The supplies for carriages and horses had already been prepared, and they set off immediately as soon as Qin Mubai and Wu Meiniang arrived. Because there were a group of female relatives such as Wu Meiniang, four or five carriages were arranged to accompany them. The remaining civilian drivers and sergeants were on horseback. The long procession stretched for several miles, which was quite spectacular.
Qin Mubai originally rode to Jinzhou with Chu Suiliang. On the way back, he also served as an escort and had to manage hundreds of soldiers and civilians, so he had to ride a horse. Although the horse sent by the governor's office was not too bad, it was not as comfortable as riding on his own Huoyun.
The large group of people walked out of Jiangzhou City and meandered towards Jishan. Although it is dozens of miles away, there are enough chariots and horses, and we expect to arrive in the evening.
After winter, it was rare to have a sunny day like today. Qin Mubai was riding a horse and basking in the sun, which felt quite comfortable. Wu Meiniang and her two housekeepers sat in the carriage warming themselves by the fire. They got bored and opened the window to shout outside.
"Hey, Mu Bai!"
Qin Mubai heard the sound and rode over: "Is something wrong?"
"I'm so bored, I also want to ride a horse!" Wu Meiniang said with a smile.
"Don't be stupid. Isn't it good to sit in a carriage and warm yourself by the fire? Riding a horse can break all the bones. If it weren't for my duty, I would still want to ride in a carriage!" Qin Mubai said.
"I won't!" Wu Meiniang smiled sweetly, "Can you let me ride on the same horse with you?"
"I'm afraid it won't work." Qin Mubai patted the horse's neck and said with a smile, "If my Huoyun is okay. It's dozens of miles away from Jishan. If it carries two people, the horse will break its legs."
"Then go and get me a horse!" Wu Meiniang said happily.
"You?" Qin Mubai was stunned for a moment, then smiled, "You know how to ride a horse?"
"Huh, you are looking down on me! I can ride a horse at the age of ten, and I can also bend a bow and shoot an arrow! My two brothers are no match for me!" Wu Meiniang raised her face and said a little proudly.
When Wu Meiniang said this, Qin Mubai was really happy - How could I have forgotten that Wu Meiniang was good at riding and shooting? Otherwise, how could she have been given the title of a talented person upon entering the palace and still stay in the palace? Do you want to tell the story of Li Shimin taming the fierce horse and lion
The nobles of the Tang Dynasty who originated from Guanlong were deeply influenced by Hu Feng. The aesthetics of women in the Tang Dynasty was also based on the beauty of being rich and strong, which changed the aesthetic concept of "petite and exquisite is beautiful" passed down from the Han Dynasty. Wu Meiniang is a typical and most representative beauty of the Tang Dynasty - she is very tall, and she is not weak and slender like Lin Daiyu. In the martial Tang Dynasty, there were indeed many women who could shoot bows and arrows.
Furthermore, although the "talents" of the Tang court and royal family were among the concubines, not everyone could do the job. Just like what Du Fu said in his poem, "There is a man in front of the chariot with a bow and arrow, and the white horse chews its teeth with gold; when he turns over and shoots up into the clouds, an arrow hits the two flying wings." Lu Lun also has a poem that says, "The talented people fight against each other and shoot flying" - they are all stories about talented people shooting arrows.
Whenever the emperor went on a hunting trip, talented people would accompany him on horseback and carry arrows, and they would also perform archery skills!
What if Wu Meiniang in history did not know how to ride and shoot before entering the palace, and how could she develop such skills in the harem and become a talented person of Taizong
"Why are you still standing there? Get me a horse quickly!" Wu Meiniang said hummingly, still acting coquettishly.
"Okay, it's up to you!" Qin Mubai laughed, and called a hundred-horse attendant to dismount, and asked him to ride two horses with the other two or three people, alternating with each other. A free horse was given to Wu Meiniang.
Wu Meiniang happily got off the carriage and held the reins, patted the horse's neck and said with a smile: "Mubai, today I will let you see my riding skills! Although you are a general, do you dare to compete with me?"
"Don't be ridiculous." Qin Mubai laughed, "I'm afraid you'll get hurt!"
"Humph, you're looking down on me!" Wu Meiniang snorted, stepped on the horse's stirrup and stepped hard, her colorful clothes flying like a swallow, and she quickly mounted the horse that was taller than her.
There was an exclamation of exclamation from all around - What a handsome riding skill!
In the Tang Dynasty, a country that favored martial arts, riding a good horse and shooting arrows was as popular as driving with outstanding skills in today's world. Wu Meiniang showed off her skills, and many of the sergeants who were experts in riding skills couldn't help but their eyes lit up.
"It's indeed good!" Qin Mubai said with a smile, "I really underestimate you. But as an escort officer, I can't accompany you in a galloping competition."
"If you don't dare to compare, just say so!" Wu Meiniang giggled after saying this, and suddenly swung the riding crop onto the horse's buttocks. That horse was a high-quality horse specially matched by Baiqi. After suffering pain, he neighed and galloped away like a strong wind!
"Mei Niang, don't mess around!" Qin Mubai was startled. If he fell down, he would be dead or disabled! Everyone else was also shocked. How could a little girl drive such a powerful horse
"General, hurry up and catch up with Madam, lest you make any mistakes! Just leave your servants here!" Baiqi's followers said hurriedly.
Before he could finish his words, Qin Mubai flew away like a whirlwind.
The large group of people were walking on a relatively open field, looking at a plain.
The sky is high and the clouds are clear. The clear blue sky and the yellow and decaying horizon are far apart at the limit of sight. It is actually a good place for horse racing.
Qin Mubai galloped on his horse to chase Wu Meiniang, feeling quite worried. But after running for two or three miles, he finally felt relieved when he saw that Wu Meiniang was still controlling the horse skillfully and freely, indeed showing her good riding skills.
This girl really has such skills!
Wu Meiniang looked back and saw that Qin Mubai was no more than four or five horses away from her. She laughed heartily, waved the whip again, and accelerated again!
The two of them were running ahead, with the large group of people behind them. On the distant plains, two horses chasing each other became a scene.
"Mu Bai, come and chase me quickly. If you can't catch me, geez!" Wu Meiniang laughed heartily.
"Slow down and be careful." Qin Mubai shouted loudly.
"Don't worry, it's okay!" Wu Meiniang said loudly, "This is much more enjoyable than sitting in a carriage! Haha!"
The two ran four or five miles in tandem, and Wu Meiniang finally slowed down her horse and waited until they reached Qin Mubai. The two stood side by side, Wu Meiniang turned around and giggled: "How about it, I'm not that bad, am I?"
"It seems that I really underestimated you." Qin Mubai said with a smile, "I can't believe that you have such superb riding skills."
"Hmph, I know it was you who let me do it." Wu Meiniang snorted lightly, but she still looked proud and said proudly, "However, it is an honor for me to have a horse race with General Qin. Yeah!”
"What weird thing are you saying?" Qin Mubai couldn't help laughing, "You are my unmarried wife, do you still need to be honored?"
"Hehe!" Wu Meiniang lowered her head and snickered beautifully, and then said, "Actually, I have been traveling around for business this year, and sometimes I often ride a horse when I am in a hurry. I am a bit impatient, and riding in a car seems tame and I don't like it very much. It's so refreshing to ride like this! I just hate why my parents didn't give birth to me as a boy. If I were a boy, I wouldn't lose anything to you!"
Qin Mubai laughed loudly: "You are no longer inferior to a woman now."
"Really? Hehe!" Wu Meiniang laughed happily a few times, raised her eyes and looked into the distance, and said, "It's really a nice scenery. Thousands of miles of rivers and mountains, thousands of miles of clouds, horses treading withered yellow smoke. Mubai, if I remember correctly, this is Is this my first time traveling with you?”
"Yes." Qin Mubai nodded and said with a slightly apologetic smile, "When I have time in the future, I will go out with you more. Whether it's an outing or a trip to the mountains and rivers."
"You must keep your word!" Wu Meiniang suddenly said happily, "Don't talk about the distance. This time when we get to Jishan, you have to stay with me for a while!"
"More than just spending more time with you?" Qin Mubai smiled, "Jishan's affairs have almost been taken care of. I'm just waiting for the emperor to announce my return to the court. Before that, I can accompany you every day. If you are willing, You can also come back to Chang'an with me and stay with me all the way."
"That's settled!" Wu Meiniang giggled, swung her riding whip with joy, and galloped forward again.
"This girl is so wild!" Qin Mubai shook his head and smiled, and had no choice but to ride his horse to catch up.
Along the way for dozens of miles, in addition to passing through Zhendian County, Qin Mubai and Wu Meiniang galloped past. When they ran a little further, they stopped to wait for the convoy behind them, while admiring the scenery of the mountains and rivers. It really felt like a trip.
Wu Meiniang had never been so relaxed and light-hearted, so she was in a very happy mood. A girl who is in love for the first time is full of energy in everything she does, as long as she is accompanied by the person she loves. After running for dozens of miles, Wu Meiniang was not tired at all and was full of energy.
Qin Mubai had no choice but to be patient and accompany him. Speaking of which, my relationship with Wu Meiniang is quite strange - first get engaged, then fall in love.
For such a long time, I have indeed neglected Wu Meiniang, my unmarried wife. Although the two have been engaged for a long time, they don't communicate and get along with each other much. Since she will be his own sooner or later, why not be nice to her
Treating your wife well means treating yourself well, and there's nothing wrong with that.
Jishan County has arrived.
Qin Mubai first escorted the convoy to the county government office, handed over some cold clothes, bedding and other items, and ordered him to go down and let the county government organize manpower to distribute to the victims. Then he took more than 200 sheep and some wine and food to the military camp.
Mutton was the finest delicacy in the Tang Dynasty, and it was a frequent guest at palace banquets. Thousands of soldiers got these 200-qiang sheep, which was enough to pay for several meals. This is a great blessing for them who are finally stuffed with steamed buns and pickles. Therefore, all the soldiers were extremely grateful to Qin Mubai and Wu Meiniang.
The disaster relief embankment construction has basically been completed. In fact, all the soldiers have nothing to do and are waiting for instructions from the military to return to the camp. That night, Qin Mubai ordered the army to hold a whole-sheep bonfire feast, and the whole camp was celebrating by killing sheep and roasting meat. The victims in this county were all grateful for Wu Meiniang's relief. When they learned that the army was holding a banquet, many victims and people came to comfort the army, taking out the few chicken, duck and fish eggs they had on hand.
The soldiers and civilians enjoyed themselves together, and Qin Mubai and Wu Meiniang naturally became the focus and center of the audience. Soldiers or civilians kept coming to toast them, and some poor victims wanted to kneel down in gratitude.
After this banquet, Qin Mubai and Wu Meiniang, a kind couple, became famous in Jishan.
"Everyone in the world thinks that businessmen are treacherous, and celebrities and high-ranking officials regard money as dirt." Wu Meiniang said to Qin Mubai comfortably and gratifiedly, "In my opinion, there is nothing wrong with having money. Look, I use the money I earn How happy they are after comforting the sergeants and relieving the victims!"
"It's fun to help others!" Qin Mubai smiled slightly, "The feelings between people are mutual. If you are good to others, others will naturally be good to you. This money is well spent."