Chapter 31 The Bad Fox
The knife was changed. Qin Shaozong was in a low mood throughout, and Dai Li didn't try to provoke him again.
After he skillfully cut the meat, Dai Li smiled and flattered him with "Your Majesty is mighty!" Then, she pinched the corner of the "tray" again and pulled the meat back in front of her.
Qin Shaozong lowered his eyes and watched as the piece of mutton sneaked away before turning to talk to the other generals.
The mutton, originally twice the size of Dai Li's face, was cut into strips about two fingers thick. Qin Shaozong's knife skills and eyesight were excellent; each strip was almost exactly the same width, a sight that would satisfy anyone with OCD.
Dai Li picked up a piece with her wooden chopsticks, took a bite, and then stopped.
The roasted lamb smelled delicious, the aroma wafting into her nostrils, but when Dai Li actually tasted it, she found she couldn't ignore the gamey smell.
It might be that the seasoning wasn't enough, or it might be that the meat was roasted directly without any initial marinating process. In any case, it was quite different from the lamb that Dai Li had eaten in restaurants before, which had no gamey smell.
But since she'd already taken the first bite, she couldn't just throw it away. Food was precious in the army, and meat was even harder to come by. They'd only roasted lamb to celebrate a victory. If it were any other time, that bite would have been the dream of countless soldiers.
The guilt of throwing it away was as heavy as Mount Wu. Dai Li looked at the two-finger-thick strip of meat and began to comfort herself.
Pure natural mutton, freshly slaughtered and roasted, with no chemical additives; it's free, you don't need to spend any money; meat is precious in this era, and who knows when we'll be able to eat meat again; eat more, so you'll have more energy to escape next time!
yue……
Take a small bite of mutton, eat two wild berries, then two bites of wheat rice, drink a sip of rice porridge, and then go back to take another bite of mutton.
After the piece of mutton was finally devoured, Dai Li let out a long sigh of relief, feeling as if she had just survived a near-death experience.
Looking at the remaining large plate of mutton, Dai Li had a terrible headache. She could barely finish one strip of meat, let alone the rest.
What should I do?
Dai Li frowned first, then her gaze gradually shifted to the side.
At this moment, Qin Shaozong was talking to Feng Feng and the others.
"That was exhilarating! After this battle, it will be a piece of cake for us to march on Ying County in a few days, break through its city gates, and capture Li Zan alive."
"Li Zan's power is waning. Will he abandon Ying County and flee? But it won't matter if he does flee; he can leave all his belongings behind."
"Ha, he'd like to take it, but can he even manage to take it with him?"
"That's true. Even if he had three heads and six arms, he wouldn't be able to take those things away."
Everyone was overjoyed; all the generals knew perfectly well what this great victory meant.
Li Zan's main force has been eliminated, along with Wang Qinglie, who had protected him since the beginning of his rise to power. It can be said that Li Zan has now lost all his elite troops and his most formidable generals.
The Ying County he occupied had become outwardly strong but inwardly weak. Not to mention their Xuanxiao Cavalry, even if the Lord sent other troops under his command, they could easily break down the gates of Ying County.
With Li Zan dead, his salt, as well as the large salt lake near Ying County, belonged to them.
Yes, this time the lord decided to personally lead the army to suppress the salt smugglers, not only because Li Zan had committed evil deeds and harmed the people, and killing him would bring him prestige; nor was it simply because the other party's power was growing and posed a threat to him.
What their lord valued was salt.
Yes, it's the salt itself, not the money you can get from selling salt.
Since conquering the northern lands, they have acquired a large number of high-quality Mongolian horses. Mongolian horses have firm muscles, excellent endurance, and are resistant to both heat and thirst.
The horse is a fine horse, but keeping it is quite expensive. Hay is a major expense, as is salt.
Each fine horse needs more than half a liter of salt every day. Salt is not cheap to begin with, and they need a lot of it, so buying it from others would be an astonishing expense.
Despite their current power and influence in the North, making them the uncrowned kings of the region, a closer look reveals that every expenditure they incur is quite staggering.
Soldier (deceased) allowances, battlefield siege rewards, (soldier and horse) food and fodder expenditures, weapon losses and city-state repairs...
The cost of provisions was calculated on a daily basis.
Well, no wonder Jin Duole, that miser, always complains about being poor.
"But then again, if Li Zan runs away, it's hard to say whether he'll have a place to stay. We just dealt with him in a big way, and if he runs to someone else's house, will anyone dare to take him in?" Feng Feng finished a piece of mutton, but it wasn't enough, so he went to get another piece.
"Perhaps."
The moment those three words were uttered, the surroundings fell silent, and everyone turned to look at Qin Shaozong.
Qin Shaozong: "Fan Tianshi, the governor of Yanzhou, has always had an ambiguous relationship with the Qinglian Sect. Li Zan's growth in recent years has been unusual, and there may be some hidden secrets behind it."
A salt smuggler could claim to command an army of 100,000 in just a few years and even corrupt officials in surrounding cities and counties by using himself as the center. He must have some skill.
Many people around agreed.
Just as Qin Shaozong was about to say something else, he suddenly caught a glimpse of a dark-colored object slowly moving towards him out of the corner of his eye. Its furtive manner was exactly the same as hers just now.
He turned his head and, sure enough, saw her holding mutton in both hands. The firelight reflected in her eyes, creating tiny glimmers of light in her clear, peach-blossom eyes, like stars scattered from the sky.
She looks much better behaved than before.
Qin Shaozong: What?
His gaze swept downwards, and although the meat had been moved, he could still tell at a glance that a piece was missing from its outline.
The very center piece, the one that was grilled to the tenderest point, is missing.
Dai Li said seriously, "You've been leading the army and it's taken a toll on your mind and body. You've been busy all day, so you should eat more meat. Feng Tun's roast meat skills are superb. I found it delicious and I couldn't stop eating it. I noticed that your plate is empty, so I thought I'd give you this piece of meat first, so you don't have to leave your seat."
Judging from the way the surrounding warriors were wolfing down their lamb, as if they wanted to chew up even the bones and swallow them whole, Dai Li felt that her claim of having "unparalleled roasting skills" was highly credible.
Qin Shaozong raised his eyebrows slightly, "Why is Madam being so obedient tonight?"
Dai Li smiled ingratiatingly, "The military has strict discipline, so I'll probably be alone tonight. I'm just trying to curry favor with you so you can give me a better tent."
Qin Shaozong's gaze slanted downwards again.
Although a piece is missing, the meat is arranged neatly, and there are even two wild berries placed at the corners to add a bright touch. The colors are vibrant, and it looks better than before.
She did put in some effort.
Qin Shaozong's lips curled up: "Alright, put it down."
Dai Li was overjoyed and quickly placed the mutton in front of him. Afraid that he might forget it while they were chatting, she made sure to place it directly in front of him, so that it was always within his sight.
Having settled a major concern, Dai Li continued eating wild berries.
The wild berries of this era are no different from those of later generations: small, bright red, and spherical in shape. One bite reveals a sweet and sour juice that is very refreshing.
Before she knew it, all the wild berries on the long table had been eaten, except...
The two pieces used to garnish the lamb.
Dai Li's gaze drifted over and saw that while she was eating wild berries, he had almost finished the piece of mutton that had been giving her such a headache. Looking around at the group of military officers, each of them had at least two or three large pieces of meat.
Dai Li: "..."
At this moment, someone asked, "My lord, would you like some more meat?"
"Cut another piece." Qin Shaozong paused, glanced at Dai Li beside him, and then changed his mind, "Cut two pieces."
Dai Li had just finished her meal and was listening to their conversation, so she naturally wouldn't miss any of the commotion around her.
When the gazes of those around her swept over her, alarm bells immediately went off in her mind. The shadow left by that piece of mutton from earlier was still quite strong, so Dai Li subconsciously said, "I don't need any, I'm full."
Qin Shaozong, who was about to look away, stopped.
His brown eyes appeared even lighter in the light, making him look more like some kind of large carnivorous feline. When he looked at people expressionlessly, his expression was heavy and intimidating.
Dai Li was already feeling uneasy, and she couldn't withstand the eye contact, so she looked away.
He was all too familiar with her little tricks; it was obvious she'd done something wrong. Qin Shaozong narrowed his long, narrow eyes, his gaze shifting from Dai Li to the table in front of him.
The batter looked untouched, but the wheat rice and wild berries were all eaten.
That scene from just now resurfaced in my memory.
She was smiling as she carried a bowl of mutton; in front of her was a long table with many bowls; a bowl that had been used to hold wheat rice, now empty; a small earthenware pot filled with batter; a soup bowl with a little less rice paste; and wild berries piled on a plate.
Now, apart from the empty dish containing wild berries, everything else is exactly the same as what he remembers.
Well, it turns out this fox was already full before, and couldn't finish the rest, so it tried to force-feed him the rest. All that talk about being mentally taxing and needing to eat more meat—it sounds much better than it sounds.
Qin Shaozong gave a cold laugh.
Dai Li's eyes are focused on her nose, and her nose is focused on her heart.
"My lord?" Feng Feng hesitated.
So is this one piece of meat or two pieces?
“One piece of meat is enough,” Qin Shaozong said.
Dai Li breathed a sigh of relief.
Qin Shaozong teased, "If you don't eat now, don't complain about being hungry in the middle of the night. No one will listen to you no matter how much you shout."
She doesn't like meat, but prefers to eat random wild fruits. Even a raccoon dog on the table would eat more than she does.
Dai Li was naturally not hungry. A bowl of wheat rice, half a bowl of rice porridge, a thick piece of mutton, and many wild berries were enough to fill her stomach.
After the bonfire feast, Dai Li received a small tent. Military tents are divided into small tents and medium tents. The former sleeps several people and is usually used by high-ranking military officers; the latter can accommodate dozens of people and is mostly used by ordinary soldiers.
Dai Li was the only woman in the army, so she naturally slept in a small tent by herself. The tent was set up, the curtains were rolled up to let in air, and some mugwort and cloves were burned to cover up the smell.
After it was all over, Dai Li hugged the quilt, climbed onto the soft couch, and drifted off to sleep.
In the stillness of the night, with everything silent, this newly erected small military tent stands next to the main tent, witnessing the rising and setting of the moon on the earth.
*
After spending the night regrouping at Peach Blossom Ridge, the Xuanxiao Cavalry set off again the next morning, continuing eastward toward Ying County.
Compared to before, the presence of wounded and prisoners slowed down the Xuanxiao cavalry's speed. However, Peach Blossom Forest was already quite close to Ying County, so the army arrived near Ying County only two days later.
When they were seven li away from Ying County, Qin Shaozong ordered his troops to set up camp and sent out a scout team.
The meteor scout rode ahead in a cloud of dust, heading straight for Ying County.
The scout traveled only seven miles, but returned quickly with a delightful message.
It seems that Li Zan abandoned the city and fled.
Normally, armies are not stationed in cities and counties. Firstly, there is not enough housing to accommodate these outsiders, and secondly, it is difficult to manage them uniformly and to transmit military orders.
Therefore, military camps were mostly located in the suburbs near cities and prefectures. On days when there was no war, many powerful rulers would have their soldiers become military farmers to cultivate crops and reduce the cost of food supplies. This was the famous military-agricultural system.
Logically, they had already reached the gates of Ying County, practically ready to break them down with wooden batons. The enemy should have been preparing for battle.
But in fact, the opposite was true. Scouts reported that they found a few soldiers leaving the camp, either alone, in groups, or carrying large and small bags.
He's a deserter!
There were deserters in the enemy's army.
"Hahaha, good, good, good escape! They're already weakened before the battle even begins; they're bound to lose. It seems that the salt smuggler surnamed Li was terrified last time at Peach Blossom Ridge."
"Having escaped from the jaws of death, with both his left and right arms bitten off, how could he not be trembling with fear? It's likely that once he returns to Ying County, Li Zan will pack his bags and flee with his wife and children."
"My lord, I request permission to attack the city!"
"My lord, I also..."
*
Inside the main tent, the atmosphere was electric, while in the medical tent at the other end of the camp, everyone was equally excited.
Whether it was Qiao Wangfei's exceptionally strong will to survive or the robust physique he had cultivated day after day, after more than two days of care, the Xuanxiao cavalry commander, who had been disemboweled, narrowly escaped the most dangerous period and was spared from death.
When Dai Li came to visit him in the hospital, she saw Qiao Wangfei sitting on the ground covered with straw mats, eating minced meat.
"Madam Dai." Upon seeing Dai Li, Qiao Wangfei instinctively tried to get up.
Dai Li was startled by him and quickly said, "Sit still and don't move around, or you'll reopen your wound."
Qiao Wangfei regained consciousness yesterday. After learning from the doctor how he had managed to survive, he thanked Dai Li profusely for coming to visit him. He had entrusted his child to a close friend when he knew he was in bad shape, but he never expected to meet a benefactor who had saved him from danger.
It is estimated that his ancestors kowtowed one by one below, which is how he managed to invite a great immortal to save him.
Qiao Wangfei felt a sense of awe towards Dai Li that was unmatched by anyone else.
"How are you feeling today, Commander Qiao?" Dai Li asked.
Qiao Wangfei: "Much better."
Dai Li carefully examined his complexion. His face was still as pale as paper, but he seemed to be in better spirits than yesterday.
He can eat, drink, and sleep well; Qiao Wangfei is indeed getting better little by little.
Dai Li was genuinely happy, not only because she had saved a life, but also because the fact that Qiao Wangfei was alive was a "merit." She had to use this credit to ask that person for a reward.
Qiao Wangfei immediately knew what was going on: "The rallying cry has sounded; we're about to set off."
He thought for a moment, then laughed out loud, "With one burst of energy, how can we not be assured of victory!"
Dai Li had no combat experience, but she also felt that Yingjun could be taken down quickly. By pressing the attack and testing the waters, she could secure a high probability of victory.
Just as the two had guessed, the expedition led by Qin Shaozong returned victorious shortly afterward, and the capture of Ying County was much faster than Dai Li had imagined.
He led his troops out at 9:00 AM, and at noon Xuanxiao rode back on a fast horse to deliver a message, ordering the logistics troops to break camp and advance, saying that Ying County had been captured and they now needed to change their camp location.
The soldiers were in high spirits, and they quickly packed their bags and set off.
Dai Li sat in the open carriage, watching the distant city gradually approach.
The ancient city was bathed in sunlight, appearing distant and weathered. Carrion birds circled overhead, while the vegetation along the official road flourished, creating a strange and disjointed harmony.
The soldiers guarding Ying County had already been replaced by the Xuanxiao Cavalry. After the military camp was set up in the suburbs, Dai Li followed Qiao Wangfei, Su Xiuzhu and others into the city by carriage.
Yingjun has no governor, or rather, it once had one. Since Li Zan occupied the area, officials have either been killed, surrendered, or left.
As a result, over the years, the civil officials of Ying County largely overlapped with the military generals in Li Zan's army. Now that Li Zan has been defeated and fled with his remaining troops, the officials of Ying County have been almost entirely wiped out, and even their residences have been vacated.
Dai Li's open carriage drove into the former prefectural governor's residence and the former Grand Marshal's residence.
The mansion is magnificent, with pavilions and towers scattered throughout. There are craggy rocks used as artificial mountains for viewing, as well as pools formed by drawing water from square springs. A nine-fold corridor is built over the pools, and even the sculptures on the corridors are made of white marble. Its luxury goes without saying.
Dai Li's carriage drove straight into the main courtyard. The main courtyard had obviously been cleaned up; none of the original residents were there, not even the maids who served them.
"Madam Dai, a batch of maids will be delivered later. Please choose two that you like," Hu Bao said.
Dai Li's first reaction was to refuse: "I don't need maids. I have always been self-reliant and am used to it. I don't need anyone to serve me."
Staying with Qin Shaozong is only a temporary measure; she will definitely leave eventually. If she develops feelings for the maid, should she take her with her when she leaves, or not?
If she brings it along, it might be inconvenient for her; but if she doesn't, given Qin Shaozong's domineering nature, it could very well cost her her life.
Hu Bao said solemnly, "This is the Lord's order."
Dai Li also said seriously, "I don't care, I..."
"What does Madam not care about?"
Dai Li paused, then turned to look at the archway connecting the courtyard to the outside. She saw Qin Shaozong, who had changed out of his armor and put back into a black robe, enter from outside.
He was indeed very tall; as he passed through the doorway, there was hardly any space left at the top. Once inside, it seemed as if the entire courtyard had shrunk considerably, and he exuded an imposing aura without being angry.
"Madam Dai, you may discuss this with the Lord." Hu Bao bowed and quickly took his leave.
Dai Li: "..."
Okay, let's discuss it with him. It'll be perfect to discuss it with him as well as ask for a reward.
Dai Li turned her head and met those brown eyes. Although the sunlight was bright, she seemed to see a deep black sea, which was not calm. She saw surging, ever-deepening desires within it.
With the battle over, the army no longer prohibited women.
The author notes: The unit "sheng" used to describe the salt consumed by horses in the text is a unit from the Qin and Han dynasties, not the modern unit. [Orange heart]
P.S.: The phrase "致事" in the text does indeed refer to this matter; it's not a typo and implies resigning from office. [Exaggerated praise]
Jinjiang updated with cute emoticons! This is definitely my favorite episode! [laughing emoji][patting head emoji]
Still need more nutrient solution [hugs]
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