Bring your aunt to eat big meat, the scumbag father's family is furious

Those who witnessed this were shocked and ran out of the cargo hold while loudly relaying the situation.

"Oh no! Oh no! The gunpowder has caught fire! It's going to explode!"

"Oh no, how could it have caught fire? Quickly, get some water and put it out."

This batch of goods is very important; it's Takumi's idea, and there can't be the slightest mistake.

The others were also terrified, but they dared not jump off the boat. They had no choice but to risk their lives and grit their teeth to fetch water.

A dozen or so people, carrying buckets and basins, rushed into the cargo hold entrance in a state of great urgency and fear.

White smoke billowed in the cargo hold, emitting a pungent smell of gunpowder. Sparks crackled and popped, foreshadowing an impending danger.

"It's going to explode! Everyone run!"

The person in front turned pale with fright, dropped the bucket with a clatter, and turned to run away.

But it was too late.

Bang!

The deafening explosion shattered the ship into pieces, sending them flying in all directions.

Even the air seemed to tremble, the seawater was disturbed, and turbulent currents surged.

While everyone else was still in shock, confusion, and at a loss, the explosion on this ship ignited another ship nearby.

Then came another earth-shattering roar, and the ship disintegrated and flew into the air.

Within moments, fifteen or sixteen cargo ships exploded, and none of the people on board survived.

The crew members on the other cargo ships quickly boarded backup vessels and stayed far away from the large ship. After waiting for a long time without hearing any further movement, they dared to approach the large ship again.

They quickly checked the gunpowder and found no further risk of fire or explosion.

Of the forty-five ships, thirty remain.

The crew members were all pale-faced, still in shock, and discussing the matter tremblingly.

"What happened? The gunpowder from Dongfu Kingdom could never explode for no reason like this."

"Yes, it was all loaded by our own people. No one else had any contact or interference. It just suddenly exploded. It's so weird, like a ghost."

Qiao Lian'er stood to the side and watched the fireworks display from fifteen or sixteen ships, finding it quite enjoyable.

Such important news should be delivered to Mutai.

She returned to Jinglang Prefecture five days later.

It was still at the border market, but the discussions I heard were different.

"What? A three-year exemption from taxes and corvée labor, plus the distribution of crop seeds, winter clothes, and charcoal? Is this really the will of the Princess Zhenguo?"

"It's not that the Princess Zhenguo is going to increase the exorbitant taxes tenfold and make all the able-bodied men perform corvée labor to build the city walls, working everyone to death."

Qiao Lian'er didn't expect that in just a few days, her exorbitant taxes would increase from five times to ten times, and in a few more days, they would become fifteen times, or even twenty times.

“Those are all rumors and fake news. A friend of mine lives in Ye County. Yesterday, he sent me a letter by carrier pigeon with good news, saying that the decrees and policies of the Princess Zhenguo have been posted on the gates of Ye County. Immediately afterwards, people and troops were dispatched to deliver charcoal, cotton clothes, seeds and other supplies to various towns and villages. Those families that were particularly poor also received some silver subsidies.”

"Such a good thing exists in this world. Will the people on our border also enjoy such benefits?" an expectant voice asked.

"It is said that these laws and policies apply throughout Jinglang Prefecture, but they have not yet been conveyed here. Let's just wait for good news. Also, each person will receive a set of cotton-padded clothes, not each household. They are very thick and will keep you warm even when you go to freezing places."

"I can't wait! Come to our place soon. We're in the northernmost part of this vast swamp, where we need cotton clothes and charcoal the most."

"Yes, the clothes were stuffed with willow catkins and withered grass, which did no good at all."

Qiao Lian'er pondered. Pei Shijiu started from the border, but not from here.

It seems that he was angered because the people on the border spoke ill of her that day.

This little temper of hers—

The boy's spirit and emotions brought a knowing smile to Qiao Lian'er's face.

She has the soul of a thirty-year-old, her heart has long been settled, and many things no longer stir her emotions.

The boy's enthusiasm touched her.

A man was leading a horse past on the opposite side. She looked up and saw it was Prince Takumi again.

Compared to his confident demeanor a few days ago, Prince Takumi's face was gloomy, clearly indicating that those words had reached his ears.

Under normal circumstances, under such pressure from rumors, one would either come out to explain or suppress the rumors.

However, it won't have a very good effect.

She explained that at least most people wouldn't believe her, and it seemed more like a compromise forced by public opinion; she was still a villain who wanted to impose heavy taxes.

Suppression will only provoke greater backlash, and she will have even less chance of clearing her name and turning things around.

However, she possesses a treasure trove, effectively controlling dozens of mines in Kachin territory, with inexhaustible wealth.

Problems that can be solved with money are not problems.

Qiao Lian'er was wearing an invisibility cloak, and Prince Tuohai did not see her, passing right by her.

Around his neck, he also wore a jade pendant, its blood-red veins tinged with a faint black aura, giving it an eerie feel.

Therefore, his presence created an invisible pressure that made Qiao Lian'er feel unapproachable.

To guard against her, Mu Tai prepared such "goodies" for everyone on his side.

But she wasn't in a hurry; those who are destined to die will die eventually.

Someone came to Prince Takumi to report, and Qiao Lian'er listened using an instant translator.

"In just a few days, Princess Zhenguo's reputation has improved. The second son of the Pei Prince's Mansion is running errands for her, distributing supplies everywhere, and spreading goodwill for her. Our people wanted to stop him, but he has experts guarding him and they couldn't do anything about it."

"I will find a way," Prince Takumi said quietly. "I won't let her get away with it so easily. She is destined to die at the hands of the mob."

"Mob," Qiao Lian'er chewed on the word.

Pei Shijiu began implementing laws and policies in the southern part of Jinglang Prefecture, and now they have reached the central part.

After several days of travel and hard work, the young man's handsome face showed signs of hardship, as his skin was rough and cracked from being exposed to the cold wind.

He was delighted to see Qiao Lian'er appear and said, "While I was implementing the laws and measures, I also had people spread these messages further north. Only then did someone come to report. Even the border is praising you."

It took less than ten days; it was done in five.

Moreover, the supplies were distributed in a real and tangible way, which can be easily verified and cannot be faked.

The most important thing is that the people see real benefits: their stomachs are full and they are no longer cold in winter.

Qiao Lian'er took out face cream from her spatial storage, scooped out a little, and applied it to the boy's face.

Over the years, he has stayed by her side, working hard and suffering for her without complaint or regret.

Pei Shijiu stared blankly at the woman before him, feeling the delicate and gentle caress of her fingers. Lian'er rarely made such intimate gestures, and he wished he could hold onto this moment forever.