This wasn't the end yet. After finishing the words, Zheng Xiong waited quietly for the craftsmen to carve them.
As the last word was carved, Li Si also brought up the tributes he had prepared.
"Shot."
Li Si heard Zheng Xiong's words and conveyed the order backwards again.
Still twelve shots were fired.
Zheng Xiong picked up the incense, bowed three times to the stone tablet, and inserted the incense into the incense burner in front of him.
Except for a few words in the middle, Zheng Xiong held this memorial ceremony almost in silence.
After the ceremony, Zheng Xiong disbanded the army and made preparations to return to Beijing.
But Zheng Xiong left a great impact.
People like Zhang Huaiyuan didn't know what the use was of doing this to these big-headed soldiers, but they didn't comment or comment too much on Zheng Xiong's behavior.
The word "ritual" has been an unavoidable topic from ancient times to the present. It is where quality lies. As a member of the literati, Zhang Huaiyuan should be like this.
Many people feel that the living do so much to the dead, and no matter how well they do it, it is a waste to not see what they do while they are alive, and to pretend to do it after they die.
In fact, they are all for living people to see.
It’s just this inheritance from generation to generation that is impressive and orderly.
Good or bad, the key lies in inheritance and education.
When others saw it, their attitude towards the old and young was just a thought, which made others envious.
The attitude of the military towards Zheng Xiong is obviously different. In the past, they just obeyed orders, but now they are truly convinced.
As for the cemetery built by Zheng Xiong, people from the army came to pay homage from time to time, and every person who came felt better about Zheng Xiong.
On this day, everything was prepared, and Zheng Xiong was already a little impatient to return home.
"Lao Li, are you done?"
"Master Marquis, everything is done. Official letters along the way have been distributed. We are just waiting for the army to set off."
"It's just that I still need to ask the Marquis for advice on how to deal with the Yuan army captured this time."
"Oh, I would have forgotten it if you didn't tell me."
"We definitely won't be able to let them go. Letting them go will damage my image."
"Take them back together and keep them company for their emperor."
"I'll write a handwritten letter later, and you can send him to the border and deliver it to Naha."
"Yes, Lord Marquis, I have taken note of it."
"Well, it's done. Go pick up my wife and go home tomorrow."
"Master Marquis, why don't you go there in person and give me an explanation?"
"Everything that needs to be explained has been explained. With Shi Sanxiang, the purchased property, and Hu Hou taking care of you, it should be fine. Go and take care of it with Hu Hou. It's not convenient for me to come forward, and I don't have time to talk anymore."
"Yes, Lord Marquis."
After Li Si left, Zheng Xiong prepared another banquet and said goodbye to Zhang Huaiyuan and others.
Zhang Huaiyuan has nothing to say. He not only lends money, but also takes care of him. It is unjustifiable for him not to eat a meal.
When Li Si arrived in Ying County, although Wei Hong was reluctant to leave, she had to leave the Wei brothers cruelly.
When you marry, follow the chicken, and when you get married, follow your husband. Women in this era are still very particular.
Eat well and drink well. With the arrival of Wei Hong, the night was very comfortable.
In the early morning of the next day, Zheng Xiong lay in bed and didn't want to get up.
The fixed day did not change according to human will. Zheng Xiong reluctantly got up and washed, then gathered the army and set off.
Zhang Huaiyuan arranged the time and came to see them off when they arrived. Also arriving were his colleagues from Yanmen who had eaten.
After some conversation, Zheng Xiong set out on his way home.
"Li Si, you are right in calculating your return journey, just as my elder brother told you."
"Master Marquis, I don't know the exact location within Gunzhou, but it should be pretty close."
"Okay, let's take it one step at a time. I hope my old brother can give me some help, otherwise I'll be a little heartbroken if I lose this money."
The army returning home led by Zheng Xiong went smoothly, and even with so many people there, they didn't look for trouble.
The food and grass on the road were supplied, so I didn't have to worry about eating and drinking, and my wife was with the army, which made it a little more fun along the way.
This kind of march is not so much a march as it is a honeymoon trip for Zheng Xiong and Wei Hong. There are bodyguards accompanying them along the way, which makes them feel more comfortable than when they arrived.
Soon we arrived in Gunzhou.
But here, human navigation is useless.
Zheng Hu and a few followers couldn't remember where they were.
Zheng Xiong was a little confused now. He was not willing to leave like this. It wouldn't be a problem to stay here if he didn't leave.
Although Jining Prefecture provided food and grass, so many people were always annoying.
Staying one more day would be torture for others.
No, I waited until the next day and saw that Zheng Xiong showed no sign of leaving.
Gunzhou didn't want to wait any longer and quickly sent someone to inquire about Zheng Xiong's intentions.
"Master Marquis, Master Zhizhou called the official here to ask, why is Master Marquis staying here?"
I have a headache. Can I say it's for my own personal reasons? Obviously not. To put it bluntly, I'm definitely not reaping the benefits.
"After marching for several days, I stopped here to do some repairs. I saw the unique scenery in Gunzhou. I lingered for a while and I couldn't bear to leave!"
I can understand the trimming, but I can't bear to look at the scenery. With so many people, how much food does it cost to feed them for a day?
Having so much food can solve a lot of things.
"Well, Lord Marquis, we in Gunzhou cannot afford to feed these ten thousand soldiers on horseback!"
"The world has just settled down. In the past two years, floods have been constant in Gongzhou, and thieves and bandits are often found in the territory."
"Please also ask the Marquis to take mercy on us and leave as soon as possible for the sake of our difficulties."
"We in Gunzhou are deeply grateful."
He said it too directly, and even gave Zheng Xiong a big salute. Zheng Xiong was a little ashamed of his attitude of asking and begging.
Is it so difficult? I told myself without hesitation that this was indeed a bit inappropriate.
"Well, I really didn't know it was so difficult for you. Let's do this. I won't eat for free. You said there are many thieves and bandits, so I killed them for you. What do you think?"
It was a bit tempting, and the officials who came were somewhat persuaded by Zheng Xiong, but they still had some concerns.
"I would be very grateful if the Marquis could help, but we really don't have any extra food and grass for the Marquis to suppress the bandits."
"It's okay. The food and grass you provided is enough for a few days. It's enough to leave your territory in Gunzhou. It won't delay anything if I stop by to suppress the bandits for you."
Is Zheng Xiong a good person? It doesn't matter. But I always want to try my luck, and maybe I will meet him.
Besides, when it comes to things that are beneficial to both parties, I am also somewhat at a loss. Mutual benefit is not considered a loss.
"Then if this is the case, I will be rude to you!"
"But it doesn't matter."
"There is a Cao County next to Gunzhou, among which~"
"Wait a minute, where is Cao County you are talking about? Why does it sound familiar to you?"
"Don't you know, Lord Marquis? That's right. Speaking of which, Cao County has also been renamed in recent years. It was called Caozhou in the past."
"In the fourth year of Hongwu, Caozhou was surrendered to Cao County and placed under the jurisdiction of Jining Prefecture."
"That's not right. It is under the jurisdiction of Jining Mansion. What does it have to do with you?"
(End of chapter)
