Reborn as the Blissful Wife in the countryside Chapter 1763: The Strange Gaoshui County

Qin San Lang allowed Gu Jinli to gaze at the county for a while, and only resumed the convoy’s advance after she lowered the curtain.

However, just as they moved ten zhang forward and approached the inn outside the county, the large group was stopped by a band of soldiers.

The leader was a Chief Commander, who, upon learning that several Company Commanders had arrived, politely came over to explain: “Are you heading back to Daokou Camp to fetch your family? Planning to enter the county? I’m afraid you can’t go in. First, because you arrived late; the county, including the inn, is already full. Second, with so many people moving in and out, spies might sneak in. Qiu Troop Commander has ordered that any Kangrong soldiers passing by Gaoshui County can only send a few people into the county to procure items; rest are not allowed to step into Gaoshui County.”

After speaking, he looked at Qin San Lang and handed him his military token: “I’m Huang Chief Commander under Qiu Troop Commander. Are you familiar with our Qiu Troop Commander? Earlier this year, he was also fighting the Rong bandits. After they pulled out, Qiu Troop Commander was assigned to guard Gaoshui County.”

Gaoshui County is just a county. Previously, it wouldn’t have warranted the stationing of a Troop Commander, but now, with Rong bandits still at Daokou Gully, merely two counties away, sending a Troop Commander is essential.

Qin San Lang nodded to indicate he understood.

After examining Huang Chief Commander’s military token, he said: “We won’t enter the county, but we do need to go to the inn to fetch water.”

Upon hearing this, Huang Chief Commander hesitated but seeing Qin San Lang’s imposing demeanor, dared not refuse, and said: “Not too many soldiers can enter, and you’ll need to pay some silver for the water.”

Niu Dabao came over and, hearing this, angrily retorted: “What did you say? Court soldiers need to pay silver just to fetch water from the inn? Are you trying to exploit court soldiers!”

Huang Chief Commander had done this many times before, and seeing Niu Dabao’s simple attire, perceived him as someone who had climbed up from humble beginnings, hence he wasn’t very intimidated, and replied: “This Company Commander, it’s not me wanting to charge you for water, but there’s only one well at the inn, and with so many soldiers coming and going, look around the inn, it’s filled with tents. Without regulating the water, everyone will die of thirst!”

Moreover, “Messages have been sent to Daokou Camp, and their response was to act at discretion.”

This ‘act at discretion’ is a real piece of work, leaving you speechless.

Niu Dabao was rendered speechless.

Qin San Lang looked at Huang Chief Commander and asked: “This place is that place? Was it Qiu Troop Commander who sent the message to Daokou Gully?”

Huang Chief Commander was startled, looked at Qin San Lang, and saw his deep eyes like a deep well, emitting a chilling glow, and laughed: “This Company Commander, that’s just the rule. You’re just passing by, not permanently stationed in Gaoshui County, right?”

Good talk, this neither offered Qin San Lang evidence against Qiu Troop Commander nor warned him, typical slick operator.

Qin San Lang smiled, somewhat sunny and handsome, warming Huang Chief Commander’s chilly back, and asked, “Then, get your water-fetching gear and go with us to the inn to fetch water?”

This was a gesture to make Qin San Lang take the water and leave quickly.

Qin San Lang agreed: “Alright, but we have many people, need a lot of water, and we have no money.”

Ah, Huang Chief Commander’s teeth ached; you bring all this good stuff along, with your family members all in mule carts, and claim you have no money? Who are you fooling?

However, Huang Chief Commander was experienced and knew this young Company Commander was not to be trifled with, and laughed: “The inn is managed by the county government office, you’ll need to ask their people inside.”

No commitment was given to Qin San Lang.

Qin San Lang smiled slightly, though this time the smile was chilly, making Huang Chief Commander’s heart race.

Ignoring him, Qin San Lang turned and ordered Zhang Tu: “Pass the order, gather all items capable of holding water, we’re going to the inn to fetch water.”

“Yes!” Zhang Tu spurred his horse and conveyed the order.

His voice was loud as he passed the order, even Huang Chief Commander heard it from behind the convoy.

Huang Chief Commander wanted to wipe his cold sweat… This Company Commander seemed difficult to deal with, bringing along powerful soldiers, carrying a military flag in one hand, spurring a horse with the other, still capable of delivering orders loudly, proving frequent practice.

What amazed Huang Chief Commander even more was that these troops, whether soldiers or family members, were quick with their actions, and once the order was delivered, almost simultaneously, the convoy sprang into action.

Fetching water, passing empty water jars, within half an hour, an empty space at the front of the convoy was filled with water jars, while none of the soldiers or family members left their vehicles—passing every water jar with arm strength.

Huang Chief Commander broke into a cold sweat, laughing: “It’s noon, there aren’t many people fetching water at the inn; this Company Commander may select a batch of soldiers to fetch water with me… No need to prepare silver.”

By the gods, even the women are so well-trained, not willing to provoke them; give them water, so they’d leave quickly!

Qin San Lang smiled: “Please lead the way.”

Huang Chief Commander felt distressed; even if you smile amiably, I won’t fall for it.

Qin San Lang left Niu Dabao behind, and took Zhang Yan, Company Commander Jin, Hong Dao, and a batch of soldiers to fetch water at the inn.

As soon as they left, a group of people approached the convoy.

Among them were men and women, either carrying burdens or holding baskets, shouting: “Grain, meat, vegetables are here—might the esteemed guests want to buy? Very cheap, only a hundred copper coins for a jin of good flour!”

“What? A jin of flour costs a hundred copper coins; where are you from, and how dare you conduct such a greedy business!” Mrs. Kuang nearly fainted upon hearing the price.

Oh, God, if the grain here is so expensive, their windfall from Hundred Wolves Mountain would be exhausted in no time.

A strong woman carrying a burden chuckled and said: “Too expensive? There’s cheaper, hulled sorghum at fifty copper coins per jin; if still unaffordable, we have soybeans at twenty copper coins per jin. Everyone can afford this, right?”

This was sarcastic; Mrs. Kuang couldn’t hold back and pointed, saying: “Where are you from? Name yourself, and see if I don’t report you to the government office!”

As soon as she said so, not only that woman but the others hawking goods laughed: “Ha, are southern women this foolish? Just arrived and dare confront locals; do you know who the local bigwigs are?”

Mrs. Kuang wasn’t stupid; she realized they had connections.

Indeed, without backing, they wouldn’t dare ignore the soldiers protecting them, and approach to sell shady goods.

Furthermore, as the Rong had departed only months ago, Gaoshui County was occupied by them; those presenting grain, flour, meat, and vegetables wouldn’t be typical citizens.

“Dear lady, do you have white rice? Our mistress is from the south and prefers white rice meals.” Aunt Xiong called out to the strong woman before, with Nanny Tao by her side.

“Oh, yes, there’s top-quality white rice.” The woman quickly approached carrying her burden, wanting to pass by Nanny Tao to see Gu Jinli in the spacious carriage but was stopped by Danian and his men.

“How much for a jin of white rice?” Aunt Xiong asked.

“Not expensive, not expensive, only two hundred copper coins per jin.” The woman put down her burden, showed off her handful of yellowish old rice, and said: “Look at this rice, perfect for cooking.”