On the way back to Liangzhou from Jiyang, they were not as energetic as when they first arrived. It was probably because they had just gone through a fierce battle, so everyone was a little tired. Lin Shuanghe also returned Cui Jiao and Hong Qiao's indenture contracts to them. He also left a sum of money for their parents to tell them not to sell their children in the future. Before leaving, he even mentioned Cui Yuezhi's name because he was afraid that their parents would secretly oppose him.
The two girls were reluctant to leave. After all, it was not every day that they could meet a master who was easy to serve and did not beat or scold the servants. Sometimes, being the servant of such a kind-hearted madam was much easier than struggling in the difficult world.
When they left the Liangzhou Guard, it was not yet spring. Now that they had been delayed on the road, it was already early summer by the time they returned.
He Yan had already changed back into men's clothes. It was more convenient to wear men's clothes when they were hurrying on the road. Lin Shuanghe would occasionally wave his fan and sigh, "My Younger Sister He is so beautiful, but she has to dress up as a man. What a waste."
He Yan treated it as if he was talking nonsense.
On the second day of the fifth month, Xiao Jue and He Yan arrived at the Liangzhou Guard.
At the foot of Baiyue Mountain, the sound of soldiers training could be heard from afar. He Yan jumped off the carriage and looked in the direction of Wulu River and the martial arts practice field. He suddenly felt a sense of familiarity. In the end, she had been in the Liangzhou Guard for at most a year, but she seemed to have completely gotten used to life here. As soon as she arrived, she was like a tired bird returning to the forest. She felt indescribably at ease.
Shen Han, who had already received the news, rushed over and helped everyone unload the goods from the carriage. When he saw that He Yan and Xiao Jue were safe and sound, he immediately sighed in relief. A long time had passed by the time they received news about the military situation in Jiyang. They also knew that it was 20,000 Jiyang City soldiers against 150,000 Uto. Just thinking about it made them feel scared. They were only worried about whether they were injured in the fierce battle. Now, it seemed that they were all alive and kicking, so there was no need to worry.
"Commander-in-chief must be tired from the journey. Go back to your room and rest for a while." Shen Han said, "The room has already been cleaned."
Xiao Jue nodded. While they were talking, another carriage arrived and stopped behind them. The curtain of the carriage was lifted and Ying Xiang helped Chu Zhao out of the carriage.
Shen Han was stunned. "This …"
"Fourth Young Master Chu will stay in the Liang Province Guards for the time being." Xiao Jue's voice was calm. "Find him a room." He then glanced sideways at Chu Zhao and said in a mocking tone, "The conditions in the Institute of Wei are difficult. Fourth Young Master Chu, please forgive us."
Chu Zhao cupped his hands and thanked her, "I don't dare. Zilan is very grateful."
Xiao Jue couldn't be bothered with him. She turned around and left. He Yan hurried to catch up.
Cheng Lisu was no longer in the Liang Province Guard. Logically speaking, Cheng Lisu's room should be returned to its rightful owner. However, Xiao Jue seemed to have forgotten about this matter. Living here, it was indeed more convenient for her to bathe and freshen up compared to living with the others. Since Xiao Jue didn't mention it, He Yan pretended not to know. He carried the luggage back to Cheng Lisu's room, which was next door to Xiao Jue's room.
Shen Han followed behind him. He held a military booklet in his hand and said, "This is the content of the daily training for the past few days. I have already organized it. You can take a look at it slowly after you have rested. When you return, the Nan Province Guards will still be trained by you. In the past few months, the Liang Province Guard's formation has begun to show results. "
Xiao Jue took the military booklet from his hand and flipped through it casually. Shen Han turned his head to look at the room next door. He saw He Yan sitting on the bed with a bag spread out in front of him. He seemed to be organizing the things he brought back from Jiyang. With a rough look, there were quite a lot of things. Food, clothes, and small trinkets spread out on the bed.
He looked at Xiao Jue again. She didn't seem to have any intention of stopping him. Shen Han fell into deep thought. It should be known that Second Young Master Xiao was very particular about cleanliness. Even after he left, the room had to be cleaned every day. The men in the army were fine. However, the instructors who interacted with Xiao Jue didn't dare to act rashly in front of Xiao Jue. At least they had the proper manners to sit and stand. They weren't as casual as He Yan.
Xiao Jue didn't stop him either. Could it be that their relationship had improved after their trip to Jiyang?
He was deep in thought and didn't notice Xiao Jue calling his name. Xiao Jue saw that he didn't respond. She looked up and followed his gaze. She saw Shen Han staring at He Yan, who was sitting on the bed and organizing his luggage. She frowned and called out to him again, "Shen Han."
Shen Han shuddered and came back to his senses. He said, "Commander in Chief!"
"I'm going to write a memorial. Find a few people to keep an eye on Chu Zilan." He said, "If there's anything unusual, immediately inform me."
Shen Han nodded and left.
He Yan waited for Shen Han to leave before he lay down on the bed and rolled around. Xiao Jue frowned unhappily. "Are you a dog?"
"After such a long journey, I've been tossing and turning in the carriage every day. Finally, I can have a good night's sleep." He Yan grabbed a handful of dried fruits from the bag and placed it in his palm. "Commander in Chief, this was given to me by Lady Cui's concubine. Do you want a handful?"
Xiao Jue said, "No."
"It's a token of my sincerity. You don't have to be so heartless." He Yan found a clean handkerchief and wrapped the dried fruits. "I'll put it on your table later."
Xiao Jue didn't even turn her head as she flipped through the military register that Shen Han had just sent over. He Yan thought that being a general had its difficulties, but being a soldier also had its advantages. For example, right now, she could roll around on the bed, but Xiao Jue still had to deal with a backlog of official matters.
He Yan looked at Xiao Jue's back and suddenly thought of something. He asked Xiao Jue, "Commander in Chief, there's something I've always wanted to ask you."
Xiao Jue said, "Go ahead."
He Yan hesitated for a moment. "Do you still remember when we were in Jiyang City, the day the Uto attacked the city? I set the fire with you. We should have swum all the way to the shore, but I choked on water. You … were you the one who dragged me up? "
Actually, there was something she didn't say out loud. In her daze, she felt as though someone had passed her some air. She couldn't open her eyes underwater, but she vaguely felt that it was Xiao Jue. However, it was too unbelievable to say it out loud. Firstly, was Xiao Jue the kind of person who would pass someone's air like that? Definitely not. Secondly, she actually had such a dream. If she told others about it, they would laugh at her for thinking about such strange things in a life and death situation.
Xiao Jue's eyes flickered. She paused and said, "Yes."
Although it was hard to say, He Yan still bravely asked, "Commander in Chief, other than dragging me up the shore, did you do anything else?"
Xiao Jue said, "No."
He Yan was stunned. "No?"
He tilted his head and slowly curled the corners of his lips. He said with a half-smile, "Then what do you want me to do to you?"
He Yan didn't know how to respond.
She laughed and said, "No, I was just asking casually." She thought to herself that she really did have a wet dream. Fortunately, she didn't say it out loud. Otherwise, it would be too embarrassing.
Xiao Jue looked at the military book in front of her again. However, her eyes flickered slightly. She glanced at the girl who was sitting on the bed and arranging her luggage. After a while, she looked away uncomfortably.
In the end, she didn't say anything else.
After arranging her luggage in the room, He Yan looked at the sky. He guessed that the training in the martial arts arena was about to end. He Yan went out and walked towards the arena. From tomorrow onwards, she would resume her daily training. However, today, she could chat with her brothers who she hadn't seen in a long time.
Just as she arrived at the entrance of the arena, the training ended. From afar, she heard Xiao Mai's voice. "It's A He Ge. A He Ge is back!"
With a "hula" sound, all the people immediately surrounded him. Regardless of whether they knew her or not, He Yan was now famous in the Liang Province Guard. Xiao Mai was pushed to the side. He Yan pulled her to stand next to him. Xiao Mai said, "A He Ge, when did you come back? Why didn't you tell us? I heard from the instructors that you and the Governor won another battle in Jiyang. A He Ge, you're so amazing! "
How did the news spread so quickly? He Yan was still puzzled. Someone else said, "I heard that the Jiyang City Guard only had twenty thousand people, while the Utuo soldiers had one hundred and fifty thousand. Brother He, tell us, how exactly did you win? "
"That's right, quickly tell the brothers!"
He Yan felt that every time she did something and returned to the Liang Province Guard, she would become a storyteller, telling stories to everyone. However, she was surrounded in the center and couldn't advance or retreat. She could only sit on the railing of the arena and stretch out her hand. "Everyone, quiet down, quiet down. This is a long story. Let me drink some water first."
Someone immediately handed her water from a leather flask. "I have some! Drink mine! "
"Do you want to eat something else? Do you want dry biscuits? "
"Okay, okay, then I'll say it. Actually, this battle wasn't very difficult. It was all because of the Governor's good command. Jiyang is Water City …"
Liang Ping looked at He Yan, who was surrounded by people from afar. He was speechless for a moment, then said, "This brat is so famous in the Liang Province Guard now? Why is it that he has hundreds of people responding to his call? "
Ma Damei smiled mysteriously. "This is a good thing."
"What's so good about it?"
"He Yan went to Jiyang with the Governor." Ma Damei stroked her beard. "When they came back, they rode in the same carriage. It can be seen that they got along quite well. Since he went to Jiyang with the Governor, that means he fought side by side. Do you think the Governor will mention him when he goes to present a memorial to the Governor this time? "
"At least he has a small share of the credit. This young man is very skilled and has a magnanimous personality. As long as he follows the Governor, it's inevitable that he will be promoted. I believe that his future will definitely not be restricted to our Liang Province Guards. Brother, it's not a bad thing for the Liang Province Guard to have a good relationship with him. "Ma Damei chuckled and patted his shoulder." You have to look at the long-term. "
"He's only in his teens." Liang Ping muttered, "How can you make it sound so powerful?"
Ma Damei smiled but didn't say anything.
On the other side, the people who were listening to He Yan's storytelling exclaimed in surprise.
"It's actually a fire attack!"
"This is too dangerous. What if there's no wind? Won't we just sit there and wait for death? "
He Yan laughed. "If there's no wind, then we'll have to fight to the end. However, war is complicated to begin with. There's no absolute way for the strong to defeat the weak. As long as the timing is right, it's not difficult for the few to defeat the many. Therefore, we can't be certain of victory or defeat in every battle. On the battlefield, there are thousands of changes in an instant. Until the last moment, victory or defeat is unknown. "
Everyone nodded as if they understood.
After listening to the commotion, the crowd gradually dispersed. The remaining people were naturally Hong Shan and the others. Wang Ba crossed her arms and looked at He Yan. She couldn't stand him. "You're in the limelight as soon as you come back. Even Peacock isn't as arrogant as you."
"Then I have to have the ability to be in the limelight." He Yan jumped down from the railing. "Long time no see, my friends."
Perhaps it was because they had stayed in the Vanguard for a while, but the day training was much more difficult than in the ordinary barracks. Shi Tou, Jiang Jiao, Wang Ba, and Huang Xiong all looked darker and thinner than before. However, they were more energetic than before. Jiang Jiao asked, "I didn't expect you to win such a battle in Jiyang. A He, you're really good. "
"I didn't fight." He Yan declined humbly. "The commander-in-chief commanded well."
"How is it? You've made a contribution this time. Can you be promoted?" Huang Xiong had been very practical.
"I don't know if I'll be promoted or not, but the commander-in-chief has promised to let me join the Southern Prefecture Army." He Yan said, "I'm already very satisfied with this."
"Really?" Hong Shan was so excited that his tone changed. "A He, you've gotten what you wanted!"
Everyone congratulated him one after another. Only Shi Tou remained calm. He only asked He Yan, "Brother He, why did Uto suddenly attack Jiyang? Did they come to Liangzhou before?"
He Yan's smile gradually faded, and his expression became serious. After a while, he said, "Da Wei … might be going to war."
Since Uto had started it, they would not give up so easily. They had laid low for so many years just for this moment.
For a moment, everyone fell silent. War, for the common people of the Great Wei, for every single person, was not something worth being happy about.
The room was dimly lit. The young man in front of the table was still reading the long scroll in his hand. Piles of military books were stacked together. There were so many things to do in the Liangzhou Guards that it was impossible to finish them all.
Someone knocked on the door softly.
Xiao Jue did not even raise her head. She only said, "Come in."
Shen Muxue came in. She carried a basket of food in her hand and carefully walked in. She placed the food basket on a small table and said softly, "Commander-In-Chief, you've been reading for a long time. Eat something."
Xiao Jue responded, but she did not intend to get up. Shen Muxue sighed softly.
When Xiao Jue came back, she was still staying up late in the medical center. The soldiers of the Liangzhou Guards caught cold and heat easily during the changing seasons between spring and summer. Halfway through brewing medicine, she heard that Xiao Jue had returned. She really wanted to go and see her, but she had to give up on the idea because she had not finished her work.
In addition, they were returning to Liangzhou from Jiyang, which was a long journey. She thought that Xiao Jue needed more rest. However, she did not expect him to still be reading documents so late at night.
However, Xiao Jue had always been like this. When she first met him, he was still like this. He had never changed.
"There are local products from Jiyang on the ground. Take some back." Xiao Jue looked at the documents and said, "There's no more space in the room."
Shen Muxue nodded. She put down the food basket and went to tidy up the bundles on the ground. There were indeed a lot of bundles and wooden boxes. When she opened them, she saw that they were some fabrics, cakes, and dried fruits that were produced in Jiyang. The Liangzhou Guards did not have such things. Some of the food could be added to their daily meals, and the soldiers would be very happy.
The box at the top looked very exquisite. It was a round wooden box with a layer of paint on it. When she looked carefully, she saw that it was carved with a scene from the Water God Festival in Jiyang. When she opened it, she saw that it was filled with ointment. When she put it under her nose, she could smell a faint floral fragrance.
This thing was not particularly expensive, but it was exquisite and cute. Most girls liked it. The ointment boxes made in Liangzhou were not as special as the ones made in Jiyang. The ointment inside was used to wipe the hands. Soaking in water or making medicinal herbs all day long would cause the skin to occasionally crack. Although Shen Muxue loved her skin very much and had prepared a lot of ointment, she was still very happy to see this.
She picked up the box and placed it in her palm. She looked at Xiao Jue and was a little shy. She hesitated for a moment before she said softly, "Thank you, Commander in Chief. I really like this ointment."
When Xiao Jue heard this, she did not seem to understand what she was talking about. She turned her head and looked at the box in her hand. She paused for a moment before she said calmly, "This is not for you."
Shen Muxue's face instantly turned red. She quickly put the box down and said in a fluster, "I'm sorry, Commander in Chief. I … I thought it was for me."
Although Xiao Jue did not say anything, she felt very embarrassed. It was as if she was overthinking things.
"Take the other things, but don't touch the box." After Xiao Jue said this, she did not look at her anymore.
Shen Muxue bit her lip and quickly tidied up the other bundles on the ground. Then, she carried them out of the door. When she walked out of the door, her gaze lingered on the box on the table for a moment.
The soldiers of the Liang Province Guards never cared about whether their skin was chapped or not. They also had to do a lot of training every day, so they would not go out of their way to find ointment that could moisturize their hands and feet. Even if they were very particular about it, they would not use such a beautiful box that was obviously meant for women.
Xiao Jue would not use it either. Furthermore, when he said, "This is not for you," he meant that he was giving it to someone else.
Who was he giving it to?
A cool breeze blew at night. After seeing the liveliness of Jiyang City, she was still not used to the desolation of the Liang Province Guards. There were no rivers or boats that passed through the city. There was only the silent Baiyue Mountain and the vast Wulu River, as well as the empty martial arts practice field at night.
He Yan walked alone.
She met her good friends in the Liang Province Guards and distributed the local products she brought back from Jiyang to them in Hong Shan. She chatted with them until late at night before she turned around and walked back into the house. She planned to ask Xiao Jue when she went back. From tomorrow onwards, she would be able to train with the Nan Province Guards. Who knew that on the way, he would meet Chu Zhao.
Chu Zhao did not have Ying Xiang by his side. He walked alone. When he saw He Yan, he smiled and greeted him, "A He."
"Brother Chu." He Yan looked around him to make sure he did not see anyone else. He asked curiously, "It's so late. Brother Chu, are you out for a walk alone?" Even if he was out for a walk, there were no trees or flowers around. It was too pitiful to walk alone.
Chu Zhao was stunned. He smiled and shook his head, "No, I'm just looking for someone to help me."
"What kind of help?"
Chu Zhao opened his palm. There was a Shi Tou lying in his palm. This Shi Tou seemed to have been picked up from the Wulu River. It was strangely interesting. It was flat and looked like the shape of a white horse, but there was a circle of black edges around its tail. For some reason, there was an extra piece.
"A He, do you think this Shi Tou looks like a horse?" Chu Zhao smiled, "But from here — —" He pointed at the end, "there's an extra piece. I want to find someone to help me chop this Shi Tou off. However, it's late at night and everyone seems to be asleep. "
So he was looking for someone to work with. He Yan looked at Chu Zhao. He thought that this person was so thin that he could be blown away by a gust of wind. He definitely would not be able to chop this Shi Tou off. It was just a matter of convenience, so he asked Chu Zhao, "Does Brother Chu have a saber?"
Chu Zhao took out a dagger from his chest. This dagger looked very thin. The handle was shaped like a bamboo leaf. He Yan picked it up and was speechless for a moment. Scholars were really fastidious. However, this dagger was made like this. It was more decorative than useful. It was more suitable for cutting fruits. If it was really used for self-defense, it would make people laugh their heads off.
He Yan disdainfully weighed it in his hand. Then, he said, "Give me the Shi Tou."
Chu Zhao handed the Shi Tou to him.
He Yan put the Shi Tou on the ground. He pressed down on the horse's head with one hand and chopped down with the knife with the other. With a crisp sound, the extra piece of the horse's tail was cut off. At the same time, the tip of the dagger was also missing a piece.
He Yan, "… …"
"A He has good skills." Chu Zhao did not care about this point. He said happily, "I'll polish it a bit more. It will look very complete."
He Yan could not understand Chu Zhao's behavior at all. Craftsmen did this kind of work for no other reason than to make a living. Chu Zhao seemed to really like it. He heard that there were princes, dukes, and ministers who loved to farm in their manors. He probably felt the same way. However, He Yan would never do something like carving a piece of Shi Tou in the middle of the night instead of sleeping.
After all, he was a rough person who did not have any refined interests.
Chu Zhao put the dagger back. He held the piece of Shi Tou in his hand and looked at He Yan with a smile. "Speaking of which, I always trouble you to do this kind of thing for me, but I can't do anything for you. I'm really ashamed."
"It's just a small matter. Brother Chu, you don't have to take it to heart. Throwing stone dumbbells is also a physical activity. It didn't take much effort to help you chop a piece of Shi Tou. "He Yan shrugged." Other than that, I haven't helped you much. "
Chu Zhao lowered his head and smiled. "Didn't A He also give me his clothes when we were in Jiyang?" At this point, he seemed to blush and said in a low voice, "Although I didn't use them … But, thank you very much."
He Yan said, "That's what I should do." After all, she was busy with other things when such a weak person was in front of her. It was normal for her to help him. If it was someone else other than Chu Zhao, she would have done the same.
"Brother Chu, what do you plan to do in the future?" He Yan asked, "Do you plan to continue living in the Liang Province Guard?"
Chu Zhao's identity was strange to begin with. It did not seem to be beneficial for him to continue living in the Liang Province Guard. He Yan could not understand this either. He looked at Xiao Jue coldly and did not seem to have any intention of interfering.
"No." Chu Zhao shook his head. "When the matter in Jiyang is settled, I will return to the capital."
"Hasn't the matter in Jiyang been settled? What is Brother Chu referring to? "
Chu Zhao looked at He Yan. In the night, he smiled slightly. His smile was as gentle as before, but there was a deeper meaning behind it. "A He will understand in the future."
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