My Wife Is The Female Lead In A Scum Alpha Novel - Chapter 77

77

“Are you sure? Our reserves are nearly depleted, and there’s very little grain left to gather from the surrounding areas. Going to Jiangnan might be too late.” Ye Youli was startled.

She had come to inform Ruan Zhi of the news, intending to suggest that she might send a letter to Gu Qingci ahead of the imperial court, giving her time to prepare. She hadn’t expected Ruan Zhi to say this.

“I’m certain. I’ll draft a memorial immediately and ask Your Highness to deliver it to the Emperor.” Ruan Zhi said.

“Where do you plan to procure the grain?” Ye Youli hesitated, watching Ruan Zhi’s resolute expression.

“I have some reserves prepared and will arrange for them to be sent first. Additionally, I’ll travel to the Dachu to secure grain supplies. By waterway, the grain can be unloaded at Jin City downstream of the Huangshui River and then transported to Wu City.” Ruan Zhi explained briefly before stepping out to call for someone to prepare writing materials.

Ye Youli froze for a moment at the mention of the Dachu, only snapping back to her senses after Ruan Zhi left.

The Dachu lay to the west of Daheng, bordering the lands of the Hu people. The Huangshui River ran through both Chu and Daheng territories, and unloading grain at the location Ruan Zhi mentioned would indeed be the fastest route.

Traveling by water was quick—it might even be faster than sending grain directly from Yanjing City.

But the crucial question was: how would she obtain grain from the Dachu?

Though Ruan Zhi had a talent for business, Ye Youli herself had never even set foot in the Dachu.

How would Ruan Zhi manage to purchase grain there? Did she know whom to approach?

“Do you have a plan?” Ye Youli asked when Ruan Zhi returned.

“Burn the boats and sink the cauldrons—if we don’t try, we can only wait for death.” Ruan Zhi said, her expression stern.

Whether Gu Qingci would be held accountable for the defeat was one matter, but without food, who knew what kind of uprising might erupt among the Northwest Army?

Gu Qingci would be in grave danger under such circumstances.

“Whatever you need, I will spare no effort to assist you.” Ye Youli said solemnly.

“If I can secure the position of quartermaster, it will bring some conveniences. If not, then I ask Your Highness to lend me some troops. At least ten thousand.” Ruan Zhi said without standing on ceremony.

“Very well.” Ye Youli paused, then nodded.

This was tantamount to laying bare Ye Youli’s entire foundation.

But this incident was indeed a critical moment of life and death for the Daheng Dynasty.

If Wu City were defeated, the Turkic cavalry could sweep in unimpeded, potentially reaching the walls of Yanjing.

After drafting the memorial, Ruan Zhi and Ye Youli headed to the imperial palace together.

Ye Youli brought Ruan Zhi into the palace.

At that moment, Emperor Changping was holding a meeting in the Xuanzheng Hall. Many officials knelt below the steps, including key ministers and several major imperial merchants. The atmosphere was solemn and tense.

“Your Majesty, even the cleverest housewife cannot cook without rice. The Sima family has nearly emptied the stored provisions, making it impossible to gather sufficient supplies. The summer grain has been consumed over several months, leaving little remaining. The autumn harvest is still a month away and cannot meet the urgent needs of the northern frontier. It is our incompetence. We deserve death ten thousand times over!”

One of the imperial merchants trembled as he confessed his fault.

It was better to anger Emperor Changping for a while than to accept the order and march straight to certain death.

Emperor Changping looked weary, his brow deeply furrowed. Hearing these words, his expression darkened further.

“Is there not a single person who can share my burdens? Must we wait until the Turkic cavalry charge straight into Yanjing?” Emperor Changping asked.

“Your Majesty, the best course now is to prepare on two fronts. Send people to more distant towns and the Jiangnan region to gather provisions, though this will take time. If Wu City can hold out until the supplies arrive, all will be well. If it cannot, then we must establish a defensive line at Dan City between Wu City and Yanjing, mobilizing garrisons from various regions to hold the line as a precaution.”

A minister remonstrated.

Emperor Changping closed his eyes and let out a long sigh.

The nearby reserves had been emptied, and obtaining provisions would require transporting them from distant locations.

An army of over two hundred thousand men without food—what would become of them?

It was unimaginable.

“Your Majesty, in my humble opinion, General Xu’s case still lacks concrete evidence. It is very likely that the barbarians deliberately framed a loyal subject to sow discord within Great Han. Given the current crisis, I implore Your Majesty to allow General Xu to atone for his crimes with meritorious service. With his bravery and strategic prowess, he will surely recover the provisions and rush to command the northern frontier.”

Seeing Emperor Changping remain silent, another official stepped forward to advise.

The surrounding courtiers offered no support, and for a moment, the great hall fell into an eerie silence.

Regarding Xu Dace, Emperor Changping had long harbored some dissatisfaction. The generalissimo, Cao Bang’ang, was advanced in years, and Xu Dace was tacitly acknowledged as his successor. Yet over the years, Xu had privately raised troops and engaged in extortion and plunder—acts the emperor had turned a blind eye to. But colluding with the Turks? This was a matter Cao Bang’ang had secretly memorialized. Many clues had been investigated, but the trail had grown cold. Still, the seed of suspicion had long been planted.

How could he possibly be reinstated now?

Just as Emperor Changping’s face darkened with rising fury, the chief eunuch approached and whispered in his ear, handing him a memorial.

After reading it, Emperor Changping’s expression shifted slightly.

It turned out to be a memorial submitted by Zhilan Furen, the principal wife of Gu Qingci.

She wanted to serve as the provision officer?!

Moreover, she proposed using her own funds to cover the initial costs without drawing from the imperial treasury, taking full responsibility for any losses. The accounts would be settled only after the provisions were delivered and the mission completed.

Emperor Changping was not entirely clear about Ruan Zhi’s capabilities, only knowing that she was quite skilled in business and that her official shops were highly popular, supplying goods fit for imperial use.

But gathering provisions was no simple task.

And Ruan Zhi was, after all, an omega.

Here knelt these alphas, unwilling to take on such a duty—yet she dared to volunteer?!

Emperor Changping furrowed his brows in contemplation for a moment before reaching a decision.

“Then it shall be as Minister Zhang suggests. Send someone to Jiangnan to gather provisions and fodder, and transport them to Yanjing within twenty days. Additionally, dispatch troops to converge on Yanjing…” Emperor Changping instructed his courtiers, making arrangements.

After the assembly adjourned, Emperor Changping had a eunuch summon Ye Youli and Ruan Zhi to the hall for discussions.

The emperor inquired about Ruan Zhi’s plan, and she responded point by point.

On the surface, it seemed feasible, but the underlying challenges were daunting to contemplate.

Ruan Zhi knew she wouldn’t earn Emperor Changping’s trust easily, so she made a pledge, asking only for the title of provisions officer, the authority to mobilize personnel across regions, and access to the stored grains in various granaries. She even offered to advance the funds herself.

“If you remain in Yanjing, you could serve as a restraint on Gu Qingci. But if you also leave…” Emperor Changping said, leaving his words hanging.

Ruan Zhi understood the emperor’s implication.

If Gu Qingci intended to desert, she might hesitate out of concern for Ruan Zhi, who would effectively serve as a hostage.

But if both of them left, what leverage would remain?

“Your Majesty, my wife’s mother is in Minshan County. She could be brought to Yanjing. Meanwhile, my own parents are also in the capital.” Ruan Zhi proposed.

“Father, I am willing to vouch for Lady Zhilan.” Ye Youli added.

“Since ALi is willing to guarantee it, and given your deep marital bond, I shall trust you this once! The seal of the provisions officer is yours, along with my handwritten decree. You may requisition civilian labor and collect provisions from various prefectures.” Emperor Changping said after a moment’s deliberation.

With Gu Qingci currently on the northern frontier, Ruan Zhi might be the only one who would act with full commitment.

By agreeing to Ruan Zhi’s request, Emperor Changping stood to lose little.

Ruan Zhi accepted the items passed to her by the eunuch and breathed a slight sigh of relief.

After expressing her gratitude, she left the palace to begin her preparations.

In anticipation of potential rebellions, Ruan Zhi had previously opened a grain store, stockpiling around fifty to sixty thousand dan of grain. Now, all of it would be sent to the northern frontier.

Ruan Zhi needed to arrange for someone to quickly send this batch of grain first, as a temporary emergency measure to sustain them until she could secure provisions from Dachu.

The grain officer had his own transport troops available.

However, Ruan Zhi suspected that these men might be problematic. The Sima family had transported a large amount of provisions, yet after being hijacked, the supplies seemed to vanish into thin air, which was rather peculiar.

Ruan Zhi did not use those transport troops but instead relied on her own merchant convoy and Ye Youli’s people.

After arranging the transportation of this batch of grain, Ruan Zhi bid farewell to her parents and younger brother, taking some personnel and a shipment of goods to the nearest Huangshui Dock, where she boarded a ship bound for Dachu.

Qin Ruofang and Ruan Maolin were naturally very worried about Ruan Zhi, but given the circumstances, there was nothing they could do.

Meanwhile, in Suicheng, Northern Frontier, Gu Qingci took a few people to purchase some items.

“We’ve only managed to gather a little over 200 dan of grain. It’s too little. There really isn’t much grain here, and delaying further won’t help us collect more. We— Huh? General Gu, what did you buy? Why are there so many carts? Are they all filled with grain?” Cao Hang hurried over to report to Gu Qingci but was surprised to see several mule carts in the courtyard of their temporary residence.

“No. Just some small items. Come here, let’s make a plan.” Gu Qingci said, beckoning Cao Hang over.

Cao Hang followed Gu Qingci into the room and watched as she carefully mixed several substances together, forming a dark, lumpy mass.

“General Gu, are you making firecrackers?” Cao Hang asked in astonishment.

“Something like that. On our way back, I suspect we’ll encounter Turkic cavalry again. We’ll split into two teams. The first team will pull covered carts. When the cavalry arrives, they’ll unhitch the horses and flee at full speed…” Gu Qingci explained.

“Leaving the grain for them?! That’s too generous!” Cao Hang exclaimed, only to be smacked by Gu Qingci.

“Of course, the grain in the first team’s carts won’t be real. Once the cavalry reaches the convoy, shoot flaming arrows to ignite them. The cloth covering the carts is soaked in oil, and what’s underneath is this stuff—let’s see how many we can take out. With the first team clearing the way, the second team will have an easier time.” Gu Qingci said, pointing to her mixture of “black powder.”

“Firecrackers can startle horses, but the damage isn’t that great, right? Warhorses are usually trained.” Cao Hang scratched his head and said.

“…Just trust me. Do as I say.” Gu Qingci didn’t plan to explain everything.

“Alright! I’ll do as you say!” Cao Hang nodded repeatedly.

Gu Qingci facepalmed—this guy was even lazier about thinking than she was.

Now she was being forced to think, and it felt exhausting.

After discussing with Cao Hang, the two went out to make arrangements. By the time the first convoy was disguised, it was already the next morning.

Early in the morning, the group set out.

As Gu Qingci had anticipated, they encountered Turkic cavalry on their way to Wu City.

This time, the Turkic cavalry had an even higher proportion of Wolf Strike troops than the last encounter.

They were fierce and aggressive.

Using Gu Qingci’s method, the first team had already detected the approaching cavalry. The carts loaded with goods were gathered together, and the horses pulling them were quickly untied. As soon as the cavalry became visible, the soldiers mounted the horses and fled desperately.

The first team consisted of Tiger Guard soldiers. They didn’t know that the carts weren’t actually carrying provisions. When Gu Qingci ordered them to flee first, they were reluctant—wasn’t this desertion?

But Gu Qingci’s words, “military orders are as unshakable as mountains” had already been ingrained in them. Though it seemed absurd, there might—just might—be some logic to Gu Qingci’s decision.

Gu Qingci was in the rear with the second team, keeping a close eye on the front. When the first team began retreating, she ordered Cao Hang and several skilled archers to notch their arrows. The arrowheads were wrapped in cotton soaked in oil, and nearby soldiers held lit tinder, already blown into flames.

“Light them!” Following Gu Qingci’s command, the soldiers quickly used the tinder to ignite the cotton on the arrowheads.

“Fire!” Gu Qingci commanded again, and the archers released their bowstrings, sending the arrows flying.

The flaming arrows and the cavalry arrived almost simultaneously in front of the row of carts. The fire ignited the oilcloth, which in turn set the fuses ablaze. The fuses then lit the black powder stored in the jars, and the explosions shattered the containers, sending countless porcelain shards flying.

Boom!

Boom!

Boom!

The deafening explosions erupted.

The once-ferocious enemy cavalry was thrown into chaos once more, with men and horses tumbling and bl00d and flesh flying everywhere.

Even the warhorses—though the ones on their side had their ears stuffed with cotton—were still somewhat agitated by the tremendous noise.

Cao Hang was stunned, his jaw nearly dropping to the ground.

The Tiger Guard, who had earlier been reluctant to retreat, were now filled with dread at the thought of what could have happened.

Horses and men that had passed through the explosions all bore injuries, big or small.

Once the explosions ceased, the Tiger Guard counterattacked, cutting down the enemy with renewed vigor.

Seeing the situation turn dire, the leader of the Turkic cavalry fled with the remaining troops.

“Clean up the battlefield. Don’t waste the dead horses—they can still serve as food…” Gu Qingci ordered Cao Hang to organize the cleanup.

Along the way, they also collected horses from previous battlefields. The spies they had captured earlier, along with the men left behind to wait for them, were all gathered as they hurried toward Wu City.

The team sent out to search for provisions had been gone for days without a trace, and Wen Renyi, guarding Wu City, was frantic with worry. Just as he was about to send a search party, Gu Qingci and the others returned.

Though the amount of food they brought back was modest, the fact that they had broken through the Turkic cavalry and returned safely reignited hope and boosted morale among the troops.

Wen Renyi and the city’s defending generals were pleased.

But Gu Qingci couldn’t share their joy.

The food crisis was far from resolved. They would still need to find a way to scour the surrounding areas for more supplies.

“I hope the grain transport team arrives soon.” Gu Qingci thought to himself.

Gu Qingci pondered for a moment and then called the other officers for a meeting.

Initially, they had thought Gu Qingci was just a pretty face, but to their surprise, he had actually managed to bring back food. This made the officers view him in a slightly different light.

“The Turkic cavalry can bypass Wu City and cut us off in the middle. Have any of you thought about how to deal with this? If they weren’t afraid that our cavalry might push straight through to their homeland after they bypass Wu City, they would have already done so.” Gu Qingci asked the group first.

“There are stationed troops around Wu City, but it’s difficult to block the cavalry—they’re too fast.” one general replied.

“Since you don’t have a good solution, I’ll share mine. Use half of our manpower to build cheval de frise barriers. Install them on all possible routes the cavalry could take.” Gu Qingci said.

“What are cheval de frise barriers?” someone asked.

“…” Gu Qingci was speechless. It seemed the Great Hao Dynasty hadn’t yet developed tactics to counter Turkic cavalry.

Gu Qingci sketched a diagram of the cheval de frise—sharpened wooden stakes angled outward from the ground, specifically designed to counter cavalry.

By deploying a large number of these barriers to block as many routes as possible, the Turkic cavalry would be unable to pass.

This would require a significant investment of manpower and resources, as well as considerable time.

So, they needed to rally people to work together on it.

By covering the Turkic-facing side of Wu City with these spiky barriers, the mobility of the Turkic cavalry would be restricted, buying time for their archers to inflict damage.

After making the arrangements, Gu Qingci dismissed the meeting and called Cao Hang over for further discussion.

“Following this model, with some adjustments, I want you to lead a few more expeditions. Once they’ve been tricked and ambushed enough times, they might become too wary to attack. We can also send more people to scout the surrounding areas and see if we can gather more provisions.” Gu Qingci said to Cao Hang.

Cao Hang quickly agreed.

Although Cao Hang was reckless, his execution ability was strong. As long as he was given a method, he was reliable and wouldn’t make mistakes.

After speaking with Cao Hang, Gu Qingci called for Wen Renyi.

“I’m handing those two spies over to you for interrogation. Previously, their mouths were gagged, and they were stuffed in a carriage. From now on, try to keep them away from others. There are definitely more spies—we just don’t know who they are yet. See if you can pry some information out of their mouths. You know the acupuncture points—where it hurts when pressed, what medicine can make people’s consciousness scatter, weaken their willpower, and make them more likely to speak the truth. Use whatever you need.”

Gu Qingci explained to Wen Renyi.

“Alright, I’ll give it a try.” Wen Renyi said. He hadn’t expected his specialty to have such a use in the military.

After making all the arrangements, Gu Qingci finally washed up and lay down.

The exhaustion was secondary—what really weighed on her was missing Ruan Zhi.

She didn’t know how she was doing.

The iron-blooded general of the day once again reddened her eyes, longing for her delicate and beautiful wife.

Thinking about it, everything she was doing now could bring her a peaceful and prosperous world, allowing her to run her business safely and steadily in Yanjing, checking accounts and crunching numbers. It all felt worth it.

Sniffle—right now, her wife must be freshly washed, fragrant, leaning against the headboard reading a book or fiddling with her jade abacus.

How she wanted to smell her wife’s scent, hug her, kiss her!

Gu Qingci tossed and turned for a while before finally falling asleep.

The next day, life went on as usual—inspecting the caltrops they had made, planning how to lure the Turkic cavalry out of the city again, checking on Wen Renyi’s interrogation progress, and so on.

For Gu Qingci, the greatest hope in her days was receiving a letter from Ruan Zhi.

The second greatest hope was for the grain transport team to arrive quickly.

However, after a few more days, she didn’t receive Ruan Zhi’s reply, nor did the grain transport team arrive. Instead, she received an urgent dispatch.

It was a letter only the commanding general could read, informing her that the grain supplies had been hijacked and urging Gu Qingci to think of a way to hold on for a few more days.

Gu Qingci grabbed her hair, feeling so worried that her hair might turn white from stress.