The long caravan turned into a fork in the road and headed in the direction of the Hedeng market. The Huaxia military caravan went in the other direction. Zhuo Yongqing was in the middle of the caravan. He was travel-worn and his forehead was patched with gauze. It was obvious that he had returned from the battlefield outside the mountains. There was a cloth bag on the back of his warhorse. Inside the bag were the things that Mao Yishan, Hou Wu, and the others had asked him to bring back from outside the mountains.
Outside Liang Mountain, the Huaxia army's offensive was swift and fierce. They had easily taken down six or seven towns on the road to Chengdu. Due to the high level of discipline, the people's livelihood in these places was not greatly affected. The market began to circulate. People with families bought some items that could not be found in the mountains and asked people to bring them back, such as rouge, face powder, and rare pastries.
Over the years, although the Hedeng government had been heavily involved in business, in reality, they had only sold weapons and luxury goods. They had bought food and other rare and practical items. Apart from the internal digestion, there were not many things that were brought in from outside the mountains.
Zhuo Yongqing was originally from Yanzhou in the northwest. He joined the Huaxia army for food. Later, he accidentally killed Wanyan Loushi and became one of the most outstanding war heroes in the Huaxia army.
He had made a great contribution, so he was promoted and even received a meeting and encouragement from Mister Ning. After that, he moved his family to the Little Canghe River. However, not long after, the fake Qixing army invaded, followed by the attack of the Jurchen. His parents first returned to Yanzhou and then followed the refugees south. On the way, they encountered the fake Qi soldiers. Zhuo Yongqing's boastful father led some people to resist and cover everyone's escape. He died under the arrows of the fake Qi soldiers. Three years later, during the battle at Little Cang River, Zhuo Yongqing fought bravely and luckily survived. Less than a year after arriving in Hedeng, his mother passed away due to depression. Thus, Zhuo Yongqing became a loner.
During the battle of Little Cang River, Zhuo Yongqing fought bravely and luckily did not die. Less than a year after arriving in Hedeng, his mother passed away due to depression. Thus, Zhuo Yongqing became a loner. When Ning Yi saw him for the second time, he had instructed him to change from a military position to a civil one and gradually move towards the core of the military. Now, Zhuo Yongqing was serving as a staff officer in the Fifth Division. Although his rank was not high, he was already familiar with the core operations of the military.
A few years ago, after the battle of killing Lou Shi in Xuan Jia Ao, several survivors, including Zhuo Yongqing, still maintained a rather close relationship. Among them, Luo Ye had entered the upper ranks of the military and had already followed General Liu Chengzong to Xuzhou. Hou Wu had lost an arm in the battle at Xuan Jia Ao and had transferred from the military to civil and public security work. This time, he had also accompanied the army out of the mountains and participated in the many appeasement and arrangements after the battle. Mao Yishan was now the commander of the Second Battalion of the First Regiment of the Hua Xia Fifth Army. This was a highly regarded reinforced battalion. During the attack on Lu Qiao Mountain, he had played the role of attacking the fortifications. This time, he had left the mountains and naturally followed along.
Qu Qing had been a high-ranking military officer during the Wu dynasty. Now he was working in the General Staff Headquarters, moving from the front of the stage to behind the scenes. After his parents died, these people became Zhuo Yongqing's relatives. They would gather together from time to time, and whenever something happened, they would appear to help.
After returning to Hedeng, he went to report his work according to the rules. After finishing his work, it was already late. Zhuo Yongqing led his horse to the family area on the mountainside. Everyone was unwilling to live there, but now there were not many people at home. Luo Ye had something important on his mind and hadn't married yet. During the Wu dynasty, Qu Qing was said to have led a rotten life. At that time, he could be considered a soldier with the army as his home. Although he had married, he later divorced and hadn't remarried. On Zhuo Yongqing's side, many people had come to propose marriage. Especially after killing Wanyan Lou Shi, Zhuo Yongqing had been unable to settle down. After his parents passed away, he had avoided this matter even more and dragged it out until now.
Hou Wu already had a family background. His wife was gentle and virtuous. She often arranged blind dates with Zhuo Yongqing. Mao Yishan also got married in Little Canghe. His wife was a straightforward woman from the northwest who dared to love and hate. Zhuo Yongqing had just appeared on the street when he was seen by two women who had been watching from the corner of the street. His return was not a secret. When he was reporting his work, the news had probably already spread here.
"Sisters-in-law, my brother asked me to bring you something."
"They always make trouble for you," Hou Wu's wife said with a smile. Then she tilted her head and asked, "Come, tell your sister-in-law, how long will you stay this time? When will you have proper time? Let me tell you, there's a girl …"
After being entertained by the two women for a while, a tall young man in his early twenties wearing a military uniform came back from outside. This was Hou Wu's son, Hou Yuanyong. He had been in the General Intelligence Department for two years. When he saw Zhuo Yongqing, he smiled and said, "Uncle Qing, you are back."
"Yes, yes, I came back to deliver something."
Zhuo Yongqing and Hou Yuanyong talked for a while. Hou Yuanyong could clearly see the purpose of Zhuo Yongqing's return. When the others left, she said in a low voice, "Uncle Qing, you don't dare to go against the higher-ups when you come back. I'm afraid you will suffer." Zhuo Yongqing smiled and said, "I came back to accept my punishment." After chatting for a while, the sun gradually disappeared and Qu Qing also came back.
Among the five survivors in Xuan Jia Ao, Qu Qing and Hou Wu were relatively older. Among them, Qu Qing had the highest qualifications. He had been a general and participated in fighting at the grass-roots level. He used to have a dignified and murderous aura. Now that he was in the General Staff Headquarters, he was more reserved and steady. After the five people ate together, the two women tidied up the house. Qu Qing and Zhuo Yongqing went out for a walk. Hou Yuanyong also followed behind.
Zhuo Yongqing's purpose of returning was not a secret, so there was no need to hide it too much. The most prominent crimes and violations of discipline in the war actually involved some of the war heroes of the past. The most troublesome one was a company commander who had some discord with a small merchant who had ascended the mountain. This time, after attacking the city, he found the merchant's house and accidentally killed the merchant, leaving behind a widow and two daughters. This matter was uncovered and the company commander admitted his crime. As for how to deal with the matter, the military hoped for leniency. In short, they still tried to plead for leniency. Zhuo Yongqing was one of the representatives sent back this time. He was also a war hero and had killed Wanyan Loushi. Occasionally, the military would use him as a face project.
"The Huaxia army has been in revolt for almost ten years. This is the first time we have attacked. But what the higher-ups pay the most attention to is not the outside. Before we attacked, Yongqing, you saw that discipline is the strictest. Every meeting … "As Qu Qing walked, he smiled as he talked about these things." But this matter does not have much to do with you. You are just a messenger. When something happens, your side can't do nothing … Just know that you are a messenger. As for the rest, watch more, think more, and speak less. "
Zhuo Yongqing nodded. "I am not the one leading the team, so I won't speak. But according to Brother Qu, the punishment will be severe? "
"Personally, I think it will be severe. But there are two kinds of severe. Severe punishment is severe, and expanding the scope of attack is also severe. It depends on which one you can accept … If it is severe, do you accept a life for a life?" After Qu Qing finished speaking, he patted his shoulder and smiled. "Okay, enough of the gossip. Let's get down to business …"
Zhuo Yongqing hurriedly waved his hand. "Brother Qu, there is no need for business."
"There must be business. Just as I entered the door, your two sisters-in-law pulled me away and gave me a death order … You are already old, find a woman. Don't learn from Luo Ye. He is a young master in the capital and grew up surrounded by women. You grew up in the northwest and have seen more women than he has touched. Your parents are no longer around, so we must help you settle this matter. Come, let's not play around. What conditions? You can draw a line and see if I can accept it. "
Zhuo Yongqing only shook his head with a bitter face. He did not dare to be crafty. Originally, he wanted to use a blind date to threaten Qu Qing, but Qu Qing did not place much importance on women. He just did not want to mess around anymore after playing around. It did not mean that he avoided blind dates. If he made a condition to go together, this Brother Qu would definitely go with the flow. But he placed great importance on this matter.
The meeting about this matter between the military headquarters and several other departments was set for the afternoon of the next day. Just as Qu Qing said, the higher-ups attached great importance to this matter. After several parties met, Mister Ning and Liu Dabiao, the head of the Blade Overlord, who was in charge of the Military Law Department, also came over. Although this woman was also Mister Ning's wife, she had a forthright personality and was highly skilled in martial arts. She had personally participated in several military competitions and was loved and respected by the soldiers.
The specific handling of this series of matters was still the work of several departments. Mr. Ning and Liu Dabiao could only be considered as non-voting attendees. Zhuo Yongqing remembered Qu Qing's words. At the meeting, he only listened carefully and spoke impartially. After all the opinions from all sides were stated, Zhuo Yongqing saw that Mr. Ning in front of him was silent for a long time before he began to speak.
"How many times … or even more than a few times have I asked you, who do you think you are? What is Huaxia? What is the difference between you and the people outside? "
"… The Wu dynasty lost to the Jurchens. Millions of people were defeated like grass being mowed. We killed the emperor of the Wu dynasty and defeated the Jurchens. We say that we are the Huaxia army. After so many years, we have won enough battles. What do you think is the difference between you and the people of the Wu dynasty? You are not the same people from the beginning! Is that right? How did we defeat so many enemies? "
"… Because we realized that there was no way back. Because we realized that everyone's life is earned by themselves. We risked our lives and put in effort to become outstanding people. A group of outstanding people formed an outstanding group! What is Huaxia? Huaxia has great etiquette, so it is called Xia. It has the beauty of clothing, so it is called Hua. Only outstanding and outstanding things can be called Huaxia! You have done great things. You say that we are people of Huaxia, so Huaxia is great. You have done bad things. You say that you are people of Huaxia. Do you have the face to say that? Shameful. "
"The Wu dynasty has been around for more than two hundred years. Civil officials want power. They form their own cliques and fight against those who don't. Military officials want money. They form cliques and take advantage of each other. So much so that civil officials can't remonstrate and military officials can't fight! When the enemy attacks, the soldiers first see if the people around them will run. The Huaxia army has been around for almost ten years. You have finally fought your way out. The good times have come, right? What a good start you have! You are also people of the Wu dynasty! When you are pushed to the extreme, you wake up and become outstanding. Only then can you begin to win battles. Your excellence doesn't come from your parents! Those people outside, they can all become people like you! Even a rabbit will bite when cornered. After defeating the Jurchens, do you want to become the next Jurchens?! Let them all be your slaves! "
"We have held many meetings and done many ideological work. We fight for our lives and do our duty. When the time comes, we feel that we are a cut above others! Many people say that we have held too many meetings, but I think it is not enough! Zhou Dong used to say that in a good world, scholars need a ruler and martial artists need a saber. Today, your saber has been sharpened. It seems that the ruler is not enough, and the rules are not enough! The last meeting was related to the court. Who committed a crime, how to try it, how to sentence it. Next, we have to make it clear and give everyone a clear ruler — "
"… You still want to plead for leniency, to use merit to make up for your mistakes … In the future, when you become the emperor, it won't even be two hundred years before your children will be killed in the throne room. You will be criticized by later generations … I don't think you will have that chance. The Jurchens are attacking the Daming Residence now! Wang Shanyue and Zhu Biao are fighting with their lives on the line! Wanyan Zonghan and Wanyan Xiyin have also come down. They have passed Yanmen Pass! We still have a big battle with the Jurchens. You want to enjoy life? Become like the people of the Wu dynasty today? Side with those who don't? Drink three cups of wine as punishment for doing something wrong? I think you are going to die at the hands of the Jurchens! "
"We are not trying to rebuild a Wu dynasty. We have to do better. Everyone … This time, the leadership of the Fifth Army will all have to write a review. Those who participated in this matter will be the first to be removed … Who asked you to come and ask for this favor …"
As Zhuo Yongqing listened to these words, his hands swiped as he recorded all these things. Although his words were heavy, his attitude was not negative. Instead, he could see the inclination — Big Brother Qu was right. Compared to the battle outside, Mr. Ning paid more attention to the internal rules. He had experienced many things and participated in many important training. Finally, he could see the stability and inner meaning.
He was a representative who came to be scolded and to pass on the message, so he did not panic too much. After the meeting, Mr. Ning took the time to see him again in the evening. He said with a smile that he had been "pushed over again" and asked him about the situation at the frontline.
The next day, Zhuo Yongqing left Hedeng with the team and prepared to return to the frontline battlefield south of Chengdu. When he arrived in Jiading, he left the team slightly to make arrangements for something that Ning Yi had asked him to do. The merchant who had been killed in Jiading had the surname He. After his death, he left behind a widow and two orphaned girls. The Huaxia army was dealing with this matter seriously this time. The family's pension and arrangements had to be done well. In order to carry out this matter, Ning Yi mentioned it to Zhuo Yongqing casually and asked him to pay attention to it.
Zhuo Yongqing brought some things over personally — he actually had some selfish motives.
Last time in Jiading, he had actually seen this family and understood some of the situation. The merchant with the surname He did not come from a very good family. He had a violent personality and loved to drink. It was probably because of this that he had a conflict with the Huaxia army and was killed in the end. His widow had a weak personality and did not dare to speak up after her husband's death. The eldest daughter, He Ying, was somewhat beautiful and a bit stubborn — if it were not for her persistence, this matter would not have become so big. The army's plan was probably to suppress it for a while.
The merchant's second daughter, He Xiu, was obviously malnourished and thin and crippled. She was introverted and almost did not dare to speak up.
She reminded Zhuo Yongqing of Xuan Jia Ao seven or eight years ago.
At that time, he was seriously injured and was left in Xuan Jia Ao by his comrades. The villagers treated his injuries and let their daughter take care of him. That girl was mute and crippled, thin like a stick of firewood. The northwest was poor, and such a girl could not even get married. The old villager wanted Zhuo Yongqing to take the girl away, but in the end, he could not say it.
The Taoist Woman came, and the mute girl's clothes were torn and then she was killed in front of him. From beginning to end, they did not say a word. However, for many years, the mute girl's eyes flashed in front of him. Every time his family and friends asked him to go on a blind date — he actually wanted to get married — he could see that look in her eyes. He remembered that the mute girl was called Xuan Man Niang.
The crippled girl called He Xiu reminded Zhuo Yongqing of her.
He went to He Jia Ao and knocked on the door. When he saw the military uniform, the first jar inside was smashed down. Zhuo Yongqing raised his hand to block it, and the jar broke into pieces. One of the pieces slashed across his forehead. Zhuo Yongqing's forehead was already injured, and now another piece was added to it. Blood seeped out from the wound.
The person who smashed the jar from inside was the eldest daughter, He Ying. The crippled girl, He Xiu, hid behind her. Her eyes behind her long hair were filled with fear. Zhuo Yongqing reached out to touch the blood that seeped out, then raised his hand, "It's okay, it's okay, I'm sorry …" He paused, "My name is Zhuo Yongqing, we've met before, I'm here on behalf of the Huaxia Army to inform the two ladies that regarding your father's matter, the Huaxia Army will give you a fair and just explanation. This matter will not take long, the people involved in this matter are already investigating … Here are some emergency supplies and rations, take them first, don't refuse, I'll leave first, the injury is not a problem, don't be afraid."
He picked up the two bags from the carriage and placed them at the door. He Ying stretched out her leg to kick them, "I don't want your smelly things." But she did not have much strength. Zhuo Yongqing put down the things, closed the door, then jumped onto the carriage and left quickly.
Don't scare people, we'll meet again next time.
— — He thought of this, pressed on his wound and rushed back. The next day, he rushed towards the direction of Chengdu.
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