Reborn as the Blissful Wife in the countryside Chapter 1193: Defection

"Young Master, hop aboard the carriage. All supplies are ready inside." Dou Zhi assisted Young Master Dou into the carriage, pulled out a brush, ink, paper, and inkstone from the chest, passed them over, and asked offhandedly, "Why seek out Chief Ruan? The Northwest’s been restless recently, war brewing, and Chief Ruan’s swamped with work."

The Rong forces shattered Longshan Prefecture, devastated it completely, yet hungered for more—they aimed to press onward. Chaos grips the Northwest worse than years back.

Chief Ruan oversees Northwest trade paths, handling much of Young Master’s hidden wealth. The dire state there burdens him plenty, so Young Master, wise up and spare the old fellow your demands.

"Such endless chatter," Young Master Dou scoffed, grabbed the brush and ink, and started drafting a missive for Chief Ruan.

Dou Zhi spotted it, his complexion paling, and couldn’t hold back from blurting to Young Master Dou, "Young Master, you okay?"

Lost your mind, perhaps?

Begging Chief Ruan for a Hanxue Treasure Horse? Hahaha, Dou Zhi almost exploded with laughter!

Young Master, what’s rattling in that skull of yours? Ever heard how scarce Hanxue Treasure Horses are? Tribute beasts like that evade merchant clans’ grasp.

Forget the Imperial Merchant Dou Family—even noble scions of dukes and marquises struggle to claim Hanxue Treasure Horses, reserved strictly as imperial tributes.

The Emperor himself shuns riding them, instead hoarding to bestow upon triumphant generals as badges of glory.

Young Master Dou’s expression chilled as he eyed Dou Zhi and declared, "I get that Hanxue Treasure Horses are elusive, virtually unattainable, yet we might luck into one. Search first; if none turns up, we pivot."

How could the Young Marquis settle for an ordinary mount? Nothing less than a Hanxue Treasure Horse suits him. "Deliver this—have someone rush it to Uncle Ruan."

Helpless, Dou Zhi took the letter. "Understood."

Off it goes, though odds of spotting one are slim. Should a Hanxue Treasure Horse surface by miracle, the Emperor would likely command the Dou Family to surrender it to the throne.

Satisfied, Young Master Dou nodded, downed a couple cups of tea to slake his thirst, then geared up for gathering Silver.

...

"Ouyang Family’s backing makes this airtight." Qin San Lang nodded at Gu Jin’an and Gu Jinli’s report, exhaling deeply, "Once farmers secure Silver loans for taxes, He’an Prefecture stabilizes, keeping all safer."

Though addressing them both, Qin San Lang’s gaze lingered on Gu Jinli.

Gu Jin’an sensed his redundancy, yet with home still distant, leaping from the cart to ditch them wouldn’t do—too unseemly.

"I’ve returned to manage household affairs, easing your concerns." Gu Jin’an pressed, "What’s kept you occupied? Why tonight’s return? Departing when?"

Gu Jinli: "..."

Big brother, poaching my script? I meant to ask Brother Qin that.

Gu Jinli glowered at Qin San Lang, pouting inwardly.

Amused, Qin San Lang smiled, tenderly ruffled her hair, then replied to Gu Jin’an, "Official duties only. Back tonight to warn of looming unrest. Stay village-bound, shun outings. Should foes encircle it, fear not—Si’an and crew lurk nearby. They’ll intervene, dispatch word to me. I’ll rush to your aid."

"Unrest?" Gu Jin’an furrowed his brow, querying, "Despite Ouyang Family’s bank lending Silver for taxes?"

Qin San Lang affirmed, "Indeed. Central State’s Prefecture garrison commander faced family woes, lashed out rashly, got nabbed. But days shy of execution, he broke free."

"The garrison commander turned traitor!" Gu Jinli gasped, "That your recent grind?"

Qin San Lang confirmed, "Correct, grave issue. Jianghuai Commandery tasked General Guo with stationing forces to thwart General Xie’s fugitives stirring havoc here."

He’an Prefecture sprawls vast; camp garrison can’t cover it all, demanding reinforcements from County Military Office.

He serves as General Guo’s most reliable confidant, hastily summoned back from the garrison upon receipt of the confidential directive from the Jianghuai Commandery.

His journey home this time stemmed from County Magistrate Zheng's personal trip to the Prefecture garrison camp to fetch him.

Once aware of the tax hike, County Magistrate Zheng rushed to the Prefecture to plead with Magistrate Gu for an imperial petition to lower the taxes, only to receive a harsh reprimand from him.

Realizing the situation was set in stone, he turned to the Jiangnan Zheng Family for aid, securing a hundred Protectors before heading to the Prefecture garrison to bring him back, ensuring the county office remained secure.

Gu Jinli paid close attention and furrowed her brows, her gaze brimming with concern.

She knew full well that Qin San Lang detested oppressing the common folk and loathed clashing with General Xie even more, but circumstances left him no alternative now.

"Don’t worry, I’m fine. I’ll ensure equilibrium is maintained, giving folks a shot at survival without dragging myself down." Raised in the Marquis Mansion, Qin San Lang had mastered martial skills, warfare strategies, and tactical maneuvers, equipping him to navigate these tough spots adeptly.

Gu Jinli's heart eased considerably as she gazed at him and remarked, "Hold on just a bit longer. We’ll hasten things so farmers can borrow Silver and settle their taxes ahead of time, easing your burden."

At those words, a surge of warmth flooded Qin San Lang's chest; nothing beat the joy of being treasured by his beloved wife.

However...

"Xiao Yu, no need to fret so much; I’m alright and can manage." While he relished her doting care, he yearned even more to shower her with his own affection.

Inside, Gu Jin’an rolled his eyes dramatically. You two are too much! Do you even notice I’m here? Save the lovey-dovey chatter for privacy!

"What’s the real deal with General Xie? He wouldn’t bolt to Jianghuai, would he? Escaping there would let the Northwest turmoil fuel his rise." Gu Jin’an pressed on about General Xie.

Qin San Lang nodded, casting a look at Gu Jinli before stating, "That’s why Xiao Yu shouldn’t fret; General Xie showing up in He’an Prefecture is highly unlikely."

Yet General Xie’s issue would ignite the impending turmoil... This tax surge spared not even soldiers’ kin. The Kangrong tax demanded one tael of Silver per individual, and with various garrison camps slashing military pay by half for rations—how could any Silver remain to aid soldiers’ families with their dues?

Without tax payments, soldiers’ families faced starvation, prompting desperate measures from troops for their loved ones—outcomes Qin San Lang could already predict.

General Xie’s example loomed large; it offered soldiers a blueprint to emulate.

Rebellions like these plagued the prior dynasty, leaving him baffled at the Emperor’s folly. Was he rushing headlong toward his own downfall?

Abruptly, Qin San Lang remembered a hidden truth about Emperor Jingyuan... In his youth, driven by ambition for glory and the crown, Emperor Jingyuan plunged troops deep into Da Rong territory, got taken prisoner, endured severe ordeals, and emerged utterly transformed.