After obtaining permission, the little girl took Fang Heng to East Street and bought him one piece of clothing after another, and one pair of shoes after another.
"Jiang Sheng, it's unnecessary." Fang Heng smiled bitterly. "I'm going to the northern frontier to be a soldier, not to go sightseeing."
Just bring a simple package; there's no need to bring a whole carload of luggage.
Upon hearing this, Jiang Sheng put down her fine cotton robe and pulled him to the antique shop on East Street.
Despite being called an antique shop, it's actually full of new items that have been artificially aged, lacking any antique charm and covered in dust and mud.
Fang Heng was about to say a few more words of persuasion.
Jiang Sheng picked out a breast-protecting mirror from the pile and said solemnly, "I've seen male protagonists in storybooks often saved by breast-protecting mirrors at crucial moments. Third Brother, you should take one too. Jiang Sheng and the mirror will protect you together."
Fang Heng was taken aback, reached out and took it, looking at it again and again.
Since it was his sister's kind wish, he accepted it.
But when I turned to ask about the price, the antique shop owner held out his hand, "Five hundred taels."
Xiao Jiangsheng's eyes widened suddenly.
It's too obvious that they're taking advantage of her misfortune; luckily, she didn't come alone.
Jiang Sheng poked her head out and called out, "Second Brother!"
Big-Mouthed Master Zheng entered, fanning himself with a folding fan.
After a heated debate, the five taels of silver were settled.
Jiang Sheng happily paid the money and stuffed the bronze mirror into her third brother's arms.
The antique shop owner next to him was already rolling his eyes. "Goodbye, everyone. Goodbye and best wishes..."
On New Year's Eve, Jiang Sheng and his sister searched the entire Anshui County.
They found all sorts of strange and unusual things that could protect Fang Heng, such as a heart-protecting mirror, a peace festival, and a peace pendant.
It was evening.
Zhang Xianglian brought out bowl after bowl of dumplings, braised pork hock with fish balls, and placed them all in front of Fang Heng, saying lovingly, "Good child, the border region is harsh and cold, you must not be able to eat these things. Eat more, eat more."
Another wealthy family is setting off fireworks.
After the siblings finished their meal, they stood shoulder to shoulder in the courtyard, looking up at the colorful sky.
Amidst the sound of firecrackers, Xu Mo asked softly, "Has the person to be taken away been decided?"
The servants who had been painstakingly trained were now put to good use.
With them around, everyone feels a little more at ease.
However, since the destination was a harsh and desolate frontier region, Fang Heng did not force them to choose; instead, he allowed them to make their own choice.
“Jiang San and Jiang Si are willing to stay, and the rest of you will come with me to the frontier.” Fang Heng sighed. “I didn’t expect everyone’s reaction. After learning martial arts for so many years, they are finally going to be useful. They are all very happy.”
Perhaps because most of them were orphans, or perhaps because of their youthful spirit, they found the prospect of fighting on the battlefield far more exciting than the tedious martial arts training.
"Is Jiang Wu going too?" Xu Mo hesitated slightly.
Among the eight servants, there was a girl who was the fifth in line, so she was called Jiang Wu.
She was originally chosen by Fang Heng as Jiang Sheng's maid, but because she was ruthless in her martial arts training and had sharp skills, she worked harder than everyone else, so she always followed Fang Heng to train and never appeared in front of everyone.
“I asked her, and she wants to go to the frontier.” Fang Heng pursed his lips. “Jiang Wu is the eldest sister in her family. I only paid five taels of silver when I bought her because her parents were so eager to sell her to pay for their younger brother’s schooling. So she was the cheapest and also the one who trained the hardest.”
Of these eight servants, five were orphans, having no family ties whatsoever.
Only three family members are still alive. For example, Jiang San has a father and a mother. Selling him was a last resort, so Jiang San goes home to visit whenever he has time.
Jiang Wu, though she knew her parents were nearby, never mentioned them. Her only focus was on martial arts training. She was diligent and dedicated, and her life seemed to consist of nothing but hard work, hard work, and more hard work.
Such a person, even if she is a girl, is impossible to ignore.
Fang Heng wanted to give her a chance; whether she could seize it was up to her.
That night, the six siblings stayed up all night to welcome the New Year.
They dared not rest, for fear that time would pass too quickly and the third brother would be gone when they opened their eyes.
We finally made it to sunrise, but parting was imminent.
Wen Zhiyun carried a whole basket on his back, filled with small paper packets, some of which still had bloodstains on them. "Third brother, wound medicine makes up the majority of the contents, there's also some antidote, and some to clear heat and dispel cold. It's all clearly labeled on it."
Zheng Ruqian pulled out a handful of loose silver from his pocket and said with a pained expression, "When you get to the frontier, don't be stingy with your food and clothing. With your second brother here, you can afford to eat and wear anything!"
Before anyone knew it, Wang Fufeng also arrived.
He looked at Fang Heng with envy, waved his hand, and handed him five hundred taels of silver. "Little cousin, remember to take a look at the magnificent landscape of this dynasty for your older brother."
Zheng Ruqian's eyes widened, and he quickly pulled out a handful from his pocket.
How could my second brother be inferior to my cousin?
Fang Heng's arms were almost overflowing with people, and he thanked them with a mixture of amusement and exasperation.
While everyone was turned away, he stuffed the silver notes and most of the loose silver into Jiang Sheng's arms and instructed, "The frontier is bitterly cold, and you can't buy anything there. I'll keep some loose silver for you. You can save the rest for your third brother."
Jiang Sheng nodded seriously, "Saving it up for Third Brother to get married."
Once everything was ready, Jiang Yi led over a red-maned horse.
Back then, this horse was robbed from the yamen runner Gao. Later, it was officially registered under Fang Heng's name through a horse trader.
Zheng Ruqian still remembered the saddle on the horse, which cost him a full tael of silver, and it took him a long time to recover.
Now, they have many silver coins, enough to buy more expensive horses and saddles, but Fang Heng is leaving.
Suddenly someone fell silent, and someone else began to sob softly.
The atmosphere of parting, which had been suppressed for so long, finally enveloped the small courtyard with its hairpins.
Fang Heng was at a loss, not knowing who to comfort, so he could only mount his horse and look at his beloved family members.
The words "Wait for me to come back" were still on his throat.
Suddenly, the sound of a carriage rang out in the distance, followed by Bian Wenxuan's cursing, "You brat, you brat, you're leaving without a word! Hey, you haven't taken your New Year's money yet!"
A delicate purse was tossed to him, which Fang Heng caught with his backhand. Holding the fifty taels of gold inside, he finally asked the question that had been swirling in his mind.
"Magistrate Bian, may I ask why my aunt refuses to see me and always sends you in her place?"
Bian Wenxuan paused.
He struggled to find the right words and said tactfully, "She's not available right now. We'll have to wait until we're both able to meet."
Fang Heng nodded slightly, glanced at his family members again, turned his horse around, and galloped into the distance.
Six servants followed closely behind in a carriage.
They faced the earth-shaking tremors, they were filled with hope, and they went without hesitation.
After galloping for countless kilometers and passing through countless cities, Fang Heng pondered Fan Bianwenxuan's words in his heart, and suddenly reined in his horse.
"What's wrong, young master?" Jiang Yi poked his head out of the carriage.
Fang Heng's expression remained calm, but his heart was in turmoil.
He realized he understood his aunt's situation.
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