CHAPTER 84: CHAPTER 82: PACIFICATION

Qin Maoxing mentioned Song Xian, and his expression became serious.

He met Song Xian on the battlefield: "Song Xian governs very strictly, has won many battles, but is also ruthless and shows no mercy at all.

As a general of Daqi, there’s nothing more to say. I don’t have much personal interaction with him, so I don’t know his true temperament..."

As Qin Maoxing spoke, he furrowed his brows, showing a reluctance to say more.

Su Huaiqing sensed something was amiss: "What happened?"

Qin Maoxing said: "Last year, people from our side were ordered to deliver military supplies to Song Xian. The supplies were a day late, and the transport officer was beheaded by Song Xian."

That transport officer was well acquainted with me, having served in my uncle’s camp for many years. Before he left, we agreed to have a drink together when he returned. I didn’t expect he would die at Song Xian’s hands.

According to my uncle, the transport officer did nothing wrong. On the way, they encountered a band of bandits and fought hard to not lose the supplies. Although they were a day late, not a single item was lost.

If my uncle were the commander, he would at most punish him, but never kill. It was because Song Xian knew the transport officer was my uncle’s trusted deputy, and acted to provoke my uncle.

As long as my uncle couldn’t hold back and sought out Song Xian, Song Xian could then use it as an excuse to report my uncle to the court.

Qin Maoxing continued: "At that time, my uncle had already suffered a defeat at the Juma River, and the Emperor had sent a letter of inquiry. If my uncle made another mistake, he would lose his position as Henghai Jiedu Envoy, and it was with great difficulty that we were able to restrain my uncle.

Song Xian hasn’t earned a few military merits over the years, but to strengthen himself, he stops at nothing."

Qin Maoxing said: "Song Xian even grabs the military achievements and troops of his own biological father. What kind of good person could he be?"

Su Huaiqing remained silent.

Qin Maoxing continued: "Would such a person suddenly care for the people and support Chen Family Village? I’ve heard that Song Xian is doing it deliberately for Li You to see to take over Zhenzhou."

Su Huaiqing still said nothing, leaving Qin Maoxing unable to grasp his intentions.

After a while, Su Huaiqing finally said: "Are you trying to ask me if Miss Xie really understands medicine? Can she handle familiar medicine?"

If Miss Xie cannot, then it’s certain Song Xian is working secretly.

Qin Maoxing nodded.

Su Huaiqing lifted his head and still looked gentle: "I don’t know."

Qin Maoxing frowned: "We in the Capital heard news that Song Family is colluding with the Liao people. If the traitor is Song Xian, then not only Chen Family Village, but the entire Northern Border is in danger."

Su Huaiqing looked up at Qin Maoxing: "The Henghai Jiedu Envoy suspects Song Xian?"

Since Su Huaiqing guessed it, Qin Maoxing didn’t hide it: "My father received the news that there were movements from the Liao’s side, and someone at the border is smuggling horses and furs.

Battling horses are needless to say, furs are also indispensable military supplies. Would Song Xian seek to strengthen the troops at the risk of secretly colluding with the Liao people?"

Su Huaiqing shook his head: "I don’t know, we must observe first."

Qin Maoxing knew Su Huaiqing’s nature. This person wouldn’t cry until he saw the coffin...or rather, he wouldn’t spread his wings without seeing the rabbit...or something like that. In any case, he was too upright and wouldn’t suspect someone without concrete evidence.

Su Huaiqing said: "Perhaps others could be suspected, but for the generals stationed at the Northern Border, one must be even more cautious. Daqi has paid so much to stabilize the North, the Liao people just retreated not long ago. Such rumors in the North should not be coincidental, but more like someone coveting the position of Yi Wu Jiedu Envoy and deliberately scheming against the Song Family.

Since we returned to Cangzhou from the Capital City to find out, why rush to conclusions?"

Qin Maoxing calmed down after being spoken to like this by Su Huaiqing. After a moment, he looked at Su Huaiqing cautiously: "You’re not suspecting my uncle, are you?"

Su Huaiqing took out a chessboard from the side and placed it on the table: "Without evidence, one should not lightly suspect anyone. Hasn’t there already been movement in Zhenzhou? Why not take a look? If you want to know whether Chen Family Village can really handle medicine, just have your eyes and ears inquire for news.

As for Miss Xie, she was someone I found and brought back to Zhenzhou. Her adoptive parents indeed understand medical principles, and she is a kind person, going into the mountains alone to collect medicine for saving people.

The medicinal materials sold by Chen Family Village through the Tian Family Trading Team, I have seen, some have undergone simple processing. This was also a probe by Chen Family Village. They had considered processing medicinal materials since then.

You said Chen Family Village established Familiar Medicine Institute, so it’s not surprising."

After saying this, Su Huaiqing let Qin Maoxing place a black stone, and after a few moves, Su Huaiqing said: "Someone is instructing Chen Family Village on selling and using familiar medicine. Whether this person is Miss Xie or someone else, I do not know. After resolving your issues, perhaps it will become clear."

Qin Maoxing was finally persuaded by Su Huaiqing. He was originally impatient, but after meeting with Su Huaiqing, his temper was somewhat tamed.

"By the way," Qin Maoxing said, "are you still going to marry that Miss Xie?"

Su Huaiqing picked up a white stone from the chess basket, clasping his left hand to his sleeve and placing the stone on the board: "Depends on Xie Family."

...

Chen Family Village.

Xie Liangchen was busy all day in the Familiar Medicine Institute, rarely stepping out.

Old Mrs. Chen watched her granddaughter busy herself from morning to night, couldn’t help but feel distressed, and would always stay at the Familiar Medicine Institute waiting for her granddaughter to return home together.

"Grandmother."

Old Mrs. Chen heard Xie Liangchen calling her as she returned from relieving herself.

"What’s the matter, Miss Chen?" Old Mrs. Chen replied.

Xie Liangchen said: "Did you take off your woolen socks again?"

This girl’s eyes are sharp, she always notices whenever she takes off her socks: "I’m wearing them." However, she was only wearing one, alternating the wearing, so the socks wouldn’t wear out as quickly.

"No way," Xie Liangchen said firmly, "go home and put them back on, it gets cold on the feet, and you’ll end up going to the restroom more often."

Old Mrs. Chen, despite her age, blushed at being spoken to like this. Her granddaughter’s sharp tongue, if others heard it, how could it be?

Old Mrs. Chen had to hunch her body back home. She was the only one wearing woolen items in Chen Family Village, and felt a little embarrassed, these things could sell for quite a bit of silver coins, she even wanted to take them off and trade them at the market for some meat her granddaughter loved.

The meat dish her granddaughter mentioned had only been eaten once, and the silver coins from woolen items weren’t enough to cover the costs of the Familiar Medicine Institute, which bought vinegar and wine, and where the money went out without coming back, tighter than her trousers’ waistband where she kept her coins.

If this continued, even the money to buy woolen items would be gone.

Just as Old Mrs. Chen was mulling over these thoughts, she saw a mule cart stopped at the village entrance, and Manager Wang jumped off the cart, quickly walked up

"Old Madam," Wang Jian greeted Old Mrs. Chen, "I’m delivering wool."

Old Mrs. Chen was taken aback: "We didn’t buy wool."

Wang Jian’s face was full of smiles: "I heard the woolen items in the village almost sold out, knowing you’d be wanting to buy wool these days, I took it upon myself to deliver it."

Old Mrs. Chen shook her hand, a flash of disappointment on her face: "Sorry to trouble you, Manager Wang, but you’ll have to take the wool back, I’m afraid we can’t buy it."

Wang Jian’s expression changed: "Has there been some difficulty encountered?"