Chapter 177 Sent to the Desert for Training
The cub was already six months old and could roll over, tumble, and sit up. He was tall and big-boned, and occasionally he would wriggle and crawl a bit while rolling over. Sui Yu saw him lying on her waist and knew he had climbed up there on his own. He had probably been put on the bed after falling asleep, and when he woke up, he would play on the bed for a while, then fall asleep again when he got tired.
"Little boy, wake up." Sui Yu gently woke the child up, wiped his saliva with one hand, and said, "Are you hungry? I'll go wash your face first. What delicious food are you dreaming about?"
The cub opened his eyes and looked at her quietly. When Sui Yu reached out her hand, he jumped up and threw himself into her arms.
Sui Yu pretended to "ouch" twice, and the kid giggled happily, with a white tip showing on his lower front teeth.
The ground was covered with golden light, and the scorching heat had mostly dissipated. He opened the door and went out, and the hot wind with the smell of dust hit his face. Sui Yu smoothed his hair and saw scattered figures walking in the wilderness to the north in the distance.
Smoke rose from the kitchen again. Xiao Chunhong and Liu Yaer were squatting under the eaves peeling broad beans. Meng Ma and two female slaves were chopping radishes in the yard, and the other three female slaves were actually chopping firewood.
"Madam, are you awake?" Xiao Chunhong saw the person first.
"Well, bring me two buckets of water." Sui Yu walked over to the eaves and sat down. He asked the woodcutter, "Xiao Xi, why are you the ones chopping wood? Where are Zhang Shun and Li Wu?"
"The drowned person has been found. They're digging a hole to bury him." Xiaoxi's face looked a little grim. She whispered, "He floated up after swelling up. We didn't dare to look any further, so we just came back."
"We are not strong, so we thought of chopping wood to build up our strength," said another female slave named Sancao.
Xiao Chunhong came out to fetch water. She observed Sui Yu's expression and saw that her master didn't seem disgusted. She continued, "Madam, guess what? The drowned man floated up at the bend of the river. If it weren't for the rocks at the bend blocking the way, he would have been able to go even further."
The boy was grabbing at Sui Yu's clothes. Sui Yu squatted down and scooped up some water to wipe his face. He then said, "Let's not talk about this anymore. From now on, let Zhang Shun and Li Wu take food to the people on the other side of the river. You don't go over there. Also, don't neglect the patrols day and night. Don't let the slaves on the other side of the river get close to the guesthouse."
Her work companion died. If she didn't shout, those people would have just watched indifferently. From that moment on, Sui Yu felt the horror of these people.
When the chickens are killed, they are frightened and jump around in panic. However, before the blood has drained out, the chickens have calmed down and are busy pecking at water, pecking at insects, playing, and crowing. They even scramble to eat the meat scraps on the bones when people have finished eating the chicken.
These poor people who have suffered so much have become like chickens most of the time. Their human thoughts have been erased, and they live day by day just to fill their stomachs. In this situation, in order to eat well and without fear, they can do anything.
Sui Yu carried the cub back to the house to feed him. He hadn't eaten for a long time and was very hungry. He was so tired after feeding that sweat broke out on his forehead.
There were footsteps in the yard. The little boy's eyes moved. Sui Yu looked up and asked, "Is it his father who is back?"
"Are you awake?" Zhao Xiping didn't go into the house. He took off his dirty pants, pulled clean pants from the clothesline and put them on. He said, "I'm going to the training ground. I'll be back for dinner tonight."
"Okay, I shot a rabbit this morning and stewed it in the evening for you to come back."
"Don't go out after dark. You can't go to the other side of the river." Zhao Xiping instructed, "I've told Gan Da and Gan Er that they'll be responsible for delivering the food."
"I arranged for Zhang Shun and Li Wu to deliver the meal." Sui Yu said.
Zhao Xiping was relieved now. She just needed to be on guard.
"It's up to you. You make the arrangements. I'm leaving now."
The footsteps disappeared, and Sui Yu vaguely heard Sui Liang's voice again, as if asking if the kid was awake.
After the cub had eaten, Sui Yu carried him out. Sure enough, Sui Liang was waiting outside. As soon as they saw each other, he reached out to take the baby.
"Wow——" the kid smiled at him.
"Call me uncle." Sui Liang teased him, "Ah—open your mouth and let me see your teeth."
The cub opened his mouth wide. His IQ was now about the same as that of the big black dog, and he could understand some words. When he heard the words "open mouth" and "teeth", he opened his mouth as if to show off.
"Baby is so great." Sui Liang was so fond of his little appearance that he gave him a couple of kisses and then spun around in his arms.
Sui Yu did not disturb the uncle and nephew from their lovemaking. She called the servants and took them to practice with the stick.
The evening glow faded, and the eight soldiers on the other side of the river finished their work and left. After they left, Zhang Shun and Li Wu carried two buckets of millet rice and two buckets of dumpling soup across the river, and told them that they would be the ones delivering the meals in the future.
"Brother, does your master want to buy more people to work?" asked a male slave with a hoarse voice.
Zhang Shun understood. He shook his head and said, "I haven't heard that the master has such plans."
“T-then…”
"Even if the master intends to buy someone, she is buying an ownerless slave." Li Wu interrupted him, "Unless your master goes bankrupt and you are sold again, otherwise you will not be able to change masters."
The hoarse male slave fell silent and went back to the rice bucket to scoop up some rice.
Zhang Shun counted the heads and said, "Tomorrow we will bring twenty-three bowls."
"What did you use to eat before? No bowls and chopsticks?" Li Wu asked.
A male slave with his hair covering his face shook his head. When they were working in the fields, they used wooden stakes to pick up bowls. Later, when they came here, the wooden bowls suddenly disappeared. They didn't know whether they were kicked into the river or buried in the soil. They didn't dare to ask.
The four buckets of rice were empty and the slaves were burping with fullness. Zhang Shun and Li Wu took the buckets and quickly crossed the river.
When the last ray of sunlight disappeared, the rabbit meat was taken out of the pot. The rabbit meat was stewed with broad beans. The broad beans were stewed until they were soft and absorbed the soup. The part that was burned at the bottom of the pot had a burnt aroma and tasted better than the rabbit meat.
When Zhao Xiping came back, Sui Yu, Sui Liang and A Shui had already eaten most of the broad beans.
"I've been waiting for you. The dishes and rice are here." Sui Yu shouted.
"Is it cold noodles?" Zhao Xiping asked.
"Yes, you've already told me to do it. How could Grandma Yin not do it?" Sui Yu pressed down the little boy's outstretched hand and said, "Your father is tired. Just sit still."
"Daddy's dirty. I'll hold you after I take a shower." Zhao Xiping held his son's hand and shook it. Seeing another mosquito bite on his face, he pinched it with his hand and cursed, "This damn mosquito also knows how to eat good food."
Sui Yu handed over the cooled water and said, "Drink water first and then eat... Eat more meat. You are the busiest and most tired person in the family right now."
There are fewer caravans in the city, and fewer people fighting and causing trouble. Zhao Xiping no longer has to patrol the city all day long. Compared to spring, he has much more free time.
After dinner, Zhao Xiping went to the river to take a bath. Sui Yu stood not far away, holding the baby, waiting for him. The summer night was full of stars, and both mother and son looked up at the gorgeous starry sky.
A shooting star streaked across the sky, and the cub screamed in excitement.
"Make a wish quickly." Sui Yu held his hand, wrapped her big hand around his small one and bowed. She smiled and said, "Make a wish so that mosquitoes won't bite us anymore."
"There are fewer mosquitoes in the room, go back and sit down." Zhao Xiping walked over carrying dirty clothes.
"It's time to eat meat. Come with me for a walk to help digest it." Sui Yu handed the cub over, "Go to your stinky daddy's arms."
Zhao Xiping threw away the dirty clothes, pinched the child's armpits and lifted him up high, and the little kid giggled with joy.
Sui Yu picked up her clothes and left, and Zhao Xiping chased after her with the baby in his arms.
"You can't catch up with me——" Sui Yu ran in small steps, "Come and catch me."
Zhao Xiping just ran around with the child in his arms without playing with him. He couldn't speak in the child's tone like Sui Yu did.
When the cub laughed, he also laughed silently.
The boundless night sky silently gazes down upon the earth. As the stars shift, children grow and crops grow. Plains, mountains, grasslands, deserts, and snow-capped mountains, amidst the ever-changing landscape, each unfolds a story both similar and distinct.
The scorching summer day gradually came to an end amidst dripping sweat. In the wilderness far away from the city, a dozen tanned men strode among them, shooting arrows with bows, racing with camels, fighting with sticks, or sneaking freely in the cool river water.
Voluntary training can produce more visible results than forced training. Excluding Gan Da and Gan Er, these ten private slaves have been bought for nearly a year. Compared with last year, these people seem to have changed their bodies. They are taller, stronger, and more powerful. You can even see fighting spirit in them, and there is a fierceness in their eyes that is eager to try.
"Before the caravan enters the city, why don't you go spend ten days in the desert?" Zhao Xiping suddenly suggested. "I'll escort you out of the city. There's Yumen Pass to the northwest and Yangguan Pass to the southwest. Beyond these two cities, most of Dunhuang is desert. Spend ten days in the desert before you come back."
Sui Yu also agreed, "I will prepare dry food for you, three large water bags for each person, and you can raise the rest by yourselves."
None of the twelve slaves showed any fear on their faces, and they all nodded in agreement.
Zhao Xiping gave them one day to prepare. On the tenth day of August, he took the household deed and walked out of the west gate of Dunhuang City with twelve servants. The servants escorted him out of the city, and he immediately returned.
"What are you doing?" Huang Ancheng called out to the people. "These slaves are all carrying heavy bags and bows and arrows. Why are they leaving the city? Why aren't you following them?"
Zhao Xiping suddenly realized that Song Xian had not told him that Sui Yu was planning to go into business. It was difficult to explain it immediately, so he didn't say much. He made an excuse, "I asked them to leave the city and go to the desert to look for wild camels."
"Come to my house for dinner some other day. We haven't gotten together for a long time," said Huang Ancheng.
Zhao Xiping nodded. He thought that he hadn't seen Zhao Xiaomi for some time, so he turned around and went to visit Zhao Xiaomi's in-laws.
Zhao Xiaomi is nearly five months pregnant. Her belly is noticeable, she has gained weight, and she is in good spirits. The yard is full of goldenrod, and she is still turning the grass over with her bulging belly.
"Are you home alone?" Zhao Xiping asked as he entered the room.
"Third brother, you're here?" Zhao Xiaomi handed him the pitchfork and said, "You've come just in time. Help me turn the grass."
Zhao Xiping had no choice but to help her turn the grass.
"My parents-in-law and Lian Zheng went to the fields to cut grass. Uncle Lao Niu's 20 acres of land was covered with very deep grass. They cut the grass, brought it back, dried it, and piled it up to sell for a lot of money," said Zhao Xiaomi.
"Pull my camel over to carry grass."
Zhao Xiaomi waved her hand and said, "His aunt lent us a camel. Your family is short of camels."
Zhao Xiping: ...
"Why did you come alone? My third sister-in-law and the little one didn't come?" Zhao Xiaomi asked.
"No, your third sister-in-law is at the guesthouse." Zhao Xiping rummaged through the grass in the yard, put down his pitchfork, and said, "You stay home. I'm leaving. Do you need eggs? I'll bring you a basket this evening."
"Okay, bring it to me." Zhao Xiaomi walked out to see him off and asked, "Are my parents coming over this year, or are you going back?"
Zhao Xiping hasn't decided yet.
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