I support the army through farming and business.

Chapter 302 Death Struggle
The story begins after Gu resigned and went to Northeast China.

Emperor Pingyuan transferred Prince Xuan and Gu Ci away from the Northwest one after another. Princess Xuan had a feeling that something was wrong, and every few days she sent someone to Wuwei to ask Tang Zhao to return to Lanzhou.

At this critical moment when the Turks were about to besiege the city, how could Tang Zhao leave?

However, not wanting to disappoint Princess Xuan's good intentions, he pretended that Gu Ci would secretly return to the Northwest to reassure Princess Xuan.

Princess Xuan never expected Tang Zhao to be so bold as to spread such nonsense. She immediately believed him.

Therefore, when Geshu Yong sent troops to attack Wuwei City, Princess Xuan remained firmly in charge of the Xuan Prince's residence.

This matter was only exposed two days ago when I communicated with Gu Ci.

Tang Zhao's head throbbed at the thought of Princess Xuan's nagging and her one-finger Zen. The next day, he took Wu Yi'er and the others to Zhangye Prefecture to avoid trouble.

Gu Ci didn't stop her; she could run away from the first day of the month, but she couldn't hide forever.

Zhangye Prefecture, Gaotai Salt Lake.

Looking at the salt grains in the sack, whiter than snow and finer than sand, Shariputra couldn't wait to take a bite. He then clutched his chest and exclaimed in amazement.

Beside him, Zhang Xing, the prefect of Zhangye, also clutched his chest, inwardly lamenting his misfortune!

This salt was painstakingly produced by the saltworkers and was intended to be sold to the people of Chongqing.

Unexpectedly, the Turks beat them to it.

But Zhang Xing dared not disobey.

"Lord Zhang," Sheri Tulimaide said, grasping Zhang Xing's hand affectionately, "Could you sell me a little more?"

Zhang Xing pulled his hand away from Sheri Tulimaide's grasp, refusing without hesitation, "No way!"

If it weren't for Princess Zhaoshan's consent, he wouldn't have been willing to sell even one hundred shi of grain to her!
Want to buy more? Dream on!

Sheri Tulimaide sized up the dark-skinned, sullen official from Dayu and knew in his heart that he was just working for Tang Zhao. Rather than begging him, it would be better to beg Tang Zhao, the great Buddha, directly!
Sheri Tulimaide immediately abandoned his puppy-dog act, ordered his men to load the sacks full of fine salt onto the cart, and leisurely drove away.

Zhang Xing: Bah!

Zhang Xing personally locked the mostly empty salt warehouse gates and summoned the yamen runners, ordering them, "Immediately send troops to guard the twelve salt warehouses in the east and west. Anyone who dares to move will be arrested and imprisoned!"

The constable was simple-minded and asked, "What about Princess Zhaoshan?"

Zhang Xing glared at his subordinate who had brought up the most inappropriate topic. "Inform me immediately if the princess arrives!" He tried to hold back, but couldn't resist giving the constable a sharp rap on the head. "Idiot!"

The constable chuckled, rubbed his head, and ran off to deliver the message.

Zhang Xing returned to the government office, clutching his heart which felt like it was about to bleed. He had barely sat down when a guard at the city gate came to report that Princess Zhaoshan had arrived.

Zhang Xing: !
Zhang Xing immediately jogged out of the government office and encountered Tang Zhao, who had dismounted, at the gate.

"Lord Zhang, it's been a long time!"

Zhang Xing forced a smile and bowed, "This humble official greets Your Highness, the Princess!"

"No need for formalities," Tang Zhao said, glancing around. "Has Relic Tuli come by?"

“They’ve only been gone for less than half an hour,” Zhang Xing said, trying to hold back, but he couldn’t help himself. “Didn’t the princess say before that this salt was for the people of Dayu to eat?”

How could a princess of a nation deceive the trust of him and the people?

Tang Zhao shrugged. "I didn't want to either, but he gave me so much."

Tang Zhao held up a nine, "Ninety coins a pound." Zhang Xing swallowed back all his words, and his previously wrinkled face instantly broke into a smile.

So that's how it is; he was narrow-minded.

Zhang Xingxuan immediately said regretfully, "Sheli Tuli wanted to buy salt from me, but I did not agree."

Tang Zhao comforted him, "It's right not to agree. The salt from the saltworks will be sold to the people of Gansu and Ningxia by the end of this month."

If all goes well, it can be rolled out nationwide very soon.

By then, the salt produced in the salt fields wouldn't even be enough to supply the people of Dayu, let alone the Turks.
Zhang Xing's eyes lit up, and he assured, "I will immediately lead people to calculate the amount of salt to be transported to each prefecture." He frowned and said, "But I do not have any merchant caravans or escort agencies that can properly transport salt."

"Don't worry about that, I'll take care of it."

Tang Zhao had already sent a message to Changshou Village, and Zhao Tian and Liang Kang had arranged a caravan and men long ago, just waiting to transport the salt.

On the official road, Zhao Tian led thousands of men, pushing hundreds of donkey carts, heading towards Zhangye in a grand procession.

On the way, an impatient man asked, "Boss, what are we transporting this time? Is soybean oil valuable?"

How could Zhao Tian know? But out of a mysterious trust in Tang Zhao, he patted his chest and said, "Of course, what business does Her Highness the Princess run that isn't valuable?"

The man chuckled and said, "That's great!"

Ever since Tang Zhao sold the soybean oil recipe, the people of Changshou Village stopped traveling by trade route and stayed in the village every day making soybean oil to supply the Northwest Army. They were so bored they were practically growing mushrooms.

"Boss, can I go to Jiangnan this time?" the man pleaded. "I've never been to Jiangnan before! I've heard that people in Jiangnan are even delicate when they argue, and I want to see for myself."

“Okay!” Zhao Tian was very agreeable. “You will follow Liang Kang; he is in charge of the trade routes in Jiangnan.”

Upon hearing this, the others also chimed in, shouting out their own desired destinations, creating a lively atmosphere.

The capital of the Turkic kingdom, the Huguo Temple.

Song Qinglan knelt before the Buddha and said devoutly, "All the gods and Buddhas above, I sincerely pray that the Khan is healthy and that everything goes smoothly. I wish to live a simple life and copy scriptures day and night to offer to all the gods and Buddhas."

boom!
The palace doors were suddenly pushed open forcefully.

Song Qinglan subconsciously turned around and saw the Turkic Empress Dowager, dressed in palace attire, step into the hall and look down at her, saying, "There are countless believers in the world, and gods and Buddhas hear countless prayers every day. If you truly wish the Khan all the best, why bother Buddha?"

Palace servants and eunuchs stepped forward and tied Song Qinglan up with ropes. Song Qinglan struggled constantly, but the ropes binding her body became tighter and tighter.

The Turkic Queen Mother continued, "Simply offer your own life, and the Khan's current difficulties will be easily resolved."

"If my death can help the Khan, I am willing to die," Song Qinglan struggled to say. "But please tell me, Your Majesty, how can my lowly life help the Khan?"

Even if she dies, she wants to die knowing the truth!

For the first time, the Turkic Empress Dowager looked at Song Qinglan properly and, unusually, had the leisure to explain, "Princess Zhaoshan of Dayu has already promised me that as long as you are handed over to her, she will persuade King Xuan to agree to the Turkic peace talks."

Song Qinglan's eyes widened. "Princess Zhaoshan of Dayu?"

Isn't that Tang Zhao, that little bitch?
What did this old woman say? She wants to hand her over to that little slut Tang Zhao?

How could she possibly survive?

Song Qinglan struggled even more fiercely, "Your Majesty, please understand! Tang Zhao has a grudge against my ancestors, and Tang Zhao wishes she could put me to death!"

"Furthermore, Tang Zhao is completely untrustworthy. If the Empress Dowager were to hand me over to Tang Zhao, but Dayu refuses to negotiate peace, what should we do then?"

"Your Majesty, I have a plan. Why don't we ask the Khan to personally write a letter of peace and deliver it to the Emperor of Dayu? The Emperor of Dayu cannot bear to see Prince Xuan and the Northwest Army getting along well, so he will surely agree to the peace talks!"