The Daily Life of a Down-on-Hard-Life Medicine Girl Supporting Her Family

Spring warmth was unexpected; Dongmei's choice was so wise.

A battle has broken out. This time, the battle is being fought by General Xia of the imperial court, who is leading troops to quell the rebellion.

The city of Changzhou, which had just begun to regain some of its former liveliness, was replaced by the bloodshed of war.

The siege has lasted for three days, and the rebels have captured civilians to use as human shields.

Whenever Xia Guangcheng attacked the city, the rebels would drive the bound civilians to the front.

The cries, shouts, and curses were deafening.

"General?" Deputy General Hu looked at Xia Guangcheng helplessly.

This city is probably beyond our reach!
Who would dare order an attack? Those are the common people!
They are the people of the Great Xia.

If swords and arrows were to strike them, the censor's impeachment would reach the emperor's desk, and then the broadsword outside the Meridian Gate would fall on the general's head.

Moreover, a general is a person who protects his country and its people. How could he turn his sword against his own people? No matter how great his achievements are, they cannot cover up his cruelty.

"Let's surround it for now."

Xia Guangcheng was also in a real bind.

Who would have thought they would be so helpless!

Yes, when fighting the enemy on the border, he is absolutely fearless and has no scruples whatsoever.

But while fighting here, he repeatedly ordered that no rebel soldiers should be harmed if they surrendered.

If it were for the sake of his soldiers, he would even have considered ordering them to avoid taking their lives.

Of course, it would be very irresponsible for him, as the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, to speak like that.

Whose life isn't a life? War is a matter of life and death. He tells his brothers to consider other people's lives, but those people don't care about such things.

Swords have no eyes; self-preservation is the most important thing. Being merciful to the other party is being cruel to yourself.

Of course, he also knew that if the enemy injured unarmed civilians, the battle could not continue.

The result of the siege was that the people inside the city suffered a fate worse than death.

"Apart from a pharmacy called Baicaotang, which is open for business as usual, all the other shops in the city are closed." The scout told Xia Guangcheng the news he had obtained: "In the past, each household could buy some grain based on their household registration, but now the grain shops are not open, and there is no grain to buy. Some people have already run out of food, and many have been starving for three days and three nights."

"They are cursing you, General."

The scout spoke these words after careful consideration.

"Tell me, how did you curse?"

“They said that before you came, at least the streets were peaceful, and people could buy some food every day.”

Even if the grain is expensive, at least we can buy it.

"Now that all the shops are open, we can't buy any food and we're starving."

Most importantly, they don't dare to leave their homes now.

If they went out, they would be caught by the rebels and used as human shields.

Some people were so hungry that they deliberately rushed into the street and were captured by the rebels to be used as human shields, because the rebels would give them two steamed buns every day to keep them alive.

For the sake of two steamed buns, they disregarded everything else and even went out on their own initiative.

In their view, it was a dead end no matter what.

Even living one more day is a bonus.

"So, these people see the rebels who arrested them as good people, while I, Xia Guangcheng, am a heinous villain?"

What kind of logic is this?!
Xia Guangcheng sometimes felt that there was always something hateful about a pitiful person.

However, there was nothing that could be done about them.

"General, what about the Emperor..."

Well, their general is really stubborn. He actually volunteered for the mission, and to make matters worse, the emperor gave him a deadline: to quell the internal strife in Shu within a year.

Once you enter Sichuan, you'll find petty thieves everywhere.

The area is mountainous with narrow roads, and the customs and traditions are completely different. In addition, many people are causing chaos everywhere under the banner of rebels, making a living by robbing people. It is truly a place where people cannot live.

"I understand."

It's just a deadline, isn't it?

Let him sort out a head sequence first.

Once you can figure things out, everything becomes simple.

Real warfare is always a swift and decisive battle.

That day, Xia Guangcheng suddenly received a message: someone wanted to see him.

"General, could this be a trap set by the rebels?"

Deputy General Hu was very worried and suggested that they not go to see the visitor.

"Nothing ventured, nothing gained," Xia Guangcheng said. "Besides, they might not actually be enemies; what if they're actually to my advantage?"

"But, General, we are unfamiliar with the land and people of Shu..."

Where did this acquaintance come from?

"Don't forget, this general is currently in very good fortune. There's always a way out, and things will work themselves out."

Yes, Xia Guangcheng had a strong premonition that the person who came to him was his benefactor, someone who could help him break out of his predicament.

So he had someone bring him into the military camp.

"General, the man has been brought here."

Xia Guangcheng nodded when he saw the young man in front of him.

"Zhao Minghua, the third young master of Baicaotang?"

Zhao Minghua nodded, "It's him!"

"Not bad, as expected of the person Nuan Nuan personally chose, she has a lot of courage."

He wasn't intimidated at all by being brought in from outside, which is probably why Chunnuan was able to choose him.

Yes, Xia Guangcheng is the type who loves everything about Xiao Chunyu. He knows everything about Xiao Chunyu and pays special attention to the Xiao family.

Especially Xiao Chunnuan, who has been different from others since childhood and is a promising talent.

Of course, the more talented a woman is, the more demanding she is when it comes to marriage.

It was Zhang's son's bad luck to break off the engagement. He had always been curious about what kind of man could catch his sister-in-law's eye.

I never expected it to be this kid.

"That's because I got lucky and was chosen."

Zhao Minghua didn't feel embarrassed at all, and even made a self-deprecating joke.

"Aren't you afraid of me?"

The young masters of the capital city treated him like mice before a cat.

“Zhao has never done anything to wrong the people, nor will he cause any harm to the general, so why should he be afraid?”

Very good, he is indeed a courageous person.

Xia Guangcheng waved to the guards standing beside him, signaling them to step back.

"General...?"

Deputy General Hu was a little confused. During their conversation, they mentioned a certain woman, someone the general knew.

"Step back, I have something to ask him."

There was no other way but to step down.

However, none of them dared to go far; they waited outside the door so they could be the first to rush in if anything happened.

"Zhao Minghua greets her brother-in-law."

This isn't about currying favor with him; it's a proper family courtesy.

Previously, when meeting a general, it was a state ceremony; now that such a ceremony is no longer in use, family ceremonies are used instead.

"You are very smart."

Xia Guangcheng was pleased to be called "brother-in-law".

"However, aren't you afraid that the rebels in the city will harm your family by coming to see me at this time?"

"So I went through many detours and changed several identities before finally coming to your side."

"You're in such a hurry to see me, is there something you need?"

Xia Guangcheng knew something about his brother-in-law's family; they were known as notorious playboys in Changzhou.

It is said that Baicaotang, which insisted on opening its doors during the chaos of war, was his family's business.

How far will this spoiled brat from being raised go?

"I believe I can help the general breach the city." Xia Guangcheng looked at him, waiting for him to continue.

Does this kid know what he's saying?

That's a breached city, something that even a thousand troops couldn't handle. What makes him say that?

Based on just a few words from him?

However, no matter what he said, Xia Guangcheng would listen to it.

His strength lies in his ability to gather collective wisdom.

It's said that bystanders see things more clearly than those involved; perhaps he really does have some good ideas.

"Sit down, and have some tea."

Immediately, a soldier stepped forward to pour tea for Zhao Minghua.

Zhao Minghua took a sip of tea. How should I put it?

It tastes terrible!
This tea is worse than what my servants drink.

It can only be said that being a general is quite tough; only those in the capital city can enjoy the good life.

This man, who spent many years on military campaigns and achieved outstanding feats, receiving countless rewards, had no time or opportunity to enjoy them... which is quite pitiful.

He had already been caught red-handed for just glancing at Xia Guangcheng.

"What kind of look is that? Put away your sympathy, it's not needed."

"No, no, that's not true."

How embarrassing! I'm just a kid from Changzhou, yet I'm talking to a great general from the capital about enjoying life. I'm like a frog in a well, overestimating myself.

He was arrogant.

This kind of person is extremely perceptive and observant. If you pity him, will he become angry and kill you?
"Tell me, how do you plan to break this?"

His time is precious; if you have something to say, say it quickly, otherwise leave.

Zhao Minghua... he's really cold-blooded. He didn't even ask if his mother-in-law and the others were alright.

"Does the general know the situation in the city?"

Isn't this nonsense?
His spies were sending messages out every hour.

"The people could no longer survive, so they took to the streets and even volunteered to be human shields."

That's what made him unable to make a move.

"They acted as human shields because they wanted two steamed buns a day; they wanted to survive."

Xia Guangcheng understood the reasoning behind this very well.

"If the general could promise that every household would receive affordable grain after the city gates are opened and the rebellion is quelled, what do you think the outcome would be?"

The result was victory without a fight!

Some might even open the city gates to welcome the army into the city.

The problem is, will this general provide the grain supply?

If one breaks their promise, the people will complain even more, and it will only backfire.

This is not something Xia Guangcheng would do.

Zhao Minghua looked at him and smiled.

"There's only about a month left until the harvest of grain at the beginning of autumn. General, your task is to take Changzhou within this month and ensure that the people can live in peace and prosperity..."

That makes sense!

This kid is so young, yet he talks like one of those old fogies in the imperial court.

Can we hold out for a month?

What will he use to support himself?
Affordable grains?
Even if the owner of the grain store agreed, they might not have that much grain even if a knife were held to their throats.

Are you suggesting we send him to source grain from somewhere else?

That's quite a challenge.

That kid, he really makes it sound so easy...

Wait a minute, if he can say that, it means he can get his hands on the grain!
"You have grain on hand!"

This is not a question, but a statement.

"what do you want?"

Merchants don't get up early for nothing; all their efforts are based on equal exchange. Xia Guangcheng wondered what ambitions this man might have.

High-ranking official positions and generous salaries are something we can try to secure for him, as long as he submits a memorial to the throne.

"I want to go to the capital to do business."

"To become an imperial merchant?"

"Imperial Merchant?" Zhao Minghua was taken aback for a moment, then thought it was quite good.

The agreement between him and Chun Nuan was this: all his businesses would have dividends from Chun Nuan, and he would help Chun Ning make money so that the Xiao family would have enough wealth to change their status in the capital and allow the Xiao family to be reunited.

"If you can do it, I will definitely write to the Emperor to commend you. As for becoming a royal merchant, that depends on your own abilities."

Zhao Minghua never bothered to have any connection with merchants, after all, the reputation of collusion between officials and businessmen was not good.

"can."

Once you're famous, why worry about not making money?

"You need to give me a clear picture: how much food do you have, and how long can it last?"

"A hundred tons, enough to last until the autumn harvest, is that enough?"

Hundreds of tons?
This greatly surprised Xia Guangcheng.

"Doesn't your family own a pharmacy?"

How could there be grain, and in such large quantities?

The Shu king's rebellion has lasted for half a year, and grain has always been a top priority. Grain merchants have long since sensed the danger and stopped selling grain at fair prices.

In other words, Zhao Minghua must have acquired the grain he had stockpiled six months ago.

Why does he hoard so much grain?

Are you perhaps thinking of switching careers to become a grain merchant?
No, that's not the point.

The key point is that he sells his grain at a fair price, which means that he purchased his grain at a low price.

What enabled him to predict the future?

What made him willing to give up enormous wealth to pursue the title of imperial merchant?

You know, based on the current grain price, he could make a fortune selling those hundreds of tons of grain.

"It's about opening a pharmacy. There are many ways to save lives. It's not just about treating illnesses and saving lives; it's also about feeding people."

"From beginning to end, didn't you ever think about making a huge profit?"

“A gentleman loves wealth, but he acquires it in a proper way.” Zhao Minghua said, “My Zhao family’s motto is to be worthy of the world and the earth. I can tell everyone with my conscience: I have never wronged anyone. Making this kind of wealth would diminish my own blessings.”

"Then I hope good things will come your way."

"That's for sure. My greatest luck was meeting Nuannuan and marrying her."

Xia Guangcheng... I accidentally saw him showing off.

Well, what he said is also true.

It really is a coincidence that Xia Guangcheng also felt that his greatest luck was marrying Chunyu and having his adorable daughter Panpan.

Yes, because of Xiao Chunyu, he became the eldest brother-in-law in the eyes of the Xiao family children, so Zhao Minghua rushed to help him break the deadlock.

"What to do next is the general's business. I'll take my leave now."

Before Xia Guangcheng could reply, Zhao Minghua stood up and walked out.

"General...?"

Deputy General Hu didn't know what the young man had said to the general, but the general's thoughtful expression made him feel that something was amiss.

"Summon several deputy generals and the gentleman for a meeting."

The topic of the meeting was: How to let the people in the city know that the price of grain would immediately return to normal after the city was breached?

"General, according to our scouts, the city's food reserves are insufficient. Let alone restoring prices to normal levels, there isn't enough to feed the entire army."

You can eat whatever you want, but you really can't say whatever you want.

This could be fatal.

If that arouses public anger, then that would be a tremendous loss.

The credit for capturing the city will be taken away, wouldn't that be a net loss? (End of Chapter)