Chapter 228: Can't Delay Things

The villagers had no way of knowing what was going on in the army. They could only observe any movement in the barracks and guess what their men might be doing recently.

Even if these are ideas that cannot be verified, doing so at least makes them feel a little closer to their loved ones.

The woman who came to report the news said, "I saw more people guarding outside the military camp, a dozen more archers on the sentry tower, and people in the camp moving things back and forth, looking busy and chattering."

"What do you think? Could it be that the Beili people are going to attack us again?"

The military families looked at each other, and the atmosphere suddenly became tense.

Aunt Lin frowned and thought for a moment, then calmly said, "No."

"Everyone, don't panic. My wife said that the Beili people are seriously injured and will not dare to fight Daye for at least a few years. Otherwise, they would not have submitted a peace letter and voluntarily paid tribute and compensation."

These words did make everyone feel relieved, but no one looked happy, and instead everyone felt even more depressed.

Gu Xixi glanced around and understood the reason.

However, it was not appropriate for her to speak first at this time, so she just stood there quietly.

He Jinglan just glanced at Gu Xixi out of the corner of her eye, and her heart was as clear as a mirror.

The Northwest Army headquarters suddenly increased its alert, and now there is only one possibility.

I'm afraid Huo Jiang will have to officially start a war with the imperial court.

No one spoke in the yard for a while, only the occasional crackling of firewood could be heard.

Even Zaohua lowered her head with a gloomy look.

Suddenly, the boy wrapped in blue cloth burst into tears.

The swaddling clothes were thin in the summer, and he stretched out an arm as white and tender as a fresh lotus root and waved it, which touched the longevity lock on his chest, and the silver bells jingled.

It was as if they had just woken up from a dream, and all the adults were awakened by the noise.

Someone perked up and said with a smile, "Look, it's just a matter of moving troops and things. It's a big day, and we're all here to be happy for Zaohua and the two children. Don't think too much and scare yourself!"

Aunt Lin also laughed, "Listen to the baby's cry, it's so energetic. When he grows up, he will be as strong and brave as his father!"

The others also turned their worries into joy. Several women surrounded Zaohua and teased the child.

"Don't cry, baby, don't cry, didn't you scare us just now?"

The boy was very good and stopped crying after a few words of comforting.

Looking at the baby girl wrapped in red flowered cloth, she was not woken up by her brother and was still sleeping soundly.

When everyone gathered around to watch her, she had no idea what she was dreaming about, and a shallow dimple appeared on her cheek.

Zaohua looked at her two children, her eyes revealing the tenderness of a mother, "Good children, wait a little longer, when daddy finishes his big work outside, he will come back to hug you."

Several women had red eyes, but no one shed tears.

Instead, they smiled even brighter, "Yes! The child's father will definitely keep his word!"

"In my hometown, having twins is a good omen. These two kids will surely bless their father and our Northwest Army!"

…

The atmosphere became heated again.

Aunt Lin raised her voice, "We have been through a lot together. We have seen everything. It's just another war."

"We women and children should still be the same as before. We should eat when we should eat, drink when we should drink, and live our lives as usual!"

The sounds of chopping, cooking, and laughter continued to fill the entire yard.

Gu Xixi and He Jinglan looked at each other and were both moved.

He Jinglan said, "I only heard that the military would mobilize and boost morale before a war, but I didn't expect that the same would happen among military families."

Gu Xixi was silent for a while and said, "Auntie Lin is right. Instead of worrying about things that you can't see, it's better to do what you should do now."

She walked towards Aunt Lin and asked in a low voice, "After the banquet, I want to go and see the oats that everyone is growing. I wonder if this will spoil the fun a bit?"

Aunt Lin said first, "It won't spoil the fun. Usually after the banquet, everyone cleans up together and goes back to their homes. There's nothing else to do."

After she finished speaking, she asked with concern, "You arrived late at night, got up early to accompany us, and you still have to go to the fields later. Aren't you tired?"

"It's okay," Gu Xixi shook her head, "I came here just for these things, the sooner I get it done the sooner I'll feel at ease."

Aunt Lin thought about it and nodded, "Okay, I'll tell them later."

She paused and told Gu Xixi about some recent developments.

"Since you left, the soldiers have been taking turns to take care of the fields in the army. I have watched them do it very carefully, and it is no different from what you taught us."

"As for the alfalfa, we have already harvested it five or six times, and it was basically loaded and shipped out on the same day."

Before, Gu Xixi had not asked Aunt Lin to pay attention to these things.

It’s just that Aunt Lin herself saw it when she was walking outside the village recently, and felt it necessary to mention it to Gu Xixi.

After all, Gu Xixi was helping the Northwest Army to open up wasteland, and this matter was not a secret in this border area.

Gu Xixi should be able to have a rough idea in advance as to whether the person actually in charge of farming is pretending to obey her orders but actually disobeying her orders.

Gu Xixi naturally accepted Aunt Lin's kindness and said with a smile, "Everything can proceed as agreed before. I feel much more relieved after hearing that."

The banquet begins.

Gu Xixi and He Jinglan were surrounded by everyone and forced to sit on the main seat at the main table.

There were six cold dishes, six hot dishes, a pot of meatball soup, and plenty of pot cakes and pancakes on the table.

It was a happy occasion and even though the men were not around, the women wanted to have a drink too.

Two kinds of liquor were prepared, the common local sorghum liquor, which was strong and punchy.

There is also the village's homemade mash, which is white like goat's milk and has a turbid and opaque body.

I heard from Gu Xixi that she can’t drink much and I’m afraid that drinking might cause trouble.

Zaohua immediately replaced the kaoliang wine in front of Gu Xixi with mash.

"This stuff won't make you drunk, Boss Gu, drink it without worry."

Gu Xixi took a sip and exclaimed in amazement, "Delicious!"

The mash is pre-frozen in river water, so it tastes cool and refreshing without any taste of the strong and bitter taste of alcohol.

It just tastes sour and sweet, like a small drink with a slight aroma of wine.

He Jinglan tried it and was amazed. "It's really delicious, smooth and cool, very special."

The weather was hot and Gu Xixi was already a little thirsty. People kept coming up to her to toast her, so she drank two more bowls.

"I wish Sister Zaohua good health and safety!"

“I wish the two little ones grow up healthily!”

"I wish my brother-in-law a happy return and don't let Sister Zaohua worry!"

Facing everyone's strange looks.

He Jinglan wiped her mouth, looked around calmly, and said don't worry, it's just a small scene.

"Xixi, you must be sleepy, let's go home and take a nap."

He Jinglan tried several times but failed to help Gu Xixi up from the stool.

Suddenly, Gu Xixi stood up by herself, her posture as straight as a pine tree.

"Have you finished eating? If you have, follow me, leave the village, and go to work!"

In about the time it took to eat a meal, the family members arrived at the village entrance.

Gu Xixi walked very fast and staggeringly.

A group of people followed her, "Slow down! Don't fall!"