Liu Tie looked up at the distant river surface and bent down to pick up a small stone, tossing it over.
The river surface was slightly frozen. When struck by the small stone, it made a crisp cracking sound and a small hole appeared.
"The so-called wealth and status are just like the ice layer just now, shattering with a gentle tap and falling into the water."
"I've finally understood. The Marquis fought his whole life, achieving countless merits, yet ultimately had to shave his head and become a monk, all because of suspicion."
"After all, our surname is Liu, not Xiao. Even if you have ten thousand loyalties, they might not believe you."
"The Marquis is old, and becoming a monk is one thing, but it's a pity for the heir apparent, to be so young and have to..."
"Let's see what changes occur after the Crown Prince ascends the throne. Perhaps he can grant the heir apparent an official post."
As the two were speaking, they heard the sound of bugles from afar. The two exchanged a look and hurried towards the village entrance. Without a doubt, they knew it was Tian Wenhao arriving with his troops.
When they reached the village entrance, Cui Hongyu was already waiting with her people.
Cui Hongyu naturally did not know Tian Wenhao and was troubled by it. Seeing them arrive, she quickly called out, "Excellent, I was just worrying about not knowing Minister Tian."
Liu Tie and Liu Ce smiled slightly. "Sister, you don't need to worry. You have the two of us to look after things."
As they spoke, the soldiers in front parted to the sides.
A middle-aged man in dark red official robes, riding a tall horse, slowly rode forward. Liu Tie and Liu Ce stepped forward side by side, lifted their robes, and knelt on one knee. "Greetings, Minister Tian."
Tian Wenhao laughed heartily, dismounted, and stepped forward to support their arms. "Gentlemen, gentlemen, we are old acquaintances. There's no need for such formality."
"Your words are too kind, sir. We are merely household servants, and you are an official appointed by the court. It is only right that we pay our respects."
"Enough. There are no outsiders here. When I fought battles south and north with the Marquis back in the day, we were like brothers. Now that I've become an official, why are you being so distant?"
Upon hearing this, Cui Hongyu's worried heart was put at ease. Since Tian Wenhao had taken the initiative to show goodwill upon his arrival, it seemed that today's matter would be simple.
Liu Tie called Cui Hongyu over again and said with a smile to Tian Wenhao, "Minister Tian, this is Cui Hongyu, the wife of Brother Chen Xiaobei."
Tian Wenhao nodded slightly, acknowledging Cui Hongyu. Liu Ce continued, "Regarding the military provisions on the mountain, Sister Hongyu has brought all the villagers to move them down. Minister Tian has saved a lot of effort."
Upon hearing this, the smile on Tian Wenhao's face vanished, replaced by a look of seriousness. He looked at Liu Ce in surprise. "Is this true?"
"There are no jokes in the army. Such an important matter, how could I dare jest with you!" Liu Ce replied solemnly.
Tian Wenhao very gravely flicked his sleeves, clasped his hands together towards Cui Hongyu, and said, "Thank you, Miss Cui. You have helped me immensely. I had estimated it would take a month to transport all the military provisions down, but I never expected this."
Cui Hongyu quickly bowed in return. "Minister Tian, you flatter me. I just felt that with winter approaching and heavy snow likely to block the mountain, these provisions might be blown away by the north wind by spring. So, I rushed to bring them down beforehand."
"When I return, I will definitely report to His Highness the Crown Prince and request a reward for you, a reward for you." Tian Wenhao said with joy.
"It was just done in a hurry, so the provisions haven't been inventoried. I'll have to trouble Minister Tian to take care of that." Cui Hongyu bowed again and stepped aside, gesturing for him to proceed.
Tian Wenhao nodded. "Please lead the way, Miss Cui."
The group chatted and laughed as they passed through the village and arrived at the four mu of land. Seeing the row upon row of stone houses, Tian Wenhao was greatly impressed. "This is really thoughtful, so thoughtful. Actually, these military provisions could have been stacked outdoors and covered with tents."
As he spoke, he strolled into the nearest stone house.
Inside, sacks after sacks were piled high with grain. Tian Wenhao took a handful to examine and nodded in approval.
"Ah, this is excellent. It hasn't molded and is well-preserved. Very good!"
"You have all made a great contribution now. The border is tense, and the court is in urgent need of military supplies."
"With these, they can be transported to the border within ten days to relieve the emergency. With these military provisions, our soldiers will be invincible."
Saying this, Tian Wenhao turned around again and clasped his hands towards Cui Hongyu. "Thank you for your hard work. Transporting so many supplies down from the mountain must have been a difficult task."
"It's nothing, it's nothing. We are used to going up and down the mountain every day," Cui Hongyu quickly waved her hand.
Tian Wenhao, however, looked solemn and beckoned to someone beside him. "Guard."
A low-ranking official immediately came to Tian Wenhao's side and clasped his hands. "Sir, please instruct me."
Tian Wenhao pointed at Cui Hongyu. "Deliver all the reward money we prepared to these villagers."
The official was taken aback. "Sir, this..."
Tian Wenhao glared. "Carrying food and supplies down from the mountain, do you know how hard it is? These tasks were supposed to be done by you. Now these commoners have completed them for you, shouldn't they be rewarded?"
"I understand, sir. I will arrange for it immediately." The man turned and left.
Cui Hongyu, however, repeatedly waved her hands. "Sir, this cannot be done."
Tian Wenhao smiled and looked at Liu Ce, Liu Tie, and then at Cui Hongyu. "Miss Cui, please don't refuse. Originally, this money was to motivate the soldiers to carry the supplies down from the mountain as soon as possible. It's not much, only ten thousand taels. Please help distribute it to the villagers. I am not familiar with the situation."
Cui Hongyu secretly clicked her tongue. Such generosity, to offer ten thousand taels at once.
However, Liu Tie and Liu Ce viewed this matter with much detachment.
After all, Tian Wenhao had brought three thousand soldiers. If these men spent more than half a month busy transporting supplies on the mountain, each would only receive a little over three taels of reward money. Although it was not a small income, for these imperial soldiers, many might prefer not to have the three taels rather than go up the mountain.
Now, this ten thousand taels was undoubtedly a huge sum for the entire Hetou Town. Hetou Village had only about two hundred households, fewer than a thousand people.
Each person could receive over ten taels, equivalent to buying a horse-drawn carriage for everyone.
Soon, the quartermaster brought the banknotes. Ten thousand-tael banknotes were presented to Tian Wenhao.
Tian Wenhao looked at them, took them, and then handed them to Cui Hongyu.
"Miss Cui, please accept it. It is a small token of our gratitude from all the imperial troops and myself, Tian Wenhao."
Liu Che and Liu Tie beside them also persuaded her.
Liu Tie even spoke with hidden meaning, "Alright, Sister Hongyu. Since Minister Tian is bestowing a reward, you should take it. Winter is coming, and the villagers will need to buy some cotton clothes and quilts."
Cui Hongyu naturally understood the implication. She bowed again in thanks and accepted the banknotes.