Chapter 389.3: Li Hong Yuan Crossdressing
Upon the imperial court, aside from preparing Le Cheng Emperor’s birthday banquet, discussing how to deal with the other countries’ envoys, naturally it was just the matter of increasing the military provisions and rations for the northeast border town as proposed by Ruan Rui Zhong. There was actually another reason as to why Northeastern Army’s place in Le Cheng Emperor’s heart was relatively high, and that was just the army provisions were much less than other places.
The He family managing the army, a hundred thousand people was just a hundred thousand people. There definitely weren’t cases of embezzlement by adding on nonexistent people to the payroll. Additionally, on average, the provisions were about one tenth less than other places, but the Northeastern Army actually got by pretty well. Because the He family was highly renowned in the northeast, aside from the common people willingly providing for them, the Northeastern Army was even able to self-sufficiently provide a portion themselves.
This kind of capable and reliable soldiers, regardless of which ruler, all would very much like.
And this time, Ruan Rui Zhong and them had this bit mentioned as well, playing the emotion card. The meaning was very obvious. In this kind of relatively special period, to all not express anything, your Majesty, do you not feel embarra.s.sed? Are you not afraid of chilling the soldiers’ hearts?
As for the Ministry of Revenue, naturally it was just starting to cry about being poor, for instance, how much money was used, where there were large amounts of spending, what all is needed for next year, and so on. In short, it was just two words: no money.
At this time, the others were also too lazy to bicker with the people of the Ministry of Revenue, “Should we have Jin Qinw.a.n.g called over, setting aside the previous matter, and just asking him how much he brought back from Jiangnan.”
As such, the people of the Ministry of Revenue immediately just turned silent. Setting aside the amount brought back from Jiangnan’s four prefectures and various fu’s government treasury previously, even the later ones that were reportedly taken by Jin w.a.n.gfei as a bribe, when entering the state treasury, that was also checked by them one by one. Moreover, this year’s tax money after autumn also for the most part have all entered the state treasury. Exactly whether or not there was money in the state treasury currently, they were actually very clear about. In reality, even if in the following two three years, the state treasury doesn’t have any income, for the most part, there won’t be any problems either.
The people of the Ministry of Revenue rubbed their nose. This excuse indeed didn’t hold ground. However, having entered the Ministry of Revenue, they all needed to develop in the direction of a cheapskate.
In any case, with this excuse gone, it was just continuing to look for other excuses. All in all, it was just dispute, dispute, dispute. Even if one was unable to avoid coughing up a single penny, something that was worth ten would still get chopped in half, and something worth five would get a third chopped off. As for something worth two, it was best to just get completely chopped.
The others were also deeply versed in the Ministry of Revenue’s skill to haggle over the price. Originally something that just needed half the price, it was instead directly doubled first. As the saying goes, between something that was further impossible and something that was impossible, if can only agree to one, how one would chose, it was obvious and easy to see.
Ruan Rui Zhong’s fighting power has always been formidable. His abilities, even Li Hong Yuan all needed to praise. This matter right now, even without Luo Pei Shan’s partic.i.p.ation, he also for the most part can take care of. Furthermore, this matter actually didn’t have any conflict of interest with the various sides. As long as one doesn’t encounter that kind of situation where it was ‘whatever you want to facilitate, I will just firmly oppose’, and as long as this amount wasn’t considered big, for the most part, it can all succeed in the end.
That’s why, the final outcome was actually a bit better than expected.
The imperial decree was just issued first thing.
Because this year’s harvest was actually not bad, after the fall harvest, quite a bit of grains was harvested, the granary ample. The foodstuff for the northeast border town, transporting from the northeast granary that was relatively closer to the south was more than enough, increasing three months worth of foodstuff for a hundred thousand people. Regarding this, the movements will be relatively quick.
Twenty thousand sets of armor, and ten thousand of the various commonly used weapons. After all, ten thousand of the consecutive shot crossbow had already been bestowed previously. These things were also ready-made. That’s why, it was also just directly transporting over. Additionally, it was just the cotton-padded clothes and medicinal ingredients. The time required to prepare these should be a bit longer, but most likely, not long after He Zhen Wei arrive, the foodstuff will have already arrived. Afterwards, it’s just the armor and weapons, and after that, the medicinal ingredients and so on……………
However, although it seemed simple, whether or not these things can all be in place prior to the battle breaking out, it was very difficult to say. But, these things, as long as they reach a certain place, even if they haven’t reached He Zhen Wei’s hand, the things that Li Hong Yuan had ordered people to prepare can still arrive beforehand. As for how this matter can successfully be pulled off without alarming anyone, that was just a certain few’s business.
In about seven to eight days, Li Hong Yuan’s female attire was ready. During this time, He s.h.i.+ Hai visited twice.
Jing Wan held the clothes for Li Hong Yuan. As long as it wasn’t unfolded, one would definitely a.s.sume this was Jing Wan’s clothes.
Jing Wan had the servants all driven out, indicating that without permission, absolutely forbidden to come near.
The others were still confused, but the servant girls nevertheless covered their mouths and giggled, even feeling a bit regretful inside. However, towards w.a.n.gye’s crossdressing, it was still best for them to not think about. Raising this kind of thought was all greatly disrespectful. That’s why, they all left respectively, going to do what they should be doing.
Jing Wan first had the clothes changed for him. Li Hong Yuan also wasn’t hesitant either, directly just taking off his clothes. Never mind taking off the outer garment, he even wanted to continue stripping the inner garments as well.
Jing Wan hurriedly stopped him, “Stop, stop, it’s not like the chest and abdomen need to be bounded, just keep the inner garments on.”
“In other words, a dudou wasn’t prepared?” Li Hong Yuan’s hand was still holding the collar of his middle garments.
Jing Wan didn’t know what kind of expression she should have. This man’s bottom line and principles, sure enough, she shouldn’t have held hope for? After all, a dignified qinw.a.n.g, yet letting him change into women’s clothes, he wasn’t the least bit hesitant, immediately just putting on. “Don’t say nonsense, quickly change.”
Li Hong Yuan let out a tsk, seemingly even a bit dissatisfied.
Jing Wan endured the impulse to facepalm. Watching Li Hong Yuan leisurely have the inner and outer two layer of clothes put on, her expression suddenly turned a bit peculiar. Speaking of which, she was used to seeing him put on his own clothes, but didn’t think much of it. Now, seeing him actually also this smooth in putting on women’s clothing, she also didn’t have any doubts. As for the reason, that was just because from time to time, he often helped her change. Thinking to here, Jing Wan’s face somewhat burned. All say, a married daughter needs to serve the husband, but when it came to her, the number of times she served Li Hong Yuan was countable on one hand. In contrast, the number of times Li Hong Yuan served her was quite numerous.
Lightly letting out a cough, she had her face slightly averted a little. Afterwards, after relaxing a little, waiting for the heat on her face to fade, she just crossed her arms, boldly staring at Li Hong Yuan.
Li Hong Yuan took it all in. He was actually laughing inside. In his eyes, Jing Wan simply was just pretending to be tough on the outside. Her feigning composure was exceptionally cute.
Once Li Hong Yuan had the clothes put on, without looking at the face, for the most part, there actually wasn’t any out of sorts feeling. For instance, the shoulder areas were specially widened, and the places where it was relatively close-fitting on women, it was also made a little looser. As such, the muscles won’t be outlined. The hem of the dress was long and trailing, and the sleeves were rather long, for the most part, reaching near the fingers, covering the back of the hand. Originally the palm was covered in callus, but looking from the back of the hand, the fingers were long and slender, not having any out of place feeling.
Jing Wan nodded her head, expressing her satisfication.
However, Li Hong Yuan expressed that he wasn’t that satisfied. Jing Wan asked him why.
“Wan Wan doesn’t feel there’s a bit of something missing?” Li Hong Yuan had this line of sight placed on Jing Wan’s chest, “Since it’s crossdressing, not only is it just the clothes, but you even plan on putting makeup on this husband. Since the overall image was given meticulous care, shouldn’t one not slack on the details?” He very boldly stated.
Jing Wan felt that her forehead was certainly filled with black lines. Should say that he was truly too professional, or his principles and bottom line truly got chopped up and swallowed by him? Jing Wan’s expression was a bit solemn. Afterwards, seeing that Li Hong Yuan was seemingly being very serious, she slowly moved towards the side, taking out a small box, opening it under Li Hong Yuan’s gaze, using her fingers to lift out the thing inside, “Cough, since Ah Yuan has earnestly requested, as the wife, I naturally need to satisfy you, so start stripping.”