Drive a RV and go farming in ancient times.

Xu Huaiyi said this with full confidence and without hiding his true feelings.

Gu Huanxi studied his expression and asked tentatively, "You don't think you can do whatever you want because you are far away from the emperor, do you? Or do you think you can do whatever you want because you are not subject to the orders of the emperor when you are away from the emperor?"

Neither of these two mentalities will end well.

Hearing this, Xu Huaiyi immediately laughed, "Wife, what are you thinking? Am I the kind of person who gets arrogant when I am proud? Don't worry, I am not arrogant. Besides, I have my master watching me. How dare I show off? There are many Jinyiwei lurking in the military camp. Their every move is no secret. How dare I show off? I am just self-reliant and have enough food and clothing."

Gu Huanxi was skeptical, "Really? Are you sure you don't have any other dangerous thoughts?"

Xu Huaiyi assured solemnly, "Absolutely not. It was simply to ensure that the soldiers had enough food. All the money we obtained from suppressing the bandits was used as military funds. No one dared to embezzle, and no one took advantage of their power to bully others or rob people. The military discipline is very strict."

Knowing what she was worried about, Xu Huaiyi explained it in detail.

Gu Huanxi still reminded him, "Don't forget your original intention and let power dazzle you. Don't get carried away and let others catch hold of you. Our family is poor and can't withstand the storm."

Xu Huaiyi nodded solemnly, "I know what I am doing and I won't lose my composure."

"That's good..." Gu Huanxi smiled and finally had the leisure to joke, "Now, your life is comfortable, right?"

Xu Huaiyi chuckled, the meaning was self-evident, and his tone sounded humble, "It's OK, just a little better than before."

If he wants to live a good life for a while, he still has a long way to go. Relying on suppressing bandits is definitely not a long-term solution. However, although he has some ideas, now is not a good time to offer suggestions.

Gu Huanxi nodded in agreement, then sighed, "You guys are getting some comfort, but the soldiers in the north are having a hard time. It's freezing cold, and water freezes into ice. The battle report that came in not long ago said that many soldiers in the barracks were frozen to death or frostbitten, and they simply couldn't go to the battlefield to fight the enemy. Especially the newly recruited soldiers, who haven't received systematic and professional training, and their combat effectiveness is very weak. If it weren't for the New Year when the imperial court stopped writing, I guess there would be a lot of quarrels because of these troubles."

After hearing this, Xu Huaiyi's good mood inevitably took a hit. He frowned and asked, "Did the casualties among the new soldiers get heavy? The court doesn't have an explanation?"

"I don't know the details of the casualties. The court kept it a secret, perhaps because they were afraid of causing panic among the people. But there are always some rumors circulating. The situation is not optimistic. They have negotiated with the court for several times, but..." Gu Huanxi hesitated and his tone became low, "The court's supplies are really hard to describe."

Xu Huaiyi said, "It's the same in the south. They want three times, and it's good enough to get one. The master is still in charge of the Ministry of Revenue, and it seems that the treasury is really out of money."

"But the conditions at the border are tough. I'm afraid it's not realistic to want to learn from you to be self-reliant and have enough food and clothing. It's too difficult to do. I'm worried that if the stalemate continues for too long, someone will want to make peace."

Xu Huaiyi was stunned. As a military commander, the thing he could not accept the most was probably asking for peace. In his opinion, this was no different from showing weakness and surrendering. No matter how beautifully it was packaged in the future, it could not cover up the fact that he could not win.

"Impossible. The military officers, nobles, and descendants of the founding generals who have been given titles, who would be willing to do so? They can't afford to lose face! We must defend the border even if we have to fight to the death and not let the Tartar invade us even a step."

He spoke with finality, showing his tough attitude.

Gu Huanxi said, "But can the national treasury still hold up? We have already fleeced the people several times. If we continue to fleece them, how many families will have a chance to survive? The villagers of Hutian Village have earned money with us for a year, but after hiring people to replace them, their family assets have been spent. There is no joy during the New Year. The situation in other villages will be even worse than this."

After a pause, she reminded, "Don't expect to make money from the merchants anymore. Who can bear it if they keep cutting their flesh with a knife?"

Xu Huaiyi choked back what he was about to say, looked at her and smiled bitterly, "But asking for peace is definitely not an option. Once they become weak, it will be even more difficult to defeat them, and it will also damage the national prestige."

Gu Huanxi raised an eyebrow, "What else? What do you have in mind?"

Xu Huaiyi pondered and said, "We can't ask for peace, but for the sake of the people on both sides, we can negotiate."

"That's possible..."

"But we still need an opportunity and a person to take charge of this matter. Those border generals will definitely not work. What do you think of Prince Qi?"

Gu Huanxi was surprised and said, "Him? His identity is suitable, but does he have the ability? Don't let it backfire..."

Xu Huaiyi was not too worried about this. He was just borrowing an identity. "Just find a capable assistant. The key is that he has to have the heart to do it."

Gu Huanxi saw that he was also frowning and thinking about sending the King of Qi to the border, and was speechless for a moment. No wonder he and Han Jun got along so well, as they had the same idea.

I just don’t know if it will work.

In his previous life, the eldest prince probably didn’t go there, right?

If Meng Yao were here, she would tell her with gritted teeth that of course the King of Qi did not go to the battlefield. Not only did he not go, he was not even crowned king. The titles of several princes would not be given for another few years.

But by then, the fight had already been decided, and the princes had met with miserable end, with some being honored posthumously.

But now, everything has changed.

But she could do nothing about the culprit who caused all this.

In the most exquisite courtyard in the backyard of the Pingyuan Marquis's mansion, the sound of porcelain breaking could be heard from time to time. Outside the door, a group of maids were guarding nervously, but they were like quails and no one dared to go in to persuade them.

Two of them had obvious injuries on their faces, but they could only sob silently.

Who would have thought that taking care of a child of a few years old would be so difficult?

When Prince Meng walked in and saw this scene, he was no longer surprised, but he couldn't help but frowned, "What's going on? Did you make the princess angry again?"

Hearing this, several maids felt so wronged that they said, "I dare not, it's, it's the princess..."

"How is the princess?"

"Princess, I'm in a bad mood."

Hearing this, Prince Meng subconsciously wanted to turn around and leave, but thinking that he still had a mission to accomplish on this trip, he had no choice but to bite the bullet and knock on the door.

An impatient voice came from inside the door, "Get out!"

"It's me, uncle!" Prince Meng frowned and revealed his identity, "Uncle has something to tell you."

After a pause, the door opened, revealing Meng Yao's expressionless face. Although he was a child of only a few years old, his eyes were deeper than those of an adult.

"Uncle!" Meng Yao bowed perfunctorily, stepped aside and invited him in.

Seeing this, Prince Meng's feet felt heavy as he stepped over the threshold. He felt uncomfortable all over and even a little scared. He entered the house, sat down, held the tea bowl, and considered his words, but did not speak for a long time. Meng Yao was in no mood to waste time with him. She was very annoyed. To be more precise, she became more and more upset after Emperor Jianxing issued an edict to confer the title of king on several princes. She was so angry that she could not stand it unless she smashed something every day. Now she was dissatisfied with everything and wanted to destroy it.

She knew that she was venting her anger on others because history had deviated from the development trajectory of her previous life and was no longer under her control. Her halo would inevitably be affected, and the status and glory she had gained as a result would become dim, and there was even a risk of it returning to its original state.

She was powerless to do anything about the culprit. How could she not be angry?
She didn't want to admit that she was scared. She was afraid of losing everything she had now.

"Uncle, if you have something to say, just tell me!"

Prince Meng forced a stiff smile, avoiding her gaze, and said hesitantly, "Well, uncle came here to discuss with you whether your father's illness, which has been dragging on for several months, can be cured?"

Meng Yao said nothing, staring at him with dim eyes.

Prince Meng's hair stood on end when he was stared at. He tried hard to explain, "It's been so long since the incident happened. Your father has suffered so much and has learned enough lessons. The New Year is coming soon, but he is still going crazy and beating people up. I'm afraid he won't even be able to sit at the same table with us for the New Year's Eve dinner..."

"Then don't eat it."

"what?"

Meng Yao sneered, "Just make one for dad. There's no need to create this kind of family reunion atmosphere. It's too fake."

"Yaoyao, he is your father, you..." Prince Meng looked at her in disbelief and asked in a trembling voice, "He lives a life worse than death every day, don't you feel uncomfortable at all?"

It was him who was soft-hearted, otherwise he wouldn't have made this trip.

Meng Yao pulled the corner of her mouth sarcastically, "Rather than letting father wake up and cause an irreparable mess in the uncle's house, it is better for everyone to let him go crazy now. Uncle should be happy to see him succeed."

Upon hearing this, Prince Meng was not relieved, but felt chilled, "Maybe your father has changed..."

“Who can guarantee that?”

"Even if not, we can send someone to watch him and prevent him from going out and causing trouble..."

Meng Yao still asked bluntly, "Who can guarantee that?"

Prince Meng was speechless. He didn't have the courage to pat his chest and make any guarantees.

He even didn't have the confidence to argue with Meng Yao. In front of her, the dignity of an elder was completely lost.

The atmosphere was silent for a moment, and Meng Yao chased him away again, "Uncle, if you have nothing to do, your niece would like to take a nap..."

Prince Meng stood up, took two steps with an ugly look on his face, then stopped and said in a stiff voice, "Well, about the time you asked the government to help you find someone in the south..."

Hearing this, Meng Yao asked anxiously, "How is it? Is there any news?"

Prince Meng shook his head. "According to what you said, based on his age and appearance, the government has sent three groups of people to look for him, but there is no news. Perhaps the child did not go to the south..."

Meng Yao subconsciously shook his head to deny it, and said nervously, "It's impossible. He must have gone to the south. He should have moved to many places, but he should have been in that area. Did you really ask people to look for him seriously?"

Prince Meng suppressed his displeasure and said, "Those sent out are all the best in the mansion. They are loyal to the Bo Mansion and will definitely not be perfunctory."

Meng Yao rebuked sharply, "That's because they are incompetent!"

"Couldn't there be a mistake?"

Prince Meng could no longer bear it and growled, "Yaoyao, everyone can make mistakes. Can you guarantee that your prediction is correct?"

If he wasn't crazy enough, he would have wanted to slap his niece twice to wake her up.

Meng Yao's face changed. Yes, how could she guarantee that things would be the same as in her previous life? Many things had already changed, so that person might not have drifted to the south.

Seeing her look like she was devastated, Prince Meng was moved. He suppressed his anger and asked tentatively, "How about you calculate his position again?"

Meng Yao’s face turned pale and she shook her body. If she really had the ability to tell fortunes, why would she be like this?

She just took advantage of the opportunity of rebirth, she was not really a prophet.

"Divination is very time-consuming. I really don't have the energy for it right now. Let's stop looking for people for now!"

"Not looking anymore?" Prince Meng was surprised. This was unlike her. She would actually give up.

"Well, I won't look for it anymore..." Meng Yao closed her eyes and suppressed her crazy desire to destroy. "Let everything take its course."

Upon hearing this, Prince Meng didn't say anything more. He just nodded and felt relieved. He should have withdrawn the people long ago. All the family resources were used for this niece, resulting in him having no decent person to use when he went out to do things. It would be a joke if this were to get out.

"There is one more thing. Your grandfather asked me to tell you that the war in the south has changed. Whatever you think, it's best to keep it to yourself."

Meng Yao's eyes widened, "What do you mean?"

Prince Meng really didn't understand why she reacted like that. Of course, he didn't know what his father meant by asking him to pass on the message. The two of them must be hiding something from him. He couldn't figure it out, so he simply gave up thinking about it. "Uncle doesn't know either. If you don't understand, go ask your grandfather."

"What about the war in the south?"

“The fight went more smoothly than in the north.”

"Where are the casualties?"

"Casualties? It should be okay. At least, it's better than the north. The north is hell on earth. Sigh..."

Meng Yao could not listen to the rest of the words. She muttered to herself absentmindedly, "How could this happen? It shouldn't be like this. How could there not be heavy casualties? There are corpses everywhere, there are repeated defeats, and they can't come back. How come it's different? Why aren't they dying one after another? They should all be dead. Why aren't they dying? Why aren't they dying? Only by dying can they stop blocking the way..."

Prince Meng was confused and felt his scalp tingling for no reason. He quickly opened the door and left, his steps hurried, as if there was an evil ghost chasing him. (End of this chapter)