Chapter 1662: Food
"Granny Lei!" Gu Jinli had already found Ms. Gao Lei, and seeing her wandering around with Nanny Gui Zhi and two maids nearby, smiled, "Granny Lei, you’ve been walking around for an hour, take a break and don’t exhaust yourself."
Ms. Gao Lei glared at her, "You noticed old me wandering for an hour? Why didn’t you come out earlier?"
She looked behind Gu Jinli and, not seeing Qin San Lang, frowned, "Not finished yet? Really dragging your feet. Now’s not the time for details, just say a few words and wrap it up. We need to hurry back to the separate yard."
Otherwise, how long are you going to keep up this act? I’m exhausted.
Gu Jinli laughed, "Please don’t be angry, let’s take a break, and when we’re done, Brother Qin will be here. After all, we haven’t seen each other for years, and there are some urgent matters to plan."
Like having the Eagle Food Gang disguise Brother Qin’s identity.
Even though Brother Qin’s skills are in scouting and assassination and he wears a masked helmet in battle, not many people have seen him. But to be safe, we still need to make some arrangements.
"Hmph, considering you’ve concocted the Insect Attractant, I’ll accommodate you one more time." Ms. Gao Lei, supported by Gu Jinli, sat on a stone bench beside and looked at the tree full of fresh green parts, worryingly said, "The leaves are almost green, these damn Rong bandits delay our planting. We are done with the battle, yet if the crops don’t yield, people in the Northwest will still starve."
Here in the Northwest, water is scarce, so drought-tolerant spring wheat is planted in spring. But because the Rong people attacked Xing’an Prefecture, the planting season was missed.
Gu Jinli said, "Don’t worry, Granny Lei. We are only about a month late. Once the Rong people leave, the government can immediately organize people to sow seeds, and we’ll still harvest spring wheat."
She continued, "Most of the farmers here in the Northwest plant sorghum, followed by soybeans and sweet potatoes. The sowing period for these crops hasn’t passed yet, so if we plant them quickly, the harvest won’t be delayed."
Ms. Gao Lei shook her head, "You’re young, you don’t understand... a battle results in many men dying and the city wall being damaged. Without men to work, having land and seeds without hands to plant them is useless. And then there’s the poisonous insect disease..."
Just thinking about it made Ms. Gao Lei feel worried to death.
No wonder Magistrate Hao and others want to transfer out; it’s incredibly hard to revitalize this Northwest area.
Gu Jinli said, "We have the Insect Attractant, so once the war is over, distribute it to each village and household and have farmers lure insects away from the fields. While working they can lure insects, and once planting is done, we can eradicate the rampant poisonous insects."
Ms. Gao Lei, after hearing this, nodded internally, realizing this method is indeed good.
She looked at Gu Jinli, seeing her smiling, frowned and said, "You’re not worried? Aren’t you afraid if there’s no food, your husband’s soldiers will cause trouble?"
Gu Jinli said carelessly, "Not worried, panic for what? In these times, panic won’t help. As for the soldiers, if there’s no food, it means there’s none in all the Northwest. Their unrest won’t change anything. Besides, my Brother Qin is more skilled than others, following him is better than following others. So, don’t worry about these things."
Indeed, Gu Jinli wasn’t worried because she had food.
Haha, having food in hand, that’s why I’m calm!
Gu Jinli was so relaxed at the moment that Ms. Gao Lei, watching her, transitioned from anger to joy and even smiled... a peculiar girl, other girls would be scared to death in a war, yet she’s so carefree.
No, she was rather thin; it was only after Kid Qin returned safely that she became relaxed again.
"You’re a good one." Ms. Gao Lei rarely praised anyone, but at that moment she genuinely said while patting Gu Jinli’s hand.
Gu Jinli was somewhat proud, lifting her chin and smilingly said, "Of course, I do feel I’m better than other women."
Ms. Gao Lei’s mouth twitched hearing this, "You’re indeed shameless, I won’t praise you anymore to avoid you getting carried away."
Gu Jinli laughed heartily, not taking Ms. Gao Lei’s words seriously at all, thinking this old lady is just soft-hearted despite her hard words.
Besides, Ms. Gao Lei was already worrying about food, if I worry with her, how would the days go?
Finally, we’ve defeated the Rong people, it’s time to be happier.
"Brother Qin, we’re here!" Gu Jinli, with sharp eyes, spotted Qin San Lang from afar, waved and shouted.
Qin San Lang, hearing her voice, felt joy rise in his heart, quickening his pace and almost running over, "Xiao Yu, I’m here to pick you up."
He then looked at Ms. Gao Lei, respectfully bowed to her, and gratefully said, "Thanks, Granny Lei, for taking care of Xiao Yu. You, Elder Lei Wu, and the Lei Family’s Trading Team, I will remember your help."
Ms. Gao Lei accepted his bow and said, "No need for politeness, as your wife has also helped the Lei Family’s Trading Team a lot."
Without Gu Jinli, the Lei Family’s Trading Team would have had many deaths from the poisonous insect disease this time.
"Alright, stop dragging, hurry back." Ms. Gao Lei, exhausted, wanted to rest.
"Okay, let’s go then." Gu Jinli approached to support her, kindly said, "I’ll assist you."
Ms. Gao Lei didn’t refuse, just reminded her, "Wear your veil hat, since you’re disguised, keep up the act. It’s not time to reveal oneself yet."
"Okay." Gu Jinli responded, taking the veil hat handed by Qin San Lang and putting it on, the group left the Lei Family Trading Team Mansion and headed to the separate yard by carriage.
On the way, they encountered patrol soldiers, Qin San Lang greeted them, and Ms. Gao Lei showed her face, saying, "It’s hard patrolling even at night, you all are working hard."
She sighed again, "Old me doesn’t want to move; however, these two youngsters respect old me, insisting on bringing old me back to the separate yard, saying they’ll personally prepare a meal to properly thank old me."
A Chief Commander leading the patrol smiled, "It’s a token of appreciation from Company Commander Qin and his wife. Besides, Old Madam made great contributions in this battle and merits such respect."
Ms. Gao Lei laughed and agreed, the carriage resumed its journey.
They staged this act to sever their connection with Luo Ying.
After all, Luo Ying was still staying at the Lei Family’s Trading Team Mansion. If they didn’t stage this act tonight, someone clever might suspect Qin San Lang’s identity.
An hour later, the carriage reached the separate yard.
After sending Ms. Gao Lei and Gu Jinli back to the yard, Qin San Lang changed into Rong attire, mounted a horse, and headed to the government office.
General Cheng and others lived in the government office; upon learning Qin San Lang had arrived, they let him directly in.
Seeing Qin San Lang still looking tired, they said, "Kid Qin, you collapsed from exhaustion, why not rest well, what brings you here?"
Qin San Lang embarrassingly smiled, "My comrades are busy guarding the city and cleaning the battlefield, I feel embarrassed lying in the Lei Family’s Courtyard, so I came to see what orders the generals have."
He patted his chest, saying, "Rest assured General, although I fainted, my body still holds up. Whatever task you have, just give the orders."