Rebirth: Phoenix Riding the Ninth Heaven

Chapter 24: A long talk all night before my father returned to the barracks

When they returned to the gate, they saw an elderly man in a gray robe with a kind face standing there, looking around anxiously. He was Uncle Fu, who had watched Lin Ruoyue grow up and treated her like his own daughter. Seeing Lin Ruoyue return, Uncle Fu hurriedly greeted her: "Miss, you are finally back!"

Lin Ruoxue smiled slightly and said, "Uncle Fu, I'm fine. I just went out for a walk with Lizhu.

Uncle Fu breathed a sigh of relief, but still said with some worry: "Miss, you should go back quickly. The master said he will return to the barracks tomorrow morning, and he wants to see you."

Lin Ruoxue nodded and said, "Okay, I understand." After that, she quickly walked towards her father's study.

Uncle Fu looked at Lin Ruoxue's departing figure, and a sense of relief welled up in his heart. Although this young lady sometimes did some surprising things, he believed that as time went by, the young lady would definitely think about the affairs of the Marquis' Mansion and become more calm.

With a creak, Li Ruoyue cautiously pushed open the study door. She stepped softly, afraid to disturb her father. Entering the study, she saw her father sitting quietly by the window, his eyes gazing out, his face solemn and serious, as if lost in thought.

Li Ruoyue cautiously approached her father and whispered, "Father..." Her voice was filled with a hint of nervousness and awe, as if she was afraid to disturb him. However, the man did not respond. He simply looked at her quietly, an unreadable expression in his eyes. After a moment, he slowly said, "You're here." These four words were simple and calm, but they made Li Ruoyue feel an invisible pressure.

What had happened at his father's camp that required his return so urgently? Was there an enemy attack? An internal rebellion or some other crisis? These questions swirled in his mind, filling him with worry. Perhaps his father had received some crucial intelligence and needed to personally direct the response. Or perhaps a key figure in the army was injured or missing, requiring his father's assistance. Whatever the reason, it was unsettling, and he hoped his father would survive this crisis safely.

"The Emperor Qian of the Northwest Han Dynasty feared unrest within the army, so he sent Father back to guard the city and assist the officials there in resolving the drought," Li Jing said with a sorrowful tone, his eyes revealing a hint of helplessness and worry. He knew it was a difficult task, but as soldiers, they had to obey orders and not retreat even in the face of difficulties.

However, these years have been full of natural disasters and man-made calamities. The crops in the fields have not been good, the grain reserves in the treasury are getting less and less, and the people are having a very hard time. Although the people work hard every day, they still can't change the status quo. Now the Northwest Army doesn't have much military rations and can't let the soldiers go hungry and go to war. He feels extremely anxious and helpless. He doesn't know what to do to get through this difficult time, let alone what the future will be like. And his father is even more worried, sighing all day long. He has tried everything, but he still can't find a way to solve the problem. Faced with such a dilemma, he really doesn't know what to do. ?

Li Ruoyue sat in her father, Li Jing's study, surrounded by shelves stacked with books and military maps. Li Jing, a dignified and wise general, sat at his desk, his brow furrowed, his eyes revealing deep worry. A severe drought in the northwest had persisted for months, straining food supplies and putting the lives of soldiers and civilians in dire straits. This weighed heavily on his shoulders.

"Father," Li Ruoyue's voice broke the silence, "I understand your concerns about food shortages and drought in the northwest, but perhaps we can approach this problem from another angle."

Li Jing stopped writing and raised his head, his eyes flashing with anticipation. "Ruoyue, what do you think?"

Li Ruoyue took a deep breath and said, "First, we can write a memorial to ask Emperor Qian to transfer grain and fodder from other provinces to alleviate the food shortage in the northwest. But this is only a short-term solution. We still need to find a long-term solution."

"A long-term solution?" Li Jing asked.

"Yes," Li Ruoyue nodded. "We can consider promoting the cultivation of drought-tolerant crops in the northwest, such as sorghum, corn, and beans. These crops have relatively low water requirements and can grow in arid environments. At the same time, we can encourage soldiers and civilians to use drip irrigation and rainwater collection to conserve water and improve the utilization rate of water resources."

"Ruoyue, this is a good idea," Li Jing praised, "but it takes time, and time is what we lack most right now."

"Dad, I think we can start by conducting experimental planting in some smaller military camps and villages. This will not only reduce risks but also facilitate management and observation. If this new crop can adapt to the environment here and produce good harvests, then we can gradually expand the planting area and eventually achieve large-scale promotion." Li Ruoyue looked at his father and said seriously.

"Well, this is a good idea. However, if we want these new crops to be widely recognized, many problems need to be solved. For example, how to ensure the quality and supply of seeds? How to provide effective irrigation equipment? These are all things we need to think about and solve." General Li nodded, indicating that he agreed with his daughter's idea.

"Father, I think we can seek support from the court. After all, this is related to the country's food security and people's livelihood. If the court can provide a certain amount of seeds and irrigation equipment, it will be of great help to our plan. In addition, we can also request the court to send professional agricultural experts to guide farmers in planting and improve the yield and quality of crops." Li Ruoyue continued to put forward her suggestions.

Li Jing picked up a pen and meticulously wrote down the details of his and Li Ruoyue's discussions and suggestions. He carefully considered every detail, ensuring that no important information was omitted. After finishing, he carefully reviewed the letter, then carefully folded the paper and placed it in an envelope. He then sealed the envelope with wax to ensure its safety. After doing this, he sighed softly and silently prayed that this plan would be successfully implemented and bring peace and prosperity to the country.

Li Jing stood up, hands clasped behind his back, and walked to the door with a serious expression. He then flung it open and shouted to the guards outside, "Someone, come!" His voice echoed through the hallway, carrying an undeniable sense of authority. Two guards immediately entered, their steps steady and their eyes focused, clearly filled with awe for Li Jing. They stood respectfully before him, awaiting his instructions.

The letter was sent to the military camp at full speed, without delay on the way, and was handed to the deputy general Zhou Qi.

"Remember to tell him to be cautious and not act rashly. At the same time, be sure to protect the seeds of new crops to prevent them from being stolen or destroyed by the enemy," General Li instructed.

After doing this, Li Jing turned to Li Ruoyue and said, "Ruoyue, your suggestion is very practical." Li Jing praised, "I will immediately submit this suggestion to the court and ask for their support."

Through these ideas, Li Ruoyue has brought hope to her father and the Northwest region. Her suggestions have been implemented and effectively alleviated the Northwest region.

After saying this, it was already late at night. A bright moon hung in the sky, and moonlight shone through the window onto the ground. Li Ruoyue felt a little tired, but she still forced herself to have a midnight snack with Luzhu. The midnight snack was simple, just some light porridge and side dishes, but it made Li Ruoyue feel very warm.

After a late-night snack, Li Ruoyue returned to her boudoir. It was beautifully decorated, with a soft quilt covering the bed. To the right of the bed sat a dressing table filled with skincare products and jewelry boxes. Sitting at the table, Li Ruoyue looked at herself in the mirror, a wave of emotion welling up in her heart. She recalled her past experiences, those who had been with her, and those who had left.

In her previous life, from the moment she entered the palace, she felt like a caged bird, bereft of freedom and hope. The tightly closed palace gates seemed like an unbridgeable chasm, separating her from the outside world. In that closed world, she spent countless long, lonely days, and until her final moments, she was unable to step beyond those thresholds.

In this life, I must never repeat the same mistakes again. I must firmly control everything in my own hands! Whether it is power or fate, I cannot let anyone have the opportunity to step on me!

That night, the moonlight, like water, quietly sprinkled on the windowsill, while inside the house, a surging sea of ​​​​hearts surged. Li Ruoyue lay in bed, tossing and turning, dreams pouring in like a tide, engulfing her in deep memories and pain.

In her dream, she returned to the flames of war. Her father, Li Jing, the majestic and valiant general, stood on a battlefield, commanding his soldiers with his sword. However, the cruelty of war ultimately caught up with him. An arrow pierced his heart, and he fell, falling to the path of treacherous officials. Li Ruoyue wept bitterly in her dream, unable to reach the receding figure. She could only watch helplessly as her father vanished in the flames of war, leaving behind endless sorrow.

The dream then brought her to her stepmother's mansion, a place once filled with laughter and joy, now filled with betrayal and indifference. Her stepsister, the woman with whom she had shared countless happy times, had suddenly become a different person. Her eyes were filled with greed and jealousy, and her betrayal of Li Ruoyue was like a sharp knife, piercing her heart. And her stepmother, the one she should have relied on, stabbed her in the back, pushing her into the abyss with her cold words.

In her dream, Li Ruoyue felt helpless and hopeless. Facing betrayal from her loved ones and the world's indifference, she felt unprecedented loneliness and pain. However, just as she was about to be consumed by despair, a power surged from deep within her heart: a love for life and a longing for the future. She realized that although the world is filled with injustice and pain, as long as there is love and hope in her heart, nothing is impossible.

After waking up, Li Ruoyue's eyes were filled with tears, but a resolute smile hung on the corners of her mouth. She knew that all the pain was a test from God to make her stronger and wiser. She decided that no matter how difficult the road ahead was, she would bravely go on.

That night's dream, though painful, also gave Li Ruoyue endless strength. She understood that the meaning of life lies not just in enjoying happiness, but also in facing pain, finding strength in pain, and seeing hope in despair. From then on, Li Ruoyue's life was like the dawn before the break of dawn: dark, but ultimately bright.

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