Crying While Filling the Pit I Dug - Chapter 77

After much contemplation, the Emperor issued another decree, appointing the Crown Prince to replace Yi Qing in controlling the disaster-stricken region. Seizing the opportunity to gain the favor of the people, he bestowed upon Yi Qing the title of “General Yangwei” and tasked him with aiding the generals in repelling the Tartar invasion in Northern Xinjiang.

Hearing about the dangerous situation ahead, Song Miaomiao was so anxious that she couldn’t sleep for days and nights.

Why did so many disasters suddenly occur in this world? Internal and external troubles, all accumulating together and exploding.

Song Miaomiao suddenly had an idea in her mind. The System Oppa once said that if the mission failed, the world created by the unfinished story would also be destroyed. Since the System Oppa couldn’t be contacted at all, and the map couldn’t be used…

Was there a problem with this mission or what was going to cause the world to collapse?

Song Miaomiao didn’t dare to dwell on it any longer. Whenever there was something, she could only worry about Yi Qing and attempt to reach out to the system, but it was futile, like a mud cow crossing the river, disappearing without a trace.

Even if the world didn’t collapse, war was dangerous, and swords had no regard for innocence. What if Yi Qing couldn’t return?

She couldn’t bear to think about it. She reassured herself that no matter what, as long as there was a glimmer of hope, she would wait. One month, two months, half a year, a year—she would endure as long as she needed to.

Like an enduring melody, Song Miaomiao felt her love for Yi Qing deepening with each passing day.

As the war dragged on, the military expenses soared. With the end of summer and the arrival of autumn, winter approached, bringing with it the grim reality of depleted food reserves due to floods. The challenge of resettling the people loomed large, while the national treasury dwindled.

In the early court session, the Emperor issued a decree, “All officials are to contribute funds.”

The ministers hastened to pledge their loyalty, “Yes, Your Majesty. We will spare no effort to alleviate your burdens.”

“Indeed, we shall.”

“…”

In the Princess Mansion, upon seeing the fundraising notice, Song Miaomiao urgently summoned the butler and accountant, and together with Yan Yu, they assessed the available funds. The total amount in the account tallied up to seventy thousand taels. The Princess was already favored; she usually received numerous gifts and had a monthly salary.

“Withdraw all of it and donate it tomorrow,” Song Miaomiao instructed firmly.

The butler was taken aback, “All of it?”

“Yes!” Song Miaomiao affirmed resolutely.

Yan Yu interjected, “Princess, perhaps we should save some. What about our household expenses?”

Song Miaomiao declared, “Halve my daily food and other expenses. I never finish my meals anyway. My allowance is too high. Pawn half of the jewelry in the house.”

Yan Yu hesitated, “Princess…”

Song Miaomiao sighed deeply, “Reduce it by half again. No, just one meat dish, one vegetarian dish, and one bowl of white rice for every meal. It will save unnecessary expenses.”

Yan Yu attempted to persuade her once more, but Song Miaomiao waved her hand dismissively, “Just go.”

In the world she had created, Song Miaomiao couldn’t simply sit idly by. The 70,000 taels she donated was just a drop in the bucket compared to the disaster situation and military expenditures. She racked her brains, pondering how to raise more funds.

She decided to donate seventy thousand taels of silver in her and Yi Qing’s names. Additionally, the Crown Prince and Princess Consort jointly contributed another seventy thousand taels of silver. Ling Qi and other officials also took the lead in soliciting donations.

Despite her efforts, Song Miaomiao remained gripped by fear every day, unable to find peace even at night. In times of turmoil, many sought solace in clinging to hope—praying to God and worshiping Buddha. Yan Yu suggested offering incense to the consort, and though Song Miaomiao knew that her unfinished book was a world she created, but she still decided to partake in the act of prayer.

Urgent military reports continued to pour in. General Li Yu betrayed his allegiance before the battle, secretly surrendering to Abul, the enemy commander. Prior to engaging in combat, he arranged for his “loyalists” to set fire to the food and supplies while the drums of war sounded, and turned against General Yi. Yi Qing, determined to rescue his father, broke through the siege, but General Li Yu managed to escape, resulting in the loss of half of the food and supplies. In subsequent battles, large and small, Yi Qing led the army to confront the Tartars head-on.

As days passed, the situation grew increasingly dire. General Li Yu’s defection to the enemy provided them with valuable information regarding the northern border and military deployments. Despite Yi Qing’s swift actions to adjust his strategies, there were still minor setbacks.

Whether it was quelling internal strife or battling foreign enemies, finances were one aspect, and manpower was another. The Imperial Court initiated widespread recruitment of troops and collection of food supplies across the realm.

During this time, Song Miaomiao sold a manor, along with other real estate and gold and silver jewelry, dismissing a group of servants in the process. With these assets, she converted them into a hundred thousand taels of silver, which she promptly donated to the front lines.

For Song Miaomiao, the world was her responsibility as the author. Moreover, she found the extravagant life of a Princess unsuitable for her, preferring a simpler existence. Additionally, with her husband defending the country, this was the best way she could support him.

After getting Yi Qing’s brief two-sentence letter, it took three and a half months before Song Miaomiao received his letter for the second time. Reading it, she couldn’t help but cry and laugh at how urgent it must have been when Yi Qing wrote it.

The official who delivered the letter was still waiting. Song Miaomiao took a deep breath, picked up a brush, and wrote a sentence, “Put aside your worries, don’t dwell on them. Please try to eat more during your meals.”

This sentence was the concluding line of an ancient poem titled “Xing Xing Chong Xing Xing” (Walking again and again). The poem encapsulated the essence of lovesickness and sorrow experienced by a wife separated from her husband during turbulent times.

She was confident that Yi Qing would grasp the depth of her message in just this single sentence.

She held Yi Qing’s letter tightly, reading it repeatedly, each time finding a sliver of comfort amidst the turmoil of their separation. It was through these words that she managed to endure the years of the separation..

After another two months, the Crown Prince succeeded in contouring the disaster, yet the frontier remained unsettled.