The weather was fine, so they brought out a large straw mat. After spreading a cloth over it, they placed the younger children, Xiao Fu and Xiao Taohe, on top to play.
Xiao Fu could already walk short distances. He was half a year older than Xiao Taohe, but gers were a bit more delicate than boys, not as active or mischievous, and were usually quieter.
Now, Xiao Taohe could already crawl and sit by himself to play. Xiao Fu and Xiao Taohe, being closer in age now, could actually play together somewhat. They would shake rattles together and hold onto some cloth doll toys.
With many children in the large courtyard, it was very lively.
Huang Manjing, Yuan Huiru, and Wu Lianhe all loved children. Because of this, the little ones didn't need much managing by Ji Taoyu and the others. The young and old together were actually quite harmonious and happy.
"Ji Taoyu, really, you actually cried? Look, Big Beard has been away at the battlefield for so long, have I cried even once? If he doesn't come back, it's his bad luck."
"I certainly wouldn't stay a young widow forever. I'd immediately write to my natal family and have them find me a better match."
After being teased by them like this, Ji Taoyu said: "You'd better mean that. Don't be all smiles in front of us, only to cry in private. I'll just ask Xiao Yan, and I'll know everything."
"Ask, go ahead and ask! Do you think I'm like that?"
"A-Yan,come here quickly! Little Uncle has a question for you. I'll give you an even more impressive big knife later!"
"Hey, hey! What does a child know? He just talks nonsense! And you're really calling him over!"
Tian Yin, seeing Ji Taoyu call for Xiao Duan Yan, hurried over to stop him.
With them around all day, joking and teasing to keep him company, Ji Taoyu felt the days weren't so hard to get through. Unconsciously, more than half a month had already passed.
The journey for Huo Shu's group was initially relatively smooth. However, the rebel army, aiming to sever the supply lines of the imperial forces, had stationed operatives within Lianping Prefecture to create obstructions and block the roads.
Although Huo Shu's team were not official military personnel, the fact that they were transporting grain made them a target, and they faced repeated blockades.
In the end, it was a group of local farmers who guided them along hidden paths and personally escorted them safely past the critical checkpoint.
Back when the epidemic broke out in Lianping Prefecture, it was Ji Taoyu who developed the prescription that saved everyone. Later, he also shared the formula widely, saving countless lives.
The farmers recognized Ge Liang,who had given them the prescription back then. Grateful and unable to forget the kindness, the farmers were not only willing to help them cross the border covertly but also contributed a significant donation of grain.
Once they entered Tongzhou, they immediately sent a messenger to inform Duan Chi to bring troops to meet them.
When Duan Chi received the news, his first thought was that it might be a deceptive false message, and he found it hard to believe they had arrived so quickly. However, the messenger was Ge Liang—a familiar face known to be kept close by Huo Shu—so how could he disbelieve it?
The Sixth Prince was immensely pleased and immediately ordered Duan Chi to go and receive them. The two parties successfully met, and the grain was delivered without incident.
The military supplies in the camp had long been depleted, and they were barely sustaining themselves by procuring grain from the local farmers in the area. However, due to the conflict in Tongzhou, this year's grain harvest wasn't abundant, and most of it was controlled by the rebels. If the army provisions hadn't arrived, they would truly have had their lifeline squeezed.
Although the quantity of grain Huo Shu delivered wasn't huge, its rapid arrival was critical. It replenished the army's supplies in a timely manner, ensuring the soldiers did not go hungry, which in turn allowed morale to be maintained.
When the Sixth Prince learned of the incident where the original military provisions were lost, he deduced it was the work of factions within the imperial court. He was furious.
He had always been aware that the tactics employed in power struggles could be despicable. However, he never imagined their audacity would reach such extremes—showing complete disregard for the lives of his soldiers and the loss of territory, they had actually dared to sabotage the army's food supplies.
The Sixth Prince thus resolved to utilize these newly arrived provisions before they could be exhausted, aiming to launch one decisive assault to capture Tongzhou and bring the war to an end.
"If that's the case, then the battle in Tongzhou will be over soon! That's good news! Maybe we can even move back this year!"
"But if that's so, why hasn't A-Shu returned yet? This message has already arrived. Could a message really travel faster by fast horse than they can return?"
Ji Taoyu was reading the letter sent from Tongzhou to Huang Yinsheng, Ji Yangzong, and Huang Manjing.
He sighed: "I haven't finished reading the rest. Precisely because the Sixth Prince is worried about subsequent supply problems and wants to speed up the process to pacify Tongzhou quickly, avoiding further complications... A-Shu successfully delivered a significant amount of grain, and the Sixth Prince thinks very highly of him for it. So, he had them stay, asking A-Shu to assist until this battle is finished."
After hearing this, the few members of the family fell silent.
"I knew it. How could it be so simple for him to return once he left? Even though A-Shu has experience battling the fierce Rongdi (non-Han ethnic groups) from the north, it has been several years since he was last on a battlefield. If something unforeseen were to happen to him, what would our family do?"
"Once you're in the army camp, it's not like you can just say you won't fight. Previously, the main army had already turned the situation around somewhat. A-Shu is just joining for the final phase, it shouldn't be that difficult."
The people in the room worried for a good while, then comforted each other, talking late into the night.
By the time Ji Taoyu returned to his room, the night was deep and quiet. Xiao Taohe had already been sound asleep for many hours.
After tucking the little one in properly, he collapsed onto the bed and lay down.
Now, Huo Shu was clearly the pillar of the household. His father and mother had come to rely on him in all matters. And now, after just delivering supplies, he ended up being kept there himself. Of course, the family would be worried and afraid.
Outside, he had spoken up for Huo Shu, vouching for his ability and saying nothing would happen. But now, back in his room, he couldn't help feeling depressed.
He had waited for almost a month, fully expecting that the person might return tomorrow, only to have his hopes dashed. How could he not feel depressed?
Turning his head, he saw the dark blue, oversized robe hanging on the clothes rack by the bed. He couldn't resist stretching out his foot and kicking it: "You said you'd come back early. Sure enough, a man's words in bed are not to be trusted."
Thank you for the update!!!
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