Even though Mutam was anxious, he didn't urge him a word. Shen Que naturally understood his heart, wrapped himself in a soft cushion, and told the driver to go faster, and faster.
After running all night, the general arrived at the city gate until the sun came out.
Mutam had sent a letter before and made arrangements. A group of soldiers were waiting for him at the city gate neatly and solemnly. Everyone felt relieved when they saw someone.
"Master, you enter the city through this gate. I have made arrangements. There are people inside to meet you." Mutam took out his badge, "I will go around from the outer city and attack Oala. I can't accompany you anymore, so be careful."
Shen Que took out a peace talisman from his waist and handed it to him: "This is the peace talisman I went to the temple to ask for during the civil strife in Jin'an last year. You should take it with you. It will protect Jin'an and Daye. This time too, Soto will surely be blessed.”
Mutam tightened his fingers, held the peace talisman tightly in his hand, and went into battle wearing it.
Shen Que watched them go away until no one could be seen before entering the city.
The city is still safe, but the security is very strict everywhere.
Shen Que entered the city with his waist badge and was inspected four times. Only then did he see the Soto envoy waiting eagerly in the city.
Mutam very considerately arranged for a female messenger for her. She looked about thirty years old. The same long braids were twisted into braids and hung down on her chest. The woman had fair skin, a slightly chubby figure, and a pleasant smile. , as soon as he saw them, he stepped forward and saluted:
"Hello, Madam Shen. By orders of Your Highness and Your Majesty, I am here to wait for you. I will call you Aida."
She spoke Mandarin very well, and there was no harsh accent at all. Shen Que was quite surprised. He looked at her carefully and asked, "Is Sister Aida from Da Ye?"
Aida said in surprise: "My wife has good eyesight. I am originally from Jin'an. She settled down here in Sotuo when she married."
"That's really a fellow countryman." Shen Que stepped forward and took Aida's hand, motioning for Zelan to present a gift.
It was Jin'an's specialty plum wine that she brought from Jin'an. In the whole Daye, only the fruits of dozens of plum trees in the plum garden in the south of Jin'an can make this wine. It is small in quantity but refined but famous far and wide. This was given to his father by Li Luansong, and Shen Que thought it might be useful to bring some over.
Sure enough, Aida's eyes filled with tears when she saw the plum wine. She took it with trembling hands and said, "My father and mother like to drink plum wine the most. They have followed me into Soto now. They haven't had it for many years." I've gone back, and they will be extremely happy if they see this wine."
Aida thanked Shen Que repeatedly and said, "Madam, if you feel friendly, you can call me Madam Li. My real name is Li."
This makes it more familiar and convenient.
Madam Li originally planned to follow Mutam's instructions to place Shen Que and Zelan at the inn, let them rest for a few days, and then come to greet them in person when the war was over, but Shen Que was unwilling.
"Now is the most difficult time for Soto. How can I sit still? If Mrs. Li is really good for me, she will listen to me."
She couldn't help but tell Zelan to pack the medicinal materials she had prepared earlier into categories.
"There are some medicinal materials here. After the war, there were many casualties. If not treated in time, epidemics may occur. Some of these medicines are used to prevent and treat epidemics, and some are used to treat trauma. I have asked people to pack them one by one. Let's go and take a look."
Lady Li couldn't resist her, so she had to follow her to the south gate.
The sun shone brightly on the earth, making it warm, but it still could not stop this sudden war.
The people stayed behind closed doors and barely saw a few people along the way. It was not until the south city gate that you could see the wounded everywhere and the scene of rivers of blood.
This scene was so familiar that Shen indeed remembered that Jin'an a year ago had been so decadent and downtrodden under the double attack of the epidemic and civil strife.
Without saying anything, Shen Que rolled up his sleeves and greeted everyone:
"Ms. Li, please call all the doctors together into two batches. A small number of people will be responsible for epidemic prevention, and a large number of people will be responsible for treating the wounded. These people can't wait any longer. If the weather is cold and the ground is freezing, the treatment may be delayed if they are not treated in time. ”
"Liang Fan, dilute my homemade medicinal powder and spray it everywhere. It will be good for epidemic prevention."
"Zelan, come with me to discuss with the shopkeeper. We need to free up a few rooms to accommodate the wounded, as close as possible to avoid the pain of moving."
"Ms. Li, see if you can ask the palace to make some porridge and noodles and distribute them to the soldiers and people so that everyone can have a full meal."
Madam Li hurriedly agreed and found someone to work separately. Zelan and Liang Fan also got busy.
The streets that were lifeless just now suddenly became alive. Anyone who could help came to lend a hand, carry the wounded, spray medicine, carry things, and some women cooked porridge and gave porridge...
Two hours later, the war was still going on, but everything in the city became orderly. The queen also came out of the palace to visit Shen Que in person.
"Both father and son are on the front line. I have just arranged the palace and the supplies to be sent to the front line. If it were not for Mrs. Shen, there would be delays here."
Shen Que hurriedly declined, "Mother, there is no need to be polite. Mutam was our savior. This is what I should do."
The division of labor is clear and everything unfolds in an orderly manner.
This battle did not last long. Because Mutam arrived in time and attacked from both sides, Wala's already defeated team was overwhelmed. It only took two days to repel Wala and win the battle. A moment of peace.
That evening, facing the setting sun, Mutam dragged his tired body over to see Shen Que.
In just two days, green stubble had grown on his face, his eye sockets were sunken, and there were injuries and blood marks on his face. His steps were heavy, but he seemed to be in good spirits.
Shen Que pulled him to sit down and personally treated his injuries and applied medicine.
"I heard Aida say that you haven't rested for a moment in the past few days. Why did you..." He pulled anxiously, scratched the scar on his face, and let out a soft cry: "Hiss."
"Don't move." Shen Que held him down and sat down. "My place is very nice. Everything is in order. I am familiar with this."
She has followed her father in cleaning up battlefields and treating the wounded since she was a child, and she is an expert at it.
Mutam asked: "You have lost weight. Have you eaten well and slept well these days?"
Shen Que said, "Since Zelan is here, don't worry about food and drink."
There was a long scar on his face. Shen Que dipped the ointment in it and applied it on it. Mutam hesitated and said:
"Although Wala has withdrawn its troops now, they have not evacuated. But based on my understanding of them, they will not retreat easily, so we must seize the time to integrate the army to fight.
If Wala quickly launches a second round of attacks, with Soto's current strength and number of soldiers, I'm afraid..."
"Master." Mutam raised his head and took her slender wrist. "If, and I mean if, they really chase you for days, I will send someone to send you away first. I can't let you stay here."
Shen Que opened his hand and snorted stubbornly: "I won't leave. Mutam, you helped us during the most difficult time in Daye. How could I ignore death?"
"But as a woman, the most you can do is treat the wounded. If Wala really breaks into the city, I'm afraid I won't be able to protect myself, let alone you."
"I'm not afraid." Shen Que was not afraid at all. "The soldiers will block it, and the water will cover it. I have a hunch that Soto will definitely save the day this time."
Mutam just thought she was comforting him, smiled helplessly and said nothing more.
If that day comes, he will have to send her away first even if he knocks her out.
The temporary rest brought a moment of peace, but Shen Que was not idle even a day.
Not caring about his own health, he was busy taking care of the wounded, and from time to time he helped persuade the people to join the army and join the battle. Soto's lack of troops was the biggest trouble.
Liang Fan helped for two days but was driven home by Shen Que, "See if your father and mother are okay. They feel relieved after seeing you. It's not too late to come over and help."
While strengthening defense arrangements in the city, Mutam also gathered troops for mobilization and encouraged everyone to join the army. With one more person, Soto would have an extra chance of winning.
The two rarely meet each other. When they occasionally eat, Mutam will come over and watch Shen Que eat, for fear that she will not eat well or eat less.
At this time, Shen Que didn't pay so much attention anymore. He sat wherever was convenient, picked up the bowl and devoured it to his heart's content. Mutam gave her all the meat in his bowl:
"Our little Liuzi can't bear any injustice. These meats are all given by uncle. Eat them all."
Shen Que laughed and didn't refuse. As expected, he ate everything.
He was going to fight again, so Shen Que specially made ginseng soup for him and poured it into his wine flask:
"When you are tired, take a sip and feel refreshed. You should also take care of yourself. You are their hope."
They looked at each other and smiled, each busy.
On the evening of the third day, Mutam came to see Shen Que and brought good news:
"There are currently five thousand people gathered, which is already very good. Although it is not enough, it can be considered as enough to resist for a day or two."
Although the news was not very optimistic, he had tried his best to get it, and Shen Que was happy for him.
"Look at me, I've exhausted a distinguished guest from afar like this."
Mutam looked at Shen Que. The folds of her dress were still a little dirty. Her sleeves were rolled up to expose her wrists. Her small white hands were covered with black dust. There was dirt on her face. He stretched out his hand to help her wipe it off gently and said quietly. sentence:
"Actually, you are real when you are free like this, and you are suitable for this kind of life where you can play freely without restraint."
Shen Que snapped his fingers and said, "You know me, how about it? I just learned it and it doesn't ring."
Before Mutam could speak to him, a soldier from the other side came over quickly, almost falling off his horse and saying:
"Your Majesty, please tell me, Ola has raised an army and is coming again. There are also barbarians. They are so numerous that we may not be able to defeat them."
Suddenly, Mutam's expression suddenly changed.
"Master, I will send you..."
"Mutam, go and do your business, I don't want you to worry about it."
Shen Que interrupted him and took a step back, but his eyes were extremely firm.
"Master, Shen Que."
Mutam was anxious, "Now is not the time to be willful. The Soto army has less than eight thousand people in total, but the enemy has increased its strength. I don't know how long it can resist. The Soto country is in danger. I appreciate your deep friendship, but Now is not the time for one more person to die. Look at these people. The people are displaced, the soldiers are seriously injured, and I am too. If I can survive for a while, maybe..."
He really couldn't speak any more, and his scarlet eyes stared at Shen Que, pleading, grateful and affectionate.
"Amu." Shen Que stepped forward and took his hand, "Do you still have the peace charm I gave you?"
Mutam nodded in astonishment.
"That's good." Shen Que smiled and stroked the broken hair beside his ear, "When Soto is in trouble, you Mutam is in trouble, I, a friend and a master, have no reason to stand by and watch. You don't have to persuade me. , I won’t leave.”
She breathed a long sigh of relief and said sternly: "Mutam, you are the prince of Soto and the future king. Everyone's hopes are pinned on you. You are not qualified to say such things. You can only fight Keep your spirits up and believe until your last breath that we can win."
"But……"
"No more." Shen Que looked at him, "If you insist on doing this, I will be really angry. Do you not believe in yourself, or do you not believe in these brothers who have gone through life and death for you and Soto, or do you not Believe me?"
"I……"
"No need to say any more, go out and fight." Shen Que solemnly saluted him, "We are all here waiting for you."
"Master..."
"His Royal Highness Prince."
Just as they were arguing, another fast horse came from a distance:
"Your Highness, the reinforcements from Daye have arrived and are already fighting with Wala outside the city. The army is led by His Highness the Crown Prince of Daye. A total of 30,000 people have arrived."
"Prepare your horse." Mutam was stunned for a moment, and immediately said: "Fight."
