CHAPTER 234: CHAPTER 231 TROUBLEMAKING

Cui He led the death warriors out of the house, wanting to speak with the young man on the road, but the young man seemed not to recognize him, a void look in his eyes.

Cui He brought two sets of staff clothing for the death warriors, instructing them to hide in the shop so that even if seen during the day, it wouldn’t raise suspicions.

After making all the arrangements, Cui He returned to the house.

Nanny Liu instructed, "These death warriors have undergone special training and know how to assist the master. When it’s time to use them, I will inform you.

The Commandery Princess has a difficult time maneuvering in the Capital City. After this task is completed, we’ll be one step closer to reclaiming our territory."

Cui He pressed his lips together, "I heard that this year’s situation is tough. An epidemic struck in spring, causing delays in the spring planting in some places, and the former dynasty is still conscripting soldiers. Even those not in the military have heavy taxes to bear."

The former dynasty is nearing its end. Daqi may not have reclaimed the eight states occupied by the former dynasty, but it has them surrounded, securely enclosing them in the middle.

With the northern conflicts calmed, the remnants of the former dynasty grow more frantic, fearing that Daqi will mobilize against them.

After all, the remnants of the former dynasty are currently the greatest looming threat.

Nanny Liu said, "This is why the Commandery Princess must reclaim the territory. Even if the remnants of the former dynasty are driven away, it’s uncertain who will take over those eight states. Currently, the military governors of Daqi are competing in the shadows, either secretly recruiting soldiers or raising taxes. The common people are suffering, fearing they may escape the wolves, only to fall into the clutches of tigers in those eight states.

Only by having the Commandery Princess reclaim the territory can the interests of the local people be considered."

Cui He nodded, "Nanny, you’re right."

Nanny Liu said, "Song Xian and Du Yi are both not easy to deal with. Having them fight each other will benefit us. It’s not easy for the Commandery Princess to reach this point, given her weak position."

Cui He said, "We are determined to give our utmost."

Nanny Liu left with her people, and Cui He, not daring to delay, changed his clothes and stood guard outside the Chen Family Village’s warehouse.

Actually, during this period, Cui He was not completely unaware of the Chen Family Village’s warehouse, as business was quite bustling there.

The people coming in and out of the warehouse were somewhat different as well.

Cui He didn’t quite know how to describe it, but everyone seemed vibrant, spoke in loud voices, worked swiftly, as if they never tired.

Cui He stopped not far from the warehouse, just like how the Chen Family Village encountered mountain bandits, but it did not seem to significantly affect the warehouse, as people continued to briskly enter and exit with bamboo baskets on their backs. Those young lads running back and forth held freshly baked cakes in their hands, eating as they hurried along.

The women in the warehouse often chased after them, stuffing parcels of prepared dry food into their arms.

Those young lads ran far away, shouting, "Auntie, that’s enough, it’s plenty to eat."

This warehouse was like a village, with everyone entering and exiting being family.

Cui He waited until the afternoon before seeing Miss Xie. Miss Xie wore the same coarse cloth dress as the farmers, yet she stood out from the others.

Cui He took a glance, his gaze falling on the embroidery of Miss Xie’s dress: Five Butterflies Offering Flowers. The pattern was not intricate, exuding a sense of simplicity, typical of the embroidery style from Xinzhou, a territory of Prince Guangyang.

Cui He knew this because, back in the territory, his mother and sister would often make such women’s handiworks to exchange for silver coins.

How did Miss Xie from Chen Family Village acquire such a skill?

Xie Liangchen and Liu Erniang walked out of the warehouse. Liu Erniang had come to the Xingzhou warehouse ten days ago with the village women because Xie Liangchen discovered Liu Erniang’s excellent skills, and having her at the warehouse was part of future planning.

Xie Liangchen said, "Keep an eye on the silk and hemp here."

Liu Erniang was startled, "Does Miss want to plan for the future?"

Xie Liangchen nodded, "After selling the thread tassels, we’ll weave silk and hemp. Our spinning wheels weave thread quickly, saving labor, and we can set lower prices. At that point, you should have a strategy about where to sell these spun threads. You’re meticulous and skillful, and you can assist Aunt Zheng. Some matters can be directly discussed with her, and the weaving room’s future tasks will be assigned to you."

Liu Erniang was amazed, speechless for a moment.

Xie Liangchen noticed Liu Erniang’s strange expression, "What’s wrong?"

Liu Erniang’s eyes were a bit red, "I... I... can’t... I’m not from Chen Family Village... I..."

Xie Liangchen couldn’t help but laugh, "Why aren’t you? Didn’t you and Gouzi both register as residents in Chen Family Village?"

Liu Erniang said, "But I... I escaped from..."

"Chen Family Village also escaped to Zhenzhou," Xie Liangchen said, "So what’s the difference? The most important thing is to live well no matter where you are."

Liu Erniang turned her head to wipe the corners of her eyes, recalling how Chen Zigeng and Hei Dan took Gouzi to pay respects to their father and the people of Chen Family Village who found clothes for her and Gouzi, even building a house and courtyard walls for them.

"Miss," Liu Erniang said, "You are a benefactor to me and Gouzi. We will work tirelessly for you in the future..."

Her hand was held by Xie Liangchen, "Enough of that, you and Gouzi are not being taken care of by Chen Family Village. Gouzi helps pick medicinal herbs, and you are busy in the weaving workshop every day. Grandmother keeps a clear record, noting that you and Aunt Zheng spend the longest hours in the weaving room, and you make the most thread tassels.

When we sell all the thread tassels, silver coins will be distributed according to Grandmother’s ledger. You and Gouzi make your living in Chen Family Village on your own efforts.

So there’s no such thing as being a benefactor or needing any repayment."

Liu Erniang was stunned for a while, now just wanting to kneel and solemnly salute Miss Xie. Her father was gone, her husband was gone, but Chen Family Village helped her and Gouzi get through it, giving her hope for the future.

Xie Liangchen and Liu Erniang returned to the warehouse after a circle in Xingzhou.

Xie Liangchen had just gone to the house to pour a cup of tea and rest, when a commotion was heard.

"Finally found it, this is it. Here’s where the thread tassels were sold."

"Where’s your steward? Call her out, your thread tassels ruined our textiles..."

"The thread outside is good, but inside it’s uneven. My poor textiles were ruined by such weaving thread, all gone."

"You dare to sell thread tassels like this? Do you really think we people of Xingzhou are so easy to deceive?"

Hearing this, Liu Erniang frowned, "Liangchen, wait in the house for news, I’ll take a look." She feared harm might come to Liangchen, given the unpleasant visitors.

Xie Liangchen remained calm, "Our thread tassels are good; there won’t be any issues."

Saying this, Xie Liangchen had already reached the warehouse door.

Several women held textiles and thread tassels, still shouting loudly.

"I’m the steward," Xie Liangchen said, "You may tell me your concerns."

The leading woman’s gaze fixed on Xie Liangchen, "A teenage girl can be in charge? Don’t try to fool us."

Xie Liangchen’s eyes were clear, "This is the warehouse of Chen Family Village, and I am the elder sister of Chen Family Village. Whether I can be in charge is not for you to decide, but for me to decide."

"This is our elder sister."

People from the warehouse gathered around, making the leading woman frown but not arguing further, instead asking, "Did you say that the thread tassels can be returned?"

Xie Liangchen nodded, "The thread tassels can be returned."

The woman asked, "What about the ruined textiles? Surely you won’t ignore them?"

Xie Liangchen replied, "For the damaged textiles, we from Chen Family Village can compensate with silver coins."

The woman was somewhat surprised, not expecting Chen Family Village to agree so readily, thinking that as farmers, they feared such a confrontation.

Thinking this, the woman regained her posture, her attitude once again rising, "Then calculate carefully how much compensation we should receive."

Xie Liangchen said calmly, "I haven’t finished speaking. We will only compensate with silver coins if the thread tassels are from Chen Family Village."