CHAPTER 118: CHAPTER 118: SUCH A GREAT MERIT DESERVES A ONE-MONTH SENTENCE REDUCTION

When the government officers brought the cabbage to the military camp, Zhang Feng looked at the large cabbages and chuckled.

"This is from how many households?"

The officer shook his head: "Just from one household. That family’s land only grew cabbage, spanning two acres."

Such a harvest was absolutely absurd; they had never seen cabbages yield this well before.

The officer said, "That household still has 4000 kilograms of cabbage. I think they won’t be able to finish it. Should we arrange for someone to procure it?"

Zhang Feng said, "Arrange it."

After a pause: "I’ll go join the procurement too."

"Bring a few soldiers, and a few carts."

When Zhang Feng went up the mountain, he also saw the cabbages on this deserted mountain. It had only been half a month since his last visit.

The cabbages on the deserted mountain were packed tightly together, large and white.

It was hard to imagine this was once a deserted mountain.

Even on fertile soil, you couldn’t grow such fine large cabbages.

He could almost imagine how much cabbage the military camp would harvest when the time came.

By then, everyone wouldn’t be short of food.

Although it’s not a staple, it could still fill the stomach, and as long as they weren’t starving, there was hope.

Actually, after returning during this period, Zhang Feng was also hesitating whether to intercede for the third branch of the family.

But thinking about how the third branch’s promised harvest was still nowhere in sight, if he went hastily and the yield didn’t increase, General Zhao would take out his wrath on him, and he couldn’t bear that kind of anger.

After all, even though the cabbages were about to mature, no matter how capable Pei Shu’er was, what extent could her capability reach?

If the yield per mu increased by 20%, that would be something.

And with a 20% increase, he really didn’t need to report because everyone would still be unable to eat adequately.

But now, seeing this widespread good growth, with cabbages even wrapping well without falling apart, Zhang Feng felt his blood surge with enthusiasm.

Because what Pei Shu’er had demonstrated was probably just one of her skills.

She couldn’t possibly only be good at growing cabbages.

What about rice? If the rice yield also increased by at least three to four times, then their military camp wouldn’t go hungry for a short period.

Others might think Prince Zhan embezzled military pay, but he felt it had nothing to do with him; the military pay was never enough, always under-withheld.

Previously, when Prince Zhan was in Gulan Mountain, he even used his own money to buy food for everyone. He couldn’t believe such a person would embezzle military pay.

Now that he saw the third branch’s achievements, coupled with his feelings for Prince Zhan, it was about time to talk to the general about the third branch.

At most, it would just be a one-month sentence reduction.

Such major credit, on a lifetime exile, reducing a month of sentence, was almost the same as no reduction — it wasn’t greedy at all.

But this one month would still give people hope.

He thought, probably what the third branch needed now was hope...

He walked up the hillside and saw Pei Shu’er, wearing a light pink outfit, watering the ground with a wooden scoop.

Upon seeing him, Pei Shu’er looked up with a bright smile.

"Commander Zhang, long time no see. The greens in our field can also be eaten now. I’ve already prepared a sack. Take it back to have a taste when you leave later."

Hearing Pei Shu’er’s words, Zhang Feng only then realized Pei Shu’er wasn’t surprised by his visit.

It made sense; this clever girl Pei Shu’er would know. With such a huge harvest on the deserted mountain, he couldn’t not come.

Zhang Feng said, "I’ll mention your matter to the general later when I return."

The smile on Pei Shu’er’s face remained gentle, without a trace of surprise, as she performed a deep bow.

"This guilty woman, on behalf of the Tang Family third branch, expresses gratitude for Commander Zhang’s great kindness."

Zhang Feng waved his hand and went to negotiate the purchase with that household.

There was no money, so they could only offset it with the next tax collection.

This household was also quite content and understood their position.

Their current situation was all because of Pei Shu’er.

They weren’t the meritorious ones who grew the cabbage; even the cabbage seeds were traded from Pei Shu’er.

They didn’t dare to bring up reducing their own family members’ sentences, but they still didn’t forget to say a few words for the third branch.

"The people of the third branch are truly good. They look after us daily and are also capable. Commander, we hope you can speak favorably about the third branch."

Zhang Feng, seeing how well Pei Shu’er was regarded, thought even more highly of her.

The crowd is usually discerning; such a person of good character and ability deserved a sentence reduction.

Zhang Feng walked to the sack of greens, opened the bag, and at the bottom, he saw a money pouch filled to the brim with silver coins, at least two hundred taels of silver.

After closing the sack, he looked at Pei Shu’er again, and she appeared calm and nodded slightly at him.

Pei Shu’er smiled lightly, "Take care, Commander. If it’s good, I’ll have the officers bring more when they return to the camp."

Zhang Feng’s smile became more genuine.

"Alright."

Then he tossed that sack of greens over his shoulder to carry.

After Zhang Feng returned, he reported the cabbage matter to General Zhao Yingjie.

"General Zhao, this method was passed on from a household on the deserted mountain. With their method, we’ve gotten such a good yield."

"Otherwise, our food supply would’ve run out a few days ago, and we wouldn’t even have porridge to drink. Thankfully, we had these cabbages to relieve our urgent needs."

General Zhao stroked his beard.

"Since there’s such credit, reducing the sentence by a month is reasonable. This woman’s request isn’t excessive."

Zhang Feng didn’t mention it was the War King’s daughter-in-law; he feared it would complicate matters.

After all, there were mixed attitudes in the army towards the War King, and as General Zhao hadn’t revealed his stance before, he didn’t know his thoughts.

The next day, two government officers walked towards the third branch, announcing General Zhao’s edict.

"The Tang Family’s third branch, all 26 members, due to their great merit, have their sentence reduced by one month."

Upon hearing this decree, smiles appeared on everyone’s faces.

Tang Zan stood up, accepted the general’s edict, and handed twenty taels of silver to the two officers.

The two officers smiled and congratulated him.

"It’s been a while since anyone received a sentence reduction order. You’re very lucky. Of course, the cabbages are delicious too."

Tang Zan also wore a rare smile: "Thank you."

He looked at Pei Shu’er beside him, his gaze unknowingly tender.

"It’s all thanks to my wife."

Pei Shu’er: "..." No need to exaggerate so much.

Also, can you stop emphasizing that she’s your wife?

She didn’t sense any affection from him, this was taking advantage without commitment.

It was excessive!

After the divorce, how would she have sweet romantic relationships?

There’s no way she could stay single her whole life, till death, right?