A master of metaphysics is farming.

Chapter 190 The soldiers go to the ground

The next morning, as dawn broke, it was the perfect day to return to the city.

Xiang Yang had already joined the army, and Pang Long gave him a choice. In the end, he chose to join Zhou Ziyue's army.

While guarding the city gates is good, conquering all directions can make a name for oneself.

Everyone was fully prepared to leave, and few people in the city cheered as they departed.

This trip back to the city will be much slower than traveling, but fortunately Xiang He isn't in a hurry to go back. He can take the opportunity to rest and recharge along the way, and also check how many of the local residents have already returned home.

They walked in front, with Zhou Ziyue leading the troops behind.

After walking for half a day, they finally saw the people returning home. When they saw the soldiers, they all made way to thank them.

Indeed, soldiers are always the most popular people, regardless of the era.

Walking back along the official road, we passed through a village with fields on both sides. Some people had already started working in the fields, pulling out the wilted old seedlings and replacing them with newly acquired ones.

With several acres of fields on either side, Xiang He rolled up his sleeves, dismounted, and said, "Since we still have to travel slowly anyway, why don't we lend a hand?"

The girls were the most lively, and Zeng Yunqing dismounted without saying a word. "I was just about to say that! Anyway, they can continue marching, and we can catch up with them from behind!"

Everyone seemed quite willing. He Suian nodded and followed the group. Da Ma ate some new sprouts by the roadside. The people, seeing that they looked extraordinary, were initially hesitant to let them touch the food, but eventually gave in and agreed.

Zeng Yunqing found it amusing, but fortunately, she was quick-witted and learned quickly.

The men were used to rough work and weren't afraid of hurting their hands when doing farm work. Only Zhu Nan, whose back was difficult to straighten, could only stand aside and hand over seedlings.

When the 20,000 soldiers behind them saw them, Zhou Ziyue waved his hand, and the soldiers followed him to the fields to work.

This trip to Beijing is not urgent, and it's for the sake of the people; it's alright to be a little slower.

Although the fields on both sides cannot be fully planted, only a small amount is planted per acre. This is the kind of atmosphere that Xiang He likes, as the villagers help those who cannot return.

Many hands make light work. What would normally take two hours, they finished in half an hour. Xiang He admired these soldiers; they were just more efficient than him!

He Sui'an clapped his hands and approached, "Zi Yue's soldiers are the only army that knows how to farm. They are stationed in a city not far from the capital. They have their own hundred acres of fertile land, and all the harvest is used as military rations. They don't need any funding from the national treasury."

"Wow, that's impressive!" Xiang He felt a surge of admiration for Zhou Ziyue. "The people you know are all extraordinary. Besides being a ship merchant, what kind of person is Liu Shixing?"

“He has a strong business sense. I only gave him a hundred taels back then, but in just five years he expanded his cargo ship business. I provided the capital, so I own half of his business.”

"You're too calculating..."

This guy really knows how to invest – he starts with a hundred taels of silver and gets a lifetime of 50/50 profits.

Hearing her say that, He Sui'an was not annoyed. He just smiled and said, "That's because I had a discerning eye and acquired this pearl first, which led to my later wealth and status."

Xiang He looked at him with new respect at his sudden boastfulness, "He's not even humble now, no wonder he's the top scholar of the dynasty!"

The two men rode up, chatting and laughing. Their clothes were covered in mud and dust, but they simply patted them off a few times, mounted their horses, and continued on their way, finding an open space for the army to rest.

By traveling and stopping along the way, helping the people as he went, Zhou Ziyue gained countless accolades.

Upon entering Shuiyun City, the city's residents offered them their own food as a welcome treat.

Zhou Ziyue naturally dared not ask for too much, but the people would drop their food and run away, so they could only thank them loudly before gathering together to eat.

Xiang He and the others returned to the courtyard to stay. She even went up the back mountain to look for the mountain god, but the mountain god was very busy and couldn't spare the time, so Xiang He had to give up.

Once Zeng Yunqing received permission from his family to go to the capital, everyone immediately set off for the capital.

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On May 27th, the army returned to the city, and Xiang He and his men, along with Zhou Ziyue and a thousand soldiers, marched into the capital.

At the city gate, soldiers separated the people on both sides, and the people cheered, "The general is brave! Long live the emperor!"

Xiang He spotted the Tang family members in the crowd.

Xiang He and his group walked at the back. It was inconvenient for them to walk with Zhou Ziyue and He Suian, since they were the generals leading the troops this time.

As they headed towards the imperial city, Xiang He and the others led the large horse south of the city.

As soon as I turned into Zhaoxiang, I saw several familiar figures standing outside the archway in the distance.

The couple standing at the front had tears in their eyes, and Mrs. Su choked out softly, "They're finally back... We were so worried about them..."

Xiangyang released the reins and rushed forward, calling out, "Father, Mother..."

Seeing her son, who had joined the army, return, tears streamed down Su's face. She turned her head away to wipe her tears, saying to Dayong, "It's good that he's back, it's good that he's back..."

Her family members behind her also had tears in their eyes. Jiang Xinyue sniffled and laughed, "You've been gone for more than two months. I'm really impressed by you all..."

She stepped forward, her eyes filled with heartache as she looked at Xiang He's face. "How did you get another new injury? Why didn't the doctor give you any scar-reducing medicine?"

The long, deep scar on her right cheek was something Xiang He never tried to hide. Her long hair was always tied up, making the scar on her face even more noticeable.

Relatives gathered around, and Madam Su took Xiang He's hand, her trembling hand gently touching the scar on her face, "It hurts a lot, doesn't it?"

"Of course it hurts, but it's all better now," Xiang He said, raising her hand to wipe her soothe the sore skin. "Shall we go back first? We're exhausted from just getting back. Have you prepared anything delicious to eat?"

"Yes! Of course!" Fourth Aunt hurriedly turned around and opened the door. "I heard you were going back to town today. Although I don't know if you're going back, we've prepared a lot of food!"

Xiang Huiying waved to them, "Everyone's back, so we'll temporarily use the master's kitchen. Xinyue and I have made a lot of delicious food!"

"Then we're in for a treat!"

As everyone walked through the gate, Xiang He brushed past Wang Rongxing as he stepped inside. Looking back, he saw Wang Rongxing excitedly following Zeng Yunqing.

"What brings you here?" His eyes lit up with surprise, but it quickly faded. "Could it be that you're at home..."

As if sensing the strange gaze, Zeng Yunqing looked up and saw Xiang He's teasing eyes. She glared at her irritably and then pinched Wang Rongxing's arm.

"Everything's fine at home! It's all your fault!"

With a playful scolding, she jogged after them, leaving Wang Rongxing standing there dumbfounded. "Why is it my fault? Explain yourself!"

The two, who have already confessed their feelings for each other, exchanging words with each other is like a pink bubble.

At the dinner table, Wang Rongxing kept putting food on her plate, while Xiang He rolled her eyes countless times. "I know you two are getting married soon, but can you please consider us? I still want to eat..."

"None of your business!" He turned his head and smiled ingratiatingly. "Qing'er is eating this, and I'm here to help."

"Tsk tsk tsk!" Jiang Xinyue picked up a piece of meat and put it in her bowl. "Look at how lovey-dovey you two are," she turned to look at He. "I noticed something was off before you even came to Beijing, but he still won't admit it!"

"How did you find out?"

Jiang Xinyue immediately put down her chopsticks, looking like she was about to launch into a long speech, which startled Zeng Yunqing, who waved her hands repeatedly, saying, "Don't say anything!"

“What’s there to hide?” Jiang Xinyue chuckled. “Because Miss Zeng often went to Jinyi Manor to offer advice, Rongxing developed feelings for her. Who knew he would suddenly dare to write something like that one day…”

"Oh, stop talking!"

Jiang Xinyue smiled and closed her mouth, "Alright, alright, I won't say anymore. Look how red-faced Miss Zeng is! Be careful she doesn't jump up and hit us later~"

"Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!"