It is said that soldiers who have participated in one exploration operation will generally not participate in a second time in a short period of time. After all, every soldier who returns safely from the Netherland is a valuable asset, and there is no reason to spend it so easily. The development idea of the Huang Army since its establishment has always been to use the old to lead the new, that is, veterans who have participated in exploratory operations will lead recruits who have received two years of training into the Netherland, and then select the best from the recruits who have participated in exploratory operations. Through this The mode continues to expand the team with experience in exploring the underworld.
As a member of Yan Zheng who had participated in the exploration operation and who had returned from an extremely dangerous world alone, he did not need to participate in this exploration operation if he wanted to. That was why Lao Lu had previously asked for his opinion. From the perspective of personal feelings, Yan Zheng To be honest, Lao Lu naturally did not want Yan Zheng to participate again. After all, Yan Zheng still had parents to support at home. He just asked him about his family situation out of such considerations. He guessed that Yan Zheng was psychologically traumatized because of the sacrifice of his comrades. , I wanted to enlighten him, but this unintentional move directly touched Yan Zheng's heart.
After having a heart-to-heart talk with Lao Lu, Yan Zheng also began to hesitate. Of course he understood the reason. He would face countless difficulties and obstacles if he took a step forward. From the current point of view, after getting rid of the Luo family's scouts, he was temporarily safe. However, The Luo family, who had not received the scout's return order, obviously would not give up. Just as the scout said, they would continue to send stronger people to continue investigating him. In the long run, he who is pregnant with the red gauze bodhi will not only have to He tried his best to conceal it, and he had to accumulate military merit and keep climbing up the ranks, trying to join the princes and nobles to improve his social status. Only in this way could he investigate the fifty-seventh exploration operation and give an explanation to the fallen comrades.
But what about taking a step back? He was able to return home with money and fine clothes. The money was divided into three parts. One part was used to buy fields, part was used to marry a wife and have children, and part was left to his parents to support him in old age and enjoy an ordinary life. After his parents and family members all left, he You can join the cultivating sect, understand your mind, and attain the truth. Anyway, you have unlimited life, and you can do whatever you want. It is also very happy to take off your shackles, stay away from the world, and be a country folk.
It seems that every choice has its own reason. Whether to go forward or backward is determined by Yan Zheng's thoughts.
On the third day of the Tianzuo Festival holiday, Lao Lusha summoned everyone together. Yan Zheng originally thought that he was going to announce the candidates for the 58th exploration operation. After all, in his opinion, there was nothing better than this right now. There are more important things, but what Lao Lu wants to say is not this matter, but that a group of distinguished people will come to the Eighth Guard Station to express their condolences. Usually, such things happen occasionally, because all the people at the Guard Station The general post is usually held by children of aristocratic families. During the holidays, a convoy of aristocratic families will naturally come to visit. I don’t know what is so special about this visit of condolences that Lao Lu is so concerned about it.
Lao Lu ordered everyone to find all the good things usually hidden at the bottom of the boxes in the warehouse. In order to properly entertain the condolences this time, the quartermaster specially gave the kitchen a large amount of funds, and those good things usually hidden were veterans. What we picked out from the ingredients delivered each time was not recorded in the food consumption. It was like a waste of money. They took out the newly provided funds for everyone to share equally. Although everyone received not much, but After all, you can make a fortune.
Under the leadership of the general, the soldiers also got busy. The damaged tools and equipment were repaired, and the environment of the camp became completely new. Even the pig pens that were not usually noticed were cleaned. Yan Zheng looked at the sight of the soldiers marching into battle, and couldn't help but feel a little curious. Who was the person who came to offer condolences, and why the Eighth Guards paid so much attention to it? After working on it for most of the day, the whole work came to an end.
The soldiers were fully armed and lined up neatly in front of the gate as if they were about to be reviewed. The two commanders were also dressed in fine uniforms and stood side by side at the front, waiting for the condolences motorcade.
Just as it was approaching dusk, a convoy of condolences arrived. A cloud of smoke was seen drifting in the distance, leading several horses marching together. They wore gorgeously decorated saddles and led a carriage with elegant lines. The rest came first. The carriage followed closely behind and stopped steadily at the entrance of the eighth guardhouse.
The two attendants stepped out of the carriage, spread mats on the ground, then separated on both sides, and jointly opened the curtains. A handsome and handsome man came out. He was wearing a plain robe with only a few embroidery patterns near the cuffs. There is a black moire pattern, and there are no unnecessary embellishments in other places. The only decoration is the string of white jade beads on his wrist, but this slightly simple dress does not cover up the man's gloomy temperament. There was black spiritual energy leaking out, and brilliance flashed from time to time in his eyes. He was obviously a monk with advanced cultivation.
Seeing the two governors going out to greet them in person, the man walked over in two steps. Before the two governors could salute, he supported them and complained somewhat: "I, Luoting, am so virtuous and capable. I want to be so serious." Both Wei and Wei came to greet him in person. Didn’t we agree before that we should not make such a big show of things? We are here to participate in the operation, not to express condolences."
"Before, we could treat each other as brothers, but now times have changed. You are now the youngest steward of the Luo family. You are not comparable to us frontier generals. Even if it is not because of you, we have to respect the Luo family's face. " Shen Dutong laughed. He and Luo Ting were old acquaintances, so they naturally spoke more casually.
A sincere smile appeared on Luo Ting's face, and his gloomy temperament seemed to be reduced a bit. He joked: "Look, Lao Shen, it's not like this. If I hadn't heard that I came to you, I don't want to take on such a dangerous job. It would be much more comfortable for me to stay in the family and do the business of selling goods and purchasing supplies. Even leading a caravan is much easier than exploring."
"This time you can take the initiative to bring the capable forces of the Luo family to assist us in our exploration operation. We at the Eighth Guards are very grateful. After receiving the mission before, we were also very distressed. The resources of the Youhuang Army are really limited. This exploration operation It's also in a hurry. Without your help, we would still have to face a lot of troubles." Wei Dutong was transferred from the western border and is not that familiar with the situation here, so his attitude towards Luo Ting should be much more respectful. .
"Wei Dutong is so polite. Our Luo family is a member of the Northeast Province. The security and stability of the northern border are closely related to us. We will naturally help when we have spare capacity. You also know that the Luo family relies on collecting information from the Netherland. We started our business by excavating the treasures of heaven and earth and the rare mineral deposits buried underground. Without the Eighth Prince taking the lead and our border troops constantly exploring, how could our Luo family be where we are today?" Although Luo Ting still had a look on his face. Laughing, but with Wei Dutong, he only speaks for the occasion.
"I will have to rely more on your help in the future, Manager Luo. Just relying on the Ministry of Internal Affairs to do things, my little brothers can barely have enough to eat, let alone protect the dynasty." Shen Dutong was still joking, "Does your Luo family still need someone to lead the caravan? After I quit the army, I can go directly to you. When the time comes, you let me be in charge of several caravans, and I will ensure that everything is done safely and securely for you."
"The dignified Great Monk Qingxu actually wants to lead a caravan? The money it costs to supply you with elixirs every month is probably worth the profits of a dozen caravans. I can't afford it. Why don't you find some of us?" Clan elders to discuss it?" Luo Ting's tone was serious, as if he really took this matter to heart.
"Hahahaha, you really look like you are in charge now. Come on, let's go in for dinner first. I heard you were coming and I took out all the fine wines in my collection. I won't come home until I'm drunk tonight." Shen Dutong pulled Luo Ting. , and Wei Dutong and the other three walked into the camp.
The other Luo family members who followed Luo Ting also got off the carriage. They were led by the generals and walked towards the dormitories that were specially cleaned for them. The soldiers, under the command of several corps commanders, put the carriage on The luggage was unloaded and transported to the warehouse. Although it was nominally assisting, Luo Ting had a good relationship with Shen Dutong and was the manager of the Luo family, so he naturally found a way to bring more things over for the upcoming exploration. The operation required a lot of supplies, and Luo Ting's move helped the Eighth Guards solve an urgent need.
The news that the Luo family sent people to participate in the 58th exploration operation quickly spread among the soldiers. Yan Zheng also learned the news later. Fortunately, Wu Zhang was on his side. Before the Luo family came, the scout's body had been disposed of. At least for a short period of time, the Luo family could not get any news about him.
Recalling what the scout said, Yan Zheng was not sure whether the target of the Luo family stationed in the Eighth Guardhouse was him. If not, then everyone would be fine. But if it was him, it would be too late for him to escape now. Because such an obvious disappearance will definitely confirm the fact that there is something wrong with him. Even if the Luo family does not need to take action, the border army will send people to capture him.
Yan Zheng thinks he is an optimistic person, but he is not a blind person. In such a situation, he has no other choice. It is too late to wait for the Luo family to learn about the missing scout. He must take the initiative to attack first. Get rid of all the Luo family members who participated in the exploration operation, so he had to participate in the exploration operation. If he stayed in the eighth guard station, he would just sit and wait for death. Only in the secluded realm could he possibly fight back.
Luo Ting, who was drinking and having fun with the two commanders Shen and Wei, had no idea about this. He did not take this mission seriously. For him, this time, he assisted the Eighth Guards in carrying out exploratory operations and leading the caravan. There is no essential difference between running a business, except that the goods are more special. In addition, as a Qingxu monk, he is fully capable of protecting himself even if he encounters danger in the secluded realm. In his mind, this mission is an outing. vacation.
Luo Ting raised his wine glass, "On behalf of the Luo family, I would like to wish the fifty-eighth exploration operation a complete success!"
Others also raised their glasses and drank the wine in one gulp, and the whole party was immersed in a joyful atmosphere.
