Chapter 309: Meeting Friends on a Fast Horse
In the front-line military camp in Luzhou.
Jiang Yongkang was looking at military documents in the account.
Ever since learning that the firearms blueprints had been stolen, Jiang Yongkang launched a fierce attack on the eastern battlefield.
If they take one more state, they can reach Qiongzhou.
They conquered cities and territories along the way, and their success became smoother and smoother, and their reputation became more and more famous. Some counties even welcomed them into the city with drums and gongs.
The reputation of Jinzhou Prefecture spread far and wide. Even in a place as far away as Luzhou, the local people knew about the cowpox vaccine and sweet potatoes, and said they had been looking forward to their arrival.
Some counties, although still under the jurisdiction of the Ming King, had already imitated the style of Jinzhou Prefecture early on. Not only did they promote universal education on their own, but some academies were even influenced by Jinzhou Prefecture and allowed women to attend classes.
Even though men and women still sit separately and a special female teacher is hired, taking this step is tantamount to showing goodwill towards Jinzhou Prefecture.
The more astute students have already started buying Jinzhou Prefecture's textbooks from Luzhou, and have secretly invited teachers from Luzhou. They have already studied mathematics, physics, chemistry and other knowledge in secret, hoping that once their city is captured, they can also gain an advantage in the official assessment.
For a time, Confucianism was abandoned, and instead the truth-seeking and pragmatic spirit prevailed in Jinzhou Prefecture.
There was continuous artillery fire in the border area between Luzhou and Jianzhou. On this vast plain, the two sides fought dozens of rounds of battles, large and small.
The people of Jinzhou Prefecture cherished their soldiers and were unwilling to let them fight to the death, instead relying more on firearms. The soldiers of Qiongzhou were initially brave, but their bodies were no match for firearms and they could only retreat step by step.
Artillery fire continued between the two places, and the checkpoints were closely monitored. The major roads from Jianzhou to Luzhou were guarded at all times. Even so, from some unknown time, a trend of families fleeing Jianzhou to Luzhou arose.
They crossed mountains and rivers, using narrow paths that made it impossible to predict their direction. Some soldiers even wrote to their families, asking them to flee to Luzhou first, and then they would take their own men there. This practice persisted until the general defending Jianzhou executed hundreds of soldiers who were about to flee.
After taking Xiangzhou, Jiang Yongkang had to send people to wipe out the towns and villages under it, so the border was always in chaos with large and small battles.
Jiang Yongkang seems to be accustomed to this kind of life on horseback.
He was actually not a man with great ambitions. Perhaps when he was younger, he had the idea of becoming a great general in the future and bringing honor to his family.
At that time, he simply thought that the general was very impressive.
But as he grew older, his ambition became to take over his father's business and expand it nationwide.
Until the massacre came.
Suddenly, all his relatives were gone and he was all alone in the world.
And the enormous wealth left by my father.
He originally thought that he had become a ghost in the world, but unexpectedly he met her.
That woman with a global vision and extraordinary talent.
He has transformed from a merchant's son into a powerful general, completely getting rid of the prejudice of status and family background. If nothing unexpected happens, his name may appear in history books and leave a mark of great significance.
The young general had some blue stubble on his lips due to days of hard work.
His body has grown fully, with shoulders like a monkey and waist like a bee, and his eyebrows and eyes are cold.
Since he was inside the house at the moment, he took off his outer silver armor and wore only a narrow waisted casual suit.
His tent was plain in color. Because of his military service and Xu Zhenying's emphasis on the importance of housekeeping, Jiang Yongkang had very strict requirements for his personal housekeeping.
His account was in perfect order, except for the pile of documents on the desk, which made it look a little messy.
The news that Xu Zhenying might appear in Luzhou came so suddenly.
The signalman, sweating profusely from running, presented the latest military report, panting, "The Luzhou prefect has reported that in Xiangzhou... Minister Zhao Qiaonian of the Supervisory Department has suddenly appeared and ordered the Supervisory Office to take away a female secretary from the prefectural office. Minister Zhao and his men are now stationed at the prefectural office, investigating eleven officials and encouraging the public to report corrupt officials... This inspection has been a major success... Officials in Xiangzhou are feeling uneasy, and there are rumors that the unrest is spreading to Luzhou..."
Jiang Yongkang slowly wiped his face with a handkerchief. "This inspection happens every year. This year, they started to conduct roving inspections. The routine inspections have been suspended, but Zhao Qiaonian has come so far this time. This is unprecedented. This Zhang Fujun in Luzhou has clean hands. What is he afraid of?"
The messenger lowered his voice, his emotions clearly agitated. "No! News has come from Xiangzhou that Zhao Qiaonian was seen with dozens of skilled soldiers and a heavily guarded carriage. The identity of the person inside the carriage is unknown. They parted ways in Xiangzhou, and now the carriage is heading towards Luzhou! Some people suspect that His Royal Highness Prince Zhao is in that carriage. The prefect is very anxious and is asking if our military has received any news that His Royal Highness is coming to Luzhou?"
Jiang Yongkang's expression changed slightly. "What? Your Highness... is coming to Luzhou?"
The signalman naturally didn't know about this.
Jiang Yongkang's voice became low, "When did it happen?"
"About half a month ago. According to the route, if Her Highness hadn't stopped along the way, she should have been close to Luzhou. General, will Her Highness...really come to Luzhou?"
"She's still as headstrong as ever!" Jiang Yongkang complained, but a look of joy crossed his face. "Quick, prepare the horses!"
The signalman also had a happy look on his face and immediately hurried out to get the horse.
But as soon as Jiang Yongkang lifted the curtain, he saw a beautiful figure standing hesitantly outside the tent.
Jiang Yongkang immediately frowned and looked at the guard beside him, "Why is she still here?"
The guard could only complain, "General, we've tried to persuade her countless times, but she won't leave. And Miss Wang said she'll just stand at your door, quietly waiting for you... and won't interfere with your work. She's an unmarried woman, so we can't force her to leave."
As soon as the girl saw Jiang Yongkang coming out, she immediately stepped forward, holding a food box in her hand, and at this moment she seemed a little attentive: "General, you are very busy with government affairs, I am afraid you are hungry. I made some cakes by myself. If you don't mind my crude craftsmanship, please accept them--"
Jiang Yongkang took a half step back, his brows furrowed, his expression growing increasingly impatient. "Miss Wang, please respect yourself. I've told you many times that it's my duty to save you. Even if it wasn't you that day, I would still have saved you. This is a military camp. Unauthorized personnel, please leave immediately. If you come again, don't blame me for treating you as a spy."
Miss Wang's face turned pale instantly.
She didn't understand why Jiang Yongkang, who had been so polite and distant a few days ago, suddenly spoke so harshly today.
After all, she was the daughter of a county magistrate under Luzhou, and her father stayed in office to check on her. Although her background was a little poor, she was still a daughter of an official family. Now that she was so humble, he still refused?
Miss Wang's eyes suddenly turned red, and she bit her lower lip, looking pitiful. "General, I just wanted to repay you for saving my life. I thought you had no one to look after you, so I wanted to take care of your daily needs. Why did you have to make me feel so embarrassed?"
Jiang Yongkang didn't know what women were doing, he just hated women who cried when something happened.
Especially someone like Miss Wang, who is thin and cries a lot, and whose voice is as buzzing as a mosquito. The key point is that she is now blocking his way!
"I have housekeepers to take care of meals and laundry here, so you don't have to worry about it. If you really have so much free time, why not find a proper job?"
Jiang Yongkang said this coldly, then turned and left. The guards brought the horse over.
He rolled over, ignoring Miss Wang's shocked look, and said to the guards, "If she's still here when I come back, you'll leave!"
Jiang Yongkang rode away without any regrets.
When the two guards saw that Miss Wang was about to cry again, they were suddenly at a loss. However, one of them was quick-witted and immediately grabbed the female soldier next to him for help.
Miss Wang has been walking back and forth outside Jiang Yongkang's tent every day these days, and everyone in the military camp knows about it. If it weren't for the fact that they couldn't figure out Jiang Yongkang's thoughts, many female soldiers would have been fed up with it a long time ago!
She cries in front of men all day long, like a weak willow in the wind, and bursts into tears at just a few words. This is exactly the kind of person these fiery female soldiers hate the most!
In front of these daring female soldiers from Jinzhou Prefecture, weakness is the quality they despise the most.
So, seeing Jiang Yongkang speak, although the female soldiers looked down on Miss Wang's behavior in their hearts, they still held back when they spoke. "Miss Wang, don't stand outside our minister's door. If others see you, you don't care, but our Minister Jiang still has to save face. Don't you know what the rumors have been like these past two days? Is this how you repay a favor?"
However, someone was not as polite as this one. "Really? How can a good girl stay in front of a man's tent day and night? It has even dragged down the reputation of us female soldiers these days. We have worked so hard to become female soldiers, overcoming many difficulties and defeating many generals. But when some people come, they question whether we female soldiers only think about finding men all day long. Bah, it really brings shame to us women!"
"That's right, Miss Wang, you can't repay kindness with hatred! Minister Jiang has no shortage of people to look after him. If you really have nothing to do and you want to repay him, why don't you apply for a job at the Military Logistics Department? You'll get a monthly salary and earn money on your own, isn't that easier than relying on a man?"
Miss Wang blushed and stamped her feet, "You are so vulgar! I won't tell you anything. When the general comes back, you will be in trouble!"
After saying this, Miss Wang ran away.
The few female soldiers left behind looked at each other in bewilderment.
"No, she wants the bad guys to complain first? Which of our words are not true?"
"That's not right. She said that as if she and Minister Jiang were very close? Minister Jiang didn't even look at her..."
"That's right, you can't argue with me, so you just cry. If you have the guts, come and show me some tricks—"
"Oh, you're so annoying, crying all day long. It's better for you to leave... to save Minister Jiang from worrying."
"Speaking of which, the girls from Luzhou are all so thin and frail, they look like they'll fall over if the wind blows. I have to suggest to the instructor that the girls from Luzhou join us for morning exercises. Otherwise, if the people from Qiongzhou come attacking, these girls with bound feet won't be able to run fast—"
Several female soldiers chattered, while the two guards looked at the two female soldiers who walked past. Their muscles were more solid than theirs, and they thought to themselves: Who says girls can't beat men? Look at these people, each one is stronger than the other, worthy of being female soldiers from Jinzhou Prefecture—
Jiang Yongkang was riding a horse, extremely anxious.
As soon as he rushed out of the camp, he left the guards behind him far behind.
The guards were confused and looked at each other in confusion when they heard a horse coming up from behind. The man was Jiang Yongkang's attendant, who was also riding non-stop. Seeing that Jiang Yongkang had left them behind, he hurriedly said, "Hurry up, hurry up! There's news that Prince Zhao is coming to our Luzhou—"
"What? Who?"
"Your Highness Prince Zhao! Your Highness Prince Zhao!"
Some people were still confused, "Which Prince Zhao?"
"Oh my God! Besides the Prince Zhao of Jinzhou Prefecture, how many other Prince Zhaos are there in this world?"
There was a sound of gasps, and the guard's saddle was held down. "Are you saying... the legendary Prince Zhao has arrived?"
"Hurry up! Didn't you see Minister Jiang rushing over to greet us?"
"Hey, hey, wait for us--"
This was a big deal. When everyone heard that Xu Zhenying had come to Luzhou, they immediately became excited and started whipping their horses.
There is Jizhou between Luzhou and Xiangzhou. According to Xu Zhenying's pace, Jiang Yongkang estimated that they should have entered the territory of Luzhou.
So he galloped through the mountains and forests, splashing the air with birds. It was the time when grass grew and warblers flew, and the snow melted. The mountains and forests were covered with green, and the spring breeze blew on his face, bringing a warm feeling.
As they approached the checkpoint, the soldiers on duty heard the rapid sound of horse hooves from afar, and then saw Jiang Yongkang's face, "Get out of the way! Get out of the way!"
He shouted anxiously.
The stationed soldiers immediately recognized the young eastern commander and removed the roadblocks without delay.
Then the man disappeared in front of everyone like the wind.
Then another small group of people rode past.
After they left, the soldiers stationed there were a little confused and asked, "What big thing happened?"
"Could it be that Prince Ming's men are calling?"
"If it was Prince Ming's men calling, then why was Minister Jiang running towards Jianzhou?"
The sun sets in the west, and the afterglow of the setting sun shines like golden light on the mountains and forests.
The shadows flew by quickly, and the horses' hooves were galloping.
Soon, Jiang Yongkang saw a wobbly horse-drawn carriage coming on the official road. The carriage was not moving fast and was surrounded by about dozens of people. Not even a fly could fly in front or behind.
The driver was obviously a familiar face.
From a distance, the coachman Ming Xiaoshuang waved at him and almost immediately said to Xu Zhenying in the carriage behind him: "Your Highness, Minister Jiang! It's Minister Jiang!"
No wonder Ming Xiaoshuang was excited.
Although both of them were old men who made their fortunes at the beginning of their exile, Jiang Yongkang was different from everyone else. He did not stand out at the beginning, but from the moment he started killing the bandits, Jiang Yongkang seemed to have taken a completely different path from them.
When others were still wavering, Jiang Yongkang had already defected to His Highness. By the time others realized what was happening, Jiang Yongkang had already made great achievements and left others far behind.
To use an inappropriate metaphor, Xu Zhenying and Jiang Yongkang are like a family where one is in charge of the household and the other is in charge of the outside world.
Xu Zhenying guarded Jinzhou Prefecture and took charge of management, while Jiang Yongkang conquered cities and expanded his territory.
Not to mention, Jiang Yongkang was proficient in military tactics. He marched westward and occupied six provincial capitals within three or four years.
It can be said that most of Xu Zhenying's empire was built by Jiang Yongkang.
Even though Jiang Yongkang stayed in Jinzhou Prefecture for a short time, legends about Jiang Yongkang are circulating everywhere in Jinzhou Prefecture.
It is said that Jiang Yongkang is a young talent who is not only well-versed in military tactics, but also proficient in all kinds of martial arts.
It is said that Jiang Yongkang has a handsome face and a gentle temper.
It is said that Jiang Yongkang is the dream lover of countless girls in Jinzhou Prefecture.
Everyone knows that Minister Jiang in the west is like a stabilizing force. Since he came to the west, there has been almost no defeat.
What's more, he is a veteran figure in the Xu family's political team. Even people like Xu Yinxi, Ming Xiaoshuang, Fang Xun and others have to give Jiang Yongkang some respect.
"Jiang Yongkang is here?" With a chuckle, Xu Zhenying lifted the car curtain and saw the familiar figure on the distant mountain road in the afterglow of the setting sun.
Xu Zhenying narrowed his eyes slightly, as if trying to see the person coming more clearly.
It was several years ago that she met Jiang Yongkang.
Over the years, she has been working day and night in Jinzhou Prefecture, while Jiang Yongkang has been making great achievements in the east. The two are the closest friends, but also the most distant partners.
Hearing Xu Zhenying's call, even the horse under Jiang Yongkang became impatient, as if sensing its master's mood.
The horse dived, then slowly stopped in front of the carriage.
Ming Xiaoshuang immediately jumped off the carriage. He punched Jiang Yongkang in the chest and said with a smile, "Good boy, you've grown so tall! The young man back then has now become a general guarding a place. Jiang Yongkang, do you still recognize your big brother Ming?"
Jiang Yongkang reluctantly moved his gaze away from the green curtain, and then gave Ming Xiaoshuang a slightly shy smile: "Brother Ming."
Ming Xiaoshuang responded, as if he was proud of having played a trick on Jiang Yongkang, and also seemed to be relieved that even though Jiang Yongkang was now in a high position and had great power, he still cared about their affection in his heart.
Instead, Xu Zhenying lifted the car curtain and stared at the newcomer with a smile, "Jiang Yongkang, do you still recognize me?"
Jiang Yongkang's face flushed instantly. Although he had fought on the battlefield for many years, his skin was still very fair. When he lowered his head, his face flushed all the way to his ears, which looked particularly beautiful in the fragmented light of the setting sun. "Greetings, Your Highness. I haven't seen you for a few years. How are you doing?"
"Very good. He's fat and plump, and he enjoys everything he eats."
Elder Lin looked at the tall, thin man before him, then glanced back and forth between him and Xu Zhenying. He then stroked his beard and smiled inscrutablely, "Minister Jiang Yongkang, right? Seeing is believing. He's worthy of being the most formidable general in Jinzhou Prefecture, and the dream lover of countless young women there."
Xu Zhenying's expression froze.
Good, good, very good.
Mr. Lin’s speech is becoming more and more sophisticated now.
Look how embarrassed Jiang Yongkang is.
Jiang Yongkang quickly dismounted and bowed respectfully to Elder Lin, his expression sincere. "Mr. Lin, you are so kind! I heard you were in Jinzhou Prefecture a long time ago, and I should have paid you a visit sooner. It's a fortunate coincidence that we meet here in this beautiful place, and please allow me to show some hospitality."
Elder Lin seemed very satisfied with Jiang Yongkang. "No problem, no problem!"
Jiang Yongkang habitually observed the people brought by Xu Zhenying.
Many of them are new faces.
This also proves that Jinzhou Prefecture is developing rapidly.
The person sitting in one of the carriages should be her secretary, the one with dignified manners and a smile on her face should be Zhou Houfang, and the other girl is in military uniform with sharp eyes. You can tell at a glance that she is a soldier, and she should be Qu Min who was transferred from the military.
Zhou Houfang was also observing Jiang Yongkang.
She only saw him once from afar at first, and she couldn't help but sigh in her heart: What a handsome young man.
He has both the bearing of a noble family and the ruthlessness of a soldier.
Especially that face, which is extremely handsome.
She seemed to understand why the girls in Jinzhou Prefecture were obsessed with Minister Jiang Yongkang.
Jiang Yongkang is indeed worthy of the description of being both civil and military, talented and handsome.
A few people nodded slightly as a greeting.
Jiang Yongkang looked at Xu Zhenying again. He seemed to have many questions to ask, but he also knew that this was not a good place to talk, so he had to get on his horse again and said, "Your Highness, it will be dark soon. We are still about thirty miles away from the military camp. We should hurry to the camp."
"Okay, you lead the way."
The dozen or so people following Jiang Yongkang all looked excited.
There was even a square-faced soldier who pulled the person next to him and said, "Pinch me quickly to see if it's real. I actually saw His Royal Highness Prince Zhao!"
The people around him took the opportunity to pinch him hard.
The square-faced soldier screamed in pain, causing the escorts to burst into laughter.
That night, the entire Luzhou camp was in an unprecedented commotion.
From the soldiers setting up roadblocks to the generals in the military camp, they heard about the arrival of His Royal Highness Prince Zhao early on and all rushed to the camp gate, almost causing a stampede.
In the end, the leader had to drive most of the people back. Some of the people who had climbed to higher places escaped. Just as they were being chased back, the people who had climbed up the trees excitedly shouted, "Here they come! Here they come! His Royal Highness Prince Zhao's carriage has arrived!"
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