Chapter 93: Returning home from thousands of miles away, the setting sun in the northern frontier is her red makeup.
After traveling for more than a month, the weather became colder the further north we went.
It was already mid-autumn when the group approached Zhenbei Prefecture.
"Just smelling the aroma of hickory and wild chestnuts makes me feel at home."
The candidates were dressed in rags, their faces tanned by the sun, and they no longer looked like the fair-faced scholars they once were.
At the junction of East Lu and the northern border, the mountains look like colorful brocade.
The tall maple leaves dyed the sky red, and the fan-shaped ginkgo trees spread a golden carpet on the ground. Looking up, the blue sky is vast and the white clouds are high.
"Nack, nack." The white colt held a few wild grapes in its mouth and chewed them happily.
Because it could always smell the sweetest fruit, Luan Shuangbai grabbed a bunch without hesitation and gave it to Guizhier.
This caused Baiju to sneeze in dissatisfaction.
"Thank you, young general." Guizhier took it with a smile.
It was thought that under the siege of the imperial court, the border areas where the war was taking place would be in a tragic state of barren land and collapsed houses, with the people struggling on the brink of life and death with no clothes to cover their bodies.
Unexpectedly, the north of the town was peaceful.
There were even a large number of traveling merchants and refugees who flocked in, hoping to make a living here.
"If you're new here, go to the hospital or the almshouse," the well-informed gossip said, "food, clothing, and firewood are all rationed."
Then they would follow the government's assignments, and at the very least they could be employed as temporary laborers harvesting crops.
"Working for the landlords?" the skinny refugee stammered.
He didn't want to do that from the bottom of his heart.
If the rich had not enclosed their land and driven them away, how could they have left their homes and become refugees?
"Hey! How is that possible?" Bao Da Ting raised his head, chin held high, eyes full of pride. "In our northern border, the prefect... oh no, it's Lord Yue who has already carried out the reforms."
New policies were implemented for the head tax and land tax, and hidden farmland was directly confiscated by the government. The burden on the people was lightened, and they were even more motivated to wield their sickles.
"King Yue is a wise and enlightened ruler!" The refugees immediately felt a yearning for him.
The market outside Linghe County is bustling with people and filled with the sounds of hawking, which is the best proof of the prosperity of Zhenbei Prefecture.
Looking around, the market stalls are densely packed.
There were traveling merchants from Bashu speaking with Sichuan accents, enthusiastically urging passers-by to touch the silk, and there were also businessmen from Zezhou who were bragging about the exquisitely crafted snuff bottles they brought.
"Is this my hometown? After such a long absence, it feels like a stranger here!" The candidates looked down at their patched clothes, looking even more miserable than real refugees.
It feels like leaving home when I was young and returning when I am old, as if I were in another world.
"Ten fried cakes and twenty large fruits first. We can make our own corn porridge and tofu pudding!"
The bold and mellow female scholar waved her hand grandly and said that she would treat everyone to the meal.
After entering the city gate and walking two miles along the main street, you will reach your home. If you don’t have enough money, your parents will pay for it.
It’s great to be back!
A bowl of tofu pudding as white as jade was shaking.
"Be careful, it's hot." Young Master Xie bowed slightly, took out a white handkerchief from his sleeve, and gently wiped the soup splashed from the edge of the bowl.
He held the bowl in both hands and placed it in front of Guizhier, with a gentle smile on his lips.
The tofu pudding is topped with an amber-colored marinade.
It is decorated with tender green onions and coriander, and the fresh fragrance rises in the air.
Luan Shuangbai stared at his seemingly careful actions and curled his lips.
If someone shows you kindness without any reason, he is either a traitor or a thief.
Soon everyone was tempted by the ordinary city food and started eating. At the same time, they did not forget to listen to the gossip of the people, trying to find out why the town had changed so much.
"Speaking of King Yue, he is much more powerful than the one in Hang Jing."
Old man Li kicked the two large bamboo cages at his feet. More than a dozen fat chickens and ducks were crowded together, flapping their wings and chirping non-stop.
"Do you know what a clay greenhouse is?"
Seeing the outsider shaking his head, Old Man Li smiled broadly.
"Thanks to King Yue, we can now grow off-season vegetables in the countryside. This is truly an incredible divine technique!" he exclaimed. "For example, we can harvest garlic sprouts every month."
General Luan paused, his hand holding the spoon stopped in mid-air with half a mouthful of tofu pudding in his mouth.
He suddenly looked up, his eyes sharp as an eagle, looking in the direction of the sound, a hint of doubt flashed in his eyes.
"What do you mean by that?" Uncle Wang Er interrupted. "The repeating crossbows our soldiers use now, and the gray-white jade rocks used to build the city walls and tunnels, were all invented by King Yue!"
Someone in his family worked in the government and knew more gossip.
"This King Yue was sent by God to save us!"
The onlookers nodded one after another, with happy smiles on their faces.
"Bang." The spoon in Luan Shuangbai's hand fell into the bowl, and his originally heroic face froze in an instant.
He opened his lips slightly, but couldn't speak for a long time.
Finally, he stumbled and said to Guizhier:
"Maybe there's some misunderstanding. Miss, let me ask again. The common people are spreading rumors..."
Others don't know the truth, but he knows it very well.
He once drank edamame and loofah soup produced in a clay greenhouse with King Yue, and saw the blueprints of a repeating crossbow in the command camp. These were all Gui Zhier's unique ideas.
"No need." Guizhier shook her head nonchalantly.
She knows how to create momentum.
Be it a book hidden in a fish's belly or a prophecy from a stone man.
From ancient times to the present, every uprising must publicize some visions to imply the emperor's identity as the chosen one by heaven.
It's just that Prince Yue was one step ahead in winning over the people's hearts by doing things that benefited the people. This was a hundred times more clever than the Hangzhou court's introduction of that damn paper money.
In any case, Guizhier didn't care.
Having mastered the secret that "the highest evaluation of the food system comes from people's emotions", she just wanted to complete the task as soon as possible.
With a "crunch" sound, Guizhier took a bite of the fried cake.
The oil temperature is too high, causing the skin to caramelize, which is like biting into a hard shell and masks the sweet taste.
She wrinkled her nose. Bad review!
It seems that times have changed, but Guiji Braised Food Shop still has a place in the northern food world.
Luan Shuangbai saw her expression change and his heart was filled with pity.
The young man subconsciously stretched out his hand and was about to touch Gui Zhier's head, but when he thought that he was still under King Yue's command and was afraid of annoying the girl, his hand froze in the air for a moment.
Then he suddenly shrank back and hung awkwardly at his side.
Before he could figure out how to comfort her, a loud noise came from the distance.
"General! It's really General Luan who has returned!"
While still some distance away, the leading sergeant was already shouting at the top of his lungs.
His feet were like the wind, his rapid steps kicked up dust all the way, and the armor on his body made a clanging sound as he ran.
"General, Wu Laoliu was on his day off at the market and said he saw someone who looked like you." The fourth-rank sergeant dropped to one knee with a thud, his chest heaving violently. "We'll be right here!"
He was breathing heavily, sweat dripping down his neck, but his face was full of smiles.
Ever since the Major General came to Beijing, the First Army defending the northern border has not dared to slack off at all. They train weapons and formations every day to defend the country.
They looked down upon Eunuch Deshun, who was sent by the court to act as the Generalissimo of Zhenbei.
Only Luan Shuangbai, who dares to win battles, is the real commander in their hearts.
"Get up and answer!" Luan Shuangbai laughed heartily.
He opened his arms and lifted the shoulders of the captain with great force, his hands full of warmth and trust.
After being away for a long time, he was eager to learn about the latest military situation.
"Yes!" The fourth-rank squad leader stood up with quick and decisive movements.
A closer look revealed that the young general had become darker and more robust. A sparse stubble had appeared on his chin, adding a touch of mature charm to his youthful face.
His sharp eyebrows and bright eyes are still the same, but his strong waist and broad strides are even more unique.
The woman beside him who was watching this scene with a smile on her face looked particularly familiar.
"Oh, the general's wife is here too!" The sergeant of the fourth line slapped his forehead and shouted in surprise.
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