Published at 5th of October 2018 09:13:42 PM
Chapter 51
Chapter 51: Gifting Grains
Grains were loaded into ten carriages to the sound of carefree music . Even when they finished, Old Shang and the servants were still reluctantly looking at the food and gazing longingly at Chen Rong, waiting for her to change her mind .
Chen Rong paid them little attention . She looked down and softly bade, “Old Shang, pay more attention and see if any families are moving away to Jiankang . If they are, ask them whether they are selling their land . Take nine carriages out of the ten my uncle gifted us the last time . I’ll also give you ten gold leaves . Remember, you must exchange all of them for land within this month . Ah yes, record the titles under General Sun’s name . ”
Now that Luo’yang had fallen, Nan’yang would be facing the barbarians directly; and without the natural barrier of the Yangtze River, most clans would want to leave . Due to the prince’s intervention, however, few of them had the actual freedom to go as they pleased .
Purchasing land was unexpectedly not a bad idea . “Miss, did you say to record under General Sun’s name?” Nurse Ping asked tentatively .
Chen Rong nodded . “Yes . If the selling families ask, you can tell them that General Sun wants to settle here . ”
“But what if something were to happen and the titles are under his name?” Old Shang tried to caution her . Nurse Ping likewise suggested: “Miss, why not have them under your own name?”
Chen Rong raised an eyebrow and dismissively said, “Because what’s mine is the clan’s . ”
And like that realization dawned upon them .
It was Chen Rong’s turn to hesitate at this point . After a very long time, she at last quietly said, “Then why don’t we record it under General Ran’s name . ”
“… Miss, I don’t think that’s a good idea either . ”
Chen Rong smiled confidently this time . She shook her head saying: “Nothing will go wrong . He is completely trustworthy regarding this point,” smiling wryly as she did .
Seeing how adamant she was, Old Shang stood quietly for a moment before asking: “Then should we let General Sun know about it? We’re sending so much food to him today; it’s a good time to mention it to him . ” It had always been the practice across the country to record one’s lands under the name of highly-ranked friends and family to evade taxation . It could be said that Chen Rong’s method wasn’t anything new . But how could she have so much trust in General Ran when she was merely his acquaintance?
Chen Rong shook her head . “That’s not necessary . Tell him only if he finds out . ”
“Aye . ”
This translation belongs to hamster428 . wordpress . com
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The delivery team comprising of Old Shang and the servants attracted widespread attention the second it left the Chen estate .
One should know that it was overly aggressive for Sun Yan to display empty carriages on the street waiting for major clans to send food . The clans were furthermore suffering food shortages themselves . In the short given time, they looked at one another but none took the initiative to send food .
It was in this stifling atmosphere that Chen Rong’s team appeared .
Her cavalcade had belonged to the Chen estate in Ping, the carriages painted yellow and the servants also dressed differently from the local Chen estate . Both commoners and nobles couldn’t help themselves from inquiring around as they watched the spectacle .
Listening to the buzz coming from time to time around him, Old Shang laughed aloud and exclaimed in a rather proud voice: “My lady’s donating these chestnuts to the warriors from her own inventory . Have you heard of her? She is Ah Rong of the Chen House . She’s the very same generous Chen Rong in Ping who had foretold correctly three times on the way south . ”
Once Old Shang’s voice rang out, the group of servants next to him loudly followed suit resulting in a dozen people chattering and spreading Chen Rong’s story from beginning to end .
“Ah Rong of the Chen house?” an old man exclaimed . “Isn’t she a concubine-born daughter? How did she acquire so much food?”
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“Aye aye, this young lady is so wealthy! Her gift alone is comparable to that of an entire clan . She’s indeed very generous . How incredible she is!”
Old Shang’s voice boomed louder when he heard the passers-by asking . At once, he meticulously recounted over and over to them what Chen Rong had done .
When the team reached the middle of the street where Sun Yan was, Old Shang had to swallow back his words in the middle of his narration . Glancing at Sun Yan in his golden armor trying to suppress his laughter, he quickly jumped down and bowed to him . “I come on the order of my mistress, Ah Rong of the Chen house, to deliver ten carriages of grains to you, general . ”
Sun Yan raised his clasped hands and responded: “I thank you kindly . ”
“Don’t mention it, sir . My mistress says it is due to you and your men that she can enjoy peace in Nan’yang . Gifting food is only a matter of course . ”
Sun Yan laughed and remarked, “Though Ah Rong of the Chen house is a woman, her generosity and gallantry have put us men to shame . ”
As he said this, many passers-by quietly retreated and turned to hurry away .
Sun Yan took note of everything that went on and smiled again . This smile attracted screams and cheers from the girls standing around .
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Apparently accustomed to the girls’ admiration, he stepped forward, helped Old Shang up from his deference, and softly chuckled: “Did that little girl Ah Rong tell you to spread her name?”
“Aye . ”
“Haha, she never misses any opportunity, does she?” He paused and then continued: “I was a bit reckless about today’s matter . Thank Ah Rong for me after you return . Without her help, I would’ve caused great trouble . ”
Still not really clear, Old Shang only replied, “Aye . ”
“Also, tell her that I had stood on the street in my armor today . So handsome and swashbuckling was I that droves of women gathered around me . Ask her why she didn’t come to join such spectacular a scene . ” He was now bursting out in laughter on his own .
“Aye, I will definitely relay your words,” Old Shang replied, almost too honestly .
In a good mood, Sun Yan laughed aloud again . After some time, he withdrew his smile, took two steps back, raised his clasped hands to Old Shang and said, “I thank your lady on behalf of General Ran . Goodbye . ”
“There’s no need to be so polite, general . ”
Sun Yan sat back down on the seat he had placed in the middle of the street . Watching Old Shang getting on the carriage and continuing to tout Chen Rong, he couldn’t stop himself from laughing again .