Harem Daily Life

Before the troops move, the food and fodder must be prepared first. Since we are preparing to fight, we must start preparing the food and fodder.

The preparation of food and fodder for the war was a difficult matter, but it was made much smoother by the abundant treasury and ample grain reserves. Seeing how quickly preparations were made, He Linzhang was slightly pleased and commended the ministers responsible for the preparations.

The harem also heard the news. Concubine Xian thought that since the war was about to start, the harem should also contribute, so she went to Changle Palace to ask the queen in person.

Tao Yanyan was silent for a moment before saying, "Secretly, I don't want to go to war, because war means spending money and there will be casualties. I've finally had a few years of peace and quiet, and I've accumulated this wealth. Every time I fight a war, it's all gone."

Consort Xian also nodded: "Who says not? The people don't want to go to war, but the situation forces us to do so. I was thinking that the Mid-Autumn Festival Palace Banquet is coming soon, and I'm afraid this meal is also a farewell banquet for the generals by Your Majesty. After the Mid-Autumn Festival, the army will set out."

Under the pressure of the border situation, even if the Great Zhou did not go to war, the provocations of Yan State would not stop. King Feng Chenmu of Yan was an out-and-out warmonger and could not live in peace.

"When the time comes, you should find the families of the generals and comfort them. Give them the rewards they deserve. Their sons will go to the war, and the elderly, the weak, women and children must be settled." Tao Yanyan reminded.

Concubine Xian nodded and said, "I heard that this time, General Duan is old, and the commander of the army will be General Gu. There are also many young men from various families in the court who are joining the army. I will ask for a list of names when the time comes, and reward those who deserve it."

Tao Yanyan raised her eyebrows: "Will the new recruits go with them? It's only been a month since the conscription this year, and those new recruits haven't received formal training yet, right?" She remembered when she first met Mo Xingzhou at the Chang Yongbo Mansion, who said he would join the army in the second half of the year.

Concubine Xian also didn't know the truth: "I don't know about the military arrangements. Your Majesty, why don't you ask General Gu?"

General Gu is the Queen's cousin, so he must go to the palace to say goodbye before leaving.

After seeing off Concubine Xian, Tao Yanyan asked Chang Tai to deliver a letter to Gu Yi, saying that she wanted to meet him.

Gu Yi and Princess Xinlan had been on good terms for the past few years. They had a son who had just started elementary school. Upon learning that the Queen wanted to see him, he packed his belongings the next day and entered the palace with the Mid-Autumn Festival gifts Princess Xinlan had prepared.

Tao Yanyan met him in a side hall of the Qinzheng Palace and prepared for him a set of armor newly developed by the Ministry of War.

"Your Majesty is in poor health. If you have anything to say, please ask someone to bring it to me. I am really sorry to trouble Your Majesty to meet me." Gu Yi said worriedly when he saw that she was unable to move.

Tao Yanyan smiled and said, "I've been idle every day, so walking around a bit has actually made me feel more energetic. My cousin is leading his troops on a long journey through high mountains and long roads. It's a long journey, and he might not be back for a year or two. I've had some things prepared for him, and I'm giving them to him just in case."

Gu Yi looked at the brand new armor, several sets of clothes, and the finest wound medicine and said, "Your Majesty is so thoughtful. Thank you very much. I will lead the army out of the capital after the Mid-Autumn Festival. Your Majesty was not in the capital when she gave birth. I hope your Majesty will give birth safely, and that both mother and child are well."

"Don't worry, cousin. I will always take care of Xinlan and Gu Siyu and look after them for you."

The two talked for a while, and He Linzhang finished his meeting with the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of War, so he called the two over for lunch.

Just after finishing the meal, Prince Jing came with Princess Jing.

Princess Jing's eyes were red. Seeing General Gu there, she said directly, "General Gu, I heard that the new recruits are also going to the border, and my cousin is among them. Could you please show some mercy and keep him here? My cousin has fainted from crying several times."

Gu Yi glanced at He Linzhang and said, "No matter who you are, once you join the army, you must obey military orders. I understand Princess Jing's feelings, but he's not the only official's son in the army. Even if he were a prince, if he joined the army, he would have to take part in any battle. If you don't want him to go to the battlefield, then remove his military registration and let him go home. Think it over and give me an answer."

Princess Jing wiped her tears and said, "It's not that I don't want him to join the army, but mainly because this child is Chang Yongbo's late-born son. My cousin was forty-one when she had this little son, and she raised him like a treasure. If... if the sword has no eyes, and he gets hurt, what will we do? He's only sixteen and hasn't even married yet!"

Gu Yi was also a little embarrassed, thinking back to when he was young and had joined the army without telling his family, and fought on the battlefield, he felt a little reluctant. But the army had its own rules, and it was not for him to have the final say.

"Again, if you're reluctant, persuade him to retire and never serve in the military again."

Princess Jing felt a bit embarrassed and tugged at Prince Jing's sleeve. Prince Jing had no choice but to say, "That child is also very determined. I'm afraid he won't want to withdraw. Why don't you ask General Gu to take care of him and not send him to the battlefield? How about just having him be a soldier in the cook camp, cooking and making fire? Everyone in the army is important, and being a soldier in the cook camp is not shameful."

When Princess Jing heard this, she realized that this was the only solution.

Gu Yi nodded and said, "Okay, that's not difficult."

He Linzhang and Tao Yanyan didn't say anything. There were many people who came to them for help for their children. As parents, they could still understand their feelings.

But after everyone left, Tao Yanyan became a little absent-minded.

"What? Are you still worried about Gu Yi?" He Linzhang asked jealously.

Tao Yanyan didn't understand, she shook her head: "I'm worried about Xuan'er."

Seeing that He Linzhang was puzzled, she had to tell him about the little interaction between He Xuan and Mo Xingzhou.

"They are both young children, naive and inexperienced, with only budding feelings. I only hope that Mo Xingzhou can return safely. Whether he and Xuan'er will have a story in the future is a matter of the future. Your Majesty, it would be great if we could resolve the great troubles of Yan State in one battle. They have been stubborn and stubborn for so many years, which is really annoying."

The State of Yan was like a wolf waiting for an opportunity, and the Great Zhou was like a lion. When the lion was strong, the wolf would secretly observe. If the lion wasn't paying attention, the wolf would pounce and bite at the slightest opportunity, hoping to gnaw off a piece of the lion's flesh. How could the lion feel at ease with such a wolf always lurking around?

He Linzhang stroked her head and said, "I originally had a plan that I didn't want to tell you. But since it's mentioned today, I'll be honest with you. I've decided to wait until you give birth safely, then I'll lead the troops to support Gu Yi and personally lead the army."

Tao Yanyan looked at him in surprise: "The emperor is leading the army in person?"

He Linzhang nodded and said, "In this battle, I hope to completely eliminate the State of Yan. I will not dare to start a war again for the next ten or even twenty years."