Reborn Together: The General and I Reach for Power
Chapter 25 - 24: Creditor Satisfaction

Chapter 25: Chapter 24: Creditor Satisfaction

Song Xian headed towards the Papermaking Workshop, with Cheng Yanzhao following closely behind.

Cheng Yanzhao found it strange. Who was this Miss Xie? And what was happening with the Papermaking Workshop?

When did Song Xian, always entangled in military matters, get distracted by these things?

Song Xian dismounted in front of the Papermaking Workshop and strode inside.

Inside the Papermaking Workshop, the steward and foreman were busy with people.

Seeing Song Xian approaching, the steward hurried forward to report joyfully, "The paper fishing went smoothly. That girl said using herbal water made from this herb allows the wet paper to be stacked together. We are also testing its feasibility."

After reporting, the steward continued, "Mr. Li You is also waiting to see."

From not far away, voices could be faintly heard from a house. Song Xian followed the sound and listened carefully, distinguishing a clear young girl’s voice.

In the house, Li You and Xie Liangchen sat on small stools.

Xie Liangchen held the root of the Yangtao Vine, while Li You held a section of the pole used to make the herbal water.

Xie Liangchen said, "Originally, I didn’t dare to present the formula. I am just a commoner, and what I say may not be believed."

Li You listened to Xie Liangchen talk about the method to make the herbal water and enjoyed listening to this smart yet shy young girl speak.

Li You asked, "Then why did you change your mind?"

Xie Liangchen smiled and said, "Because of General Song." As she spoke, her eyes brightened a little, and her expression was full of admiration and respect.

Li You was surprised, "You mean..."

"General Song Xian," Xie Liangchen said, looking at Old Mrs. Chen, "My grandmother and people in the village have all met General Song. When the Liao people invaded, it was General Song who led the troops to protect the village.

We saw General Song enter the Papermaking Workshop, so we followed him here. My grandmother says General Song is approachable and willing to listen to us."

Old Mrs. Chen smiled on her face but was nervous inside. Oh dear, her granddaughter was formidable when it came to fibbing.

How could they have seen General Song enter the Papermaking Workshop; the granddaughter clearly came strolling over after shopping.

Before this, her granddaughter didn’t even know who Song Xian was.

Li You had heard of Song Xian’s bravery in battle, but some had informed the Emperor that Song Xian was ruthless, harsh, and even plotted against his father to seize troops.

This time in Zhenzhou, seeing the officials and merchants dealt with by Song Xian, Li You suspected those rumors might be false. Listening to the people of Chen Family Village, his perception of Song Xian changed even more.

"Before we came, General Song asked me carefully where the formula came from, and how I knew about it," Xie Liangchen said. "I was abducted and sold to the Southern area when I was a child. Later, I was purchased and adopted. When my family found me, I had fallen off a mountain while gathering herbs and injured my head. Many past recollections were blurred. I vaguely remembered someone teaching me prescriptions, herbs, and herbal theories.

These must have been taught by the ones who adopted me."

Li You had heard and seen many such stories; instability in the world only brought misfortune to civilians.

Li You asked, "What happened to the ones who adopted you?"

Xie Liangchen pursed her lips, "During the epidemic, they went to dispense medicine and caught the illness too. Only I survived."

Chen Zigeng reached out and held Xie Liangchen’s hand.

Old Mrs. Chen wiped her eyes with the back of her hand.

Watching the three of them, Li You could only sigh, "Once the Northern Border is stable, everything will get better."

Xie Liangchen raised her eyes, "General Song also said so. The General also said if this prescription is useful, we should bring herbs to the Paper Workshop. The Workshop would pay us silver coins; even if the prescription isn’t effective, he will find a way to ensure we all have enough to eat, and no one will starve to death again."

Seeing the bright, clear eyes of the young girl, Li You felt an indescribable guilt.

Daqi had been established for sixteen years, yet many places were still ravaged by war. Compared to the previous dynasty, it was far from better. Daqi’s territory was expanding, but the Emperor’s focus was only on conquering the world, leaving the people’s plight unchanged.

"Mr. Li," a somewhat deep voice called out.

Li You turned and saw Song Xian standing at the door.

Before Li You could speak, he saw the young girl from the Xie Family rush to Song Xian’s side.

"General Song, we’ve made the herbal water; please come and see."

Chen Zigeng watched his sister closely; her expression was happier than when she saw those big toads.

Yesterday he was of no help, but today he couldn’t just stand idly by.

Though General Song’s demeanor was cold, compared to the toad, he was still more acceptable.

Thinking this, Chen Zigeng bit his lip and followed. He saw his sister’s restless hands and decisively grabbed onto Song Xian’s robe for her.

Old Mrs. Chen, seeing her granddaughter and grandson’s behavior, felt a sharp pang in her heart.

Her granddaughter would never praise anyone without reason; could it be that this time the prescription wasn’t effective?

With this thought, she couldn’t remain seated any longer.

"General Song, you have come."

Old Mrs. Chen reached out, protecting her granddaughter and grandson, prepared to push them away and take the blame if anything went wrong.

Chen Yongsheng, Chen Yuyu, and others also came forward, even though Chen Yongsheng didn’t understand why the Big Aunt’s family was so familiar with General Song.

Such a scene, not even Li You, nor Cheng Yanzhao, had witnessed before.

Cheng Yanzhao couldn’t comprehend when Song Xian became so amiable.

Song Xian was pulled along by the three of them to see the herbal water and then to look at the herbs collected by the villagers of Chen Family Village.

Xie Liangchen tried her best to ignore Song Xian’s deep gaze on her, maintaining her smile. Finally, she heard the creditor’s thin lips say two words: "Not bad."

Xie Liangchen seized the opportunity, "I will strive to do well, not letting General Song’s trust go to waste."

Her efforts were seen and heard by Song Xian.

Song Xian walked toward Li You, "I apologize if we made a spectacle."

Song Xian’s expression seemed to soften.

Li You said, "This is important."

Song Xian continued, "The paper isn’t ready yet; I’ll accompany you back to the government office to wait."

Li You nodded, also wanting to ask Song Xian about his thoughts on organizing the Northern Border.

Xie Liangchen and the others bowed in respect, seeing Song Xian and Li You off.

Turning around, Chen Yongsheng immediately asked, "Big Aunt, did General Song really come looking for you because of the prescription?" _{fre\e(w)ebn ov.e l\. co.m}

"Uh," replied Old Mrs. Chen, glancing at her granddaughter, "Why don’t you ask Miss Chen!"

Perhaps it was in her dreams; the friendship was also from dreams.

Taking advantage that no one was paying attention, Old Mrs. Chen clutched her chest where her heart was beating wildly.

She would be scared to death by Miss Chen sooner or later.

Xie Liangchen hadn’t spoken to Chen Yongsheng when she saw a tall figure step inside, and next, a handkerchief was placed in front of her.

Xie Liangchen looked up and met Cheng Yanzhao’s eyes.

Cheng Yanzhao pushed the handkerchief forward with a kind smile, "Wipe your face. I have some questions for you."

To disguise her appearance, Xie Liangchen had rubbed some herbal ash and yellow mud on her face before leaving the house. It looked dirty and dark, but it kept her from drawing attention.

She knew better than anyone what wiping away this layer of dirt would reveal.