The two talking refugees were startled and hurriedly knelt down to kowtow. No, we didn't mean that, we just said it casually. We were wrong, please don't drive us away.
They had finally made it to Gefeng with great difficulty, and the food they had for lunch was something they couldn't even get in the best of years. How could they bear to leave?
Zhao Er looked at them coldly until the two of them felt a chill all over and broke out in a cold sweat before he snorted, Don't let it happen again.
Not to mention these two, even the other commoners nearby secretly breathed a sigh of relief. The pressure just now had been immense.
It wasn't that Gefeng was playing favorites; it was just that the people of Baba Mountain stayed on the mountain and rarely came down.
Although Nan Wen and his group occasionally came down the mountain, as former soldiers, they were very careful and naturally wouldn't deliberately approach corpses to look at them.
Tian Erniang and the others sat in a clean room; they had rented a single room.
Stroking the household register, she couldn't read, but she knew that her name was written as the head of the household on it.
She named Daya Tian Feng'en, wanting to forever remember Gefeng's kindness to their mother and daughter.
Tian Cuihua also held her own household register and broke into a smile, but large tears fell from her eyes.
She hurriedly moved the register away, afraid that her tears would ruin it. It contained the registered information of her and her two children.
She changed her children's names to Tian Xiefeng and Tian Jifeng.
As for whether it was appropriate to use the character Feng, meaning Phoenix, for a boy, she didn't care. She just wanted to thank Gefeng and remember Gefeng.
The three children rolled around happily on the heated brick bed. They had never slept in such a big bed before; it was so comfortable.
Tian Erniang and Cuihua looked at each other and smiled. Although they had nothing now, they were not afraid.
Because they knew that as long as they worked hard, they would have what others had. Once they earned money, they would also send their children to school.
In the evening, to celebrate the arrival of Qiu Liao and Nan Wen, Jiang Jin extravagantly hosted a simple banquet for them. After all, it had been a long time since everyone had gathered for a meal.
With the addition of three new companions, Zhang Zhu, He Qiuchi, and Xu Qian, it was a good opportunity for everyone to get to know each other.
As a result, the banquet turned into a reunion for Qiu Liao's friends and relatives.
Not only did Yun Ci know Qiu Liao, but even Zhou Sui knew him.
Originally, Jiang Jin was going to introduce them, but instead, Yun Ci introduced him to her, My Lord, Mr. Qiu is the military strategist of the Northwest Army.
His expression was somewhat agitated, yet tinged with regret and sorrow. Their Northeast Army also had a strategist, but he was killed by the Quzhao people right in front of him.
Jiang Jin was enlightened, though not particularly surprised.
As defenders stationed at the border, it was quite normal for Yun Ci to know the strategist of the Northwest Army.
And for Zhou Sui, as a Great General, knowing the key personnel of the various military departments of the Yan Kingdom was standard procedure.
Seeing the two of them, Qiu Liao was even more excited and bowed to them. Greetings, Great General, General Yun. I never expected to see you two again in my lifetime.
Zhou Sui also sighed with emotion, Being alive is more important than anything else. Following our Lord from now on, we will certainly be able to recover the territory of our Yan Kingdom.
Thinking of Jiang Jin, Qiu Liao's expression became a bit awkward. My Lord, previously... sigh, the Northwest Army is gone, and I didn't want to bring it up again, so...
If he had known that Zhou Sui and Yun Ci were in Gefeng, why would he have hesitated? He would have joined right away.
Jiang Jin waved her hand dismissively. It's fine, it's fine. I understand.
She introduced everyone in the hall to each other once more before they took their seats, and the food was served on the table.
She raised her cup. Gefeng currently has no wine, so I will substitute tea for wine to toast you all. Thank you for your contributions to Gefeng and your trust in me.
After saying that, she drank the tea in one gulp.
Zhou Sui raised his cup, looking at Jiang Jin in the seat of honor with eyes full of determination and respect. It is our honor to be able to follow you, My Lord.
The crowd echoed his sentiments and drank their tea.
After the opening remarks, the hall became lively.
Jiang Jin looked at Qiu Liao and asked curiously, Shouldn't the Northwest Army be in Chongzhou? How did you end up in Fengzhou?
Speaking of this, Qiu Liao's face stiffened a bit.
He couldn't help but look at Nan Wen, who had already started eating and drinking heartlessly, and his voice sounded somewhat gritted. It's all because of this kid Nan Wen. Sigh, it's a long story.
This was a sad story.
Back then, the Northwest Army was besieged and forced into Fan County of Shangjing Commandery. After three days of bloody battles, the twenty thousand-strong Northwest Army was reduced to only a few thousand men.
The Ji army's encirclement grew smaller and smaller. Great General Chu Xiong watched his subordinates fall batch after batch, his heart twisting in agony.
Finally, he decided to break out in separate groups. He would attract the main forces of the Ji army to buy everyone a chance at survival.
Qiu Liao naturally disagreed. General, if we leave, we leave together.
The other generals also disagreed. That's right, General, you go first. We will draw away the Ji army.
Chu Xiong shook his head. You can't attract the Ji army; you don't carry enough weight.
Seeing that they were about to speak again, he waved his hand. No matter how many can break out today, you are all warriors of our Yan Kingdom, our sparks of hope.
He took off the token representing his identity and handed it to Qiu Liao. Strategist, remember, after you get out, give my token to His Majesty.
I am ashamed to face His Majesty and the Yan Kingdom. I failed to hold the defense line of the Yan Kingdom. Chu Xiong's eyes grew red.
Qiu Liao didn't take it, shaking his head. Since that's the case, then I will break out together with the General.
Chu Xiong shoved the token into his hands and looked around at everyone. This is a military order!
Military orders were like mountains. The situation was critical, so Qiu Liao had Chu Qing join his team to break out.
Chu Xiong giving him the token meant that the group he was breaking out with would face the enemy's weakest link and had the greatest chance of escaping.
Chu Xiong was right; the others didn't carry enough weight. Only he could attract the main force of the Ji army.
Since Chu Xiong was prepared to sacrifice himself, there was nothing Qiu Liao could do. The only thing he could do was try his best to protect the General's only heir, Chu Qing.
So he had Chu Qing join his team to break out together.
However, not long after the breakout began, Qiu Liao and Chu Qing were separated by a unit of the Ji army. The scene was too fierce and chaotic, and the distance between the two sides grew wider.
Just then, Nan Wen appeared. Seeing the strategist under attack, he rushed up to the rescue without a second thought.
Qiu Liao was also very happy to see him and shouted, Quick, Young General Chu has been separated from us. Let's hurry and find him.
What did you say? Don't be afraid, Strategist, I'm coming to save you. Nan Wen was still a bit far from him at this time, and with the sounds of slaughter all around, he didn't hear what was said clearly.
After a bloody fight, the two groups finally converged.
Without another word, Nan Wen hoisted Qiu Liao onto his shoulder and ran, with the soldiers behind them guarding their rear.
The process of fighting their way out of the encirclement was filled with the glint of swords and shadows of blades, flesh and blood flying everywhere; it was thrilling and terrifying.
What was even more thrilling was Qiu Liao's experience. Carried on Nan Wen's shoulder, his head was directly facing Nan Wen's waist and buttocks.
Qiu Liao was almost mad with anger and shouted, Put me down, I want to...
Before he could finish his sentence, a large glob of blood sprayed onto his face, smearing it entirely.
To make matters worse, his head was upside down, and the foul-smelling blood poured into his throat through his nostrils and mouth...
Qiu Liao was about to throw up. He finally managed to spit out the blood with a series of frantic sputters and roared, Put me down, you bastard, I want to...
Nan Wen cut him off right at that moment. "What did you say, Strategist? I can't hear you clearly. You know what, never mind, just keep quiet for now. You're throwing off my game."
Qiu Liao: "..."
Watching Chu Qing's figure grow further and further away, Qiu Liao closed his eyes in despair. Being stuck with a reckless brute like Nan Wen—he truly didn't know if it was a blessing or a curse.
