Uncle Lai in the Red Chamber

Chapter 275
On the official road about ten miles south of the capital.

Thousands of soldiers from the Shenji Battalion, who were neatly dressed and carrying long spears, escorted a group of ragged people and slowly walked towards the capital.

Among the crowd, there was a middle-aged man about 30 years old. Although he was dressed in rags, he was dignified and not decadent. Behind him, several young people followed closely.

"Master Garrison, what do you think the imperial court will do with us?"

"The defeated general is still a defender. Let's call him Brother Sun from now on!"

Someone in the crowd was dissatisfied and said angrily: "They asked us to cut off the queen, just to abandon us. Your Excellency had the opportunity to leave together. If you had not been unable to bear to abandon us, you would not have become prisoners. Since the imperial court has such good firearms, why did they send us?" Going to Qianxiang Country doesn’t mean we are going to die?”

After saying this, several people behind him nodded.

"Silence! If you lose, you will lose. I am a garrison guard. I should fight the enemy with you. You can't discuss the affairs of the court."

"I heard Mr. Xiao Qin say that we can come back thanks to Mr. Lai from the State Affairs Department, who helped us negotiate with Xiyi. What do you think the court will do if we go back?"

"As a soldier, you eat food and pay for your life. Don't worry. Since ancient times, there has been no reason to hold soldiers accountable for defeats."

"My lord, you..."

"Just leave it to fate!"

"Our guard station was ostracized and ordered to be exterminated because we killed the most enemies and were incompatible with them. All the officers and men in the station admire you, sir. We jointly name you sir..."

"Don't worry about it. The king of our Daxia Dynasty died in the country, and the emperor guarded the country. We have never compromised with the barbarians. This time we can come back and we don't have to die in a foreign land. I should be satisfied."

Just as he was talking, he saw Qin Zhong walking in front, walking towards this side.

It was Lai Shangrong's idea to send the Shenji Battalion to escort this time. Marching was also a kind of experience, and Qin Zhong, as a participant in the negotiations, also experienced in the Shenji Battalion, so he was appointed to lead the team to exchange prisoners of war.

He knew that Lai Shangrong was interested in recruiting these people into the Security Section of the State-owned Enterprise Department, so he expressed his goodwill frequently along the way.

"Brother Sun Yun!"

"Qin Xianggong!"

"We'll reach the capital in ten miles. Does Brother Sun have anything to say that you want to take home in advance?"

"Take a message home?" Sun Yun murmured to himself: "I am sorry for them!"

Turning to Qin Zhong, he cupped his hands and said, "Please Qin Xianggong, please express your gratitude to your respected master on behalf of our brothers. If it hadn't been for Mr. Lai's rescue, we would have died in a foreign country."

Although he didn't know that Qin Zhong intended to win over him, it was not difficult to tell from the words of these Shenji camp soldiers and Qin Zhong that Lai Shangrong's holy family was in good health.

I am guilty and don't know how to deal with it. If I can make Lai Shangrong remember that there is such a family, it may not be a way out in the future.

Qin Zhong said with a smile: "Brother Sun wants to thank my master, why don't you go and thank him in person? Just now, the master received news that the emperor has given permission to transfer all of you to the Security Section of the State-owned Department. From now on, we will all be colleagues."

Then he cupped his hands towards Sun Yunyi and said: "It's just that my master said that you have other arrangements when you come back and you can't go home for the time being."

It is impossible for the Xiyi people to keep these captives in vain. They must either keep them in a centralized manner waiting for exchange, or use them as coolies.

But no matter what the situation is, if you are not with the brigade, there is always suspicion.

Screening requires repeated questioning and mutual verification is quite time-consuming, so it needs to be delayed for several days.

Qin Zhong didn't say the reason why he couldn't go home, but Sun Yun and others heard clearly when he joined the State-owned Enterprise Department.

"Sir, will you join us as well?"

"The imperial court didn't deal with us?"

"What is the Security Department?"...

Sun Yun was stunned for a long time before he came back to his senses.

He said with some excitement: "You mean the court did not deal with us, but instead sent us to the State-Owned Department?"

Qin Zhong smiled and said: "It's just that I have wronged Brother Sun. The chief of the Security Section of the State-owned Enterprise Department is only a sixth-grade position."

Although it was reduced from the fifth level of defense to the sixth level, it was already a dream for Sun Yun, who was a defeated general and was captured.

Moreover, during this battle with Qianxiang Kingdom, he was also disheartened by the army.

He was obviously a guard soldier who was dedicated to his life, but he was ostracized by his fellow officers because he was out of tune with the other guards who suffered repeated battles and defeats.

Staying away from the military camp, you can stay in the capital for a long time and take care of your family. This is not a good choice.

Since Qin Zhong knew about his appointment, his master, the family member of the state-owned director, Lai Shangrong, must be involved.

Thinking of this, I was also full of curiosity about Lai Shangrong.

About two hours later, the team arrived outside the city, but he could not see Lai Shangrong.

Although Lai Shangrong wanted to win over, he did not go to meet Sun Yun and his party outside the city.

At first, the wooing and showing of goodwill were already on the way, and Qin Zhong laid the groundwork. As a doctor in charge of the state-run department and a fourth-grade doctor of Lantai Temple, he personally went to greet the prisoners outside the city, which was a bit excessive.

Secondly, before these people joined the ranks, at least they were still in the military position in terms of establishment. There were many people in the capital, and it was taboo to make friends with civil and military officials.

In addition, he was also waiting for the results of the review. In order to avoid showing wrong feelings, he decided to wait until the review of this group of people was completed and they officially joined the company.

…………

Jinling City, in front of the second-bedroom house of the Xue family.

A woman in white clothes pulled Xue Pan and said, "Wenlong! Your younger brothers and sisters will be left to you."

"Second Aunt, don't worry!" Xue Pan said disapprovingly.

The second aunt of the Xue family pulled Xue Biao over again and said: "Biao'er, when you go to the capital, remember to write a letter to your family. It's up to you to organize your sister's marriage. Remember to listen to your aunt. Don't miss out on the Mei family." In terms of etiquette, after all, he was born in the Imperial Academy."

Xue Biao hurriedly agreed: "Don't worry, mother. I have my aunt in Beijing to take care of me. Nothing will go wrong. It's just that you have to take care of your health after your son and sister are gone."

"That's right, mother, you should pay more attention to your health. Your daughter has traveled around with her father since she was a child, and she often travels far away. There are aunts and cousins ​​in the capital, so you can rest assured!"

The little girl who spoke was very charming, with a fair complexion, a melon face, and a pair of big talking eyes, like two black pearls raised in pure white milk.

As he spoke, he passed over Xue Zhu, ran to his mother, and hugged her from the front.

"My daughter doesn't want to get married yet and wants to stay with her mother for a few years. Why is the father so anxious to marry off his daughter?"

The second aunt of the Xue family looked at her daughter lovingly, stroked her head and said: "Baoqin, this is your father's last wish. After all, the Mei family is from the Hanlin family, and your father is now... if the matter is not settled as soon as possible. , if something happens, where will I find such a good match in the future!"

"Hi! Second Aunt, don't worry!" Xue Pan said carelessly: "I don't dare to say anything else. I have many wonderful marriages. I have two brothers in the capital, and their character is first-class. , based on the appearance of our Baoqin..."

Hearing this, the second aunt of the Xue family forced a smile and urged: "Let's go quickly! If you are late, the boat will not wait for anyone!"

While talking, he saw Xue Pan getting into the car, and then he took Xue Pan's hand and told him: "Don't follow your eldest brother's nonsense. He has always been careless. Our family is now in decline. You have gone to the capital. Don't be in a hurry." Come to visit, first go and see your mother-in-law and Rongguo Mansion. If we can have the mountain of Rongguo Mansion at our back, we won’t be afraid of the Mei family going back again.”

"Hey! Don't worry, son!"

(End of this chapter)