Chapter 281: Chapter 273: Better to Make Them Your Pawn

Upon hearing this, Ruan Mian smiled and said, "Lord, precisely because the weather is cold, we need to make this glass to protect the crops from freezing to death."

"People have houses, why can’t crops have houses too?"

"So, Lord, if you are willing to discuss this reasonably and give us the opportunity to grow grain to benefit all the people of Wuheng, we naturally respect you. But if we can’t come to an understanding today, it’s do or die."

The seventh-rank official’s figure froze, fearing while still trying to maintain his official air: "Hmph, a bunch of ruffians! Nonsense!"

"In this kind of weather, still want to grow grain? If you really can grow it and benefit the people, you could manage my men! And you might as well wear my official hat!"

Ruan Mian was amused, seeing him as just a small official, daring nothing more, simply trying to seize the opportunity to gain some benefits.

Might as well bring him in as her pawn.

With this thought, Ruan Mian quickly stopped and said, "Lord is joking. Your official hat fits you perfectly well. Why would we want it?"

"Since the Lord thinks this way, why not go along with it. If we can grow grain to solve the shortage, we don’t want your official hat, only need your men to help us with the farming."

"If we can’t grow it, you can deal with it as you see fit."

The seventh-rank official squinted his eyes, repeatedly assessing Ruan Mian.

At the moment, he thought it best to leave, lest these ruffians really take action against him.

"I advise you to think carefully when you speak! Crops aren’t something you just decide to grow! Today I’ll let you off once, but don’t blame me if you can’t grow anything!"

Saying that, he stared at Ruan Mian.

Shaoxi snorted, landing a punch on the small official’s face, instantly making his nose bleed profusely.

He, furious, his subordinates wanted to act but were hurriedly shouted down by him.

"Stop! Would I stoop to argue with such ruffians! In any case, if you don’t grow it in half a month, you won’t walk away free!"

With that, he hurriedly fled.

Shaoxi lowered her gaze, wishing she could end it now.

"Girl, this man is not a good official. He’s just trying to extort us under the guise of mining, wanting us to bribe him. Such people deserve to die!"

Ruan Mian laughed and said, "Indeed, such people deserve to die. But if a valuable person dies, it would be a bargain for him."

"What value does he have?"

"Didn’t I just mention, as long as we grow the grain, his subordinates will work for us."

"And that’s not all."

Ruan Mian knew that a new governor would soon receive the order to come to Wuheng.

Huo Zong was busy guarding the border, and couldn’t manage the trivial matters within Wuheng City. With the city without a leader, it’s hard to govern.

The court obviously would consider this.

And this small official could be her bridge to communicate with the new governor.

After resolving the seventh-rank official’s provocation, those who needed to work continued with their work, Ruan Mian strolled around and found some extra glass pieces.

Looking at the size, they seemed suitable for making window glass.

Compared to the current paper-carcassed glass, glass windows are naturally better.

Thus, she informed others to collect glass pieces of similar sizes in the future.

She first took the collected ones back to her house and cemented them on the windows.

Beside her, Mrs. Zhang was curious to see this, examining the glass closely, eyes full of admiration for her daughter.

"Mianmian, mother really didn’t expect you to be so capable before."

"Back then, I even... pushed you into the Qi Family’s fire pit, letting you be ruined for three years."

Thinking about this, Mrs. Zhang seemed to have an obstacle in her heart, constantly unable to get over it.

Ruan Mian had to comfort her, "Mother, it’s been a long time since then, why dwell on it? Aren’t we doing well now?"

"Even though... Ah Huai isn’t with us anymore, but I know, those who live should live well. Besides, a woman doesn’t necessarily need to rely on a man; we have hands and feet, we can live through anything."

Mrs. Zhang wiped away her tears, not wanting to recall her daughter’s sadness because of her.

Feigning strength, she echoed her words, "Mianmian is right, everything is past."

Just then, the eldest aunt also returned from the garrison, with something to tell Mianmian.

Seeing the finished glass, she eagerly approached; it really was much like the glass she’d seen in another world.

Though not as pure, it’s still quite good!

"Mianmian! This glass is well-made, can be used for glass windows, much better than those paper ones."

"Before I came back, I specially took a look at the kilns, our crops will surely grow. By the way, I have something else to discuss with you."

Mrs. Zhang knew it must be business-related, so she left with Jing, leaving the aunt and niece.

The eldest aunt straightforwardly said, "Mianmian, I came back today to discuss whether we could first sell some of our grain in the garrison."

"The disaster in the garrison is much worse than we imagined; the city’s grain can no longer be supplied, directly causing other shops on the market to close, and our Guishe Fang hasn’t sold anything for days."

"I see if the grain shortage isn’t quickly alleviated, other businesses can’t even start!"

The garrison mainly survives through trade, with not much local farmland, especially as the whole of Liao Lie focuses on nomadism.

Unlike their Da Jing.

Now suffering from disasters, it surely impacts other aspects.

Without extra Silver Coin, not just essentials, even basic warm clothes and heating coal aren’t affordable.

People can only tighten their belts and endure this winter.

Not being able to do business is minor, the real issue is opportunistic merchants exploiting, leaving the powerless at the bottom suffering.

Thinking of this, Ruan Mian agreed with her aunt: "Then let’s go with your idea, my space has plenty of vegetables and fruits, we can sell them in the garrison. But we can’t be the ones selling."

Aunt had planned this long ago, "Rest assured, I know better than anyone the consequences of being the scapegoat. So let’s let Mr. Wang be that scapegoat."

She squinted and smiled, already having a strategy in mind. All she needed was to get the grain from Ruan Mian and take it there.

She even pre-arranged a warehouse for stocking grain.

Taking advantage of the night, the two rode Little Tiger to the garrison’s grain warehouse.

Aunt felt sorry for Little Tiger’s cold paws, gently caressing and hugging its mane.

"Little Tiger, thank you for your hard work! In this freezing weather, you still toil for us, aunt will buy you meat once we get there!"

Little Tiger growled happily, seemingly in anticipation.

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