The Empress’ Livestream

“I’ve read your messages. Everyone can do their best at the beginning, but not all can persevere to turn the training into their habit.”

Jiang Pengji was not as optimistic as Xu Ke. Those people were still fresh and had not developed the qualities of elite soldiers. Having led the sharpest forces in the previous world, Jiang Pengji had become demanding in selecting soldiers, and had never met one who could satisfy all her requirements throughout the few thousand years. As wars and people in the ancient time were distinct from those in the future, she knew she must lower her standards.

Receiving no sign of satisfaction from Jiang Pengji’s countenance, Xu Ke sighed. He was certain of his Langjun’s ambitious goal, which had become more explicit after a night. Xu Ke wondered what had happened.

“You wouldn’t be disappointed,” promised the youngster.

Jiang Pengji snorted. “Why should I be?”

Before Xu Ke could reply, she continued, “They’re training to save themselves. The Meng’s are going to start a storm in Cang, and an influx of affected civilians will be pouring into Hejian. They may even get here within half a month if they ride a horse. By that time, there will be more crimes. Our men are to deal with the bandits surrounding Hejian as well as those desperate commoners who have lost their minds.”

Her eyes were sharper and more determined than most experienced generals, which sent chills through Xu Ke’s body.

“As I said, we need no useless people,” she said coldly. “They hold their own future.”

Battles in ancient times were merely brutal for Jiang Pengji. Anyone who had seen the hell with mountains of corpses and seas of blood would share her view. Wars in the future were what she called cruel.

Xu Ke was most concerned with her prediction about Cang.

“Do you mean the house in Meng County?” Xu Ke gasped. “They are the key to safeguarding our kingdom. How will they let this happen?”

Jiang Pengji rolled her eyes with indifference. “Who knows? It’s none of my business.”

Xu Ke almost choked at her response.

Although the royalty was losing popular sentiments and control over the houses, and they had failed to attract most scholars to serve in the court, they were, after all, the king’s family in Dongqing. Liu She himself served the court. Was it fine for his Langjun to comment so directly?

Before he reminded her, Jiang Pengji added, “A commoner like me has no right to opine about national affairs. We should leave the matters to the officials in the court.”

Well, that sounded strange, but it somehow made sense. Xu Ke thought to himself, At least she had found herself an excuse.

The youngster had considered himself rebellious until he met Jiang Pengji, who he believed was the boldest person he had ever encountered.

“That’s true.” He managed to smile while repressing his complex feelings. After a moment of silence, he continued, “If the Meng’s have already taken action, civilians there are likely to reach Hejian in three months. There will at least be rumors about it.”

“For sure.” Communication then was backward, but three months were enough for the news to spread across the whole county.

Xu Ke joined his hands to show respect. “Then, I’m afraid I must ask for your permission.”

“For what? Just say it.”

Xu Ke was a little embarrassed. “Even if the incident doesn’t affect Hejian, it will certainly worry people in town. Prices of food and clothes will then rise significantly when commoners start to save more necessities for the uncertain future. At the moment, we purchase every ten days at a regular cost. But as prices soar, I’m afraid we can’t even afford food for three days with the same amount of money.”

Jiang Pengji looked at him. Was he suggesting piling up grain before others did?

Possessing abundant grain was another key to strengthening themselves in that era. People could not live without food.

Just as Xu Ke mentioned, rumors about Cang would lead to exorbitant food prices. Since the Liu’s could already foresee it, they could purchase at low prices and save the grain until they needed it.

Had that incident taken place in the other world, Jiang Pengji would not mind making big money with Xu Ke’s method. She remembered that many remarkable figures in the future gained importance by selling armaments in this way, and they had gradually secured control over their territories.

Still, after contemplation, Jiang Pengji gave up the plan. It was an excellent suggestion for making money, but she would not hurt the commoners, despite her dislike for ancient times. A true champion had to win by stepping on the strong rivals that they defeated, but not by abusing the weak.

She had another idea about Xu Ke’s concern.

“That’s unfair to the civilians. Still, we need to buy more now for our village,” said Jiang Pengji. “You can ask for another sum from the housekeeper and tell him it’s my instruction. We only need food for the coming six months.”

Half a year was enough for the court to settle the mess, which the King would not allow to persist in a crucial region like Meng, nor would he allow it to spread to other areas. The restless commoners would not be competent of a nation-wide chaos, either.

Xu Ke waited for a while to make sure Jiang Pengji had nothing to add, and he asked, “Is there anything else that I might be of help with?”

She frowned. “No. Just tell me what you think. I hate your hesitation.”

Xu Ke pointed out slowly, “It’s very kind of you not to take advantage of civilians, but other families would not be as considerate as you are. They own fertile lands, and their grain storage already far exceeds what their granaries can hold…”

Jiang Pengji made a “Tst!” sound and said sarcastically, “A sh*t is a sh*t no matter how many people are craving for it. Why should I join them?”

“…Erm, that’s not what I mean.” Xu Ke took a deep breath, trying his best to wipe her metaphor away from his brain.

He could almost see a crowd grabbing excrements to put in their mouths while he himself was shouldering his way to get a portion.

Very nice. That was a vivid metaphor with a smell.