Ma Erniang's Splendid Pastoral

Chapter 274
Ma Min'er originally wanted to go back to her tent to take her son to sleep, but after thinking about it, she was worried and found Zhang Nianmei, "Brother, have you eaten yet?"

"I just think of me now, wait for you to ask, I'm not hungry yet." Zhang Nianmei seems to be used to being neglected by her old sister for a long time, but when she finds an opportunity, she still can't help but behave nicely and try to please her.

Ma Min'er smiled embarrassedly, "Is it my sister's fault? Next time, ask earlier and take the initiative."

"It's about the same." Zhang Nianmei regained her mental balance and asked, "It's very cold at night, why are you out?"

"The general and the young general drank some wine and fell asleep. I am afraid that there will be some hostility, so I ask brother Zhang to lead the soldiers to be more vigilant, lest they sneak attack."

"I know, I'll be careful, take Fan'er to sleep quickly." Zhang Nianmei glanced into the dark distance almost invisible.

Ma Min'er was so cold that she clapped her hands: "Brother, it's cold at night, let's make more fires."

"Yeah. I know, thanks my sister."

The night is quiet and hesitant, the moonlight is so cold, and the night sky is more deep and blue against the white land, which makes people feel the loneliness and desolation of winter night.

A few stars danced in the distance, the winter night was dark and long, and the howling wind sounded like people were crying, which made people tremble.

When Ma Min'er returned to the tent, Lan Ruo and Lan Xi had settled down with their son, and she asked softly, "Are you asleep?"

Lan Ruo and Lan Xi nodded in unison, bowed to her, and exited the tent.

Ma Min'er stood by the charcoal brazier to dry off, washed again, went to bed, and fell asleep with her son in her arms.

Seeing that her master had fallen asleep, Shan Xiaodan helped her shake off the quilt, took off her clothes lightly, slept on a small bed not far away, and fell asleep too, leaving only a small copper lamp, the light was quietly in the air Burning, showing the tranquility of the night.

Zhang Nianmei donned a big knife at her waist. After patrolling the camp, she entered the camp on duty to rest for a while. Seeing Wei Ren, she said, "Still busy?"

Wei Ren nodded: "There's a letter from the old general. The situation there is fine. A batch of grain will be shipped over."

"That's great." Zhang Nianmei smiled.

Wei Ren is not optimistic, "This means we will celebrate the New Year here, okay?"

"It's better than having nothing to eat." Zhang Nianmei didn't take it seriously, since he came back from the capital, he knew that this year would be difficult.

"But the little general wants to go to the Prince's Mansion in Chengqin County of Liangzhou to celebrate the New Year."

"Of course it would be better."

Wei Ren paused and asked, "How is it outside?"

"If it weren't for the enemy's powerful cavalry, we would have defeated them long ago, and we are still waiting for them to show off."

"I asked..." Wei Ren pointed.

Zhang Nianmei shook her head: "It will be midnight soon, and there is no news yet."

"Oh." Wei Ren lowered his head, "I'll be fine soon, I'm going back to sleep..."

Before the word '了' was uttered, a scout ran in at the entrance of the tent, "General Zhang, you're right, right..."

"Who did you meet?" Zhang Nianmei, who had just been sitting under the lamp with her eyes closed, stood up and opened her mouth to ask.

"It seems to be the crown prince of the Jin Kingdom."

"We really guessed it. Sure enough, someone couldn't help but want to act alone. I didn't expect it to be a golden man. Let's go, let's support General Gao."

"Yes, General Zhang..."

The golden crown prince, Yelu Haorong, did not expect to be stopped by the army of the Great Wei Dynasty on the way, and he cursed the Wei people for being treacherous, "Beat me, beat me hard."

"Yes, Your Highness..."

Hearing the sound of killing in front, Jin Luya secretly thought something was wrong, and hurriedly sent someone to support the Third Prince of Liao. Half an hour later, the person who reported the letter came back, "Ma'am, something is wrong. The Liao people also encountered Wei Jun, and they can't take care of themselves."

"How could this happen?" Jin Luya immediately understood, she thought Wei Jun was tired, and Wei Jun also thought they were tired, but she didn't expect that the other party was one step ahead of them, "You go to check again and see how Liao Jun is doing?"

"Yes...it's madam!" The messenger bit the bullet and went to inquire again.

The two generals Gao and Wang split up to attack the people of Liao and Jin. General Gao did not expect to meet Prince Jin on the way. At first, he didn't understand. After fighting for a while, he understood. It was the same as himself. Thinking of meeting opponents at chess, but... when he hit the third o'clock in the morning, Ming Jin suddenly withdrew his troops, turned around and went back to the barracks.

The golden man wanted to catch up, but was stopped by the golden crown prince Yelu Haorong, "Be careful of the trick to divert the tiger away from the mountain, and hurry back to the camp."

"Yes, Your Highness.!"

When Prince Jin hurried back to the camp, Jin Luya stood at the gate of the camp, "Your Highness, the people of Wei also attacked the Third Prince of Liao."

"**Old** (swearing words), fortunately, I listened to your words tonight, madam, and went to sneak attack, otherwise, wouldn't we be passive."

Jin Luya thought he was going to blame him for coming up with ideas, but he met the Wei people on the way, but he didn't expect him to be lucky, so that's good, she smiled slightly, "Your Highness, the Liao people have suffered more losses than us."

"If we stay in the big camp, we will definitely suffer a lot of losses. Fortunately..." Prince Yelu Haorong frowned, "When will the reinforcements arrive?"

The military adviser took a step forward, cupped his hands and replied, "Return to Your Highness, I heard that the Jin Kingdom army in Liangzhou City is short of manpower, only 2000 troops were given."

"How is two thousand enough?"

The military adviser asked: "Do you think you want to ask the king to send troops?"

Golden Crown Prince Yelu Haorong pursed his lips, thought for a while and said, "Then you should submit it in my name."

"Yes, Your Highness." The military adviser finally heard that he agreed, and hurriedly went to make a submission.

-

At dawn, the Liao army cleaned up the camp and found that their camp had suffered a lot of losses, "My lord—"

"How about the golden prince?"

"Their camp was not damaged."

The rugged third king of Liao's leopard eyes protruded, "What's going on?"

"I heard that Prince Jin is going to attack the Wei people."

Why didn't you tell me about the sneak attack on Wei people?The face of Third Prince Liao was so cloudy that he could drip water instantly.

-

When Xia Zhen woke up, his subordinate officers were already waiting for him in the command tent. He quickly wiped his face and entered the command tent without even eating breakfast, "How was last night?"

"Back to the lord, in the middle of the night, the environment is similar to the three parties, and the losses of all parties are similar, but fortunately we went to sneak attack last night. The golden prince and his people have traveled thirty miles and are coming towards my camp. Sneak attack.

"Where are the Liao people?" Xia Zhen focused on this.

Wei Ren smiled softly: "Master Hui, General Gao met Jin Ren on the way, and General Wang hit the Liao army camp..."

Xia Zhen frowned: "What do you mean, Jin Liao didn't attack us together?"

"Yes, my lord." Wei Ren said, "Young one, someone asked me specifically just now, "The Third Prince of Liao was very worried about why the Jinren met Wei Jun on the way, and I'm afraid it made them feel idle. "

"Well born." Xia Zetao was extremely happy, "As long as they are born free, even if they have cavalry, they will not be our opponents."

Xia Zhen said: "Find someone to investigate."

"Yes, little general." The steward who reported the matter hurried out, and he was going to step forward to convey the order.

-

The general guarding the North Daying Camp in Pingding County was also surnamed Wang. He sent 2000 people to escort the grain. Unexpectedly, there was an imperial envoy who followed the grain: "Xiao...Master Xiao...has left the border of Yizhou, and there is no peace everywhere. I think it's better for you to stay here and receive messages with Master Mo."

Xiao Lin hooked his lips and smiled slowly: "General Wang, it's not that I'm going to an uneasy place, but the emperor's order!"

General Wang looked at the children of the aristocratic family in the capital, and said that he was on an imperial mission, but he brought his family with him. What did he take the emperor's order for?make a sightseeing tour?Hey, that's right, for the children of these aristocratic families, isn't it just traveling around the mountains and rivers!

Forget it, it's the place where you insist on going to fight, the swords and guns have no eyes, don't blame me for not reminding you, General Wang cupped his hands and said: "Then trouble Master Xiao to transport food with my escort."

Xiao Lin raised his hand: "General Wang is polite."

General Wang personally sent the people to the gate of Pingding City. Just as he was about to turn around, Guo Daping ran over panting, "General Wang, please wait..."

"Master Guo—" General Wang raised his hand.

"General Wang, I just received a letter from the princess yesterday, asking us to transport a batch of cotton, linen and other daily necessities. I packed them up overnight yesterday, please help me take them there." Guo Daping clasped his hands and looked behind him, twenty or thirty A large carriage, full of goods.

General Wang looked at Xiao Lin who turned back.

Xiao Lin asked with a smile, "Are you the manager of Anlong Trading Company?"

"Yes, my lord." Guo Daping is very familiar with Pingding, and he is also familiar with Wang Cong, the general who stayed behind in Pingding. After all, he took care of the concubine when she left, but he didn't know this handsome noble son, so he presumably called out. Sir.

Xiao Lin looked at the supplies behind him, "Is there a list?"

Guo Daping glanced at General Wang, saw him beckon, and quickly handed him the list.

Xiao Lin took a quick glance and saw that there were all kinds of daily necessities such as cotton, cloth, medicinal materials, and even Ma Erniang. It seemed that this battle would take a long time, but he raised his eyes and said with a smile: "It will be ready in one night." With so many materials, the capabilities of Anlong Trading Company are really good."

Guo Daping smiled modestly. In fact, when he heard that Erniang was coming back, he had already started stockpiling, but he didn't expect that before Erniang came back, he waited for a letter from Xiaoyou, saying that there was a shortage of supplies in the place where the war was fought. Hearing that the county magistrate was collecting grain, he immediately inquired about the delivery time, and hurriedly prepared the supplies.

As for saying to General Wang just now that 'received a letter from the concubine', that was an excuse. Erniang never wrote him a letter at all, and Xiao You wrote the letter, and Xiao You also told them about their itinerary and asked about some business matters. .

Erniang... Erniang is afraid that she has forgotten herself?Guo Daping was sad, but not sad. In his life, it was enough for him to have someone to think about and miss.

-

The old general Xia Shiyong already knew the situation of his son and grandson. There was a small battle in three days, and a big battle in five days. Don’t give up until you reach your goal!”

"Old general, there are not many opportunities for the Liao, Jin, Xixia, and Mongols to join forces. They also took advantage of the opportunity of joining forces to enter our Great Wei Dynasty!"

"Yeah..." Xia Shiyong is older than the previous few years, his hair is almost white, and his waist is a little rickety, he smiled helplessly, "I still want to wait for the New Year to see the great-grandson, Now I'm afraid it's..."

The aide asked: "Old general, do you want to transfer more people to support the big and small generals?"

"Tune again?" Xia Shiyong shook his head, "Tune again, and it will be dangerous to calm down. I won't take the risk unless it's absolutely impossible."

The staff wanted to say something else, but there was an attendant behind him: "Old general, the imperial envoy sent by the emperor came with our food delivery team."

Xia Shiyong turned around and looked back. General Wang had already sent a letter telling him to come, and he was already mentally prepared, but when he really saw Xiao Lin, he was still shocked by the other's majestic figure.

He often fought wars, and it was rare to see a handsome and handsome young man. His eldest grandson was already the best among young people. It was surprising that he could stand shoulder to shoulder with his eldest grandson.

"In my younger life, Zilin has met the old general, so please greet the old general!" Xiao Lin stepped forward to salute respectfully, and bowed to the ground.

"Exemption...Exemption..." Xia Shiyong stepped forward to support him with both hands, so polite and solemn, on the one hand, he was sent by the emperor, on the other hand, he saw the eldest grandson from this young man, who fit him eyes.

"Old general, Zilin took the liberty to come here and interrupt you."

"Master Xiao said that, it's too late for the old man to welcome you, come on, it's cold outside, please sit inside the tent."

Xiao Zilin smiled brightly, "Old General, please wait a moment, this junior has brought his family members, let them give you a salute."

Xia Shiyong looked behind Xiao Lin, "It's freezing cold, and the north is desolate, why did you bring such a small child here?"

"It is better to travel thousands of miles than to read a thousand volumes of books. Let them see the scenery of the Northern Kingdom that my Great Wei Dynasty praised widely, which is also a kind of teaching for them."

"Okay, well said." Xia Shiyong nodded appreciatively, "Master Xiao is really far-sighted, I admire you."

"The old general praised you absurdly. Compared with the blood you shed for the northern border, Zilin is not worth mentioning at all."

"There are not many young people like you now!" Xia Shiyong said with emotion. Three years ago, most of the young people he saw in the capital were drunk and dreamy in the feasting, and there were not many sober like him. up.

Xia Shiyong invited Xiao Lin's family into the tent, and after drinking a cup of tea together, he said: "I will ask the logistics to prepare lunch for you, please sit down for a while, don't worry, when the time comes, I will ask someone to bring your lunch Bring it in, I'll go do some business first."

Xiao Lin stood up and saluted, "The old general is too polite, you can be busy, if there is anything you need from me, please speak up."

"Okay." Xia Shiyong smiled and walked out of the tent.

After leaving the tent, he came to the granary, and said to the school captain who was escorting the grain: "Leave a quarter, and the remaining three quarters will go on the road after eating in the afternoon, and send it to the general's camp before the Chinese New Year."

"Yes, old general!" The lieutenant who was escorting the food cupped his hands, "The subordinate will go to eat immediately. After eating, he will go on the road immediately."

Xia Shiyong nodded, "Thank you, all the soldiers."

"This is what we should do for the old general and the Great Wei Dynasty."

-

Inside the tent, Xiao Xun, Xiao Ze and others felt a little cold, but the fresh and different environment made them excited and made them forget the cold, "Father, is this the general camp for war?"

"Ah."

Xiao Xun said: "It's not as solemn as father said!"

Xiao Lin shook his head, "That's because we didn't see its solemn moment."

"Then when is it solemn?"

"When forming an array to kill the enemy."

"Oh."

The six-year-old twins couldn't imagine what it would be like to kill an enemy. Although they had encountered assassination and a small group of enemies intercepting food, it seemed that they could not connect the battlefield with the tent.

Just when Xiao Lin wanted to explain with the right words, his hidden guard came in and whispered in his ear, "The grain escort team is about to set off again."

Shocked, Xiao Lin immediately stood up and walked back and forth in the tent. He was considering whether to follow, but when he saw his children, he hesitated impulsively.

"Father, what are you thinking?" Ozawa saw his father keep turning around.

Xiao Lin was dull and did not answer.

After a while, the dark guard came in again and whispered in his ear, "The carriage has already been pulled on the road, and we are about to leave soon."

Xiao Lin raised his eyes.

-

Goose-feather-like heavy snow is falling one after another, the ground is covered with snow, thick and soft, and the newly repaired houses are also covered with snow, white, loose and soft, and the trees are covered with snow , The snow bent the branches.

The wind is sharper than before, sending bursts of bitter cold wind, which completely makes people feel the fierceness of the Northland. Silver-gray clouds are galloping in the sky, the cold current is rolling, and another heavy snow is brewing, that It's cold, it makes people have a sore nose and headache, and their feet are like two pieces of ice.

Fu Xiaoyou asked a blacksmith in the army to build a simple fireplace, and installed it in the rooms of the wounded and sick, and finally brought a fireplace to his wife's small house.After the charcoal fire was finished, he quickly asked the young lady to take the child to the fireplace.

"Are there all the wounded and sick?"

"Young Madam, don't worry, there are all of them. Even ordinary soldiers can get a charcoal brazier to warm up."

"That's good." Ma Min'er was so cold that her hands were shaking, and she hugged her son to keep warm. She didn't expect that the little guy was better than herself, and could resist the cold so much.

"Yeah..." Xiao Fan'er felt that the fireplace was very novel, and pointed with her little finger, wanting to touch it.

"Hey, my little ancestor, you can't play with this." Ma Min'er reached out and wrapped her son's little hand, "Let's play with building blocks, shall we?"

Xiao Fanfan seemed to be no longer interested in building blocks, and pursed his mouth to express his dissatisfaction.

Ma Min'er was worried about Xia Zhen who was fighting outside the city. Her son was dissatisfied and couldn't be coaxed, so she asked Lan Ruo to spread a carpet on the floor and put her son on it to play with building blocks.

Seeing that it was useless to act like a baby, Xiao Fanfan stopped pouting, took a building block in his hand, crawled all over the carpet, entertained himself, and was quite happy.Ju Huang teased him to climb with a pull-a-wave drum, his little movements were quick, and the climb became even more enjoyable.

Seeing that her son was no longer clingy, Ma Min'er hurriedly took care of the housework, "The Chinese New Year is only five days away, how are the preparations for the New Year's Eve dinner at the camp?"

Shan Xiaodan replied: "There are not many ingredients. I have prepared, but not many."

It's really worrying, Ma Min'er thought for a while, "Let Xing'er call Mr. Wei over."

"Xing..." Shan Xiaodan didn't prevent the young lady from yelling, "I...can I go?" She knew that Xing'er was avoiding Mr. Wei.

"Xing'er knows all about the account of our supplies. I asked them to come here to calculate with them how to eat so that the New Year's Eve dinner will be sumptuous."

"Oh." Shan Xiaodan smiled embarrassedly, turned and went out.

(End of this chapter)