An Uncontainable Tiger

In late February of the sixth year of era name, the spring plowing was drawing to a close.

Gao Yuan's family finished their farming tasks and walked to the side to wash the mud off their hands and feet.

Zhao Xiyao had a constant smile on her face.

"Reports from various places say that over thirty thousand more mu of land have been reclaimed this year. By autumn, that will mean sixty or seventy thousand dan of grain."

Gao Yuan looked at the two mu of land he had plowed with his own hands and sighed with emotion.

"Yes, in a few more years, we won't have to worry about food anymore."

Zheng Wan noticed Gao Yuan's distraction and took out a handkerchief to wipe the sweat from his brow.

"Husband, are you worried about the war in the Zhongnan Circuit?"

Gao Yuan looked at the understanding woman before him, nodded, and said,

"Yes, including the conscripted laborers, there are a total of over seventy thousand people;"

"This is the largest operation we've had since coming to the Southwest. How could I not be worried?"

Song Yao also came over and comforted her man.

"With Liu Rengui, Xia Luqi, and the others there, I'm sure nothing unexpected will happen."

Zhao Xiyao had noticed her husband's distraction for days and sighed silently.

"Husband, if you really are that worried, then go."

Just as Gao Yuan showed a look of surprise and joy, Zhao Xiyao added another sentence.

"However, you must take Qingqing with you. Also, you can only stay and oversee things in Vientiane."

Hearing Zhao Xiyao's added conditions, the two women breathed a sigh of relief and then turned their gaze toward Gao Yuan.

"Once I get there, the sky is high and the birds fly free, the sea is wide and the fish leap. I'll go wherever I want then!"

Although he thought this in his heart, he assured them very firmly,

"Rest assured, my wives, I will certainly not do anything risky."

In truth, if it were in the past, he might not have gone to this war; Gao Yuan wasn't the type to handle everything personally.

It was just that he recently had a faint feeling that his daily training was already sufficient and he urgently needed actual combat to verify and break through his strength evaluation.

This feeling was like having full experience points for leveling up in a game, lacking only some specific conditions to advance.

As his strength grew, the opportunities to take the battlefield would become fewer and fewer in the future.

So he wanted to seize the current opportunity as much as possible to improve his strength.

Having received Zhao Xiyao's approval, Gao Yuan went back and began packing his things.

The Personal Guards Cavalry had already headed south in advance. This time, Gao Yuan brought the Sixth Division of the Beiwei Army, which had been transferred from Region.

Since he had reached a tacit understanding with Feng Pu, and the main force of the South of the Ranges had gone to Hengzhou and wouldn't be back anytime soon,

then there was no need for him to waste so many troops in Region.

Elite, truly elite troops are those that have undergone the test of actual combat and the baptism of blood and fire; otherwise, they are just paper tigers, strong on the outside but weak on the inside.

On the first day of the third month of the sixth year of era name in Great Qian, at the gates of Guchang County, Zhao Xiyao, along with Zheng Wan and Song Yao, saw Gao Yuan off.

On the carriage ride back, Song Yao couldn't help but complain,

"Sister, why did you agree to let Husband go to Vientiane? You know he definitely won't be able to stay still..."

Zhao Xiyao naturally knew that Gao Yuan wasn't one to stay idle and would surely be itching for action.

"Husband is a fierce tiger. If we trap him at home, he will lose his spirit. We cannot be so selfish;"

"The reason I made a three-point pact with him is in the hope that he will have some restraint, so he won't take too many risks."

"Sister, you really have thought of everything."

Zhao Xiyao took the hands of the two women and said softly,

"If it were not because of us, Husband would probably prefer to be a carefree playboy in Luoyang City;"

"He has endured so much for us, so we should all the more respect, love, and understand him;"

"We must not let him lose his edge or make him unhappy because of our own selfishness."

The two women nodded heavily.

"We understand. Thank you for the reminder, Sister."

"We are sisters; there's no need for that."

On the other side, Gao Yuan finally discovered the difference between the newly formed Beiwei Army and the veterans: physical stamina.

The First through Fourth Divisions had their training personally overseen by himself and Xia Luqi.

Their physical fitness was forged through every armed cross-country run and every lap.

Even without packhorses to carry their armor and supplies, the veterans could march fifty li a day, but these newly formed units didn't have that capability.

Although their physical fitness had improved after several months of training, it was still quite limited.

On the first day, after walking only thirty-five li, many were so exhausted they couldn't move, forcing Gao Yuan to stop and rest.

In this way, it took ten days of travel for Gao Yuan to reach Menge.

Seeing the soldiers' exhaustion, Gao Yuan ordered a two-day rest in Menge City to replenish provisions and water.

After settling the army in a camp outside the city, Gao Yuan took Mu Qing by the hand and went to Banna City.

The Banna City of today was no longer what it was in the tenth year of Taichu when they first took over.

Back then, Banna City had only about ten thousand people, the roads were dirt, and excrement could be seen from time to time.

Now, this city had over thirty thousand people, and the city walls had more than doubled in size.

The main roads were paved with stone slabs; while not exactly spotless, they were no longer filthy everywhere.

Some soldiers who had retired due to injury or disability now wore armbands and had become maintainers of urban order.

Some people recognized Gao Yuan, but they didn't crowd around to disturb him, only bowing from a distance.

Gao Yuan and Mu Qing also stopped and nodded slightly in response before continuing forward.

"When I was little, Father once brought me to Banna for fun. I remember it was like a small village back then;"

"I didn't expect it to change so much after a few years. I suppose it's no worse than those county towns in the Central Plains now!"

Mu Qing held Gao Yuan's large hand, sighing with emotion as her eyes filled with joy.

"Husband, you brought all of this about. You are truly amazing!"

Gao Yuan was unusually modest for once.

"Actually, this is all the inevitable result of development. I've simply gone with the flow."

"That's still amazing!"

The woman's eyes were constantly sparkling with admiration, making even the thick-skinned Gao Yuan feel a bit overwhelmed.

After resting in Menge for two days, the army continued its journey south, passing through Luang Namtha to enter the territory of the Zhongnan Circuit.

After ten days of continuous travel, the group finally reached Vientiane City, the capital of the Zhongnan Circuit.

Standing at the city gate to welcome them was Wu Zetian in her youth; Mu Qing was clearly very happy to see her.

The two walked hand-in-hand, chatting all the way until they reached the back hall of the government office before letting go.

Once the three were seated, Gao Yuan asked,

"Where are Liu Renguis courtesy name, Zishan, and the others?"

"Commander Liu has already gone to Phetchabun, marshal Bu is still away inspecting Phnom Penh, and General Huo is overseeing Phitsanulok."

Wu Zetian in her youth appeared very professional. After introducing everyone's situation, she proceeded to describe the recent administrative affairs.

In recent years, the Zhongnan Circuit had seen constant warfare, and population growth was extremely slow.

Due to the lack of population and the tax-exemption policies following migration, the pressure on the government office remained high despite the fertile land and high grain yields.

It was truly not easy for Wu Zetian in her youth to save some grain while ensuring the soldiers' rations and pay.

Gao Yuan nodded repeatedly as he listened, feeling quite proud of his original decision.

Seeing a trace of fatigue in the young woman's brow, Gao Yuan couldn't help but show concern.

"Are you adjusting well here? If not, I'll transfer you back and have Bu Zishan stay here."

Feeling Gao Yuan's concern, a warmth filled the girl's heart. She broke into a smile and parted her red lips.

"Thank you for your concern, My Lord. Xu'er is doing well here. If possible, I would like to stay for a few more years;"

"I hope to use three to five years to turn the Zhongnan Circuit into the granary for My Lord's future great undertaking."

Gao Yuan gave the girl a deep look and said no more.