knelt down with a thud. The granny's sharp voice reached Feng Lingxi's ears."Even this much decorum the Fourth Princess lacks, kneeling before the Empress to speak."Feng Lingxi turned her head to loo..."How could this be"

These days, Dugu City hasn't told her about this. About such an important matter, he didn't even tell her.

"Your Highness, should we ask Prince Huangfu for help with this matter He is the only one who can help us now."

Xiao Li's eyes were full of worry. "Fifty thousand troops' rations are no small amount. If the court doesn't provide grain, the army won't be able to hold out."

Even if the summer drought relief efforts are successful, they won't be a lasting solution. We need long-term food supplies, not just short-term handouts.

Feng Lingxi frowned slightly. Tomorrow was New Year's Eve, but the news had taken away her joy for the holiday. While common people were happily celebrating the new year, the soldiers were worried about their supplies.

"I'm going to find Dugu City."

Feng Lingxi walked out of the room and saw Luoli walking towards her. Seeing her come out, Luoli stepped forward, "Where are you going I just got news from the Yaozu, Ya Zhi has made a move again, and I came to tell you."

After the New Year, it's time to go back.

During these days here, Feng Lingxi and Dugu City didn't have much time to spend together, both busy with their own affairs.

"We can talk about Yao Zhi later. I need to find Dugu City right now."

"Is it a problem of grain"

Feng Lingxi's footsteps came to a halt, she turned to look at Luo Li, "Do you know"

When seeing Luoli nodding, Fengling's face turned rather grim. They all knew, except for her, that Dugu Cheng was keeping this a secret from her alone

"He didn't tell you"

Luoli's brows furrowed slightly. If he said this, wouldn't Dugu City dislike him again

“I've had the Yao people send him some grain, but it wasn't much. It'll only last for about a month at most.”

"Does the Yao族 have a lot of food"

Feng Lingxi's eyes lit up. The Yao tribe didn't have any taxes or require grain tributes, so the people there must have plenty of food.

Luo Li looked at the light in her eyes, a headache forming on her face.

"The Yao clan's food supplies belong to their people. If you want to move the grain from their hands here, I'm afraid it won't work."

"Why not After the ascension ceremony, wouldn't I be the Holy Lord of the Yao Clan Why can't I"

Feng Lingxi looked at Luo Li, "Clan Chief, can't I just lend it to Dugu City"

"Unless the tribe agrees."

Luo Li looked at Feng Ling Xi, "The Yao tribe's food stores are also useful. If you use your identity to pressure the tribespeople into handing over the food stores, I'm afraid it will disappoint the tribespeople and make them turn against you."

"Then you speak to them, they will certainly lend the grain. They won't disobey the Chieftain's orders. Just tell them that we are only borrowing it to get through this hardship, and next year, I will find a way to pay it back."

Once you get through this period, you'll be fine.

Feng Lingxi's idea was beautiful, but reality was cruel. On this snowy day, the weather was freezing cold. It was impossible to grow anything at all. To grow something edible, it wouldn't be possible until March.

"The food that can be borrowed can only last for a month. The rest, there's really nothing we can do about it. You can find your older brother, he will definitely have a way."

Mentioning Huangpu Qingyun, Feng Lingxi's eyes dimmed. How could she possibly open her mouth and ask Huangpu Qingyun for grain Besides, she knew exactly how much grain was needed for an army of 500,000. If there was absolutely no other way, then she would have to find another solution.

"Xiao Li, go check how much money we have left. We need to buy food in the nearby town later on. No matter what, we can't let our soldiers starve."

Feng Lingxi spoke in a low voice, instructing Xiao Li, who responded and retreated. Luo Li looked at Feng Lingxi's resolute eyes and said, "Actually, you could ask the imperial court for it, or perhaps a nearby tribe. Destroying one tribe could get you the grain you want."

Feng Lingxi heard Luo Li's words and couldn't help but darken her face, her eyes narrowed slightly. "Hearing what you say, I could actually lead troops to attack the Yao clan, directly plunder their food supplies, and wipe out the Yao clan. Anyway, these people don't take me seriously, and they even attacked my mother..."

"Even as the Saintess of the Yao Clan, you say such things..."

"What's wrong with what I said So what if she's the saintess of the Yao clan, what does that even mean Do you need me to explain it to you"

Feng Lingxi's eyes grew colder, and her face darkened when she spoke of the Yao clan. Her words turned harsh.

"I'm talking to the Yao people about grain."

Luo Li compromised, looking into Feng Ling Xi's cold eyes. He was afraid that if the Yao Clan truly refused to lend grain, Feng Ling Xi would find other ways to transport their grain out. At that point, the situation would be unmanageable.

Right now, she is the only heir to the Saint Master of the Yao clan. If it weren't for the elders ordering him to support Feng Lingxi as the Saint Master of the Yao clan, he would have really abandoned her.

Then, I'll trouble the chieftain.

Feng Lingxi bypassed Luoli and walked towards Dugucheng's study. If the Yao clan could really borrow food, it would be great. If not, she was afraid she would have to find another way.

Feng Lingxi arrived at General Li's camp but learned that they had gone out again. Feng Lingxi had struck out empty.

Looking at the soldiers in the camp, Feng Lingxi's eyes were filled with worry.

Even though they had no food, Dugu City never mentioned it to her.

Feng Lingxi went to the barracks' shared kitchen. At that moment, the kitchen was busy preparing a meal. Seeing Feng Lingxi's sudden appearance, everyone was shocked and looked at the Fourth Princess who appeared here with disbelief. Feng Lingxi's gaze fell on the stove behind them, looking at the porridge simmering inside, each grain of rice countable, and there was also a large pot of sweet potatoes. Feng Lingxi's mood sank along with it.

See the Fourth Princess.

The soldiers who came to their senses quickly greeted Feng Lingxi, bowing respectfully. Feng Lingxi walked over and looked at the food in the shared kitchen.

"Come on, everyone. I just came to see you. Is this what you're having for lunch"

Seeing them nod, Feng Lingxi walked over and took a closer look. There was no rice. "Didn't you have any rice for lunch"

“Your Highness, the soldiers have always eaten like this. For lunch, it’s white rice porridge with sweet potatoes.”

"What about tomorrow"

Feng Ling Xi asked, "Tomorrow is the New Year. Do soldiers also eat like this"

"Tomorrow will be the same too."

The soldiers looked at Feng Lingxi and the barracks, not feeling anything amiss.

Feng Lingxi's throat was dry, she couldn't utter a word. Her eyes suddenly welled up with tears. Hearing their words, she thought of the festive lanterns still hanging in the mansion, while her soldiers couldn't even afford basic necessities.

Thank you for your hard work.

Feng Lingxi walked out of the dormitory, Xiao Li hurried over and said, "Your Highness, I have counted the silver notes, there are more than 50,000 silver notes. The other gold and silver jewelry has been packed in the boxes by my servant."

"Xiaoli, let's go back first."

Feng Lingxi left the military camp, feeling downcast. Back at the City Lord's Mansion, she instructed Xiao Li, "Announce that starting today, the rations for the City Lord's Mansion will be reduced by two-thirds."

Xiao Li's face changed color. "Your Highness, this way, there will only be a few meat dishes..."hard that it was truly excessive."Prince Pingxi, I wonder if you've received the imperial decree from the Dowager Empress for Lady Luo of the Luo family"Feng Lingxi opened her mouth, and King Pingxi's...