The Humble Family's Daughter Has A Spatial Pocket!-Chapter 1098 - 921, Pregnancy
Chapter 1098: Chapter 921, Pregnancy
The death of Shen Jingbing intimidated Commander Hang Zhong of the Xintunwei. He dared not deliberately obstruct the construction of the military towns anymore. When Xiao Yeyang came to inspect, three military towns had already begun to take shape.
Hang Zhong knew how to deal with people better than Shen Jingbing. For any troubles concerning the Border Army, he listened to Xiao Yeyang without fail, and would never openly oppose him.
Seeing that Hang Zhong knew his place, Xiao Yeyang didn’t make things difficult for him.
Gazing at the rapidly rising city walls, Hang Zhong spoke softly to the staff officer by his side, "I wonder where Xiao Yeyang found the construction materials. I had someone test them, and they are much more solid than ordinary rammed earth."
The staff officer nodded in agreement, "It rained a few days ago, and I also paid attention. The roads built with this thing called cement were not muddy at all. If the official roads in Xiliang were all built like this, it would not only increase the speed of troop movements but also facilitate the travel of the people."
Just thinking about how the roads became muddy after every rain, making walking difficult and ruining shoes at a rapid rate.
Hang Zhong sighed; even though his heart was with Master Wei, he had to admit that Xiao Yeyang’s arrival had solved quite a few problems in Xiliang.
...
To control the Border Army, Xiao Yeyang had put in a lot of effort. To investigate the power behind the military leaders and their loyalty, he employed most of the Jinling Guard and Hidden Guard at his disposal.
Under the leadership of Shen Jingbing, the officers of the Jianzhou Guard had become lazy and indulgent, corrupt and pleasure-seeking. Their soldiers had no sense of military discipline or appearance. Xiao Yeyang spent a great deal of effort to change this adverse trend.
The situation at Xintunwei was somewhat better, but only just slightly so.
Staring at the emaciated soldiers, Xiao Yeyang sent De Fu to fetch Hang Zhong.
"Commander Xiao, what business do you have with me?"
Xiao Yeyang looked at the respectful Hang Zhong, "You are smarter than Shen Jingbing!"
Hang Zhong was puzzled by this sudden praise.
Xiao Yeyang flipped through the records of the military rations for the Border Army. Speaking leisurely, he continued, "Even if you’ve sworn fealty to someone else, your life is your own. To lose your life for others, such people deserve their death."
Hang Zhong felt nervous. Was Xiao Yeyang warning him?
"Commander Xiao, please command me as you wish."
He only hoped that Xiao Yeyang would not scare him with such insinuations anymore.
Seeing the fear in Hang Zhong’s eyes, Xiao Yeyang frowned and shook his head, wondering how such a man could be in charge of a guard post. If the people from Xiliao really invaded, could he lead his soldiers to defend?
"I checked the grain supply records provided by Xintunwei to the Border Army for the past years. You’ve never given enough!"
Hang Zhong opened his mouth, wanting to argue that Xintunwei’s harvests were poor, but Xiao Yeyang didn’t give him the chance.
"Don’t tell me about poor harvests. Xintunwei’s geographical environment is much better than that of Ganzhou Guard and Jinwei Guard. There are grasslands and plains. The land resources are among the best in the nine guards of Xiliang. With such advantages, you still can’t provide enough military grain. You might as well not be a commander at all."
Hang Zhong wasn’t a very capable person. His rise to the position of Commander was mainly because he listened to Wei Hong’s advice and was somewhat timid. Hearing what Xiao Yeyang just said, he became anxious to the point of sweating profusely.
The harvest at Xintunwei wasn’t small, but apart from the small portion he embezzled, the vast majority was sent to the Wei Family.
Xiao Yeyang looked coldly at Hang Zhong, "The autumn harvest is approaching. If you fail to provide enough grain for the Border Army this year, I’ll personally submit a petition to the Emperor."
Watching Hang Zhong leave with a blank expression and a pale face, Daohua, who was standing by as a guard, approached Xiao Yeyang and shook her head, "How can such a person be a third-rank official? How does the Commandant Office in Xiliang choose its people?"
Xiao Yeyang sighed, "Wei Hong appoints people based on nepotism. Although Hang Zhong isn’t very capable, he’s exceedingly obedient." Saying this, he invited Daohua to sit down.
"Master Wang has made contact with several officials from Xintunwei. I will show face in a bit. It’s not good to take you with me, so just stay in the tent and don’t wander off."
Daohua knew Xiao Yeyang was probably going to win over the officials from Xintunwei. It was not suitable for her to join, "Understood." freёnovelkiss.com
Xiao Yeyang added, "The correspondence from Beijing arrived. My eldest brother, and both the husbands of my second sister-in-law and third sister-in-law are willing to come to Xiliang. After we settle the matters here in Xintunwei, we will return to Ganzhou Guard."
It was no surprise to Daohua that Yan Wenxiu was coming, but she was somewhat astonished that the husbands of Yan Yihuan and Yan Yishuang also came, "How do you plan on arranging them?"
Xiao Yeyang fell silent for a moment: "Jinwei Guard, Jianzhou Guard, and Xintunwei are adjacent to Xiliao, and these guards are crucial for the supply of food and pay to the Border Army. These three guards must be under my control."
"Yuanxuan is at Jianzhou Guard, my second and third brothers-in-law, I plan to arrange them to Jinwei Guard and Lanwu Guard. As for my eldest brother, I want him to stay at Xintunwei."
Daohua hesitated a bit, as the commander of Xintunwei was Wei Hong’s man. With their elder brother staying here, she was somewhat worried about his safety.
Not hiding her thoughts, Daohua voiced her concerns directly.
Xiao Yeyang also expressed his own thoughts: "It is precisely because Xintunwei is not yet under my control that I want the elder brother to stay here. There is danger, but the merits are also great."
"I will discuss this matter with the elder brother. If he is willing to stay, I will keep some Hidden Guard to protect him."
Daohua nodded: "Then when the elder brother comes, you can have a good talk with him."
...
By the time Xiao Yeyang had dealt with the affairs at Xintunwei, it was already August.
The day before Mid-Autumn Festival, Xiao Yeyang and Daohua returned to Ganzhou City.
During the Mid-Autumn Festival, Daohua invited the Dong Family, Su Family, and Li Family to the Xiao Residence to enjoy the moon. After seeing the guests off, she lay on the bed, looking utterly exhausted.
Seeing her lack of energy, Xiao Yeyang said with concern: "Are you tired?"
Daohua shook her head: "I don’t know what’s wrong, but I’ve been feeling very fatigued recently."
Xiao Yeyang felt guilty: "You must be tired from running around with me lately."
Daohua figured it was for that reason too, and quickly fell asleep after washing up.
She thought a few days of rest would help her recover, but until September, Daohua still looked listless, and lethargic during the day.
Gu Jian noticed his apprentice’s condition and pulled Xiao Yeyang aside for a good scolding.
Xiao Yeyang was feeling a bit wronged. Seeing Daohua lacking in energy these days made him also feel distressed. He hadn’t been causing any trouble at night and had slept quietly.
"Girl, you shouldn’t only take care of us; you have to take care of yourself too. I think you have lost weight."
When Daohua brought over some freshly brewed milk tea, Gu Jian couldn’t help but comment.
Daohua blinked, touching her cheek: "Have I lost weight?" Her appetite had been much larger than before lately.
Hearing Uncle’s nonsense, Xiao Yeyang’s lips twitched. How had Daohua lost weight? She obviously looked plumper; when he massaged her at night, he could feel the extra layer of soft flesh around her waist, and it felt extremely good.
At that moment, Guyu came in: "Miss, the young Madam Dong has arrived."
With that, Liu Xiaoman entered, with a maid holding two bamboo baskets behind her.
Daohua greeted her with a smile: "Sister-in-law is here."
Liu Xiaoman smiled: "My father sent me some fruits again. I saw you liked them before, so I thought I’d bring some for you."
Daohua thanked her as she looked at the fruits in the basket, then picked one up and smelled it: "This is a green tangerine. It seems really tasty." Saying this, she began to peel and eat it.
Seeing Liu Xiaoman’s maid bringing over the sour tangerines, Liu Xiaoman quickly tried to stop her, but to her surprise, Daohua ate them with relish: "Sister-in-law, isn’t it sour?"
Daohua shook her head: "Not at all." She even fed Xiao Yeyang a piece.
Once Xiao Yeyang had it in his mouth, his eyes immediately squinted from the sourness.
Seeing this, Liu Xiaoman took a closer look at Daohua and tentatively asked: "Sister-in-law, are you pregnant?"
Upon hearing this, Daohua, Xiao Yeyang, and Gu Jian all stared at Liu Xiaoman.