The soldiers and horses returned at a slow pace, and it took another five days before they returned to Laizhou.
This war has really consumed the autumn harvest time. The soldiers were chatting and laughing on their way back, but now they thought about the harvest at home and the hard work of tending the land during this period, and they couldn't help but feel a little worried.
Fortunately, soon after passing through Changyi County, the soldiers saw large fields belonging to military households.
Just then, local officials led the farmers to clean up the harvested fields and harvest some scattered millet and wild wheat. Some children followed their parents out, but they were lazy and did not want to do heavy work, so they scattered on both sides of the road, pretending to pick up fallen millet grains.
This thing is planted after the wheat harvest and harvested in August and September. The yield is not high and the taste is not very good. It is usually ground into cakes. But children are always hungry, so some of them are bolder. They light a fire in the field, gather the millet in the ashes, roast it, and then eat it slowly in the palm of their hand.
The soldiers have their own fields and know how to farm. Looking at the children's expressions, they know that the autumn harvest will be fine. Everyone felt relaxed, so some people slowed down a little to tease the children. As a result, the marching column was loosened, and they were immediately scolded by the officer behind them.
More soldiers kept walking, but the content of the conversation changed. They began to plan that after returning to their hometown, they would have to gather a group of people to quickly set up the water truck, and they would have to urge the women and children to collect the manure. In addition, the superiors of the military government assigned various tasks such as opening canals, building roads, and building warehouses. If the head of a family died on the battlefield, everyone would probably have to help and take care of him for a while.
This section of road passes through the fields and is somewhat narrow. Guo Ning reined in his horse and stopped on one side, asking the soldiers to keep two columns parallel.
The soldiers walked past him, greeted each other in a noisy manner, and continued to discuss the family affairs in a noisy manner. The words were so loud that Guo Ning had to raise his voice when talking to his companions.
The officers noticed Guo Ning's whereabouts and worked harder to maintain discipline in order to leave a good impression on the commander when the march passed by.
Guo Ning himself doesn't mind this.
One war has just ended, and the next war may come at any time. During this short interval, the soldiers were able to take care of their family affairs. Guo Ning felt very happy and even listened in rapt attention.
It is strange to say that as he took charge of more armies and killed more people, his heart should have become harder and harder. But at the same time, he felt that his heart was getting softer and softer, as if his whole person was split in two.
Teams of several thousand people entered various military camps near Laizhou. Guo Ning waited for the soldiers to settle down, and then selected a few camps to look at before riding into the city.
At this time, night has fallen, the city gate is very quiet, and lights are on on both sides of the road. In the night, you can vaguely see the smoke of cooking birds, and the aroma of food is fragrant.
Yiza Chucai is in Dengzhou on official business at the moment and will return tomorrow. The officials stationed in the state came out to give a brief welcome. Except for the personal guards, the accompanying generals returned to their respective homes.
The group was still half a mile away from the commander's mansion when they saw two maids who had come out to look around and turned back to report the news. Lu Shu was riding a pony and was wandering on the street. When he saw Guo Ning, he grinned, then pulled the reins hard and turned around, shouting: "Come back! Come back! Sister, your man is back. !”
All the guards laughed.
Guo Ning urged his horse up, grabbed Lu Shu's clothes from behind, and lifted him from the saddle. At this moment, he saw Lu Han coming out of the door, so he made a move to throw Lu Shu over.
Lu Han was startled, and Guo Ning quickly put Lu Shu down to the ground.
Just as he was about to speak, the sound of hoofbeats sounded from behind, and it was Xu Jin's subordinate Aruhan who came: "Commander Jies, Yin Chang has entered the city."
It's the work of the front and rear feet, isn't it a coincidence? Guo Ning was stunned and shook his head towards Lu Han.
"Is there anything to eat at home?" he asked.
"How could there not be? A new sheep was killed, and cakes were steamed. Everyone has them." Lu Han smiled.
"Then invite Yin Junxia to come and have a drink in our backyard."
A moment later, Guo Ning took Yin Chang's arm and they walked into the courtyard side by side.
Lu Han took his two maids to arrange food and drinks, met with Yin Chang, chatted for a few words, and then gave the courtyard to the two of them.
This is the treatment you get when you enter a room, it is very cordial. Yin Chang looked flattered, and the two drank and ate meat, changing glasses for a while.
Guo Ning's drinking capacity was light, and he only touched his lips slightly. Seeing that Yin Chang was full and slightly drunk, he made tea for him with his own hands. After chatting for a few more words, we heard the sound of the golden gong in the city, and the night ban began.
The sound of the gong seemed to be a signal, and Yin Chang's somewhat distracted eyes suddenly regained consciousness: "I was supposed to come here with Commander Ji, but I was pestered by some old subordinates in Binzhou and kept busy with all kinds of trivial matters, so I slowed down. Fortunately. Riding horses along the way, there will be no mistakes."
"Haha, it's nothing at all. Why bother? It's just that the general is well-known in Shandong. When you come to the state, there are many civil and military officials who want to see you and talk about friendship. So I took the liberty of sending someone to urge you. In addition, …”
Guo Ning pressed the eucalyptus with his hand and moved forward, laughing in a low voice: "General Yin has done a great job this time, and his help to me is even more timely. Such a great contribution is indispensable. I have prepared some belongings for you, and also arranged An appointment, thinking that I can give it to the general in front of everyone, so that I can earn some reputation for clear rewards and punishments. Haha, haha!"
"Ahem..."
Yin Chang hesitated for a moment, and Guo Ning came closer and stared into his eyes: "However, even if I spend all my money, the things I give may not satisfy a hero like General Yin. General Qian Please forgive me and let me take my time to make arrangements... As time goes by, you and I will see people's hearts, and I will not treat you badly, how about that?"
Although Yin Chang is a wealthy man who has been in Binzhou for many years and can eat everywhere, Guo Ning has already conquered Shandong East Road, so he is very polite to him.
Yin Chang waved his hands repeatedly: "Even without me, Commander-in-Chief, it would be easy for you to defeat Li Quan. I only have little power, what is it worth? What's more, I am a person without great ambitions. From the beginning to the end, I only think about One-acre field is three-quarters of an acre in front of my house. You know that, Commander-in-Chief!"
He held a tea cup and greeted Guo Ning: "Commander Jie is young and promising, and will surely achieve great things. When I came to the state, I also found that the city was tight and the people were safe, which was very different from the chaos of the red coat army. After this battle, The heroes of Shandong will definitely gather in the scenery, like hundreds of rivers returning to the sea. If the commander-in-chief wants to give me any reward or give me any position, alas, I am afraid that I, a household keeper, am not worthy of my virtue and will be laughed at by outsiders."
Guo Ning hurriedly said: "General, what you said is too modest. Although you don't take credit, I can't help but reward you. If you can't satisfy the general, how can I expect to gather all the followers?"
The two exchanged a few words, which were somewhat clouded.
In fact, the meaning is very simple. Guo Ning tested it repeatedly, but Yin Chang only said, when you wooed me that day, you promised me to continue to stay in Binzhou. What you said must not be ignored.
