The wind rises at the end of the Ming Dynasty

Chapter 513 Pain
As times change and the world evolves, the wounds of the past gradually heal with the passage of time.

In the streets and alleys of the capital, the fear and unease of the past are gradually being replaced by the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

People always need to eat, and life always goes on.

In the market, grain prices gradually stabilized under the strong control of the Jingnan Army.

Ships from the south of the Yangtze River, laden with grain, arrived at the docks of Tianjin in an endless stream.

The white rice grains flowed into the capital region like a river.

News also came from the south that the waterway of the Grand Canal had been cleared, and official ships fully loaded with rice and grain were sailing north along the Grand Canal.

Outside the markets and neighborhoods, the lines of people waiting to receive relief supplies were gradually shortening.

In teahouses and taverns, the storyteller's resounding voice once again echoed.

Children playing were seen again at the entrance of the alley.

This capital city, which has endured countless calamities, is slowly awakening under the warm spring sun.

Although the city walls still bear the marks of war, life must go on.

Business travelers cautiously resumed their businesses, and one by one, the tightly closed shops reopened.

The rhythmic shouts of peddlers echoed through the streets and alleys once again, and the clear reading voices of children could be heard again from the schools.

Craftsmen were busy repairing damaged houses, while farmers were tending to the barren fields in the countryside.

The spring breeze caressed the glazed tiles of the imperial city and also passed through the bluestone slabs of ordinary alleys.

Chessboard Street outside Daming Gate was the first place in the entire capital to recover its prosperity.

Although many shops along the street still have their doors closed and the broken rubble has not been completely cleared, with craftsmen busy repairing them, several shops have already reopened for business.

However, many shops on Qipan Street are still open for business.

Silk shops, tea shops, silver shops, pawnshops and other stores lined the streets, with shop assistants standing in front of the doors, enthusiastically greeting passersby.

The streets were bustling with traffic and people, though not as crowded as in the past, they still had a lively atmosphere.

The vendors carrying loads on their shoulders loudly hawked their fresh seasonal goods, their clear shouts rising and falling in waves.

As the sun rose high in the sky, the midday bell tolled from the Bell and Drum Tower.

Fragrant aromas wafted from various restaurants and eateries, the sweet scents carried by the rising steam filling the spring air, while the shouts of waiters filled the air.

A grand and spacious restaurant stood out, with a doorman in a blue robe and a small hat standing on each side of the entrance.

They wore smiles and bowed to greet passersby, their manners proper yet not obsequious.

If a guest stops to enter, a quick-witted waiter will immediately rush to greet them.

A merchant dressed in a silk shirt had just paused briefly in front of the door when a waiter wearing a small blue cloth hat and a blue cloth shirt came over to greet him, bowing respectfully.

"Greetings, sir! Our shop has just received some plump river fish today, and the roasted duck we just cooked is still steaming hot. We also have elegant seats by the window on the second floor, where you can enjoy your meal while admiring the street view."

The merchant waved his hand.
The waiter didn't press the matter. He smiled and stepped back, maintaining a respectful posture, and bowed again.

"Please take your time, sir."

The waiter then retreated to the side of the main entrance.

Just then, the sharp-eyed waiter spotted a group of people dressed in red arrow-patterned clothing, walking briskly with straight backs, coming from the side.

The leader was a burly man with a full beard that stood up like steel needles, and he walked with a fierce and imposing aura.

The three people behind him, though not as muscular as him, were all tall and imposing.

To the left was a young man in his early twenties with a short mustache, who was looking at the street vendors with great interest.

The man on the right was about thirty-five or thirty-six years old, with his eyes fixed straight ahead and a calm expression.

The last one was a dark-skinned man, also around thirty years old, with dark, shiny skin and bright, piercing eyes.

The waiter lowered his gaze, which swept over the hands of the men. He noticed their large knuckles and calluses on their thumbs, marks left from years of wielding knives and guns.

They were carrying large and small bags, as if they had bought some things.

As a waiter at a restaurant on Qipan Street in the capital, Fu Shun was well-informed, having overheard conversations among customers from all over the country. Moreover, the manager had given him relevant instructions in the past few days.

The capital city is now able to enjoy peace again, entirely thanks to the Jingnan Army's northern expedition that decisively defeated the Qing army.

These days, the Jingnan Army is resting and recuperating in the city, with each battalion taking turns to rest.

Judging from their demeanor and manner, these men must be soldiers of the Jingnan Army who have come to the city to make purchases during their rest period.

The generals of the Jingnan Army were different from the soldiers of other garrisons; they received generous pay, and many of them received substantial rewards for their great victory in the Northern Expedition.

Most importantly, the Jingnan Army is known for its strict military discipline, and its soldiers never abuse their power to bully others.

Whether it's eating, drinking, staying at an inn, or purchasing goods, they always pay the full amount of money.

Many people in the capital were grateful for his kindness and often refused to accept money, but the soldiers of the Jingnan Army insisted on paying.

The other day, the shop assistant at the silk shop across the street mentioned that a sergeant from the Jingnan Army bought three bolts of Hangzhou silk, and the shopkeeper insisted on only charging the cost price.

However, the officer insisted on paying the market price, saying that there was an order in the army that if the full amount was not paid, the officer would be punished by military law upon returning to camp.

In recent days, many soldiers of the Jingnan Army have come into the city for rest and recuperation.

They often spend lavishly when making purchases.

The waiter noticed that the group had been looking at various restaurants as they approached, so he knew they were looking for a place to eat. Without hesitation, he stepped forward, stood to the side of the group, and bowed.

"Brothers, are you looking for a place to eat?"

The waiter didn't address him as "sir," as he had already served several groups of Jingnan soldiers in the past few days.

These soldiers dislike being addressed as "soldier lord" and prefer to be called "brother."

They often addressed each other as "comrades-in-arms".

"I'm not bragging, but in terms of food and drink, Huixianlou Restaurant on Qipan Street is one of the best, and the prices are reasonable."

The waiter stepped aside and gestured respectfully.

At the same time, his gaze swept over the burly general at the head of the army, who was dressed in a well-fitting arrow-patterned uniform with a red leather belt around his waist.

The waiter's eyes lit up slightly; he recognized it as the insignia of a captain in the Jingnan army.

The other three wore dark blue belts around their waists, clearly indicating they were military officers.

Moreover, the gleaming gold medals hanging on their chests were truly captivating.

The waiter was well-informed. He didn't know what these medals represented, but he knew that the more medals a person had, the more powerful they were in the Jingnan Army.

"We have both famous local chefs from the capital and master chefs specially invited from Shandong. They can prepare all kinds of dishes. The private rooms on the second floor are by the window, which are quiet and offer a view of the street. If you want something more lively, there are also seats in the main hall. Why don't you give it a try?"

"There are still quite a few of our Jingnan Army brothers eating in the building right now."

The burly general at the head of the group stopped and looked inside, following the waiter's introduction. He then nodded in agreement to the others behind him, and once they agreed, he did so.

A slight smile appeared on the burly general's face as he clasped his hands in a fist and laughed.

"Then please lead the way, sir. We'll just stay in the lobby."

The waiter's face was warm and welcoming. These days, the soldiers of the Jingnan Army he had met had always spoken in a friendly and amiable manner, never arrogant or haughty.

The waiter immediately pulled off the rag hanging from his shoulder and shouted loudly.

"The lobby faces the street, four distinguished guests!" Another waiter came and asked if they could help with their luggage, but the group naturally declined.

Following the waiter's directions, the group sat down at a table facing the street. After inquiring about the prices of the dishes, they began to order.

During the court hearing, they indeed saw several soldiers from the same town dressed similarly and having a meal. They then greeted each other.

After the order was placed, the waiter bowed and withdrew.

After they sat down, they looked around at the surroundings and started chatting.

"The capital is the capital. The rest of the country is far inferior to it."

The short-bearded youth looked around at the furnishings and couldn't help but sigh.

"These past few days in the capital have truly been an eye-opener. I've traveled all over the country and never seen such a big city before."

The burly man spoke in a deep, resonant voice, which was equally astonishing.

"After we finish eating, I'll go buy some jewelry for my wife."

The composed middle-aged man smiled slightly and said sarcastically.

"Old Huang, tell me the truth."

"Are you afraid of your wife? You've bought so many things, seventeen or eighteen of them, all for your wife. Don't worry, we're brothers, I'll definitely keep this a secret for you."

The composed middle-aged man pretended to be serious, even patting the burly man on the shoulder, while the other two suppressed their laughter.

The burly man's face flushed slightly, and a hint of panic flashed in his eyes, but he quickly regained his composure.

"You damn bastard, Zhou Changshou, you're actually making fun of me now."

"You idiot, aren't most of your things bought for your own wife?!"

Zhou Changshou pursed his lips and looked around.

"Huang Hu, your eyesight isn't good. Let me remind you."

Zhou Changshou glanced to his left and lowered his voice.

“Our military judges also eat here. It’s fine to swear a few times in the barracks, but we’re on leave in the capital now. The higher-ups have said that once we leave the camp, we represent the face of the Jingnan Army.”

"The requirements for our Guards Division are much stricter than those for ordinary soldiers."

The short-bearded youth laughed in the same way.

"Sir, you were already fined three taels of salary last month, so you'd better be careful."

Huang Hu's face flushed red. He had indeed seen the military judge of his department, and he immediately lowered his voice, only daring to mutter under his breath.

The other three couldn't help but chuckle softly.

Wu Ping picked up the teacup in front of him, drank some tea, and laughed.

He didn't join their conversation, but just listened in silence.

Huang Hu was the battalion commander of their company, while Zhou Changshou and Han Fuliang were their squad leaders.

Huang Hu and Zhou Changshou were both soldiers in the eighth year of the Chongzhen reign. They joined the army when Binzhou was recruiting soldiers. The two bickered but always had a good relationship.

The other young man was Han Fuliang.

Originally, they were guards of Hanzhong Guard. After undergoing reorganization and training in Hanzhong, they were selected into the Imperial Guard Division due to their outstanding performance.

When he joined the Guard Division, he was first assigned to the division where Huang Hu was located, and later he was promoted to the rank of squad leader due to his merits.

Thinking of this, Wu Ping subconsciously touched his chest.

Four gleaming gold medals were hanging on his chest.

The medal on the far right is a city gate with a tower, and a small plaque above the gate reads "Yangzhou".

The medals on the second one from the right are similar in spirit, but there are some differences between the city tower and the city gate, and the small plaque has the words "Jining" written on it.

After the war, the Jingnan army rewarded those who had rendered meritorious service not only with money, but also with these medals that represented honor.

There are generally two types of medals: one is a battle medal representing those who have experienced major battles.

The other type is military medals.

Military medals are further divided into collective military medals and individual military medals.

Wu Ping possessed both of these military medals.

Wu Ping's other two military medals are one for the Battle of Yangzhou, commemorating his battalion's contribution in securing victory for the army after paying a heavy price against an enemy force several times larger.

In recognition of his merits, he was promoted to captain of the 2nd Battalion of the Imperial Guard Division.

The other medal is a second-class military merit medal for the Battle of Jining.

When his own army was attacked by Qing troops and was on the verge of collapse, and the banner commander was killed, Wu Ping stepped forward and killed one of the Qing army's Jiala Ejen. He then took command, stabilized the army, and led his troops in a counterattack.

Later, as the temporary chief of staff of the banner, he served as the spearhead in the Battle of Jining on many occasions. In the entire battle, the banner killed a total of 89 enemy soldiers, and his combat merit ranked first in the entire battalion.

As a result, Wu Ping was promoted to the rank of regimental commander of the Imperial Guard Division, holding the same rank as veterans such as Zhou Changshou and Han Fuliang.

As Wu Ping reminisced, the noise from the group subsided.

Zhou Changshou glanced at Wu Ping, his smile fading slightly, and he became somewhat cautious.

"Wu Ping."

"What are your plans next?"

During their break, the rest of them bought many things, but Wu Ping didn't buy anything.

Wu Ping is different from the other three. All three of them have families and have now moved to Kaifeng.

The military center is now gradually shifting from Hanzhong Prefecture to Kaifeng Prefecture in Henan.

Soon after, they will be ordered to head south, where they will have three or four days to rest in Kaifeng.

But Wu Ping was different from them.

Wu Ping was not as lucky as them, and was able to join the Jingnan Army at a young age.

Wu Ping was from Henan and came from the Western Army. His wife and parents starved to death in the famine that swept across Henan, and no one else was with him.

"Have you... considered... remarrying...?"

Zhou Changshou looked hesitant as he carefully considered his words.

Wu Ping spent most of his time sitting idly in the army.

While they went out during their days off, Wu Ping often stayed in the army to practice martial arts and read manuals.

This time, they forcibly brought Wu Ping out again.

"Remarrying..."

Wu Ping smiled, but his eyes dimmed.

As time goes by, many past wounds gradually heal over time.

But some wounds can never be healed...

(End of this chapter)