Chapter 192 New Year's Eve Dinner and Dowry
Torre was relieved now. It made sense. If Ji Xiangu was willing to stay, Bater would have kept her back in the royal court. Why would he need to chase her now?
But as a minister he could not be perfunctory in his king's mission, so he immediately led his people to chase after envoy Xia along the route he had taken. As a result, he could hear stories of Fairy Xia everywhere along the way.
Some wandering poets have already compiled Xia Xiangu's deeds into songs and are preparing to sing them in various cities and tribes.
Torre was surprised as he listened along. How many things did Ji Xiangu do along the way?
It cured sheep plague, exchanged for tea and sugar, cured many people's chronic diseases, saved a mare with dystocia, cured a group of cows with pox, and even removed cowpox...
Torre was anxious. "Xia Xiangu, if you keep walking so slowly, I will really catch up with you!"
Fortunately, when Torre arrived at the border trading point, he met Yan Jiu and his group who were staying there. He heard them talking about how Ji Xiangu and King Li had designated a peaceful trade zone and established a post station here a few days ago.
The clan leader's son whose kidney stones were cured by Jin Sui has become a die-hard fan of Ji Xiangu, and praised Ji Xiangu's medical skills as if they were from a god.
When asked what Tuole was doing here, Tuole could not say anything. He was here to take Ji Xiangu back to the royal court and was afraid of being beaten.
You changed your words and said you were here to see Fairy Ji off, although everyone was confused, you had sent her all the way from the royal court to here, and were almost sending her to someone's doorstep.
Yan Jiu noticed something and said to Tore privately: "Miss Ji will not come to Northern Frontier again. No matter what the king wants to do, it will be useless."
At this time, Jinsui and his party officially entered the territory of Daxia. Coincidentally, today is the New Year's Eve of Daxia.
Spending the New Year on the border road is truly a rare experience.
Jinsui had long handed over the kitchen power to the brothers of the Heiyu Camp. Apart from taking some energy bars and compressed biscuits every day, she ate whatever everyone else ate and did not cook for herself.
Only when it is too cold at night sometimes will I make some milk tea for Gu Changxiao to drink together.
But today she took back the power of the kitchen, and everyone relaxed as they were back home.
It was impossible for the Northern Frontier soldiers to come here. Even the former subordinates of Zuo Xian Wang did not dare to touch this army. As for the horse bandits, they probably hid in the caves after seeing the military flag.
As for Prince Yu's assassin, there is no need to worry about it. Prince Yu is currently having a headache with the Northern Frontier Mission.
Anyway, everyone was relaxed and wanted to have a good meal during the New Year. Jin Sui discussed with Gu Changxiao and set up camp early to prepare the New Year's Eve dinner.
We have exchanged more than 3,000 sheep for supplies on the way. Today we will kill 300 of them to make stewed mutton and dumplings.
Jin Sui wanted to treat everyone to hot pot, and the stove she placed in the space would be enough. But she thought it was too exaggerated, and the soldiers of the Northwest Army would probably be scared.
Let's just have a simple lamb stew! The dumpling skins were made of black flour that had been sieved once. Jin Sui wanted to sieve it twice more, but the soldiers of the Northwest Army said that it was good enough to eat wheat flour.
They all ate bean noodles, which were harsh on the throat.
Jin Sui led a group of brothers to build a stove, kill sheep, chop stuffing, and knead dough... They took seasonings from the space, and some soldiers ran to a distant mountain stream to find wild onions. The mountain stream was warmer than outside, and the wild onions had not been frozen yet.
If there is no wine, mutton soup will be used instead, and everyone will raise their bowls to celebrate the New Year.
In fact, there is wine in the space, but after all, we are in the wild, so we still need to be vigilant. I won’t drink the wine for now, and I will drink it when I return to the border town.
Gu Changxiao stood up and said a few words of toast. Jinsui thought he would say something like "Thank you for your hard work, soldiers" or "I'm happy to spend the Spring Festival with you".
What he said was: "The border town is very close. Now that everyone has had enough tonight, let's run home and have some drinks!"
This is not what a general would say to his subordinates! It is not inspiring at all.
Jin Sui complained in a low voice, but Gu Changxiao chuckled and said, "Whether it is the Northwest Army or the Black Feather Army, they no longer need me to motivate them. Besides, if you talk too much, the soup will get cold."
At this time, Hei Hu said loudly: "Boss Ji, you also say something."
When he didn't say anything, Jin Sui was still thinking of a toast for Gu Changxiao in his mind, and all kinds of polite words were repeated over and over again.
When Hei Hu said this, Jin Sui's mind went blank. She picked up the soup bowl and stood up, looking at the soldiers' expectant eyes.
There were mixed feelings in her heart. We had gone through so many hardships to have this New Year's Eve dinner together! Her eyes were filled with tears, and she was afraid that she would say something that would spoil the fun and make everyone lose their energy to eat meat.
At the same time, I also understand why Gu Changxiao didn't say anything encouraging at this time. Now we need to be happy, not moved.
She held up the bowl and said, "Yes, every one counts. Come over after dinner, brothers, and Boss Ji will give you New Year's money!"
Everyone was stunned at first. There are not many of us who are younger than you! It was Hei Hu who led the cheers: "Great! Thank you, Boss Ji!"
The others realized that the New Year's money was not given by the older to the younger, but by our Boss Ji to the brothers! If you don't accept it, do you not recognize her as the boss? Even Xie Maolin and other Northwest Army soldiers cheered: "Haha, no one has given us New Year's money for many years!"
Gu Changxiao came over and said, "Boss Ji, I want some New Year's money too."
Jinsui pushed him and everyone laughed even more happily.
The steaming dumplings disappeared within a few breaths after they were taken out of the pot, and became warm after a few more breaths.
Fortunately, the brothers ate fast. They opened their mouths wide and the person in front of them had just finished his plate before they picked up another one.
There were too many dumplings, and the side dishes were too obvious after being cooked in the broth, but everyone could taste them as dry goods after they were wrapped in the dumplings. Jinsui took out radishes, mushrooms, and cabbages from the space to make the filling.
There might not be enough white flour, but black flour was not something she could eat casually, and there was a lot of it stored in the space. She planned to make dumplings for tomorrow's breakfast, but she misjudged the soldiers' appetite.
It's said that you can eat as much as you want, but there's no fixed amount for each person. Anyway, after finishing one plate, you can queue up and get another one.
Hei Hu shared his theory on eating dumplings: "When eating dumplings, you never feel full. When the food reaches the back of your throat, you can just drink a few sips of broth to suppress it. Then you can continue eating!"
He was the most exaggerated, eating seven plates! Jin Sui was afraid that he would get sick from eating too much, but he still said, "It's fine to eat until you're 70% full."
Because there were not many pots and stoves, everyone lined up to eat. At first, Jinsui was responsible for cooking the dumplings, but later the soldiers who had finished eating first took over.
After eating, Jin Sui chatted with Gu Chang Xiao: "I wonder what Han Xing and the others will eat tonight? If we wait a few more days in the tribe, we can celebrate the New Year with them."
Gu Changxiao remained silent. He didn't want to celebrate the New Year with Yan Jiu!
"Don't worry! The Yan family brought more food, so the New Year's Eve dinner will definitely be sumptuous."
"I wonder if Liuyun remembers that today is New Year's Day?" After all, she has called me senior sister so many times, so I still have to worry about her.
Suddenly Jin Sui thought of someone: "By the way, where is Huo Zian? I haven't seen him."
Gu Changxiao laughed: "You just realized he's not here? He's in the Northern Frontier Mission, secretly keeping an eye on Eunuch Zhou, and also on guard against Prince Yu sending someone to assassinate Eunuch Zhou."
Jin Sui also smiled: "He is indeed the most suitable person to do this mission. Has this guy completely surrendered to you?"
Gu Changxiao nodded: "But he still can't come openly. I plan to let him act secretly in the future. Stay in Chang'an to get information."
Seeing that everyone had almost finished eating, Jin Sui hurriedly said to Gu Changxiao, "I'm going to the yurt to prepare the red envelopes. Don't let anyone else in."
Gu Changxiao went to guard the door for her personally and didn't even go in himself.
Of course Jinsui went into the space to prepare. She had no shortage of silver. Even if she packed two taels of silver, the total would only be more than two thousand taels.
She needs a red envelope! You can't just give her money, that would be too ceremonial.
It would be impossible to make more than a thousand sachets and red envelopes in a short period of time.
When she saw the cloth she had prepared, she thought of the simplest way. She just needed to cut the red cloth into a piece the size of a handkerchief, wrap the silver in it and tie it with a red rope.
It took more than an hour to prepare. He packed the food in a wooden box and said to Gu Changxiao outside the door, "Okay, have the soldiers finished eating?"
Gu Changxiao laughed: "Let's give out the New Year's red envelopes after the New Year!"
Jin Sui didn't notice anything unusual. She was so focused on sending out red envelopes that she even forgot that she had been missing in the yurt for so long. Could Gu Chang Xiao have noticed nothing? Of course Gu Chang Xiao had noticed something. Even Liu Yun could have noticed it, so how could he, who was so careful, not have noticed it?
But compared to revealing the truth and questioning Jin Sui, Gu Changxiao's only thought was that as long as she stayed by his side, nothing else mattered!
According to custom, firecrackers must be set off when welcoming the new year, in order to drive away the Nian monster and welcome a peaceful and prosperous new year.
Where can we get firecrackers now? Finally, Jin Sui discussed with Gu Changxiao and decided to set off a fish oil firecracker to suit the occasion.
Gu Changxiao threw the fish oil into the air, and Heihu and other archers shot at it. The fish oil exploded in the air with a much louder sound than fireworks.
To make a lucky number, nine fish oil firearms were released in succession, and every time one was released, the soldiers cheered in unison: "Great! How beautiful!"
If Bater knew, he would be so obsessed with it that he would not hesitate to do such a blasphemous thing as imprisoning a Han woman in the temple, just to get fish oil and firearms.
As a result, if Jinsui used it as fireworks, he would be so angry that he would come to catch the person himself.
Jin Sui was still not satisfied with the fireworks: "I should have brought some fireworks earlier."
Gu Changxiao laughed: "When we get back to Border Town, I'll hire some fireworks craftsmen to make fireworks specifically for you."
Jin Sui shook his head: "If we can hire a good fireworks craftsman, it would be a pity for us to make fireworks. We should make gunpowder! Fire guns and fire bombs are much more lethal than fish oil! Combined with long-range catapults, our border city will become the most difficult city in the world to attack, and the border army will become an invincible army!"
If the world were at peace, Jin Sui really wouldn't want to figure out the formula for gunpowder, but now we have too many enemies, and she still has a small life to fight.
In order to sacrifice fewer soldiers, it is better to make gunpowder as soon as possible! Gu Changxiao was startled, his heart was beating fast, a weapon more powerful than fish oil firearms?
He took a deep breath and said, "I will definitely find the most powerful fireworks maker to come to Border Town."
Thinking of Battelle's accusations and the misunderstanding he had with Sui Sui, he felt that it would be better to make some things clear.
"Sui Sui, there is something I have never told you."
"When I was looking for you in the Divine Palace, I confronted Bartel. He accused me and Yan Jiu of also taking advantage of your talents and not even giving you the respect you deserved."
Jin Sui waved his hand nonchalantly and said, "Just listen to his nonsense..."
"No, I think Bater is right. From the time I came to Border Town, no, I should say from the time you pretended to be the King of Li, you have done so much for me.
I seem to have gotten used to it, taking all the credit for your achievements. This time, you came to the Northern Frontier without hesitation for me and the Black Feather Battalion.
But I have nothing to repay you. Sui Sui, how can I repay you? "Gu Changxiao interrupted her and asked sincerely.
Jin Sui joked, "Didn't you reward me with ten thousand acres of fertile land? Give me more, a mountain, a pasture. It's my dream to be a big farmer."
Gu Changxiao looked at her with sharp eyes, as if he was going to say something very important.
Jin Sui's heart was beating wildly. What was this guy going to say? It's New Year's Day, don't make people excited, okay? Gu Changxiao suddenly reached out and gently stroked her face, and leaned over to her ear:
"This is far from enough! Since there is nothing to repay, Sui Sui, how about I pledge my life to you?"
His breath sprayed on my ears, his hot big hands were pressed against my cheeks, and he was still saying such words!
Jin Sui's eyes suddenly widened, and his whole body turned red and warm, from his forehead to his neck, as if he was feverish.
He pushed Gu Changxiao away fiercely: "You, what nonsense are you talking about? You can't bear to give up your fields and pastures, so you use this to fool me?"
Gu Changxiao immediately looked aggrieved: "Could it be that in Sui Sui's heart, I am not as good as other rewards?"
Jin Sui said in a very sure tone: "No! Men and the like, how can they compare to money and land?"
Gu Changxiao only felt the veins in his temples throbbing, but he knew very well that the more Sui Sui said this, the more it showed that she had him in her heart.
He covered his heart exaggeratedly and said, "I'm so sad! Sui Sui, please help me check if my heart is broken."
Jin Sui was amused: "Be careful not to let your subordinates see that His Highness the Prince of Li is so slick."
Gu Changxiao said with a smile: "Alas, facing such a cold-blooded Ji Xiangu, I admit defeat! Then how about I let Sui Sui be the lord of Border Town?"
Jin Sui still shook his head: "Then I'm working for nothing, right? If I don't do it, being a city lord is so tiring!"
Gu Changxiao suddenly held her hand and asked, "What does Sui Sui want?"
He leaned forward and whispered in her ear again: "I mean, what kind of betrothal gift does Sui Sui want?"
Jin Sui still wanted to fool him, but looking at his sincere eyes and the red ears, she suddenly realized that Gu Changxiao was also very nervous.
Ever since he confessed his feelings to me, I have never given him a formal answer.
He probably didn't want to push too hard, so he expressed his feelings in this way.
Today is Chinese New Year! Don't tell jokes, the gods will hear them.
Jin Sui shook his hand back and leaned into his arms: "No matter what I want, will you give it to me?"
Gu Changxiao nodded heavily: "Even if Sui Sui wants to kill me..."
Jin Sui covered his mouth with her hand and said, "Don't say unlucky words on New Year's Day! What do I need that for? At most I just want your money."
Gu Changxiao smiled: "From now on, my private vault will belong to Sui Sui."
Jin Sui shook his head: "I do have something I really want, and only you can help me accomplish it."
She didn't mention Ling's father's case. She planned to wait until Grandpa and Jin'an were around before formally telling Gu Changxiao about this matter.
Instead, he said: "I want Japan to be destroyed! This is the only betrothal gift I want!"
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