Sweep Yuan

Chapter 204 Potential Revealed Along the Way
Zhu Chongba had just won a battle, and there were too many things to do, such as counting casualties, collecting spoils of war, settling the wounded, and reorganizing the troops. He couldn't get away, so he could only follow Hua Yun's instructions and send the third team of soldiers to the dock to carry out the mission.

However, he remained cautious. After cleaning up the battlefield, he did not immediately lead his men away, but instead went to the woods ahead to wait for something.

His soldiers were puzzled, but Zhu Chongba did not explain. He simply squinted and looked toward the dock.

Before long, Hua Yun and Bian Yuanheng returned with the third team of soldiers, but with an additional group of men, women, and children being escorted—all of them travel-worn, looking tired, and speaking with what sounded like a Shandong accent.

Moreover, the weathered and weary faces of those elderly men were not something that ordinary merchants or refugees could possess.

Recognizing that the marshal was just a passerby from Yidu, Zhu Chongba keenly realized that these people were no ordinary individuals. He put on his usual honest smile and quickly approached Hua Yun, who was walking ahead, saying:

"Special Envoy! The Yuan dogs have been rampant lately. In less than a month, including today's battle, they have come to bite us for the fourth time! Although we have knocked out their teeth every time, the Yuan dogs have been burning, killing, and looting along the way. They are extremely vicious."

"A large group like this, I'm afraid it's difficult to protect you all. We just finished dealing with these Yuan dogs and are on our way back to Liyang City to report. Why don't we travel together and escort you for a while? More people will make the journey safer."

His words were partly true, and partly a little secret he couldn't tell anyone.

The Yuan army's raids on Hezhou were indeed frequent and brutal, attempting to destroy the Red Flag Battalion's foundation with scorched earth tactics, but they dared not go too deep, and each time they were repelled by Shao Rong's troops. This time, the entire army was wiped out.

Zhu Chongba pointed out the Yuan army's "rampant" and "burning and killing" not only to emphasize the dangers along the way and increase the legitimacy of his request for escort, but also to subtly showcase his "battle record" in front of Hua Yun and the others.

Upon hearing this, Hua Yun's dark and resolute face remained expressionless; he simply cast a questioning gaze at Zhou Wendao.

Zhou Wendao's gaze swept over the soldiers of the Sixth Battalion of the Fujun Guard, who, though exhausted, still maintained a disciplined formation. He then looked at the tired and weak relatives of the marshal beside him and nodded almost imperceptibly.

Hua Yun then turned to Zhu Chongba, her voice low and concise:
"Alright. Thank you for your help, Commander Zhu."

"Hey!"

Zhu Chongba grinned, straightened his back, and said in a loud voice:
"We are all working for the Marshal, and we dare not claim credit!"

He deliberately emphasized the phrase "serving the marshal," using a double entendre to both indicate that escorting the marshal's family was his duty and to subtly express his loyalty.

But these words were like fine needles, piercing the tense nerves of Hua Yun and Zhou Wendao.

This mission is far from over until we reach Hefei and hand all these people over to Marshal Shi safely. Zhou Wendao, Hua Yun, and Bian Yuanheng were already under great pressure along the way, and they were extremely wary of any attempts to inquire about the Marshal's family background.

Even if the other party is a soldier from the Red Flag Battalion, it won't work!
Hua Yun's dark face instantly darkened, his lips pressed tightly together, and his already sharp eyes now resembled icy blades, coldly fixed on Zhu Chongba's face. He was a head taller than Zhu Chongba, his imposing figure like an iron wall, exuding an overwhelming sense of oppression just by standing there.

The atmosphere, which had eased slightly because Zhu Chongba had led his team to escort them, instantly plummeted to freezing point, as if the air itself had solidified.

Zhu Chongba's smile froze instantly, a cold sweat broke out on his back, and he inwardly cried out, "Oh no!" wishing he could slap himself hard on the spot.

What a sensitive status it is for a marshal's relatives.

His own words, "I will serve the Marshal," seemed to express his loyalty, but to the special envoy, they could be interpreted as an attempt to curry favor and probe his secrets.

Oh no, this flattery has backfired! Not only has it failed to build goodwill, but it has also ruined the envoy's impression of me!
Zhu Chongba was filled with regret and fear. Fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead. He subconsciously lowered his eyelids, not daring to meet Hua Yun's cold gaze again. He felt that her gaze was as heavy as a thousand pounds, making it almost impossible for him to breathe.

He opened his mouth, wanting to offer some explanation to salvage the situation, but something seemed to be blocking his throat, and he couldn't utter a single word. He knew that any further explanation at this moment would only seem more deliberate and foolish.

Since things have come to this point, there's no point in saying more; silence is golden.

Zhu Chongba took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the distracting thoughts in his mind. With his head down and his steps slightly heavy, he retreated to the front of his own ranks, waving his hand to signal his subordinates to follow. He dared not utter another word of nonsense, focusing only on the path beneath his feet.

The atmosphere in the group suddenly became somber, with only the sounds of hurried footsteps and the rumble of carriages and horses.

The battlefield has been cleared, and the severed limbs and remains have been moved to the side of the road, where local militia will arrive later to dig pits and bury them to prevent the spread of disease.

But the blood and human tissue fragments scattered on the ground had already clung to the yellow soil and gravel, drifting in gusts of wind and assaulting everyone's nasal passages and nerves.

The women and children in the group had never seen such a scene of carnage.

Several young women, their faces ashen, covered their mouths and noses, suppressing the churning in their stomachs, and hurriedly turned their heads away, unable to bear watching any longer. Some children were even more terrified, trembling and clutching their mothers' clothes, burying their faces in their parents' arms, letting out muffled sobs.

"Don't be afraid! Don't be afraid!"

Shi Erhe's voice rang out at the right moment, carrying the roughness and composure unique to the sons of military households. He straightened his back, his gaze sweeping over the horrific marks, showing not fear but rather a sense of cathartic satisfaction.

"What war doesn't involve death? These are all Tartar soldiers who opposed Sanlang. The more they die, the better! Only when they're all dead will it be clean! Our Red Flag Battalion's men are here specifically to send them to meet the King of Hell!"

His words were simple and direct, yet they carried a simple sense of justice and power, slightly dispelling the shadow of fear that shrouded the hearts of his relatives.

As the column continued its march, the scars left by the Yuan army's raids became increasingly shocking.

Along the official road, the rice paddies that should have been thriving with a bountiful harvest were now lying flat on the ground in large swaths. The golden rice ears were trampled into the mud by horses' hooves and military boots, mixed with mud and bloodstains, exuding an aura of despair.

In some villages near the road, several thatched huts were burned down to charred ruins, with wisps of smoke still drifting over the rubble and the air filled with the acrid smell of burning wood.

What's even more heartbreaking is that you can occasionally see the remains of nameless farmers lying on the edge of the fields or by the irrigation ditches, some of them even with limbs missing, attracting swarms of flies buzzing around them.

These are irrefutable proofs of how small groups of elite Yuan cavalry have brazenly crossed the battle lines four times during this period to carry out rampant destruction and retaliatory killings.

Their goal was to destroy the morale and production base of the people under the Red Flag Battalion's rule, and to create panic.

However, the Fujunwei's response was swifter and more effective with each attack. Relying on its well-developed beacon tower early warning system, rapidly responding garrison troops, and fully mobilized local militia, all four invasions were repelled, resulting in heavy losses for the Yuan army.

This time, in particular, this elite force that dared to venture deep into enemy territory was finally caught by Zhu Chongba and his men, and ended up being completely wiped out.

These scars along the way silently testify to the enemy's brutality, and also demonstrate the strength of the Red Flag Battalion soldiers and civilians in their tenacious survival and counterattack under high pressure.

The people under the rule of the Red Flag Battalion were by no means lambs to be slaughtered.

The procession had been traveling for less than half an hour when a commotion suddenly broke out at the fork in the road ahead.

Six strong farmhands, carrying hoes, carrying poles and other farm tools, led four Yuan soldiers who were tightly bound with hemp ropes, and walked happily toward Zhu Chongba's entourage.

The leader of the farmhands was a dark-skinned man in his forties. Seeing Zhu Chongba's banner, his eyes lit up, and he shouted from afar:

"Sir! Sir, wait! We've captured a few escaped Tartar dogs!"

Zhu Chongba signaled the group to stop.

Byun Won-hyung watched the scene unfold with great interest.

Three soldiers, dressed slightly differently from ordinary soldiers, quickly stepped forward from the ranks to examine the physical characteristics and uniform insignia of the four prisoners. They also briefly inquired about how the farmhands discovered and captured the Yuan soldiers, confirming that the four were indeed fleeing Yuan soldiers.

One of them took out a hardcover notebook and charcoal pencil and asked and recorded in detail: the village or community to which the farmhands belonged, the names of the six people, the names of the captured prisoners, their approximate positions, and the weapons they carried.

After the record was completed, the three people signed their names and positions below the record and pressed their fingerprints.

After Zhu Chongba came over to verify that everything was correct, he also affixed his seal next to the record.

Immediately, the leader carefully tore the sheet of paper recording the merits into two unequal halves, along the center of Zhu Chongba's signature. He solemnly handed the main half to the head servant, while the other half was carefully kept by him.

The six farmhands, holding the half-sheet of paper that seemed light yet incredibly heavy, were all beaming with joy, as if they were holding a gold ingot. They bowed repeatedly to the three men and Zhu Chongba in thanks, then handed over the prisoner and returned to the village in high spirits, their journey filled with laughter and merriment.

Bian Yuanheng observed all of this with great astonishment. Approaching Zhu Chongba, whose expression seemed to have relaxed somewhat, he cupped his hands and asked:

"Commander Zhu, why are these villagers looking for you about what you did? And what is that torn piece of paper?"

Zhu Chongba was worried about not having a chance to salvage his image in front of the special envoys, but when Bian Yuanheng took the initiative to inquire and his attitude was friendly, he was immediately delighted. He quickly composed himself, organized his thoughts, and respectfully replied:
"Special Envoy, this is a policy personally decided by the Marshal, called the 'Capture the Thief to Pay Taxes Order'."

He paused, making sure Hua Yun and the others could hear him clearly, and continued:
"The Marshal has decreed: Any good citizen under the jurisdiction of my Red Flag Battalion who captures one Yuan dog soldier can be rewarded with two shi of grain for their household's annual tax; capturing one auxiliary soldier can be rewarded with five dou of grain; if only the head is captured, the merit will be calculated according to the standard for auxiliary soldiers."

If officers are among the prisoners, or if armor, fine horses, or superior weapons are captured, the rewards will be calculated separately and even more generous.

After a brief pause, seeing Bian Yuanheng's interest, Zhu Chongba added:

"When villagers capture Yuan Gou, they need to find our army's patrol team or station nearby. The accompanying military judge and the general in charge will jointly examine and verify the information and issue this 'merit certificate'. Two copies will be made, signed on the spot and then torn apart."

The villagers, holding the main document, could exchange it for a formal tax exemption deed stamped with the official seal at the county government office within half a month. This deed could then be used to offset taxes paid that year. Our military officers, however, needed to take the stub back and submit it to the sergeant for record-keeping and verification to prevent fraudulent claims.

Zhu Chongba explained in great detail, as if afraid that the special envoys might not understand.

Upon hearing this, Bian Yuanheng's eyes gleamed, and he solemnly bowed to Zhu Chongba.
"I see! Marshal's strategy is very insightful and far-sighted! Thank you, Commander Zhu, for clearing up my doubts!"

Seeing that the special envoy not only had a good attitude, but also that his words of praise for the marshal were heartfelt, Zhu Chongba finally felt much relieved. He quickly stepped aside to return the greeting, not daring to accept it fully, and humbly said:

"You're too kind, Special Envoy! This is the Marshal's benevolence; I, Chongba, am merely following protocol. Whatever your orders, Special Envoy, I will do my utmost to fulfill them without hesitation!"

Bian Yuanheng simply smiled and didn't continue with the pleasantries.

His mind was completely captivated by this seemingly simple system, which contained enormous power.

No wonder! No wonder those farmhands were so excited when they caught a few defeated soldiers, as if they had found gold ingots!
This system directly linked the war to eliminate the Yuan invaders with the vital interests of ordinary people! Two bushels of grain and five bushels of grain were real money that could lighten the burden on the shoulders of farmers who toiled in the fields.

If this continues, the martial spirit among the people will surely flourish. The military and civilians will be united, rejoicing at the prospect of war and sharing a common hatred for the enemy.

When the Yuan soldiers entered the territory of the Red Flag Camp, they were no longer just facing government troops, but were instead engulfed in a vast ocean of soldiers and civilians.

With such a solid foundation, how can we not destroy the Tartars? How can we not accomplish our great cause!

Immediately, a deeper sense of emotion welled up in Bian Yuanheng's heart.

The system itself is not particularly fancy or complicated; the principles are even quite simple to understand. What's difficult about it?
The difficulty lies in ensuring that the government has sufficient credibility and financial resources to fulfill this tax exemption promise year after year without any compromise.

The difficulty lies in ensuring that the army has iron discipline, so that soldiers dare not embezzle the credits of the villagers, let alone harm the people in exchange for rewards.

What's needed behind this is a clean and efficient bureaucracy, strict military regulations, and a deeply ingrained belief in justice.

"In this day and age, perhaps only under Marshal Shi's rule can this policy be truly implemented without hindrance and unleash its earth-shattering power..."

Bian Yuanheng sighed inwardly, increasingly convinced that his decision to politely decline Zhang Shicheng's offer and resolutely join Marshal Shi's service was the wisest choice of his life. He gazed at the fields on both sides of the road, gradually regaining their vitality, his eyes filled with anticipation for this new world and unwavering confidence in the future.

After a long day's journey, Liyang County finally appeared on the horizon.

The closer one gets to the city, the more vibrant the scenes along the road become. There are noticeably more villagers working in the fields, and although the rice harvest is nearing completion, the field management remains meticulous.

What's even more reassuring is seeing women carrying baskets to deliver meals to their husbands working in the fields, and even older children helping to gather firewood or look after their younger siblings on the edge of the fields.

Clearly, with the main force of the Fujun Guard stationed here, the outer defense line was solid, and with the severe crackdown on deserters and bandits, the danger of the local people being directly attacked by the Yuan army had been greatly reduced.

The tangible benefits of policies such as tax exemption and rewards for land reclamation have greatly stimulated farmers' enthusiasm for production.

Although the war has not gone away, hope and order have taken root tenaciously in this land.

Shao Rong, the commander of the Fujun Guard, had already been informed. He was an old acquaintance of Zhou Wendao and Hua Yun. Although it was the first time he had met Bian Yuanheng, Liao Yongzhong's battle report praised him highly.

Shao Rong hosted a simple yet warm welcome banquet, creating a harmonious atmosphere that allowed the exhausted marshal's family to catch their breath and relax their tense nerves.

The next morning, Shao Rong personally escorted Zhou Wendao and his party out of the west gate of Liyang.

He originally wanted to send more troops to escort them, but the Red Flag Battalion had a strict military system. Unless there was a special military situation or a formal order from the sergeant, the garrison troops were not allowed to move across the defense zone without authorization.

Although the token that Shishan gave to Huayun had high authority, it could only mobilize a maximum of two teams of soldiers to accompany and protect her.

Shao Rong had no choice but to follow the rules and select two elite teams, led by a seasoned and prudent deputy commander, to escort the marshal's family.

There was a more convenient waterway from Liyang to Hefei: first go to Chaoxian, take a naval transport ship, pass through Chaohu Lake, turn into Feishui River, and you can reach the city of Hefei directly.

But along the way, the group boarded the ship in Jiaodong and traveled thousands of miles, already having suffered enough from the storms at sea and the turbulence of inland rivers.

After leaving Liyang, the team first headed west, arriving at Hanshan County, and then turned northwest towards Hefei.

After passing Hanshan County, we truly entered the core control area of ​​Hongqiying.

The scenery here is different from that in Liyang. The traces of war have been almost completely erased, replaced by a vibrant and upward-looking vitality.

The roads have been repaired and are now smoother, and the ditches along the roads are clear. In the golden autumn, the vast fields are filled with rolling waves of golden rice, and the heavy ears of rice foreshadow the upcoming harvest.

The village was tidy, and the sounds of chickens and dogs could be heard everywhere.

The farmers working in the fields showed less fear and more composure.

The business travelers I encountered on the road also appeared to be walking steadily and looking at each other with a calm demeanor.

The group's journey was no longer as rushed as before. When they encountered large market towns, they would stop to rest for a while, allowing the marshal's relatives to stretch their muscles and the guards to take turns resting.

The group arrived at a rural market called "Daliushi". The market was quite large, and although it wasn't market day, it was still bustling with people. The most lively central area of ​​the market was surrounded by people, three or four layers deep, with shouts of praise and exclamations of amazement filling the air.

It turned out to be a storyteller with gray hair and beard, who was telling a story with great enthusiasm and vivid expression.

On the small table in front of him were a gavel, a folding fan, and a teapot. The most eye-catching thing was a sign standing next to the table, with several large characters written in thick ink: "Marshal Shi pacifies Luzhou in ten days."

Hua Yun was a rough man who wasn't very interested in listening to storytelling or watching plays, but the name "Marshal Shi" attracted him like a magnet.

He squeezed into the crowd and listened to only one part of the story before he was deeply captivated by the dramatic plot, the vivid character portrayals, and the storyteller's passionate performance.

Xu Da set fire to the Chaohu Water Fortress, and Marshal Shi captured Chaoxian in a single day; Feng Guosheng charged the enemy formation with five riders, and eighty riders pacified Lujiang; Zhao Bozhong acted as an inside agent, setting fire to and breaking through Shucheng; Chang Yuchun fought Liuanzhou three times, and killed Zhu Liangzu in battle; Wang Zongdao entered Hefei alone, and captured the fortified city with a few words...

In particular, when the marshal was talking about issuing a proclamation to reassure the people, rectifying official corruption, and opening granaries to distribute grain, the surrounding people burst into heartfelt cheers and applause, and the atmosphere reached its peak.

Hua Yun's focus is different from that of ordinary people.

Without a doubt, the wise and capable Marshal Shi is the undisputed protagonist of today's storytelling. However, the civil and military officials under the Marshal, though supporting characters, are all vivid and have left their own legends.

Will he one day become a supporting character in the storyteller's tales and leave behind his own legend?
Hua Yun was so engrossed in listening that she didn't even notice Bian Yuanheng leading his son Bian Cunli, who had just bought sugar figurines, over to urge them to leave.

It wasn't until Bian Yuanheng patted him on the shoulder that he snapped out of his daze, his face still flushed with lingering excitement.

"Brother Hua, it's time to go."

Bian Yuanheng laughed, finding Hua Yun's infatuated expression quite amusing.

Hua Yun glanced longingly at the storyteller who was engrossed in his narration one last time before following Bian Yuanheng out of the crowd, turning back every few steps.

"This book is so well written! It warms the heart!"

Hua Yun smacked her lips, savoring the memory.

Bian Yuanheng had long recognized the familiar tone in the storybook's simple yet subtly witty style. Seeing Hua Yun's fascination, he smiled and said:

"Brother Hua, don't worry. When we get back to Hefei, I'll ask the author of this storybook for a copy signed by him. How about that? I guarantee it'll be more complete and more exciting than the ones sold in the market!"

He pointed to a crudely printed comic book in the market vendor's hand, also titled "Marshal Shi Conquers Luzhou in Ten Months," ten copper coins a book, a set of six. Hua Yun had already bought a set and tucked it into his pocket, but unfortunately, he knew too few characters. Looking at the pictures was fine for entertainment, but reading the words left him completely lost. Listening to the story was much more enjoyable.

Hua Yun was taken aback when she heard this. She thought to herself, Bian Yuanheng had never been under the jurisdiction of the Red Flag Battalion before. How could he know an author that she herself did not recognize?
But then he remembered that Bian Yuanheng's cousin, Shi Nai'an, was in charge of the Xuan Cao. He and Zhou Wendao had only managed to persuade Bian Yuanheng to come out of seclusion by carrying a personal letter from Shi Nai'an.

Perhaps these stories and comic books that inspire the people were written by Xuan Cao, or even personally edited or approved by Master Shi!
Hua Yun immediately became excited, and forcefully patted Bian Yuanheng's shoulder with her large, fan-like hand:

"Oh dear! How could I forget Master Shi? Alright! Brother Bian, when we get back to Hefei, I'll treat you to a drink!"

After a nine-day trek, Zhou Wendao and his group finally caught sight of the magnificent outline of Hefei's city walls.

Even though they had anticipated it, Hua Yun and Marshal Shi's relatives, who were seeing such a magnificent city for the first time, were still deeply shocked when they saw this "giant city" that was 26 miles in circumference, about 30 feet high, surrounded by a wide moat, and equipped with seven majestic city gates and two water gates.

The flags on the city wall were bright, and the figures of armored soldiers could be vaguely seen behind the crenellations, exuding a solemn and majestic aura.

Looking up at the city tower, which appeared exceptionally majestic under the clear autumn sky, Hua Yun couldn't help but exclaim in a low voice:
"Such a magnificent city, yet the Marshal was able to capture it without losing a single soldier. The Marshal is truly a divine being!"

The legendary story of Shishan sending Wang Zongdao to cleverly capture Hefei further inspired Hua Yun's ambition to achieve great things.

Bian Yuanheng's eyes also gleamed with a strange light, and his evaluation of Marshal Shi's strategies and methods rose even higher.

The sights within the city were breathtaking for first-time visitors. The streets were wide and smooth, lined with shops, wine flags fluttering in the breeze, and the cries of vendors rising and falling. While the streets weren't exactly packed with people, peddlers, merchants, artisans, farmers, and all sorts of people moved about, creating a lively and bustling scene.

Although the marshal was leading the main force on a campaign abroad, the city defense soldiers could be seen patrolling the streets and alleys from time to time, with their neat steps and sharp-eyed members of the Embroidered Uniform Guard appearing, adding a touch of solemnity and tension to this bustling scene, which was typical of a major war.

Overall, however, the city remained well-organized and vibrant, demonstrating remarkable resilience and profound war potential.

The procession passed through the bustling streets and arrived at the Marshal's Mansion, located in the center of the city and converted from the former Luzhou Road General Administration Office. Two rows of spirited guards were already standing in front of the mansion.

Although the mistress Liu Ruoyun was more than six months pregnant and quite visibly so, making it somewhat difficult for her to move around, she still insisted on personally greeting everyone at the gate of the mansion.

Today, when she met her husband's relatives from his hometown, she dressed simply, wearing a lotus-colored cross-collar ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress), with a matching half-sleeved garment embroidered with lotus patterns over it. Her black hair was neatly styled, with only a single, warm jade hairpin in her hair.

Liu Ruoyun's face was slightly fuller due to her pregnancy, but this did not diminish her dignified beauty; on the contrary, it added a touch of gentle radiance.

Especially her calm, clear, and deep eyes, which swept over everyone with a gentle yet dignified scrutiny, were the natural demeanor of a matriarch that she had cultivated over the past six months of managing the inner quarters of the Marshal's Mansion and coordinating affairs with all parties.

Upon seeing Shi Erhe and the others, Liu Ruoyun's face blossomed into a sincere and warm smile. She slightly curtsied, offering a deep bow, her voice clear and gentle, conveying just the right amount of closeness and respect.

"My dear elders, you have had a long and arduous journey! I am pregnant and unable to greet you from afar, I apologize for that! My husband is away on a campaign, and before he left, he repeatedly instructed me to take good care of my eldest sister, second uncle, sixth uncle, and all our relatives and friends. The house has been cleaned and prepared, and we have been waiting for you for a long time."

When Shi Erhe and the others suddenly saw the Marshal's wife, who was so elegant and graceful, and heard her speak so humbly and considerately, and address her with the utmost courtesy, they were both moved and somewhat awkward and reserved.

Shi Erhe rubbed his hands together, opened his mouth, and for a moment did not know how to respond to the words of this noble lady. He felt that the demeanor of this sister-in-law was so imposing that she would trample even the most pampered Lady Yuan of Dongzhangying in their hometown into the mud.

Liu Ruoyun, being perceptive, immediately noticed the awkwardness of her relatives. Her smile grew even warmer and more friendly as she changed her tone, saying:
"Please come into the mansion to rest. Your husband has already made arrangements for your residences. When he returns in triumph, he will personally select and arrange accommodations for all of you, ensuring that you live comfortably and contentedly."

"For now, please make do with yourselves in the guest courtyard in the west wing of the mansion. I have had the rooms carefully prepared, and all the bedding and curtains are new items that I personally selected and arranged. I hope you will not find them too simple."

Her words not only expressed Shi Shan's concern, explained the current expedient measures, but also emphasized the thoughtfulness of her arrangements. Her sincerity and courtesy instantly dispelled the unease of Shi Erhe and the others.

The eldest sister from Shishan had never seen such a scene before. Overwhelmed with emotion, her eyes instantly filled with tears, and she repeatedly said:
"Not at all, not at all! Sister-in-law... we are so grateful for your kindness..."

Just as the relatives were about to express their affection, suddenly, a rapid sound of hooves, like a sudden downpour, came from afar. A messenger, covered in dust and with three red feathers stuck in his back, came galloping from the end of the long street like an arrow released from a bow!

"Good news! Good news!"

The messenger's voice arrived before the messenger did!
The joyous announcement of victory, like a thunderclap, rolled across the street, instantly drawing everyone's attention.

"The Marshal has decisively defeated 100,000 Tartar troops! Xuzhou City is now secure! A great victory!!!"

(End of this chapter)