Redemption
When Liang Hongyu heard that Yangzhou was burned and the Jin people were attacking, she knew she could not stay out of it, so she intensified the training of the maids in the Liang Mansion every day.
Jinxiu had been tortured by Liang Hongyu's crazy training these days, and her whole body was sore. She fell asleep on the bed every day. Fortunately, the world was in chaos recently and no one had the heart to drink and listen to music. She just trained with other maids every day.
Jinxiu complained, "Miss, the soldiers of Yangzhou abandoned the city and fled. They looted everything in Yangzhou and killed tens of thousands of people. As men, they didn't think of resisting. Why do you train us like this every day?"
Liang Hongyu questioned, "If the Jin army reaches Jingkou, are we supposed to surrender and allow them to humiliate us? Even the princesses of the imperial family were abducted by the Jin people and taken to the north. What do you think will happen to ordinary women like us if we fall into their hands?"
Jinxiu knew she was in the wrong and said nothing more.
Liang Hongyu continued to say to them, "We women shouldn't belittle ourselves and be willing to be slaves. Women can also make a new world. Continue to train. If you fail to complete today's mission, don't eat. Go to the Jin army camp to eat."
Qiu Feng glanced at Jin Xiu and said, "Don't make the young lady angry anymore. She even suggested going to the Jin army camp to eat. She did it for our own good."
Jinxiu pursed her lips and said, "I understand, Sister Qiufeng."
Liang Hongyu made them stand in horse stance for another hour before finishing.
After they left, Asen said to Liang Hongyu, "You've been training too hard these past few days. No wonder they're complaining."
Liang Hongyu raised her eyebrows and said, "You were bullied by me like that, but you managed to stand up to me. Why are you speaking for them now?"
Asen pouted and said, "They are a group of women after all."
"What's wrong with being a woman? Can't you beat a woman like me?" Then he ran away.
"Girl, stop joking with Asen," Asen said as he chased Liang Hongyu.
Han Shizhong stepped into the backyard of the teahouse at this time and saw Liang Hongyu and a young man chasing and playing. He couldn't help but feel a tightness in his chest and frowned.
When they saw Han Shizhong, they both froze in place.
Liang Hongyu asked: "General Han is here, what's the matter?"
Han Shizhong's face became increasingly heavy. When he heard that the Jin army was about to attack Jingkou, he was extremely anxious and immediately dispatched several guards to pick up Liang Hongyu. However, he did not expect that she was not only not anxious, but also flirting with a man. He did not answer Liang Hongyu's question, but pointed at Asen and asked, "Who is this?"
Asen had long heard of Han Shizhong's great name. He had heard that he had captured Fang La, killed the Xixia prince consort, and conquered cities and territories with extraordinary bravery. So he stepped forward, shook Han Shizhong's hand, and said, "General Han, I have long heard of your great name. My name is Asen, and I am Sister Hongyu's personal bodyguard."
Liang Hongyu couldn't help but laugh when she heard this. What nonsense is this kid talking about? He even has a personal bodyguard.
Han Shizhong looked at the man in front of him. He had delicate features and was full of vigor and spirit. He even affectionately called Hongyu Sister. A sense of crisis surged in his heart. He shook Asen's hand firmly and said, "Hello."
Asen felt Han Shizhong's strength, and his fingers gradually felt sore. He asked in confusion: "General, what are you doing..."
Han Shizhong finally let go of his hand and said, "Nothing, just try your kung fu."
Arsen then smiled and said, "General Han's way of greeting is quite unique."
Han Shizhong ignored him and walked up to Liang Hongyu and said, "The Jin army is about to attack Jingkou. I'm here to take you to Yangzhou for temporary refuge."
"But wasn't Yangzhou completely looted by the Jin people? Are there still Jin people there?"
"The Jin army has withdrawn after burning Yangzhou City. I guess the safest place now is Yangzhou."
"Okay, I'll go get ready and take my sisters with me." After Liang Hongyu said this, she went to inform the maids in the Liang Mansion.
Everyone heard this and said, "But our indentures are still in Mother Yan's hands. We can't leave without them."
"I'm going to redeem my indenture contract. You guys hurry up and pack your luggage." Liang Hongyu said and left first.
Jinxiu asked suspiciously, "How can we redeem the young lady? It would cost tens of thousands of taels of silver for so many of us, right?"
Qiu Feng smiled and said, "You don't know this, right? I've already saved up a lot of money, and with the money I make from this teahouse, it's more than enough."
Jinxiu widened her eyes, a little in disbelief, and then curled her lips and said, "Qiufeng, how could I not know what you know?" When she thought about the fact that she had been with the girl for so many years, but did not understand the girl as well as Qiufeng, she felt a little sour in her heart.
"Hurry up and pack your luggage. Don't waste time here." Qiu Feng urged.
Jinxiu finally came to her senses and hurried to chase after the other sisters.
Liang Hongyu came to Zuixinlou and threw a package containing a large amount of silver in front of Yan Mama, saying, "Yan Mama, I want to redeem the sisters of the Liang Mansion. Do you think this silver is enough?"
When Mother Yan saw so much silver, she thought to herself: Where did she get so much silver? Then she looked at Han Shizhong who was following her, and she understood that Han Shizhong's official position had been rising steadily over the years because of his military exploits, and he had also sacrificed his own capital for Liang Hongyu.
Han Shizhong was secretly shocked when he saw so much silver. He thought that she was a weak woman, but she had earned so much silver. He was a man, but he couldn't afford to redeem her. He felt really ashamed of himself.
Although his official position had been promoted to Chengxuanshi, he spent all his monthly salary on treating his brothers to food and drinks, leaving little, so his brothers were willing to follow him and fought extremely bravely in battle.
"Oh, that's enough. It's different now that you've climbed up the ladder!" Mother Yan's tone was full of sarcasm.
Liang Hongyu knew what she meant, but she didn't bother to explain. She just said, "I heard that the Jin army is about to attack Jingkou. You and the other sisters in Zuixinlou should hide quickly."
After saying that, she stood up and left. She had been staying in this shabby place for three years and could finally leave. She had earned enough money to redeem herself before, and she stayed here to gather information and avenge her grandfather and father.
Later, the Jin army attacked again, and other places were not safe, so we simply stayed here. Now it is indeed time to leave.
Upon hearing this, Mother Yan's expression changed drastically: "Oh my, where are we going?"
Liang Hongyu ignored Mother Yan's wailing behind her. The money she earned from her was probably enough to support her in her old age no matter where she went.
They sailed to Yangzhou, only to find it truly desolate and bleak. Its former prosperity had been consumed by a blaze. How long would it take to rebuild? Only then did she understand the significance of expelling the Tartars. Before, she had lived solely for revenge. Now that her vengeance had been avenged, she felt compelled to live for herself. But with her country gone, what was her home? Even a noble like Emperor Zhao Gou had been driven to flee by the Jin army, a homeless dog. How could she remain aloof?
Han Shizhong saw that she looked serious, so he asked, "What are you thinking about?"
Liang Hongyu met his eyes and said, "It's nothing, I just feel that the country is broken and I have no place to call home."
Han Shizhong's eyes gradually deepened. "I will definitely drive out the Tartars and recover the lost territory."
Liang Hongyu looked at the man beside her. His eyes were sharp and his expression was firm. She believed that he would do it.
Han Shizhong placed Liang Hongyu in a relatively intact courtyard, which was where some rich people lived. The walls and rubble were intact, but the wooden beams and pillars were all burned. However, it was still habitable.
The maids in the Liang Mansion were busy tidying up the rooms.
Han Shizhong said, "You stay here first and wait for the Jin people to leave before looking for another place. I still have to garrison Xiuzhou and cannot stay any longer, so I'll leave first." After saying that, he turned and left.
But then Liang Hongyu heard loudly say: "General, you came because of me"
Han Shizhong stopped walking when he heard this, but he never turned back. He turned his back and said, "Miss, you're overthinking it. I have a close friend in Jingkou, so I'll let you know."
Han Shizhong strode away after he finished speaking. He had already tied his life to his belt, so how could he be qualified to get married? What's more, the consequence of getting married is... This reminded him of Bai who died because of him.
Liang Hongyu looked at Han Shizhong's back. Was she overthinking it? Yes, General Han was a young hero, handsome and brave. He should be the dream man of many girls. Maybe he was already married. How could she, a woman who had once been in a brothel, be worthy of him?
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