Military Supplies

Cheng Xiao gets annoyed just seeing her son. "If you can be here, why can't I?"

Cheng Chao stood respectfully beside Zhou Wanwan and said, "You're not here to make things difficult for my master, are you?"

Cheng Xiao rolled her eyes in exasperation; this was definitely her biological daughter.

Zhou Wanwan recounted the general situation and said, "Don't worry! You don't need to be afraid. Go back and get a good night's sleep, everything will be resolved tomorrow."

How could Cheng Xiao possibly sleep?

He can't do this, and he can't not do it either.

If he didn't do it, the old eunuch would definitely not let him off the hook.

But if he were to do it, it would be risking the lives of his entire family.

Cheng Chao looked at Cheng Xiao and said:

"Now you know that old eunuch had no good intentions, right? I advised you before, but you wouldn't listen."

That old eunuch was the concubine's lackey; the sale of these items was all at the concubine's behest.

These are all military supplies. If we sell them all, what will happen to the army of our Great Xia Kingdom?

Cheng Xiao said speechlessly, "I don't need you to tell me what to do. Don't I know how serious this is? Otherwise, why would I be here?"

Cheng Chao looked at him and said, "My master wants you to go back, so just go back. It's nothing serious."

Cheng Xiao and Lord Fang exchanged a glance, and had no choice but to return.

After they left, Zhou Wanwan sneered, "That Eunuch Hai is really something else. He actually managed to embezzle the supplies allocated by the imperial court. He's got some nerve."

Cheng Chao sighed and said:

"Now we are beset by internal and external troubles. The Great Qi Kingdom, which is not far from us, has been making moves in recent years."

This is no small, remote border country; it's far more powerful than our Great Xia."

Zhou Wanwan naturally knew that the Snow Khanate, the Mobei Uyghur, and Khotan in the Western Regions were all small border states and were not worth worrying about.

But the situation is different for the Great Qi. The Great Qi's army is already very strong. If the old eunuch wants to sell something to the Great Qi, the consequences would be unimaginable.

Consider the soldiers of the Great Xia Kingdom. In the dead of winter, they didn't even have cotton-padded coats and were starving. Sending them to fight against the Great Qi would be tantamount to sending them to their deaths.

That evening, the trees under Zhou Wanwan's command came to report:

"The old eunuch has pawned a batch of goods, which are stored in several villages on the outskirts of the city."

It contained grain, salt, cotton clothing, weapons, and medicinal herbs...

"A variety of things, would you like to take a look?"

Zhou Wanwan nodded and said, "Then let's go in and take a look! I want to see what this old eunuch is up to."

Soon, they arrived at a village on the outskirts of the city, where several soldiers were drinking. "If we can just deliver these things to the designated place, our mission will be accomplished."

"Eunuch Hai said that we'll be promoted to Imperial Guards in the future, then our good days are coming."

"Where are we going to take all this stuff?"

"Who knows? We'll just do whatever Eunuch Hai tells us to do!"

One of the men scoffed, "What if he orders us to deliver these things to the enemy? Are we supposed to go too?"

Someone shouted, "Gu Cheng, how dare you say such a thing? Don't you know that military orders are absolute?"

Gu Cheng stopped speaking, and soon, all of them fainted.

Zhou Wanwan walked directly into the manor, which looked ordinary and showed no signs of anything unusual.

But there was no one cultivating the fields in the village, nor were there any people working in the fields; it was deserted and quiet.

The warehouses were Manman, with many carriages parked inside, piled high with all sorts of items.

Thick, ordinary clothes and warm cotton-padded coats were all provided, along with complete sets of soldiers' robes and protective armor. There were countless military supplies, and weapons such as swords and blades were neatly piled up.

Looking at the mountain of military supplies in front of her, Zhou Wanwan said, "Since that old eunuch wants to give these supplies to the Great Qi Kingdom, we should naturally beat him to it and bring them all back to Black Wind Stronghold."

In just one night, all the military supplies in several villages were emptied.

Early the next morning, Cheng Xiao took Zhou Wanwan to Eunuch Hai's villa.

While eating breakfast, Eunuch Hai looked at Zhou Wanwan and said, "You've got some nerve. Why don't you kneel down in front of me?"

Zhou Wanwan looked at the old eunuch and asked, "I wonder what business Eunuch Hai has with me?"

Eunuch Hai sneered:

"I've heard you're very capable; you're in charge of Black Wind Stronghold."

And on several occasions, you even stole the servants' supplies; you've got some nerve."

Zhou Wanwan smiled faintly and said, "Is that so? I don't remember. Who would dare touch your things?"

Eunuch Hai sneered, "Do you know why I had you brought here?"

Zhou Wanwan shook her head and said, "I don't know!"

Eunuch Hai said, "The Imperial Concubine in the palace has heard that you have some skills and is thinking of having you enter the palace to serve Princess Jianing. Are you willing?"

Zhou Wanwan shook her head slightly and said, "I think I'd better not go! I'm more used to staying at home."

Eunuch Hai glanced at her and said:

"Since we've spoken, it's an honor for you. Don't be ungrateful; you have to leave whether you like it or not."

Go home safely and say goodbye to your family!

"Your Black Wind Mountain Stronghold should be disbanded. What future is there in being a bandit leader?"

Zhou Wanwan understood. Noble Consort Ning's intention was simple: she wanted to lure her to the capital.

Then, wouldn't she be completely at their mercy?

Before Zhou Wanwan could speak, she heard several eunuchs say, "Your Excellency, something terrible has happened! All our belongings that we left in the suburbs have disappeared!"

Eunuch Hai stood up and roared:

"What? A bunch of useless trash, a bunch of good-for-nothings! Those things are military supplies; if they're lost, they'll be beheaded!"

Why aren't you sending someone to search for him right away? Also, hurry up and invite Lord Fang over.

This happened in Dongshan Prefecture, so we have to wait for him to step in and resolve it.

Lord Fang rushed over and asked the old eunuch, "Eunuch Hai, what has happened?"

Eunuch Hai looked at Lord Fang and said:

"The supplies I was escorting have run into trouble in your Dongshan Prefecture. You should send someone to investigate immediately."

If they can't find out, your head will have to be moved!

Lord Fang frowned and asked, "Was there any reporting when those military supplies entered Dongshan Prefecture?"

Eunuch Hai snorted coldly and said, "What are you trying to say? Are you trying to say that I'm lying to you?"

Lord Fang quickly bowed and said:

"No, no, I was just asking routinely."

What kind of military supplies are included? I'll send someone to investigate right away.

Eunuch Hai immediately had the list brought out and said:

"Our Great Xia is about to go to war with the Great Qi."

These are all military supplies for winter. You need to find them quickly, or we're all doomed.