bestfiction Chapter 228 Borrowing Food
Chapter 228 Borrowing Food
Inside the clothing store, garments made from tie-dyed fabric are displayed on specially designed racks, with only ten pieces on each rack.
This clothing store is newly opened by Wen Yuxia. The clothes in the store are made strictly according to Wen Yuxia's requirements, with only ten pieces of each style being sewn.
With its beautiful designs, unique fabrics, and extremely limited production, these garments are practically tailor-made for wealthy ladies and heiresses who crave exclusivity.
The saleswomen, with their sweet words, skillfully promoted the various ready-to-wear garments in the store: "Madam, you have excellent taste! This dress is the most popular; there are only two left..."
"Miss, we still have a few sets of this style you requested. Would you like to get one for your sisters at home?"
Thoughtful words, combined with the inherent charm of the clothing, made customers linger, wanting this piece and reluctant to let go of that one.
In just half a day, hundreds of meticulously crafted garments in the shop were sold out, and even small handbags, handkerchiefs, and hair ties made from scraps of fabric were completely gone.
Looking at the empty display shelves in the store, the four Bei Yi sisters, who were responsible for maintaining order, exchanged disbelief.
Bei Si broke the silence first: "My goodness, not a single item left! The clothing store is doing so well!" Bei Yi responded gently: "Yes, we must hurry back and tell our mistress, so she can be happy too."
The four sisters exchanged smiles and walked happily out of the shop. The shopkeeper, Madam Yu, stood by the counter, watching them depart with a smile.
Wen Yuxia paid her a base salary plus commission; the more clothes she sold, the higher her income. In a good mood, Madam Yu said to the female shop assistants, "Xiao Zhang, Xiao Li, thank you for your hard work. After you finish cleaning and lock the door, you can go home."
"Thank you, shopkeeper!" Xiao Zhang and Xiao Li replied in unison, then picked up brooms and rags and quickly began cleaning.
Madam Yu nodded in satisfaction, a contented smile playing on her lips, and hurried towards the backyard. The workers making garments there were still busy; she needed to lend a hand.
She was originally chosen from among the sewing workers to be the manager. Wen Yuxia had said before that she could go to the backyard to make clothes in her spare time and get a commission per piece.
Although she had anticipated a good day for clothing sales, Wen Yuxia was still slightly surprised to hear the news brought back by Bei Yi and the others: "Sold out!"
"Yes, they're all sold out. Madam Yu closed the shop and went to the backyard to help sew clothes," Bei Yi said gently.
Wen Yuxia nodded slightly: "Go down first, I need to go back to my study to draw the garment designs."
In the Imperial Study, Zhang Jinxuan handed Xia Yichen a slip of paper and said in a deep voice, "This is the message He Qi sent back."
He Qi, a spy for Yunyi Tower, discovered that Gu Xiao, the God of War of Wu, had led an army of 200,000 men, operating under the cover of darkness and hiding by day, and had now reached a desolate mountain a hundred miles outside the Tianxian Pass.
Regardless of whether Gu Xiao came for the Great Xia Kingdom's formidable pass or for the border of the Yunxiao Kingdom adjacent to it, Xia Yichen needed to prepare in advance: "Jinxuan, you personally make the trip and escort the grain supplies to the formidable pass."
Zhang Jinxuan was somewhat annoyed. With so many officials in the court, why was he, a merchant, chosen to deliver grain to the border? Xia Yichen slowly explained, "I don't know Gu Xiao's purpose. Delivering grain to the strategically important pass can only be a civilian undertaking..."
After hearing Xia Yichen's explanation, Zhang Jinxuan understood his intention and said decisively, "Okay, I'll go," before turning and leaving.
Wen Yuxia had a spatial ability; she could store the provisions there and bring them to the strategic pass without attracting anyone's attention. In times of war, the provisions would be provided by the imperial court; when there was no war, she could quietly bring them back to the capital.
Thinking of this, Xia Yichen called out to Zhang Jinxuan, who was turning to leave, "Wait, let Mu Hua handle the escorting of the grain. You go and inform Mu Hua of this matter, and tell her to set off immediately. Oh, and have her advance me the grain supplies first."
Zhang Jinxuan was stunned by Xia Yichen's shameless words. Not only did he have people escorting the grain supplies, but he also wanted them to help him pay for them! Good heavens, how could he possibly say such things to Wen Yuxia?
Seeing Zhang Jinxuan's worried expression, Xia Yichen said with a smile, "Mu Hua knows my difficulties and will provide me with provisions."
Construction of the cement bridge commenced across the entire territory of Daxia. After discussing with Nangong Wenrui and Wen Yunhong, he decided to use all the stored grain from granaries across various regions to pay for the laborers' food and wages.
At the same time, he also sent a message to Wen Yuxia, saying that if there was war or a famine before the new grain was stored in the warehouse, Wen Yuxia's grain would be requisitioned by him.
Whether it's Zhang Jinxuan or Wen Yuxia going to the perilous pass this time, they'll both need Wen Yuxia's help to solve the food problem.
Upon hearing this, Zhang Jinxuan exclaimed, "Your Majesty, you really know this sister well." Xia Yichen laughed and said, "Stop joking, go and inform Mu Hua."
Zhang Jinxuan relayed Xia Yichen's request, and Wen Yuxia did not hesitate at all, "Okay, I'll go to the farm to check the grain and fodder and deliver it to Tianxian Pass within ten days."
Nangong Wenrui no longer needed to transport cement for the bridge every day, but Xia Yichen contracted the construction of the cement bridge to the Nangong family.
As the head of the Nangong family, Nangong Wenrui still needs to use the convenience of the small world every day to inspect the progress of construction in various places.
That evening, Nangong Wenrui returned to the princess's residence, and Wen Yuxia told him about Xia Yichen's request to borrow grain from her and to personally deliver it to Tianxian Pass.
The Nangong family's intelligence network was more well-informed than Zhang Jinxuan's Yunyi Tower; Nangong Wenrui knew about Gu Xiao's army's departure from Wu on the very first day.
Having figured out that Gu Xiao had come for the Great Xia, Nangong Wenrui returned to the capital and went to find Zhang Jinxuan, asking him to go to the palace that night to inform the Emperor.
Nangong Wenrui calmly said, "I went to Yunyi Tower. Zhang Jinxuan has already told me. I'll send you to Tianxian Pass in a few days."
To keep the secret of the space, Wen Yuxia had to organize a caravan to transport the grain out of the capital in a grand manner, and then find a secluded place to store the carts and grain into the space.
A few days later, Nangong Wenrui escorted her to Tianxian Pass, and then moved the carriage and grain out of his spatial storage and transported them to the military camp.
Wen Yuxia said with some difficulty, "We need at least two hundred drivers, but I don't have enough on my end. Could you spare some for me?"
Nangong Wenrui laughed and said, "I'll take care of the coachman's matter for you."
The black market remains a mystery to the world. To prevent its connection to the small world from being exposed, members of the Nangong family must take a special pill.
This pill has an incredibly powerful effect; it can restrict a person's thoughts and speech. Anyone who takes the pill will not think about or reveal any secrets of the Nangong family to outsiders.
For example, members of the Nangong family can enter and exit the small world, access the black market, and instantly teleport from the small world to any location on this continent.
Because of the pill's effects, after leaving the small world and the black market, the Nangong family members lost all memories of them. Even using soul-searching techniques, they couldn't find any trace of the small world and the black market.
Wen Yuxia looked at Nangong Wenrui with admiration. The first master of the small world was too amazing! He created such miraculous pills. She wished she could have some of them.
As if knowing what Wen Yuxia was thinking, Nangong Wenrui said with a faint smile, "The pill can only erase the memories of the small world and the black market; it cannot erase other memories."
With over two hundred carriages, including the people and carriages, a considerable amount of space was needed. Moving the people and carriages into the space required moving other supplies out as well.
Keeping the Nangong family's coachman and carriage in the small world was the best option. Having figured this out, Wen Yuxia stopped worrying about the pills.
"Brother Rui, we need at least two hundred people," Wen Yuxia said calmly.
"We can ask Wen Yunhong to arrange for a grain transport vehicle from the user department. Nangong Wenrui only needs to provide a driver. No problem, I'll bring the person back tomorrow morning."
The next morning, Wen Yuxia asked Nan Yi to find Wen Yunhong to arrange carriages. Wen Yunhong knew the previous night that grain supplies needed to be transported to Tianxian Pass, and he had already made arrangements for the carriages.
As soon as Nan Yi stepped out of the princess's residence, she saw a procession of carriages heading in that direction. The person sitting in the lead carriage was Xiao Tang.
"Nan Yi, my master has asked me to deliver the carriage to the princess's residence. Could you please go in and ask the princess where the carriage is parked and whether she needs a driver to accompany her?" Xiao Tang shouted, waving at Nan Yi.
As instructed by Wen Yunhong, Xiao Tang brought fifty carriages each time, four times in total, bringing two hundred carriages to the Princess's residence.
If Wen Yuxia does not want the driver to accompany her, she should let the driver leave on his own. If she wants the driver to stay, she should let the driver go with her to the perilous pass.
Nan Yi calmly said, "Pull over outside the mansion. After you help unload the grain onto the cart, the driver can leave."
There's no need to go into the manor to ask Wen Yuxia; she's already explained these things. After the grain is packed, the Nangong family will drive the carriages to gather outside the city.
Nan Yi directed the drivers to unload the grain, and the guards brought by Nangong Wenrui also came out to help. The fifty carriages were quickly loaded, and the Nangong family guards drove the carriages away.
Throughout the morning, Xiao Tang made several trips back and forth, finally bringing all two hundred carriages to the princess's residence. Nan Yi dutifully directed the people to unload the grain, and the carriages, fully loaded with grain, drove out of the capital in batches.
After lunch, Nangong Wenrui and his wife, along with Nan Yi and the others, left the capital to meet the grain carts waiting outside the city.
Nangong Wenrui, who had originally planned to escort Wen Yuxia and the others to Tianxian Pass that day, changed his mind after considering the distance between the capital and Tianxian Pass, and ordered the caravan to proceed slowly along the official road.
It would take at least twenty-five days to travel from the capital to Tianxian Pass with military supplies. Gu Xiao's whereabouts could not escape the eyes of the Nangong family, so there was no need to rush to send the grain to Tianxian Pass before the war started.
For five days, the grain transport convoy encountered no trouble. On the sixth day, as the convoy reached a valley, a sudden commotion arose ahead.
"Nan Yi, go check ahead," Nangong Wenrui said, raising his right hand to signal the convoy to stop. He then addressed Nan Yi and the others following behind.
All of the Nangong family's guards were driving the carriages. In case of an emergency, only Wen Yuxia's guards would be of use. Nan Yi accepted the order, jumped off his horse, and with a few light leaps, disappeared from Nangong Wenrui and the others' sight.
"Young master, there's a group of bandits ahead, robbing passing merchants," Nan Yi quickly ascertained the situation. The fight ahead involved bandits and bodyguards.
Upon learning that the镖师 (bodyguards/escorts) had a slight advantage, Nangong Wenrui decided to observe the situation and instructed Nan Yi to tell everyone to rest where they were and guard the provisions on the cart.
Fearing Wen Yuxia might misunderstand, Nangong Wenrui specifically explained to her why he couldn't help. It was an unwritten rule that when encountering robbers and the robbers were at a disadvantage, no one else could intervene.
"This rule is really bizarre," Wen Yuxia said with a faint smile. Nangong Wenrui laughed and said, "If you defeat the robbers, you can rob them back. At this time, of course, no one needs to meddle."
Conversely, if they are outmatched by the robbers, they will ask for help from those who arrive later. After defeating the robbers, in addition to the robbers' loot going to the newcomers, they will also offer a reward.
Wen Yuxia nodded to indicate that she understood, then looked up at the sky and said calmly, "The outcome of the battle is unlikely to be decided anytime soon, so let's have a meal before continuing our journey."
Nangong Wenrui nodded slightly, took out five pots of white porridge, five large baskets of steamed buns, a large basket of chopped braised meat, and bowls and chopsticks from the small world, and invited everyone to come and eat.
Just as everyone was eating quietly, a scream was suddenly heard, followed by cheers. Nan Yi went to check and learned that the bandit leader had been blinded by the head镖师 (镖头, a person who had escorted bandits) and had left in a sorry state with his bandits.
The caravan continued its journey. That night, as before, Nangong Wenrui was transported by carriage to the Small World, while the Nangong family guards escorted them to the Nangong family mansion in the Black Market.
Nan Yi and the others were sent into the spatial dimension by Wen Yuxia. Nangong Wenrui said gently, "Mu Hua, you go and rest first. I'll go check out Tianxian Pass."
Every night, Nangong Wenrui would travel to Tianxian Pass through the small world to check on Gu Xiao's movements. Wen Yuxia obediently nodded and flashed into the space.
When Nangong Wenrui arrived at Tianxian Pass, he saw that the city wall was heavily guarded. He nodded in satisfaction. Not bad, General Yang is quite vigilant. Knowing that Gu Xiao's army was not far away, he did not relax his vigilance even at night.
Nangong Wenrui returned to the camp and stood where Wen Yuxia had disappeared, quietly calling out Mu Hua's name a few times. Wen Yuxia then emerged from her spatial dimension and took him inside.
"After General Yang learned that Gu Xiao was stationed nearby, he and his personal guards ate and slept on the city wall. Tomorrow morning I will escort you to Tianxian Pass. The black market will be opening in Lanzhu Kingdom this time. I will go to Lanzhu Kingdom at noon to open the entrance to the black market."
The black market entrance will be open for three days. Nangong Wenrui will need to stay in Lanzhu Kingdom for three days before he can go to Tianxian Pass to find Wen Yuxia after the entrance closes.
Nangong Wenrui was a little worried and repeatedly told Wen Yuxia not to act rashly or take any risks; her task was to deliver the grain.
Nangong Wenrui thought about it all night, but he was still a little worried, so he took Wen Yuxia and the others to a deserted hillside beside the official road leading to Ganjiang County.
"Mu Hua, once you leave Ganjiang County, you'll reach Tianxian Pass. I'll come to find you there in three days."