Chapter 37.2

"Good job, really well done!" General Zhong burst into laughter, "That monkey Wang Dong couldn't explain it clearly, tell me in detail, how did you do it?"

"Reporting to the General, this is what I think..."

Although Zhou Yinuo was a captain, he was not too confident about the movements of the enemy army and personally went to scout. Of course, Fat Liu insisted on following him.

He had been envious of Zhou Yinuo's military achievements for a long time and often belittled him for relying on his connections for promotions. But following him did bring benefits, and he didn't miss out on this opportunity.

However, after scouting for several days and not finding any clues, Fat Liu became very impatient and had already ridiculed Zhou Yinuo countless times along the way.

Just as Zhou Yinuo was about to head back, they finally encountered the enemy's grain cart.

Perhaps the enemy was too arrogant, or maybe they thought no one would know about their grain transportation in such weather and at that time, planning an attack. So more than a hundred people were guarding around a dozen horse-drawn carts.

In their eyes, their soldiers could take on ten enemies each, so those hundred-plus guards were like over a thousand soldiers, seemingly very safe.

Indeed, facing them head-on, these burly enemy soldiers posed a real threat to Zhou Yinuo's soldiers. He wasn't planning to be rash and fight them directly.

He was only thinking of ways to disrupt them, causing some losses. The enemy's losses would give a glimmer of victory to his troops.

Following them the whole way, the enemy may have thought they had the upper hand, as they drank and feasted during the night watch, their snoring audible from afar. Despite their alertness, they couldn't have imagined that their seemingly foolproof grain protection would be ruined by two rabbits.

The rabbits, with firecrackers tied to them, charged into the grain protection team, startling the horses, causing chaos with injuries and kicking. They even kicked the burning charcoal onto the grain carts, earning Zhou Yinuo a significant military merit.

General Zhong's laughter boomed through the camp, a rich, hearty sound that echoed off the tents. Tears welled up in his eyes, not from sorrow, but from sheer amusement. "Hahaha! If the enemy's king only knew," he wheezed, wiping at his eyes, "that their vaunted grain protectors were outsmarted and dispatched by two wily rabbits," he roared, the laughter bubbling over again.

"Two rabbits!" he repeated, shaking his head with a wide grin. "He'd probably choke on his rice and drop dead from the sheer indignity of it all!" The thought sent him into another fit of chuckles.

Composing himself somewhat, General Zhong turned to Yinuo, his eyes twinkling with appreciation. "Ah, those rabbits," he said, his voice dropping to a more serious tone. "They were brilliant, truly brilliant. But the credit doesn't go solely to them, does it, Yinuo?"

He fixed the young soldier with a warm stare. "You displayed remarkable courage and cunning. To think of using those rabbits in such a way! You deserve a hefty share of the praise, and a reward as well. I'll personally see to it that the Emperor hears of your ingenuity. This victory, though unorthodox, will be one for the history books, and your name will be etched alongside it!"

Zhou Yinuo, with a deep bow, knelt down and expressed, "General Zhong, the credit for these ideas truly doesn't belong to me. It all stems from a few stories my wife shared with me some time ago. They sparked a realization within me, illuminating a path I hadn't considered before. Therefore, instead of showering me with rewards, I would be most grateful if your recognition were bestowed upon my wife. With her well-being ensured at home, I can serve here with a heart free from worry."

General Zhong's booming laughter echoed. "Rewards for both of you!" he declared. "Even if the Emperor himself overlooks your wife's contributions, I will certainly see them acknowledged. After all, the ingenious vine armor and the clever cloak gloves – both were her brilliant ideas! This armor – it's not just protection, it's a lifeline! A stroke of genius that facilitated your escape. Truly, a most remarkable feat!"

The vine armor is smooth, sometimes when running swiftly in the mountains, it can be assembled into a skateboard, allowing one to slide quickly down the hillside, leaving pursuers behind. It has already proven to be quite useful in this battle.

*

Due to the frequent wars in the north, the tenant of the shop rented from Song Dingxiang for a year decided not to renew the lease, leaving the shop empty before the new year, neglected and unattended.

Song Zhiyuan was somewhat anxious, as the shop brought in one or two silver coins a month, totaling twelve silver coins in a year, a significant income for a rural household.

However, Song Dingxiang was not worried. When Song Zhiyuan brought up the shop again while on night watch, she smiled and said, "Father, haste makes waste. It's been less than a month since returning the shop, and it's right before the new year. Why are you in such a hurry?"

"Why shouldn't I be worried? If we can't rent it out before the new year, when spring arrives and things get busy again, who will have the time to bother?"

Song Dingxiang replied, "If we can't rent it out, we can use it ourselves. We can sell the soy sauce we make, as well as various pickled vegetables and kimchi that we prepare at home. It's a good source of income."

Song Zhiyuan questioned, "But can those things fill half the shop? The shop is intended for a food business, and it's quite spacious."

Song Dingxiang chuckled, "Then let's just start a food business. I have seen mom's cooking skills, Auntie's cooking is delicious, and Grandpa is good at stewing meat. With these skills, we can definitely manage to run a shop."

Song Zhiyuan chuckled and said, "It's easy for you to think that way. It's easy to cook lavish meals, but who would you sell them to in the town? It's easier in the county town... I think the previous shop didn't do well, that's why they found an excuse to return it."

Song Dingxiang also knew that business was tough, so she comforted, "Dad, what I mean is even if we can't rent out the shop, we can't just leave it empty. Can't we at least sell something? Besides, if we can't rent it out after the new year, do you think business people care if you're busy with farming?"

Song Zhiyuan thought about it and could only nod, saying, "That's the only way to think about it, sigh..."

With the first blush of spring, the world outside the farmhouse window underwent a dramatic transformation. The icy grip of winter loosened, and the snow, once a heavy, pristine blanket, receded, revealing the slumbering earth beneath.

As if awakened by a gentle hand, life stirred anew. The skeletal branches of trees unfurled delicate green leaves, and shy flowers peeked through the warming soil.

This seasonal rebirth mirrored a shift within the farmhouse itself.

The farmers, who had spent the harsh winter months huddled by the fire, mending clothes and planning for the coming season, felt a renewed energy course through them. Their thoughts turned from hearth and home to the land that sustained them.

They emerged from their winter haven with a renewed focus, their gaze falling upon the tools that had been patiently waiting.

Plows, once dormant in the corner of the barn, were pulled out and inspected. Jagged edges on scythes were meticulously honed on whetstones, the rhythmic rasp echoing through the crisp spring air. Broken handles were replaced, and missing parts were meticulously crafted from seasoned wood.

Just as the farming rush was coming to an end, the government announced the need to dig a canal and ordered every household to provide labor or pay five taels of silver per person.

For poor families, this was devastating news, as the order led to cries of despair echoing throughout the village.

Gao shi, however, was not worried. She sent Zhu Shi to find Song Taohong, to ask for help from the county magistrate. After all, Xu Qiang was her grandson-in-law, and she still had some influence.

"It's good to have someone in the family holding an official position. Look, everything's fine now, isn't it?" Gao shi sat in the sun at the doorstep, chatting with her neighbors and receiving envious glances.

Glancing diagonally across the street to the Song Xingyi's house, she chuckled, "Even if someone flatters the town's big shot, when the time comes, the silver still needs to be paid. Ten taels of silver all at once, tsk tsk..."

Neighbor Auntie said, "Ah, speaking of which, the Song family shouldn't have split up. If they didn't split up, according to the headcount, your family would only have to pay for one person, wouldn't that save more silver?"

Gao shi waved her hand and said, "A big tree branches, and a big family should split. Besides, if they didn't split, someone who worked hard and earned a good living would still have to support those who couldn't do anything. It's a rule set by the ancestors of the Song family, and I think it's good."

Neighbor Auntie admired, "I think it's fate. Madam, you have good luck."

"Yes, it's much better to find a government official and earn silver than working hard in the barracks, isn't it? I think Taohong will have a good fortune in the future. Madam, you just enjoy a peaceful life." Another Auntie looked enviously.

Gao shi's face was full of smiles from the compliments.

So what if they split up?

Song Zhiyang came out of her womb, and no matter how much money his child made, they still had to show filial respect to her first. Unlike Fourth Old Song Si's family, despite splitting up, it's as if they didn't split at all.

The married daughter-in-law still lived with her parents, the eldest son had no achievements, everything had to be handled by the second son. She wanted to see how long this sibling bond could last.

After all, what can't be resolved with silver?

Song Dingxiang embroidered a duck playing in the water on a bellyband and was teased by the women in the family, so she got angry and made the bellyband smaller, insisting on having her little brother wear it.

"Your sister has no conscience, everyone else wears a little tiger or a golden carp bellyband, and she gives you a duck playing in the water." Fang Shi looked at her chubby son, laughing heartily at his pink bellyband.

"Mom!" Song Dingxiang felt embarrassed.

Although she had ideas, she didn't really improve in embroidery. Even though her pattern was well-designed, as soon as she picked up the needle, the embroidered piece was unfit to be seen. "Where's dad? Why haven't I seen him early this morning?"

Fang Shi replied, "Oh, your father is worried about your shop. It's already past the spring planting season, and it still hasn't been rented out. He's getting anxious and frustrated."

"I think there's no need to rush. After all, there's nothing major after the spring planting season. Why don't you just go to the town and open a shop, selling our homemade food? We have plenty of autumn sauce, pickled vegetables, and spicy tofu and cabbage. We can set up a stall and sell every day, surely making more than earning from the village." said Song Dingxiang.

"You go and talk to your father. Besides, isn't he rushing because of you?" Fang Shi dressed up her son and carried him outside, "Come on, big baby, let's go outside to get some sun."

"Mom..." Song Dingxiang followed from behind, "I want to buy that pond on the back mountain, do you think it's suitable?"

"What do I think? I think you're always up to no good, just wanting to spend money," Fang shi said, patting her plump son on the head. "What's the point of talking to me about it? If I say no, won't you buy it? Go, go, go, talk to your father, your grandfather, or your grandmother about it. I'm not going to worry about it."

Song Dingxiang giggled and said, "Alright, then I'll go talk to my grandmother."

A yearning, a deep-seated desire, had always bubbled within her – to transform the dormant pond into a vibrant oasis. Visions danced in her head: plump goldfish darting through the crystalline water, their scales flashing like jewels.

Intertwined amongst their graceful dance would be the elegant stalks of lotus, their broad, green leaves reaching for the sun. But it wasn't just the beauty that captivated her; beneath the water's surface, a network of knobby lotus roots would be silently growing, a promise of culinary delights come harvest time.

The prevailing chill of the region couldn't dampen her spirit. She knew, with the right care, that lotus roots could thrive even in these cooler climes.

The possibilities were endless.

Imagine, crisp lotus root slices transformed into crunchy pickles, a symphony of textures and flavors on her tongue. Or, perhaps, a stir-fry where tender lotus root ribbons danced with vibrant vegetables, a feast for both the eyes and the stomach. And let's not forget the magical lotus root starch, a versatile ingredient waiting to be unleashed in the kitchen.

But the true magic, the one that sent a thrill down her spine, was the potential for a winter windfall. Carefully storing the harvest, these humble lotus roots could become a source of income, a way to turn the quiet beauty of her pond into a source of warmth and security during the harshest months.

The dream of a revitalized pond wasn't just about aesthetics; it was about cultivating a bounty good income.