The Fallen Nation System, Turning the Tide - Chapter 74: Joyful News

Chapter 74: Joyful News

Happy Children’s Day!

Xu Ying’s eyes widened like bronze bells, the groundhog in her heart screaming frantically as she jumped up and paced anxiously back and forth, her mind flooded with the words “It’s over.”

Previously worried about the Western Rong invasion, she had gathered all the military commanders recorded in historical texts, conscripted them by force, and sent them to resist the Western Rong. Little did she know the Western Rong would fall into internal strife, resolving the crisis. Yet she forgot to disband those troops, among whom was a man named Yi Tanga born military genius.

Though of humble origins, Yi Tang was heavily relied upon by Xu Long. He first distinguished himself in battles against the Northern Barbarians, then joined Xia Pengnan in attacking the Western Rong. He pursued enemies for thousands of miles, advancing all the way to the Mediterranean. Xu Ying boldly speculated that if the battle lines hadn’t been stretched too thin and conditions permitted, he might have circled the globe and discovered new continents.

Seeing her concern instead of delight, Xu Lang hurriedly asked, “What troubles Your Majesty?”

Xu Ying sighed deeply. “Frequent warfare brings hardship to the people. We ought to focus on recuperation.”

Xu Lang immediately began self-reproach.

Indeed, military expenses were enormous. With the state treasury strained and even supplemented by Xu Ying’s personal funds, they couldn’t sustain much longer. Continuing this way would likely lead to imposing further burdens on the common people.

She had only thought of the glory of victory but forgotten the difficulties of maintaining an army.

Xu Ying declared, “Since they’ve already scattered, do not pursue them further. Leave some troops in the Western Rong and Western Regions to continue searching for the Women’s Army, but recall all others immediately. The autumn harvest is approaching.”

Above all, they must not give chaseespecially not to Yi Tang.

Xu Lang nodded. “Understood, I shall see to it.”

Having temporarily resolved the military matters, Xu Ying now grew troubled by the captured bandits. If the reports were accurate and all were executed, the death toll would be staggeringly high.

“By the way, Your Majesty,” Xu Lang added, “the Ministry of Works planned to gradually construct palaces within the inner court for Your Majesty and the imperial consorts. Since Your Majesty refuses to move from Duckweed Street, they began by building the consorts’ residences. One is nearly completedwould Your Majesty like to name it?”

Xu Ying stared blankly for a moment before erupting in anger. “Imperial consorts? Why build palaces for consorts? I have no intention of taking any! Is this how they squander the state treasury? What a waste!”

Seeing her fury, Xu Lang advised, “Even if Your Majesty does not appoint an empress, you should take a few consorts to continue your bloodline and secure the throne.”

Xu Ying waved a dismissive hand. “No consorts. Not interested. Who knows what schemes those officials are plotting down there?”

True enoughchildbirth was a deadly peril. What if someone interfered… Xu Lang dared not dwell on it and promptly agreed, “Perhaps it’s better not to bear children. The royal family never lacks heirs. With the princes’ sons already by Your Majesty’s side, you may choose whomever you favor to adopt.”

Not wanting the funds utterly wasted, Xu Ying pondered and said, “As I recall, Zhang Keqian seems to be renting lodgings outside, and it’s not far. Since it’s already built, let it be modified to house the scholars of the Hall of Gathered Talents. This will make their work more convenient.”

Since she wouldn’t be living there anyway, it might as well be repurposed as staff quarters.

Mention of the Ministry of Works sparked an idea in Xu Ying. “Send officials from the Ministry of Works to survey various regions. I wish to dredge rivers, reinforce embankments, and address the persistent flooding of the Yellow River. We must devise a strategy to control it. Aim to finalize the assessments and solutions before winter and spring.”

“I heard many water bandits have been newly captured. Let’s go down and take a look. If any of them can propose good strategies, we may consider letting them atone for their crimes through merit.”

Xu Lang gazed at Xu Ying with admiration. “Your Majesty is absolutely right. Water bandits have been dealing with water all their lives, so they might have some good ideas.”

With the bandit situation nearly settled, and plans to send them to repair river channels in winter, Xu Ying let out a soft sigh, feeling physically and mentally relaxed.

Just as Xu Ying was about to sit back and close her eyes for proper rest, she suddenly remembered something else. “Has the investigation in Qingzhou not been completed yet?”

Xu Lang replied, “Qi Rui has offended too many people, and there are numerous threats against his life. We have to investigate each one carefully, so there are no results yet. However, during the process, we uncovered many old cases with solid evidence and have already punished a group of officials.”

What exactly had Qi Rui done in Qingzhou to attract so much hatred? There were even a whole basket of suspects who wanted him dead. Xu Ying couldn’t help but click her tongue in surprise.

Xu Lang sighed and said, “The heavy rain is also to blameit washed away the traces. Otherwise, we could have closed the case quickly. It wouldn’t be as difficult to investigate as it is now.”

Xu Ying shook her head and decided not to dwell on the matter any longer.

The system came online and asked, “Host, the apple exchange coupon is about to expire. Would you like to use it?”

Xu Ying finally remembered the apple she had drawn last time and replied to the system, “Exchange it. Deliver it to Zhang Keqian. He should be in the Western Regions now. See if you can locate him.”

The system started spinning. After waiting a while with no response, Xu Ying thought it had frozen again. She stretched and began reviewing memorials.

After finishing a stack of memorials, the system suddenly dinged. “Location confirmed. Delivery in progress. Please wait. Estimated arrival within seven working days.”

Xu Ying clicked to confirm it had been sent and felt relieved. She rubbed her hands together, eagerly anticipating Zhang Keqian bringing back the apple.

After signing documents with the small Western Regions states, Zhang Keqian continued his routine search for the Women’s Army. Although it was already autumn, the residual heat lingered, especially at noon. Zhang Keqian had everyone rest in the shade, drink water, and eat Central Asian flatbread to replenish their energy.

Bu Jia had become familiar with Zhang Keqian. Seeing the Western Rong soldiers and Jin troops forming sworn brotherhoods, he insisted on doing the same with Zhang Keqian. Despite Zhang Keqian’s attempts to decline, Bu Jia had even learned their Great Jin’s classic line”Do you look down on me?”

Bu Jia successfully became sworn brothers with Zhang Keqian, leaving Zhang Keqian with a brother thirty years his seniorfrom different parentsand doubling his pressure.

While resting and drinking water, Zhang Keqian was suddenly struck on the head by something with a thud. Sharp pain spread rapidly. Zhang Keqian cried out, bending his neck and clutching the spot where he’d been hit.

Bu Jia turned at the sound. “Brother, what happened?”

Zhang Keqian opened his eyes and scanned for the culprit. He spotted a bright red fruit resembling a pear at his feet. Calmly withdrawing his gaze, he told Bu Jia, “It’s nothing. Just got hit by a fruit falling from the tree.”

Bu Jia approached, bent down to pick up the fruit, and made a surprised sound. He wiped it with his sleeve and was about to taste it when Zhang Keqian quickly stopped him. “Don’t eat it. It looks like a pear, but its texture is sandy and soft. Chewing paper tastes better than pears. Especially with its strange color and beautiful appearanceit’s highly likely to be poisonous.”

Hearing it might be poisonous, Bu Jia immediately threw the fruit away. He looked up and circled the tree several times, observing the red fruits hanging from it. Just as Zhang Keqian had said, they were exceptionally beautiful.

Bu Jia said regretfully, “It’s such a pity that something so beautiful can’t be eaten.”

Zhang Keqian smiled, “Perhaps it’s to prevent people from picking it. One taste would teach them that brightly colored fruits shouldn’t be eaten.”

“You’re truly knowledgeable, my friend.” Bu Jia nodded with partial understanding, offering praise.

“You flatter me.” Zhang Keqian lowered his head modestly.

When the midday sun weakened slightly, Zhang Keqian announced their departure. They were heading to the next city to search for traces of the Women’s Army.

Not long after they set out, a soldier suddenly collapsed in the ranks. Zhang Keqian rushed to check on him and found the soldier lying on the ground with pale lips. Another soldier, apparently his acquaintance, clung to Zhang Keqian’s leg and cried, “Commandant, please save him! He couldn’t resist his craving and secretly ate that poisonous apple that hit you earlier. Shortly after we started marching, he complained of dizziness and weakness, and now he’s like this. Please help him!”

Zhang Keqian’s eyes widened. “He ate the poisonous apple?”

The army physician arrived immediately, examining the soldier’s complexion and urgently checking his pulse. Zhang Keqian explained, “He just ate a poisonous apple – he might be suffering from its toxin.”

Hearing this, the physician’s expression grew grave. Everyone’s hearts tightened. After a moment, the physician raised his eyebrows in apparent confusion before finally releasing the soldier’s wrist and reporting to Zhang Keqian, “Commandant, this man isn’t suffering from food poisoning but heatstroke. He needs to be moved to a shaded area, given water, and allowed to rest properly.”

Zhang Keqian breathed a sigh of relief. Just then, the soldier’s fingers twitched, and he slowly opened his eyes, weakly saying, “Commandant.”

As the soldier moved his lips, Zhang Keqian thought he had something important to say and quickly leaned in close, only to hear two faint words: “Delicious…”

Zhang Keqian stared blankly while Bu Jia laughed, “If he’s still thinking about food, he should be fine.”

“Is the fruit really that delicious?”

Truth be told, Bu Jia was also tempted, but with Zhang Keqian nearby, he couldn’t secretly eat any himself.

As Bu Jia nearly drooled with anticipation, Zhang Keqian helplessly waved and called over several soldiers. “Go pick some apples.”

Soon the soldiers came running back with their arms full of apples, faces beaming with joy. “Commandant, they’re truly delicious!”

It turned out they had tasted them on the way back. Zhang Keqian shook his head with a smile and urged Bu Jia to try one quickly so they could continue their journey.

Bu Jia unceremoniously took one, bit into it with a crisp crunch, and hastily chewed the sweet fruit, nearly biting his tongue in his excitement. He praised, “So sweet! My friend, have a taste. I guarantee you’ll crave more after trying it – unforgettable flavor!”

Zhang Keqian showed little interest but reluctantly selected a smaller one under Bu Jia’s enthusiastic urging, closing his eyes as he put it in his mouth.

The moment his teeth sank into the fruit, sweetness exploded. With a single chew, the juice flowed down his throat. Zhang Keqian’s eyes suddenly widened, and he nearly stopped breathing.

“How is it?” Bu Jia sought validation.

It took Zhang Keqian a long moment to recover. Slowly raising his hand, he brought the fruit before his eyes and exclaimed in astonishment, “…This is an apple?”

How could an apple possibly taste like this? Impossible!

Just seeing Zhang Keqian’s utterly bewildered expression made Bu Jia understand. Holding the red fruit and examining it, he sighed with some regret. “There only seem to be those few trees, and we can’t take them with us. Otherwise, we could have brought some back for Khatun to taste.”

Zhang Keqian steadied himself and reacted, his gaze firm. “I must send this fruit tree back to the capital, so that His Majesty and the people of our dynasty can also taste this delicious fruit!”

Bu Jia said in surprise, “It’s hundreds of miles from here to Youzhou. It would spoil before we could transport it back.”

Zhang Keqian smiled slightly, looking toward the moving procession with gleaming eyes. Clenching his fist, he said, “We can transplant it, or find another way. No matter what, we must find a method to bring this Red Crabapple Fruit back to Great Jin.”