse and weak, while the surrounding weeds were lush, almost overwhelming the wheat.

Moreover, the wheat plants were irregularly spaced, some densely packed, others scattered, and the yellowing leaves made the scene quite pitiful.

The wheat was at a critical stage, about to sprout. Any further delay, and it would be beyond saving.

Realizing the severity of the situation, Ruo Lan discussed several decisions with the farmers after they reported their findings. She then asked Tuo Bahuai to summon Du Gubo and Yu Wentuo to convey her intentions.

Yu Wentuo said nothing, but Du Gubo looked troubled, his words evasive.

"Lord Zhou, our people are used to herding. We've never farmed before, so of course, we don't understand the intricacies."

That's not an issue," Ruo Lan smiled. "I brought along plenty of farmers. I'll send them to the various wheat fields to teach your people how to farm. Just follow their instructions."

...

Ruo Lan moved fast and with determination. The next day, she split the team into smaller groups. Each group was assigned two Liangzhou Imperial Guard members, both to intimidate and act as messengers, ensuring any situation could be promptly reported.

The farmers barely spoke the Xianbei language, so she handed two groups over to Tuo Bahuai.

Before setting out, she had asked the lady how to treat Tuo Bahuai. After all, he was an unfamiliar Xianbei man, and it was unclear what his intentions were. The lady said to use him as long as nothing seemed off.

Ruo Lan kept an eye on him for a few days and found that she couldn't quite figure him out, but for now, their goals seemed aligned.

The biggest worry, pests and diseases, wasn’t a big deal, so the rest could be resolved.

First, the weeds in the wheat fields needed to be removed, and the soil loosened to an appropriate level. Then, water and fertilizer should be applied based on the specific conditions of each plot.

It turned out that the Xianbei people farmed quite haphazardly. They had no unified management and relied entirely on their intuition. Some fields were flooded, drowning the wheat seedlings, while others were so dry that the soil cracked. Some fields had been half-eaten by sheep. In short, there were all sorts of absurd situations.

Within a couple of days, after some cultivation, the wheat fields underwent a significant transformation. By the fourth or fifth day, the once weak, yellow wheat seedlings started to perk up, visibly improving.

Even under the blazing sun, Ruo Lan inspected the wheat fields every day. She made each team report their progress, gathering tough issues to hash out with Du Gubo and Yu Wentuo, then negotiating solutions.

At times, they tried to excuse themselves by claiming a lack of manpower, but Ruo Lan managed to persuade them.

She mixed carrots and sticks, stating this mattered to the king and they must save the wheat seedlings, or else the king would be displeased. They had to think about facing the king’s anger. She also mentioned that if they could turn the situation around and successfully harvest the wheat this year, the king would surely praise the Du and Yu clans greatly. She told them the busy days wouldn’t last and things would ease up once these problems were resolved.

At night, she penned a letter by the oil lamp outlining what had happened and had Zhang Zheng’s people deliver it to the lady.

Jiang Congyan got the letter and saw plenty of problems right away. However, Ruo Lan was a pro at handling people and, under the banner of Tuo Baxiao, managed to proceed smoothly.

She checked out other spots, noting good farmland and sending the details back.

Tuo Bahuai stayed out of trouble and pitched in to fix things. However, Ruo Lan noted that sometimes she could still see Tuo Bahuai's frustration.

Jiang Congyan laughed at that. Tuo Bahuai, let's see.

She sorted the papers and kept planning ahead.

Over the past few days, the workshop had taken shape. The merchant caravan was not yet ready, and the remaining servants and craftsmen had not been assigned major tasks. However, they couldn't remain idle forever. After consulting Tuo Baxiao, Jiang Congyan decided to develop other industries simultaneously.

The craftsmen included carpenters, blacksmiths, leatherworkers, and potters, among others. Among the carpenters, there were specialists in wheels, bows, carriages, and more. The blacksmiths included metallurgists, forgers, and builders, covering almost all military and daily life skills.

Tuo Baxiao had a use for these people. He stated his requirements, and Jiang Congyan took the initiative to take on the task from him, as she was now managing the craftsmen.

At first, he was reluctant. "Won't all this work tire you out?"

Jiang Cong replied, "I'm just instructing my subordinates to do the work and occasionally checking on the progress. It won't be too tiring."

At that moment, the man gave her a meaningful look. Jiang Cong was focused on persuading him and didn't think much of it. But that night, when the man pounced on her, once wasn't enough; he wanted a second and third time. When she said she was tired and refused, he said, "You said earlier that you weren't tired."

"...?" Is this the same thing?

"If you're tired, then don't handle those matters."

"..."

A threat, this is definitely a threat!

She had thought her pillow talk was somewhat effective, that he agreed to whatever she did. But now, it had become her weakness and vulnerability.

Jiang Congyan was furious for a moment, only to realize she had no strength to resist the man at that moment. Moreover, she couldn't give up the craftsmen and industries, so she had no choice but to give in, letting the man bully her until she couldn't even lift a finger.

Now, she wasn't sure if she had achieved her goal or if that damn man had taken advantage of her. Either way, she was even more exhausted, not from her work, but from being worn out by the insatiable man.

Within a few days, new carpenter, tanner, and blacksmith workshops were built in the royal court. The combination of these three could produce spears, halberds, arrows, and other weapons, as well as leather armor, drums, chariots, saddles, and other military supplies.

In addition to supplying the royal court's army, they also opened their services to others. The workshops were still under construction, but tents were set up as shops. Those who wanted to buy furniture or repair weapons and bows could go to the shops.

Thus, she also requisitioned the remaining two plots of land.

With her support, Zhang Fu opened a medical clinic, but there was no time to build a house yet, so he temporarily used his tent as a consultation room.

The Xianbei people in the royal court had little contact with Central Plains medicine, so they were wary and unfamiliar with it, only watching from a distance, not seeking treatment. However, Modolou and Chigan Balie's subordinates often went.

They had witnessed Zhang Fu's miraculous skills along the way, especially in treating external injuries. Wounds that used to take one or two months to heal now recovered in less than a month.

Wounds prone to festering in the summer wouldn't rot after his treatment. How miraculous!

These Xianbei cavalrymen, inevitably injured during training and competitions, used to treat their wounds hastily, but now they could see Zhang Fu.

He didn't charge much, just enough to cover expenses, and he even allowed them to exchange local herbs, which just happened to replenish the consumed medicinal materials.

Zhang Fu was very interested in the herbs on the grassland, as there were many varieties not seen in the Central Plains. He planned to study them slowly and compile them into a book.

He and his father had long had the idea of compiling a medical encyclopedia, but the project was huge and not something that could be accomplished overnight.

Zhang Fu's medical skills were considered divine even in the Central Plains, and on the grassland, it was even more of a dimensional reduction attack. Moreover, the treatment effects were visible to the naked eye. Those Xianbei cavalrymen who had been treated by him went back and talked to their companions and families, spreading the word tenfold. His reputation as a divine doctor quickly spread, and some who were injured while hunting or bitten by snakes and insects also came to him, so much so that he was extremely busy.

Jiang Congyan naturally supported him very much. Since Zhang Fu had too many patients and couldn't handle them all, she assigned ten of her maids and eunuchs who had come with her to assist him with miscellaneous tasks. After all, she didn't need so many people to serve her, and she also sent the previous mixed-race maid to help him with translation.

The development of medicine was a very important part of her plan. In the future, it was bound to expand and train more battlefield medical personnel, preferably forming a complete training system like in later generations.

At present, the Liangzhou army already had the rudiments of this system, but on the grassland, it was still a blank slate, and she needed to rebuild it bit by bit.

Thus, the Xianbei people discovered that this Han Princess had only been on the grassland for half a month, and the royal court had undergone tremendous changes.

They could see workshops under construction everywhere, with the Han people bustling about, building earthen houses. They didn't know what they were specifically for, but the momentum was as if they had taken themselves as the masters of this land. Many people couldn't help but glance a few times when they went out.

Of course, there were also people who protested to Tuo Baxiao, saying that these Han people had occupied the land that belonged to the Xianbei people, but Tuo Baxiao never paid attention.

The workshops she built were all what he needed, beneficial and harmless to him. Only she could make those Han craftsmen completely submit and work for her. If the craftsmen had been handed over to the Xianbei people, it would definitely not have gone as smoothly as it did now. Tuo Baxiao was very satisfied with the current situation, not to mention that he could take advantage of the night to be greedy for a while longer.

Jiang Congyan had to deal with the affairs of various workshops during the day and cope with the man's demands at night. She was really exhausted. Fortunately, her menstrual period came on time.

Finally, she could rest. She thought.

Today, Tuo Baxiao seemed to be a bit busy and didn't return until nearly Hai hour, even missing dinner.

Jiang Congyan had already washed up and gone to bed. She was so tired that she quickly fell asleep until she was kissed awake by the man.

She was suffocating and uncomfortable, so she pushed the man's face away with force.

Tuo Baxiao continued to kiss elsewhere.

She had just woken up and was a bit confused at first, until the man's rough palm slipped under her clothes and touched her waist, intending to go further. Jiang Congyan remembered something and quickly pressed his mischievous hand.

"No."

"Hmm?" Tuo Baxiao stopped and stared at her.

"I'm on my period," Jiang Congyan explained.

She thought he would understand after hearing this, but to her surprise, he still looked puzzled.

Then he asked, "What's that?"

"???"

Now Jiang Congyan was the one who was puzzled.

Her eyes widened as she stared at him, unsure if he genuinely didn't know or was just pretending.

"You don't know what that is?" she asked again.

Tuo Baxiao still shook his head. "What is it?"

As he spoke, he leaned in for another kiss. He had returned late and probably only had time for one or two rounds, so he didn't want to waste time.

Jiang Congyan: "..."

From his expression, he really didn't know, though it might be a terminology difference.

"Stop, we can't do this today," she said, mustering all her strength to push his face away from hers.

That single action left her breathless, her fair face flushed with a rosy hue, incredibly alluring.

She took a moment to catch her breath and organize her thoughts. "After girls turn thirteen or fourteen, they start bleeding from their lower body about once a month. That's why it's called a period."

Tuo Baxiao paused to think. He seemed to have heard something about this before.

In the army, it was all men, and their conversations were often crude and unrestrained, covering all sorts of topics. They were usually only interested in a few things: meat, alcohol, and women. He'd sometimes heard them complain about bad timing, like coming home to find their wives bleeding.

So that's what they meant.

"If you're on your period, we can't do this?" he asked, his eyes still clearly filled with expectation.

"Of course, it's unclean."

"I don't care."

"..."

Jiang Congyan felt a surge of anger, wondering if he was some kind of pervert! He actually wanted to do it during her period...

She pinched his arm hard, but his muscles were too firm for her to make a dent.

Tuo Baxiao didn't get why she was so angry. He didn't mind—it was just a little blood, and pleasure mattered more.

As her anger faded, Jiang Congyan noticed his calm expression. Though his desire was clear, he didn't seem perverse. A strange thought hit her—Tuo Baxiao seemed clueless about women's matters.

Of course, this was pretty normal. In this era, information was limited, and there weren't many ways for him to learn about such things. Moreover, as a high-ranking king, women had always catered to him, so he never needed to lower himself to understand these matters.

"No," she said. "It's unclean. Doing it during this time can easily lead to infections."

Tuo Baxiao was taken aback, raising his eyelids. "Is that so?"

"Yes," Jiang Congyan's expression softened a bit, and she earnestly explained a few more potential risks to him.

Tuo Baxiao pondered for a moment. She was already quite delicate, and if this could cause illness, then...

"Fine, I'll leave you alone," Tuo Baxiao said in a low voice, his tone as disappointed as a dog denied its bone.

After kissing her for a while earlier, he had been aroused, and now he was left frustrated and uncomfortable. He pulled her into a tight embrace.

Jiang Congyan could feel how tightly he was holding her, how tense his body was. He was holding her so tightly it was almost painful, but she stayed still, letting him hold her.

Not only did he hold her, but he kept nuzzling her face, his breathing becoming heavier.

"...Can you just calm down?"

"I'm in pain."

"Then go sleep alone."

Tuo Baxiao bit her hard.

...

The room was so quiet that only their breathing and heartbeats could be heard. He was clearly in discomfort, yet he insisted on staying close to her. It seemed he hadn't even thought of finding someone else to relieve his tension...

Not just tonight, but several times before, it had been the same.

Throughout their journey, she had never seen Tuo Baxiao with any other women, nor had she seen any after they arrived at the royal court. As far as she could tell, she seemed to be the only one.

In this era, most people married young, often at fourteen or fifteen. Especially after Tuo Baxiao became king, he certainly wouldn't lack for women. The grassland tribes were known for their loose morals, and there was even a tradition of sons inheriting their fathers' widows. In such an environment, she had never expected Tuo Baxiao to remain celibate.

Especially since he was already twenty, an age when most people would have children running around.

She had previously avoided thinking too much about these matters to avoid upsetting herself. As long as she was the principal wife, as long as he respected her and she had the corresponding power, she was satisfied.

But Tuo Baxiao's reaction tonight made an almost absurd thought pop into her mind—had he never been with a woman before?

Reason told her this was unlikely, because she could see that Tuo Baxiao was not a man of abstinence. On the contrary, he was quite indulgent. Yet, she had a faint feeling.

Tuo Baxiao noticed the change in her mood and lifted her chin to look at him, "What's wrong? Are you unhappy?"

"Nothing."

"No, something's off with you," the man said with certainty.

He loosened his grip slightly, creating a bit of distance, and stared at her with a serious expression.

Jiang Congyan raised her long lashes, looking at the man's face so close to hers, and pursed her lips.

Should she ask him directly?

What if she was just overthinking it?

Most likely, she would only get a disappointing answer.

But at this moment, some emotional impulse overpowered her strong rationality, compelling her to slowly open her mouth, "You... before..."

Her words were fragmented, never before had she been so hesitant in front of him.

"What about me before?"

The man had deep, dark green eyes that seemed to pierce through to the depths of one's soul. Gazing into them made one's heart tremble.

Jiang Congyan avoided his gaze, lowered her eyes, and looked at the faint stubble on his chin. Finally, she steeled herself, mustered her courage, and asked the question—

"Before me, have you ever been this close with another woman?"