Ma Erniang's Splendid Pastoral

Chapter 271 Prevent Drawing Horses
Xia Zhen and his son discussed for a long time, and then held a half-day meeting with the generals to discuss how to get rid of the Jinliao Alliance. The situation seems to be not optimistic.

"The little general may not know that this time we are fighting against the golden crown prince of the Jin Kingdom - Yelu Haorong, and the third prince of the Liao Kingdom - Li Shenghao. Both of them are leaders of the Jin Liao Kingdom with real power and actual combat power. , I’m afraid it won’t be easy to defeat them.”

Xia Zhen asked, "How is Liangzhou?"

"Back to the little general, not only the Liao and Jin troops gathered in Liangzhou City, but also the Xixia and Mongolian people. They are not weaker than the Jin prince and the third Liao prince. They are very difficult to deal with."

Xia Zhen frowned, but didn't say a word, signaling the generals to continue talking.

"Little General, if you want to drive away the Liao and Jin people, the quickest way now is to ask for reinforcements from the prefectures other than the five prefectures, and the reinforcements should be more than [-] troops. Otherwise, we may have to fight a protracted war."

Xia Zhen looked at his father, he nodded secretly, and agreed with the general's suggestion, but in other state capitals, because there were not many troops during the Taiping period, even if there were, the military power was still in the hands of the emperor. If you want to get support, you must first write a letter Please wait for the decree to come down, it will take some time.

"Come here, first submit the booklet and ask for an order."

"Yes, little general!" The staff immediately went to write the request note.

Xia Zhen stood in front of the map and looked at the Guanyi Fortress again, "Since our food can only last for half a month, the Liao and Jin countries who are short of food must not have enough food for fifteen days."

"Little General, what do you mean?"

"Prevent them from breaking out to attack and grab food."

Wei Ren stood on the side and said: "The two countries have been driven back by us for a hundred miles, and my subordinates feel that there is little chance of grabbing food head-on."

Xia Zhen looked at him.

He smiled slightly: "Subordinates feel that there is a high possibility that they will carry out a surprise attack."

“How come you see?”

Wei Ren pointed to several mountain passes on the map and said: "I heard from the general's subordinates that the gaps in these three mountain passes are relatively large and cannot allow large troops to enter, but small-scale sneak attacks are still possible."

"Even if they can sneak attack, they will come on horseback. As long as we have more soldiers on guard, they won't be able to easily succeed when they hear the sound."

"General Wang, don't be so optimistic. There are plenty of surprise attacks on enemy troops in history. We'd better be careful."

"General Gao is right." A general agrees.

The general surnamed Wang was quite embarrassed by Xia Zhen's look, blushed, and said to the general who refuted him: "I'm telling the truth. Now it's freezing and snowy, they can only transport food by horses, and horses travel in groups. , there must be a sound, and it will definitely be discovered by our people."

Seeing that everyone was looking at the two of them, General Gao took care of each other's face and did not refute.

When discussing, you have to hear different voices from the people below. Xia Zetao didn't stand on any side, and looked at his son, "Zhen'er, what do you think?"

"Makes sense."

General Gao's opinion was recognized by the young general, and he was secretly happy, but he didn't show it on his face.

Xia Zetao is not optimistic, "Judging from the current situation, I'm afraid it's time to adjust the grain!"

Xia Zhen didn't take his father's words, and raised her hands firmly, "Everyone go back to rest first, and I will discuss with the general later."

"Yes, little general."

When the generals heard that they could rest, they all bowed and retreated. They were too tired and wished to rest.

"Gu Dun—"

"Little general, the last general is—"

"You bring someone on duty, so that everyone can sleep peacefully."

"Yes, little general."

"Wei Ren, Song Min stay here."

"Yes, General!"

It wasn't until dark that Ma Min'er waited until Xia Zhen returned to the tent, "Where's Fan'er?"

"Already asleep."

He took off his cold robe, washed his face and hands quickly, walked to the side of his son's crib, bowed his head and kissed his forehead, no matter how difficult the world was, how difficult the battle was, when he saw his son, his whole body would Become warm and light.

Ma Min'er took advantage of his teasing time with his son to serve hot meals and hot dishes, "I haven't eaten much all day."

Xia Zhen sighed contentedly, "I want my son to go to the new home of the Prince's Mansion in Beijun, Liangzhou to celebrate the New Year."

Hearing this, Ma Min'er understood the weight of the words, her eyes were full of encouragement, "I will definitely."

Xia Zhen sat down at the table, picked up the chopsticks, and picked up a piece for his daughter-in-law, "I'm starving to death, I'll eat first."

"Eat, why are you being polite at home." Ma Min'er laughed, sat down, and offered him some vegetables with her chopsticks. She hadn't eaten much all day, and he was really hungry. The rice was planed very quickly, and the bottom of the bowl was seen in a short while. , she quickly filled another bowl for him, "Slow down, don't be in a hurry, it's bad for your stomach if you're in a hurry."

"Well, I know." Xia Zhen said: "After eating, you go to bed first, I'm going to patrol the camp."

"Oh." Since arriving at the camp, the couple haven't slept together at night, but it seems that the camp can't be like this. Thinking of this, Ma Min'er laughed.

"What are you laughing at?" Xia Zhen asked his daughter-in-law while picking up some vegetables.

"I heard that the barracks can't have..."

Before Ma Min'er finished speaking, Xia Zhen interrupted her: "That's not the case."

Ma Min'er smiled: "Understood, then Fan'er and I will go to bed first, and you should also go to bed earlier."

"Ok, I know."

In addition to patrolling the camp, Xia Zhen also has to deal with various affairs in the army, such as logistics, supplies, and supplies. He has to worry about everything. When dealing with these matters, he must also take care of the mood of his father's soldiers. He cannot interfere with military affairs because of himself. Embarrass your father.

Alas, the bustling days in the capital city really made me squeamish, and I actually felt tired.

"Grandpa, do you want to go to rest?"

Xia Zhen shook her head, "Let me see what's going on with the supply of weapons?"

"Do you want someone from the logistics to come over?"

"Wait until I finish reading these."

"Yes, General!"

-

At the border of Yixiang, the old general Xia Shiyong was also feeling exhausted, but his eldest grandson had already joined his son, and he suddenly regained his strength, so he quickly mobilized people and asked the county magistrate of Pingding to collect food.

When Mo Huaien saw the old general's grain requisition order, he didn't hesitate at all. In one autumn, Xia's army hadn't transferred grain from Pingding once. The reason for this was that it could be used at the most critical time.

His Master Qian Liang said with a smile: "My lord, I heard that the eldest lady and young master are coming back from the capital?"

"Well." Hearing the news about his eldest daughter, Mo Huaien was both emotional and happy.

"My lord, the eldest son has been promoted from a civil official to a mansion in Yizhou Mansion. He is a seventh-rank official. He is at the same level as you in official position. In less than three years, he will be promoted to a state judge. That is a real sixth-rank official position."

Mo Huaien is also quite satisfied with his son's promotion in the official career, "Three years of experience is too short, and it is possible to be promoted again in five years."

Master Qian Liang said: "My lord, after all, the eldest lady is the head mother of the Ma family, so the Zhenbei General's Mansion should give me some face."

"The Xia family treats me well." Mo Huaien smiled again and again, "It's just that my son only got a third-class Jinshi, which always makes me a little regretful."

"My lord, the eldest son has a bright future with you and the eldest lady taking care of him."

"I hope." Withdrawing his thoughts, Mo Huaien hurriedly said: "Requisitioning food is a major event, I have to go to the camp in the northern suburbs to find General Wang."

-

After a day's work, Guo Daping used to tidy up the table and check the door frame. He didn't leave until everything was done. As the big shopkeeper of Pingding, he had his own entourage and assistant Xiaotong, but he was still used to doing these things by himself. .

Seeing that he was going back to Yunshui Town, the entourage had already gone to arrange the carriage, and Xiaotong also brought the shopkeeper's belongings bag, which contained the work or letters he had to deal with anytime and anywhere.

Among them was a letter, the envelope was frayed by the big shopkeeper. From this, it can be seen why the big shopkeeper is so excited and restless these days, yes, the boss is coming back.

"Big shopkeeper, I heard that the second shopkeeper is still in the capital, and he won't be back until next year. Why do you tell the old lady when you go back?"

Guo Daping looked in the direction of the capital, and said with a slight smile: "Erping is doing well in the capital, my mother is always at ease."

"But I always think about it."

"That's for sure." Guo Daping said as he went down the stairs.

Down the stairs, Shi Xiao'e was waiting in the courtyard. When she saw him, her expression was calm and somewhat different, but there was no interaction between lovers.

The same goes for Guo Daping, who calmly walked in front of her, looked at the sky, and said, "It looks like it's going to snow."

"I'm not going back."

Guo Daping seemed to have gotten used to her words, "What do you want to bring back?"

Shi Xiaoe raised her hand, holding a cloth bag in her hand, "Some odds and ends for my parents, younger brothers and sisters, please help me to give them."

This time, Guo Daping did not reach out to take it as usual, but looked at her, "Aren't you going back except for busy farming?"

Shi Xiaoe pursed her lips, but never looked at Guo Daping.

The attendant and Xiaotong looked at each other, and quietly left the yard. In the cold yard, only a young couple remained.

The atmosphere of silence was depressing, Guo Daping also pursed his lips, "Er Niang is coming back soon."

"Er Niang? Did you call Er Niang?" Shi Xiaoe, who was still calm just now, suddenly turned her head and shouted.

Guo Daping turned his eyes away.

"Hmph!" Shi Xiao'e sneered, turned around and left the yard with the cloth bag in hand.

Guo Daping grabbed her tightly.

Shi Xiao'e, who was pulled back, turned her head coldly: "What do you want to do?"

"I..." Guo Daping looked at her hand, "I'll take it back for you."

Shi Xiao'e was so angry that her heart heaved and she suppressed her temper: "Forget it, I'll find someone else to take it back." After speaking, she shook his hand, but no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't shake it off.

"I'm sorry, Xiao'e."

"You didn't feel sorry for me, but I overestimated my capabilities."

"Sorry……"

"Let go..." Shi Xiao'e didn't want to listen to these weak and hypocritical words, from 13 years old to 21, eight years, eight years, a heart from burning to ashes now, she had enough, she wanted to let herself go , she decided to let go.

Guo Daping still held her hand tightly, "I...yes...sorry for you."

Shi Xiao'e's ears couldn't hear the word 'sorry', she was selectively deaf, she was anxious to break free, unable to break free, she turned her head and bit the hand that was holding her.

"Hiss..." Guo Daping let go of his hand in pain, and lowered his head, traces of blood oozing from the bite.

Shi Xiaoe said coldly: "I didn't get married at the age of 20, and I became an old girl at the age of 21. I paid taxes for a year. This blood is my shame for paying taxes." After finishing speaking, she left without looking back.

"Xiao...Xiao'e..." Guo Daping, who was in a good mood just now, suddenly disappeared, looking at the figure who resolutely left at the gate of the courtyard, suddenly, his heart was very empty, very empty...

-

Xiao Lin's carriage stopped for a rest, and they entered a small tea house beside the official road, "Shopkeeper, can I borrow a pot and stove?"

"Guest officer, do you want to...?"

"It's past noon, we haven't had lunch yet, and I want to borrow the store's pot to cook."

"This..." The shopkeeper refused.

The top-notch manager shook his hand and threw a dime, "Two coins, how about it?"

"Okay." As I said earlier, two cents are two hundred coins, and a bowl of tea is only one penny, so you have to sell two hundred bowls of tea. The shopkeeper was so happy that he quickly turned around and shouted: "Mother, hurry up and get the best money in the house." Take out the dishes to entertain the guests."

"Come on, master."

The steward said: "Just take it out and help make a fire. We have someone to cook."

"Yes, my lord..." The shopkeeper knew that it was because they disliked the dishes they cooked.

Shu Yueru brought a girl and a woman into the small kitchen behind the small teahouse, and cooked meals by herself. Although she was born in an ordinary family, she was a young lady of a private school, but there was a woman in her family who took care of the meals, cooked dishes, She is not familiar with cooking.

But ever since she saw Ma Min'er taking care of her husband's meals, she understood that it's one thing for a servant to cook meals for her husband, but it's another thing for her to cook for her husband herself. She learned something from it, and on the one hand, she felt sorry for him , On the other hand, increase the intimacy with relatives.

Xiao Xiaoyu was about to follow, but was stopped by Xiao Lin, "Yu'er—"

"father--"

"Accompany Dad to see the scenery."

"Oh." Xiao Xiaoyu stood beside his father and looked around, "But father, is there nothing to see?"

"You look again?"

Xiao Xiaoyu looked around again, shook her head, "Father, Xiaoyu's eyes are clumsy, so I didn't see it."

Xiao Lin smiled, "Changqing—"

"Grandpa, the little one is here."

"Get out my paintbrush."

"Yes, sir."

Chang followed Changqing and hurriedly took out the easel brushes and set them up for his grandfather. Xiao Lin moved the rough wooden stool, sat down in front of the easel, splashed ink and brush, and sketched carefully. Half an hour later, the small room they were in The teahouse is vivid on the paper.

The vast field, the lonely official road, the simple small teahouse, the gray thatched roof, the surroundings are white due to the snow, and there is a small farmyard behind the teahouse, which is faintly visible in the white snow.

"Wow, Dad, it's so beautiful!" Xiao Xiaoyu couldn't help admiring.

The twins Xiao Ze and Xiao Xun also clapped their hands together, "I like the horses next to the thatched shed, they are tied to wooden stakes, as if they want to eat."

"Haha..." Xiao Lin couldn't help being happy when he heard his son comment on the horse he drew.

"Dad, isn't it right?"

Xiao Lin smiled without saying a word. At this moment, they are still young and don't understand horses in the wind and snow. They are thin but strong, and they are not afraid of the severe cold, but they are helplessly tied to the stakes, unable to run far away.

Looking at the pensive father, Xiao Xiaoyu thought for a while and asked, "Father, are you worried because you don't know where to go?"

"Uh..." He was taken aback when his daughter saw his intentions, "Xiaoyu, how did you see it?"

"I heard from father that the emperor sent you out on business. I think you should be in a hurry, but my daughter found that father doesn't seem to be in a hurry."

Xiao Lin nodded, "Xiaoyu, you are right, Dad is not in a hurry."

"Why?" Xiao Xiaoyu looked at the horse in the painting and said: "There are horses in the painting, but no people, but the horse is tied, which means there are still people in the painting, so where is the person who tied the horse? And who..."

"Who is it?" Xiao Lin asked with a smile.

"I saw the coachman tying the horse just now. The person who didn't appear in the painting must be him." Ozawa pointed to a few attendants who were turning the horse enclosure not far away, and they were feeding the horse fodder.

Xiao Lin shook his head: "This horse is equivalent to my father."

"Uh..." Xiao Xun asked in surprise, "Father, why do you want to be a horse?"

"Because... Daddy is sometimes a horse."

The three children looked at each other, they didn't understand, why did Dad compare himself to a horse?

One is a ten-year-old lady, and the two are six-year-old children. They don't understand, and they don't understand.

Xiao Xiaoyu suddenly raised her head: "Father, I know that the person who doesn't appear in the painting is the emperor!"

"Xiaoyu is right." Xiao Lin nodded, but she didn't expect her daughter to say it.

Xiao Xiaoyu sighed, "Father, I think I am a horse, and the nanny who taught me how to work is the one who didn't appear in the painting."

"That's right, Xiaoyu's metaphor is quite correct." Xiao Lin smiled.

"Father..." Xiao Xiaoyu lowered her head sheepishly.

Seeing her daughter's cleverness, Xiao Lin said with a smile: "Xiaoyu, in the future, I will not only study business, but also discover the beauty of thatched cottage."

"Father, my daughter understands." Xiao Xiaoyu bowed to her father like a little adult.

Xiao Lin raised his eyes and looked in the direction of the kitchen in the courtyard. His wife is fine, but he hopes his daughter will be better!

"Grand...Grand..." A guard jumped off the horse in a hurry, "Report to my lord, I have already found out, the king of Beijun has been fighting with the people of Liao and Jin for more than ten days."

"How's the war going?"

"Extremely intense."

Xiao Lin took a deep look into the distance: "Does that mean there is no winner?"

"Yes, sir."

The staff stood by and asked, "Master, we..." Are we going to the King of Beijun?
Xiao Lin frowned slightly: "How is Liangzhou City now?"

"Do you want to go to Liangzhou?"

Xiao Lin didn't say a word, which means he acquiesced.

"Master Hui, I'm afraid it's not easy to go to Liangzhou City."

"what for?"

"That road is Xixia and Mongolian people." The attendant who inquired about the news replied.

"Then we..." the staff thought for a while, "My lord, we are in the border of Yizhou now, why don't we go to Pingding, Pingding is the headquarters of the Zhenguo General's Mansion, and we can go there so we can report to the emperor."

"Your Majesty..." Xiao Lin narrowed his eyes.

-

After another three days of fighting in the Liao and Jin camps, there was still no further progress, "** Baba Lao* (swearing words), if this continues, the five counties we conquered will be taken back by Xia sooner or later."

Yelu Haorong glanced at him, "Brother Li, we don't have much food."

"Then grab it again."

"Brother Li, all the places that can be robbed have been robbed, and now the places where there is food are all surnamed Xia!" Yelu Haorong stared at Li Shenghao.

"You stare at me, is there a way?"

Yelu Haorong chuckled, and said modestly: "It's not a solution, it's just that there is no food, so we have to do it."

Li Shenghao also stared at him for a while, "Come on, let's discuss it."

"it is good."

(End of this chapter)