Chapter 109: The First Step to Winning Hearts—Solving Basic Needs

"I have come to thank you for your help today."

Without waiting for Chu's reaction, Shen Tianci walked toward the cushion, his face flushed. He still did not like this person surnamed Chu, and his expression of gratitude was strictly a matter of principle. Today, the general had gone all out for the Northwest Army, even sacrificing half of her authority. The soldiers of the Northwest Army had seen this and kept it in their hearts. The remaining 3,850 soldiers had all agreed that from now on, they would stand in solidarity with the general.

Watching the awkward Shen Tianci, Shen Zhao felt a mix of amusement and heartache. The young man still harbored resentment toward Chu Mu for ignoring the Shen family's plight, yet he was also genuinely grateful for her intervention on behalf of the Northwest Army today. To be caught between resentment and gratitude—it was truly difficult for him.

"No need for thanks. It is my duty. The Northwest Army is also my command, and from this day forward, I will treat them with equal consideration. As long as I have a meal, the Northwest Army will not go hungry; as long as I have clothes to wear, they will not be left to freeze." This was her promise to the Northwest Army.

Shen Tianci froze, wondering if he had misheard. The general had said she would treat them as equals. Ever since they had been assigned to the Capital Garrison, they had lived in the harshest conditions, bullied by other soldiers and treated as useless by the so-called vice generals. Especially among their four thousand men—some old, some young, and many disabled—the others wished they would simply vanish. Although he didn't like the general, he cared deeply about those four thousand helpless soldiers.

"Do you truly mean that?" If the general could provide them with food and clothing, he would willingly kowtow to her.

"I mean it—more true than real gold. From now on, the Northwest Army will dine with my own troops."

A spark of excitement flashed in Shen Tianci's eyes. Though the general had provided them with shelter, food remained a major problem. Their rations had long been withheld by a vice general in the camp, leaving them with very little. Even their daily meals consisted only of scraps and leftovers that weren't enough to feed half of them. Most men could only take a few bites, saving the rest for those who were severely ill or the younger soldiers still growing.

"This subordinate thanks General Chu." This time, Shen Tianci's gratitude was sincere.

"Grrr..."

As Shen Tianci spoke, his stomach let out a loud, hollow growl. The boy’s face turned bright red; it was truly embarrassing for it to act up at such a moment. Hearing the sound, Shen Zhao frowned slightly. How could she have forgotten such a crucial matter? Due to the chaos, the soldiers had not yet eaten their evening meal. From now on, since she would be managing her own troops, they could not eat with the others as usual.

She asked, "Are there any among the Northwest Army who know how to cook? If so, the Northwest Army and the Chu family troops will have their meals prepared separately from the Capital Garrison. We shall set up our own kitchen."

Shen Tianci’s eyes brightened further. "Reporting to the General, most of us in the Northwest Army know how to cook. As for whether it tastes good or not—when survival is the issue, who cares about flavor? As long as you let us do it ourselves, everyone is a cook."

If the food stayed in their own hands, no vice general would be able to embezzle their rations again. They would finally be able to eat a full meal.

"Go and select soldiers from the Northwest Army who are uninjured and know how to cook. Find a few others who can build stoves, and set them up in the northwest corner of the camp." The Capital Garrison’s kitchen was in the southeast, so she would place the Northwest Army’s kitchen in the northwest. These long-suffering men were from the northwest; that direction held a special meaning for them, as it did for her.

Shen Tianci felt a surge of energy, his wounds suddenly forgotten. He stood up and limped toward the tent exit. "I will give the orders immediately. I guarantee we will not be late for dinner." Eager for a proper meal, he moved with surprising speed despite his injury.

As Shen Zhao stepped out of the tent, she was met by Liu Zhong, another vice general under Chu Mu. He had been out on patrol during the earlier unrest and must have just returned.

"This subordinate, Liu Zhong, pays respects to the General." While Shen Zhao sized him up, Liu Zhong scanned her, his eyes filled with concern.

"Rise. You will accompany me to the grain stores to move supplies." Liu Zhong was a straightforward man and the most loyal of the vice generals. He was also a formidable soldier in battle. He followed behind Shen Zhao, his presence imposing. Having just returned, he had heard of the chaos and that their general had uncharacteristically lost her temper and engaged in a violent confrontation. Hearing that, he had nearly wanted to draw his sword.

Their general was the commander of the Capital Garrison; for those good-for-nothings to dare lay a hand on her was an act of treason. Had he been there, the general wouldn't have needed to lift a finger. With a single command, he would have taken the heads of those wretches to serve as side dishes for the general’s wine.

As they walked, soldiers lowered their heads. The general and Vice General Liu were terrifying today, especially the soldiers behind Liu, who were fully armed and bore grim, icy expressions. Who were they planning to kill? The soldiers were still shaken by the evening's brawl, and seeing Shen Zhao’s armed group, they hurried away as soon as they passed, fearing they might be cut down if they lingered.

When they reached the kitchen, the cooks were busy preparing dinner. Shen Zhao’s arrival caused them to stop in their tracks. "We pay respects to General Chu and Vice General Liu."

A scent of meat drifted to Shen Zhao. She looked toward the source and saw a clay pot simmering on a stove. She was perplexed—was the Capital Garrison allowed to have private meals? Chu Mu had once told her that due to the suppression by the Crown Prince’s faction, food supplies were meager and the soldiers were struggling. He had ordered that no general be allowed to prepare private meals, insisting they eat the same as the common soldiers to reduce unnecessary expenses. This was a blatant disregard for Chu Mu’s orders.

"What is being stewed in that pot?" Shen Zhao asked, pointing at the clay pot.

The man in charge wiped cold sweat from his forehead. "It... it is lamb."

"Who is this lamb for?" Lamb was a fine, expensive ingredient. In a camp where soldiers were going hungry, someone was indulging in it—and clearly, it had been stolen from the soldiers' rations.

Just then, a voice came from outside: "Is the lamb stew ready yet? Why hasn't anyone brought it to me? Must I come myself to..."