On this day, outside the old chief's residence in the Ma River Valley, there were many natives who had heard the news from all directions.
Xie Changgeng, the governor of Hexi, came here in person today.
It is said that he came here not only to visit the old leader, but also to discuss the future direction of Mahe Valley.
People were looking at the gate guarded by the guards, some holding their breath and waiting, some whispering, with expressions of mixed joy and sorrow on their faces.
It would certainly be a great thing if we no longer had to be trapped in one place like we were before, where even obtaining salt for daily use was difficult.
But for them, their ancestors have lived and multiplied here for generations, and the land under their feet has long been integrated into their bones and blood. Now facing the fate of being relocated, in addition to reluctance, they are full of confusion and anxiety about the future.
Everyone is waiting anxiously.
The hours passed by. Finally, the tightly closed door opened, and a deacon ran out and announced a piece of news.
After inspecting the terrain, the Jiedushi thought it was not necessary to evacuate all the residents. He planned to select a site outside the valley entrance, build a fortress, erect an outer city, station troops, and set up garrisons.
The natives were surprised, and then ecstatic, and cheers broke out all around.
Amid deafening cheers, people saw the governor walking out of the door. Beside him, the old leader was leaning on a chair and was also carried out.
There was a commotion. People all rushed forward, all with smiles on their faces.
Xie Changgeng raised his arms and pressed his wrists.
The surroundings gradually became quiet.
Facing the countless eyes cast at him, he said, "Xie was ordered by the court to come here as a military governor, and it has been more than four years. Thanks to the love of the people and the service of the soldiers, we have been able to drive the northern bandits to the north of the curtain. However, the northern bandits have coveted our Hexi land, and their ambitions have been long-standing and will never end. You have lived here for generations, like landlords. When Xie first came here, he knew that without your help, he would be alone. Now my wish has finally come true. I am honored by the old leader's enlightenment and generous help. I am willing to help me with all my strength to drive out the bandits. Xie is grateful, but I also know that it is difficult to move to my hometown. After discussing with the leader, I made the decision just now to build a city at the mouth of the valley. After it is completed, the army will be sent to garrison. In addition to my Hexi soldiers, I also hope that you volunteers will join us to resist foreign enemies to ensure my parents' longevity and my wife's safety!"
He was in a dignified official uniform, with an upright posture, bright eyes, and short and powerful words. The people were already grateful to him, and at this moment they were deeply moved, their blood boiling, and they all knelt before him. The strong native men were even more eager to join the army and serve the Jiedushi.
Xie Changgeng leaned over and whispered a few words to the old leader.
The old chief nodded. He stood up straight and smiled, "From now on, there will be another garrison city on the border of Hexi. The name has just been agreed upon by the chief and I. It will be called Wu'an Garrison. With military power, we can ensure peace and stability, and our country will be forever!"
As his words fell, cheers once again echoed in the Ma River Valley.
That night, the natives cooked cattle and sheep and held a banquet to entertain Xie Changgeng and his party. Both the host and the guests were very happy. After the banquet, Xie Changgeng said goodbye and agreed to hold a banquet at the Jiedushi Mansion and invite them to the city to discuss matters.
Despite his frail health, the old chief once again asked people to carry him out and send him off personally.
Xie Changgeng declined again and again.
"Chief, your health is more important, you don't need to send me off. Please rest assured, what we have agreed on today will not change!"
The old chief was filled with emotion.
"Madam, you are so righteous, how can the governor go back on his word? In the past, we misunderstood the governor, repeatedly rejected your good intentions, and became your enemy. The governor not only forgave us, but also always considered my people. He even let you go through danger and suffered so much because of me, an irrelevant person. I am extremely grateful and have no words to express my gratitude. I am willing to swear an oath of blood with the governor to show my determination. As long as the governor is here, I will die and my children and grandchildren will inherit!"
Someone had already set up the altar. After the oath was completed, Xie Changgeng led his followers out of the valley.
On the way, the subordinates were very excited. Liu An said: "Moving the natives out will not only cost money, but also provide them with livelihoods in the future, which is not a trivial matter. If it is not handled properly, it will breed trouble. Your method is the most reliable. It not only saves effort, but also encourages the natives to join the army and fight, which can be said to kill two birds with one stone."
Everyone seconded the proposal. However, Xie Changgeng said nothing, and his face showed no joy. When he reached the fork in the road, he suddenly stopped his horse, looked into the distance, and said, "I have something else to do. You all return to your positions. Starting tomorrow, you will immediately start building the city and preparing the army."
After giving the order, he turned his horse around, took the fork road leading to Beishan Horse Farm, and galloped away.
It was already late when he arrived, and Liang Tuan, the guard in charge of the mission, called out the maid.
Xie Changgeng asked Xi'er about her diet and daily life in the past few days. The maid told him one by one.
"According to the instructions given by the princess before she left, the young master should rest at 12:00 p.m. every night. He is already asleep now."
Xie Changgeng stood in the courtyard for a moment, then went in, gently pushed open the door, and walked in.
He sat on a chair in front of the bed, lighting a solitary fire, looking at the child sleeping soundly with his eyes closed on the bed opposite, and his expression gradually relaxed.
The silence was like water, and the night was getting darker. He hadn't rested for many days, and at this moment, he felt endless fatigue, as if it was coming from the depths of darkness where the lights could not reach. He just sat back in the chair, tilted his head back, and slowly closed his eyes.
He didn't know how long he slept, but suddenly, he startled and opened his bloodshot eyes abruptly, and saw a small figure standing on the floor in front of him, in front of the bed.
The child woke up at some point and climbed down from the bed. He was wearing pajamas and bare feet, standing on the cold ground. He stretched out a hand towards him, but as if frightened by his reaction, the hand stopped and the person froze there.
"Thank you, sir... I woke up and saw that you had fallen asleep. I was afraid that you were cold, so I wanted to ask you to sleep in my bed..."
Xier slowly withdrew her hand and spoke in a low voice.
Xie Changgeng was stunned for a moment, then he reacted and immediately stood up, picked up the child from the ground, rubbed the soles of his feet with his hands, and put him back in the quilt.
"I'm fine. Don't catch a cold." He said in a hoarse voice, raised his hand and rubbed the child's little head.
"Did I wake you up?"
Xier shook her head: "When I woke up, I saw you, my Lord, sitting here and sleeping..."
"If you are tired, just sleep next to me."
The child generously moved to the inside of the bed.
Xie Changgeng hesitated for a moment, but finally took off his coat and slowly lay down.
The child considerately covered him with a blanket, saying, "Mother said that you have to protect many people. You should cover yourself with the blanket, don't freeze, in case you get sick."
Perhaps it was because of the wine he had drunk tonight, but when Xie Changgeng heard the child's chatter, he suddenly felt a sense of depression surging in his chest.
He reached out and covered the child with the quilt, saying softly, "Go to sleep."
Xier closed her eyes, and after a while, she opened them and said, "I can't sleep."
"Why? If you don't sleep, your mother..."
"She'll be unhappy if she finds out," he said.
"I just dreamed of her. I missed her and couldn't sleep." Xier said softly.
Xie Changgeng paused.
"Do you know where she is now, sir?" the child asked.
Three days have passed, and after tonight, three nights will also be completed.
Judging from the speed of the team and the route they took westward, they should have reached the vicinity of Jialin Fort today. However, this is only the beginning, and they are still a long way from the Tianshan Mountains.
You have to pass Yanzhi Fort, Ganjun Fort, Heli Fort... and cross Dudeng Mountain, over many mountains and passes, and go west for hundreds of miles before you can finally reach the destination on the edge of the lonely city of Jincheng.
"She's on her way. She'll be back in time."
"Go to bed, it's late." He was silent for a moment and said with a smile.
The child bit his lip, hummed, closed his eyes, and opened them again after a moment.
"It's so warm in the house, but where will she sleep tonight? If it snows again, will she be very cold?"
The depression that was surging in my chest seemed to come back again.
Xie Changgeng felt as if his chest was choking. He slowly let out a breath and said softly, "Don't worry. Someone is traveling with her. They will take good care of her and give her a place to sleep. She won't be cold."
Xier stopped asking questions and just said sullenly, "I want to go with her. But I don't dare to tell her. She won't agree."
"My Lord, I dream of growing up quickly so that I can protect her."
Xie Changgeng said in a low voice: "Go to sleep."
The child yawned, closed his eyes, and finally fell asleep again.
Xie Changgeng didn't want to go back to the city, but he had to.
Tomorrow morning, his subordinates and officials will be waiting for him to show up in the yamen to discuss the matter of garrisoning the Mahe Valley.
This is a big deal, he has to reply.
He looked at the eyes of the sleeping child beside him for a moment, then covered him with the quilt, got out of bed, tiptoed out of the room, and disappeared into the night.
…
On the seventh day after Mu Fulan left, Xie Changgeng came back from outside at night. As soon as he entered the door, he was told that his mother asked him to see her immediately after he came back, saying that there was something.
Xie Changgeng has been very busy recently and goes out early and comes back late every day.
When he was in the Jiedushi Mansion, no matter how busy he was, he would definitely visit Xie's mother in the morning, but in the evening, he really didn't have time, so he skipped it.
I don't know what's going on with her.
Xie Changgeng asked the steward, who shook his head and said he didn't know. After a moment's hesitation, he said, "The old lady seemed unhappy and asked about it for half a day. She told you to go see her immediately if you come back."
Xie Changgeng hurried over and entered the room, seeing his mother sitting alone on the edge of the bed, with a gloomy face and a sullen look.
Xie Changgeng walked up to her, greeted her and said, "I have been busy lately and was unable to come to greet you in the evening. I am sorry for neglecting you. What is it that you asked me to come?"
Mother Xie grabbed her son's sleeve and asked, "Geng'er! Do you know what the relationship is between the godson that Mu Shi has raised and her?"
Xie Changgeng glanced at his mother and asked, "What do you mean, mother?"
Mother Xie lowered her voice and said, "I heard that the child looks a bit like Mu. Mother wondered if it was Mu's own child. Otherwise, how could she treat such an adopted son like a treasure when they are not related and she is not old, and it is not certain that she cannot have children? Even if she really wanted to adopt a child, who would not choose an ignorant one? Who would be like her, bringing such a half-grown child home?"
There was a look of doubt on her face.
"Mother is wondering, maybe that child is the bastard born by Mu Shi and someone else? They took advantage of your honesty and brought him home to raise, but told you that he is their godson! Geng'er, you must open your eyes, you can't..."
"Mom! Do you know what you are talking about? Where did you hear this?"
Xie Changgeng suddenly shouted.
Mother Xie was shocked and stunned. When she came to her senses, she saw her son's angry face and whispered, "Don't worry about where you heard it. Anyway, I'm doing this for your own good! I'm afraid you'll suffer, so I reminded you! What's wrong with you? Why are you talking to me like this?"
Xie Changgeng calmed himself down and tried his best to suppress the annoyance and nameless anger that surged in his chest.
"Mom, you're worrying too much! That's not happening!"
He paused, his tone more serious.
"You slandered the Mu family out of thin air. If outsiders knew about it, it would be like bringing shame to your son. Don't you understand this truth, mother? From now on, whether in front of others or behind their backs, don't say such absurd words again!"
Her son's expression was so stern that she had never seen it before. Mother Xie was timid for a moment and dared not say anything. She hurriedly said, "Mother knows! How could you go out and say it? Aren't you afraid that you will suffer a loss, so I warned you in private?"
"You've been so busy lately that I haven't seen you much. You must be hungry, Feng'er..."
"Why did you think of that child out of the blue? Did someone in your life mention it?" Xie Changgeng interrupted his mother and asked suddenly.
Mother Xie was stunned and waved her hands hastily, "No, no! Don't wrongly accuse Feng'er! She didn't say anything bad about Mu! It was just that mother suddenly remembered it and asked someone to find out. She found out that the child had beautiful eyebrows and eyes, and was somewhat like Mu, so mother started to imagine it."
"Mother, please tell Qi and the servant who served her..."
As he spoke, he turned and walked behind the door, and suddenly opened it.
Outside the door, Qiu Ju, who was lying on the door, suddenly heard someone mentioning her. She pricked up her ears even more, and without any preparation, she fell headfirst into the threshold with a "thump". She looked up and saw Xie Changgeng standing in front of her, staring at her coldly with two eyes. Her face turned pale. She didn't care about the pain and hurriedly got up, knelt down, kowtowed continuously, and stammered, "Just now, Madam Qi heard that the master had returned and made a midnight snack, and asked me to come and ask..."
Xie Changgeng said, "Go tell Qi that it was my reminder. I don't care what my original intention was, this is the end of it! I don't want to hear any more groundless talk."
"Yes, yes, I'll tell you right away!"
Qiuju got up from the ground and retreated in a panic.
Xie Changgeng slowly turned his head, exhaled a breath, and said to his mother: "Mom, you take a rest. I have something else to do, so I'll leave first."
The author has something to say: Thank you little angels for voting for me~
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