031
"Really?"
"So what if it's fake?"
Lieutenant General Li scratched his head. "How can you joke about something like this?"
As soon as he finished speaking, Lieutenant General Li suddenly looked at him with a serious expression, "Over the years, we have followed the general through countless battles, risking our lives. We trust the general, and the general trusts us..."
"If it's false, we'll pretend we never heard it. As for the truth, I, Li Yin, am not concerned with what others say, but I'll make this clear: wherever the general directs me, I'll charge!"
Yu Baizhou looked at the people behind him. Although they were not as old and talkative as Vice General Li, the light in their eyes at this moment revealed the same message.
Having been stationed in the southwest for so many years, they received no money, no official positions, but the court's harsh treatment and embezzlement continued day after day. The soldiers even had trouble getting enough to eat, so how could they have the energy to resist the southern barbarians? They had long been fed up with this situation.
Yu Baizhou was overjoyed and said, "If I achieve success and fame in the future, I will certainly live up to the expectations of my brothers."
An hour later, at the entrance of the small courtyard in Kuli County
"girl!"
Qi Man rushed out, somewhat reserved, and said, "You're back."
"Where's Wu Sheng?" Song Ling handed her the things. "Why can't I see him?"
Qi Man: "Him? Maybe he's just too embarrassed to see people."
Song Ling didn't go back to her room first, but rushed to check on Xiao Zhi Ning. She didn't notice it when she looked at her, but when she picked her up, she found that she was much heavier.
"You've gained quite a bit of weight."
Song Ling teased her with a smile, "Isn't that right, Zhi Ning?"
The child couldn't speak yet, only giggling. Although it had been months since they last saw each other, she didn't feel any distance at all.
Just then, a voice came from behind, "Really? I'll give it a try."
When Qi Man saw Yu Baizhou enter, she gave a slight bow in greeting. Worried that the two might have something important to discuss, she discreetly left the room to stand guard at the door.
"Be careful."
Yu Baizhou tried several times and changed positions before finally bringing the child over, afraid that he might make the little baby uncomfortable and make her cry.
After all, when he first held her, this little girl was happy no matter who held her, but she was so frightened by him that she burst into tears.
Yu Baizhou swayed back and forth, "Look, it's more attractive to people if you get a little fatter."
Song Ling glanced at the two figures, one big and one small, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes. "I must say, Zhi Ning's features do bear a striking resemblance to the General's, about seven or eight points."
Yu Baizhou initially thought she was joking, but upon closer inspection, she was right. "This... I haven't done anything outrageous."
He subconsciously looked at Song Ling and explained, "I've only been to Luoyang twice, both times several years ago when I was applying for my new post."
Song Ling smiled and shook her head. "Perhaps the general has some connection with this child. There are many people in this world who are similar but have no relation to each other."
The little girl in his arms stared at the two faces on his head, looking left and right, before finally slapping Yu Baizhou's face with her devilish little paws.
"Smack—"
They were both stunned for a moment when they received a solid blow to their left cheek.
Yu Baizhou, after all, spent his days practicing martial arts and leading troops into battle; his skin was thick and tough, and he didn't even blink when swords and spears pierced his body. Although this child's strength was indeed solid and powerful, and showed no mercy, it was not a big deal for him.
The little girl was already giggling when Song Ling finally realized what was happening and covered her mouth with her smile. "...Does it hurt?"
Yu Baizhou, who was about to shake his head, stopped, and for some reason suddenly blurted out, "It was lighter than what you hit me..."
The air froze instantly; you could hear a pin drop.
For some reason, the tips of Song Ling's ears, hidden beneath her hair, suddenly felt hot, but her face hardened. "What are you saying?"
"No..." He looked a little embarrassed, but it seemed like the more he explained, the worse it got. "That's not what I meant. I just meant that she's just a little kid, how hard could she hit me..."
Song Ling glanced at him, then focused on playing with the child and didn't say anything more.
But Yu Baizhou stared intently at her, unable to look away. Even the way she glared at him was beautiful.
He lowered his eyes slightly. If he had married earlier, his child would probably be about the same age as Zhi Ning, or perhaps even older.
But deep down, I have no regrets. On the contrary, I am glad that I have devoted myself to the military all these years and have no intention of getting married.
Yesterday's conversation between the two was still fresh in my mind. Song Ling was such a girl, devoted to the people and important matters, and when she got busy, she could even neglect herself.
She was so intelligent; Yu Baizhou didn't believe she couldn't sense his feelings. But if he didn't come out on his own, she might truly pretend to be deaf and dumb her whole life, then arrange a marriage for him...
He doesn't want to.
As he carefully traced her eyebrows and eyes, Yu Baizhou became increasingly aware of the impulse in his heart.
When Song Ling looked up, she met his focused eyes and the surging emotions within them that he hadn't yet managed to conceal.
I don't know if it was genuinely too late, or if it was intentional...
Normally, at least until yesterday, their General Yu would never be so rude.
Song Ling glanced at it casually, pretending not to see it.
"Children need more sleep, let her fall asleep, and we'll go to the living room."
Qi Man, standing at the door, glanced suspiciously at Song Ling and General Yu's retreating figures, feeling that the atmosphere between the two was rather strange.
"girl?"
"The general said, don't dawdle." Seeing his hesitant and anxious look, Song Ling knew that what was coming couldn't be avoided.
Yu Baizhou seemed oblivious to the astonishing words he had uttered, "I keep thinking about you, can this cure it?"
"Bang...cough cough cough..."
Song Ling choked a little, then quickly pulled out a silk handkerchief to wipe the large amount of tea that had spilled on her.
Yu Baizhou hurriedly got up to help others tidy up, never expecting that his words would have such a powerful effect.
"Alright, no need to wipe anymore." Song Ling stopped him. "I'll prescribe a medicine to cool the general down later. Drinking a few doses should make him fine."
"ah?"
Yu Baizhou pursed his lips, "Why aren't we following the usual procedure?"
The voice was very soft, but Song Ling still heard it. "What kind of trick?"
"It's nothing... but I feel like this is pointless..."
"Let's get down to business," Song Ling interrupted him, straightening her posture. Her tone was somewhat serious. "We said yesterday that this matter would be let go. Doesn't the general have anything more important to discuss today?"
“Yes,” Yu Baizhou replied sharply, lowering his eyes. He felt a little stifled and took out the edict from his pocket and handed it over.
*
"how?"
Song Ling read the letter over and over again. "It seems you have no choice but to go to Luoyang."
"Is there no other way out?" Yu Baizhou took it back. "If I leave, what will happen if the Prince of Qi marches south to attack the southern border?"
“That’s right. If even the general can think of that, how could those cunning swindlers in the court not think of it…” Song Ling murmured, fiddling with the copper coin in his hand, then fell silent, seemingly lost in thought.
Yu Baizhou gripped the book tightly in his hand, waiting anxiously for her to finish thinking.
"Then why don't we make this basin of water even muddier?"
"What's the meaning?"
Yu Baizhou suddenly realized something and looked at her sharply, "You mean..."
Song Ling's expression was solemn. "General, you should focus on training the troops these next few days."
Yu Baizhou: "But if we want to fight, we need to have sufficient supplies of money, food, medicine... otherwise how can we possibly win?"
The grain they had previously looted wasn't enough to last for several months. If it were just for peacetime training, a little extra or insufficient food wouldn't matter much. But in actual war, a lack of food meant the army's survival was cut off.
"Regarding the grain... I'd like to introduce someone to the general." Song Ling slightly raised her head to indicate, "The general will know this person."
The two got up and walked to the door. From a distance, two lumps of coal, one black and one red, approached.
Yu Baizhou frowned and squinted but still couldn't make out the facial features; it was indeed too dark.
As the two drew closer and stopped, the tall, dark-faced man in black suddenly grinned and greeted them, "Miss, General!"
His gleaming white teeth stood out even more against his coal-black face. Aside from Mu Yuan, only…
"Qin Jiu!?" Yu Baizhou asked tentatively, unsurprisingly the other party grinned even more broadly.
"Oh, General!"
How did someone who originally had a wheatish complexion end up with such a dark, poop-like tan?
And that one next to it...
Upon closer inspection, Yu Baizhou appeared rather short, looking to be only fifteen or sixteen years old. The white clothes he wore only made his already dark complexion appear even darker.
The people he knows...
"Young Master Ji?!"
His tone rose, revealing utter astonishment.
If he hadn't carefully searched his memory, he probably would have forgotten about this person. He originally thought that Song Ling had sent the person back to the Ji residence, but now... how did it turn out like this?
"Greetings, Miss Song, and General Yu."
However, to be fair, Yu Baizhou nodded. Although the kid was a bit darker now, his spirit and energy had improved dramatically. His dark eyes were now full of clarity and sharpness, with no trace of the lifelessness and gloom from before.
Moreover, he looks much healthier now.
Speaking of health, Yu Baizhou's gaze drifted to Song Ling beside him. If this young master Ji was healthy now, then she...
Sensing the gaze that moved toward her, Song Ling knew what he was up to without even turning around. She warned him in a voice only the two of them could hear, "Stop thinking nonsense and don't try to scheme against me."
Then, in a gentle tone and with a smile, he asked Qin Jiu and the other person, "I heard from the people who came that your seedlings have been planted?"
“Yes!” Ji Jingsi raised his head. “We used different methods on almost every piece of land in the estate, and we tested them on no less than a hundred acres.”
"Well, the agreement has been fulfilled!"
Song Ling smiled slightly, took out a piece of paper from her hand, and then casually tore it up. "Since the agreement is fulfilled, the money that Young Master Ji owes me is now wiped clean."
"You are free now, you can leave."
"Qin Jiu, stay here and come in to talk to the general and me about the seedlings."
"Huh!" Ji Jingsi stood there, stunned. It was that simple? He could just leave?
"Any other requests?"
Song Ling smiled, and seeing his bewildered look, she couldn't help but tease him, "What, does Young Master Ji like farming so much? You used to hate it so much, why... are you still reluctant to give it up now?"
Ji Jingsi: "You wouldn't be willing to part with it!"
“Excellent,” Song Ling waved his hand. “I will send someone to give you twenty taels of silver later, as travel expenses for your journey.”
They just kicked him out like that? Ji Jingsi felt a little uncomfortable and frustrated. After all, he had helped grow the crops, and now he was tanned into this ghastly, inhuman state.
"Hmm?" Song Ling turned around and saw him still standing there. "Is there... something wrong?"
"All right!"
Ignoring all etiquette, Ji Jingsi plopped down on the ground, crossed his arms, and said angrily, "I just don't want to leave! No matter what, I'm staying here today."
"Let's see what you can do to me."
On the other hand, Song Ling smiled slightly, her intentions unknown.
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