At Chen time, Xia Xingming and Jian Jun came back with their troops.
During this time, they went back and forth to suppress the bandits. Their horses galloped in the ninety-mile wilderness, killing the bandits until they cried for their fathers and mothers and ran away with their heads in their hands.
After recovering from his injuries, Shi Guoxin insisted on continuing to serve as a scout. He had brought back news that rough statistics showed that the 600 light cavalry led by Xia Xingming and Jian Jun had killed at least 10,000 bandits during these days.
But now, on their way to Yi Xing, they encountered sporadic bandits and killed hundreds of people.
Xia Zhaoyi got up early to greet them, and the dumplings in the army were always ready to be cooked when they came back.
Xia Xingming took out three letters from his arms. When he passed through Yongwu City the day before yesterday, he sent someone to see the new ones.
Looking at the three letters, there was no signature on the envelope.
Xia Zhaoyi frowned lightly, then immediately adjusted and put away the message: "Thank you for your hard work, Uncle Xia."
Xia Xingming and the others hurriedly said it was not bitter.
Xia Zhaoyi asked them to rest while she went back to the main tent to read the letter.
As she watched, her eyes fell on the purple stone inkstone and lost focus.
I really want to say that I am waiting for an answer, but I am actually not in a hurry.
However, why did Shen Lie ignore her?
Could it be that... something happened?
Thinking of what happened to him in Jiangzhou, Xia Zhaoyi felt panicked, but the incident in Jiangzhou had long since passed, so it was unlikely that there would be any danger now.
For people like Shen Lie, only those close to him could resort to backstabbing to put him in a desperate situation.
But now, Yunliang has long since broken off its diplomatic relations, and the remaining Zuilu have become enemies. The situation is grim because they no longer have any weaknesses.
Or, someone else took the secret guard hostage and threatened him?
It's not impossible.
And, there is another concern.
When Zhao Ning mentioned Shen Lie in Hengxiang, he said that he had no ambition to compete in the world and would most likely choose to live in seclusion.
She was thinking at that time that if Shen Lie really went into seclusion, he would definitely cut off a way out for her and disappear without a trace.
So, since there was no news from that letter, it means...retreating into seclusion?
"It's impossible..." Xia Zhaoyi said softly.
Zhan Ning and Li Man in the big tent looked towards her.
"...Second Miss?" Zhan Ning called.
Xia Zhaoyi raised his eyes and said lightly: "I seem to be distracted."
"It doesn't seem like it," Zhan Ning said weakly, "Second Miss, what is impossible?"
Xia Zhaoyi shook his head and did not answer.
Looking back at the letter, her eyes became clear.
That idea is indeed ridiculous.
If nothing else, Du Xuan and Wu Shaoning are still in Youzhou.
And that "branch man".
Speaking of which, if Shen Lie had no ambition, why would Ji Xiahe use the name "Zhi Ye" to cast a wide net to catch fish?
He is not short of money...
She has never liked asking too much about other people's affairs. Now that she thinks about it, it is really a bad habit.
I have said that I want to change it several times, but it seems difficult to change it.
But having said that, if you are not retiring, why didn't you reply?
Xia Xingming came in from outside after eating the dumplings and was about to speak. Zhan Ning was busy making gestures.
Xia Xingming immediately didn't dare to move. He kept his feet raised and stood there stiffly, looking at the girl behind the case.
Li Man and Zhan Ning also looked back.
Not long after the Qingming Festival, she became too fuzzy again.
After a while, Xia Zhaoyi narrowed her bright eyes, looked at the letter and said, "I was distracted again. I shouldn't be like this."
"Second Miss knows that we are peeking at you..." Zhan Ning said.
"The army is about to engage in battle, but I keep getting distracted," Xia Zhaoyi said in a deep voice, "This is so inappropriate."
"Second Miss," Xia Xingming came over, "What are you thinking about?"
"A friend," Xia Zhaoyi said, not wanting to continue the topic, "Uncle Xia, are the dumplings delicious?"
"It's delicious," Xia Xingming said, "Second Miss, I found someone among the refugees who has some background, but I forgot to mention it just now."
"who?"
"A soldier on the other side of Zhengbei. When Zhengbei's army attacked without success, he was abandoned by his companions. Fortunately, he survived."
"Have you brought it back?"
"Well, here we come. I'm so hungry that I'm skinny and skinny."
"Take good care of it and send it back. Their army has its own way of running an army."
"Well," Xia Xingming nodded and said, "Second Miss, there is one more thing."
After speaking, he frowned, not knowing how to speak.
"Uncle Xia?" Xia Zhaoyi urged in a low voice.
"This group of refugees who are with Zheng Beibing, they must, must... Oh!"
"How are they?" Zhan Ning next to him was aroused with curiosity.
Xia Xingming's old face was extremely uncomfortable: "We must have those girls!"
As he said that, he looked at Xia Zhaoyi sheepishly: "We said no, but they made those girls stand on the road to stop us, and they didn't even give us clothes to wear."
Zhan Ning blurted out: "To be alive like this..."
Fortunately, he stopped in time and looked at Xia Zhaoyi behind the case.
The girl's face was as cold as three feet of frost.
"But we don't want it," Xia Xingming continued, "Second Miss, as generals, we should lead by example and abide by military regulations."
"Where are these refugees now?"
"They should still be by the Daqiu Lake," Xia Xingming said, "Second Miss, if you ask them..."
Xia Zhaoyi didn't say anything and was silent for a while. She got up and committed suicide, then came out and stood in front of the large march map posted on the thick vertical board.
"Daqiu Lake," Xia Zhaoyi put his finger gently, "there are a few shortcuts."
"Second Miss, I can't help it," Xia Xingming said, "I have no intention of marrying them."
Li Man, who had been with Xia Zhaoyi for the longest time, said calmly: "General Xia, please don't think too much. What my boss is thinking now is definitely far different from what you think."
"Um?"
"Let's take this road," Xia Zhaoyi's slender fingers fell on the map and suddenly said sharply, "Xia Xingming obeys the order!"
The sound is crisp and sonorous.
Xia Xingming was used to being called "Uncle Xia". This time Xia Xingming was so frightened that he almost didn't react.
Immediately, he clasped his fists: "Second Miss! The end will be here!"
"Take fifty people quickly to Daqiu Lake and capture all the refugees."
"...Arrest?" Xia Xingming said in confusion.
"Catch." Xia Zhaoyi affirmed.
"Yes! General, take your orders!" Xia Xingming responded, without asking any more questions, turned around and strode away.
Li Man still looked calm.
Zhan Ning stepped forward, cupped his fists and said, "Second Miss, what happened to this group of refugees?"
"What happened?" Xia Zhaoyi replied.
Zhan Ning didn't understand.
At this time, Xia Chuan strode in from outside: "Second Miss, someone has been sent over there again."
Xia Zhaoyi said calmly: "Leave it to Zhang Ji."
"This time is different," Xia Chuan frowned, "The sergeant rebelled, and this time... Chen Wei's head was sent to him."
"..." Xia Zhaoyi looked at him.
"Second Miss, did you just throw the head away or..."
Xia Zhaoyi took a deep breath and looked at the march map.
Along the latitude and longitude, there are cities and villages scattered along the mountains and rivers. They silently become a symbol, a Chinese character label.
