Chapter 177 Armor
The flowers in the Lingnan mountains bloom vigorously and wither vigorously.
In late spring, the mountains are covered with falling flowers.
When the wind blows, petals of various colors float in the air.
Once they fall into Su Zhizhi and Xue Che's bamboo baskets, they will be sent to the kitchen.
The petals are soaked in wine, juiced and kneaded into flower cakes, and mixed with sugar to make candied sweets.
Su Zhizhi and Xue Che continued to practice martial arts, study, and help out in the mountains and hills as before.
As spring turns to summer, the weather becomes hotter and hotter.
Su Zhizhi and Xue Che went to the Black Mountain Restaurant at the foot of the mountain to deliver apricot blossom wine.
They had just come out of the Black Mountain Restaurant when they saw a carriage parked at the foot of Black Bandit Mountain.
Governor Gu and County Magistrate Song got off the carriage.
"Gu, the governor; Song, the county magistrate."
Su Zhizhi and Xue Che walked over.
"It's Zhizhi and Ache." Governor Gu waved them over.
Since Hao Ren and his companions went to the northwest, Governor Gu had not seen them for more than half a year.
Governor Gu had just returned to Lingnan from the capital two days ago. When he heard that Heishan Township had been established in Baiyun County, he went to take a look with County Magistrate Song.
While in the carriage, he saw the repaired road, shops on both sides of the road, and a large area of densely packed new houses behind the shops.
Governor Gu nodded continuously.
When I got off the car and saw the two children, at first glance, I felt that both children had grown taller, and the clothes they wore were no longer as dirty and torn as when I first saw them.
Two very decent and beautiful children.
"That's great. Everyone's life is indeed getting better and better." Governor Gu was relieved.
County Magistrate Song said: "Inspector Gu is here today to see the situation in Heishan Township."
Su Zhizhi: "Our village has changed a lot."
As they were talking, a group of people suddenly passed by.
The soldiers and horses kicked up a cloud of dust. Everyone in the queue held a weapon in their hands, stood straight, and marched in unison.
Bai Xun was leading the way. When he saw Governor Gu and County Magistrate Song, he dismounted and greeted them.
Governor Gu was puzzled: "What is this?"
Bai Xun: "This is a team from our Heishan Township Guard, responsible for maintaining public security in the township today."
Governor Gu looked at the impressive group of dozens and asked in surprise, "Is this just one group? What about the others?"
Bai Xun: "The others are training in the valley. If Governor Gu wants to take a look, Zhizhi and Ache can lead the way."
Bai Xun had to go on patrol and couldn't stay long, so he said a few words and left.
Su Zhizhi and Xue Che took Governor Gu and Magistrate Song to see the guard corps.
Su Zhizhi: "We have a lot of people in our guard group. My father said that if we protect ourselves and ensure the safety of every household in Heishan Township, we can also make a contribution to Xunzhou."
Governor Gu was very pleased to hear this and said, "If every place in Xunzhou could be like Heishan Township, I would have no worries every day."
Su Zhizhi asked, "Prefect Gu, have you ever been to a palace banquet in Chang'an? Was it fun?"
Su Zhizhi had asked Xue Che this question once before.
Xue Che said: "There's nothing special, just some people dancing, some people drinking, and some people eating."
Su Zhizhi really felt that it was nothing fun.
The Hewang Restaurant in the county sometimes invites people to dance in the restaurant, and the guests eat and drink.
Su Zhizhi wanted to hear what Governor Gu had to say.
County Magistrate Song also pricked up his ears to listen.
Governor Gu sighed, "Oh, don't mention it. I've been there a few times. It's better to have a bowl of hot shepherd's purse dumplings in your village than to eat cold dishes in the cold wind."
"Before I left the capital, there was a spring banquet in the palace, which was okay, but the scenery couldn't compare to the Lingnan mountain scenery. The flowers here are much more colorful than in the capital."
Xue Che listened and felt that the palace banquet described by Governor Gu seemed a little different from what he remembered.
He never felt a cold wind at the palace banquet.
After hearing this, Su Zhizhi and County Magistrate Song immediately felt that the palace banquet was probably boring.
A few people climbed over the mountain, and the headbands on their heads rustled in the mountain breeze.
"Look, that's our Black Mountain Township Guard."
Governor Gu looked in the direction Su Zhizhi pointed and saw thousands of people forming a square formation in the valley.
There was someone in front of the square phalanx waving a flag to give orders.
Governor Gu was shocked: "How could there be soldiers?"
Xue Che immediately said, "They are not soldiers. They are farmers who usually farm the land. They only train in their free time to prepare for emergencies."
Governor Gu saw the farm tools placed on the side of the hill and saw that many people had come directly from the fields.
He then asked, "Who's in charge?"
County Magistrate Song said: "They are villagers from Liangmin Village, two elderly people over 70 years old."
Although the commander is old, the team he trains can react quickly and constantly change its formation according to changes in instructions.
When Governor Gu first came to Lingnan, he met with the governor of Lingnan and saw the training of the Lingnan border troops there.
Although the border defense troops are numerous, their momentum seems to be not as strong as the team in front of them.
In the valley, there is a long pole with a large black cloth tied to it.
The pure black cloth fluttered in the wind.
Governor Gu: "Why is there a black cloth?"
Xue Che: "That's the flag of the Guard Corps."
In order not to interfere with their training, Gu Cishi and others did not get close.
After looking around the village, Governor Gu wanted to rush back to the county before the sun set.
Before leaving, as usual, I ate another bowl of shepherd's purse dumplings.
While Su Zhizhi and Xue Che were having dinner in the evening, they talked about what happened today with Hao Ren and Wu Yingniang.
"Inspector Gu said that the palace banquets were just cold dishes served in the cold wind, and the palace dishes were not as delicious as shepherd's purse dumplings."
Su Zhizhi was holding a bowl of chicken soup with shepherd's purse dumplings.
We have picked a lot of shepherd's purse recently, so the whole village will eat shepherd's purse dumplings tonight, cooked with chicken soup and eggs.
Xue Che: "Inspector Gu saw the guard corps and didn't object. If we expand our manpower later, Inspector Gu may not say anything."
The two children each picked up what they thought of and spoke.
Wu Yingniang: "Eat well. After dinner, I have a gift for you."
Su Zhizhi and Xue Che stopped talking and immediately started eating their dumplings.
Hao Ren took out two packages:
"Although it's a little late, this is your New Year's gift."
A belated New Year's gift!
Su Zhizhi and Xue Che took the package, opened it and took a look——
A brand new set of armor.
When Su Zhizhi was in the northwest, she saw the Xue family army training in armor and thought they were very impressive, so she asked for armor as a New Year's gift.
Hao Ren took it to heart and told the blacksmith at the forge after returning to the village.
Wu Ya used the leftover materials from making weapons to make two sets of armor, one set for Su Zhizhi and one set for Xue Che.
"Wow, it's so shiny." Su Zhizhi hugged the armor and rubbed her face against the smooth armor.
Xue Che held the armor in his arms, anticipation welling in his eyes:
"Can I try them on?"
Wu Yingniang smiled: "Of course."
Hao Ren and Wu Yingniang helped the two children put on their armor.
Their armor consisted of several curved iron plates, each used as a breastplate, shoulder pads, and shin guards. They were lined with cotton and fastened with leather.
When the candlelight shines, the whole body is bright.
Su Zhizhi and Xue Che looked at each other.
There is a bright reflection of oneself in each other's eyes.
Su Zhizhi refused to take off her armor and even wanted to wear it when she slept:
"I want to sleep majestically, like Uncle Xue."
Xue Che: "...My father doesn't wear armor when he sleeps."
Su Zhizhi still insisted on wearing it.
Wu Yingniang looked at Su Zhizhi and Xue Che wearing armor, and they really looked like little adults.
"Yingniang, this is yours." Hao Ren took out another set of armor.
This set of armor is much larger than the previous two sets and is adult size.
"Mine?" Wu Yingniang didn't expect to have her own.
Su Zhizhi excitedly shouted: "Mom, put it on quickly!"
Xue Che also looked at Wu Yingniang with bright eyes.
"Okay, let's try it on!" Wu Yingniang was obviously very happy and put it on readily.
Hao Ren helped Wu Yingniang tie the leather strap of her armor.
The armor fits Wu Yingniang's slender figure very well, making her posture look more upright and powerful.
Su Zhizhi: "Mom looks so majestic in armor!"
Xue Che praised: "Very heroic."
"As long as Yingniang likes it."
Hao Ren looked at his wife, who looked very heroic, her face a little red in the candlelight.
"You can try out this armor for two days. If you have any suggestions, you can tell Wuya. We plan to equip each member of the Black Mountain Guard with a set of armor."
Wu Yingniang looked at Hao Ren with a smile in her bright eyes.
He has a heroic figure, but his eyes are like water.
The next moment, Hao Ren turned around and pushed the two children out the door:
"Okay, you two should go back to bed."
The door creaked shut.
Su Zhizhi and Xue Che looked at the moon that had just climbed over the eaves in confusion.
Huh? You're going to bed so early?
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