I Became a Sugar Mama to an Ancient General during a Famine! - Chapter 22 Part 1

By dusk, Zhan Chengyin returned to the General’s Mansion from the military camp.

On the way, there were now few emaciated figures lying on the roadside awaiting death.

Occasionally, some lone individuals struggling to walk were helped by fellow citizens, who supported them to queue for porridge.

Kind-hearted Uncle Li had arranged for people to distribute porridge. Two large pots were specifically reserved for those on the brink of starvation.

As soon as they arrived, they could have a drink.

After two days of porridge distribution, everyone in the city had something to eat.

Today, those receiving porridge not only got a bowl but also a slice of watermelon.

Ye Mumu had sent over so many watermelons that they had to dig a pit and store them in the cellar.

Though uncertain how long the watermelons would last underground, they decided to cut them up and share.

The citizens were surprised: The general wasn’t just giving out porridge; he was also gifting watermelons!

The more astute among them realized that Zhen Guan no longer lacked food. If the general could distribute watermelons to the entire city, the food shortage must be over.

Yesterday’s recruitment notice had drawn 2,000 men in one day.

These men had joined hoping to get some rice, flour, and vegetables…

The reality exceeded their expectations: not only did they receive rice and vegetables, but also a small packet of white salt.

They were promised this ration every month.

Queuing for porridge wasn’t a long-term solution. Having rice in hand was like holding currency—money couldn’t even buy it in the market.

By the second day, a long line formed at the recruitment center, with 5,000 more men signing up.

Those who didn’t enlist were sent to repair city walls, restore houses, and forge weapons…

These men earned two jin of rice, one jin of flour, and one jin of vegetables each month, with meals included.

The food in the military camp was better than the porridge outside.

For breakfast, they had white porridge with meat, paired with salted pickled vegetables.

Lunch was steamed rice with one meat dish, one vegetable dish, and meat soup.

In the evening, after work, they were given noodles and watermelon.

Before, during peacetime, those who could afford it ate millet porridge, while the poor ate sugar cakes.

Even millet wasn’t as tasty as steamed white rice.

People exclaimed that this life is better than that of immortals!

As Zhan Chengyin returned to the General’s Mansion, people who saw him all knelt down, thanking the great general for distributing food, saving their families, and ensuring everyone had food to eat.

Every person he passed knelt and bowed in gratitude.

People’s eyes now shone with vitality. After just two days of feeding, many faces had visibly gained some flesh.

Their voices were louder and stronger, their vitality restored.

Zhan Chengyin smiled.

He was somewhat impatient to tell Ye Mumu, eager to see her reaction.

Thanks to her feeding program, people were starting to gain weight.

Their voices had regained strength.

Their movements were filled with vigor.

No one was lying on the roadside waiting to die anymore!

Zhen Guan had been completely revitalized!

*

Ye Mumu placed the sword onto the carriage and headed to the local textile factory.

She saw young soldiers on guard duty, in tattered clothes, without shoes, no more than sixteen or seventeen years old.

In modern times, at this age, they would still be students. Her heart ached.

Zhen Guan had improved its food and military supplies. Food and housing had been addressed, but now it was time to solve the clothing problem.

Upon arriving at the factory, she was received by the sales manager due to her large purchase order.

The textile market had been sluggish in recent years, and the factory was barely surviving.

In the vast factory, only half of the workshops were operational.

The warehouse was piled high with unsold inventory.

Ye Mumu asked to see the warehouse first, so the sales manager took her there.

The large warehouse was full of various fabrics—solid colors, patterns, gauze, linen, cotton…

She asked, “What’s the price for these fabrics?”

“Clearance price, one yuan per meter. All are excellent fabrics for making clothes!”

“0.8 yuan per meter, I’ll take the entire warehouse.”

The sales manager was stunned. At 0.8 yuan per meter, there was still profit, but not much.

Clearing the entire warehouse would ensure solid earnings through volume.