Chapter 95 People from Fengyang
After herding the sheep back to the city, Lin Changning fenced off a large area of land for them. Once the sheep were settled, he walked briskly back to the garrison to report for duty.
Their achievements this time were enough to earn them a reward of several dozen taels of silver, which would naturally be issued by the imperial court.
With a cheerful smile, Lin Changning opened the tent flap and led Zhang Baihu into the tent, clasping his hands in greeting: "Commander, we're back. We've looted several thousand sheep. The people at the horse farm are counting the head. I also secretly beheaded the leader of the Tartar camp. On our way back, we led the cavalry and ran into a group of Tartars who were fleeing back. We killed 632 enemies, beheaded one, and brought back the leader's head. There were 300 wounded and 89 dead."
Qi Rong stood up and waved when he saw people return: "It's good that you're back. Please sit down. Lunch will be ready soon. Let's eat together later. We've slaughtered a sheep and made mutton soup for lunch."
Lin Changning said with glee, "I've secretly roasted dozens of sheep on the road these past few days. Commander, you know what? The fat sheep they raise sizzle and ooze oil when roasted, and they smell amazing!"
Qi Rong smiled helplessly: "Let's have dinner first. After you finish, go back and rest for a couple of days. I will report your war achievements. This time, your reward money is guaranteed."
Zhang Baihu was also pleased, and Lin Changning clasped his hands in thanks, so he followed suit, saying, "This humble one thanks you, Commander!"
It's not pleasant for just three people to eat such a delicious meal at noon. To celebrate their success in seizing the sheep, Qi Rong ordered over a hundred to be slaughtered for everyone to eat to their heart's content.
As for the few thousand-household commanders, they had a separate table with roasted whole lamb, while the remaining hundred-household commanders were divided into several tables.
The fire was bustling around with a group of soldiers, slaughtering sheep and setting up cooking pots. Lin Changning wandered on the grassland for nearly half a month, his face covered in dust, and he smelled as if he had been pickled in blood.
"It'll take a while to bake through, Commander. I'll go home and tidy myself up a bit; I'm practically rotting."
Zhang Baihu sniffed himself: "It really does smell."
After saying that, he laughed again: "But anyway, we're all family, so I won't smear myself, hahaha, I don't mind."
Commander Ma joked, "Among our group of brothers, you're the most fussy. The commander wasn't wrong when he called you a sissy."
Commander Zhou chuckled, "You know what, Changping is really good-looking. If she wore women's clothes, she might even look better than the women in our family!"
Lin Changning couldn't help but roll his eyes: "If everyone is too free right now, why don't we go to the training ground and practice? We can have a meal right after we finish a match."
Upon hearing this, everyone burst into laughter.
"I won't let you say it, or you'll get angry, hahaha."
"That's right, Lao Zhou, you can't keep your mouth shut. Be careful, Changping might spar with you one-on-one someday. That kid punched my back so hard I couldn't sleep for three days."
The group of men had no ill intentions; they were just simple-minded and loved to joke around. Even if they really angered someone, they would still act the same way. They would only calm down for a month or two after a one-on-one sparring session. Lin Changning rose through the ranks quickly, so naturally some people couldn't stand her. However, after one match after another, and given that she was indeed quite intelligent, there was nothing they could say about her. Now, the jokes could only be directed at her figure and handsome appearance.
Qi Rong softened his gaze as he looked at Lin Changning: "Alright, Liu Lang likes cleanliness, but going back and forth home would be a waste of time. Why don't we go back to the Thousand Household Office? An'an should be at home. Go to my place, take a bath, and have Wenzhi bring over a set of my clothes. You can also bring An'an over with you."
Lin Changning hesitated for a moment: "This isn't convenient for the commander."
Qi Rong waved his hand: "Stop dawdling, there's hot water on my stove. After you've washed up, bring An'an over quickly."
Seeing this, Lin Changning no longer refused and nodded, "Alright, then I'll go." After saying that, he got up and left the tent.
After arriving at the Thousand Household Office and greeting An'an, Lin Changning went to the kitchen. Hearing that she was at home taking care of the children, she helped fetch water and found a dark blue garment for Lin Changning.
After quickly taking a shower and getting dressed, Lin Changning felt completely refreshed. It was just a pity that there was no hair dryer in this era, so her hair had to be wrung out. After drying her hair with a cloth and tying it behind her ears, she went out to find An'an and prepare to go back with her.
Qi Rong's clothes were a bit big, but the materials were of excellent quality, with fur stitched into the lining. Apart from being a bit big, they were exceptionally warm.
Qi An'an, being led by the hand, looked at Lin Changning with bright eyes: "Brother Liu, you look so handsome like this."
Lin Changning smiled and held the child's hand: "Thank you for the compliment, An'an. You look beautiful today too."
The two chatted all the way to the garrison. Upon entering the tent, the air seemed to freeze for a few seconds. A group of people stared at Lin Changning without saying a word. Lin Changning touched his face and asked, "What are you looking at? Is there something on my face?"
Shi Qianhu exclaimed, "She is indeed like a young lady, extremely beautiful."
Lin Changning: ......
Qi Rong smiled, looked Lin Changning up and down, and said, "Sixth Brother is very handsome."
After he finished speaking, the group burst into laughter. Lin Changning gritted his teeth in anger: "Commander!"
Qi Rong laughed heartily: "To tell you the truth, Sixth Brother, don't be in such a hurry."
Commander Ma chimed in, "That's right. Clothes make the man, and a saddle makes the horse. Our Xiao Liu really looks like one of those young masters from the capital after changing his clothes."
"Of course, I would believe you if you said he was a child from a wealthy or powerful family."
"Look at you, Liu Lang, everyone's praising you, why are you getting shy? Hahaha."
A group of people were having a great time, laughing so hard they were almost falling over, when suddenly a soldier came in from outside the door: "Commander, there are a few people outside who want to see you."
Qi Rong raised his eyes and his smile faded: "Where did you come from?"
The soldier bowed respectfully and said, "We're from Fengyang. There are six constables, four young men, and an old man leading the team. They said they've come to deliver grain."
Qi Rong thought for a while but couldn't come up with anything, so he stood up and said, "I'll go with you."
Lin Changning and Commander Ma exchanged a glance, also showing some interest. Several commanders followed Qi Rong out the door, and upon arriving at the gate, they indeed found a group of people.
The leader was an old man with white hair and beard. Lin Changning felt like he had seen him somewhere before.
Upon seeing the group of people emerge, the old man knelt down with a thud: "Greetings, esteemed generals."
Qi Rong helped the old man up: "I am Qi Rong, the commander of Daxing Guard. What brings you here, sir?"
The old man dusted himself off, looked at Qi Rong, and then at Lin Changning behind him, saying, "Then it must be right. I am a clan chief from a village in Fengyang County. Before the New Year, Fengyang suffered a disaster and received a lot of grain donations from Daxing. It was this young general behind you who delivered the grain. The soldiers also helped with a lot of work. A few days ago, when everyone heard that Daxing's grain had been looted and the soldiers were having trouble eating, they were grateful for Daxing's grain donation and spontaneously donated grain, a total of four hundred shi. It's not much, but it can be enough for two full meals. Please accept it, General."
As he spoke, he stepped aside and pointed to the eight grain carts behind him, fully loaded with grain...
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