Chapter 210

Chapter 210

Wang Ying’s book clattered to the ground. "What did you say?!"

Chen Qingyan bent down to retrieve it. "News arrived from the border this morning. Jieli Khan is leading 300,000 Turkic troops towards Yangguan. They’re likely already at our doorstep."

"How… how could this be so sudden? Didn't the Turks send envoys to the capital last year? Both sides peacefully signed a ceasefire, planning to reopen the Longxi border market. How could war break out just like that?"

Chen Qingyan explained, "Last winter, the Turks suffered a once-in-a-century snow disaster. I heard countless livestock perished. If they don't attack us this year, they might not even have enough to eat."

Indeed. Natural disasters had ravaged the Turkic pastures, so they turned their aggression towards the Central Plains. These barbarians had never abandoned their ambition to conquer Wu.

"What should we do now?"

Chen Qingyan held Wang Ying’s hand. "I’ve already notified Baiguan and Qianguan. Tomorrow, they will escort you and Yuanbao back to Jizhou."

"What about you?"

"I cannot leave for now. Shanzhou is adjacent to the frontier and serves as a vital supply base for the army. This place must not fall into disarray—I must remain here to oversee things."

"If you’re not leaving, then neither am I! I can’t abandon you here alone!"

Chen Qingyan reassured him, "A-Ying, hear me out. Your return isn't just for safety. We have the experimental fields. If the border runs short of provisions, we can transport grain there in an instant."

"You want to use the experimental fields to transport supplies?!"

"It’s merely a contingency plan. We must not resort to this ability unless it’s absolutely necessary."

Both understood clearly: once they used the experimental fields to transport grain, their ability would likely be exposed. During wartime, it might be hailed as a miracle, but after the war, it could become their death warrant.

Wang Ying harbored no grand ambitions and had no desire for self-sacrifice. As an ordinary person, he simply wished to protect his family and friends.

Unless absolutely essential, he never wanted to reveal this ability in front of others for the rest of his life.

After a moment of silence, he said, "Then I’ll pack my things. You must be careful staying here alone. If anything goes wrong, return immediately through the experimental fields!"

"Alright."

Chen Qingyan surveyed the courtyard, thinking: This war has come at the worst possible time. Shanzhou was just beginning to flourish. Who knows how many years it will take to recover after this battle?

After packing, Wang Ying took only a few changes of clothes and Yuanbao’s books. That evening, he discussed it with Yuanbao.

"Are just the two of us going back? Isn’t Father coming?"

Wang Ying didn’t mention the war at the border. "Your father is too busy with official duties to leave. You’ll be twelve next year, and I plan to have you take the *Tongshi* exams."

Yuanbao immediately brightened at the mention of an exam. "So we’re going back for the *Tongshi* exams? When are we leaving?"

Chen Qingyan said, "You’ll depart tomorrow. A carriage has already been prepared for you. Once there, listen carefully to your father and help me fulfill my filial duty to Grandma."

"Okay!"

Thrilled at the thought of soon seeing his grandmother and relatives, Yuanbao didn’t notice the heavy expressions on his father and dad’s faces.

Early the next morning, Huang Baiguan had the carriage waiting in the courtyard. They traveled light, with only the four of them.

The shop’s business still required Chen Zhandong’s attention, so he couldn’t leave yet. Chen Ju, responsible for caring for Chen Qingyan, also stayed behind.

Wang Ying and Yuanbao boarded the carriage. Wang Ying had so much he wanted to say to Chen Qingyan, but it all condensed into one sentence: "Take good care of yourself."

"Go now. Be safe on the road. Have a smooth journey."

News of the rekindled war at the border quickly spread throughout Shanzhou. Many citizens began packing their belongings, preparing to flee, and lines stretched out at the government office for travel permits.

Of course, only the wealthy could afford to flee. Ordinary people wouldn’t leave. Their families had lived here for generations. Where would they escape to? Would fleeing guarantee survival?

Without money or food, they would starve to death on the road. It was better to stay in Shanzhou—at least the crops in the fields were almost ready. After the autumn harvest, they wouldn’t go hungry.

Chen Qingyan busied himself with gathering provisions and weapons. Prefect Feng was also active, mobilizing troops to support the border.

Only forty thousand soldiers were stationed at Yangguan—a stark contrast to the Turkic’s 300,000 troops. Without timely reinforcements, the enemy might march right through.

*

Two days later, Lin Sui and Qing Er arrived in Shanzhou with a military escort.

Chen Qingyan greeted them and immediately asked, "How is the situation at the border? Is the Marquis safe?!"

Lin Sui said wearily, "The Turkic army is pressing hard at the border. The Marquis is desperately defending Yangguan. The two armies were still in a standoff when we left. I don’t know what the situation is now."

"Did the Marquis leave any instructions?"

Lin Sui shook his head. "The Marquis only told me to bring Qing Er back to Jizhou."

"A-Ying left a few days ago. Rest here for a couple of days before continuing your journey."

Lin Sui didn’t argue. He took Qing Er to a guest room to rest. The worries along the journey had exhausted him. Every time he closed his eyes, he saw Li Mu injured, and it left him too upset to eat or sleep.

Qing Er was also worried about her father but still comforted Lin Sui. "Don’t worry, Dad. Daddy's so capable—he’ll definitely be fine."

"Yes…"

After a brief day of rest, Lin Sui and Qing Er continued their journey east. The military horses were strong and fast. After half a month of relentless travel, they finally caught up with Wang Ying’s group by the Yellow River.

The two embraced, their eyes welling up with tears.

"Brother Sui, when did you arrive?"

"I reached Shanzhou just a few days after you left. I’ve been trying to catch up all this way and finally did."

"How is the border now? Qing Yan rushed me and Yuanbao back in such a hurry after getting the news."

Lin Sui shook his head. Though he knew little about warfare, even he could see the situation was grim. "The Marquis said the court has already sent troops for support. We just need to hold on until the reinforcements arrive."

Both were heavy-hearted. After a few words, they boarded the raft to cross the river.

Wang Ying still remembered taking this sheepskin raft on the way there. He’d been terrified then, and now he was just as scared. Fortunately, they crossed safely without any trouble.

Perhaps due to excessive worry and exhaustion from travel, Lin Sui fell ill right after crossing the Yellow River.

That night, he suddenly developed a high fever—his forehead burning hot—and began talking out of his head. Qing Er couldn’t wake him and ran scared to fetch Wang Ying for help.

"Uncle, what’s wrong with my dad?" The little girl asked, tears streaming down her face.

Wang Ying took out fever medicine from his luggage and gave it to him. "He must have caught a chill on the road. Let him take this medicine first. Tomorrow morning, we’ll find a town nearby and see a doctor."

"Okay."

Wang Ying and Qing Er didn’t dare sleep all night. As dawn approached, Lin Sui’s fever finally broke, and he regained consciousness.

"A-Ying, why are you here? Cough, cough, cough…" Lin Sui’s voice was hoarse.

"You had a high fever last night, and it really worried us. Try not to talk right now. The nearest county town is less than twenty miles away. We'll rest there for a few days before continuing the journey."

"Don't delay the trip..."

"It won't be delayed. Your health is more important."

After breakfast at the post station, the group changed their route to the county town and found a clinic for Lin Sui.

The doctor felt his pulse, stroked his beard, and shook his head repeatedly. "Sir, why are you so stressed? You must learn to let go of things and not brood over them, or it may harm your longevity over time. I'll prescribe some herbal teas to reduce fever and inflammation for you. Come back for another check after finishing them."

How could Lin Sui not be stressed? His husband was fighting at the border, his fate unknown. If the battle were lost, he might not even leave a body behind...

Back at the inn, Lin Sui remained groggy and exhausted. Even after taking several doses of medicine, there was no improvement, and he grew increasingly haggard.

This couldn't go on. Wang Ying knew it was emotional distress and advised him, "Brother Sui, you must try to move forward. Right now, we can't go to the battlefield to help. Are you going to abandon Qing Er? If you don't take care of her, who will?"

Lin Sui wept and said, "I understand what you're saying, but my heart is breaking."

In earlier years, Lin Sui had suffered too much. Only after arriving at the border did he experience being truly cherished for the first time.

He remembered when he first arrived at the border; Li Mu, afraid he wouldn't be used to the local food, specially sent someone to find a chef from Jizhou. Once, when he fell ill, Li Mu stayed by his side without leaving, waking up in the middle of the night to cook soft scrambled eggs for him and feeding him spoonful by spoonful. In their leisure time, Li Mu would take him horseback riding across the grasslands, telling him local legends...

If life had always been bitter, it might have been easier, but having tasted a bit of sweetness in his bitter life, how could he bear to lose it?

"If something really happens to him on the battlefield, I won't be able to go on living either..."

Seeing him like this, Wang Ying knew there was no use persuading him further and decided to reveal his secret. "Brother Sui, you remember running the shop with me in Jizhou, right? Weren't you curious about where I got those vegetables?"

"Why bring this up suddenly?" Lin Sui was somewhat puzzled.

"Let me show you something." Wang Ying took his hand and silently willed the experimental field to open.

The scenery before them instantly transformed. One moment they were in the inn room, the next they found themselves in an unfamiliar place.

Lin Sui was stunned speechless. "Sis... wait, sister-in-law, what is this...?"

"This is the secret to how I grow vegetables in winter."

Wang Ying walked straight to a fruit tree, picked an orange, and tossed it to Lin Sui. "Not only can I open this experimental field, but your cousin can too. Anything I put in here, he can take out."

Wang Ying paused before continuing, "So, come back to Jizhou with me to secure supplies. Qing Yan will find a way to transport them to the border!"

Lin Sui's eyes lit up, and he quickly took out a jade pendant from his robe and handed it to Wang Ying. "This is the funds the Marquis gave me. With this token, you can withdraw fifty thousand taels of silver from the bank. Sister-in-law, take it and use it as needed!"

"Then I'll accept it for now. You must recover quickly!"

Wang Ying revealed this secret to Lin Sui for two reasons: first, he didn't have enough money on hand, and second, he needed an assistant. Moreover, Lin Sui's status as the Marquis's spouse would make acquiring supplies much easier.

Now that preparations were made, it was time to roll up their sleeves and get to work!

After resting in the county town for three or four days, Lin Sui had mostly recovered, and the group continued their journey.

On the way back, they encountered a trade caravan transporting medicinal herbs. These herbs were originally meant to be sold in Su Province, but halfway there, news arrived that fighting had broken out at the border, forcing the convoy to turn back.

During their conversation, Wang Ying learned that most of these herbs were for treating bruises and injuries—such as pseudoginseng, safflower, davallia, and dragon's blood. Dragon's blood, in particular, was a highly effective medicine for external wounds. Once war broke out, such items would become incredibly valuable.

"Where are you planning to transport these medicines, merchant?"

The merchant sighed. "We'll head back the way we came for now. When we reach Song Province, we'll try to sell them off cheaply to avoid getting stuck with inventory."

Although these medicines could fetch high prices at the border, one had to survive the journey to get there. They didn't dare take the risk.

"How about selling these medicines to me? How much would they cost?"

The three cartloads of herbs were quite expensive. The merchant hesitated. "Sir, can you handle such a large quantity of medicine?"

"Give me your asking price. If I have enough money, I'll take them. If not, forget it."

"At least two thousand taels of silver. The carts contain six *dan* [unit of weight] of pseudoginseng, which we usually sell for seventy taels per *dan*. Two *dan* of safflower cost three hundred taels. Four *dan* of davallia cost five hundred taels. Six *dan* of dragon's blood cost one thousand taels. Here's the invoice from when we set out—I haven't added a single coin, and this doesn't even include our transport costs."

Medicinal herbs were difficult to store. If they encountered rainy weather on the return journey, the herbs could dampen and lose their potency, rendering them worthless.

"I'll take all three cartloads. Do you want payment in silver or through the bank?"

The merchant slapped his knee excitedly. "Either is fine! Where should we deliver the medicines? Herbs are hard to store—if they get damp, they'll be useless."

Wang Ying thought for a moment. "Just leave them at the next county town ahead. I'll arrange for pickup."

"We greatly appreciate it, sir!"