"I think the business in Yi Prefecture is progressing too slowly." Gu Moran tapped his fingers twice on the table.
"They only deliver to the city, and they only deliver food. That's too stingy. I need to do something bigger."
Murong Xue picked up the soft whip.
How big?
Gu Moran pointed to the map of Jiannan Circuit spread out on the table.
"Throughout Chuan-Shu, letters, goods, bulk medicinal herbs—anything will be delivered as long as you pay."
He looked at Murong Xue.
"Delivery speed must be fast, like the wind, hence the name ' Tailwind Express.' From now on, you'll be in charge. Operate according to military postal standards."
Murong Xue's eyes lit up.
The girls at the Flower-Between Pavilion could gather information, but they could only stay within the city.
If you use the guise of delivery, you can spread your influence far and wide.
"And you too." Gu Moran turned to look at Lin Qingdai.
"You go too. Finish this first. We're going to build a 'farm tool assembly plant' in Ten-Li Slope later. Under the guise of making farm tools, we need to practice something that others won't understand."
Lin Qingdai removed her hand from the hilt of the knife.
"Express delivery? Farm tools?"
A group of people will be coming in a few days.
Gu Moran took out a few sketches from the drawer and pushed them over.
"These are old soldiers from Anyang. They're tough and stubborn. I need you, the Grand Commandant's eldest daughter, to help me keep them in check."
The two women looked at the sketch.
There are delivery stations and several strange "ironware" diagrams.
Murong Xue wrapped the soft whip around her fingertips twice.
"Your Highness, this doesn't seem like business."
Gu Moran leaned back in her chair, looking at the night outside the door.
"Give the veterans who come seeking refuge a meal, and also find some proper work for the concubines."
"Stop thinking about having sex with me all the time..."
Two weeks later, in the evening.
Eighty men dressed in tattered hemp clothing and wearing headscarves stood in the square in front of the Prince's Mansion.
The wind blew by, carrying mud and sand, and no one raised their hand to shield their eyes.
They stood loosely, but upon closer inspection, the front and back rows were tightly positioned to maintain the tactical distance for the charge.
Zhen Shizhong stood at the front, the scab on his forehead had fallen off, leaving a white patch.
Next to him was Zhi Tianfeng.
Zhen Daijin stood on the steps, looking at his old comrades, his throat tightening.
"Boss Zhen, we're here."
Zhi Tianfeng's voice was hoarse, roughened by a long journey.
Zhen Daijin walked down and punched Zhi Tianfeng hard in the chest.
"Once you're here, do your job well. His Highness won't treat us unfairly."
The eyes of the 80-year-old veteran lit up.
The Anyang Zhechong Command treated them like monkeys. They risked drinking poison and nearly died to escape, all so that they could touch a sword in Yi Prefecture and die like soldiers.
They guessed that Prince Yi was secretly raising an army so that they could return and attack when Anyang fell into chaos!
"Brother," Zhen Shizhong lowered his voice, " His Prince Yi must be in need of capable men right now."
Although we've lost our military status, we'll still do the dirty work for the prince, start an uprising, or even serve as death squads—we'll do it without hesitation!
"Yes! I'd give my life to Your Highness!"
Others chimed in.
Zhen Daijin stomped his foot.
"Hey, keep your voice down, what are you babbling about?"
The side gate of the Prince's Mansion has opened.
Uncle Fu poked his head out, glanced at the group of people, and quickly opened the door.
"Are you brothers from Anyang? The Prince is waiting for you at the drill ground, come in quickly."
Everyone's spirits lifted.
The drill ground! It really is a weapons-distribution and general-rating ceremony!
Eighty people stood tall and strode confidently into the open space in the backyard of the Prince's Mansion.
On an open ground.
There were no weapon racks, no armor, and no warhorses.
Only Gu Moran sat in a grand chair, with a cup of tea beside her.
Lin Qingdai stood beside him, holding a thick stack of booklets in one hand and a half-eaten fruit in the other.
In front of them was a thing piled up like a small mountain.
It was all wrapped in yellowish-brown linen, with two large characters embroidered on it in black thread: "Smooth Sailing".
Zhi Tianfeng was stunned.
Zhen Shizhong rubbed his eyes.
Eighty veterans, ready to risk their lives, stood frozen in shock.
Gu Moran put down his teacup and glanced at the group of people.
My gaze lingered for a moment on the calluses on their hands, their posture, and the wariness in their eyes.
Excellent. They are all true elites.
"I know the grievances you have suffered." Gu Moran's voice was not loud, and his tone was flat.
"Now that we're in Yi Prefecture, we're considered part of the Prince Yi's Residence. We'll provide plenty of food and meat."
Zhi Tianfeng stepped forward and knelt on one knee.
"Your Highness! We lost our dignity in Anyang, and this time we're here to risk our lives! No matter who Your Highness orders us to kill or which mountain to attack, we will obey without hesitation!"
"Yes! Your Highness, please grant me the sword!" The veterans behind him all knelt down in unison.
Gu Moran didn't tell them to get up, but instead pointed to the pile of burlap bundles.
"Put the knife aside for now," Gu Moran said. "Change your clothes first."
Murong Xue stepped forward, clapped her hands, pulled a piece of paper from the booklet, and cleared her throat.
"Listen up, everyone! From today onwards, you are all official employees of the Yi Prefecture ' Tailwind Express Brigade '!"
Zhi Tianfeng looked up, his face full of confusion. "Express delivery?"
Murong Xue walked to the pile of burlap and pulled up a light brown vest.
"Two sets of prison uniforms for each person. Look closely at the words on your chest; these are your tools of the trade."
She threw the clothes to Zhen Shizhong in the front row.
Zhen Shizhong took the clothes, touched the rough linen, and asked in bewilderment, "Is this a battle robe?"
"It's not a battle robe, it's work clothes." Murong Xue solemnly opened the booklet.
"Your job is to safely and punctually deliver the goods entrusted to you by shops in the city, workshops in various places, and ordinary people to the various counties, towns, and villages."
The courtyard was deathly silent.
Zhi Tianfeng opened his mouth.
They wanted to say they were battle-hardened cavalry, that they could march day and night to break through enemy camps, but the words got stuck in their throats and couldn't be squeezed out.
Sending something?
Working as a laborer or errand runner?
Gu Moran took in the disappointment of these people.
He stood up and walked over to them.
"In Anyang, you were treated like monkeys, only given fifty coins as a token of your hard work. And you were laughed at."
Gu Moran calmly.
"In Yi Prefecture, delivering goods is a business. The more you do, the more you earn. I have personally set the assessment criteria for you."
Lin Qingdai read aloud at the opportune moment, "Deliveries are limited to specific areas and times each day. The basic wage for each delivery within three miles is ten coins."
Delivered 15 minutes early, plus one extra item.
For each mile exceeding the distance, an additional one coin will be added. For distances exceeding thirty li, an additional five coins will be added for each mile.
For short distances, one can run on foot; for long distances, one can ride a mule.
[I don't know much about express delivery either, just watching for fun, don't argue, if you do, you're right.]