Reborn as the Blissful Wife in the countryside

Chapter 1353: Absorbing Soldiers

Whoever dares to touch the girls in her side will die. If truly interested, formally find a matchmaker to propose. As long as the person is good and the maid is willing, she will agree, but no crooked tricks!

"Let You An, You Ping, and Feng Jin protect them in the dark; ensure no accidents. Xiao Ji, Erqing, Sanqing, you must protect yourselves as well."

Gu Jinli was seriously instructing. Even though Brother Qin was a soldier, she understood well the principle that soldiers and bandits were cut from the same cloth, especially in ancient times, especially those soldiers who had seen blood. Once their temper flared up, they could do anything, so it was wise to be cautious.

Nanny Tao, Xiao Ji, Erqing, and Sanqing replied, "Yes."

Erqing immediately went to call over the young maids. After Nanny Tao quietly instructed them, she allowed them to leave.

Then everyone got busy making coarse grain cakes as dry food for the journey.

...

Inside the Military Office, General Guo finished instructing each Company Commander and said, "Alright, you all lead your own troops to collect the military provisions, and after that, perform the pre-expedition rituals."

The troops have not yet moved, but the provisions must lead. The road to the Northwest is long, and the soldiers naturally need to eat along the way, so the Imperial Decree ordered each prefecture to open their granaries and distribute military provisions to the soldiers heading Northwest. Those with accompanying family members, regardless of gender, are given thirty pounds of coarse grain.

This is the most generous Emperor Jingyuan has ever been; even in disaster relief, he never gave so much.

The truth is, too many people have died in the Northwest; people are needed to fill the place, and they must treat the accompanying family members well to avoid reluctance to go.

Even so, there were still few accompanying family members. If not for hardships at home, no one would willingly go to the Northwest to die.

"Yes!" The Company Commanders of each Military Office responded, and left in an orderly manner according to their draw numbers, leading their troops to queue for the provisions.

Ding Ge was stopped by General Guo as he was about to leave.

Ding Ge frowned, feeling rather annoyed but, given it was a superior, he could only respectfully ask, "General, what orders do you have?"

General Guo stared at Ding Ge in silence, but years as a general had made his presence intimidating, making Ding Ge unable to bear it. He spoke first, "General, if I have done something wrong, feel free to reprimand me; I will have no complaints."

General Guo coldly laughed, glanced at him, and said, "I, Gu, cannot afford to reprimand you, but for the sake of being comrades, I’ll remind you to mind your pants. Your Ding Family is wealthy; if you want women, you can spend silver to find them along the way. Don’t do something suicidal. We’re all soldiers, with heavy killing aura; don’t end up sacrificing your life."

Ding Ge laughed it off, saying, "The general jokes, I’m marching to achieve great deeds; once I achieve major accomplishments, I’ll have no shortage of women. If fate is good, I might gain favor from noble ladies who knows; I’m not interested in coarse peasants."

After speaking, he swaggered off with extreme arrogance, ignoring General Guo.

General Guo frowned deeply, thinking this Ding Ge is becoming increasingly arrogant, predicting the journey to the Northwest will be turbulent.

He had always valued Qin San Lang, feeling a camaraderie, and Qin San Lang had helped him greatly with eliminating river bandits, winter training, agricultural and hunting training together. Thanks to San Lang, he gained numerous merits. Worried Ding Ge would cause trouble, seeing Qin San Lang still queued, and his own foolish son standing behind San Lang, also seemingly ready to collect military provisions, he had his personal soldier bring Guo Qiang and Qin San Lang over.

Soon, Guo Qiang entered with Qin San Lang, asking, "Dad, what do you need son for? Son was queuing for military provisions."

"You’re not heading to the Northwest, collecting provisions is pointless, go stand over there facing the wall, I’ve got words for your Brother San Lang." After reprimanding his son, General Guo beckoned Qin San Lang over, telling him about Ding Ge planning mischief on the journey, instructing, "You know what kind of person he is, be cautious, avoid being caught off guard."

Ding Ge had taken his troops for training at the Prefecture garrison and had connections with Qin San Lang. Ding Ge’s penchant for young and beautiful women was unhidden, known by all.

Qin San Lang knew General Guo would remind him about this, he had preemptively written about Gu Jinli applying facial sores, now presenting it to General Guo.

After reading it, General Guo was overjoyed, "Clever, a good match indeed."

He immediately burned the note; best this matter remain undisclosed.

Yet Qin San Lang thought, "He is very clever, likely not solely driven by lust, but other intentions too."

"What intentions?" General Guo frowned and asked.

Qin San Lang said four words, "Consume forces selfishly."

Consume forces selfishly!

General Guo was stunned, "How dare he?!"

Nonetheless, having served many years as a soldier, General Guo understood the underlying complexities, and it wasn’t new; it happened across dynasties. Many generals from the former dynasty did this, on the march plotting against other generals, absorbing their forces to strengthen their own troops.

During the early years of Great Chu, similar occurrences were frequent, the emperor turned a blind eye; as long as you could win battles, the troops and accolades were yours.

Currently, the Northwest was chaotic, lacking provisions and soldiers, and to earn glory in battles, you must have ample soldiers under your command. Ding Ge wants sufficient soldiers under him, to earn merits upon reaching the Northwest.

Faced with such matters, General Guo was helpless; if the emperor didn’t intervene, what could he say?

He could only instruct Qin San Lang, "Don’t let him consume your forces."

Qin San Lang nodded, "Rest assured, General, I’m aware, my wife’s family brought some capable individuals; their skills are commendable, should something happen, they can assist."

Moreover, in secret, he had other people, Ding Ge better not provoke him.

However...

His eyes darkened; living a life constantly wary of others was tough, if opportunity arises, he would eliminate Ding Ge first.

"Enough, I’ll send two people with you." General Guo called over two individuals, one old and one young, pointing at them, "Master and disciple Gu, you’ve seen them; their skills in treating and mending animals are outstanding; take them to the Northwest, they will be useful."

Handing over their indentures to Qin San Lang as he spoke.

"Thank you, Uncle Guo!" Qin San Lang rejoiced; he needed such talents.

Although he already had Yuan Jiagui assisting him in horse breeding and treating animals, Yuan Jiagui was too old, and it was initially agreed that Yuan Jiagui would only teach. However, the sudden outbreak of war in the Northwest disrupted plans, and the batch learning from Yuan Jiagui hadn’t yet mastered the essence. He only brought two who learned the best.

Gaining the master and disciple Gu now was a great stroke of luck.

General Guo was pleased as he heard Qin San Lang call him uncle, patting his shoulder, "No need for useless words, take them."

He then addressed the master and disciple Gu, "Old Gu, you’ve seen San Lang, he’s a good one. From now on, he is your master, follow his orders and dedicate yourselves; otherwise, if he sells you, there’s nothing I can do."