The campsite was ablaze with light from countless torches.
Gu Yan Chen threw his head back, and the wine streamed straight into his mouth. Then...
He choked, spitting it all out, and began to cough violently. Song Ming looked sympathetic, holding up a hand awkwardly. "Uh, the army doctor said you're still injured and shouldn't have alcohol, so your subordinate brought you a pot of tea."
What kind of troublesome lot had he brought along?
Gu Yan Chen's melancholy vanished. He tossed aside his pack and strode out of the military camp, leaving behind a group of soldiers all extending their hands in a gesture of longing, yet hesitant to stop him. Finally, they all knelt down.
Gu Yan Chen was well aware of their movements but pretended not to notice. He whistled, and his warhorse of two years, Fu Yun, galloped out from the camp. He mounted the horse and sped away without looking back.
The sound of hooves gradually faded until it was completely gone. Only then did Meng Chang Dong call for everyone to rise. He then produced a pack from goodness knows where: "Your Highness, the Prince of Ning, has many strategists around him. I, as his military advisor, must surely be an eyesore. Therefore, I've decided to go to the capital with the boss to enjoy a life of leisure. Take care, everyone."
The soldiers were stunned again. Mao Peng Yi immediately jumped out, "I'll go with the boss too."
"Big Mao, people in the capital are sharp. Your brain isn't suited for it, so stay put. Besides, you're not like me. I'm a strategist and not officially enlisted. The boss pays my monthly salary. Your enlistment status isn't something you can just dissolve."
With those words, the restless group immediately quieted down.
Even the soldiers recruited into the general camp couldn't just leave as they pleased, let alone those in their military garrisons. With frequent naval warfare, leaving without authorization now would be considered desertion, a mistake that could cost them their heads.
Fine, fine. It was just changing bosses. The boss was right, they weren't fighting the Japanese pirates *for* the boss.
Thus, when Meng Chang Dong left, only one little tail followed behind him—Song Ming.
Their horses were a notch below Gu Yan Chen's, and their horsemanship was even more so. Therefore, they had no intention of chasing after him. They chatted along the way, unfazed by the cold wind.
Meng Chang Dong asked, "You're not enlisted either?"
This guy was the only one left in his family, and the boss had always taken good care of him. It wasn't impossible for him to pull some strings regarding enlistment.
To put it bluntly, if he made a contribution and the higher-ups wanted to reward him, with the boss covering for him, not being enlisted wouldn't be a major issue. A simple excuse would suffice. But if the city were to be destroyed one day, and he became a deserter, not being enlisted might just save his life.
Unexpectedly, Song Ming shook his head. "I am. I originally wanted to join the garrison, but the boss disagreed and assigned me to the recruitment camp."
"Then are you planning to be a deserter?"
"How could I? The boss is returning to the capital to receive rewards, not to be interrogated. What's wrong with bringing a few followers?"
Meng Chang Dong blinked and gave him a thumbs-up. "You're quick-witted, kid. Big Mao would probably cry if he heard that."
Song Ming heartily agreed. "That's why I say his brain isn't suited for the capital. By the way, where do you live? Is it far from the garrison?"
"Houses in Yangzhou City are expensive. I can't afford one. And it's late at night, so it's hard to find an inn. I'll just crash at your place tonight."
"Don't pretend. Everyone knows I live at the boss's place. Just say you want to freeload directly."
"Heh heh, those who use their brains shouldn't be too direct."
"Pah."
Situ Jue was exceptionally high-profile. In just one day, the news that the commander was to be replaced spread throughout Yangzhou City. The common people were abuzz with discussions and all sorts of speculations. If it weren't for Xiao Wuzi rushing home in advance to report, Lu Nian Fu would have already gone to the garrison, unable to sit still.
In the deep of night, a person and a horse sped through the streets and alleys, stopping in front of the Gu Mansion on Xi Long Street. Shuan Zi, who had been guarding for most of the night, quickly took the reins from him. "Master, it's so cold. Why didn't you take a carriage back?"
"My seat was taken, so I couldn't possibly bother someone to drive a carriage."
"Uh, it hasn't been officially taken yet. It's not like the tea has gone cold before the person has even left."
Gu Yan Chen thought of the scene in the military camp that night and smiled. "Your master's popularity hasn't declined to that extent. Mainly, I still had to ride Fu Yun back."
Shuan Zi easily accepted this explanation. "That's right. Oh, Master, Madam instructed me. My mother is still waiting in the kitchen. What would you like to eat?"
"Beef noodles, and two eggs poached."
"Got it. You go wait in the room, and I'll bring it to you shortly."
He tied the horse to a stone lion and jogged to the kitchen. The cook was even more relieved. She thought her master was truly considerate of his servants. He never asked for anything complicated late at night and especially loved her secret recipe braised beef. As soon as Xiao Wuzi mentioned he was returning, she had prepared it.
Shuan Zi delivered the message and then went to fetch the horse, leading it to the stable in the backyard and feeding it some hay. His work for the night was done.
When his mother was making the noodles, he had clearly seen how much there was, so there was definitely a midnight snack for him.
However, before he could even take a bite of the steaming noodles, that famished wolf Song Ming returned, and today he brought an extra person. To protect his own noodles, he had to miserably light a fire and start cooking again, only to be criticized for his poor skills.
Shuan Zi: ...