When Jiang Wanwen reached this point, she remembered that the estate was running low on grain. Although she had plenty in her space, there was no suitable reason to take it out.
They still needed to stockpile some grain now. “Headman Ma, do you know where we can buy grain?”
Upon hearing this, Ma Liu fell silent for a moment before cautiously replying, “This servant does know where to get some, but the government has already purchased grain twice this year, so the common people don’t have much left.”
“The grain available on the market now is all extremely expensive.”
Jiang Wanwen’s space contained all of Pingwu Wangfu’s assets as well as the original owner’s dowry, so she could afford the high-priced grain.
Moreover, she only needed to supply those who had come to seek refuge with her for the first year. After that, they could grow their own food once they had land.
All the surrounding land now belonged to Jiang Wanwen—approximately over forty thousand mu. If they planted it all this year and had a good harvest, it would be more than enough to support her subordinates next year.
After all, including the former shadow guards, she only had just over two hundred people under her command. As for their family members, they had been given houses and land, so of course they needed to be self-reliant.
Feeling confident, Jiang Wanwen instructed, “Buy it. Get as much as you can. I’ll have Cheng’er take some men to accompany you.”
Seeing his master’s arrangement, Ma Liu wasn’t displeased but instead breathed a sigh of relief.
At times like these, grain was a valuable commodity. Without protection, Ma Liu feared he wouldn’t be able to bring it back even if he managed to acquire it.
Ma Liu cheerfully bowed. “Thank you, Master. This servant guarantees it will be handled properly.”
In reality, it was already difficult to buy surplus grain within Yongning. Ma Liu’s source was Cheng Laoda, a grain dealer from the neighboring prefecture of Chengshui.
Although their relations with that court were tense now, officials had their ways, and bandits had theirs. According to Ma Liu, Cheng Laoda was still conducting this business.
Jiang Wanwen understood the principle of rewarding those who work hard. “Headman Ma, do well, and I won’t treat you unfairly. I recall you have a daughter around the same age as the Junzhu. Let her stay by the Junzhu’s side as a companion!”
This made Ma Liu even happier. If his daughter could become a second-tier maid serving the Junzhu, she would have excellent marriage prospects in the future. “This servant thanks the Master.”
Already loyal, Ma Liu now wished he could immediately go out and handle affairs for his master. Rest was the last thing he needed.
After thanking her, Ma Liu saw that his master had no further instructions, so he proactively bowed and took his leave.
Shortly after Ma Liu left, Fu Xuanming, Fu Xuanchen, Fu Xuanzhao, and Zhong Yuancheng entered together.
Seeing all four of them arrive together put Jiang Wanwen in an even better mood. She smiled and teased, “I was just about to have lunch served, and here the four of you come.”
Fu Xuanzhao bowed and naturally sat beside his mother, holding her hand as he explained, “Mother, we didn’t plan to come together. We just happened to meet at the entrance and came in together.”
But Fu Xuanzhao’s words were soft and gentle, almost like a coquettish plea.
“Seeing all of you makes me happy. I’ll have the kitchen prepare a few extra dishes later.” Jiang Wanwen now felt less aversion even toward the third son, Fu Xuanchen.
Although Fu Xuanchen had been quite a scoundrel before, recently, under Ming’er and Cheng’er’s supervision, he hadn’t provoked her anger for many days.
Fu Xuanchen, hearing his mother say this, pouted in disbelief. “Mother, you’re just being duplicitous! Clearly, you don’t want to see your son.”
After speaking, Fu Xuanchen even pointed at himself.
Jiang Wanwen… “Since you know you’re not welcome, why do you still come?”
Fu Xuanchen had no intention of leaving on his own. The more his mother didn’t want to see him, the more he insisted on hovering around her: “I’m coming anyway!”
Jiang Wanwen sighed silently, took a sip of tea, and said nothing more.
Back then, she hadn’t beaten the third son to death, and now that he was showing signs of improvement, she certainly couldn’t kill him off.
Seeing that everyone in the room was part of their inner circle, Fu Xuanming immediately stated his purpose. “Mother, we’ve been here for so many days. What does eldest brother mean by this?”
Fu Xuanming was no child. Unlike Fu Xuanchen and Fu Xuanzhao, he wasn’t naive enough to think eldest brother was unaware of their arrival.
If eldest brother lacked even such basic cunning, Fu Xuanming would consider this rebellion a complete joke.
Jiang Wanwen wasn’t angered by her second son’s question. “Who knows? Your eldest brother is now someone with endless responsibilities. We shouldn’t bother him.”
“Chengshui is safe now. Let’s just focus on living well here.”
Jiang Wanwen had no intention of pressing her affections where they weren’t wanted.
After sharing her plans, she changed the subject and addressed Zhong Yuancheng about future arrangements. “Pause the work in your hands for now. First, take your men and go with Ma Liu to purchase grain.”
Zhong Yuancheng, understanding the gravity of the situation, immediately responded with solemnity.
These past few days, Zhong Yuancheng had privately been worrying about the grain situation. He hadn’t expected his foster mother to already have found a solution before he could devise any plan himself.
Grain procurement was currently the most critical task. The more Zhong Yuancheng thought about it, the more restless he became. “Foster Mother, I’ll go discuss matters with Headman Ma first. I’ll join you for meals again in a few days.”
Before Jiang Wanwen could say anything, Zhong Yuancheng hurried off in a whirlwind.
Watching her anxious foster son, Jiang Wanwen knew these days had worn him out with worry.
Seeing his sworn brother depart on business, Fu Xuanming made his case to his mother. “Mother, since sworn brother has other matters to attend to, could the house repairs be entrusted to me? I’ll oversee the workers.”
Jiang Wanwen wasn’t concerned about her second son’s capability – she feared the workers might not obey Fu Xuanming’s directions. The saying “harsh lands breed unruly people” wasn’t without reason, and Fu Xuanming didn’t look like he could handle himself in a fight!
Thus, Jiang Wanwen fell into rare silence. “Given the current situation, without any guards by your side, I’d be uneasy about you going.”
Fu Xuanming wasn’t one to give up easily. If there was a problem, he’d solve it. “Then have third brother accompany me! He can handle those people without any problem.”
Since Mother wanted to establish this place as their stronghold, he needed to learn to stand on his own. He wanted to show eldest brother they could live well without depending on his favor.
Jiang Wanwen looked at Fu Xuanchen, her meaning clear: ‘This boy isn’t reliable.’
Meeting his mother’s gaze, Fu Xuanchen felt his hair might stand on end from anger. What kind of trash was Mother looking at?
Feeling unjustly judged, Fu Xuanchen became even more defiant. “Don’t worry, Mother! I guarantee your favorite second son won’t lose a single hair. Will that suffice?”
Jiang Wanwen knew exactly how to provoke a hot-blooded youth. “Then I’m relieved.”
Fu Xuanchen… He regretted it once again—why had he stretched out that leg back then? If not for that incident, his mother’s favorite son would still be him, and his second brother wouldn’t have stood a chance.