Xiao Yuan conducted a motivational talk in the military camp.
He demonized Yuechuan Prefecture.
He told the soldiers how the officials in Yuechuan Prefecture oppressed the common people and colluded with rchants, making it impossible for the people to live. And that Nanyi Prefecture is the righteous side, because upon discovering the difficulties faced by the people of Yuechuan Prefecture, they wanted to help those villagers by transporting salt to sell at low prices to those barely surviving. However, the wealthy rchants and officials of Yuechuan Prefecture feared their profits would dwindle, so they seized their salt.
Xiao Yuan raised his voice here, "Those people are worse than beasts, putting the populace in peril for their own profit, nullifying our good intentions. We from Nanyi Prefecture have always acted righteously, empathizing with people’s urgencies and sorrows. But they think we are weak and easy to bully, so they are oppressing us now. Now, you tell , will you agree to tolerate it?"
The soldiers, stirred up by Xiao Yuan’s words, filled with righteous anger, almost wanted to tear apart those officials and rchants in Yuechuan Prefecture.
They shouted hoarsely, "We won’t agree, won’t agree..."
Xiao Yuan raised his hand slightly, and imdiately, the voices vanished without a trace: "Good, everyone here has a fiery spirit. Now, Yuechuan Prefecture knows that we in Nanyi have salt, and they might have designs on us. If we don’t take the initiative to strike, we might be forced to fight against them. Our loved ones are all in Nanyi; parents, wives, and children are here. We must protect them to live well; we ourselves can be put aside for now, but our children must not be bullied anymore. We want to live dignified lives, not let them, like us before, barely survive like dogs. To protect our loved ones, our wives and children, we must take up our weapons and go to Yuechuan Prefecture. We want to reclaim our salt and embrace the people of Yuechuan Prefecture, protect them, and let them live dignified lives—isn’t that right?"
The soldiers were practically boiling with blood: "Yes, yes, wherever Third Young Master’s sword points, righteousness will follow."
Xiao Yuan then nodded, "Good, my soldiers indeed are no cowards. Now, spread my orders, the vanguard troops are to set off."
The vanguard troops were actually a propaganda team. Xiao Yuan wanted to wage a public opinion war in Yuechuan Prefecture first, and then launch an attack on the city.
The people in the vanguard troop were disguised in various ways: so looked like refugees, others like small rchants, so appeared as honest farrs, and others as scholars. In any case, they didn’t look like soldiers.
These people were especially selected by Xiao Yuan and trained by Xiao Yin.
As for the training thods?
Do you know modern naval forces, or paparazzi thods? Naturally, they were taught various ways on how to act like paparazzi or naval forces.
Then, like the naval forces, the vanguard troop traveled through Pingyang on their way to Yuechuan, and afterward, the main troops set off.
After Nanyi’s forces took the route to Yuechuan, Lin Lianshuang returned with her crew.
Lin Lianshuang’s efforts in arranging passage through Pingyang were comndable, and Xiao Yuan specially gathered people to welco them back and hosted a banquet in the mansion to celebrate their return.
Lin Lianshuang dressed in n’s attire, looking nothing like a young lady, her speech and actions now resembling a young man’s.
She drank in the company of Xiao Yuan and other civil and military officials.
Anning knew that through Lin Lianshuang’s excursion to Pingyang, she had been accepted by her fellow travelers, and the civil and military officials in Nanyi Prefecture also treated her as one of their own.
Knowing this, Anning couldn’t let Lin Lianshuang stay in the rear courtyard any longer.
As they drank, Anning took out the deed for a two-entry house and asked so loyal servants to clean it up, instructing Xiao Hui and Xiao Fu to set it up.
After Lin Lianshuang finished drinking and catching up with the officials, she ca to find Anning.
Anning smiled and handed her a bowl of hangover soup, "Drink up, you sll like alcohol. Why compete with those old masters in drinking, leaving yourself uncomfortable?"
Lin Lianshuang laughed, took the hangover soup, and drank it in one go.
Anning handed her a cup of clean water to rinse her mouth, "Later, you can rest. Tomorrow, I’ll have Yin’er accompany you to see the house we prepared."
"House?"
Lin Lianshuang supported her forehead, smiling eyes looked at Anning.
Anning kept busy while speaking, "From now on, you’ll be like those n, a person of stature, so you can’t keep staying in my ho’s rear courtyard. It’s inconvenient coming and going like this. Besides, look at the civil and military officials in Nanyi, which one doesn’t have their own residence? You should prepare for the sa, though you’ll probably lack the ti. I prepared it early for you. Now, Huihui and Fufu are tidying it up for you. You can visit it tomorrow and see if there’s anything in need of changes; I’ll have soone make the adjustnts."
Lin Lianshuang felt ward inside, reached out wanting to hug Anning.
Anning swatted her hand lightly, "Oh, drunk and being rowdy, sit nicely. Let tell you sothing."
Lin Lianshuang obediently sat back.
Anning saw her eyes slightly moist, cheeks a bit red, knowing she was still sowhat drunk, "You’re alone in Nanyi, without family or friends, which is worrying. But you’re living in my ho, I can watch care of you a bit, chat during free ti. But you have grand ambitions, like a mighty eagle soaring freely in the sky. Staying in the rear courtyard will only confine you, and wear away your ambitions... I worried daily while you were in Pingyang, fearful you might run into trouble. Now, seeing you return safely, I’m relieved. But alone, you’ll inevitably face difficulties; if troubled, don’t bear it alone. Share what’s troubling you with ; I’ll help alleviate them better than keeping it bottled inside."
"Hmm." Lin Lianshuang agreed in a muffled voice.
Anning smiled softly, "I know you’re strong, but after all, no one is omnipotent. Life can’t always be smooth; no one is without mishaps, without unresolved issues. At such tis, you need to look for soone to pull you through. Miss Lin, if you trust , I am willing to be the one to lend a helping hand in your tis of trouble. If not, everything I said earlier, pretend I didn’t say, and you didn’t hear."
After saying that, Anning smiled and went back to her task.
Lin Lianshuang’s eyes held a hint of moisture.
Since becoming a widow, it’s been a long ti since anyone spoke such heartfelt words to her.
Lin Lianshuang turned her face away, forcing back her tears, then leaned closer to Anning, against her, "Sister, can I call you sister?"
Anning hugged her shoulder and patted it, "I’m delighted to be called sister. My mother passed early and didn’t bear any siblings. My stepmother... better left unsaid. I have family, but it’s no different than having none. I’ve always wished for a sibling close to , soplace where I can speak my mind. It’s a pity... Now, having a clever and heart-warming sister like you makes truly happy."
Speaking of it, her eyes reddened, faint tears shimring.
Anning wiped her tears and laughed, "Look at , saying all this. You and those n were busy drinking and probably didn’t eat enough. Early on, sister will prepare sothing good for you. I gained a little sister today, I’m excited and must cook a feast."
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