The old man repeatedly expressed his gratitude, his voice filled with awe and thanks, "Sir, thank you so much. Come on, wife." They once again slung the trailer's rigging over their shoulders and rumbled through the city gate.
Lin Mo rode in with them, and Lei Zhen followed closely behind.
Why did he come here? Lin Mo thought to himself, frowning.
Zhao Shu's confidants were also sent to this place...
Upon arriving in the city, Lin Mo reined in his horse. To his left lay the ruins of a stable, and to his face was a muddy alley.
Across from the stables, three half-naked women were whispering on the balcony.
Suddenly, a voice entered Lin Mo's ears, "This is also the ugliest horse I've ever seen," Hai Han commented on Lei Zhen's mount, "I'm surprised you don't ride it. Oh, right, you seem to have forgotten to express your gratitude to me?" He turned his head and looked at Lin Mo with a hint of mockery.
Lin Mo nimbly leaped off his horse, landing steadily. His gaze met Hai Han's, filled with doubt and wariness. "You know me?"
He asked tentatively, though his appearance had changed, he was still somewhat uneasy, worried that the other party had already seen through his true identity.
A playful smile appeared on Haihan's lips. "Do you think I should get to know you?"
His laughter was loud and full, but his face was quite ordinary—before learning the truth, Lin Mo thought it was an honest face: fluffy black hair, a small scar on his left ear, a forked chin, and a crooked nose, but he laughed heartily and often.
"Aren't you going to stay and guard the city gate?" Lin Mo asked him.
He smiled at Lin Mo, "My master has gone to catch bandits. He might come back triumphantly with a few bandits' heads, enjoying his glory. As for me, thanks to Lin Mo, the Regent of Great Xia, I'm ordered to guard the city gate."
Hehe, by the way, what are you looking for?
Lin Mo's gaze was firm, his voice cold, "The stables."
The soldier pointed towards the east gate, "There were stables at the east gate. The stables here have been destroyed by fire, as you can see."
Lin Mo nodded slightly. "Of course I saw it." He replied calmly, his gaze as sharp as an eagle's. "My lord, I have urgent business to attend to. I'll trouble you..."
"Hehe, since we've come this far, I can only proceed officially!" Haihan said. "What brings you two to Wuzhong City?"
"I'm looking for my wife," Lin Mo said directly.
"Oh? Your wife? Is she in Wuzhong City?" Haihan asked.
"To avoid the war, I sent her away from the capital. I never expected Jidong to turn out like this..." Lin Mo replied. "Speaking of which, wasn't Dongpango completely defeated by our Great Xia? How come they're here again?"
"Who told you that the troublemakers were those Dongpan scum?" Haihan said. "Hmph, those bandits are all..."
"Within the territory of Great Xia?" Lin Mo asked in surprise.
“That’s right!” Haihan’s smile held a hint of cruelty. “I was exiled to the frontier because I knew too many secrets!”
Lin Mo frowned, thinking that this matter must be related to Zhao Shu.
"How about this, you come with me to meet my parents first, and then my parents will try to find you a wife?"
Lin Mo wasn't afraid of Hai Han, but he was still a local officer; a whistle from him would bring a hundred or so men to protect him. "Am I under arrest?"
“Why? You haven’t done anything illegal,” he said, gently placing a hand on Lin Mo’s arm. “Come on, this way.”
Lin Mo pulled away, "Don't touch me!"
"What, aren't you looking for your wife?" Haihan retorted. "Wouldn't it be faster for my family to help you find her than for you to do it yourself?"
Helpless, Lin Mo had no choice but to follow Hai Han's advice.
The last time I visited Wuzhong City, it was a lifeless ruin, with empty streets and burned-out houses.
But at this moment, the city seemed to have been reborn. Piglets frolicked in the streets and alleys, and children's laughter rose and fell, breaking the silence of the past.
On the open ground, some areas were cultivated into vegetable gardens by hardworking people, lush and green; others were occupied by the tents of merchants and soldiers, bringing liveliness and noise.
The reconstruction of the houses is also in full swing. The sturdy stone inn has replaced the old wooden inn that was burned down, and the residential buildings have been fitted with brand-new stone slab roofs that shine brightly.
A gentle autumn breeze blew by, bringing a touch of coolness. The air was filled with the sounds of saws cutting wood and hammers striking stones.
People carried timber across the streets on their shoulders, and quarrymen's carts moved along muddy alleyways.
When they found the highest-ranking commander in the fish market, he was presiding over a trial.
Upon seeing Lin Mo and the others arrive, the man turned his head and said, "Your Highness, how have you been?"
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