0p0 Chapter 199 Return in triumph
Chapter 199 Return in triumph
Time flies, and in the blink of an eye, four months have passed since Gu Xuanchao left.
The weather has warmed up, and since Gu Xuanchao withdrew, Jiaxian County has been largely restored.
The most frustrating thing is that several small towns adjacent to Jiaxian County were occupied by Gu Xuanchao.
Because of last year's war, countless soldiers and civilians of the Ling Kingdom were killed or wounded, and they are temporarily unable to reclaim what they lost.
After Ling Kingdom recaptured Jiaxian County, the small town, which had been ravaged by war, was in ruins, with most of the houses in the town being damaged beyond recognition.
In order to enable the people to resume their normal lives as soon as possible, the soldiers of Ling Kingdom actively engaged in the repair work of damaged houses after resting.
The soldiers first conducted a comprehensive search of the houses in the city, classifying them according to the degree of damage.
For houses that were only slightly damaged, the soldiers mainly carried out some simple repairs.
They replaced the burned-out parts of the roof with new thatch and wood.
The gaps and cracks in the walls were filled with mud and stones, the rickety door and window frames were reinforced, and the broken doors and windows were reinstalled.
For those houses that were more severely damaged, the soldiers had to put in even more effort.
They worked together to demolish the parts that were beyond repair, cleared the ruins, and then replanned and rebuilt.
During this process, the soldiers fully demonstrated their teamwork spirit, with some responsible for transporting building materials, some for digging foundations, some for building walls, and some for constructing roofs.
Despite the arduous work, not a single soldier complained. They all devoted themselves wholeheartedly to their work, filled with sympathy for the people of Chiayi County and enthusiasm for rebuilding their homes.
While repairing the houses, the soldiers also made sure to check and reinforce their safety.
They carefully inspected the beams, columns, and structure of the house, and promptly addressed any safety hazards they discovered.
In addition to the actual repair work, the soldiers also cooperated with the local people near Chiayi County.
The people offered their help, some even contributing building materials stored in their homes.
Some brought water and food to the soldiers, while others directly participated in the maintenance work.
The military and civilians worked together to rebuild Chiayi County.
After four months of hard work, the damaged houses in Jiaxian County have been gradually repaired.
The dilapidated houses became sturdy and durable, the walls that were once riddled with holes became smooth and flat, and the once run-down streets were revitalized.
The actions of Ling Kingdom soldiers in repairing damaged houses in Jia County not only gave the people of Jia County a place to live again, but also made them feel the care and warmth of Ling Kingdom.
At the same time, this action also reflects the sense of responsibility and mission of the soldiers of the Kingdom of Ling. They are not only warriors on the battlefield, but also guardians of peace and construction.
The town of Jiaxian has now been almost completely restored.
Inside the Jiaxian County government office, dappled sunlight streamed into the tidy courtyard. Daya, Shui'er, and Xiaohe sat around Xiaoyue, chatting about the recent events.
Shui'er gently stirred the teacup in her hand, a hint of resentment in her eyes.
"Sister Xiaoyue, now that you're much better, it's about time we set off back to Huanling City."
Xiao He nodded in agreement, saying, "Yes, Gu Xuanchao has already sent an envoy to negotiate terms with us."
Because Shui'er severely injured their eldest prince, Wu Bailie, the king of Gu Xuanchao was furious and immediately demanded that the old general hand over Shui'er.
The old general naturally refused, and after a dispute, he could only offer the towns near Jiaxian County that they had occupied as compensation to barely quell the unrest.
Upon hearing this, Shui'er sneered, "Hmph, if it weren't for my concern for the people of Ling Kingdom, I would have sent him to his death right then and there."
Her tone revealed a deep disgust for Wu Bailie.
Daya gently patted Shui'er and Xiaohe on the shoulders, her tone gentle but with a hint of reproach.
"You two should be more humble! Don't get carried away just because you've achieved something."
The two exchanged a smile upon hearing Da Ya's words, then hugged her affectionately and exclaimed, "Oh... Sister Da Ya!"
Daya smiled helplessly and gently nudged them.
"Alright, alright, sit down. You two little puddings need someone to keep you in check, otherwise you'll both become incredibly arrogant."
Nowadays, although the five or six little brats in Sujia Village, including Shui'er and Shizi, are highly skilled in martial arts.
But in front of their eldest sister, they would still behave obediently.
Daya's gaze fell on Xiaoyue, and she said softly, "Xiaoyue, the situation has improved now. The old general has already reached an agreement with the envoy of Gu Xuanchao."
At this moment, Xiaoyue frowned slightly and asked in confusion, "Conditions? Didn't we already drive them away? How dare they still come to make demands?"
Daya sighed and explained, "Because Shui'er injured that Wu Bailie, Gu Xuanchao will definitely not let it go."
If they don't pay compensation, they are very likely to launch another large-scale war to invade the Kingdom of Ling.
Upon hearing this, a flash of anger crossed Xiaoyue's eyes.
"So what did we compensate them for?"
No sooner had the words been spoken than a steady voice came from the gate of the compound.
"I will compensate them with one million taels of silver and a certain amount of strategic materials in exchange for temporary peace."
Upon hearing this, the four turned to look, and saw the old general walking steadily into the courtyard, followed by the five spirit stars and several generals.
The four of them quickly stood up and bowed to the old general, saying, "Old General!"
The old general smiled and nodded: "Let's go sit in the main hall and chat."
The group then moved into the lobby.
After everyone was seated, the servants brought out various teas and snacks.
The old general looked around at everyone and slowly said, "Fellow colleagues, I have called you here today to say two things."
Qin Lingxing was the first to bow and speak, "Please speak, General."
The old general nodded slightly and continued, "The first matter concerns the issue of compensation for the envoys from the Gu Xuan Dynasty."
Although we appeased their anger temporarily by offering the town as compensation, this is not a long-term solution.
We must strengthen border defenses, increase vigilance, and prevent them from attacking again.
Qi Lingxing nodded in agreement: "The old general is absolutely right. We will make full preparations."
The old general's gaze swept across everyone's faces as he continued speaking in a calm tone.
"The second thing is that now that the smoke of war has cleared in Jia County, we should start planning our return to Huanling City. After all, that's where our foundation is."
Upon hearing this, a look of worry crossed Xiaoyue's face. She stood up, her voice tinged with urgency.
"General, what should we do if Gu Xuanchao makes a comeback after we leave?"
The old general gently waved his hand, gesturing for Xiaoyue to sit down, his eyes revealing a calm composure born of experience.
"Xiaoyue, it's understandable that the four of you are not government officials and therefore unaware of this negotiation."
Throughout history, it has been common for two countries to send envoys to negotiate when they are at war.
Once an agreement is reached, both parties should abide by the agreement and prioritize harmony.
Only if negotiations break down will force be used to determine the victor.
I have consulted with Gu Xuanchao's envoy repeatedly and finally reached an agreement.
They have pledged not to launch any further attacks on the Kingdom of Ling for the next three years.
While this agreement is not set in stone, it will buy us a precious period of peace.
Upon hearing the old general's explanation, the worry on the four men's faces gradually faded, replaced by a sense of relief.
The old general smiled slightly and glanced at everyone again.
"Do you have any further doubts or questions that you would like to raise with me?"
The four of them looked at each other, shook their heads, and indicated that there was no problem.
Seeing this, the old general nodded and turned his gaze to Zheng Xining, who was standing to the side.
"Zheng Xining!"
Upon hearing this, Zheng Xining's body stiffened, and he quickly stood up, cupping his hands in salute: "Your subordinate is here!"
The old general's eyes revealed a sense of trust and expectation.
"From now on, we will proceed according to the plan we agreed upon earlier regarding the affairs of Jiaxian County. The safety of Jiaxian County is entrusted to you."
Zheng Xining's expression was firm, and his tone was resounding.
"This humble general will do his utmost to defend Jiaxian County to the death, and live up to the old general's high expectations!"
The old general nodded in satisfaction, a hint of relief in his voice.
"Alright, I'm relieved to have you here. Go and make your preparations. We'll set off back to Illusionary Spirit City in three days."
As the old general finished speaking, his gaze swept across the faces of the crowd once more, his eyes reflecting both anticipation for the future and感慨 (gǎnkǎi, deep feelings) about the past.
He knew that they had weathered many storms along the way, but it was these storms that forged their resilience and indomitable spirit.
Everyone stood up, cupped their hands in greeting, and acknowledged the order.
Their hearts were filled with anticipation and longing for the future.
Three days passed in the blink of an eye. Outside Jiaxian County, a blazing sun hung high in the azure sky, radiating brilliant light.
It seemed even hotter than in previous years, yet it also reflected the vibrant life on the earth.
The shadow of war has dissipated, replaced by joy and hope on the faces of the people.
Outside the city gate, on a road paved with bluestone, soldiers of the Ling Kingdom, dressed in neat armor and holding long spears, stood in orderly ranks, ready to embark on their journey home.
Their eyes reflected both longing for their hometown and a deep affection for this land.
People spontaneously flocked from all directions, carrying various baskets and cloth bags, their faces beaming with smiles, as if they wanted to transform all their joy and gratitude into this moment of jubilation.
Children frolic and play among the crowd, their cheerful laughter ringing out from time to time.
It added a touch of life and vitality to this solemn scene.
An elderly man with a wrinkled face but a resolute gaze stood in the crowd, leaning on a cane. His voice, though slightly aged, was full of strength and deep affection.
He turned to the group of children surrounding him, his eyes shining, as if he wanted to imprint this memory deep into their hearts.
"Children, you must all remember this," the old man said earnestly.
"Standing before you are the most valiant generals and soldiers of our Ling Kingdom."
They fought bravely on the battlefield, protecting our Jiaxian County.
It was they who risked their lives to protect every inch of Jiaxian County, allowing us to live peacefully on this land.
You should all be very proud of them!
Wherever you go in the future, never forget this kindness, never forget that it was these heroes who gave us peace and hope.
The children listened intently, their eyes sparkling with admiration and curiosity. At that moment, they seemed to understand what a hero is and what responsibility is.
Some children even quietly straightened their backs, as if secretly vowing to become as brave as these soldiers in the future.
Some parents in the crowd, with their children in their hands and carrying baskets or bags on their backs, slowly walked towards the soldiers of the Ling Kingdom.
Their baskets were filled with fruits and vegetables they grew themselves, and their bags were filled with handmade clothes and insoles.
Every gift carries deep gratitude and respect.
"Children, come, let's thank the generals together with your parents."
A mother spoke to her child, took the child's hand, and together they handed the basket to the nearest soldier.
The soldier took the basket, a simple yet warm smile on his face, and gently patted the child's head.
"Thank you, young man. I will continue to work hard to protect more people."
Such scenes played out repeatedly among the crowd, with each soldier receiving gifts and blessings from the people.
Their faces were filled with emotion and pride. This support and trust from the people made them feel that all their efforts were worthwhile.
The old general stood there, his gaze deep and warm.
He watched the heartwarming and touching scene unfold before him, his heart filled with indescribable emotions.
He did not stop the people from expressing their gratitude and giving gifts to the soldiers.
Because he knew this was the best embodiment of the close bond between the military and the people, and the honor and respect that the soldiers deserved.
After the gifts and blessings from the people were passed on one by one.
The old general slowly raised his hand and waved it gently, his voice steady and powerful.
"Let's go!"
At this command, the soldiers of Ling Kingdom turned around in unison and embarked on their journey home.
Their steps were firm and powerful, each step seemingly a farewell to this land and its people.
Their faces radiated longing for their hometown and anticipation for the future, along with an indescribable sense of pride and mission.
The people remained standing outside the city gate, watching the soldiers depart.
Their eyes were filled with reluctance and respect, as if they wanted to etch this memory into their hearts forever.
Under the watchful eyes of the people, the soldiers of the Spirit Kingdom marched with smiles toward the City of Illusions.
Their shadows stretched long in the sunlight, gradually receding from this land and its people, but that deep affection and connection will never fade away.
The old general walked at the very front of the column, his back straight and resolute, like an unshakable mountain.
His heart was filled with anticipation and confidence for the future, because he knew that as long as the military and the people were united, nothing could stop them from moving forward.