Rebirth: The Journey of an Heiress novel Chapter 506

Chapter 506: Chapter 503: Celebration_1

Ji Langhua’s emotions were genuine, her eyes were slightly red.

"Let Chun Tao take you back to rest..."

"No need, Miss!" Ji Langhua hoisted her small medicine chest on her back. "I still remember the way to Bai Mansion. Let Miss Chun Tao serve you and rest quickly!"

Bai Qingyan escorted Ji Langhua out the door and watched as Chun Zhi left. Just as she turned to return inside, she noticed Chun Zhi sitting under a lamp in the corner of the corridor, shaded by a silk curtain, reading a book.

Seeing Bai Qingyan gazing in Chun Zhi’s direction, Chun Tao smiled and said, "Lately, Chun Zhi has suddenly taken an interest in reading; she’s quite diligent. When she encounters words she doesn’t know, she even knows to ask for help."

Bai Qingyan nodded. "Being literate is beneficial."

Seeing Chun Zhi reading reminded her of the new recruits in the military camp. Many of these recruits were illiterate. In the common villages, those who could read were rare.

Although soldiers didn’t necessarily need to be literate, the first batch of new recruits being trained by Bai Qingping and Shen Yanzong, and those responsible for "mountain bandits" under Ji Tingyu’s command, were expected to at least rise to the ranks of Wufu Zhang or Corporal. Being illiterate wouldn’t be suitable for such positions.

"Go and tell Chun Zhi to inform Steward Hao to find some loyal, literate older servants to teach the new recruits at the training ground how to read." Bai Qingyan said, pulling aside the curtain and stepping into the room.

"Alright!" Chun Tao responded and quickly ran off to find Chun Zhi.

Bai Qingyan sat under the lamp and picked up a book. She thought about how those who volunteered to fight bandits were generally brave. Asking them to learn like children might not be effective. There must be some reward and punishment measures, like rewarding the top three performers in literacy, similar to those in training, with meat to take home.

This way, one might identify those who excel in both literacy and martial arts for future important roles.

It would be more prudent to leave the matter with Ji Tingyu to Uncle Ping.

·

Xiao Residence.

Xiao Rongyan sat under a copper lamp adorned with intertwining branches, leaning against an embroidered cushion, reading a letter sent from Yan.

Autumn was approaching. Yan’s army facing the Rong was about to encounter shortages of provisions in winter. Despite reclaiming fertile land in Nanyan, transporting grain to Beirong was tricky due to Jin Kingdom’s location. Thus, Xiao Rongyan needed to handle this matter.

Xiao Rongyan’s trade convoy had already entered Xiliang, spreading rumors of Jin’s intention to station troops at Xiliang’s border. This would entangle Xiliang with Yan, giving Jin the chance to seize Xiliang’s cities.

Once Jin’s army set out, the news would quickly reach Xiliang and Wei. Xiliang’s envoy might enter Jin as a result; Jin would never allow Xiliang to strengthen by taking over Nanyan.

Hence, Xiao Rongyan set aside the matter temporarily and began planning the grain transport to Rong. This would involve negotiating with the Crown Prince of Jin, ensuring proper transport of grain. There would be financial benefits for the Crown Prince.

With food supplies, Rong wouldn’t plunder Jin as usual, pleasing the Crown Prince.

On this trip, Xiao Rongyan intended to take grain and return with horses, half to be sold at high prices in Jin, and half brought back to Yan.

After reading the first letter, Xiao Rongyan burned it and then opened a secret letter from the Capital.