However, to realize this plan, Li Yunting first needs to get rid of the annoying old man Zhahemu.
He smiled lightly and turned his head away shyly, avoiding Dozier's passionate gaze. She was secretly thinking about how to use this man to pave a path to the pinnacle of power for herself.
"All that you're talking about is for the future." She parted her red lips, her voice soft and gentle. "For now, let's first figure out how to deal with this 'big fat sheep'. Do you have a specific plan?"
Dozier was so mesmerized by her voice that he almost forgot his original intention.
He calmed himself down before slowly saying, "Of course I have a plan, but I need your cooperation. Do you know that there's a key figure in the team escorting the official silver..."
The two men huddled together and began to plot in low voices. The wind outside the tent whistled past, as if encouraging their plot.
Under the vast night sky of the grassland, Nurhadu sat steadily on his horse, his eyes deep as he looked into the distance at the continuous tents.
Several of his loyal followers, accompanied by a shaman who had just completed a blessing dance, returned to the rhythm of the grassland.
"Your Excellency, please rest assured. The honorable Zuo Xian Wang is safe and sound, and the gods in heaven will surely protect him." The priest's voice was full of piety.
Nurhadu's lips curled up into a subtle smile. He didn't believe in gods, but at this moment, he knew that the gods' name could be used to his advantage.
Although he had complicated feelings deep down towards his father Zhahemu who gave him life, he knew that nothing must happen to Zhahemu at this moment, otherwise the entire Xirong royal court would be in turmoil.
"You all must be extra careful. No matter who it is, if they dare to act rashly, even if it is the Princess of the Great Zhou, I will not tolerate it." Nurhadu's voice was firm and cold.
"Yes! We swear allegiance to Mr. Taiji until death!" The followers responded in unison. Their voices echoed across the grassland, full of strength and loyalty.
These grassland warriors shared life and death with Nurhadu. Their loyalty was as firm and eternal as the wind on the grassland.
…
In the Xiguan military camp, Xue Yuanchu was lying on the haystack in the stable, holding two family letters from the Marquis' Mansion in his hands, his mood fluctuating with the contents of the letters.
The first letter contained the news that his wife Jiang Shuxiu was safe and sound, which instantly comforted his worries.
What made him even more delighted was that his third brother Xue Jiyan was favored by the royal family and was granted marriage to Princess Ning'an. For the Xingyuan Marquisate, this was undoubtedly a great joyous event, and Xue Yuanchu couldn't help but reveal a satisfied smile.
However, when he unfolded the second letter, the smile on his face gradually froze. He read it over and over again, trying to understand its deep meaning.
It turns out that the predictions of the Imperial Observatory are not certain, and there seem to be unknown changes hidden in them.
The choice of a son-in-law unexpectedly fell to his second brother, Xue Zhongfu. Xue Yuanchu shook his head, sighing at the irony of fate: even a scorching iron tree can eventually bloom. This also meant that his mother's years of worry were finally relieved.
As for his third brother, Xue Jiyan, he was to marry the only daughter of General Ding Dayong of Weiyuan. Xue Yuanchu believed this was a match made in heaven, and he believed that if his father knew the news in his grave, he would be pleased that the Marquis's and the Ding's families had become relatives.
Centurion Yu Heng came over and saw Xue Yuanchu's beaming face. He couldn't help but ask curiously, "Secretary Xue, you look so happy. Is there something good going on?"
Xue Yuanchu smiled and briefly recounted the marriages of his second and third brothers.
After hearing this, Yu Heng laughed heartily, patted Xue Yuanchu on the shoulder, and congratulated him, "This is really a double blessing!"
After he finished speaking, he scratched his head a little embarrassedly and continued, "Come to think of it, my baby is already four years old. He was born before I came to the military camp, and I came here just after he was one month old. Now, I'm looking forward to returning home to visit my relatives and see what my baby has grown up like."
Hearing this, Xue Yuanchu couldn't help but feel sad. He thought of his wife Jiang Shuxiu who was far away in the Marquis' Mansion. She was pregnant now, but he couldn't be with her. He might not be able to make it in time for the birth of the child.
"Brother Yu, I understand how you feel." Xue Yuanchu sighed, "I also want to be with my family, but unfortunately, military orders are like mountains, and we soldiers are always forced to do things against our will."
Yu Heng nodded and said with deep sympathy, "Yes, who says it isn't? But as soldiers, it's our duty to defend our country. When the war is over, let's go back and spend time with our families."
When a patrol team returned from outside, Xue Yuanchu immediately stood up and began to arrange personnel to lead the war horses and prepare feed for them.
At this time, a distinctive young voice sounded. It turned out that Guan Yan had come over with a bucket of water and asked the soldiers to drink some water to quench their thirst first.
"Brother Guan, you're here!" Yu Heng noticed Guan Yan with his sharp eyes and walked over to chat with him.
During this period, Guan Yan often came to the military camp and followed Xue Yuanchu to help with some miscellaneous matters.
Although outsiders were not allowed to enter or leave the military camp at will in principle, Xue Yuanchu specially gave Guanyan a wooden sign as proof of identity, allowing him to come here during the day.
Yu Heng looked at Guan Yan and thought he looked quite strong, so he asked half-jokingly, "Do you want to join the army? Why not just stay in our barracks?"
As he spoke, he reached out and pinched Guanyan's shoulder, feeling the firmness of his muscles, and seemed to be more satisfied with his proposal.
Guan Yan widened his eyes, looking incredulous: "Really? I can also be a soldier?" His voice was filled with excitement and anticipation, as if he saw a new world unfolding before his eyes.
Yu Heng looked at his young yet determined face, nodded vigorously, and said with certainty: "Why not? As long as your background is clean and you pass the physical examination, you can certainly become one of us!"
When Guanyan heard the news, his eyes sparkled with excitement, "Thank you, Brother Yu!" Guanyan said excitedly.
"Good boy, you have ambition!" Yu Heng patted Guan Yan's shoulder and encouraged him, "Let me write you a letter of recommendation. The military doctor is away these few days, so when he comes back, I'll give you a physical examination as a new recruit."
Xue Yuanchu couldn't help but laugh when he heard this. He said gently, "Guan Yan's household registration is still registered in our Marquis' Mansion. As for his clean background, there is absolutely no problem. I'm very happy that you have this ambition. Go back to the orphanage to pack up, and then report to the military camp."
After hearing this, Guan Yan's face was filled with excitement and gratitude. He bowed deeply to Xue Yuanchu and said with a trembling voice, "Thank you, Secretary Xue. I will definitely not let you down!"
Yu Heng added, "Yes, life in the military camp is tough, but it's also a place that trains people. Although you're young, as long as you have determination and perseverance, you'll definitely make a name for yourself here."
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