Chapter 64: How about telling the truth?
Three groups of Yinan troops returned to the camp one after another. Luo Wan and Jiang Cichen arrived first, followed closely by Xie Yan.
As soon as he lifted the curtain and entered, Xie Yan went straight to the commander's desk, grabbed the kettle on it, and without even a cup, he started to gulp down the water from the spout.
He took several deep gulps before finally catching his breath. He slammed the kettle down on the table and walked straight to the huge sand table in the center. "How's it going? Over there..."
Before he finished speaking, Luo Wan noticed that Xie Yan's voice was unusually hoarse.
Jiang Cichen raised his gaze from the sand table and fell on his face: "What's wrong with your throat?"
Xie Yan waved his hand nonchalantly. "Ahem...it's okay. Those old men and women in the corners of Weizhou City are such chatterboxes!"
Luo Wan could almost imagine the scene, Xie Yan engaging in a verbal battle with a group of elderly men and women in a shabby alley.
Jiang Cichen said calmly, "I'll ask Qin Yue to make you a bowl of pear soup later."
"No need, it's no big deal." Xie Yan said hoarsely, "Let's get down to business. How's the progress over there?"
"Everything went smoothly," Jiang Cichen said succinctly. "Chen Nanyuan is following the planned detour and should be back around evening."
"Okay, everything is going well on my end. The seeds have been sown. Let the rumors ferment in Weizhou City for a few days." As he said this, he raised his hand to untie the eye-catching Xiliang robe on his body.
Jiang Cichen glanced at him: "What are you doing?"
Xie Yan paused and said matter-of-factly, "Change your clothes! Otherwise, if Little Sparrow sees you later, she'll get suspicious."
Luo Wan was puzzled: "Little sparrow?"
Xie Yan explained hoarsely, "Jiang Yuanan, he's like a little sparrow, chirping in your ear every day. He's so energetic, it's a real headache."
Jiang Cichen said coldly: "Go back to your own tent and change!"
Xie Yan said, "As soon as I got back, I went straight to your tent to report the military situation! Have you forgotten that our tents are at the east and west ends, separated by the entire camp? I was afraid of running into that little sparrow along the way, and I just changed my outer clothes."
In order to deal with the night attack of the Xiliang Army, the tents of the four generals Jiang Cichen, Xie Yan, Chen Nanyuan and Qin Yue were distributed in the four directions of the military camp, east, west, south and north, to ensure that no matter which side was attacked, the main general could respond immediately.
"Don't worry," Luo Wan said at the right time, "Yuan An is not in the camp right now."
When she just came back, she wanted to go see Jiang Yuanan, but Qin Yue told her that Jiang Yuanan went to the river to fish with a group of soldiers.
Qin Yue also mentioned the name of the leader. Luo Wan had no impression of the name. When he told her that it was a person who often performed the chest-breaking stone performance in the martial arts arena, she instantly recognized the person.
Jiang Cichen and Xie Yan looked at each other for a moment.
Xie Yan sighed: "Alright, let's go."
After Xie Yan left, the two began to discuss their future actions.
"When is their next food shipment?"
"About half a month..."
Before he could finish his words, there was a scream outside the tent. The two turned around to look and saw that the curtain was suddenly opened by a great force. Xie Yan, who had just walked out, was pulled back by a hand.
Jiang Yuanan was puzzled: "Why are you dressed like this?!"
The three remaining people in the tent looked at each other in surprise. Jiang Yuanan had returned from fishing at the perfect time...
Xie Yan coughed twice and lied seriously, "I was afraid you'd miss home, so I put it on especially for you to see."
Hearing this, Jiang Yuanan loosened his sleeves and said, "I appreciate your kindness, but this is the Yinan military camp, and it wouldn't be good for you to wear Xiliang clothes. Besides, I don't miss home."
Xie Yan: “…”
Jiang Yuanan excitedly jumped in front of Luo Wan and Jiang Cichen, "Sister Luo, Governor Jiang, come out and see, we caught a lot of fish! Brother Wei said we'll light a bonfire by the training ground tonight and have grilled fish!"
As she spoke, she took Luo Wan's hand and walked out.
Jiang Cichen and Luo Wan followed her lead as they walked out of the tent. Outside the tent, seven or eight large buckets were neatly laid out, filled with plump fish.
*
In the evening, Luo Wan suddenly remembered the pair of sleeve arrows that he had specially commissioned Zhang the blacksmith to make a few days ago. Calculating that it should be completed by the time, he led Jiang Yuanan to the blacksmith's shed.
When Zhang the blacksmith saw Luo Wan, he asked, "Come to get something?"
Luo Wan nodded: "Thank you."
Jiang Yuanan looked at the various weapon embryos and semi-finished products hanging around and asked curiously, "Sister Luo, have you made a weapon?"
"Um."
Soon, Zhang the blacksmith brought out a long wooden box from the inner room. He opened the lid and found a pair of exquisitely crafted sleeve arrows lying quietly inside.
The two said goodbye to Zhang the blacksmith and found a quiet, sparsely wooded area. The setting sun shone through the branches, casting dappled shadows.
Luo Wan took out his hidden arrow, and with practiced movements, he inserted the quiver into the leather wristband and adjusted the mechanism: "Stretch out your hand."
"Oh." Jiang Yuanan extended his hand obediently.
Luo Wan gently rolled up her wide sleeves, revealing her fair forearms. She carefully wrapped the leather wristband around them, deftly fastening the buckle and adjusting the tightness.
Jiang Yuanan's eyes followed Luo Wan's focused profile: "Give it to me?"
Luo Wan lowered her sleeves to cover her delicate weapon: "Do you like it?"
"I like it!" Jiang Yuanan fiddled with it for a while.
"Like this," Luo Wan stood beside her, gently lifting her arm where the hidden arrow was mounted with one hand, and with the other hand guiding her fingers to find the trigger buckle. "Like this, keep your arm flat and aim at the tree trunk in front of you."
Luo Wan's fingertips covered Jiang Yuanan's middle finger and gently clicked it with her.
There was a subtle but sharp sound of a mechanism, and a short steel arrow about an inch long flew out of the air and firmly nailed to the opposite tree stump.
Jiang Yuanan's eyes widened: "So powerful?"
Luo Wan smiled and said, "Try it. Pull here with your middle finger, straighten your arm, and aim at the target."
Jiang Yuanan pulled hard, and another short arrow flew out of the air and landed firmly on the tree opposite.
"Sister Luo, how did you come up with the idea of giving me this?"
"Those weapons in the barracks aren't suitable for you. This set of hidden arrows is small and easy to carry, and is more suitable for women's self-defense than those swords and guns."
"But I don't have anything good to give you," Jiang Yuanan lowered his eyes, "Why don't you come back to Xiliang with me if you have the chance? I'll support you."
Speaking of this, Luo Wan remembered what Jiang Cichen had said before, about sending Jiang Yuanan back to Xiliang. Somehow, seeing the smiling Jiang Yuanan, Luo Wan couldn't bear to tell her.
Luo Wan asked casually, "When do you plan to return to Xiliang?"
Jiang Yuanan thought for a moment and said, "I don't know. I haven't had enough fun yet. But if I stay out for too long, my father will definitely be worried. So let's wait a little longer."
I can’t wait any longer, Luo Wan thought.
Yinan and Weizhou are about to go to war.
The setting sun is sinking into the outline of the distant mountains bit by bit.
Luo Wan changed the subject: "Try again."
Luo Wan's gaze fell on the tree. However, at the moment when she adjusted the angle of Jiang Yuanan's arm, she saw in the corner of her eye a tall figure draped in the burning twilight, walking towards them step by step.
Jiang Cichen said, "The bonfire is ready."
*
The bonfire was burning brightly, the orange-red flames greedily licking the night sky, crackling and bursting into tiny golden and red stars from time to time. The air was filled with the aroma of grilled fish and the smoky smell of firewood.
Chen Nanyuan unloaded several large jars of wine from the recently captured Weizhou grain cart and proudly called out to the other brothers gathered around the campfire, "Brothers, plenty of good wine! If you want some, bring some yourself!"
"Okay!" Excited responses rang out all around.
He walked over to Jiang Cichen first, holding the wine jar, and poured the wine skillfully while gloating: "Sir, no wonder Yangzhou Laodeng hates Weizhou Laodeng, these are all good wines!"
Jiang Cichen's slender fingers casually rubbed the edge of the coarse pottery bowl. He raised an eyebrow at the words and said in a neither loud nor soft voice: "It's hard for him to hate someone and still serve her with delicious food and drink."
Chen Nanyuan chuckled, "That's right! After all, Weizhou is right behind Yangzhou. If Weizhou is really taken over, wouldn't he be the next one? This wine makes me feel bad for Yangzhou Laodeng just drinking it!"
Xie Yan came over with an empty bowl in his hand, his voice hoarse: "What are you mumbling about? Quick, fill mine up too!"
Jiang Cichen raised his eyes: "Can you drink alcohol with this throat?"
"Strong liquor moistens your throat." Xie Yan stuffed the bowl in front of Chen Nanyuan without caring about anything.
Chen Nanyuan smiled and poured him half a bowl of wine, then holding the jar of wine, he moved to the side of Luo Wan, Jiang Yuanan and Qin Yue.
Luo Wan was concentrating on turning the grilled fish on the rack, the firelight dancing on her cold profile, flickering.
Jiang Yuanan stared at the sizzling fish.
"Would you like some?" Chen Nanyuan gestured, holding up the jar of wine.
Qin Yue glanced at Luo Wan and Jiang Yuanan, a little hesitant: "I'm afraid a girl can't get used to the strong liquor in the army?"
Chen Nanyuan immediately retorted, "Qin Yue, I don't agree with what you said! The girls in our barracks are just as brave as any men! Drinking and eating meat with big gulps is only natural!"
Jiang Yuanan responded, "Yes! Lieutenant General Chen is right! Fill up my glasses and Sister Luo's too!"
Qin Yue wanted to say something else: "This wine is strong..."
"Don't be afraid!" Jiang Yuanan said, "I'm having a great time today, I won't go home until I'm drunk!"
"Hahaha! Miss Jiang is straightforward!" Chen Nanyuan laughed and filled both of their bowls with wine.
Luo Wan continued to silently turn the fish skewer in his hand.
Her silence was like a stone thrown into a noisy lake. Jiang Cichen held the wine bowl and his eyes swept across her quiet profile.
After sifting the wine around, Jiang Cichen stood up. His tall figure was even taller in the light of the bonfire. He raised the bowl and said, "This bowl is for all the heroic souls!"
"Cheers to all the heroic souls!" The soldiers responded loudly.
Luo Wan picked up the bowl, brought it to his lips, and took a sip.
The pungent and hot liquid instantly slid down her throat, making her feel choking and bitter. She frowned imperceptibly.
She didn't understand why it was so hard to drink.
After the ceremonial toast, the atmosphere became completely relaxed, with laughter and chewing sounds being heard around each bonfire.
The grilled fish was finally ready, and Qin Yue carefully distributed the roasted fish meat to everyone.
Chen Nanyuan couldn't wait to take a big bite.
"Is it delicious?" Jiang Yuanan asked expectantly.
"fragrant!"
"It's delicious, Sister Luo, eat more!"
Chen Nanyuan: “???”
Xie Yan stood up suddenly and shouted, "Just drinking and eating meat is so boring! Do you want to play the game of passing the flower?"
The soldiers said, "Let's play!"
In military camps, the game of "passing the flower to the beat of the drum" had its own unique twist. Instead of a flower, the object passed was a sturdy Cuju ball. To the beat of the drum, soldiers were to quickly kick the ball to the next person, who then had to catch it firmly. If the ball fell to the ground and they tried to pick it up, the drumbeat would likely have stopped.
In the military camp, wine is a scarce and good thing, and it is usually used by soldiers to wield swords and guns.
Xie Yan casually kicked the Cuju to a soldier not far away, then quickly walked over to the military drum and grabbed the drumstick: "Begin!"
Before he finished speaking, the rapid and powerful drum beats began to sound.
The Cuju immediately flew back and forth above the bonfires and under the soldiers' feet, causing laughter, curses and exclamations.
"Quick! Give it to Lao Li!"
"then!"
"Governor Jiang, go ahead!"
The Cuju was launched with great force, flying straight towards Jiang Cichen. Just as he casually extended his toes and just touched the surface of the Cuju, the drumbeats suddenly stopped!
Xie Yan turned around abruptly: "Hey! Who's here?"
Jiang Cichen didn't kick the ball out. He stepped firmly on the Cuju, raised his eyes, and looked coldly at Xie Yan over the jumping flames.
Even Luo Wan, who was quietly warming himself by the fire, noticed that Xie Yan had stopped the drum on purpose.
Xie Yan smiled and said, "So it's Governor Jiang!"
A soldier started to jeer, "General Xie, you're beating the drum incorrectly! Usually, it only counts after the entire song is played!"
"How boring are the old rules?" Xie Yan said, "Let's try something new! As for the punishment, let's not play around with swords and guns, it's so tiring. How about just telling the truth?"
"cut--"
“Boring!”
"It's better to watch the governor dance with a sword!"
The soldiers booed and refused to buy it.
Xie Yan's carefully planned truth-telling segment was aborted in an instant.
Jiang Cichen sneered and walked to the open space next to the campfire with his long legs.
The moonlight was like mercury pouring down on the ground, and the flash of the sword was like a fleeting shadow. The cold light made his eyebrows and eyes look more handsome. His every move was clean and neat, and he exuded a unique kind of elegance under the moonlight.
The bonfire crackled.
Luo Wan tilted her head slightly and her eyes fell on Jiang Yuanan beside her. She was staring at Jiang Cichen who was dancing with a sword in the field. The firelight made her cheeks flush and her eyes sparkle.
After one round of games, everyone raised their bowls and drank again, and the atmosphere became more lively.
When it was Qin Yue's turn to beat the drum, this honest man was indeed very methodical, beating the drum evenly and completely without cutting corners.
At this time, Luo Wan felt that the light and shadow of the campfire in front of him began to blur and sway, and the noise around him seemed to be separated by a layer of water curtain, becoming distant and hazy.
The alcohol slowly evaporated in her body.
The Cuju ball was passed to Jiang Cichen's feet again, but this time, he had no intention of kicking it away immediately.
He stepped on the Cuju with one foot, his posture relaxed, even with a bit of lazy playfulness, and waited leisurely for Qin Yue's drumbeat to come to an end.
Just before the drumbeats were about to stop, he moved, and with a deft push of his toes, the Cuju drew a precise arc and shot straight towards Xie Yan who was watching the fun!
The drumbeat stopped just as the Cuju ball flew in front of Xie Yan.
Xie Yan hurriedly caught the ball, glared at Jiang Cichen, and said, "Naked revenge!"
Jiang Cichen calmly sat back down, a faint smile on his lips. "I have a new idea. How about the person being punished sing a song to liven up the atmosphere?"
"Okay!" The soldiers responded.
Xie Yan: “……?”
Finally, Xie Yan resigned himself to his fate and walked to the center of the campfire. He cleared his hoarse voice, and sang the most popular war song in the army at the top of his lungs.
When the song reached its passionate part, the soldiers were infected, put down their wine bowls and spontaneously joined in the chorus.
The powerful and slightly tragic singing filled the night sky. Even Luo Wan and Jiang Yuanan couldn't help but hum along. The bonfire illuminated every face, some old, some young, but all equally filled with passion.
In a daze, Luo Wan felt the sound of several more drums, and figures flashed before his eyes. He seemed to see Brother Wei, the "stone-breaking chest" perform his unique skills...
Then, without warning, a warm weight, reeking heavily of alcohol, fell limply onto her shoulder.
It was Jiang Yuanan, she was drunk.
Jiang Cichen whispered, "Chen Nanyuan, send the princess back to her tent to rest."
Soon, Luo Wan felt a lightness on his shoulders.
She looked up hazily and saw a tall figure carefully carrying Jiang Yuanan horizontally.
She subconsciously wanted to raise her hand to stop him, but as her fingertips moved slightly, a slightly strong force came from the side, tightly grasping her wrist and stopping her movement.
Just then, a loud cry broke through the din of the campfire: "It's raining!"
The cold raindrops fell without warning.
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The author has something to say: I have never known why there are always so many English commas. I thought I had typed them wrong. I often revised the article, but the commas could not be fixed.
I searched on xhs today and found out that it was Jinjiang's weak anti-theft function [crack][ ...
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