Lucky Farmer Girl: I rely on metaphysics to support my family

Chapter 693 Refreshing
The next morning, after finishing her household chores, Tang Wan went straight to the cannery behind the mansion.

I haven't paid much attention to the workshop lately, but I had some free time today to go check it out.

The workshop was steaming hot, and the servants worked quickly and efficiently, everything was in good order.

Wang was already busy in the workshop when she saw Tang Wan and said with a smile, "Wan'er, you have some free time today?"

"Yes," Tang Wan bowed and said with a smile, "Mother, you've been working hard lately!"

Wang helped Tang Wan up and scolded her, "What are you saying, child? Compared to you, my little bit of hardship is nothing."

Tang Wan smiled and was about to reply when she saw Chen Da walking in with the booklet. She greeted him, "Miss, you've arrived."

Seeing Chen Da, Tang Wan suddenly remembered something she had neglected these past few days: "Uncle Chen, how is everyone recovering?"

Previously, due to the instigation of the Wu family, many of the people picking the fruit were injured.

“Except for Zhang Yong, everyone else has fully recovered. Everyone rested on the day they were injured and came back to work the next day. Zhang Yong did too; he said he didn’t want to collect money for nothing,” Chen Da replied with a smile.

"It's good that everyone is alright." Tang Wan paused for a moment, then continued, "Zhang Yong has younger siblings, and he's probably worried about his income, so let him keep working for now. We'll bring his younger siblings a couple of cans of food later, and maybe some snacks for the kids every now and then."

“Okay, I’ve got it,” Chen Da replied.

Tang Wan nodded. She carefully inspected several cans of the finished product. They were bright in color and plump in flesh, which pleased her greatly.

After inspecting the workshop, Tang Wan took Er Ya by carriage to the prefectural capital.

The carriage headed straight for Boss Wan's carriage shop.

Inside the front hall, Boss Wan was talking to a burly, middle-aged man dressed in a tight-fitting outfit. This man was Zhou Zhenshan, the chief镖头 (bodyguard/escort) of Weiyuan镖局 (Weiyuan Escort Agency).

"Master!" Boss Wan introduced with a smile, "Chief Escort Zhou, Zhou Zhenshan, this is the master, a true master of the Xuanmen."

"Chief Escort Zhou, I've heard so much about you." Tang Wan cupped her hands in greeting.

"Master, you have an extraordinary bearing. It's a pleasure to meet you!" Zhou Zhenshan returned the greeting with clasped hands, his voice booming and carrying the straightforwardness of a martial arts master.

The three sat down, and Tang Wan got straight to the point: "Boss Wan, Chief Escort Zhou, the situation has changed slightly. After the inventory, the total amount of supplies exceeded expectations. The original eighteen carts may not be enough; we will need at least twenty covered horse-drawn carriages."

After a moment's thought, Boss Wan smiled and said, "Twenty vehicles? No problem! My car dealership can spare some good ones, and we have enough drivers, all of whom are experienced!" His car dealership was indeed quite large.

Zhou Zhenshan frowned slightly, tapping his fingers lightly on the table: "Twenty carts... or even more, the escort pressure will be considerable. The alternative trade route is complicated, and if we encounter bandits, we may not have enough manpower. My escort agency has deployed all its elites, and at most we can guarantee eight skilled guards and twenty porters. This is the limit. If we want to add more manpower, we need to recruit in advance, otherwise we may delay the journey."

Tang Wan was prepared and calmly said, "Chief Escort Zhou's consideration is correct. The escort force does need to be strengthened. In this way, the escort agency will maintain the manpower configuration you just mentioned: eight skilled guards and twenty porters, with you personally in charge. I trust the strength of Weiyuan Escort Agency."

She abruptly changed the subject, offering a somewhat unexpected suggestion: "Furthermore, I can arrange a small squad of elite soldiers, about twenty to thirty men, to accompany the escort team. They are familiar with military affairs, disciplined, and well-equipped. They can complement the brothers of the escort agency, enhancing our deterrent effect. What do you two think?"

A glint flashed in Zhou Zhenshan's eyes, and he exclaimed, "If you, sir, could accompany us, that would be perfect! With such cooperation, this escort mission is guaranteed to be a success! I couldn't be happier!"

Boss Wan nodded repeatedly in agreement.

Seeing that the two had no objections, Tang Wan then finalized the details: the route would still follow the alternative trade route agreed upon yesterday. Upon reaching the "Eagle's Beak" pass, they would stop to wait for the vanguard battalion under General Zhao, who was carrying the "Tiger Head" bronze talisman, to provide support.

The final departure date was set for the early morning of five days later.

The decision to stop at "Eagle's Beak" and have General Zhao provide backup was the result of a discussion between the War King and Tang Wan last night, as the War King was worried about the situation.

Tang Wan felt that the King of War's considerations were not unreasonable, so she agreed.

Regarding the remuneration, due to the increase in vehicles and the addition of military forces, Zhou Zhenshan took the initiative to maintain the original price, treating it as just making friends.

Tang Wan appreciated the gesture and readily paid the deposit.

After discussing the core escort matters and seeing off Wan and Zhou, Tang Wan immediately took Er Ya to Jishetang.

She took out a carefully prepared prescription for "Marching and Dispelling Dampness Powder" and asked Jishetang to purchase the medicinal materials according to the prescription.

Tang Wan not only purchased a sufficient amount of medicinal herbs to fill two large carts, but also purchased additional military supplies such as wound medicine and hemostatic powder. After the purchase was completed, the Jishetang shop assistants immediately began loading the carts, which were later delivered to the Tang residence.

Tang Wan didn't rest after receiving the two truckloads of medicinal herbs.

"Er Ya, prepare the carriage, we're going to the Prince's Mansion," Tang Wan instructed.

The War King's palace in the prefecture was managed by an old steward surnamed Shen.

When Steward Shen saw Tang Wan, he was very respectful: "Greetings, Miss Tang. Before His Highness left, he instructed that if you need anything, the entire Prince's mansion will be at your service."

Tang Wan didn't stand on ceremony and directly stated her purpose: "Steward Shen, in five days, I have a batch of urgent supplies that need to be escorted to the front line in the Southern Desert. I have already hired twenty escorts and eight skilled guards from Weiyuan Escort Agency, as well as at least twenty carriages from Boss Wan's carriage company. To ensure safety, we also need a capable team to accompany and protect them. The Prince said that when he left the capital, he left behind a team of personal guards who can escort the supplies."

Steward Shen nodded: "Yes, the prince has left a squad of sixty guards, led by Captain Zhang, to be at your command, young lady."

“Alright.” Tang Wan gave the order decisively, “Please have Steward Shen immediately inform Captain Zhang to select thirty skilled men to assemble at my prefectural residence five days from now at dawn, and accompany the escort team to transport supplies to the Southern Desert! This mission is of great importance, so please be careful. I will provide the necessary food and equipment.”

Steward Shen's expression hardened, and he bowed, replying, "Yes! This old servant understands! However, the Prince's mansion will provide the provisions needed by the guards, so Miss need not worry!"

"Alright!" Tang Wan nodded slightly.

With the matter settled, Tang Wan felt much relieved.

In the evening, after dinner, she habitually picked up the communication bell, wanting to confirm the details of the rendezvous with the War King.

However, when the bell was answered, a deliberately lowered voice came through: "Miss Tang? The Prince has gone to suppress bandits and it's inconvenient for him to answer the bell right now. He specifically asked me to take good care of the bell so that he can send you a message when he returns!"

"Alright, then you all go ahead with your work! Tell the Prince that I've been looking for him after he's finished suppressing the bandits. It's nothing important." Tang Wan carefully instructed, afraid of delaying the Prince's business.

"Okay," came the quick, hushed reply from the bell's end.

After hanging the bell, Tang Wan felt uneasy, still worried about something.

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