Chapter 122: Reborn from the Flames
Jin Sui taught the infrastructure soldiers one last skill: drawing blueprints with charcoal pencils, using sketching techniques and proper proportions so that one could grasp the general idea at a glance.
Then, models and sand tables were made according to the blueprints, with mountains, Gobi Desert, coastal areas, military farms, roads, and so on, all sculpted from mud, making everything clear at a glance.
She was originally teaching the infrastructure soldiers, and Gu Changxiao took the opportunity to research fish oil tools there. However, seeing everyone gather to listen to the ‘Prince’ teach how to make a sand table, he also listened out of curiosity.
He was immediately captivated. The army also had sand tables, used for simulated exercises during battles between two armies, but compared to Daoist Ji’s sand table, they seemed too crude. Furthermore, the terrain maps relied entirely on imagination, and textual descriptions were insufficient to display the real landscape.
But Daoist Ji’s method was different. Those experienced in military affairs could tell at a glance where the terrain was suitable for ambushes, setting traps, or establishing camps.
Gu Changxiao listened intently and couldn’t help but ask Jin Sui, “Is this sand table suitable for military exercises? Does the Black Feather Army have one?”
Jin Sui chuckled dryly and said sheepishly, “Of course, we do. I specifically made a very large sand table for the construction of the border city, but unfortunately, it was burned down.”
Gu Changxiao quickly said, “It’s alright, we’ll make another one when we return to the city.”
Because they were discussing the planning of base construction with the sand table, they didn’t realize it was already past midnight. If it weren’t for seeing the Prince’s eyes almost unable to stay open, the soldiers would have been reluctant to disperse.
Finally managing to escape and crawl into the tent to sleep, Jin Sui’s hand had just reached the bedding when she felt something cold, slippery, and soft.
The sensation at that moment was disgusting. Her brain instantly identified what it was, and her sleepiness vanished. She let out a scream and, as she crawled out of the tent, she knocked it over.
Gu Changxiao pulled her up from outside and shielded her behind him, while his two personal guards drew their swords.
“There’s a snake! Be careful not to get bitten!”
A large snake, nearly five feet long, slithered rapidly out from under the tent. It even knew to avoid people and ran directly towards the darker areas away from the firelight.
A soldier, quick-witted and agile, chopped off the snake’s head with a single stroke. Two people turned the tent upside down, ensuring there was nothing else before re-pitching it.
But how could Jin Sui dare to sleep! She learned that poisonous snakes and insects often appeared in this area, and the camp had to be sprinkled with realgar powder every few days.
The soldiers took the snake to the kitchen range. In this era of scarce meat, it was a great tonic.
Jin Sui thought of Grandpa Ling seeing a snake and jumping three feet high, and couldn’t help but stifle a laugh.
Seeing her laugh, Gu Changxiao quickly asked, “Were you scared?”
Jin Sui shook her head, “I caught it from my father. He’s most afraid of snakes. I’m actually not, it’s just that I touched it suddenly, and it was a bit disgusting.”
She went to the seaside to wash her hands. With her sleepiness completely gone, she started discussing coastal development strategies with Gu Changxiao.
The border city mainly lacked manpower. She elaborated on this, suggesting that to attract refugees from the mountains, they should first prioritize land allocation along the coast, providing refugees with salt fields and farmland.
First, let Li Heng conceal this from the Imperial Court and not grant the refugees official household registration, only border city registration. This way, the refugees’ land would not be taxed by the Imperial Court.
As long as they didn’t pay taxes to the Imperial Court for three years, their border city could develop.
Jin Sui’s words were practically treasonous, bordering on inciting Gu Changxiao to rebel and establish his own territory. If it were before, she definitely wouldn’t have said it.
But after spending these few days together, she felt that Gu Changxiao truly trusted her and was very disappointed with the Imperial Court. With his intention to develop the border city, she boldly hinted at her suggestions.
Going out to sea for trade was the first test, and creating separate household registrations for refugees was the second test.
Fortunately, Gu Changxiao was not a pedantic or unfilial person. In fact, he hated some people in Chang’an even more than Jin Sui had imagined.
He frankly told Jin Sui, “I know what Daoist Ji is worried about. Don’t worry, the border city is my border city. I want it to become strong and prosperous more than anyone else.”
“Heh heh, they exiled me to the border to let me die here silently. I will show them that even if they send me to the deepest hell, I will crawl out!”
Jin Sui didn’t dare to respond to this, nor did she dare to look at his face. She could hear the hatred and resentment in his tone.
This was also why she didn’t want to ‘work’ for Gu Changxiao. After all, Zhuge Military Strategist worked for Liu Bei, which was a clear-cut entrepreneurial endeavor.
Our boss here is not only in the startup phase but also comes with a pile of bad debts, the kind that could cost one’s life. As a commoner, how could she dare to get involved in such a powerful person’s struggle?
Gu Changxiao probably sensed her fear and didn’t continue the topic. Instead, he smiled and said, “Brother Ji, what brilliant strategy do you have for attracting refugees from the mountains?”
Jin Sui quickly smiled and said, “When we return to the city tomorrow, I’ll take you to the trade zone. Previously, due to bandit raids, some refugees were scared away from coming down from the mountains. However, many are still willing to come.”
“Winter arrives early in the Northern Border, and many refugees haven’t stockpiled enough supplies for the winter. As long as our border city spreads the word and recruits refugees, they will be very willing to come to the border city.”
“However, we must guarantee their personal safety. Refugees not only face bullying from Tartars, bandits, and mountain brigands, but they also have to hide from constables, soldiers, and wild beasts.”
“They are like rootless floating duckweed, like scattered grass seeds, only slightly better off than rabbits in the deep mountains. If they dare to show their heads, as soon as they sense danger, they will immediately hide back into the deep mountains and forests and never come out again.”
“The refugees also saw the border city’s capability in our battle against the Tartars; we can protect them.”
“As long as the policies are relaxed a bit, and most importantly, the superiors keep their word and don’t change their decrees arbitrarily. They said they would only collect half the grain tax during spring plowing, but insisted on collecting eighty percent during autumn harvest.”
“When they were admitted into the city, they were told that corvée labor would be waived, and they would be provided with food and wages for their service. But then they were repeatedly forced into corvée labor. Who would be willing to come to the border city as a citizen!”
“Reputation is hard to build but can be destroyed in an instant. I haven’t done much in the past two months, and I’ve offended the powerful officials, but I think my reputation among the common people is still good.”
Gu Changxiao quickly assured, “Brother Ji, don’t worry. I will also always treat the common people well and will never mistreat them like the gentry of Yandi.”
He felt that since Daoist Ji likely came from the lower levels, she understood the situation of the lower-class people better and could empathize more. Therefore, when she gained power, she would strive to fight for the rights of the common people.
This was a good thing, but also his weakness. He had been in the army for a long time, and after returning to Chang’an, he only interacted with the powerful. He didn’t understand the common people much.
His way of understanding the common people was to know which prefecture had disasters, how many people were affected, died, or rioted…
And then, during sacrifices, the country and its people, the common folk and the state, appeared in songs of praise.
To those in power, the common people were just sets of data.
But through Daoist Ji, he realized that the common people were not data, but living beings like himself, each with their own destiny, striving to live.
Daoist Ji showed him a different landscape, a different world.
She led him from a world that should have been full of hardship, depression, and pain, into another world that was flourishing, full of vitality and hope.
Everyone in Chang’an thought he had been trampled into the mud and his backbone broken, but they didn’t know he would be reborn from the ashes here!
Jin Sui didn’t know when she fell asleep. Anyway, when she woke up, she and Gu Changxiao were sleeping leaning against a haystack.
She vaguely remembered that last night she didn’t want to go back into the tent, fearing another snake might crawl in, so she moved her bedding to the front of the haystack to sleep.
Anyway, all the soldiers slept like this; a thatched shed to block the wind was enough. The houses for winter were only half-built, and everyone found them too far and unwilling to go, preferring to sleep by the seaside to be closer to work.
Perhaps because there were too many complaints yesterday, Captain Liu didn’t call everyone to get up early today.
As soon as Jin Sui opened her eyes, she saw Gu Changxiao’s face and smelled the scent of dry grass and sea breeze. They were almost head-to-head. She immediately held her breath and slowly moved away.
She was still wearing the same clothes, wrapped in a thin blanket. Gu Changxiao was not covered by anything, holding his sword, curled up like a cat.
Jin Sui went into the space first to take care of her hygiene needs, then quickly changed into her underwear. She didn’t dare to change her outer clothes, fearing Gu Changxiao would notice something.
Looking at the pile of energy bars, she hesitated for a moment, but ultimately didn’t dare to take them out.
Gu Changxiao had checked the supplies when they arrived. If she suddenly produced these brown sugar cubes, Gu Changxiao would definitely be suspicious.
He wasn’t as easy to fool as Hei Hu!
Forget it, to be safe, she would have someone deliver supplies to the base after returning to the border city.
Fearing that breakfast would be delayed until the afternoon and she would be unbearably hungry again, she ate two energy bars herself, gnawed on a raw tomato, brushed her teeth, and then hurried out.
As soon as she opened her eyes, Gu Changxiao was already awake. He was looking down and covering himself with a blanket. Their eyes met, and both felt awkward.
“You’re awake.”
“You’re awake.”
After saying it in unison, they both turned their heads away, not knowing what to say.
Captain Liu’s call was the first to be heard: “Is the Prince awake? Breakfast is ready.”
Jin Sui asked in surprise, “Aren’t we working first and then eating today?”
Captain Liu said reluctantly, “The Prince must depart early, otherwise, we will have to spend the night on the road. We will accompany the Prince for breakfast.”
Breakfast was still seafood congee, with the leftover chopped lamb from yesterday mixed into flatbreads. The soldiers ate in silence, full of reluctance. Such a rich breakfast was eaten without a word.
Only Jin Sui couldn’t eat because she had already eaten her own special meal. How could she have known that they wouldn’t have to work for half the day before eating today!
Then Captain Liu and the others completely misunderstood, thinking that the Prince couldn’t eat because he was reluctant to leave them.
Captain Liu, with the expression of an old father sending his son on a long journey, tearfully advised:
“Your Highness, please eat. Eat more, as you can only eat cold food on the road. Don’t worry, your subordinate will definitely dry the salt and build the base. When you come next time, you will see a brand new camp.”
Jin Sui wasn’t sad at first, but hearing this, she also became sentimental. The Prince who would come next time wouldn’t be her.
She glanced at Gu Changxiao and said meaningfully, “Don’t worry, I remember all your hard work at the base. The construction of the border city requires our concerted efforts. Everyone should work hard for a while before winter arrives.”
Gu Changxiao looked at her and said sincerely, “Yes, the Prince remembers everything and will reward according to merit.”
Although everyone found it a bit strange, it was undeniable that the Prince was praising them.
The soldiers immediately started chattering, saying it was their duty and they would definitely work hard to live up to the Prince’s trust.
Captain Liu was going to escort them on horseback, but Jin Sui refused: “No need to escort us. The base is entrusted to you. If you lack any supplies, ask Lord Cheng promptly. When the Imperial Court’s rewards arrive, I will send someone to notify you.”
Captain Liu stood there. After Jin Sui and her entourage had walked away, he suddenly knelt down and kowtowed heavily. The soldiers followed his example and knelt down in unison.
They were sincerely grateful to King Li for allowing them, the low-ranking soldiers of the military farm camp, to truly live like human beings.
Jin Sui didn’t look back, afraid she would become sentimental and cry. After experiencing so much together, some of the border soldiers died. When she and Gu Changxiao swapped identities and left the border city, how many of these people would still remember her?
The fate and bonds between people are truly wondrous things, making one believe that a divine hand is manipulating things from behind the scenes.
Gu Changxiao naturally noticed her emotional state and said softly, “There will be a day of return after this parting.”
Jin Sui understood that he was trying to persuade her to stay. If he felt so reluctant to part, why not stay?
She shook her head and said, “It’s different.”
Once everyone knew she was a liar, how would they see her? Even if they accepted Ji Sui, how many could accept Ling JinSui?
She glanced at Gu Changxiao. Could this true King Li, who cherished Daoist Ji’s talent and wanted to keep her by becoming sworn siblings, accept her?
Before returning to the border city, Jin Sui, as instructed, took Gu Changxiao to the trade area to see the refugees. However, instead of refugees, they saw dozens of corpses hanging in the forest, being pecked at by vultures.
The personal guards were greatly alarmed and were about to blow the horn for an enemy attack when a soldier ran over to explain that these corpses were of bandits and mountain brigands that Han Xing had led people to suppress.
To make the refugees believe that it was safe outside the mountains, Han Xing had the corpses hung there for the public to inspect.
Thus, this terrifying scene occurred, which could be considered a border legend! With corpses hanging in the forest in front and burning Tartars behind, if this spread, the border city would simply be a city of hell! Who would dare to come!
She asked the soldier, “Have the refugees come to inspect them?”
The young soldier shook his head and said strangely, “They dare not come! It’s strange, they are afraid of living bandits, what is there to fear from the dead?”
Jin Sui roared, “Then hurry up and take the corpses down and burn them! Don’t you find them smelly? Don’t you know that corpses can spread epidemics?”
She now wanted to call Han Xing over and scold him. Gu Changxiao spoke up for Han Xing, “In times of chaos, severe measures must be used. Captain Han did nothing wrong. This action can not only appease the people but also deter external enemies. The Northwest Borderlands also do this; there are always corpses hanging on the city walls.”
Jin Sui said irritably, “I’ve said it many times in meetings that in hot weather, epidemics can easily spread, and corpses must be burned immediately. Han Xing is usually vigilant, how could he forget?”
The young soldier shrunk his neck and said, “Captain Han is not here. Yesterday, Miss Yan wanted to go to the East Sea to find the Prince, and no one could stop her. Captain Han went to stop her and brought Miss Yan here…”
Jin Sui was shocked, “Brought her here! Does he want to scare Miss Yan to death?”
The young soldier quickly said, “She wasn’t scared to death, just fainted. Captain Han then personally sent her back to the camp.”
Jin Sui said urgently, “Quick! Quick! Hurry back to the camp!”
Seeing her so worried about Yan Shi’er Niang, Gu Changxiao felt a pang of unease, “Brother Ji is indeed different towards Miss Yan than others.”
Jin Sui said urgently, “What are you thinking! Miss Yan is here to deliver dividends. If the person is scared sick, how can business be done?”
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