I will lead the whole village to occupy the land and become the king.

Lu Yanzheng nodded. "Originally, I also wanted to take it step by step, but the imperial court is so cruel. Every day I delay in protecting the people under their wings, they will suffer for one more day."

"Did something happen?" Jiang Qinyu asked.

Given Lu Yanzheng's personality, he wouldn't make such a decision unless something happened that he could no longer tolerate.

Lu Yanzheng pursed his lips and lowered his eyelids. After a while, he spoke, "The sweet potato cultivation method you presented to the court was not promoted throughout Da Yue. Instead, it was monopolized by a few major families and only cultivated on some fields in the Jiangnan region."

"The people of the imperial court haven't had a full meal in the past two years. A few days ago, I received news that people in Qizhou in the north are already eating Guanyin soil mixed with mustard cakes, grass root porridge, and tree bark buns..."

When Jiang Qinyu heard this, she felt an inexplicable feeling in her heart, her nose felt sore, and her eyes were a little swollen.

She took a deep breath and asked, "Does the court just not care at all?"

Guanyin soil mixed with mustard greens? Oh my god! Is that something for human consumption?

She still remembered that when she first came here, Shufan gave her leaves to quench her thirst. She felt that she could not survive, but the people of Qizhou actually ate Guanyin soil as flour!

Living in a peaceful and resource-rich China, Jiang Qinyu simply couldn't imagine such a scene.

In modern China, no matter where there's a disaster, the worst thing people eat is instant noodles with mineral water, but here...

Jiang Qinyu tilted her head back and sniffed again.

"The imperial court is now putting all its energy into dealing with the northwest. All the grain has been collected by the government, and the people have to eat secretly. Anyone who has a little bit of flesh will be raided by the government to search their homes for food..." Lu Yanzheng's voice was very low.

Not to mention Jiang Qinyu, even he was stunned after learning about the court's actions.

Is Emperor Jingqing afraid that no one will rebel?

Jiang Qinyu was also dumbfounded. She couldn't believe that there was such a court. Did they think that Dai Viet's rule of more than two hundred years was too stable?

"Brother Zheng," Jiang Qinyu came back to her senses and looked at Lu Yanzheng seriously, "Go do what you want to do. I support you!"

It would be fine if they had no ability, but now Lu Yanzheng has already dominated one side and has offended the imperial court long ago. If they do not grow and become stronger, they will become a pie in the sky for the imperial court in the future.

Instead of passively waiting for the imperial court to prepare and attack, it would be better for them to take the initiative. They might even be able to seize the initiative and let the people suffer less.

"Thank you, Qinqin," Lu Yanzheng held Jiang Qinyu's hand, kissed her hand lightly, and looked up to meet her eyes. "The luckiest thing in my life is meeting you."

If it weren't for Jiang Qinyu, he wouldn't be confronting the imperial court like he is now. Perhaps he would still choose to protect himself, or even choose to retreat with his close ones when the situation is unfavorable.

Jiang Qinyu didn't say anything, but just shook his hand back vigorously.

If she hadn't met Lu Yanzheng, she might have chosen to be content with a small fortune!

But in this era, if she doesn't have someone with a strong background to protect her, she won't be able to achieve her goal of being content with a small fortune.

Lu Yanzheng embraced Jiang Qinyu, and after a long while he spoke again: "I have decided that no matter whether I can take down the power of the imperial court or not, I will live in Dingshui Village."

"Ah? Why?" Jiang Qinyu looked up at him in confusion.

Lu Yanzheng curled the corners of his lips and said, "I just like Dingshui Village. It's our home and our roots."

He had this idea when he decided to develop Dingshui Village, but it was not fully confirmed at that time.

Now that he discovered that Jiang Qinyu also particularly liked staying in the village, this matter was naturally settled.

Jiang Qinyu chuckled when she heard this, "I like the village too. It's where I can feel the life of the people."

"Yes, that kind of everyday atmosphere cannot be replaced by any amount of prosperity." Lu Yanzheng also smiled and hugged Jiang Qinyu tighter.

He thought that if he really sat on that throne in the future, he would be an emperor different from all the emperors in history.

Jiang Qinyu interjected, "In that case, we have to start planning this morning. We have to buy the necessary land and build the necessary infrastructure..."

Lu Yanzheng listened quietly to her plans for the future, with a smile rising higher and higher on his face.

……

On Yunshan Mountain, Jiang Chengyou and Liu Ruyi were in his tent, both of them looked very unhappy.

"Is this how your Dai Viet court does things?" Jiang Chengyou glared at Liu Ruyi.

Liu Ruyi was dissatisfied with him, but she couldn't offend him at the moment, so she lowered her attitude and said soothingly, "Fifth Prince, don't worry. There is still hope for this matter."

"Turning point?" Jiang Chengyou sneered. "Tell me, His Highness, that woman is now protected by so many people, and with Lu Yanzheng and another top master beside her, how can His Highness capture her?"

He's been so angry these days.

His father sent him three thousand men. If he had rushed into Dingshui Village in one go, he would have been able to capture a few important hostages and force Jiang Qinyu to follow him.

But these idiots actually waited a whole day!

On this day, Yongshan County Magistrate Wei Chengzhong arranged everything. Dingshui Village was surrounded like an iron wall, and his men did not dare to act rashly.

What made him want to vomit blood even more was that the group of peasants in Dingshui Village were not only not afraid of his 3,000 men, but instead organized all the young and strong laborers in the village to help the Northwest Army patrol the mountains, forcing them to retreat again and again, and now they have retreated deep into the mountains!

"Your Highness the Fifth Prince, have you ever thought that if we continue to waste time with them here, we will be in a passive position. In my opinion, we should catch them off guard..." Liu Ruyi approached Jiang Chengyou and expressed her thoughts.

Jiang Chengyou glanced at her and said, "What you said makes sense."

His people are here, and the daily food and fodder are a huge expense, not to mention that it is not convenient for them to go down the mountain to buy food, so they are all eating the dry food brought from Xiqiang.

But now the weather is hot, and dry food will become rotten after being left for a long time. The soldiers can't eat and choke. They have been hunting in the mountains these days, digging wild vegetables and grass roots, and eating tree bark. They are almost living like savages.

The reason why he didn't rush to send troops before was that he was afraid that the Yongshan County Magistrate had other arrangements.

But the spies he sent out these days have found out that there is no other danger at the foot of the mountain for the time being. If their 3,000 people attack at the same time, it will be easy to capture Dingshui Village.

"I wish Your Highness success!" Liu Ruyi immediately bowed.

She lowered her eyes, but had other thoughts in her mind.

Let the Western Qiang people go and scout out the military strength of Yongshan County first. The time she agreed with the emperor is approaching, and by then they will surely be able to capture Yongshan County in one fell swoop!

As long as Yongshan County is in their hands, Lu Yanzheng can't cause any trouble.

……

Jiang Qinyu and Lu Yanzheng moved back to Dingshui Village, causing the village to be bustling for several days.

"How long will Azheng stay this time? Can he stay a few more days?" Village Chief Li asked with a smile.