Disguised as a man: Watch me create a new dynasty

"Thank you, General Xiao, for inviting me in. I just happened to have prepared some wine and was planning to have a drink myself. I was just worried that I would have no one to drink with. As the saying goes, it is better to arrive at the right time than to arrive early, right?"

Shen Zhui led Xie Yanli into the backyard of the county government office. The servants had already received instructions and had prepared some snacks and wine.

"General Xie, please take a seat." He looked at the man who looked like a guard beside Xie Yanli, "What is this general's name? If you don't mind, come sit down and have a taste too?"

Xie Yanli glanced at the man.

The man bowed to Shen Zhui and said, "Master Shen, you are too polite. I am Shangguan Que. I have already eaten in the camp when I came here."

"Gulu..."

Several people looked at each other and then laughed.

"General Shangguan, you should appease your stomach. Look, it's complaining."

Shangguan Que saw Xie Yanli nodded with a sullen face and then sat down.

If he wasn't so thick-skinned, he would be in a crack in the ground by now.

Servants filed in, carrying several dishes in their hands, and the aroma reached Xie Yanli and the other man.

Shangguan Que received the look from his general, "Sir Shen, what is this? The fragrance is so overbearing."

"This thing is called potato. It was discovered by a scholar from Qingshui County when he went up the mountain to pick wild vegetables."

"Generals, please try it. It is very delicious."

Seeing that Xie Yanli had already picked up his chopsticks, Shangguan Que couldn't wait to start eating.

Xie Yanli picked up a piece of potato pancake, held it in front of him and examined it for a while, then took a small bite and started to taste it.

Shangguan Que hesitated for only a moment at the first bite, and then he devoured it like a starving ghost.

Seeing that they were almost done eating, Shen Zhui spoke up to stop them, "Generals, why don't you have a drink to soothe your throats."

The two men felt a little annoyed after hearing this, and hated themselves for not having self-control. Why did they act like they had not eaten for several days? So they put down their chopsticks and waited for the servants to fill their wine bowls.

When I was eating, I was so focused on enjoying the delicious food that I didn't pay attention. Only when I put down my chopsticks did I feel a bloating in my stomach.

The two looked at each other and saw the surprise in each other's eyes.

Xie Yanli turned to look at Shen Zhui, "Sir Shen! These potatoes..."

Shen Zhui also put down his chopsticks and wiped the corners of his mouth with a handkerchief.

"General Xie, what do you think of the taste of these potatoes?"

“It’s delicious and makes people linger.”

Shen Zhui nodded. "Which of the two generals do you think is more filling than rice and flour?"

Shangguan Quehui said, "If I eat to my heart's content, I can eat six steamed buns as big as a bowl!"

Shen Zhui stood up and walked to the side, opening a sack in the corner. "Generals, please look, these are the potatoes we just ate."

These potatoes are of very good quality, each one is as big as a drinking bowl.

"We only used eight potatoes for this table of dishes."

Shangguan Que looked at the potatoes in Shen Zhui's hand, then turned to look at the dozen or so dishes on the table.

He looked at his major general with shock.

Xie Yanli's eyes were full of solemnity.

"What does Lord Shen want to say?"

"I know that all the general wants is to have enough food for his soldiers, so I am giving him some advice."

Xie Yanli nodded when he heard this, "Lord Shen is righteous."

"Alas, General, you are overpraising me."

"The Xie family army has been guarding the border for decades. How many people don't know how hard it is? But now the villains in the court are making trouble and seizing the Xie family army's food and fodder to supplement other armies."

"They are all the imperial court's armies. We shouldn't favor one over the other. Look at how fat and strong the Southwest Army is. Then look at the Xie Family Army. Sigh..."

"My mother often talked about the difficulties faced by Xie Jiajun. The Far North is already cold, and people don't have enough food to eat. It's really heartbreaking."

Thinking of the Grand Princess, a flash of warmth appeared in Xie Yanli's eyes. She was a very good elder.

"Xie Xiao General, our two families have a close relationship. Since you have come to me for help, I will show you a way."

"In Qinghe Village in the north, there is a scholar named Yan, who is a capable man."

“He was the one who discovered and cultivated this potato.”

"If you want to buy food, go find him. I'm sure he will have a way."

"This person is five years old, quirky, yet calm and composed. He is indeed a good candidate."

Shangguan Que was so surprised that he could fit an egg in his mouth. "Five years old! Scholar!"

"It's true that comparison makes one feel nauseous. You passed the imperial examination at the age of five? When I was five, I could only pee and play in the mud..."

Xie Yanli glanced at Shangguan Que with disdain, silently took a step back, and moved a little further away from Shangguan Que.

A five-year-old scholar? I really want to see him as soon as possible.

He knew Shen Zhui a little bit. He was a very upright and generous person and would not use this to fool him.

So he bowed and said, "Thank you, Lord Shen, for pointing out the direction. I, the 100,000 Xie family soldiers, thank you."

"Alas, General Xie, there is no need to be so polite. Whether it is for official or personal reasons, I have to help. I am also concerned about the soldiers."

Shen Zhui has been influenced by the Grand Princess since he was a child. Although he is a civil servant, he has a good impression of generals and soldiers.

Besides, Xie’s army is the sharp sword of Daqing. If the sword is not sharp, how can it be used in battle?

The imperial court never provided enough food and wages to the Xie family. If the Xie family had not emptied their family coffers to support them over the years, they would have starved to death long ago.

Seeing that it was getting late, Xie Yanli said goodbye to Shen Zhui and ran towards the camp with Shangguan Que.

He had to go back and discuss countermeasures with his father, and then take the silver to Qinghe Village to try his luck.

He remembered that Qinghe Village was very poor and the snowy season was coming soon. If he brought them some potatoes for the winter, perhaps they would agree to sell them to him.

After returning to the military camp, Xie Yanli immediately went to his father Xie Yu's tent.

"General! I'm back."

When discussing serious matters in the military camp, the father and son always addressed each other by their official titles.

"How is it going? Have you found the food and grass?"

"Reporting to the general, I have found a place to buy it. I was planning to take some leather and silver to buy it."

"Hmm? Leather? Why, don't you have enough silver?"

"If it's not enough, I'll think of another way. Giving them the skin, isn't that just fooling the people?"

"The snowy season is coming soon. This year, the cold comes earlier than last year. It is better for us to use leather than silver. The people just need leather to keep out the cold."

"That's true. Then bring more and try to exchange for more food. The cold dishes in the army won't last long."

"Restrain your men and never force the people to collect grain by force!"

"Yes!"

With my father's approval, we can arrange for someone to do this.

"Father, please try this."

"What is this?"

"This thing is called potato. It is very filling and can be compared to rice and noodles!"

"Oh? Let me try."

After this try, the lunch box that Xie Yanli brought back was empty.

General Xie looked a little unnatural. "Well, it tastes pretty good. Very good, very good. I feel a little full. I'll go out for a walk."

Having said that, he strode out of the tent as if there was a dog chasing him.

Xie Gou... No, Xie Yanli's face was full of helplessness.

Luckily he still had some left.