Tianbao is in its fourth year, February 27th.
Zhou Jun, who was riding on the horse, glanced behind him.
On the frost-covered wasteland, Shuofang's army, carrying prisoners and baggage, was winding endlessly, with no end in sight.
He looked around him again, and saw that all the members of the Supervisory Army Corps had happy faces.
Firstly, we finally left that bitter and cold place, and the day of returning to Chang'an was just around the corner; secondly, eleven Turkic tribes were captured, and everyone got a lot of "native products", so this trip was considered worthwhile.
Lowering his head, Zhou Jun remembered what Fan Jinian said to him yesterday.
"Our family has sent the document asking for merit to Chang'an. The saint must have read it. Don't worry, Erlang. For such a great contribution, there will definitely be countless rewards."
I set off from Chang'an in August, and now it's February.
Half a year has passed, and after experiencing various events such as being attacked, going on an envoy, and the Northern Expedition, Zhou Jun thought back on his trip to Mobei and felt as if he had lived a lifetime ago.
"History of Zhou Ling."
A call not far away interrupted Zhou Jun's thoughts, causing him to turn his head and look.
I saw Sun Aying running up panting, taking out a stack of documents from his arms and handing them to Zhou Jun.
The latter took the document, read it over, and found that it was today's prisoner and official register.
Sun Aying took a breath, walked beside Zhou Jun, and said: "We broke camp this morning to take stock, and captured ninety-three people, including sixty-four men and twenty-nine women."
Looking at the names and descriptions of the dead prisoners on the Kan book, Zhou Jun nodded expressionlessly and said, "I understand."
The tone was so calm that Zhou Jun himself was a little surprised after hearing it.
Thinking back to when he first came to the Tang Dynasty, Zhou Jun only had thoughts about his past life, and his words and deeds seemed incompatible with the surrounding environment.
When he meets homeless people in the slave market, he will give them everything he has, just because he has kind thoughts in his heart.
When the road was rough, he could not hold back any bias in his heart and habitually followed the professional ethics of a police officer in his previous life.
However, in less than a year, Zhou Jun, who had experienced many things, the memories and principles of his previous life gradually faded away.
His understanding of people, things, and the word value has unknowingly changed slightly.
Seeing that Zhou Jun was lost in thought, Sun Aying said softly: "Zhou Lingshi."
Zhou Jun reacted, took the prisoner Kan Ce into his arms, and said to Sun Aying: "Aying, in a few days, when we arrive at Qikou Camp, I will return to Chang'an with the supervisory army."
After hearing this, Sun Aying pursed her lips and looked sad.
Zhou Jun looked at the young soldier Shuo Fang in front of him and said, "I brought a lot of books and documents with me on this trip north. Before I return to Chang'an, I plan to give them all to you."
Sun Aying was stunned and raised his head to look at Zhou Jun.
The latter said: "I know you like reading. Rather than letting me take those books back to Chang'an, it's better to keep them for you."
Sun Aying quickly lowered his head, wiped his eyes with his sleeves, and just nodded.
Zhou Jun looked at the other party and said with a smile: "Without learning, you can't expand your talents, and without ambition, you can't learn. Diligent study is the right way for a man, so why should he act like a girl?"
After hearing this, Sun Aying sang a song to Zhou Jun and just said: "Thank you, Zhou Lingshi, for your teaching."
Zhou Jun looked at Sun Aying and softened his tone: "Don't forget to make history, just call me Erlang. I am returning to Chang'an on this trip, and it's not like I won't come to Shuofang in this life. Maybe we will see you again in a few days."
Sun Aying nodded and said Erlang.
Although the journey home is long, the days are short.
In early March, Zhou Jun followed Shuofang's army and returned to Qikou Camp.
At the farewell banquet of the military supervisor, Zhou Jun was slightly tipsy. Li Guangbi came to him quietly and asked, "Will Shi Ling stay in Shuofang?"
Zhou Jun looked at Li Guangbi and saw that his face was full of sincerity and his eyes were filled with hope.
Zhou Jun put down his wine glass and asked Li Guangbi with a smile: "But Wang Duhu sent you to be a lobbyist?"
Li Guangbi nodded first, and then said: "Guangbi did accept the duty of the Protector, but in his heart, he also had the same idea as the Protector."
"Although Chang'an is good, officials in the capital are like crucian carp crossing the river. There is no way to get promotion."
"If Shi is ordered to stay in Shuofang and the army has made great contributions, it will be easy to find a governor in less than three years."
Zhou Jun looked at Li Guangbi, first raised his hands and said, "Jun thanked the governor for his kindness, and since he broke into Shuofang, he has been treated with great courtesy by everyone in the army. Jun is deeply impressed."
Li Guangbi's face was filled with joy: "So, Zhou Lingshi agreed to stay?"
Zhou Jun smiled and shook his head and said, "Let me hear what I have to say first. That day, General Li talked about the shortage of food and wages, and I went back and thought about it."
Li Guangbi was stunned, a little confused as to why Zhou Jun suddenly brought up the matter of food and salary.
Zhou Jun added: "Among the three methods of allocating taxes, cultivating land, and mutual trading, a certain person actually has an idea to make money for the last method."
Li Guangbi: "Zhou Lingshi has a way to make Shuofang's army benefit from mutual trade?"
Zhou Jun nodded and said: "Yes, but it's just an idea at the moment. I'm afraid it will be difficult to implement."
Li Guangbi knew that Zhou Jun never told lies. Since he said there was a way, there must be a way.
Thinking of this, Li Guangbi opened his eyes wide, couldn't help but hold Zhou Jun's wrist, and said excitedly: "If Shi can solve the problem of food and salary, and Shuofang's army is driven away, it will not be easy, even if we have to go up the mountain of swords and the sea of fire.
No hesitation!"
Zhou Jun opened Li Guangbi's hand without leaving a trace, rubbed his sore wrist, and said with a smile: "General Li's words are serious. I have returned to Chang'an this time to prepare goods for mutual trade. Then Shuofang's army will only be responsible for escorting him."
Just open the market."
After hearing this, Li Guangbi nodded hurriedly and said: "But if there is any need, I will just give you orders."
After the farewell banquet, Zhou Jun followed Fan Jianjun's team and headed south.
By the end of March, the group finally saw the outline of Chang'an City.
came back!
Finally returned to Chang'an!
Zhou Jun, whose face was dusty and his clothes were stained, saw the majestic capital city standing on the ground in the distance. For a moment, his heart surged and his eyes became moist.
The team arrived at the Golden Light Gate, and Fan Jinian tremblingly stepped out of the carriage. Under the gaze of the people around him, he choked and touched the bricks of the city gate.
Zhou Jun could understand his mood, but it was not a good thing to stay at the city gate like this and attract other people's attention.
After finally coaxing Fan Jinian back to the carriage, Zhou Jun followed the convoy along the long street to Anshang's door.
After entering Anshangmen, Fan Jinian wanted to enter the palace to meet the saint.
Zhou Jun, on the other hand, had to go to the capital court to report on his duties with the prisoner list.
Entering the palace hall of Du Guanshi, Chief Cheng saw Zhou Jun and didn't recognize him for a moment.
After repeated confirmations, Director Cheng finally called out Zhou Jun's name.
I heard Master Cheng say with a smile: "We have been apart for half a year. When I left, I was still a handsome young man, but when I came back, I became a strong man."
Zhou Jun shook his head and smiled bitterly, then asked Director Cheng: "Where are Mr. Xu and Mr. Wei?"
Chief Cheng: "Mr. Xu is in the palace, and Mr. Wei has gone to Dali Temple. I'm afraid I won't be able to come back for these two days."
Zhou Jun nodded and looked at the prisoner's book he brought with him.
Chief Cheng said: "You and I will hand over these official documents first. In a few days, I will send them to Sizhou."
Zhou Jun was stunned when he heard this and asked: "Master Cheng is going to Sizhou?"
Chief Cheng: "Sizhou is my hometown. This move back can be regarded as a glorious return to my hometown."
Zhou Jun was puzzled: "If Chief Cheng leaves, there will be a lawsuit here...?"
Chief Cheng smiled at Zhou Jun and said, "Everyone in the imperial city knows about Zhou Lang's achievements in protecting the imperial army and sending envoys to Huihe."
Zhou Jun thought for a moment and suddenly realized.
Chief Cheng was transferred from Chang'an to Sizhou this time. It was feared that the government had done this intentionally in order to free up a promotion position for himself.
Thinking of this, Zhou Jun looked embarrassed and wanted to say something to Chief Cheng.
When the latter saw this, he said with a smile: "Don't worry too much, Erlang. Although Chang'an is prosperous, it can't compare with my hometown. This time I returned to Sizhou. I don't feel disappointed, but feel lucky."
Zhou Jun felt a little relieved after hearing this.
After handing over documents with Chief Cheng, Zhou Jun first took two days' leave, then packed his things and left Shangshu Province for his home in Chang'an City.
This chapter has been completed!