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Shopkeeper Niu found Qiao Mai and said, “Boss, should we stock up on grain?”

“No need. Let’s see how it goes. Those barbarians couldn’t conquer the Ming

Dynasty. They’ll fail miserably! ”

“Boss, I don’t know why, but when you speak like this, it brings peace to my heart.”

“Just do your business as usual. No need to worry.”

“Yes.”

In August, the battle at the northern gate finally began. The barbarians were fierce, and they almost captured the city several times. If not for the soldiers’ determined defense, the barbarians would have entered the city already.

Since the battle began, Yuan Jiaqi hadn’t returned home. He sent a letter asking Qiao Mai for some medicinal herbs. Qiao Mai raised her eyebrow as she saw that.

She had plenty of medicinal herbs, so she hired several carts and horses, continuously transporting herbs to the north.

As the war raged on, the wounded were taken to County She. Since Yuan Jiaqi was the county governor, he was responsible for them.

However, in this impoverished county, procuring medicinal herbs was a significant expenditure.

Fortunately, Qiao Mai had her “cheat codes.” Without her, Yuan Jiaqi would have been helpless.

One night, Qiao Mai secretly visited County She. All the herb shops and clinics had been requisitioned by the court. Even the county court and the governor’s residence were full of wounded soldiers.

The physicians were exhausted, which indicated the extent of casualties.

Then, she visited the northern gate and was horrified by what she saw. A month into the battle, most soldiers defending the northern gate had been exhausted.

The remaining troops were mostly elderly, weak, sick, or disabled. The war couldn’t continue under these circumstances.

She crossed the city walls and went straight to the barbarian camp.

She found them around a campfire, eating grilled meat and drinking wine.

When Qiao Mai appeared in front of their tent, some men brandished large knives and surrounded her. Qiao Mai exerted a surge of pressure, creating a powerful shockwave that sent them flying several meters away.

The barbarian leader, who had been eating and drinking, stood up and carefully examined Qiao Mai.

“Who are you?”

“Someone who can kill you.”

“Hah, the one who will kill me hasn’t been born yet.”

Qiao Mai extended her hand and brought the barbarian leader, a large man, over to her with a wave.

She grabbed his neck and asked, “Can I kill you?”

The others were sober and ready to charge, but they didn’t even have the chance to get close. They were all sent flying like the first group.

The barbarian leader looked at Qiao Mai. “You came here not to kill me, right?”

“I can exterminate all your barbarians, making you disappear from the northern gate forever.”

“Who the hell are you?”

“I am a subject of the Ming Dynasty. I don’t want to see innocent lives suffer.

So, within the next hundred years, you shall not wage war against the Ming Dynasty again.”

“Why not? The position has always been for the capable. Why shouldn’t I be

able to sit there?”

“Because you’re unlucky, and I can slaughter you all right now. Don’t believe

She pressed her hand to his neck and, with a gentle lift, slit the throat of a man who had just struggled to get up. The people on the scene were terrified. “Now, do you believe what I’m saying?”

“You…”

Qiao Mai continued, “Within a hundred years, you are not allowed to attack the Ming Dynasty again. Otherwise, I will massacre all of your barbarians. I’ll keep my word. ”

With a slight flick of her wrist, the barbarian leader was sent flying.

After saying this, Qiao Mai disappeared from their sight. The barbarians stood there dumbfounded. One asked, “Brother, should we still attack tomorrow?”

“Of course not. Can any of you defeat her?”

“It seems she’s not joking. If we had known this a few days ago, we wouldn’t have to waste so much effort. Now that we’re on the verge of taking the city, this happens.”

“Alright, bring Old San’s corpse. We’re withdrawing our troops now.”

“Are we really afraid of her?”

“Do you dare to gamble with the lives of our entire clan?”

That night, the barbarians surprisingly withdrew their troops.

The soldiers defending the northern gate had intended to have a final battle with the enemy the next day. But when they went up to the city walls, they were astounded.

Where had the enemy gone?

Did they withdraw overnight? It was too incredible. They had been on the brink of victory. What caused this sudden change?

The fighting ceased at the beginning of September magically.

Upon learning of this, the old emperor was equally perplexed. Suddenly, his eyes lit up. Could it be that immortal?

Is she protecting the Great Ming Dynasty? The old emperor thought to himself, and his body was filled with renewed energy.

This was excellent news! With an immortal’s protection, there was no reason to worry about the prosperity and strength of the Great Ming Dynasty.

On one hand, the old emperor arranged for the care of the wounded soldiers and continued the excavation of the riverbed. He couldn’t afford to abandon this project, knowing that God was watching.

He devoutly knelt on the ground, folding his hands and praying, expressing his gratitude.

Qiao Mai felt a strange energy coursing through her body. It was an extraordinary sensation, bringing her immense comfort and enjoyment.

She shared this experience with Greeny, who was excited and circled her. “Master, this is the power of faith. People are beginning to believe in you.”

“Believe in me?”

“Yes.”

Qiao Mai pondered this and couldn’t believe it was because of the bandit leader. Though she had dealt with him, he wasn’t the type to inspire such faith. The only other person who knew of her existence was the old emperor. Could it be that unintentionally, she had gained his belief?

Qiao Mai rolled her eyes, showing her disdain. Greeny quickly explained to her.

“The power of faith can help you progress more efficiently on your cultivation path. You should take it seriously.”

“Let’s just go with the flow.”

Since the battle was over, Qiao Mai didn’t need to transport herbs anymore. The old emperor generously provided the soldiers with substantial compensation. Those who could return home were sent with silver.

Even the families of those who had fallen in battle received support.

Yuan Jiaqi took the initiative to help some homeless and disabled soldiers and built houses near the forest, where they would watch over the pine trees.

This significantly increased the number of people he had to care for, and it left Qiao Mai sighing in resignation.

Yuan Jiaqi had good intentions, but it was Qiao Mai who paid for it.

After returning, Yuan Jiaqi felt somewhat embarrassed to talk to Qiao Mai. However, considering the responsibility of supporting several hundred people, he mustered the courage.

“Wife, I have arranged a place for them near the forest. It didn’t cost much.”

“Didn’t cost much? Did it not cost anything to build houses? Did it not cost anything for their food, drinks, and wages?”

“I’m sorry. I couldn’t bear to see them in that state, fighting for their country.”

“It’s alright. Since it’s already arranged, let it be this way. Next time, inform me.”

“Alright.”

After learning about Yuan Jiaqi’s financial support for the war, the old emperor felt pleased and decided to keep him in the position for a few more years.

He promoted him to a fifth-rank official, temporarily overseeing County She.

This meant that Yuan Jiaqi was still a county governor but with a higher rank.

Upon hearing about these events, Tian Sanzhuang harbored a grudge for quite a while. Now, seeking revenge on the Qiao family appeared to be an even more challenging prospect.

At the same time, he couldn’t help but feel fortunate to return home early. Otherwise, he might have been among those who came back severely injured from the war, missing limbs, or worse.

In March, his wife gave birth to a plump baby boy, which further diminished his status in the family. He was constantly bossed around by his wife and couldn’t argue back.

As a member of the Tian family, he had never experienced such humiliation before.

However, now he had to endure it. He couldn’t afford to provoke the county governor. Witnessing the Qiao family’s growing influence, he felt as if his heart was being clawed at.

In the past, when Qiao Mai had just married into the family, she was obedient and respectful, doing everything her husband asked. She never raised her voice and was a model wife.

Yet, when he returned after his five-year service, everything changed drastically. He found himself reduced to a subordinate within the family.

If not for the fact that his wife had given birth to a son, he might have considered resigning from his official position and returning home to work on the farm. The situation was too frustrating.

Whenever he felt this way, he would think of Qiao Mai and how well-off her family was.

They ate well, dressed well, and still had their social status. Now, in Wei City, they were a force not to be trifled with.

He longed for a chance to gain power and wealth and make up for his past shame..