I Became a Sugar Mama to an Ancient General during a Famine! - Chapter 30

Chapter 30: Bulletproof Vest

The dozens of bulletproof vests Ye Mumu had ordered online were still en route.

She found an online store specializing in level-six bulletproof steel plates.

Each set included two steel plates for front and back protection, plus a vest, priced at 200 yuan.

Sales volume remained high, and reviews were excellent.

Ye Mumu asked the customer service how many sets of bulletproof steel plates with vests they had in stock.

The representative replied that originally there were 100,000 sets, but 80,000 had been ordered by Middle Eastern clients a few days ago, and many had been sold retail. Now, just over 10,000 sets remained.

Ye Mumu said she’d take them all and asked for a discount.

After consulting the boss, they offered 180 yuan per set. She purchased 19,000 sets.

Customer service said they could arrange shipping tomorrow.

Ye Mumu insisted they load the goods now and have large trucks deliver overnight.

She offered to pay half as a deposit, settling the rest upon delivery.

After consulting the boss, they agreed to dispatch immediately.

*

Next, she searched for a store selling men’s cloth shoes.

Old Beijing-style cloth shoes were cheap, costing ten yuan or less per pair.

Better quality ones ranged from 20 to 30 yuan per pair.

Since soldiers’ daily training wore out shoes quickly, she chose durable, thick-soled, slip-resistant shoes for 16 yuan per pair.

This store had its own factory.

Learning she wanted 10,000 pairs, the factory owner lowered the price to 15 yuan.

They had ample stock in black, blue, and gray.

She also bought many pairs with colorful patterns.

Most soldiers were young and would likely appreciate stylish shoes.

The owner arranged packing, saying trucks would depart that evening.

They’d arrive tomorrow afternoon. Ye Mumu was to wait at the warehouse to finalize payment.

After buying cloth shoes, she realized Zhan Chengyin and his generals’ shoes must be worn out too.

Given the city’s supply shortage, they likely couldn’t even repair broken shoes.

She bought practical, durable sneakers, running shoes, casual shoes, and carbon fiber shoes from local flagship stores.

In total, she purchased over 30 pairs and hired a delivery service.

Just after placing the shoe order, ten watermelon trucks arrived.

Accompanying villagers came to unload. Seeing Ye Mumu, their sun-tanned faces beamed.

Ye Mumu paid well for the melons, with each household earning an extra 20,000-30,000 yuan on average.

Everyone was ecstatic.

A large scale stood beside Ye Mumu’s warehouse.

Trucks were weighed before unloading.

The first truck, fully loaded, weighed 60 tons including the truck.

Ye Mumu noted the weight and directed unloading.

With many helpers, unloading went quickly.

The second truck weighed 45 tons.

Ye Mumu suspected all watermelons from neighboring villages had arrived.

In total, the ten trucks carried 310 tons of watermelons, plus a few hundred jin of peaches, plums, and vegetables.

Ye Mumu paid the villagers for produce and labor.

They left happily, promising another harvest in a month.

Ye Mumu settled with the drivers, paying generously with an 800 yuan bonus per trip.

All ten left their numbers for future work.

Weighing, unloading, and sorting took over two hours. Ye Mumu grew hungry.

She cut open a small watermelon, which was so ripe that a gentle tap caused the skin to split.

The flesh inside was red and juicy, and her first bite was sweet and refreshing.

…The watermelon was delicious!

By now, the delivery service had brought the 30 pairs of shoes, along with their respective shoe boxes and laces.

Each store gifted extra socks – 60 pairs total – for her large order.

After finishing her snack, Ye Mumu sent a note to Zhan Chengyin.

「The watermelons I bought have arrived.」

「Understood, Divine One. The warehouse is prepared.」

Ye Mumu closed the rolling door, placed a vase amid the melons, and soon they flew in one after another.

Soon, all the watermelons were transferred.

Once finished, her mind felt a bit muddled, so she rested for a while to regain her focus.

Compared to the first day she transported goods, her spirit had strengthened significantly, and she didn’t feel as dizzy anymore.

Over ten melons remained on her desk. She kept a few, leaving the rest for Uncle Yang.

*

Zhan Chengyin and his deputy generals gaped at the mountain of watermelons.

The pile was enormous!

Previously, soldiers got one slice after dinner.

Now, even eating a slice per meal, it would take days to finish.

Zhan Chengyin massaged his temples. “Dig cellars for storage. Each soldier can take two home. Eat them quickly before they spoil!”

Officers and soldiers eagerly chose two large melons each, sending them home via deputies.

Returning to the wall’s command post, they found two cut melons on the table for guards to enjoy.

Zhan Chengyin watched the barbarian camp. By afternoon, no movement was seen.

Chen Kui said, “General, I doubt they’ll attack today.”

Li Zhong added, “Each day’s delay improves our odds by 10%.”

Zhan Chengyin asked Chen Wu, “How’s the training on installing explosives going?”

“They’ve learned, but practical skills are untested,” Chen Wu replied.

“If ready, have them wear dark clothes tonight to plant mines outside the city. Qin Nu should be on standby at the gate.”

“Yes, sir!”

Suddenly, many boxes dropped into the room.

Used to such occurrences, no one reacted strongly.

Mo Fan spotted “shoes” written on a box and placed it on the table.

His shoes had long since worn out. He was a bit better off than others though, as he had servants at home to help mend shoes.

This young noble, the Empress Dowager’s only nephew, had worn patched shoes for half a year.

He was fed up.

Opening an ornate box revealed beautiful shoes.

Soft, flexible soles bent without cracking.

Breathable, with small holes.

The label read: “Nitrogen Technology Running Shoes.”

Seeing they fit, he removed his broken clogs and smelly socks.

He donned soft new white socks, then the shoes, leaving laces untied.

A few jumps confirmed their springiness.

His eyes immediately lit up, his sickly expression was replaced by excitement.

Walking felt light, soft, comfortable – incomparable to clogs.

Each step seemed to float on clouds.

“I’m keeping these!” he declared.

All 34 shoeboxes were opened. He picked out four pairs and hugged them to his chest.

Chen Kui watched the brazen youth grab the best shoes before the general could choose.

“These are for the general from the god. We’re fortunate to get even one pair.”

Mo Fan called his guards and military advisor in.

He gave them boxes to hold, chose black pairs for guards, white wave-patterned ones for the advisor.

Of 60 sock pairs, he took ten for himself!

Chen Kui exploded, “You’ve gone too far! Seven shoe pairs, ten sock pairs – how many feet do you have?”

The military advisor and guards tried returning the shoes.

Mo Fan produced an ornate wooden box from his sleeve.

Inside lay exquisite royal jewels, gifts from the Empress Dowager.

“All this is for the god. In exchange, I want 100 shoe pairs – 30 women’s, 60 men’s – the priciest ones. Also, 200 sock pairs like mine.”

He then pulled out White Rabbit candies and lollipops.

“And more of these, please.”