With Su Dingfang's help, Meton led the Firearms Supervisor's huge caravan at full speed. He didn't have to worry about the horses' stamina at all. When they reached a relay station, they would change horses and speed up greatly.
The Firearms Supervisor had many carriages and thousands of horses. They were very mobile. Although the horses were easy to change, the personnel needed to rest. At this moment, the huge power of the Mo Family Village was fully mobilized. The Firearms Supervisor headed west, Chen Cang, Tianshui, Lan Province, and passed by many cities. Mo Jiazi had prepared food and lodging in advance.
After receiving the supplies, the Firearms Supervisor didn't stop at all and immediately set off. Although they couldn't reach the maximum speed of three hundred miles a day by traveling day and night, the Firearms Supervisor's speed of two hundred miles a day was enough to show disdain for the army. At this speed, the Firearms Supervisor had enough time to reach Jade Gate Pass.
However, not far from Lan Province, the condition of the brick road obviously deteriorated. The originally spacious brick road had become a narrow one-way road that could only allow one carriage to pass. Even so, this was the brick road that the Ministry of Works had specially rushed to make for the army's march in order to rush the construction period.
Morton looked at the endless brick road that disappeared into the snow. He could hear the sounds of children playing by his ears, the prosperous inns on both sides of the road, the red peach talismans pasted on the walls, and the faint sounds of family reunions. Only then did Morton remember what day it was.
"It's New Year's Eve."
Meton suddenly understood. Counting the days, they had already set off from Chang 'an City for eight days.
"Lord Chancellor, the soldiers have finished setting up camp!" Xue Rengui came to Meton's side and listened to his orders. The Firearms Supervisor was the last to set off. The Westward Expedition Army left behind many abandoned camps, which saved the Firearms Supervisor a lot of effort.
Merton said, "Today is New Year's Eve. Every soldier is to send a letter home. You can only tell them that you are safe. Do not divulge any military secrets."
"Thank you, Lord!" Xue Rengui said with a face full of joy. Only those in the army knew how precious it was to be able to send a letter home. Moreover, when the army was going to war, being able to send a letter home could also calm the army's morale.
"Also, every soldier will have an additional meal of canned meat tonight! We will continue our journey tomorrow! "Meton continued to order.
"Yes!" Xue Rengui accepted the order and left. Soon, cheers could be heard from the army.
Under Meton's insistence, the soldiers in the Firearms Division were highly literate. Even those who couldn't read had to learn by themselves. After three years, it wasn't a problem for them to write a letter home. Soon, thousands of letters were written and sent to the relay station nearby.
Following that, cans of canned meat were distributed to the soldiers of the Firearms Division. Soon, the entire camp was filled with the fragrance of meat.
Canned meat was a product that had only become popular in the past three years. Once the meat was made, it would be placed into a metal box and sealed properly. It could be stored for up to a year and could be eaten immediately. The taste was extremely delicious and was very popular in the army.
Currently, canned meat and compressed rations were essential rations for marching and fighting. Of course, during the march, most of the rations were portable and resistant to hunger. During the rapid march, although Brother Mo Jiazi had prepared food in advance, most of the rations were rations. The soldiers of the Firearms Division had long since gotten sick of eating rations. With the addition of canned meat, the soldiers naturally cheered endlessly.
As for the journey tomorrow, the soldiers of the Firearms Division were already mentally prepared. After all, their departure time was too short. Naturally, they had to speed up.
Outside the Firearms Division's camp, Meton was also holding a can of canned meat and looking at Chang 'an. Unknowingly, the 13th year of Zhenguan had ended.
"Chancellor, you must be homesick!" Xue Rengui also held a can of canned meat and sat beside Meton.
Meton sighed and said, "This is the first time I'm not in Chang 'an to celebrate the New Year. It's also the first time I'm away from Mo Sha. I don't know if she's used to it."
Every New Year's Eve, Chang 'an City was the most lively. It was also Mo Sha's happiest day. On this day, Mo Sha would receive all kinds of surprises from the Mo Family Village. Every year, the craftsmen in the Mo Family Village would make all kinds of toys for Mo Sha. Presumably, this year was no exception.
"What about you?" Meton turned his head and looked at Xue Rengui.
Xue Rengui immediately revealed a trace of tenderness and said, "This humble one also has a wife and children at home. Speaking of which, this humble one joined the army because, firstly, I was inspired by Marquis Mo's poem, and secondly, it was my wife, Lady Liu's support. When this humble one told Lady Liu that I was working under Marquis Mo, don't mention how happy she was. She repeatedly urged this humble one to do his best and not disappoint Lord Chancellor.
Meton nodded and said, "Behind every successful man, there is a woman who silently contributes. Your wife Liu is indeed a virtuous wife."
"My wife will be very happy to hear your evaluation." Xue Rengui solemnly thanked him. What Meton said was probably the highest evaluation for an ordinary woman. His wife Liu would definitely be honored in the village.
The two men sat facing each other and chatted about family matters until night fell.
The brick road outside Lanzhou was dark, but the whole Chang 'an City was brightly lit. On New Year's Eve, every family took turns to keep watch, no matter if it was a small family or a noble family.
In the Mo Manor.
The three-story villa was brightly lit. Princess Changle hugged Mo Sha, and Wu Meiniang sat to the side. The three of them surrounded a brazier to keep watch.
In the Mo Manor, Meton had already gone west to fight Gao Chang. Naturally, the mistress of the house, Princess Changle, would keep watch for him.
"Mother, where do you think father is?" Mo Sha's eyes were wide open, and she looked listless. Even the room full of new toys did not pique her interest.
"Looking at the time, your father should have already passed Lanzhou." Princess Changle replied casually.
"Then when will father come back?" Mo Sha naturally did not know where Lanzhou was. She was only concerned about when her father would come back.
"Very soon. After your father beats Gao Chang, he will be back." Princess Changle comforted Mo Sha.
"Beats Gao Chang? Sha 'er has never seen father fight before. "Mo Sha said innocently.
Princess Changle could not help but laugh. "It's not just two people fighting. It's two armies fighting. Your father's firearms department is the strongest army in the world."
Princess Changle narrated Modun's accomplishments in the western expedition to Tuyuhun. Hearing this, Mo Sha's eyes immediately shone.
"Father is the strongest in the world." Mo Sha said proudly.
"That is only natural!" Similarly, Princess Changle proudly replied. Furthermore, she believed this to be a matter of course.
"Then I want to hear father's story." Mo Sha snuggled in Princess Changle's arms and said coquettishly.
"Then we'll have to start with the Secret Technique of the Living Fish …" Princess Changle hugged Mo Sha and said softly.
Amidst Princess Changle's gentle voice, Mo Sha gradually fell asleep. However, Princess Changle did not relax in the slightest. Instead, she calmly gazed to the west. She believed that in all parts of the Great Tang, there were countless women like her, hoping for their husband's safe return.
As the fire flickered, time slowly passed. As the midnight bell rang, New Year's Eve had passed and the New Year had arrived.
The fourteenth year of the Tang Dynasty had finally arrived.
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