Chapter 142 The General's Guest
Faced with Gu Xixi's question, Meng Chengping, who has always been generous, looked embarrassed.
He glanced at Gu Xixi, still feeling a little guilty, "The details are too complicated, I can't really say."
"Originally, there could be unrest here at any time, so I shouldn't have asked you to come here. But today, the general said it would be better for him to talk to you in person."
Gu Xixi stopped making things difficult for Meng Chengping and asked, "General, is your surname Huo?"
Meng Chengping resumed his hearty smile, "Yes, my last name is Huo and my first name is Jiang, the Jiang of Jiangshan."
"It is said that the general's mother's surname was Jiang, and the couple loved each other so much that they named their children after each other. The word Jiang just happened to mean protecting the country."
"Protecting the country?" Gu Xixi asked with interest, "Is the general's father also a military commander?"
Meng Chengping grinned and laughed, "Everyone thinks so when they first learn the origin of the general's name."
"In fact, Lord Huo is a civil official, but our General Tiance and General Jiang are from the military."
Gu Xixi was pleasantly surprised. "You mean... the general's mother was a military commander and was even given the title of Tiance General?"
Meng Chengping said, "It was almost when the late emperor was in his forties."
When Gu Xixi heard about such an extraordinary woman, she felt both moved and happy.
She looked ahead with a smile, her mood like a sail filled with wind, and she also felt a little more yearning for the general whom she had never met.
I heard from Mu Nanzhao that the general is thirty-four years old this year.
Considering that he is at the prime of his life at this age, how awe-inspiring he must be!
Meng Chengping looked at Gu Xixi and asked with a puzzled smile, "What are you laughing at, Boss Gu?"
Gu happily replied, "I am happy to know that women can also achieve great things."
Meng Chengping turned around and smiled, "What a coincidence."
"When He Jinglan heard this, she said exactly the same thing as you."
Gu Xixi chuckled, not surprised.
Northwest Army Camp.
When the sentry saw Meng Chengping, he did not let him pass immediately. Instead, he waited for Meng Chengping to take out the token and the general's letter.
After several sentries confirmed it one by one, they opened the gate.
When Meng Chengping passed by, he did not forget to introduce, "Look carefully, brothers, this girl driving the carriage is Boss Gu, our general's personal guest, hurry up and get to know her."
A sentry smiled and bowed to Gu Xixi, "Boss Gu, I've heard a lot about you. Our General Meng is the most powerful speaker in the army. Boss Gu, I'm afraid your ears must have suffered a lot along the way. Please bear with me."
Gu Xixi and several other sentries laughed.
Meng Chengping stiffened his neck and rolled his eyes, "Hey, you're the only one with a big mouth, right?"
Gu Xixi smiled and said, "General Meng, please take me there as soon as possible. Don't keep the general waiting for too long."
Unless there is an emergency, horses are not allowed to be ridden in the military camp.
Meng Chengping walked, leading the horse, while Gu Xixi slowly followed in the carriage.
Tents of all sizes can be seen everywhere in the camp.
After walking for an unknown amount of time, they finally arrived at the central military camp.
Meng Chengping said, "This is the general's tent."
The entrance to the tent was guarded by four soldiers with swords, each of them wearing armor and looking serious.
By the time Gu Xixi got off the mule cart, Meng Chengping had already walked up to her and saluted with his fists clasped.
The voice was deafening, "Report to the General! Our distinguished guest, Mr. Gu, has arrived!"
After a while, a series of arrogant laughter was heard from inside the tent, quickly approaching from afar.
The thick sheep felt door curtain opened, and a man over eight feet tall, with broad shoulders and a strong body strode out.
He had eyes like copper bells, dark skin, and a scraggly beard that reached his chest.
“Hahahaha…Boss Gu! Nice to meet you!”
Gu Xixi looked at the person in front of her and nodded secretly in her heart.
It's rare to meet a character that fits the stereotype after traveling through a book. Isn't this the kind of strong, tall, and mighty general who looks like a door god in a painting?
Gu Xixi bowed and said, "I, a commoner from the Northwest, pay my respects to the Guardian God of the Northwest."
Huo Jiang was startled, then he laughed out loud, "Even though it's a compliment, I love hearing it! I love hearing it!!"
"Boss Gu, please come in!"
The tent was very large, with seats and a long table. It should be the place where the general and his generals held meetings.
The table was a mess, with various scrolls, papers, small colorful flags used for sand table exercises, etc.
Looking deeper, there is a huge sand table on the ground.
Gu Xixi knew that the things in the general's tent involved military secrets.
She only took a quick glance when she entered the room, then quickly lowered her head, refusing to look a second time.
Huo Jiang noticed Gu Xixi's behavior and said with a smile, "Boss Gu, don't be shy. It's okay for you to just take a few glances at these things that can be displayed in public. Don't be afraid!"
Gu Xixi was exposed and felt a little embarrassed. "This is my first time in the military camp. I'm sorry to have embarrassed you."
"Hey!" Huo Jiang raised his hand and said, "What's there to laugh at? It's just that everyone has their own strengths."
"When it comes to the farming techniques that Boss Gu is good at, I am really a blind man who knows nothing!"
After saying this he burst out laughing himself.
The atmosphere of our first meeting was much more relaxed and cheerful.
It was already afternoon, and Huo Jiang knew that Gu Xixi must not have eaten as she was in such a hurry on the road.
So he ordered people to go to the kitchen to prepare meals.
Fearing that Gu Xixi would feel bad, Huo Jiang also specifically said, "I was busy at noon. The monkey cubs had just dispersed before you came, and they hadn't eaten yet. The kitchen has reserved meals, so it's not a problem to arrange them."
Gu Xixi smiled and nodded, swallowing the words of refusal.
The host and the guests took their seats, and Meng Chengping sat next to Gu Xixi.
When the food was served, it was served separately, with each person having one meat dish and one vegetable dish, two pancakes, and a bowl of multi-grain porridge.
There is also a bronze wine jug.
However, the style of this wine jug is not like the common ones in the Daye Dynasty. Instead, the pattern looks like the style of the Western Regions.
Gu Xixi saw that Huo Jiang and Meng Chengping also placed wine jugs in front of them.
I was also surprised to find that the styles of these three pots were different.
At that time, when wealthy families hosted guests, all the tableware, wine utensils, etc. on the table had to be of the same style and must be a set.
Could it be that there are other rules in the army that require them to buy special wine jugs for entertaining guests?
Huo Jiang once again saw through Gu Xixi and said with a smile, "This pot was looted from the Beili Army's tent."
"The porcelain pots and jars we usually use may look good, but they are too fragile and can't withstand being dropped. It's better for the army to use something more durable like this!"
Gu Xixi nodded and said yes, thinking, the key is which pot is better to use? The key is that the bronze pot is a trophy.
She took the wine jug and filled her own glass.
"I have already restricted myself from drinking when I go out."
"But today, using this wine vessel that symbolizes merit, I would like to toast the general."
Huo Jiang and Meng Chengping both looked at Gu Xixi with a smile.
Gu Xixi tilted her head back proudly and drank the full glass of wine. She frowned and showed a confused expression.
Meng Chengping couldn't help but pound the table and laughed, "What an expression! Hahahaha... Another person who got cheated!"
Huo Jiang couldn't help but ask, "Boss Gu, what do you think of this glass of wine?"
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