Reborn as the Blissful Wife in the countryside Chapter 1587: Siege [9]

The Shi Family’s highest ranking official is Magistrate Shi of Linhe Prefecture.

However, Magistrate Shi’s son is engaged to the sixth granddaughter of Lord Yao, the former Minister of Rites, and the marriage will take place this year.

Speaking of the engagement with the Yao Family, Magistrate Shi is actually quite distressed.

When the engagement with the Yao Family was arranged, Lord Yao was still the Minister of Rites, but right after the engagement, Lord Yao stepped down from his position as Minister of Rites.

Emperor Jingyuan knew his rule was not going well, because of matters like the Duke Wei family’s influence, the Northwest drought, and the battle against the Rong people, Ouyang Hong would surely be discontent with him.

In order to win over Ouyang Hong and the scholars, he removed Lord Yao, installing Ouyang Hong’s son as the Minister of Rites.

The position of Minister of Rites is high-ranking, but it doesn’t touch any powers that threaten the Imperial Family, so Emperor Chu felt very secure in appointing it.

Ouyang Hong realized that Great Chu wouldn’t last much longer, therefore he didn’t want any of his family’s members to take on high official positions. However, to placate Emperor Jingyuan and remove his doubts, Ouyang Hong could only let his son take on the role of Minister of Rites.

When Magistrate Shi learned about this, he cried in anger; he had worked hard to arrange a marriage between his son and the Yao Family, and before the marriage even took place, the Minister of Rites was switched!

When Magistrate Shi wrote a family letter to Old Master Shi San, he mentioned this matter. Although he didn’t dare express complaints, there was a hint of regret in his words.

However, Old Master Shi San advised him: Even though Lord Yao is no longer the Minister of Rites, he has become the teacher of the princes, an honor not everyone can have, so the marriage with the Yao Family is still a significant elevation for the Shi Family.

Old Master Shi San said, "I have a jade pendant given by my brother, along with Lord Yao’s handwritten letter and name card. With these things in hand, the County Magistrates along the way won’t dare defy you. So young man, bringing me along would certainly be more beneficial than detrimental!"

Lord Yao’s handwritten letter was actually requested by Magistrate Shi for Old Master Shi San. The letter was simple, stating the marital relationship between the two families. Should Old Master Shi San encounter any difficulties in the Northwest, Prefects, County Magistrates, and Company Commanders along the way were asked to help, and the Yao and Shi Families would be sure to reward them.

Qin San Lang agreed that Old Master Shi San was right, however: "Old Master Shi San, you are injured. If we want to deliver messages to the County Magistrates ahead of the Da Rong Army, we must travel day and night. Is your body capable?"

"I can do it; even if it kills me, I must accomplish this task!" Old Master Shi San declared vigorously, shedding tears as he spoke. "During my years in the Northwest, I witnessed the brutality of the Rong people. How many civilians died at their hands, how many young women were ruined by them. Worse yet...they are not human!"

The Rong people have a custom of eating red meat to boost courage; he had heard of it before but saw it firsthand during the two months at the manor.

The village chief’s little grandson, only a few months old, was lost like this!

Even just for the sake of the village chief’s family, he had to go to deliver the message, leading the county towns along the way in laying ambushes to impede the Da Rong Army’s advance, to save Xing’an Prefecture!

After hearing this, Qin San Lang, seeing Old Master Shi San with tears streaming down his face, agreed: "Doctor Dai, can Old Master Shi San’s body handle the awakening pill?"

Xiao Yu made three types of awakening pills.

One for pregnant women, one for those staying up late, and the last for those with injuries or illnesses.

After consumption, those with injuries or illnesses would feel energized and sustain for a while, but afterward, would need a few months to recuperate because ultimately, awakening pills deplete the body’s energy and can be harmful.

"I need to take his pulse first." Doctor Dai said as he immediately examined Old Master Shi San, meticulously checking for half a quarter-hour before confirming: "Old Master Shi San has a good foundation, and taking the awakening pill will enable him to keep up on the road with everyone else...but after stopping the medication, he will need at least a year to recuperate."

After all, Old Master Shi San’s body was considerably exhausted after being tormented for over two months.

Old Master Shi San said, "A year, it is okay. Young man, you have to agree; only with me, a member of the Shi Family, going along, will the County Magistrates be more inclined to believe you."

And he pledged, "I swear I won’t hold you back or delay military operations!"

Qin San Lang was on his way to Guanlu County, saying, "Alright, come with us."

He then instructed Doctor Dai: "Prepare some health-preserving medicine, and inform Ye Dakou of matters that require attention, so Ye Dakou can take care of Old Master Shi San on the journey."

Doctor Dai was elderly and couldn’t travel day and night with them, but Ye Dakou was young and skilled in medicine, making him the perfect companion.

"Agreed." Doctor Dai replied, preparing medicine for Old Master Shi San and discussing precautions with Ye Dakou, before administering a round of acupuncture to Old Master Shi San, finally completing his task.

Dong dong dong!

Zhang Tu was already outside beating the drum, shouting, "Company Commander Qin orders troops to gather immediately, heading to Guanlu County!"

The soldiers promptly gathered.

After half a quarter-hour, Qin San Lang, accompanied by Xie Cheng and others, emerged on horseback, and after Zhang Tu reported the headcount, confirmed that no one was missing, they promptly issued orders: "Move out!"

The soldiers swiftly mobilized, taking shortcuts heading to Guanlu County.

Qin San Lang worried that the Rong people would attack Guanlu County’s town, thus leading a cavalry unit to quickly rush to the town first.

Though the blaze in the town continued to roar, by the time they arrived, Troop Commander Li had already arranged a safe haven for the Lin Family members.

Upon hearing of his arrival, Zhang Zhong hurried to greet him, kneeling and saying, "Master, please calm your anger, it’s my incompetence that led to trouble in Guanlu County."

Given the circumstances, Qin San Lang didn’t have time to pursue blame. Learning that the Da Rong Army bypassed Guanlu County’s town, he understood that the Rong’s target was directly Xing’an Prefecture, and immediately responded, "Leave this place to Troop Commander Li, you should accompany us right away to reach the next county ahead of the Rong people, and inform the County Magistrate of the Rong people’s invasion."

Qin San Lang had spoken to Zhang Zhong about the Rong people’s potential large-scale attack and their ambush strategy along the way, to which Zhang Zhong agreed: "Yes."

Tang Jun arrived alongside Hong Dao on horseback, and upon seeing Zhang Zhong asked, "Section Leader Zhang, where is my little aunt?"

Zhang Zhong replied, "She is at Lord County Magistrate’s residence, helping to care for Mrs. Lin."

Tang Ling and Yao Wan were hiding in civilian houses, tending to two bullied young women. After the Rong people inside the town were eliminated, Zhang Zhong found them, and hearing of the Lin Family’s plight, Tang Ling immediately expressed her intent to go and care for Mrs. Lin.

Zhang Zhong agreed.

Tang Jun, upon hearing this, breathed a sigh of relief, saying, "As long as my little aunt is alright."

Zhang Zhong remarked, "Your little aunt is a strong woman. Tell her as long as she continues like this, her life won’t be too lacking...she can live well relying on herself."

No need to obey Mrs. Lao Fang’s insistence on marrying a Company Commander as a concubine.

Tang Jun, eyes reddening, said, "Thank you, Section Leader Zhang. I will tell my little aunt what you said, she will be very happy after listening."

Just a pity...if only my little aunt could marry Section Leader Zhang.

But Tang Jun knew it was impossible, as Section Leader Zhang had to fight against the Rong people, he couldn’t stay.

And Section Leader Zhang was an unmarried young man, while my little aunt...couldn’t possibly marry him.