The Peach Blossoms White by the Village Edge

Chapter 127: The Shifting Stars

When Zhao Changxia began promoting high-yield grain crops, the court implemented these crops across various regions in just seven years, significantly improving the people's standard of living.

Of course, in some places, there were still situations where "prosperity brings suffering to the people; decline also brings suffering to the people." However, the emperor was a diligent and capable ruler who did not emulate his predecessor's late reign, which involved grandiose ceremonies and excessive boasts. Instead, even with the increase in grain production, he did not raise taxes.

Under such circumstances, the national treasury became quite ample!

With the timing ripe and the treasury full, the emperor took advantage of the situation. "Great Xia's King" Li Deming attacked Tibet and Western Zhou Uighur. The Great Zhou, receiving a distress call from Western Zhou Uighur, used it as a pretext to send troops against "Great Xia."

"Great Xia," situated between Great Zhou and Western Zhou Uighur, had Li Deming's father appointed as "Duke of Xia" in the previous dynasty, while Li Deming himself was crowned as King of Great Xia by the Khitan. He not only pledged allegiance to Khitan but also sought peace with Great Zhou, aiming to placate both countries while secretly expanding his own influence.

Many scholars in Great Zhou previously felt that waging war was unnecessary and would only increase the burden on the treasury. However, with the treasury now full and no financial worries, it was only natural to pursue the late Emperor Taizong's ambition of reclaiming lost territories in Youyun and Longyou.

The emperor, with great ambition, also changed the previous practice of generals being controlled by military supervisors. The role of military supervisors was restored to oversight only, preventing them from participating directly in military operations and avoiding the risk of inexperienced individuals guiding experienced ones, which could delay strategic decisions.

This move allowed many generals to act freely, leading to some minor defeats on the front lines but overall progress in extending the battlefront.

Li Deming, facing mounting pressure, sought help from Khitan. Meanwhile, Great Zhou, wary of Khitan's military movements and eager to seize the opportunity to break free from their constraints, also engaged in conflict with Khitan.

Zhao Changxia, now retired in her hometown, was once again summoned by the emperor to manage military farming affairs.

Previously, Zhao Changxia would have declined, but with the outbreak of war and her inherent passion, she felt that personal desires were insignificant compared to national duties. She thus resolutely accepted the imperial edict.

Qu Qingjiang did not dissuade her. Instead, since the embroidery workshop was operating smoothly, she left it in the care of Luo Chunjiu and, accompanied by Little Wood and Tiger Cub, followed Zhao Changxia back to the capital.

Tiger Cub was a child they found in the bamboo forest of the Qu family a year ago, when Little Wood was three. Although they found her, she had actually been brought there by an old tiger who had picked her up in a bundle and delivered her to Zhao Changxia.

Raising one child was manageable, and raising two was not a problem, so after discussing with Qu Qingjiang, Zhao Changxia decided to keep Tiger Cub as a companion for Little Wood. Her nickname was "Tiger Cub," and her formal name was Zhao Hang. They claimed she was Little Wood's younger sister.

Such arrangements were common in families with few children, so there was no public criticism. However, they hoped Tiger Cub would not feel like an outsider or inferior due to being adopted. They instructed those around her not to mention her origins in her presence.