Over the days that followed, between Zisu's medicine and Yudie's devoted care, Ning Chen recovered fast.

It helped that he had a strong constitution.

An ordinary man would probably have gone to drink tea with the King of Hell before Zisu ever got there.

In just a few days, Ning Chen was out of bed and walking.

The daily roasting over the fire, though, was pure misery. Every time it was over, Ning Chen felt like Ning's Old Second had shrunk... He was afraid it would keep getting smaller. How was he supposed to beat Feng Qizheng then?

At the moment, Ning Chen was lying on a lounge chair in the courtyard, soaking up the sun.

He'd spent the last few days the same way.

The room was too stuffy, and Zisu said a little sun would do him good.

The autumn sun still had some bite, and it had turned Ning Chen's cheeks red.

Yudie poured a cup of tea and held it to his lips.

He took a couple of sips, and Zisu handed him a candied fruit.

Ning Chen squinted happily.

Now this is living... It's good to be alive!

Footsteps sounded.

Ning Chen looked over at the sound. It was Yuan Long and the others.

With Yangzhou settled now, these guys came to see him several times a day.

"How's the autumn harvest going?"

Ning Chen asked.

Grain is the foundation of a nation.

In the past, when he went to war, all he had to do was fight. The Xuan Emperor had backed his supply lines, and he'd never had to worry about grain and fodder.

But now, every time he sent out troops, he thought about grain and fodder more than anything.

Yuan Long said, "Don't worry, my lord prince. The crops have come in well everywhere this year... Her Majesty issued an edict cutting taxes across the realm by thirty percent. Yangzhou is well stocked with grain and fodder right now, and the people are doing fine."

Ning Chen gave a slight nod. "Is the south gate tower fixed?"

"It was finished a…