However, military rations and pay are no small matter. Although they are often delayed, no one dares to actually withhold them.
This is precisely why Yun Pei finds this move "disgusting".
Occasionally forcing soldiers to tighten their belts and go hungry for a while is disgusting, but it has no other harmful effect.
"Perhaps when that imperial brother-in-law is no longer just the Minister of War, or when someone from his family is in another important position, things will get interesting." Yun Lie's expression remained as calm as ever.
Yun Pei elbowed him, glared at him, and spat, "You heartless, carefree little rascal, can't you have any good wishes?"
Yun Lie slightly curled the corners of his lips, but said nothing more.
"I'm not saying this to be mean, but that guy is really despicable. He's obsessed with the position of crown prince, but he's also cowardly and afraid to lead an army to achieve merit. Does he think he can just starve us until we submit?" Yun Pei found it more and more ridiculous. "Despicable and short-sighted. I don't know what's going on in that head of his."
Yun Lie listened to her complaints but said nothing more.
Yun Pei knew he was always like this, so she changed the subject and asked with a curious smile, "I mean, my Yuancheng is by the sea after all. Even if we are cut off from grain and silver supplies, we can still fill our stomachs with seafood. Your Linchuan is a poor and remote place. After winter comes, you probably won't even be able to dig up a few grass roots. Why do you seem so calm and unconcerned?"
"Grain and winter clothing are being sent to Linchuan one after another." Yun Lie looked ahead, his steps steady and composed.
Yun Pei certainly didn't expect the Ministry of War to suddenly show leniency towards the Linchuan army. After looking around to make sure no one was nearby, he lowered his voice and leaned closer to him: "Where did you get the money?"
Yun Lie lowered his long eyelashes slightly, but did not answer immediately.
He didn't want to cause Luo Cuiwei any unnecessary trouble, but he also knew that if he didn't say anything, Yun Pei would secretly investigate further.
After gazing ahead and pondering for a moment, he carefully considered his words and said succinctly, "One day, a girl suddenly came to me and gave me a lot of money under various pretexts."
It sounds absurd, but that's the truth.
Over the past two weeks, Luo Cuiwei has given him a considerable amount of money under various pretexts. The food and clothing she exchanged for, if used sparingly, would be enough for the Linchuan army to last until the New Year when the court resumes operations and the Ministry of War reissues their pay.
Yun Pei crossed his arms, raised an eyebrow and glanced at him with a half-smile: "Is that girl pretty?"
"It looks good." Yun Lie answered the question almost without thinking.
"Oh, that sounds just like a kind little fairy from a ghost story... but why did she choose you as the recipient of her blessings?"
Yun Lie pursed his lips. "I don't know what she's thinking. She didn't mention why, and I was too embarrassed to ask. Anyway, it's a loan from her, and I'll return it after spring."
"Why would she need to pay this back? According to the tales of the strange and supernatural, she was most likely moved by your good looks and character, and in the end she would definitely cry and beg to marry you." Yun Pei's expression turned strange.
"Nonsense, no..." Yun Lie's face suddenly turned red as he turned to glare at his fourth sister.
Yun Pei laughed in fury, and snorted heavily, "So you know I'm talking nonsense?!"
That scoundrel Yun Lie, he's getting more and more disloyal as he gets older! He must have secretly found some way to make money, but he's keeping it a secret from her and making up this ridiculous story!
Oh, a pretty girl comes to him and gives him money without saying a word?! You're kidding me!
****
By the time Yun Lie left the palace and returned to Prince Zhao's residence, it was already late afternoon.
Just past the screen wall behind the mansion gate, Xiong Xiaoyi came running over like a whirlwind, grinning as he reported, "The Huang family from the south city sent a visiting card this afternoon. Do you think we should accept it or return it?"
Yun Lie frowned and glanced at him, then turned and walked away: "Looks like you're really free, even taking over Uncle Chen's work."
"If it weren't for the fact that the Huang family is the Luo family's mortal enemy, why would I take this job?" Xiong Xiaoyi said hurriedly as he followed in his footsteps.
"What does the Huang family sending a visiting card have to do with the Luo family?" Yun Lie slowed his pace.
Seeing that he was finally willing to listen to him seriously, Xiong Xiaoyi hurriedly said, "I only got the news yesterday and haven't had time to tell you yet. It is said that in recent years, the Huang family in Nancheng has been extremely powerful, and the Luo family's position as the richest family is in jeopardy."
The Huang family was originally similar to the Luo family, both starting from scratch and gradually growing into large businesses. However, in recent years, members of the Huang family have successively entered officialdom. Although their official positions are not high, they are naturally more likely to dominate the Luo family, which has no connections in the court and is wealthy but not prestigious.
"...Didn't you ask me to investigate what the Luo family was plotting against the Prince Zhao's residence? I've been thinking about it, and perhaps Miss Luo is planning to befriend members of the imperial clan to bolster her family's courage?" Xiong Xiaoyi scratched his head.
After all, the Huang family had spent more than a decade cultivating a few of their sons into official positions. In this move, the Luo family had already fallen behind. Even if they followed suit immediately, it would take eight to ten years to see results.
Under these circumstances, if the Luo family wants to maintain its position as the richest family and launch a counterattack, befriending members of the imperial family and noble families to enhance its prestige is probably the most effective method in the short term.
Yun Lie gave a noncommittal "hmm".
“It’s not surprising that business families sometimes have a little bit of self-interest in their friendships. Look, the Xu family in the north of the city sent you New Year’s gifts, right? And now the Huang family’s invitation has arrived, hasn’t it?” Xiong Xiaoyi was afraid that Luo Cuiwei would develop a prejudice against him because of this, so he quickly stood by him and spoke up for her.
"But Miss Luo alone has been coming to our door every day for more than half a month, rain or shine. Not only has she brought us gold and silver, but she has also made sure we have good food and drink. She greets us with a smile and doesn't embarrass anyone in the slightest. She is very sincere!"
Yun Lie turned to glance at him again and calmly pointed out, "In your heart, the most sincere thing is actually the good food and drink, right?"
This bear has clearly been blinded by the Luo family's lard.
"Anyway, I think Miss Luo is alright," Xiong Xiaoyi muttered sullenly, then urged, "You should give us an answer on whether to accept or return the Huang family's invitation!"
Yun Lie pushed open the study door and walked in, asking without turning his head, "What do you think?"
“If you ask me, we should just return it,” Xiong Xiaoyi said, standing in front of the table with a hint of protectiveness on his dark face. “The Huang family and the Luo family are mortal enemies, and the Huang family is currently in a stronger position than the Luo family. If Miss Luo finds out that you accepted the Huang family’s invitation, she will probably be heartbroken and embarrassed.”
Yun Lie, who was already seated behind the desk, tapped the surface lightly with his knuckles. After pondering for a while, he raised his head and said, "Accept it. Have the Huang family come the day after tomorrow."
His ideas differed slightly from Xiong Xiaoyi's.
In his view, since the Luo family was being suppressed by the Huang family, the fact that the Huang family was now probing the Zhaowang Mansion by following in Luo Cuiwei's footsteps might mean they had some plans to target the Luo family.
As the saying goes, "Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated." The Huang family would naturally not tell Luo Cuiwei what they were planning. But since the Huang family took the initiative to come to him, he took the opportunity to find out for Luo Cuiwei.
"...This is also a way of repaying her kindness and sincerity these past few days." Yun Lie lowered his eyes, it was unclear whether he was explaining to Xiong Xiaoyi or to himself.
Hearing his explanation, Xiong Xiaoyi didn't completely agree, but he could only reluctantly nod in agreement and casually asked, "Then why not come tomorrow?"