76. Dried Meat
"Thanks to Madam, we can finally eat meat!"
Shule River Station.
Since Xiao Pingchuan led the scout battalion back to the Shule River base, the training has become even more rigorous than before.
As April arrives, the sun gradually becomes stronger, and the days become longer.
On this day, Xiao Pingchuan was training with his soldiers in the training ground when someone suddenly came to report that someone from the city had sent something.
Xu Youcai and Chai Shun exchanged a glance and asked each other in unison, "What are you bringing?"
The man scratched the back of his head, looking embarrassed. "I don't know either. Dozens of vehicles have arrived and are waiting at the camp gate."
After a moment's thought, Xiao Pingchuan said to Chai Shun, "Keep an eye on things for me. If there's money, come with me."
Chai Shun was displeased and muttered, "Why is it me again! Every time there's something good, General, you always favor him. This isn't the way to show favoritism..."
Unfortunately, he only dared to say this behind Xiao Pingchuan's back; he would never dare to say such a thing to his face.
"Alright! What are you looking at? Get back to training."
Xu Youcai followed Xiao Pingchuan toward the main gate of the camp. This was the garrison of the entire army, and the camp gate had a proper wooden gate and barricades. Unauthorized strangers were not allowed to enter.
This was also the camp where the Liangzhou soldiers stayed when they marched north. Later, when the Shatuo crossed the river, they were caught off guard and trapped in the camp.
"General, do you think this was sent by the Madam?" Xu Youcai asked. "Could it be the rations for the second half of the year?"
Xiao Pingchuan ignored him. "You'll know once you take a look. Here, go ask him yourself."
Xu Youcai stepped forward: "What did Madam ask you to send over?"
"Open the boxes and let the general see." Someone opened one of the boxes. "They're all good stuff, for the brothers to improve their meals."
The box was opened, and inside were neatly stacked pieces of dried meat, each about the size of a forearm.
Xu Youcai's eyes widened instantly. "My goodness!" He looked at the dozens of vehicles lined up in a row, each with two boxes about half a person's height on it. "I've never seen so much dried meat in my life. Am I dreaming?"
"Besides dried meat, there's also fresh pork. Madam instructed that the fresh pork be eaten immediately upon delivery," the visitor continued.
The fresh pork was kept chilled with ice, and they checked on it several times a day along the way. Fortunately, they arrived safely before the ice melted completely.
"Also, Madam told everyone not to be frugal. The soap workshop uses dozens of pigs every day, which is enough for everyone to eat."
"Wow! I know about the soap workshop. A while ago, Kui Lang went to Yiyang County to buy some soap and brought back a few bars for the brothers to use for bathing. They cleaned us so well," Xu Youcai exclaimed. "It's just a bit expensive. Could you ask your wife to send us a whole truckload next time?"
Xiao Pingchuan interrupted her: "She's doing business, she wants to make money, don't get any ideas."
“They’re not outsiders, are they? You’ve already said that Madam isn’t angry with you anymore.”
"Alright, alright, let's get the brothers to unload the goods. Tonight, let the cooks prepare something nice to have."
"yes!"
After sending Xu Youcai away, Xiao Pingchuan took a few steps closer and asked the man, "How is Madam doing lately?"
"It's not good. I heard from Commander Zhou that the lady couldn't get what she wanted to do and has been depressed for a while now."
Xiao Pingchuan frowned. "Is it something very important?"
"It seems so. I heard that some flowers just won't grow, and everyone involved is quite discouraged."
Xiao Pingchuan knew this; it was called cotton. Shen Suqin had high hopes for it, and even Xiao Pingchuan himself was looking forward to seeing how it would be made into clothes.
She's incredibly anxious because she can't grow them now.
Thinking about this, he felt he should go back.
As the last rays of the setting sun dipped into the Shule River, people began to cook their meals in the camp.
The dried meat sent from Ningyuan had already been handed over to the quartermaster department and distributed by the quartermaster officer.
So that evening, everyone received a bag of dried meat, real pork jerky, which felt heavy in their hands.
It's been so many years since anyone has seen this thing that they've almost forgotten what it tastes like.
Some people couldn't resist and immediately tore off a piece and put it in their mouths to chew. The more they chewed, the more fragrant and flavorful it became.
"Thanks to Madam, we can finally eat meat!"
Xu Youcai had told them before that the dried meat was a gift from his wife.
"Indeed, Madam is truly amazing!"
At the time, they all thought they would only have this one meal, but unexpectedly, every month after that, a supply convoy would arrive on time, and the dried meat was never interrupted.
Having completed their mission, the convoy returned the following day.
Before leaving, Xu Youcai and Chai Shun came to see them off. After exchanging a few casual words, they fixed their gaze on Xiao Pingchuan, who remained expressionless and blended into the convoy.
Xu Youcai: "......."
Chai Shun: "......."
The three looked at each other, and Xu Youcai and Chai Shun were the first to look away, pretending not to have seen anything.
Lately, everything has gone wrong. First, the cotton didn't grow well, then the soap workshop ran out of raw materials, and I watched helplessly as the money that was in my hands flew away.
Shen Suqin paced back and forth in the courtyard, feeling frustrated.
Ju Tao stayed by her side and tried to persuade her several times, but to no avail.
That day, Luo Su suddenly sent someone to report that one of the cotton plants that had been transplanted from the greenhouse had actually survived!
Shen Suqin perked up and dragged Ju Tao along as they hurried to the western suburbs.
When she arrived at the specially designated cotton field, she indeed saw cotton trees sprouting new leaves in the fenced-off area.
The slender, brownish-red withered branches swayed gently in the wind, drawing everyone's attention.
"Madam!" Luo Su called out to her, his eyes red-rimmed.
He was exhausted. These past few days, every time he passed by this open space, the withered branches would prick his heart.
He used to live such a carefree life, never bothering with anything trivial.
Unlike now, with my wife, I have endless worries and endless fatigue.
Although Shen Suqin never said a harsh word to him, whenever she was dissatisfied, she would stare at him with her big, dark, watery eyes until he felt guilty and changed his mind, only then would she become gentle and kind again.
"I saw it!" Shen Suqin circled the fence several times. "Your hard work finally paid off. I'll remember it and make it up to you later."
"I'll take the money, I don't care about anything else."
“Alright, here’s the money,” Shen Suqin said. “How’s the next batch coming along?”
After the cold snap in early spring, Luo Su took some more seeds from Shen Suqin and planted them in the ground.
"It was planted not long ago, it's too early for it to sprout."
"I have a feeling this batch will definitely be successful."
Luo Su didn't respond to her, fearing he would be forced to sign a pledge.
Shen Suqin didn't mind and laughed, "Alright, let's invite everyone tonight. I'll have someone slaughter a few pigs, and we'll have a barbecue to celebrate."
"That's good! I'll go get someone."
As night fell, a bonfire was lit in the open space in the western suburbs. Everyone who wasn't on duty came, along with men and women from the city who had come after asking around. There were over a hundred people, more of them watching the fun than eating the barbecue.
The people of Jinzhou are unrestrained and unconventional. Right now, many people are circling around the bonfire, singing and dancing, with the warm orange firelight reflecting on their faces.
It's been a long time since it's been this lively.
Shen Suqin mingled in the crowd, dancing haphazardly with everyone. As she danced, her hair came loose, and when she reached up to touch it, the silver hairpin slipped off and fell straight into her palm.
She paused for a moment, then suddenly remembered the person who had sharpened her hairpin.
Xiao Pingchuan, looking travel-worn, stood outside the crowd. He was standing a bit far away, so the firelight didn't reach him, but his tall figure was particularly conspicuous in the night.
Shen Suqin withdrew from the crowd.
Her hair was loose, her long, black hair cascading over her shoulders. She took a couple of steps toward a less crowded area, intending to put her hair back up.
But it was these two steps that led her to stand before Xiao Pingchuan amidst the starlight.
“Zhaozhao”.
The word "Zhao Zhao" froze Shen Su in place. She stared blankly as the man walked towards her. His handsome features and upright posture were truly eye-catching.
"Why are you back?" she exclaimed in surprise.
Xiao Pingchuan smiled and said, "I missed you, so I came back. Come here and let me help you with your hair."
Can you?
Would he? Of course he would. He had been longing for Shen Suqin's long hair for a long time. He had been thinking about such black and smooth hair for a long time, wondering what it would feel like to touch it.
So when he went to Yeyang City to buy things, he specifically sought out an old man to learn how to cut hair, and he was just waiting for this day.
“Let me try,” he said.
"I'll let you try, but if you hurt me, you're in big trouble."
"good."
Soon, Shen Suqin felt her wrist being grasped by his rough palm, the hairpin being pulled away, and her hair being gently brushed.
"I heard you've been in a bad mood lately?" Xiao Pingchuan asked while fixing her hair.
His voice was low and husky, rustling as it passed by my ear, leaving a trace.
"It wasn't good, but it's better tonight."
Xiao Pingchuan laughed: "The cotton has been grown?"
How did you know?
"I can calculate it."
Shen Suqin chuckled: "You came all this way just for this?"
"Um."
"Don't bother anymore, it's exhausting."
"I'm not tired, seeing you makes me not tired at all."
Just as the hairpin was finished, Xiao Pingchuan looked it over from left to right and said, "My skills are not bad, feel it."
"I can't touch it myself, so why don't you show me how?"
“Okay.” Xiao Pingchuan took her wrist, guided her to touch her hair bun, and then prepared to let go.
Unexpectedly, Shen Suqin placed her hand in his palm and said softly, "Let me read the general's palm."
Xiao Pingchuan, unsuspecting, proactively opened his palm and handed it over, saying, "I didn't expect you to even know about this. You're really impressive."
Shen Suqin held the back of his hand with one hand and gently slid the other hand across his rough, thick palm, saying, "Of course I don't know how to read palms."
Xiao Pingchuan: "Huh?"
Shen Suqin looked up at him, her eyes full of cunning: "But I will take advantage of the general."
After saying that, she patted him hard and then let go of him.
Xiao Pingchuan suddenly went crazy. After a second of reaction, his eyes blazed with heat. He lunged forward and hugged Shen Suqin tightly, laughing loudly, "You can have it all! You can have it all!"
Shen Suqin also smiled happily.
There were people all around, and after hearing the commotion, many turned to look at the two of them. Some said enviously, "The general and his wife have such a good relationship."
"That's right."
"I've long heard that the general is fond of her."
How did you know?
“I have relatives in Shule River. I heard that whenever the general has free time, he pulls them aside to talk about his relationship with his wife.”
"Really? What did the general say?"
"They said his wife had saved his life with troops, that she had given him a love token, that she was a skilled writer, gentle and quiet, and that she was very good at making money, that she was the breadwinner of their family..."
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