The Comeback of the Cannon-Fodder Supporting Actress

Chapter 1008: Chapter 985: Glory Amidst Chaos 53

The reason Xiao Yuan and Anning devised a plan to swiftly occupy the Prefecture City was to create a time advantage.

Because it was fast, the chaos worked to their benefit.

By the time others reacted, there was nothing they could do about it.

Moreover, the distance from the Southern Yi to the Capital was particularly great; by the time the Capital received the news and tried to suppress them, Xiao Yuan already controlled the entire Nanyi Prefecture.

Additionally, Anning and Xiao Yuan estimated that even if the Capital received the news, they would likely have no time to deal with them.

After all, since last year, the entire Daqi Dynasty had not stopped facing natural and man-made disasters, and this earthquake was particularly severe. The entire Prefecture City in Salt City, the epicenter, had nearly collapsed, affecting surrounding towns, and even the Capital felt the tremor.

Such a severe earthquake was something the Daqi Dynasty had hardly ever encountered since its establishment.

After the earthquake, refugees were everywhere, and unrest was widespread. The court was already having headaches with suppressing the unrest close to the Capital and finding ways to provide disaster relief, posing challenges for Emperor Jingqing and the court’s civil and military ministers.

For such matters in a distant place like Nanyi Prefecture, the court simply could not attend to them.

This was exactly what Xiao Yuan and Anning needed.

Anning was busy managing the household accounts in the inner residence, while Xiao Yuan led troops to capture many rioters. Five days later, Xiao Yuan gathered a large crowd at the city gate, bringing out the leaders who had caused trouble with Yu Youcai and those who had committed the most murders for a public trial.

Xiao Yuan personally recounted the crimes of these individuals and, in front of the entire city’s populace, executed them by beheading.

This served to deter those looking to take advantage of the chaos to cause trouble, and from then on, the Prefecture City finally settled down.

Subsequently, Xiao Yuan instructed Xiao Jin and Dong Da to transport supplies stored in the mountains, along with the salt they obtained.

Some traders in the city attempted to take the opportunity to drive up prices, but unexpectedly, Xiao Yuan had transported such a large quantity of grain and salt, which eased the minds of the city’s residents.

The common people are quite simple; as long as they have food to eat and can survive, they will not make trouble.

After stabilizing the prices, Xiao Yuan led a visit to several major merchants in Nanyi Prefecture, either through military suppression or by offering benefits, ultimately bringing those merchants onto his side.

By the time the Prefecture City’s situation was completely stable, it had been a month.

At this moment, Xiao Yuan instructed Xiao Ling to take the Yuan Family to invite Marquis Guangning and his sons to come out of retirement to assist.

After sending off Xiao Ling and the Yuan Family, Xiao Yuan finally felt a bit relieved.

By now, the weather had become particularly hot.

That day, after Xiao Yuan visited the government offices, he returned home.

Entering, he felt a burst of coolness.

He found ice basins placed all around the room, Anning, dressed in a flowered long dress, watching the girls in the family practice writing.

”Where did the ice come from?”

Xiao Yuan asked Anning.

Anning smiled and pointed at Yin’er: ”It’s Yin’er who made it, using saltpeter to produce ice.”

Xiao Yuan patted Xiao Yin’s head: ”Our Yin’er is quite clever, finding such a method from ancient books and even improving it.”

Xiao Yin gave a gentle smile: ”I just saw the weather was too hot, and you and Mother couldn’t sleep soundly at night, so I thought of a way to make ice basins. From now on, our family won’t lack ice, and we won’t have to suffer from the heat at night.”

Xiao Fu finished a large character, glanced at Xiao Yin: ”Perhaps we can even sell this ice for money.”

”That’s fine.”

Xiao Yuan sat down, looking at the girls: ”From now on, the business of making ice to sell for money will be up to you. You can keep whatever earnings you make, consider it a little extra for your cosmetics.”

”Really?”

Xiao Hui was particularly delighted to hear this.

Anning tapped her forehead: ”Your Father won’t deceive you. Alright, this matter is entrusted to you all.”

The five girls noticed Xiao Yuan obviously had something to discuss with Anning, so they all got up to take their leave.

Xiao Yuan called out to Xiao Yin: ”Yin’er, wait a moment.”

Xiao Yin stayed in the room, waiting for her sisters to leave before asking Xiao Yuan: ”Father, what do you want to ask of me?”

Xiao Yuan smiled and said, ”Yin’er is good at storytelling. This time, I’ll give you a task. I’ll find some scholars to help you write it. You go and create a story carefully. Once it’s done, let the storytellers at the tea house in the city tell it.”

”What kind of story will it be?”

When it comes to storytelling, Xiao Yin is definitely skilled. In that modern, information-overloaded society, what kind of melodramatic story hasn’t she seen?

”Essentially, it will be about how the current Emperor is tyrannical, leading to frequent disasters. Additionally, you must have people spread the word about how Emperor Jingqing is tyrannical, how he favors the traitorous concubine, and how he harms ministers. In short, make the storytelling so strong that people wish to take a bite out of him.”

Xiao Yuan stated the requirements to Xiao Yin.

Xiao Yin clapped her hands joyfully, ”This will certainly work. Dad, just watch and see.”

She happily left the room, first going back to her chamber to think about how to tarnish the reputation of Emperor Jingqing and Noble Princess Consort Li.

Only then did Xiao Yuan start discussing serious matters with Anning.

”Many households in the city have suffered hardships, leaving some large mansions empty. You use the money to buy one, and tomorrow I’ll have Lao Si bring our parents over.”

Anning nodded, ”Alright, I understand.”

She thought for a moment and added, ”I’ll buy a mansion for the Yuan Family as well. After all, if we need to rely on them, we must show some favor.”

”Do as you see fit.”

Xiao Yuan smiled and held Anning’s hand, ”Once the people are brought over, I’ll lead troops to quell some nearby disturbances, then have Lao Si and Lao Liu lead troops to capture some Prefecture Cities next to Southern Yi. When our territory expands a bit, you can disperse the Qi Fortune we obtained from Noble Princess Consort Li.”

Anning laughed and replied, ”I know. Here in Nanyi Prefecture, everything is starting anew. More Qi Fortune is needed, as it’s easier to attract people.”

”There’s also the matter of the grain seeds.”

Xiao Yuan whispered, ”I’ll have Lao Liu bring back our three family’s grain seeds this time. Then we’ll first experiment with planting them in Nanyi Prefecture. This time, we aim to turn Southern Yi into a land of abundance within three years.”

Xiao Yuan is not in a rush to expand.

First, he needs to stabilize the situation and establish firm foundations.

Southern Yi Prefecture, although labeled as a Prefecture City, is actually quite large, equivalent to a province in other areas. Once he captures the surrounding towns, this place won’t be small at all.

Xiao Yuan plans to capture a few more Prefecture Cities apart from Southern Yi Prefecture. Once consolidated, he’ll start pursuing development.

He’s been in Southern Yi for too short a time, lacking elite soldiers and generals, as well as food and manpower. In such a situation where everything is scarce, he must spend several years on development, securing the rear before reclaiming other places.

Anning understands Xiao Yuan’s thoughts. She said softly, ”In this period, I’ll focus on cultivating good breeds and developing the industry and commerce here in Southern Yi.”

After discussing for a while, Xiao Yuan got tired, washed up, and lay down to rest.

Meanwhile, Xiao Ling returned to Lai County with the Yuan Family.

As soon as he returned, County Magistrate Liu of Lai County came to meet him.

Xiao Ling knows of the relationship between County Magistrate Liu and Xiao Yuan, so he didn’t beat around the bush, ”My third brother said he wants you to help guard Lai County, and once he selects reliable personnel, he’ll have you go to the Prefecture City.”

County Magistrate Liu had thought of this and smiled, ”Master Liu, rest assured, I will guard Lai County well.”

After talking with County Magistrate Liu, Xiao Ling took the Yuan Family to Houshan Village.

The Yuan Family already knew about Xiao Yuan’s occupation of the Prefecture City, and when they saw Xiao Ling bringing the Yuan Family back, their expressions were very complicated.

Marquis Guangning loudly accused the Yuan Family, ”You wretched girl, how could such a disloyal and unfilial thing come from the Yuan Family? And you’re still with this rebel, really infuriating...”

He clutched his chest, finding it hard to breathe.

Marchioness Guangning, however, wiped her tears and grabbed the Yuan Family’s hand, ”My child, are you alright? Have you been hurt?”

The Yuan Family shook her head.

She looked at Marquis Guangning, ”Dad, I know you are loyal to the Emperor and love the country. But open your eyes, look at what the world has become. Since last year’s drought, how many commoners have suffered? Haven’t you seen enough on our way? In such circumstances, what has the court done? What has Your Majesty done? As for our family, my sister was cautious in the palace, never harming anyone, yet she was harmed by that Evil Concubine and ended up with no remains. Dad, if you wish to be loyal to the Emperor, so be it, but I harbor resentment. I feel for my sister, and I don’t want to end up persecuted. Moreover, I am married, I’m now part of the Xiao Family’s women, and naturally, I need to follow my husband.”

The Yuan Family’s words made Marquis Guangning even angrier.

He glared at the Yuan Family, ”You...”

Xiao Ling stepped forward and made a respectful gesture to Marquis Guangning, ”My father-in-law, my Xiao Family only had some ties with the deposed Crown Prince back then, yet ended up being confiscated and exiled. What wrong did your Yuan Family do to be stripped of titles and seized just because of a few whispers from Noble Consort Li? The foolish emperor and traitorous concubine have pushed us to such extremes, do we still have to sit and wait for our demise?”