Li Lanzhen had just steadied herself under the awning outside the dining room.
Then I heard Hai Mingjiang's voice.
"Mother, I've come to say goodbye. We'll be leaving in half an hour."
More than a dozen people dismounted from four or five horses and stood behind Han Mingjiang.
Hearing the sound of horses' hooves, the people in the dining hall followed Li Lanzhen out and stood beside her, looking at Han Mingjiang and the others across the hall.
Li Lanzhen's heart skipped a beat when she heard that they were leaving in half an hour.
In the spring, Li Erhan and his fellow carpenters began building weapons, such as catapults, siege ladders, and crossbows, based on some weapon improvement blueprints given to them by Li Lanzhen.
After that, Xuan Shen sent a ship to take away the finished weapons.
It was said that it was being transported to the garrison camp of the Youzhou city guard.
There are artisans in the military camp who specialize in making weapons.
The garrison general of Youzhou City was surnamed Yan. He was in charge of three prefecture cities surrounding Youzhou City, and his military camp was located in the mountains east of Youzhou City.
In the past few days, these ships have come again and transported all the improved weapons from the woodworking workshop out.
Li Lanzhen didn't ask why; it turned out it was for today.
At this moment, she did not ask Han Mingjiang and the others what they were going to do.
He quickly turned around and called out to Xue Nizi and the others.
"Nizi, hurry up and cook dumplings so they can eat their fill before they leave."
Then he said to Han Dazhong.
"Village chief, there aren't enough pots in the main kitchen. Let's quickly arrange for each household to make dry rations for their children, and fry some rice and noodles so that it will be more convenient for them to carry them."
Han Dazhong quickly arranged these matters and then spoke to the kitchen staff.
"Pack up all the fried dough sticks, fried dough balls, meatballs, and other cooked food and let them take them with them."
Although people were panicking, they all received food in the kitchen and went home to make their own provisions, as arranged by Han Dazhong.
Han Mingjiang and his group went into the restaurant and sat down. They then told Li Lanzhen, Han Dazhong, and the others about the situation.
"Mother, don't panic. This time, I'm taking 2,000 men to Youzhou City to meet up with General Yan. Then we'll head to the southwest."
After he finished speaking, Xue Bao continued.
“I’m taking 1,000 people and Brother Xuan Shen to the capital.”
Neither of them said what they were going to do, and no one present asked.
Shi Tou, Yan Ming, and Zhu Zi from Xinghua Village came to face Li Lan.
"Auntie, we're leaving too. Don't worry, we'll take good care of ourselves."
Li Lanzhen stood up, patted their heads, and tapped their shoulders.
These three children are all twelve or thirteen years old. Sigh!
She told the three of them, "You three must take good care of yourselves. Your auntie will make sure you get home safely."
Your aunt is waiting for you here, and your friends are waiting for you to come home too.
The eleven children from Lishu Village were very united when they came to Peach Blossom Spring.
Eleven people lived in a large courtyard, helping and caring for each other, even closer than brothers and sisters.
After the training camp started recruiting children, Zhu Zi insisted on joining the camp despite everyone's objections.
He said he wanted to learn a skill to protect his brothers and sisters from being bullied.
Unable to dissuade him, Shanxing and Sanwang, wiping away their tears, agreed to let him go.
Looking at the three children, who had grown taller and stronger, with firm eyes and steady demeanor, he patted them on the shoulder.
"Alright, go say goodbye to your friends."
The women of Han Dazhong's family went back to prepare provisions, while the men surrounded Han Dazhong's eldest grandson and Han Youliang's eldest son, giving them repeated instructions.
He was told to be careful, pay attention to safety, and protect himself, as his family was waiting for him to come home.
Li Lanzhen looked around and heard no words of obstruction preventing the children from leaving, nor did she see any crying or reluctant farewells.
The water in the large iron pot in the kitchen was boiling, so the cooked dumplings were served in no time.
People remained silent, continuously placing dumplings into the bowls of those leaving.
After finishing their dumplings, the group headed back to pack their belongings.
Li Lanzhen then led her family back to the courtyard, standing there without going inside.
Looking back at his children and grandchildren, he said, "Don't be nervous. When the second son and Xue Bao went to the training camp, they knew very well that this day would come eventually."
If any of you want to bring something for Lao Er and Xue Bao, go back and prepare it.
Alright, that's enough. Everyone go home and prepare."
After saying that, she turned and went into her bedroom.
Li Lanzhen wanted to prepare some things for her two children.
Once inside the space, he found ten water pouches and filled them with spiritual spring water.
Although it can't bring the dead back to life, it can save lives in critical moments.
All ten water bags were given to Han Mingjiang and Xue Bao. As for who they would distribute them to, you can find out for yourself.
I put some brown sugar in a small cloth bag so I can get some nutrition when I'm busy.
Just as she was thinking about what else to take out,
Then she heard Xuan Shen standing in the courtyard calling her.
Li Lanzhen hurriedly went out and saw Xuan Shen and Crown Prince Su Beisheng standing in the courtyard.
"Auntie, I'm leaving soon too."
Xue Bao and I went to the capital, where the King of Jin colluded with the general stationed in the southwest to rebel.
“The Southwest Garrison, aren’t those the Imperial Concubine’s father and elder brother?” Li Lanzhen asked.
The prince explained to her, "Auntie, it's them. My second brother Mingjiang and I are going to the southwest."
"What? Your Highness, what are you doing getting involved at such a young age?"
You can't go there; you should stay here in this paradise.
Stay here with your auntie, and I'll cook you something delicious.
Li Lanzhen was a little nervous. The Crown Prince was so young, and if something happened to him while he was out with Han Mingjiang, the Emperor would blame Han Mingjiang.
This won't do!!
The Crown Prince seemed to have guessed her thoughts and smiled slightly, "Aunt Lanzhen, please rest assured, Father has given me a 20-man Dragon Guard. They will protect me well."
Upon hearing that it was the Dragon Guard protecting the Crown Prince, Li Lanzhen couldn't dissuade him any further. "Alright, just be careful when you go out!"
Xuan Shen guessed what Li Lanzhen was thinking, lowered his head to think for a moment, and then looked up and said.
"Aunt Lanzhen, I'd like to get some of the medicine."
Li Lanzhen suddenly remembered that she had felt something important had happened.
I looked around several times but couldn't remember. It turned out to be medicine from the small medicine valley in the space.
"Okay, come with me!"
After saying that, she remembered that the Crown Prince and Su Peisheng were still standing in the courtyard.
He quickly opened the door to the main room, lit a candle, and poured two bowls of water, placing them on the table.
There were also candies, melon seeds, and fried dough sticks on the table.
"Your Highness, you two sit here for a while. I'll go get the medicinal herbs for Xuan Shen."
Watching Li Lanzhen and Xuan Shen walk away, the Crown Prince's eyes flickered, then he lowered his eyelids, picked up the water bowl, and took a sip.
I picked up the fried dough sticks from the plate and put them in my mouth, eating them slowly.
Su Peisheng watched the backs of Li Lanzhen and the other person, his face full of suspicion, his brows furrowed.
Looking down at the Crown Prince, whose expression was calm, he gently chewed on the fried dough stick.
"Su Beisheng, come on, have some fried dough sticks. They're especially delicious, slightly sweet, very fragrant, and very crispy."
Su Peisheng quickly held out his hands and gave the prince a handful of four or five fried dough sticks.
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