On the wedding day, my wife was abnormal

Xiao Hanzhou looked in the direction she pointed. What came into view was a picture full of hope and vitality.

On top of the towering city walls, the strong men in the labor camp were working as hard as ants.

They shouted loud slogans and used crowbars, ropes and hammers to carefully pry loose and peel off the huge bricks from the solid wall.

Sweat flowed like streams down their dark and strong bronze backs, sparkling in the sunlight and then being absorbed by the rough clothes.

The numbness and sorrow were gone from their faces; instead, there was a focused seriousness, and even a hint of indescribable excitement and anticipation.

"Watch out for this one! Place it steady!"

"Alright! Catch it on the right!"

"One, two, three! Get up!"

Below, dozens of huge iron baskets hastily built steadily caught the bricks that were slowly lowered down by pulleys from above.

The people in charge of receiving the people (mainly the elderly and young boys) shouted happily, and laughed as they moved the heavy bricks to the cart next to them, or several people carried them on their shoulders.

“This brick is so heavy!”

"Yeah! A house built with it must be very sturdy!"

"Hurry up! Take it to the east construction site! We'll be able to build our new home soon!"

Those figures carrying bricks and rushing to the construction site, their feet are full of vigor, and the smiles on their faces are pure and warm!

It is the longing for a new home, the firm belief in a stable and prosperous life in the future, and the pride that comes from "I personally participated in its construction"!

Xiao Hanzhou looked at the bustling labor scene before him, listened to the powerful chants and heartfelt laughter, and his eyes couldn't help but become moist. He sighed sincerely, "Master's Wife, look, they are laughing so happily!"

Chu Xiling also smiled, her eyes gently sweeping over each busy figure. "Yes, in fact, what the people want is very simple. A full meal, a warm piece of clothing, a roof over their heads to shelter them from the wind and rain, a new home where they can sleep peacefully and not fear the next day. As long as they can see real hope and can use their own hands to create this stability, they will naturally be happy to do it, give their all, abide by the law, and live in peace with the world."

Her brows suddenly furrowed slightly, and a hint of worry entered her voice. "But this isn't a long-term solution. Just eating porridge and bread won't do. To be strong and work, we need oily meat and vegetables. We have to get enough protein and vitamins, otherwise the people's physiques won't be able to withstand the intensity of such a massive project."

Chu Xiling supported her graceful chin with one hand, her brows slightly furrowed, and she fell into a brief moment of contemplation.

Those clear eyes moved slightly, like a precision instrument searching for the best solution.

The sunlight outlined the beautiful profile of her face as she was in deep thought, and even her long eyelashes that blinked inadvertently seemed to carry a halo of wisdom.

Xiao Hanzhou was stunned for a moment.

Suddenly, a light flashed in Chu Xiling's eyes!

She suddenly turned her head to look at Xiao Hanzhou, a smile as bright and charming as the sun after rain blooming on her face: "Got it!"

This smile made Xiao Hanzhou's heart skip a beat, as he was already feeling a little uneasy.

Chu Xiling quickly ordered, "Han Zhou! Go immediately to the temporary child labor camp set up in the west of the city! Find those fishermen's children who can swim and those who are strong enough! Organize a team immediately and hire veteran fishermen from the city as instructors. While the weather is still good, take them to the shallows by the sea to learn how to catch fish, shrimp, and shellfish! Tell them that all the fish they catch belong to the public. Collect them, process them, steam them, or boil them, and distribute them to all the people who participated in the construction! No matter how much or how little, from today on, you must ensure that you have sea fish for one meal every day!"

Her thoughts became clearer and smoother:

"Also, we'll select able-bodied women from the women's labor camp, form teams, and give them tools and backpacks. Led by an elder familiar with herbal medicine, we'll go digging for wild vegetables in the nearby mountains! All non-toxic, edible wild vegetables and mushrooms will be brought back! Wash and blanch them, then mix them into porridge or rice, or eat them on their own! Game is meat, too!"

Her beautiful eyes sparkled like stars as she continued:

"Also! Go back to your master immediately and tell him what I said. No need to hide it anymore. Use your power directly. Take away all the good things from Nanchu's annual tribute except for the grain—be it silk, tea, or spices! All of it! Leave nothing behind!"

Her tone was firm:

"Then we'll go find Zhang Li and leverage our existing trade routes and connections, especially the business connections of our acquaintances in Nanchu, to quietly transport these goodies back to Nanchu and sell them for silver. Then, we'll use this silver to immediately purchase large quantities of live pigs and poultry from the Nanchu market, prioritizing pork to slaughter and feed the people. I want the aroma of meat to waft through the kitchens at the construction site at least once within half a month!"

This series of interlocking, bold and extremely pragmatic instructions left Xiao Hanzhou stunned and sent a chill down his spine!

Oh my God!

The master was only bold enough to intercept the tribute grain that was related to the national foundation and use it for relief.

And this seemingly gentle and quiet Master Xiling in front of him... actually... actually regarded the entire Nanchu annual tribute as "start-up capital" that could be borrowed and converted into cash!

I don't intend to leave even a single hair for Your Majesty!

This is simply... a gamble!

Your Majesty... Your Majesty, will he really not be furious?

Xiao Hanzhou felt his throat was dry and his words were stuck in his throat. He wanted to ask but didn't dare to.

He looked at his master's wife's beautiful profile, which was shining with determination, and all his doubts were suppressed by an inexplicable sense of awe.

He nodded vigorously, forgetting even the formalities, and turned and ran away. In the backyard of the Hu County government office was a dark and oppressive secret room with closed doors and windows.

The air was filled with a strong smell of wound medicine and an indescribable smell of decay, like rotting wood.

The once arrogant Hu County Magistrate Wang Youde was like a frightened bird, and only dared to rest half of his butt on the edge of a hard elm chair.

He was wearing a coarse prison uniform, which could not hide the layers of dirty gauze wrapped underneath. Traces of blood and yellow pus mixed with ointment were faintly visible.

The exposed neck and cheeks were still covered with crisscrossing whip marks and blisters that had not yet healed.

He lowered his head, his body trembling slightly due to uncontrollable fear, and his cloudy eyes glanced fearfully at the figure in the main seat who was as steady as a rock and leisurely sipping tea.

Lin Zhen set down the warm, celadon-glazed Ru kiln teacup, and the bottom of the cup made a soft sound against the tabletop. In the dead silence of the secret room, the sound was like thunder, and Wang Youde shuddered all over!

"Youde," Lin Zhen's voice was gentle, even carrying a rare hint of intimacy, as if he were greeting an old friend who hadn't seen each other in years. "How are your injuries healing? Is the palace's doctor any good?"

Wang Youde suddenly raised his head, and on his sallow and swollen face, he forced out a flattering smile that was uglier than crying. His voice was filled with sobs and pleading:

"Thank... thank you, Your Highness, for your great grace. This humble servant's life was saved. Thanks to Your Highness, I am much better now! Much better now!"

As he spoke, he struggled to stand up and salute, but it pulled on his wound, causing him to grimace in pain and fall back down in embarrassment.

"Well, that's good." Lin Zhen nodded, still with that gentle smile on his face, but his eyes were as deep as a bottomless cold pond.

"Don't take what happened before to heart. I had no choice but to do that."

He sighed softly, as if filled with infinite regret. "The people's resentment is boiling, like a sword hanging overhead! This prince has just arrived here, and his foundation is not yet stable. If I don't lend you your head to calm the people's anger, this Hu County will be destroyed in an instant. This is all for the greater good."

He paused, lowering his voice a bit, with a tone of persuasion and sincerity:

"But don't worry. As long as you can cooperate with me and make this auction a success, I will keep my promise. I will give your family a way out. I will let you go far away, live out your life in hiding. This nightmare will finally end, okay?"

Wang Youde's cloudy eyes burst into a fierce, desperate light, as if grasping at the last straw! He was so excited that his whole body was shaking, and he even wanted to struggle to kneel down and kowtow:

"Thank you, Your Highness! Thank you for not killing me! Thank you for giving me a new life! I... I will definitely... I will definitely do my best! Make this auction a success! I will point out all the people on the list! Make them... make them spit out double what they have swallowed! To atone for their sins!" He practically howled to express his loyalty.

At this moment, the heavy wooden door of the secret room was pushed open a crack with a creak, and bright sunlight suddenly pierced in, casting a dazzling streak of light in the dim room.

Xiao Hanzhou appeared at the door, clasped his fists towards Lin Zhen, and whispered, "Master, I have something to report."

Wang Youde immediately shrank his neck like a frightened quail, and his ugly appearance of groveling and begging for mercy was exposed.

The gentle smile on Lin Zhen's face didn't change at all. He didn't even look at Wang Youde. He just pointed to the door and said, "Come in and talk."

Xiao Hanzhou walked in quickly and stood beside Lin Zhen. He glanced at Wang Youde, who was huddled in the corner, as humble as dust. He frowned slightly, then lowered his voice and concisely recounted Chu Xiling's plan of arranging fishing at the seaside, organizing women to go up the mountain to dig wild vegetables, and the most critical and boldest part of the plan - the decision to withhold all the annual tribute from Nanchu, transport it back to Nanchu for sale, and then purchase live pigs and poultry.

His tone still couldn't hide the shock and a hint of uneasiness.

Lin Zhen listened quietly, the smile on his face growing deeper and deeper. Finally, he couldn't help but chuckle softly: "Hehehe..."

The laughter sounded particularly clear in the dark room, carrying with it an expected joy and undisguised doting.

Lin Zhen smiled and shook his head, his tone full of admiration. He casually picked up the teapot and poured a cup of hot tea for Xiao Hanzhou and himself. "Master has already seized those annual tribute gadgets. Calculating the time, they should be on their way back to Nanchu by now. Maybe they've already found a suitable buyer."

Xiao Hanzhou was holding the teacup, and he stood there in a daze as if he had been struck by lightning!

Withheld?

It has already been withheld?!

And it’s already been shipped away?!

He opened his mouth and it took him a long time to react.

It turns out that the master not only had the idea of ​​intercepting it a long time ago, but had also put the idea into action!

Amazing action!

The timing is extremely precise!

What's more, he actually had the same idea as Master Xiling!

The same plan was being executed almost at the same time, or even earlier!

What kind of tacit understanding do this couple have?

What kind of courage?!

The master's move was bigger, earlier, and more dangerous than the mistress had imagined!

Not even a hint of hesitation!

Xiao Hanzhou's heart was filled with huge waves, and the look he gave Lin Zhen was filled with incomparable awe and deep admiration!

He took a sip of hot tea, but it felt like the tea was scalding hot, burning his heart.

From an angle he couldn't see, Lin Zhen turned his head slightly and looked at Wang Youde, who looked like a clay puppet in the shadow in the corner.

At this moment, the gentle smile on Lin Zhen's lips suddenly froze and disappeared!

Instead, there was an extremely cold and indifferent, barely perceptible sinister smile!

The smile was fleeting, as fast as a poisonous snake spitting out its tongue, leaving only a deep-rooted afterimage in the dim candlelight.