From afar, the cave seemed small, but as Qin Junyao approached, she discovered its entrance was wide enough for ten carriages to pass side-by-side, and the interior space was vast.
Zhao Liangcai, with a black mask around his face, stood with his hands on his hips in the center of the cave. "Yaoyao, how is it here? I plan to train troops here, and it's perfect for storing grain."
Qin Junyao, supported by Liu Yu, walked to Zhao Liangcai's side and stopped. "Why do you need to find a separate place for training troops?"
"I need to have a powerful trump card. Yesterday, the Mr. Liu by my side, the one in the dark green robe, is from Prince Luo's retinue. He strongly advised Prince Luo to make good use of Shao Yong."
"He spent over three months persuading Shao Yong to surrender, and then made me lead troops to besiege the Northwest City for nearly two months. The purpose of consuming so much time was, in part, to deplete my strength."
Qin Junyao, with Liu Yu, walked further into the cave, asking Zhao Liangcai, who followed them, "What are you fighting over like this?" Sudancx.com
"Control of the Northwest City's defenses."
Qin Junyao nodded and didn't continue the topic. She was not interested in war and was not skilled at it. She wanted to see where in the cave would be suitable for storing grain.
After looking around, Qin Junyao found a very suitable spot.
Using the excuse of wanting to eat wild chicken, she sent Zhao Liangcai away, and then asked Liu Yu to go outside the cave to boil water for her, saying she wanted to drink hot water.
For the first time, Qin Junyao released a large amount of grain outside within ten meters of herself.
The place she was in was a turn in the cave, and people outside could not see her from within.
Qin Junyao didn't care if the placement was neat or not; she dumped all the grain and horse fodder from her spatial warehouse.
The horse fodder was mixed with the sacks of beans, and the corn stalks were spread on the ground, covered by cobs of corn.
Only the sacks of wheat were neatly placed in one area.
"Madam," Liu Yu's voice came from outside the cave.
"Coming," Qin Junyao quickly checked her space, confirmed nothing was missed, and then walked past the corner, meeting Liu Yu as she walked out of the cave.
"What were you looking at inside, Madam?"
Qin Junyao whispered beside Liu Yu, "Nothing, I just took care of an urgent personal matter inside."
"Madam, please call for me next time. This cave is all stone; it wouldn't be good if you bumped into anything."
Qin Junyao followed Liu Yu outside the cave. After drinking some hot water, she suggested taking a walk nearby.
"Madam, the mountains are dangerous," Liu Yu blocked Qin Junyao, who was about to leave.
"I won't go far, and besides, there are so many soldiers around; it'll be fine."
"Let's go, let's walk over there."
Qin Junyao's objective was to lead them away from the cave's vicinity, in case someone went back and saw the grain, which she couldn't explain.
Everyone complied, thinking that the general's wife simply wanted to see the mountain scenery.
They hadn't walked far when Zhao Liangcai returned with his men, carrying several wild chickens and a four-legged animal that Qin Junyao didn't recognize.
Qin Junyao suggested, "Zhao Liangcai, let's go back and cook. I want to drink chicken soup."
"Alright."
Sitting in the carriage on the way back, Qin Junyao's heart finally settled. This kind of thing could only be done once; next time, she would honestly arrange for a convoy to deliver the grain.
Having her heart in her throat like this was truly uncomfortable.
Suozi had been pacing by the camp entrance since Zhao Liangcai and Qin Junyao left, wondering if the place they found was suitable and if the wealthy family Qin Junyao mentioned could receive the grain.
"What is Deputy General Zhou waiting for?" Mr. Liu strolled over to Suozi and followed his gaze into the distance.
"Hmm? Mr. Liu, I'm eating."
Mr. Liu was puzzled. "The mess hall is to the west. What are you eating here, Deputy General Zhou?"
Suozi opened his mouth as if to swallow, "I'm having the northwest wind."