Jiang Yushu was instantly in a state of panic. She put down her pen, pushed the table aside, and anxiously asked, "What happened to him? Is it really the soldiers of the Tuning Guard outside?"
"That's not certain. They're all strangers, nobody I've ever seen before." Nanny Pan hurriedly shook out her cloak and tied it around her. "What should we do? Madam, we need your advice."
Jiang Yushu was so anxious that she didn't even bother to do her makeup. She raised her hand and tidied her hair. She hurriedly said, "Don't panic. You guys take care of the children. I'll go out and take care of it."
"Oh." Nanny Qiu hugged the struggling baby, feeling anxious.
Nanny Pan chased after her and shouted, "Madam, be careful!"
"Know!"
Jiang Yushu led the servants and guards, and quickly rushed to the gate of the courtyard. Sure enough, they saw a team of border soldiers and a sedan chair waiting for them.
As the two sides met, the leader of the other side clasped his fists and asked respectfully, "You must be Madam Guo? I am a personal guard of General Song, the commander of the guards. I am here by the general's order to invite you to the camp to discuss an important matter."
Jiang Yushu calmed herself down, stepped down the steps, and politely replied, "It's winter and snowy, thank you for taking the trouble to carry out this mission."
"I don't deserve it. I hope Madam will forgive my impoliteness for coming to disturb you so suddenly."
Jiang Yushu was apprehensive and couldn't wait to ask, "I wonder what General Song wants me to discuss? Also, do you know my husband, Guo Honglei? Is he okay?"
Several border soldiers exchanged glances, whispering to each other for a moment. The leader apologized, "I'm sorry, we're just following orders and aren't familiar with the general's official duties. As for Captain Guo, we're acquainted with him, but we don't know his specific circumstances. Madam, please inquire about everything yourself once we arrive at the camp."
"this……"
Are they really garrison soldiers?
Jiang Yushu couldn't help but feel suspicious and carefully examined the visitor's clothes and accessories.
Seeing this, the leader understood and immediately pulled out his badge and warrant, explaining, "This is my badge and warrant. You must have them whenever you enter or leave the camp or the city gate. Military regulations on the frontier are strict. Anyone who dares to impersonate a soldier will be beheaded if caught! Madam, please review this."
Zou Gui approached, took the thing, and trotted over to it.
Jiang Yushu took the credentials handed to her by the servant and carefully examined them for a while. Finally, she made up her mind and said solemnly, "General Song has invited me. How dare I refuse? Okay, I will go with you!"
"In that case, please get in the sedan chair." The other party breathed a sigh of relief and waved to his companions to press down the sedan chair pole.
The north wind was biting, and snow was flying everywhere. Jiang Yushu shook her head and said loudly, "The wind is strong and the snow is deep, the road is difficult to travel. I don't know how long the sedan chair will last. Ride faster!" After saying this, she decisively ordered, "Hurry and lead my horse out."
"Yes!" The servant ran back to the yard.
All the border soldiers were stunned, staring at the slender and beautiful female official in amazement, and asked hesitantly: "Madam, can you actually ride a horse?"
Jiang Yushu was worried and answered casually, "I know a little bit."
Some of the border soldiers scratched their heads, some rubbed their hands, and kindly advised: "It's cold, it's warmer to ride in a sedan chair."
"Yes, the sedan chair is good!"
"Well, if you fall off your horse, we won't be able to report to you."
…
"It's okay, I'll be careful!"
After a while, the servant led the horse out. It was the one Guo Honglei had given him that year. The foal had grown up.
Jiang Yushu moved swiftly, putting on her homemade leather gloves, fastening the hood of her cloak, and covering her mouth and nose with a handkerchief. "Can I bring two people with me?"
"Can."
Jiang Yushu touched the horse's neck, mounted it skillfully, and looked down at it, saying, "I'm going out of town for a while. Zou Gui and Lao Meng will follow, and the rest of you will be responsible for guarding the house."
"yes!"
Jiang Yushu made all the arrangements, pulled the reins, turned around, and urged, "We can go now. Please lead the way."
"Let's go, let's go." The border troops secretly exclaimed in surprise. Some led the way, while others gathered around, curiously observing the captain's wife's riding skills.
Jiang Yushu only showed a pair of eyes, bent over the horse's back, and shouted, "Gee!" She spurred her horse into the wind and snow, the horse's hooves stepping on the thick snow, rushing out of the city gate and heading towards the camp.
Noon · Camp Gate
The sky was gloomy and heavy snow was falling.
"Whoa!"
"arrive."
The soldier leading the way dismounted and reminded, "Madam, please dismount."
Jiang Yushu dismounted as instructed and rushed over. Her face and fingers were numb and stiff from the cold, and she could barely open her mouth. She was panting, and her nose, throat, chest, and lungs ached as she breathed. She stamped her feet, shook her arms and flexed her fingers, and looked around:
The camp gate is tall, with a barricade in front and watchtowers on both sides. Military flags are fluttering in the wind on the towers, and teams of soldiers are doing their jobs, some guarding and some patrolling.
The other party continued to lead the way, "Madam, please."
Jiang Yushu nodded, and the master and his two servants handed over their horses and self-defense weapons, followed the other party into the camp, and after the guards checked the documents, they made way and let them pass.
"Are we going to see General Song now?" The icy air went up her nose and throat into her lungs, choking Jiang Yushu and causing her to stutter.
"yes."
Jiang Yushu blinked with great effort, her eyelashes covered in snow. Entering the military camp for the first time, she observed her surroundings as she walked: many soldiers came and went, but all she could hear was the sound of wind, snow, and footsteps, without any laughter or noise. The orderliness of the place was so perfect that it instilled respect in outsiders, who fell into a spontaneous, solemn silence.
Soon outside the general's tent
The guide said to the guard, "Mrs. Guo has arrived. Go and announce it!"
The guard went inside to report, then quickly returned, bowing and announcing, "Madam Guo, the general wants to see you."
Jiang Yushu took a deep breath and walked steadily into the commander's tent.
She held her breath, walked around a screen, stood in the hall, looked around, and found that the whole hall was crowded with twenty or thirty men, some standing and some sitting, some middle-aged and some young.
Among them, Jiang Yushu saw her husband at first sight!
Commander Song Jikun sat at the top, and Guo Honglei sat fourth below the general, his brows slightly furrowed as he stared intently at his wife.
At the end of the row to the right of the general sat another person she knew: the Magistrate of Tuning County, Sun Jie.
What does today's scene mean?
Jiang Yushu was bewildered and filled with doubts. She pulled herself together, bowed her head slightly, and saluted with dignity. "Ms. Guo Jiang greets the General."
Oh, the legendary lady-in-waiting! Everyone looked at her: she was tall and slender, wrapped in a marigold cloak, with a lilac scarf covering her mouth and nose, revealing only a pair of bright eyes.
Song Jikun said with a pleasant smile, "No need to be so polite. Please stand up. I'll find a seat and serve tea."
"Thank you, General."
Two soldiers brought chairs, but were momentarily perplexed, hesitating, not knowing where to put them.
The military has a strict hierarchy and respect for superiors and inferiors.
If we were talking about a couple, they should be placed next to or behind Guo Honglei, but he already had colleagues on his left and right, so there was no room for them. Placing them behind him would not be appropriate, as she was a female official after all.
In terms of official rank, she should be placed next to the Magistrate of Tuning County. But in front of Guo Honglei, the soldiers did not dare to arrange for his wife to be with another man...
Finally, Song Jikun raised his hand and pointed, "Put it there."
"Yes." The two soldiers felt relieved and placed the chairs on the left side of the hall.
Jiang Yushu sat down and took the hot tea. The couple looked at each other. Guo Honglei was in front of her, which made her feel at ease. She thought to herself: Thank goodness! God bless him, he is sitting here safely and uninjured.
"During the New Year, I'm sorry to have invited Lord Jiang here because I have two things to ask you." Song Jikun spoke straight to the point and in a friendly manner.
Since the other party chose to address him by his official title, Jiang Yushu stood up and replied, "Which two things are they? I am all ears."
"Sit down, sit down and talk."
Song Jikun had spent half his life in the military, possessing a commanding presence. Even when he wasn't angry, he exuded authority. He began by asking, "According to the law, each of the Dagan Garrisons possesses farmland. They are used in battle and cultivated in peacetime. The Tuning Garrison should have done so, but because the enemy soldiers are still intent on a surprise attack, coupled with a lack of manpower, our Garrison is temporarily unable to cultivate land. What do you think of this, Lord Jiang?"
Is there any need to ask this? Who in the whole world dares to urge you to work? Not even the emperor dares to force you to farm!
Jiang Yushu, holding a cup of hot tea, was completely unaware that she hadn't removed the handkerchief covering her mouth and nose. After a moment's thought, she concealed her doubts and replied, "As the general said, the primary mission of each garrison is to defend the territory and eliminate the enemy. As for the farming, we can take our time."
"Well, that's right." Song Jikun nodded with satisfaction.
Jiang Yushu smiled back and was about to take a sip of hot tea to warm herself when she realized her mouth and nose were covered. She had been traveling for a long time and was extremely thirsty. Without a second thought, she removed the handkerchief and drank half a cup of tea.
"Ahem..." Guo Honglei subconsciously raised his hand to stop her, but seeing that her face was pale and blue from the cold, he sighed secretly and lowered his hand silently.
Tsk, what a beautiful lady! Immediately to Guo Honglei's left was another captain, Tong Jing. Tong Jing was over thirty, sporting a short, pointed beard. He sat upright, his eyes glancing sideways at Guo Honglei and his wife.
Several large charcoal basins burned brightly in the hall, making it much warmer than the outdoors. They gradually melted the snow on Jiang Yushu's temples, eyebrows, and eyelashes. She wiped the snow off her face gracefully and asked, wondering, "General, what's the second thing?"
"The second matter," Song Jikun said calmly, his demeanor unaffected by the masked or uncovered face of his subordinate's wife. He raised his chin slightly and addressed the Magistrate of Tuning County, who was standing at the end of the meeting. "It's related to Magistrate Sun and Lord Jiang. I'm asking for your advice."
"oh?"
Jiang Yushu was puzzled. "I don't understand. Please explain clearly, General."
Song Jikun gave Sun Jie a look, and he quickly stood up, his face beaming with joy as he asked, "Special Envoy Jiang, do you remember the last time we talked about 'digging a canal and diverting the Runhe River for irrigation'?"
The generals watched quietly, observing the female official's expression.
Strange, why are they looking at me? Jiang Yushu noticed it keenly, and became more confused. She nodded and replied, "Of course I remember. What's wrong?"
Sun Jie couldn't hide his excitement and explained, "Hahaha, I felt it was worth a try at the time, but it's too difficult. If this county relied on itself, it would definitely not be accomplished. Today, when I came to visit General Song, I casually mentioned it, and surprisingly, the general also thought it was a good idea! It has been preliminarily decided that the military camp and the county government will work together to dig a canal to bring the Run River into Tuning, benefiting future generations!"
Song Jikun's eyes gleamed as he spoke gently, "This plan was originally proposed by Lord Jiang, so I specially invited you here to discuss it in detail and set the rules."
Jiang Yushu was stunned. "Actually, that was just a sudden thought. You guys, you actually really have this idea?"
"Hmm." Song Jikun nodded seriously.
Once the canal was dug, his achievements would be half of what the county magistrate had achieved. As if hearing the good news of his promotion, Sun Jie was filled with energy and said with awe, "This is a great thing that will benefit generations to come. It can solve the drought problem in one fell swoop. Even if it's difficult, we must try!"
Jiang Yushu was surrounded by so many eyes, feeling uncomfortable. "It's indeed a good thing, but it's a serious matter, so we need to think carefully. I'm not very knowledgeable, and this is my first time in Tuning. I've never been to Luanshigou or seen Runhe River, so I'm afraid I'll disappoint you all."
Guo Honglei was about to help his wife out when Tong Jing, who was standing beside him, asked, "Hey, this is weird! Madam Guo, if you've never been to Luanshigou or seen the Run River, why would you want to build a canal?"
Jiang Yushu turned her head and stared at the questioner: Tong Jing had a smile on his face, but the smile was only on the surface, and a look of suspicion and scrutiny flashed across his eyes.
No good intentions!
Not a pushover!
Jiang Yushu remained calm and stared at her husband. As they stared at each other, her mind raced, thinking to herself:
Just now, General Song asked two questions. The first one was obviously a deliberate question despite knowing the answer. The key lies in the second one... Could it be that the camp had already come up with the idea of digging a river channel?
The army worked so hard to dig the canal, probably for military purposes, not for irrigating farmland.
Oops!
Jiang Yushu's spirits trembled instantly, and she clenched her teacup tightly, wondering: Could it be that they suspect Hong Lei of leaking military secrets? Did General Song summon me to investigate?
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