Chapter 26

Lin Shuge looked at the bustling crowd in the distance, and suddenly remembered the scene of rescuing him that day, "Zhongxuan, you saved the young master of Wu County Wei's family, didn't you want him to owe you a favor? He has no way to repay you. Seeing that you are an extraordinary martial artist, he will definitely recommend you because he appreciates your talent, and the Duwei Mansion is the best choice."

"Brother, how can you be sure that he will recommend me to the Duwei Mansion?"

"He is a military man. Ganzhou County usually has a lot of dealings with the Duwei Mansion. He must know the military officers there. And so many people saw your heroic deeds that night and they will spread the news. Even if he didn't recommend you, the Duwei Mansion would have heard about it."

Someone will come and inquire about it when the time comes.

Xie Chen said somewhat resignedly, "Nothing can be hidden from my brother."

"Zhongxuan, officials from the Duwei Mansion will go hunting with us tomorrow, so you should seize the opportunity." After saying that, she stopped looking at him and turned to walk towards East Street.

"Brother, I have something I have to do, but I don't want to lie to you."

"So we must join the army?" Lin Shuge asked softly.

"Yes, joining the army is the fastest way to accumulate merits. I need to climb up as quickly as possible." Xie Chen's eyes were firm, with the courage to burn his boats.

"I understand. But Zhongxuan, you still have me." Lin Shuge looked at Xie Chen. He always had a feeling that Xie Chen's move seemed to be a desperate one.

"Brother, I still can't bear to leave you." He said in a low voice, and hugged Lin Shuge tightly like a drowning man grabbing a life-saving straw. The two were almost the same height now, and Lin Shuge could only pat his back as if to comfort him while being hugged.

The Xie family was in great danger, and he was displaced all the way. He could only stop and take a breath after meeting Lin Shuge. However, the honor and disgrace of the Xie family depended on him, and he could not have peace every day.

"Zhongxuan, now that you have made up your mind, just do it, but remember never to gamble with your life again." Lin Shuge gently touched his temples, causing Xie Chen to rub his hand lightly with his face.

His movements were like a big cat. Lin Shuge looked at him and couldn't help but smile.

"Brother, you're not angry anymore?" Xie Chen grabbed his hand and asked with a smile.

"Let's go, Ayuan and Axuan are waiting for dinner." He wanted to pull his hand out of Xie Chen's hand, but Xie Chen childishly hooked his little finger and shook it.

As the sun sets, the sunset glow covers half the sky, and the entire street is illuminated in golden light. The fine light and shadow fall on Lin Shuge's eyebrows, making him look particularly beautiful.

Xie Chen stood behind him and felt that he was like a god.

The next morning, Lin Shuge got up very early. He had a good rest last night, so he had to get up early to prepare things as he was going out today.

And when you go out hunting, you naturally have to have a picnic and barbecue.

He wanted to make some pancakes to take with him, and just as he finished washing up and walked into the kitchen, he heard someone following him in.

"Zhongxuan, why don't you get more sleep?"

"Brother, how did you know it was me?" Xie Chen asked curiously.

"The sound of your footsteps is different. Once you get up, come and help me." He handed a handful of green vegetables to Xie Chen.

Xie Chen took it with a smile and picked it up obediently, "What's the difference?"

Lin Shuge poured a bowl of water. "Ayuan walks very fast, and sometimes there is a thumping sound. Axuan walks slowly and the sound is quieter. As for you, you walk very steadily but take big steps, so the sound is heavier."

"Brother is so awesome." He winked at Lin Shuge and smiled.

Lin Shuge ignored his compliment and asked, "Have you picked the vegetables?"

Xie Chen had no choice but to lower his head and pick vegetables.

As the sun rose, Lin Shuge packed the prepared pancakes and seasonings into food boxes one by one. Lin Qingyuan and Lin Xuan had already washed up and were waiting.

Xie Chen took the food box and put it on the horse, then turned around and saw Lin Shuge going back to the house and putting on a white fox fur coat. His eyebrows and eyes were picturesque, as soft as moonlight, and he looked like a jade tree growing in front of the steps.

Lin Shuge looked at him in a daze, "What are you looking at? Isn't this the fox fur you gave me?"

"Brother, why are you wearing this today?"

"I'm going to go horse racing today, so I'll wear fox fur to keep out the wind," said Lin Shuge. In fact, I usually wear either official uniform or a casual cotton coat to work, but today I am going out, so I have to wear something nice.

"Brother is so handsome." Xie Chen praised generously.

Lin Shuge felt a little embarrassed. He coughed and prepared to call Lin Qingyuan and Lin Xuan out to set off.

"Wait, brother," Xie Chen suddenly approached, brushed his hands across Lin Shuge's chest, and re-tied the belt that he had not tied, "That's it."

There was a hint of smile on the corner of his lips, his eyes were like stars, and he stared at Lin Shuge motionlessly.

Seeing that he looked like he was asking for praise, Lin Shuge patted his shoulder to comfort him, but he didn't notice Xie Chen's instant disappointment.

"Brother, we are ready and can set off." The twins were also dressed smartly today, and Lin Qingyuan even wore the rabbit fur hat given by Xie Chen.

"Brother, look at my hat. Isn't it nice? Erlang gave it to me." Lin Qingyuan showed off to Lin Shuge as soon as he went out.

Lin Shuge helped him straighten his tilted hat and tapped the tip of his nose. "Looks good. Let's go, Mr. Lin."

"Brother, you look good today. Why haven't I seen you wear your fox fur coat? Is it new?"

Before Lin Shuge could answer, Lin Qingyuan was pulled away by Lin Xuan. Idiot, can't you tell that it was given by Jilang?

"Let's go, Zhongxuan." Lin Shuge said to Xie Chen. The sun was shining brightly, shining on his face like ice and snow that were about to melt.

Xie Chen followed and put the food box in Lin Shuge's hand on the horse.

The two of them rented the horse yesterday. Since Lin Qingyuan and Lin Xuan were not very good at riding horses, they specifically picked one with a docile temperament.

After Xie Chen closed the gate, Xie Chen and Lin Shuge led the horses and galloped towards the suburbs after leaving the county town.

Lin Shuge took Lin Xuan and felt the sensation of speeding through the wind. The air was fresh, the view was broad, and both the body and mind felt relaxed, though a little cold.

"Ah Xuan, are you cold?"

Lin Xuan in front shook her head. The elder brother wrapped the two of them in fox fur, so he himself was not cold.

"That's good. I'll speed up. Zhongxuan and Ayuan have already surpassed us." Lin Shuge whipped the horse, and the horse neighed and galloped forward.

When they reached the outskirts of the city, Zhou Du had already arrived. He saw them from afar and shouted and waved. There was a tall and serious person standing next to him. He must be his childhood sweetheart.

Lin Shuge got off the horse and said, "Erlang, you guys are here so early."

Zhou Du laughed out loud, "Oh, right, this is the Captain Yuan Hui of the Duwei Mansion that I told you about."

Lin Shuge greeted him and Yuan Hui nodded in response. It seemed that it was indeed the policy of keeping strangers away, which was consistent with what Zhou Du said.

He pointed at Lin Shuge and said, "This is my good friend and immediate superior, Lin Shuge, County Magistrate Lin. Next to him is his brother and sister-in-law."

"As for this person, he is the famous warrior who fought against the evil wolf, Wei Zhongxuan."

Yuan Hui asked, "Have you ever been in a military camp? Judging from your posture and steps, you seem to be familiar with military methods."

Xie Chen replied: "No, I learned a few moves from others before."

Yuan Hui seemed very interested in Xie Chen and wanted to continue asking questions, but was interrupted by Zhou Du, "What are you doing? We agreed to come out to have fun. We are not your soldiers. Do you have to interrogate us one by one?"

Yuan Hui glanced at him lightly, but said nothing more.

"Okay, let's get started. Young Master Wei, do you want to compete with me in horse riding first? Brother Huai Ting's horse riding is just average, so let him be the referee. Although I can't beat the guy next to me, my horse riding is also very good."

"Brother Huai Ting, I brought you two good horses today, you can't favor him."

"certainly."

Xie Chen didn't comment, stepped on the horse with his toes, and gave Zhou Du a look. Zhou Du received the message, and the two of them ran out one after the other.

The morning light was dim, and the sunlight shone through the woods, casting mottled shadows of the trees. Lin Shuge half-closed his eyes and watched Zhou Du and Xie Chen running childishly in front of him.

I saw Zhou Du riding his horse and galloping in front, rushing away like the wind and thunder, while Xie Chen was following slowly behind. Zhou Du shouted excitedly over here, making Lin Shuge's ears hurt.

Instead of looking at two childish kids, I might as well teach my younger siblings how to ride a horse.

"Ayuan, Axuan, you go up first," Lin Shuge helped his brother and sister-in-law onto the horse. There were no saddles or stirrups in this era, so getting on a horse was a bit difficult.

"Let me do it." Someone sitting on the horse next to them stretched out his hand and pulled Lin Qingyuan and Lin Xuan up.

"Thank you, Captain Yuan."

Lin Shuge rode slowly with the twins. Yuan Hui looked at Xie Chen, who was ahead of Zhou Du in the distance, and suddenly asked, "Lin County Magistrate and Wei Langjun are not biological brothers, right?"

"Zhongxuan's parents died and he was stranded in a foreign land. I rescued him. Seeing that he was young and lonely, and had excellent character, I took him in as my younger brother."

"It seems like you two have a very good relationship."

Lin Shuge looked up at Xie Chen, who had already won the game and was in high spirits, and said, "Of course."

"What are you talking about?" How can you continue chatting with Yuan Hui when he has such a cold personality?

Lin Shuge understood Zhou Du's meaning immediately and said with a smile, "Just chatting, are you guys done with the competition?"

"The competition is over. He is awesome." Zhou Du muttered.

Xie Chen rode over on his horse and said, "Brother, I won." There were beads of sweat on his forehead and his eyes were very bright.

"I'll reward you later. I brought some seasonings. Let's have some barbecue later. But you have to hunt the prey yourself."

"Barbecue, that's a good idea. How about we see who can hunt more prey?" Having just lost the game, Zhou Du still wanted to win back a game.

Looking at Lin Shuge's appearance of a weak scholar, Zhou Du said with a smile, "How about I be in a group with Yuan Hui, and you be in a group with Xiao Wei Langjun?"

"Can."

"Then it's a deal. We'll meet here in two hours." Zhou Du rode away first. Yuan Hui glanced at Xie Chen and followed him.

"Brother, aren't you afraid that I will lose?" Xie Chen asked.

"I believe in you, but it's okay if you lose, just try your best."

"Brother, Ayuan and I will wait for you here. We are not good at horse riding, so we can't go over." Lin Xuan said.

"Okay, then don't go into the woods. Be careful. Zhongxuan, let's go." Lin Shuge raised the whip and the horse galloped away, its mane shining golden in the sun.

The two men rode their horses into the depths of the forest, where a gray rabbit was foraging for food as if no one was around. In winter, these little guys had a thicker coat of fur. Lin Shuge was about to draw his bow to try, but he heard the sound of a sharp arrow piercing the air from behind, and the rabbit was shot.

"Brother Huai Ting, thank you for letting me." Zhou Du spoke in an arrogant voice, and then he rode away. Yuan Hui, who was following behind him, picked up the prey and clasped his fists to them.

"Brother, let's go over there."

"good."