Chapter 55: Having Ideals and Beliefs

“We haven’t forgotten our training. Even three-year-olds can pick up sticks and chase away wild beasts in the mountains. General, please lead us out of the mountains and drive away those damned barbarian bastards!”

One person spoke up, and the others followed suit.

"General, please lead us out of the mountains."

"General, this humble general requests permission to fight!"

"General, this humble general requests permission to fight!"

The men's voices mingled together, echoing through the mountains and fields.

Su Zhenzhen looked at these men whose eyes were filled with expectation. Some of them even trembled when they spoke, yet they were still willing to die for their ideals before being buried.

Su Zhenzhen couldn't understand, and dared not understand.

These people are so great. Standing in front of them, I feel like a mayfly, hiding in the dust and barely surviving.

"Soldiers, I also wish to lead you in battle, but as you have seen, we are of different worlds, and even if we have the will, we are powerless to make it happen. I am here today to persuade His Highness the Crown Prince. If you are willing to pledge your loyalty to His Highness the Crown Prince, please come down from the mountain with him."

That's why General Huo has such a good reputation. Even though he didn't say anything, his soldiers followed him out of the mountains. He's a ghost and can't go to the battlefield to fight the enemy. It's all up to this damned Crown Prince to decide.

But General Huo made it clear beforehand that he was coming out of seclusion to serve the Crown Prince, and therefore he would be fighting for the Crown Prince.

The soldiers were loyal to General Huo, and General Huo was loyal to the previous dynasty's royal family, but that did not mean the soldiers were also loyal to the royal family.

As expected, everyone hesitated, and the one-eyed old man stepped forward at the opportune moment.

“I’m telling you young people, you’re all too impetuous. Even if you’re going out to fight the enemy, it won’t be a short time. You’re guests, and it’s still dark outside. How can we let our guests stand out in the wind?”

The women quickly prepared a room for Su Zhenzhen and Hensheng to stay in.

The veterans all wanted to catch up with General Huo, so Su Zhenzhen didn't put him back in the storage compartment.

So, everyone, young and old, gathered in this room. Fortunately, after drinking the gene optimization liquid, Hensheng's need to sleep decreased.

General Huo's ghost was surrounded, listening to his old comrades recount their life's experiences.

"General, do you remember Fatty? When he was young, he always loved to sneak into the kitchen to eat. Every time he got caught, he would argue that eating more meant he would live longer. The brothers were resentful. They hadn't seen him kill many barbarians, so why should he get an extra portion of food? You should have taken half of your own rations and given it to him. You said that when you join the army, your head is tied to your belt, so how can you not eat your fill? As a result, that guy died in his first year here, starving to death. We told him not to eat so much, or he would develop a big appetite."

General Huo also began to recall that he had a deep impression of the fat man. Those who came to join the army were all poor people, and it was considered good if they were not starving to the point of being skin and bones. But that young man was chubby and ate three big bowls of food every meal.

It can be said that, since ancient times, military pay and provisions have rarely been embezzled in the slightest. Back when His Majesty was still the Crown Prince, he personally escorted provisions once, and the officials of the Ministry of Revenue became somewhat more restrained. With their own subsidies, the Northwest Army was one of the wealthiest, with dry food at every meal.

Under these circumstances, the cook still frequently complained that the chubby boy kept asking for more rice, and if he wasn't given more, the boy would steal some himself.

General Huo is not an unreasonable person. Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses, and everyone has their own appetite. Food is the most important thing for people. Since he was willing to risk his life, it is not unreasonable to let him have a full meal.

There is a rule in the army that it is not appropriate to prepare special meals for everyone, so General Huo simply shared some of his own rations, since he was getting old and his appetite was not good.

Su Zhenzhen listened from the side, feeling a mix of emotions. She gained a deeper understanding of General Huo's standing in the hearts of the people, and of course, she also recognized that General Huo's character was worthy of the respect of all.

I just can't understand why such a good person couldn't have a peaceful end.

Moreover, he was not easy to reincarnate, as he carried too much karma on his shoulders. He protected many people, but many others died because of his strategic decisions.

Hensheng listened attentively, seemingly trying to glimpse the lives of ordinary people in the past through these veterans.

At the same time, a stronger idea became in my mind: I must restore peace to the people and not let the blood of loyal ministers and generals be shed in vain.

In the latter half of the night, everyone went back to sleep. Su Zhenzhen leaned against the corner, her eyes vacant, her mind a jumbled mess that she couldn't sort out.

Hensheng spoke softly, "Miss Su, could you do me a favor?"

Su Zhenzhen snapped out of her daze. "What are you going to do?"

Hensheng lowered his brows, his expression somewhat somber. "I just heard these seniors say that many veterans have passed away. They guarded the land of the Jiang Dynasty and protected its people. Now that I'm here, I should at least do something to show my gratitude. Could you get me some incense and candles?"

General Huo looked pleased. His Majesty had been so loyal back then, and his only bloodline was so devoted and affectionate. As subjects, it is natural to be loyal to the emperor and love one's country. Heaven, earth, emperor, parents, and teachers are the ethical traditions since ancient times. But since the ruler is willing to do something for his subjects...

Su Zhenzhen searched in the system store, but unfortunately, she couldn't find it. In the 906th century, the lifespan of the Blue Star people was high, and these things were rarely used.

Surprisingly, there were a few night owls watching the live stream, and they immediately spoke up when they heard what Hensheng said.

[Hey heroine, this is hard to buy. Let me see where I can order it. I'll send you the tip tomorrow morning.]

Su Zhenzhen told the truth, "I can't do it now, let's wait until tomorrow morning."

Hensheng nodded, his expression still forlorn.

For some reason, seeing his pitiful, wifely appearance, Su Zhenzhen suddenly felt a sense of relief and her inner turmoil unravel.

"Hey, what's the matter? Don't you know the saying, 'Life and death are predestined, wealth and honor are determined by fate'? Everyone has their own path to walk, and everyone's mission in this world is different. As for missions, we have to take it one step at a time; you can't get fat in one bite. You should focus on getting your body in good shape and mastering your martial arts. Then we can figure out how to recruit soldiers and horses so that we can fight our way back to the capital."

Su Zhenzhen's advice to Hensheng was also a way of advising herself. The job market in the 906 century was tough, and she was just one of many people on Earth. She had average grades since childhood and was not outstanding in anything she did. She finally got an internship opportunity, but she just wasted eight months there.

When I first joined the company, I was full of ambition and determined to become an excellent partner in the underworld, saving all the wronged souls in the world with my own efforts.

But later I realized that my ideals were great, but I was utterly worthless.

Seeing these veterans so steadfast in their beliefs, even after years in the mountains, still eager to volunteer for battle with their general, Su Zhenzhen felt utterly disgusted and resentful of herself. She had started with lofty ambitions, so why was she now only concerned with accumulating performance targets to get a permanent position?

Su Zhenzhen figured it out: steamed buns have to be eaten one bite at a time. She couldn't possibly be less idealistic and have less faith than these twelve or thirteen-year-old kids, could she?

Keep it up, Su Zhenzhen.