Mu Jingrui took Shangguan Wan Ning's hand and walked into the hall. Shangguan Wan Ning found that in such a cold weather, Mu Jingrui's palm was still warm.
"How is the situation outside the city?"
Shangguan Wan Ning took out a handkerchief and swept the snow off Mu Jingrui's shoulders, then turned around and took a bowl of hot soup from the table.
"There is a shortage of food now, and we don't get any special treatment. This soup has no flavor, so you can just drink it."
"The situation outside the city is stable, and I received news from His Royal Highness today that he will be arriving soon. So, you don't have to worry."
"You have been out for a long time. Your parents should be very worried about your current situation. I have selected a few smart, capable and highly skilled people from among my men to escort you back to Beijing tomorrow."
"Why?" Shangguan Wanning was confused by Mu Jingrui's sudden decision.
"No reason." Mu Jingrui's face was expressionless, showing no emotion or joy. "You are a noble lady, and if you stay here for a long time, you will be easily criticized."
After Mu Jingrui finished speaking, he turned around and was about to walk out, but Shangguan Wan Ning's questioning voice came from behind him.
"There is no news from His Royal Highness at all, and the situation outside the city is not as stable as you said. In fact, it's just the opposite, right?"
Mu Jingrui stopped and frowned.
Sometimes, Shangguan Wan Ning is just so smart that people don't know whether to be happy or worried.
"Whether it's right or not, it has nothing to do with you. Just do as I say." Mu Jingrui's tone was firm and unquestionable.
Shangguan Wan Ning did not want to have any quarrel with Mu Jingrui on these matters. She calmed down slightly and walked in front of him.
"Then... you should at least tell me what you plan to do?"
"I will find a way. In short... I will do my best to prevent such a large number of victims from starving to death."
Mu Jingrui's tone slowed down and he looked at Shangguan Wan Ning with a bit of reluctance in his eyes. "Obey, go back to your room and rest. We will leave for Beijing early tomorrow morning."
Mu Jingrui did not dare to continue talking to Guan Wan Ning. He was afraid that he would add more affection to her, and he was even more reluctant to let her go.
"Are you planning to open the government granary?"
An idea flashed in Shangguan Wan Ning's mind, and her heart began to beat violently.
Because of the current situation, except for the government granary, it is no longer possible to mobilize such a large batch of grain for disaster relief within a period of time.
After she asked, Mu Jingrui said nothing, acquiescing.
"Are you crazy?" Shangguan Wan Ning suppressed a low growl, "You are the queen of the gate, and you know better than anyone the consequences of opening a position privately."
After Shangguan Wan Ning listened to the explanation given by Imperial Physician Qin, she understood the stakes involved.
In desperation, she took Mu Jingrui's hand and said softly: "Jingrui, let's think of other ways. Maybe... it's not really to this extent, we... um..."
Mu Jingrui didn't let Shangguan Wan Ning finish her words, so he touched her acupuncture points, picked her up and walked to the room.
Shangguan Wan Ning leaned in Mu Jingrui's arms, anxious and angry, but couldn't even speak at this time.
She could only glare at Mu Jingrui angrily to express her dissatisfaction.
Mu Jingrui gently placed Shangguan Wan Ning on the bed and looked down at her tenderly.
"Ning'er, I'm doing this for your own good. Just sleep well and go home when you wake up tomorrow." After saying that, he tapped Shangguan Wan Ning's eyebrows.
Shangguan Wan Ning completely lost consciousness.
Early the next morning, Mu Jingrui sent Shangguan Wan Ning away and took a few of his confidants to the entrance of the granary.
The officers and soldiers guarding the granary immediately came to greet him and saluted him.
"Open the granary."
The guarding officers and soldiers looked up at Mu Jingrui's eyes, which were colder than ice and snow. They shivered subconsciously, but still mustered up the courage to ask: "General Mu, does he have any official documents from the county magistrate or superiors?"
"No."
"Then..." The officers and soldiers were embarrassed, but they firmly rejected Mu Jingrui's request. "General Mu, please don't make things difficult for us. The door of the granary cannot be opened without approval from the county magistrate or superiors, otherwise... it will be difficult for us...
Explain."
"Don't worry, I will let you explain."
As soon as he finished speaking, Mu Jingrui jumped up from his horse and kicked the two guards to the ground before they could react.
This incident happened so unexpectedly that when other guards saw this, they also drew their steel knives and faced him.
At this time, Mu Jingrui stood still.
Several of his men who followed him rushed forward to fight.
Mu Jingrui walked to the granary calmly, broke the chain with his inner strength, pushed hard with his palm, and the door of the granary opened with a sound.
He walked in and took a look, and found that there were sufficient grain reserves in the granary. If a war broke out, it would be enough to support the border for more than three months.
Mu Jingrui turned around and walked out. His men had knocked down all the officers and soldiers guarding the granary.
"Now, you should be able to explain to the magistrate." Mu Jingrui said calmly, "Go back and tell him that I have moved the food in the granary and will distribute it to the victims outside the city and nearby places, leaving half of the food behind.
Months of reserves to prepare for emergencies during the war."
The officers and soldiers who were knocked to the ground with bruises and swollen faces reluctantly got up. The leader of the officers and soldiers reminded: "General Mu, if you do this... it will be a death penalty if the court pursues it."
"I know, whether it's life or death, I'll take full responsibility for it."
After Mu Jingrui finished speaking, he motioned for his men to enter the granary and start carrying grain.
The fallen officers and soldiers all stood up and tried to rush over to stop them, but were stopped by the leader.
They gradually understood and stood silently watching. No one spoke, only the biting cold wind howled by.
When the county magistrate learned that Mu Jingrui and his men had robbed the grain from the granary, his face turned pale with fright. He immediately summoned all the government officials and rushed to Mu Jingrui to argue with him.
"Is the magistrate looking for me?"
When the magistrate saw Mu Jingrui coming towards him, he was trembling with anger. However, the majestic aura emanating from Mu Jingrui prevented him from being presumptuous. He could only suppress his anger and asked in a trembling voice: "I'm the official
I heard that General Mu moved the food from the granary, is this true?"
"Yes, I am here to inform the county magistrate. I will send food relief outside the city this afternoon."
"No!" The magistrate's face was ashen and he flatly refused. "General Mu, it's your business if you don't want to die. You must never let me go into the water. If the grain in the granary is missing by one liter or one bucket, the court will investigate.
, that’s going to kill your head.”
Seeing Mu Jingrui's indifferent expression, the magistrate suppressed his anger and knelt down. "General Mu, please think twice and return the food in the granary."