Chapter 178 Going Home First

He Sheng glanced at Lin Changning's attire and knew that Zhiyuan's cousin was most likely an official.

He then looked at the soldiers emerging from the surrounding woods, cupped his hands and bowed to Lin Changning: "Lord Lin, my surname is He, and I am a classmate of Zhiyuan."

The two young ladies from official families behind the two men silently stepped forward, curtsied, and said, "Greetings, Lord Lin."

Lin Changning waved his hand, somewhat puzzled as to why his younger brother was here, accompanied by his classmates and two young girls. He couldn't help but wonder.

He winked at his younger brother and then grabbed him, pulling him into the woods: "What's going on with your classmate and these two young ladies? Judging from their demeanor and bearing, they don't seem like they could be raised in an ordinary family."

After saying that, he looked at his younger brother with a complicated expression, wondering if he and his classmate had run off with some young lady.

Seeing the strange look in his older sister's eyes, Chang Zhiyuan hurriedly waved his hand: "No, no, older sister, when I heard the news of your sacrifice at the border, I asked the teacher for leave. I was originally planning to go north to look for you."

He Sheng and I are close friends. He was worried about me traveling alone, so he asked his family to send some skilled bodyguards from their security company to accompany me.

These two young ladies encountered an assassination attempt on their journey, which we happened to witness. Miss Su said that the entire northern border region is now controlled by Prince Sheng's faction, and it's not safe to go there.

So they asked us to accompany her to Taiyuan to find her elders so they could help me find you. That's why I came to Taiyuan with them.

"That group of people were also here to assassinate them. We encountered them twice on the way, but we managed to shake them off because we spotted them beforehand. But sister, what are you doing in Taiyuan?"

Lin Changning nodded to indicate that he understood: "It's a long story. Let me take some men and send you back first. I am currently serving in the Right Guard of the King of Chu, and I just happened to be out today leading a training exercise."

It's fortunate that she brought people with her today, otherwise her younger brother would probably have been in trouble.

Lin Changning felt a chill run down his spine just thinking about it, and couldn't help but punch his younger brother on the shoulder.

"Look at you, why aren't you staying at the academy? What are you doing wandering around like this? If it weren't for this chance encounter today, you would be dead here!!!"

Chang Zhiyuan felt a little wronged, but he knew that his sister was worried about him. However, the punch had hit him a little too hard, and his shoulder hurt a lot. He couldn't help but grimac and say, "Be gentle, sister, it hurts!"

Lin Changning shook his head and sighed, "Forget it, I'll go reorganize the troops. You all take your men and follow me. I'll send you home first."

After saying that, he led Chang Zhiyuan out of the woods and looked at Lu Shan: "Reorganize the troops. Detain all these people. Find a few people to send them to the county government. The rest of you, immediately organize your troops and return to the military headquarters."

Lu Shan clasped his hands in acceptance of the order, and led the men back inside. Lin Changning watched the bodyguards organizing the boxes, and looked at his younger brother: "Brother, you can continue along the official road. I will catch up with you after I finish organizing the team."

Chang Zhiyuan looked at his sister with some reluctance, and only after she disappeared into the woods did he turn to He Sheng and say, "Let's follow the main road first, and we'll talk about it when we get to the city."

He Sheng turned around and instructed Uncle Chen to organize the troops and head towards Taiyuan.

After getting into the caravan, He Sheng leaned over and asked with a curious look, "Zhiyuan, your cousin, do you two look so alike?"

Zhiyuan was in a good mood after finding his older sister. His tense expression had eased a bit and softened: "Yes, my father and I look alike. Like father, like son. My younger brother also looks alike, so we look alike too."

He Sheng sighed, "It's common to see people who look alike, but it's rare to see two people who look almost exactly like they were made from the same mold. You two must have a very good relationship."

Zhiyuan's eyebrows curved into a smile: "Hmm, very good."

He Sheng clicked his tongue twice: "You two do look very alike, but in terms of temperament alone, it's easy to tell you apart. Your younger brother looks more heroic than you, definitely like a military general. You look more refined. Your family is really good; your brother is in the military, and you are in the civil service, and the teacher values ​​you highly. You should have no problem passing the imperial examinations in the future. One is in the civil service, and the other in the military; it's just right. I'm envious!"

Zhiyuan smiled and said, "The battlefield is not as easy as you might imagine. Although I don't know why my brother suddenly came to Taiyuan, it must have been difficult for him to get there under those circumstances."

When He Sheng thought of the rebels on the frontier and the reports of the court's repeated defeats, he rubbed his head. What they said was true; it wouldn't be easy for them to get out of there.

"Your cousin managed to escape from the encirclement of the rebels, so he must have some skill."

As the two chatted, they bumped into Lin Changning, who had just finished organizing the team and was leading his men back.

Lin Changning told Lu Shan to keep an eye on the group, while he ran a short distance to the caravan where Chang Zhiyuan was sitting.

"Make room for me."

The two obediently moved aside, and Lin Changning flipped over and got into the caravan.

Seeing the sweat on Lin Changning's forehead, He Sheng fawned over a water pouch, saying, "My lord, have some water."

Lin Changning nodded, took the water pouch, and thanked him, saying, "Thank you."

After taking a sip of water to moisten his throat, Lin Changning looked at He Sheng and said, "My brother has troubled you along the way. I will return to the capital after we enter the city. I will have Lu Shan take you to my home so that we can show you some hospitality."

He Sheng smiled and said, "Then I will respectfully accept your offer. Thank you, sir."

Zhiyuan was still a little unaccustomed to He Sheng's serious demeanor. He glanced at him strangely a few times, then looked longingly at his older sister.

"Isn't my brother going home for lunch?"

Lin Changning hesitated. The commander should have prepared lunch for her at noon. Going back would be fine, but the food would probably go to waste.

Lin Changning scratched his head. After all, guests had come to his house, including two daughters of officials. It seemed inappropriate not to go back.

After thinking about this, Lin Changning changed his mind: "Then I will personally take you home at noon, and I will ask for leave in the afternoon."

After saying that, Lin Changning turned around and shouted loudly, "Lushan!!"

When Lu Shan, who was leading the team, heard Lin Changning shouting for him, he quickened his pace and ran to the caravan, panting heavily: "What are your orders, Commander?"

Lin Changning said, "I won't be going back to the headquarters at noon. After you take your men back, please ask the command for leave for me. Tell them that I have guests at home. Take the food that the kitchen sent to my room and share it with yourselves. Don't waste it."

Lu Shan exclaimed "Yes!" and, his face flushed from running, clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Yes, Commander."

He Sheng's eyes suddenly widened as he realized that the boy, who looked to be about the same age as them, was actually a commander.

He hadn't paid much attention before, but he remembered that Zhiyuan had told him that his cousin was a centurion in Daxing.

How long has it been? He's already a commander of a thousand households? A fifth-rank official? A commander of a thousand households!!!