Xu Di turned around and finished the contract. He had someone take it to the people of Xiaowangzhuang to sign and seal it. Then, taking advantage of the slack season before the New Year, he urged the people in the neighborhood to level the site.
The barracks were to be built according to Xu Di's design, including barracks and training grounds, which would be surrounded by earthen walls as tall as a person. Inside the barracks were dormitories, a canteen, and classrooms. Because a large amount of blue bricks and black tiles would be used, a brick and tile kiln would also need to be built nearby.
With the Spring Festival approaching, there were many things to do, but unexpectedly, Xu Zhi came over on the fifteenth day of the twelfth lunar month.
Xu Zhi's arrival surprised Xu Di and Chen Zhaoci, but it delighted Zheng Boyuan.
Zheng Boyuan and Xu Zhi have been married for over a year. Because Xu Zhi is young, they have not yet consummated their marriage, but their relationship is very good.
When Xu Zhi arrived in Penglai, she was surprised to learn that Zheng Boyuan was also there. Xu Di looked at Xu Zhi and said, "You too, why are you rushing here in this freezing weather?"
Xu Zhi looked at Zheng Boyuan and said to Xu Di, "My affairs in Tongzhou are not progressing very smoothly, so I decided to come and spend the New Year with you."
Seeing Xu Zhi's expression, Xu Di said impatiently, "Alright, you two, if you don't mind the cold outside, go for a walk."
Xu Zhi felt a little embarrassed, but Zheng Boyuan readily agreed and stood up to walk outside.
Xu Zhi heard that Xu Di and Zheng Boyuan were in Xiaowang Village, so she rode her horse over there. When she followed Zheng Boyuan outside, she found it was quite cold and tightened her cloak.
Upon seeing this, Zheng Boyuan smiled and said, "I'll take you over there. The sea breeze won't blow over there, and it won't be too cold while you're basking in the sun."
Xu Zhi followed behind Zheng Boyuan, and after a few steps, she quickened her pace to stand next to him. When Zheng Boyuan saw her, he smiled, reached out and took Xu Zhi's hand, which made Xu Zhi blush instantly.
Zheng Boyuan led Xu Zhi to a place where the sea breeze couldn't reach them because of the rocks, and the sun was shining warmly on them—it was indeed a nice place.
People often come here to sunbathe, as there are a few stones under the reef. Zheng Boyuan took Xu Zhi's hand and sat down, saying, "Sit down and rest for a while. The conditions here are not good. It will be better after the New Year when the barracks are built."
Xu Zhi nodded and said, "Brother Boyuan, I really didn't expect you to be here. If I had known you were here, I would have brought Yuanyuan with me."
When Zheng Boyuan heard Xu Zhi mention her younger sister, he asked, "How is Yuanyuan?"
Xu Zhi nodded and said, "Yuanyuan is doing well, and so is my great-aunt. Yuanyuan and I often go to visit her."
Zheng Boyuan didn't ask anyone else, but said, "You must have had a hard journey, especially in this cold weather."
Xu Zhi smiled and said, "I came by carriage, so I didn't feel cold at all. The roads along the way have been repaired, and although it snowed a few days ago, the roads are quite easy to travel on."
Zheng Boyuan stood up and climbed up the reef. Xu Zhi saw this and stood up to watch. Zheng Boyuan stood on the reef, looked north, and seeing Xu Zhi's worried expression, jumped down a few times and said, "If there are no accidents, we will be stationed here permanently from now on. Looking north, some islands over there are still occupied by some pirates. After I have trained my troops, I will lead them there to wipe them out. Then, after clearing out the area from here to Liaodong, I will have completed my mission."
Xu Zhi had seen the topographical map drawn by Xu Di and knew that one could travel north from here by boat to Liaodong. She just hadn't expected the imperial court to attach such importance to this area this time.
But thinking of the vast ocean, where the seemingly enormous ship looked like a withered leaf in the wind and waves, her heart couldn't help but rise. She said worriedly, "Brother Boyuan, the sea can change in an instant when the wind and waves rise. You must be very careful."
Zheng Boyuan laughed twice and said, "Azhi, don't worry. We are training to fight at sea. We are not only training to kill the enemy, but also to learn how to escape unscathed from these waves."
Xu Zhi pulled Zheng Boyuan to sit down. The two had been married for so long, but they had always been separated more often than together. Suddenly being together, they didn't know what to say.
After sitting quietly for a while, Zheng Boyuan noticed that it was getting late and pulled Xu Zhi up, saying, "Let me take you back to the city. There's a family in the city that makes really delicious dried fish. I'll buy some for you to try."
Xu Zhi took Zheng Boyuan's hand and said, "Brother Boyuan, let's sit here a little longer. I want to sit here with you, just the two of us, for a while."
Upon hearing this, Zheng Boyuan's heart skipped a beat. He looked down and saw only the top of Xu Zhi's head. His heart softened, and he said softly, "Alright, I'll sit with A-Zhi for a while longer."
The two sat together, watching the sun slowly set in the west. The wind around them felt a bit colder. Zheng Boyuan was really worried that Xu Zhi would get cold, so he quickly pulled her up and said, "I'm here now. I'll go to the city to see you when I'm done. The sun is about to set, and it's too cold for you to get cold."
Xu Zhi had no choice but to follow Zheng Boyuan back to where they had come from.
There's an office that Xu Di set aside over there. It used to be a house in the village, with mud walls and a thatched roof. After a few snowfalls, the thatched roof couldn't hold up anymore. It was fine if it froze, but when the sun came out, water would drip down from the roof.
Xu Di had already packed his things and was waiting. When he saw the two of them return, he pursed his lips and said, "You two actually know how to come back? I thought you two had fallen into the sea. I was just about to send someone to fish you out."
Upon hearing this, Xu Zhi blushed as she recalled her earlier recklessness and said reproachfully, "Brother, what strange things are you saying now?"
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