Chapter 213: Amusement (2)
The horse carriage had been walking and stopping for several days, still circling around the outer suburbs of Zhongnan Mountain. The team often stopped at the mountain path with mountains and water, and every time the team slightly stabilized, Shang Dafu and his son would lead some people to rush up the mountain in a hurry, as if there was a fleeting beautiful scenery in the mountains waiting for their arrival.
They didn't come down from the mountain until dusk, and everyone's expression looked gloomy. Jiang Wanru calmly accepted such a day, as long as she saw Jiang Feiyang and Jiang Lanyan's happy appearance every day after the carriage started moving, waiting for the carriage to stop, she was very happy to accept the situation of stopping on the way back to Beijing. Bique also smiled and accepted the journey with less walking time and more stopping time.
Only Fang Zheng's mother initially had a somewhat resentful expression, but later she saw that Shang Dafu was always accompanied by many refined middle-aged men, who, despite wearing coarse clothing, couldn't hide their resolute demeanor. Fang Zheng's mother was still a relatively discerning person, and in the following days, she humbly kept her head down and only looked at her grandson. Bi Lu saw this Fang Zheng's mother during her free time and sighed to Jiang Wanru: "I now know why she can only struggle within her own circle?"
Jiang Wanru smiled faintly as she listened to her sighs. For several days, such a leisurely and elegant life made Jiang Wanru feel that having mountains, water, and people was the most beautiful life. On the mountain road, Shang Ming and Jiang Feiyang, brother and sister, ran back and forth in front of the horse cart with their feet bare, laughing and shouting as they chased each other. Jiang Wanru and two women stood by the side of the road watching them, all three faces filled with happy smiles, the years were so quiet and good.
In the late afternoon, when Shang Dafu and his son led the group down the mountain, they noticed that everyone's spirits were low. The people waiting on the mountain road instinctively climbed onto their respective carriages. After a short while, Jiang Feiyang and his sister fell asleep leaning against Jiang Wanyue. The two women quickly picked up the blankets and wrapped them around each of them separately. As they sat down opposite Jiang Wanyue, they sighed softly and said: "Looking at Master Shang's and Young Master's expressions, I'm afraid there is still no medicine on the mountain that they want."
Jiang Wanru just quietly listened to them talking, looking at their worried expressions. As the sky gradually darkened, the horse carriage entered a small town, and Jiang Wanru's group entered an inn. After dinner, Wen Jiuniang took Shang Mingyi to her room, where he saw his two siblings playing on the bed, and happily ran forward. Jiang Wanru smiled and picked him up, taking off his shoes and letting him play on the bed too.
Wen Jiuniang sat down beside the bed at Jiang Wanting's gesture, looking a bit embarrassed as she said to Jiang Wanting: "Xiao Lan, husband said that he hasn't found any useful herbs yet, and I'm afraid the delay on the road will be even longer." Jiang Wanting looked up and smiled at her, teasingly saying: "You're worried about your own husband?" Wen Jiuniang's face turned red as she said: "No, I just don't want to waste your time. Husband said that it's hard to find someone like you who can write and paint, so he wants you to stay and help out for a few more days."
Jiang Wanru's face turned red after hearing Wen Jiuniang's words, her paintings were indeed too realistic, without any hint of elegance. She smiled and said: "Wen Jiuniang, your family is being too polite. You invited me to travel together, I'm already very happy about it. In the capital city, only my sworn brother and sister-in-law will miss me. I've already sent them a letter saying that I'll be back slowly. There's no one else who will wait for me or think of us. Arriving early or late in the capital makes little difference to me." The guest house room wasn't a place for chatting, Wen Jiuniang sat idly for a while before taking Shang Mingyi back to rest.
On the second day, it was still the overlapping peaks of distant green mountains, and nearby were still green hills. The mountain road passed by with clear river water. The horse carriage slowed down and stopped at the side of the uphill road. Jiang Wanru and two women got off the carriage with Jiang Feiyang's siblings and went to the side of Shang Furen's carriage, where they saw Shang Mingshi rushing over, hearing him call out: "Feiyang, Lanlan, come and pave the way." Jiang Wanru naturally let go of the hands of the two siblings, letting them rush forward, the three little ones gathering together, laughing and hugging each other.
Mrs. Shang and Wen Jiuniang followed behind, Mrs. Shang smiled at Jiang Wanting, seeing her warm and gentle smile at the three little ones. Her expression was warm and loving, she walked closer to Jiang Wanting's side, and shook her head with a smile as Jiang Wanting bowed to her: "Little lazy one, you're too polite, I've said it before, no need to be so courteous every time." Jiang Wanting still smiled as she finished her bow, she looked at the tired expression on Mrs. Shang's face, and smiled: "Madam, when you have time, you should rest more."
Mrs. Shang looked at her, nodded with a smile, and then gazed at the distant mountain peaks for a while before walking closer to Jiang Wanru's side and saying in a low voice: "There is not much medicine on the front line, and this time we came out, we have to be careful not to reveal our intentions, and also find more medicinal herbs. Master said that he can only trouble you to accompany us, making it seem like we are just traveling for pleasure and don't want to rush along." Jiang Wanru's eyes showed a hint of surprise, but quickly returned to calmness as she said: "Madam, there is no need to explain these things to me. If I am needed anywhere, you can speak freely."
Jiang Wanru finished speaking and followed Mrs. Shang's gaze up the mountain. When the fine rain drifted down, she and Wen Jiuniang took three children into the carriage where Mrs. Shang sat under her summons. The carriage was filled with a strong medicinal herb scent, and Mrs. Shang smiled at Jiang Wanru who slightly wrinkled her nose: "Wherever my husband is, there will be the smell of herbs." After saying this, she looked out at the fine rain with a worried face and whispered: "I hope it rains less on the mountain than below."
Shang Ming rushed into Shang Furen's arms, calling out: "Grandmother, Grandfather and Father will take shelter from the rain, don't worry." Shang Furen was taken aback by this sudden move, but her worried expression eased a lot. Wen Jiuniang smiled at Jiang Wenyu and comforted Shang Furen, saying: "Mother, yesterday my husband said that according to the officials from the government, our side is winning more and losing less on the border, so we will definitely be able to finish this war this year. Oh, he also said that this mountain has spiritual energy, so I'm sure we'll find the herbs we're looking for."
On the border of Ning Chao, in front of the commander-in-chief's tent, many generals walked out with smiles on their faces. They had just won a battle and for the first time, the commander-in-chief praised them for their tacit cooperation. From the beginning of last year when they started counterattacking, they were often suppressed by the enemy, but gradually they found the enemy's weaknesses and quickly countered their attacks, retaking three lost cities in a row. If it weren't for the emperor's instructions not to make reckless moves, these men would have liked to vent their anger and attack several of the enemy's cities directly.
Lian Hao was the last to walk out of the marshal's tent, and his face also had a big smile on it. He looked at the generals waiting outside, smiled and patted them on the back, saying: "It's okay, thanks for your help this time, the marshal didn't scold me in vain. I think he knows that my actions have been quite steady, and from now on, he won't scold me again." As soon as his voice fell, a voice came out of the marshal's tent: "Lian Hao, get back in here and talk to me!" The generals immediately burst into laughter, each patting him lightly on the shoulder, with someone laughing and saying: "General Lian, we can't help you, who made you a general brought up by the marshal from a small soldier?"
A group of people left with loud laughter, leaving Lian Hao standing not far from the marshal's tent. He was frowning and thinking, looking at the messenger who came out of the tent. He quickly went forward and asked in a low voice: "Xiao Li, is he very angry?" The messenger glanced at Lian Hao's rounded abdomen and shook his head slightly, saying: "General Lian, take care of yourself." After finishing speaking, he hurriedly ran away. Another message came from inside the marshal's tent: "Lian Hao, how much longer do you plan to stand outside?"
Lian Hao hastily rubbed his face and entered the tent with a smile, calling out to the people inside: "General, good!" The Grand Marshal slapped the table heavily and said: "You come here to reminisce about old times, but when you led your troops to charge forward, did you not think of my instructions? Did I not tell you to take it one step at a time and wear down the enemy?" Lian Hao looked at the Grand Marshal with a difficult expression and said: "Marshal, the opportunity you previously mentioned was one that we had to seize and could not let slip away. At the time, I only thought that every minute of delay would put countless lives in danger."
The Grand Marshal looked at Lian Hua with a serious face and said in a deep voice, "This time it was your good luck. The General Lin who followed you from behind has always been a brave man who dares to charge forward. He is well-matched with you, and only when he charged forward to support you at the critical moment could you win back this battle." Lian Hua's face immediately showed a triumphant smile, and he looked at the Grand Marshal with joy, saying, "Young General, are you feeling much more relieved in your heart after this battle? The resentment that has been pent up for so long can also be vented out by half."
The Grand Marshal looked at the expression on his face, pondered for a moment, and beckoned Lian Hao to come over. With a serious tone, he said: "Lian Hao, you are someone I brought up myself. I hope you can safely follow me back to the capital. From being the third son of a king's mansion to where you are now, it's all because of your true abilities and your genuine treatment of those under you, who are also willing to listen to your words. I hope you can go even further in the future, at least then you will be yourself, not always hiding in the shadow of the king's mansion."
Lianhao, you dared to seize the opportunity and charge forward, timely extinguishing the opponent's arrogance. This was done very correctly. However, when you charged too far ahead, it wasn't done correctly. Lianhao, when we came to the border, I said that I hoped to safely bring all of your people back to the capital. As the war has developed, some people have already left us forever. After our victory, they can only rely on us to transport them back. Now, I hope that most people can follow me back to the capital and drink the celebratory wine bestowed by His Majesty together. I think His Majesty's thoughts are the same - Ning Dynasty needs generals with actual combat experience. To preserve his strength, he won't sacrifice many loyal and patriotic people for the sake of a future reputation, burying them at the border.
Next time you only remember to rush forward, think about the person you want to go back and find. (If you like this work, welcome to register as a member, the latest chapter list, your support is my greatest motivation.)
