The fifth year of Kaiyuan.

The first prince to return to Luoyang was the second prince Jin Bing.

A few days later, the eldest prince Jin Lin invited the second prince Jin Bing to his house for a chat.

The Jin soldiers had been in the army for several years while going out for training, and they had acquired all kinds of bad habits and spoke in a vulgar and gratuitous manner. Jin Lin felt very uncomfortable, but he still entertained them patiently.

"Second brother." Jin Lin took the initiative to start a conversation: "What do you do in Southern Xinjiang?"

"Hey, what good can come of it?" The Jin soldier said nonsensely, "Isn't it just dealing with those barbarians all day long? Either chasing them in the mountains and forests, or negotiating with them in the village. Speaking of which, although the people in those places are a bit rude, they are really good at fighting. Some of the leaders are as strong as bulls, and I almost didn't get the upper hand." The Jin soldier gestured as he spoke, looking like he was still unsatisfied.

Jin Lin heard this and smiled slightly. He thought to himself: This second brother may seem rough, but he is actually simple-minded. There is no scheming in his words and deeds, which saves a lot of trouble. So he asked, "What errand did the emperor give you when you came back this time?"

Jin Bing scratched his head and smiled innocently, "Not yet. I just came back and was planning to rest for a few days before going to the palace to pay my respects and listen to my father's will. What about you, brother? What have you been busy with recently?"

Jin Lin took a sip of tea and said slowly, "I have been helping my father deal with some government affairs recently and learning how to govern the country better. Second brother, you must have gained a lot of experience after your training. You might as well learn more so that you can share the worries of my father in the future."

When Jin Bing heard this, a glimmer of longing flashed in his eyes, but it was quickly replaced by fatigue: "Yes, big brother is right. But you know me, I prefer to wield swords and guns. Governing the country still depends on you and those civil officials."

Jin Lin smiled slightly and said nothing more, but he had already made up his mind. He knew that this second brother who seemed to be ignorant of the world might be an indispensable chess piece in his future layout. And how to properly place him, so that he could feel at ease and be used for his own benefit, required careful planning.

"Then why don't you tell me about the customs of Southern Xinjiang?" Jin Lin said with a smile, "I have only been in Jinwu and Northwest China for a few years, so I don't know what fun there is in Southern Xinjiang."

Jin Bing's eyes lit up when he heard this, as if he had been opened to talk. He said with great joy: "Southern Xinjiang, it is really a magical place! The mountains and rivers are magnificent, and the customs and people are unique. Take the Hundred Thousand Mountains for example, they are shrouded in clouds and mist, and there are countless rare and exotic animals in the mountains. There are often hermits living in seclusion there. And the witchcraft of Miaojiang is mysterious and can make people marvel. And there are the passionate Miao children, their songs and dances can simply take people's souls away!"

"Speaking of food, the food in southern Xinjiang is amazing. Bamboo rice, fish in sour soup, and all kinds of wild vegetables are so delicious that I guarantee you will want to eat more. Oh, and there are also festivals there, such as the Torch Festival and the Water Splashing Festival. They are very lively and the whole nation is reveling. It is simply a paradise on earth."

Jin Lin listened to Jin Bing's description with a look of yearning on his face, but he thought to himself: Southern Xinjiang is so rich and colorful, but it also means complexity and change. If I can use my second brother's power to stabilize Southern Xinjiang and make it a solid backing for my Jinwu, it will be a great thing.

"After hearing what you said, I really want to fly to southern Xinjiang immediately and see it with my own eyes. But I'm busy with state affairs right now and can't spare time. How about this, you go back and investigate it for me this time. If there is a chance in the future, I will go there in person." Jin Lin's tone was gentle, but it contained deep meaning.

Jin Bing was shocked when he heard this. He naturally understood the weight of his elder brother's words. This was a trust and expectation for him, but also a test for him. He nodded solemnly: "Brother, don't worry. I will definitely live up to your trust and investigate the situation in southern Xinjiang in detail and report back to you."

The two smiled at each other, each with their own thoughts in mind, but they tacitly agreed not to say anything more.

The next day, Jin Lin invited Jin Bing to a banquet again.

"Brother, I can't get too close to you." Jin Bing said half-jokingly, with a cunning look in his eyes, "lest people get suspicious and ruin our plan."

Jin Lin smiled faintly when he heard this. He gently raised the wine glass in his hand and shook it towards the moonlight, as if the clear wine contained endless wisdom and calculations. "What you said makes sense, and we need to be cautious. But today's banquet is just an ordinary gathering between brothers, so there is no need to worry too much. Come, I will toast you a glass, and I wish you a smooth trip and a speedy return."

The Jin soldiers also raised their glasses in response, and the two of them lightly touched the rims of their glasses and drank it all in one gulp. During the meal, they talked and laughed, from childhood anecdotes to the current situation. It seemed that there was no limit to the topic, but in fact, every sentence was full of hidden meanings, and they understood each other tacitly.

After the meal, Jin Lin personally escorted Jin Bing to the gate of the mansion. Before leaving, he gently patted Jin Bing on the shoulder and whispered, "Second brother, this journey is long, please take care of yourself. Remember, no matter what difficulties you encounter, I will always be your strongest support."

The Jin soldier nodded heavily, his eyes gleaming with determination. "Brother, I understand. When I return from southern Xinjiang, I will have important news for you. Take care!"

After saying that, Jin Bing turned around, mounted the horse that had been prepared long ago, whipped the whip and rode away, his figure gradually disappeared into the night. Jin Lin looked at the receding figure, feeling both reluctant and looking forward to the future. He knew that this farewell might start a new journey, and he and his second brother would work hand in hand to face the coming storm together.

A few more days passed.

The Jin soldiers were summoned by Emperor Jin Mao.

From now on for a year, the Jin soldiers will be operating near Luoyang, and the affairs of southern Xinjiang have long been ruined.

Upon hearing this, Jin Lin had a premonition that something big was going to happen, but he didn't know what, so he went to question Jin Bing again.

"Second brother, this time the emperor suddenly summoned you back to Luoyang and asked you to stay here for a year. Do you know the reason?" Jin Lin frowned, his eyes full of worry about the unknown changes.

Jin Bing shook his head lightly, his expression solemn: "I don't know the reason either, but the emperor's will cannot be violated. Perhaps the situation on the border has changed, and the court needs to reorganize. However, as long as you and I are determined, no matter how bumpy the road ahead is, we can always find a way out."

"That's right. I just hope that Southern Xinjiang can be stable for the time being this year, giving us time to prepare." Jin Lin sighed, then his eyes were firm, "Second brother, you should be careful in Luoyang. I will continue to gather information here, and will inform you as soon as there is any disturbance." Jin Bing nodded, took out an exquisite jade pendant from his arms, and handed it to Jin Lin: "This jade is my mother's relic, you keep it. If something unexpected happens to me, it will be a testimony to our brotherhood. No matter when and where, remember, you are not fighting alone."

Jin Lin took the jade pendant, his eyes slightly red, and nodded heavily: "Don't worry, second brother, I will protect myself and help you through the difficulties. After the storm, we will drink together and enjoy the beautiful mountains and rivers together."

After that, the two brothers hugged each other tightly, conveying unspoken strength and trust to each other. Afterwards, Jin Lin watched the Jin soldiers enter the palace, feeling both apprehensive about the unknown challenges and deeply moved about the brotherhood. He knew that from this moment on, they would not only have to protect their own destiny, but also contribute their own strength to the peace of this land.

Another month passed.

The fourth prince Jin Zhe is back.

After meeting his father on the first day, Jin Zhe first found the second prince Jin Bing to reminisce about the past.

"Second brother, you miss me so much!"

Compared to the distant Jin Lin, Jin Zhe seemed more friendly to Jin Bing.

"Fourth brother!" Jin Bing responded with a bear hug, "I miss you, too!"

Jin Zhe pulled Jin Bing to sit down and asked about Southern Xinjiang: "Second brother, what is fun in Southern Xinjiang?"

Jin Bing smiled and said, "What's fun in Southern Xinjiang?"

"Second brother is partial." Jin Zhe begged, "I heard everything. That's not what you said to eldest brother."

"Okay, okay!" Jin Bing said helplessly: "I will tell you about Southern Xinjiang now."

"It is said that once upon a time, a barbarian tribe in southern Xinjiang was in turmoil." Jin Bing got into character and began to say: "I begged General Sun to take me to quell the rebellion."

"General Sun Ce is very powerful. A trace of admiration flashed in the eyes of the Jin soldiers, and he continued: "Seeing my sincerity, he agreed to let me go with the army. The leader of the barbarians, named Aguda, is very brave. He led his people to occupy the mountains and forests and attacked our army's food supply many times. He was very arrogant.

"I discussed with General Sun and decided to use a surprise attack. I personally led a small team and went around them to cut off their retreat. That night, the moon was bright and the wind was howling in the mountains and forests. We approached the barbarian camp quietly.

"The battle was about to start. I held a spear in my hand and rushed into the enemy camp. Aguda was indeed extraordinary, with great strength and an invincible sword. I fought with him for dozens of rounds, but it was difficult to determine the winner. Just when the two sides were deadlocked, General Sun's main force launched a fierce attack from the front, and the barbarians were immediately thrown into disarray.

"In the end, we won a great victory, and Aguda was captured alive. Upon hearing the news, the people of southern Xinjiang came out to greet us, and wept with gratitude. At that moment, I deeply realized that as a military general, protecting the country and the people is the real honor."

Jin Zhe was fascinated by what he heard, his eyes sparkling with longing, and he said: "Second brother, you are really a hero! In the future, I want to be like you, fight in the battlefield and make achievements!" Jin Bing smiled and patted Jin Zhe on the shoulder, encouraging him: "Well done, fourth brother, as long as you have the heart, you will definitely achieve something."

After the battle, General Sun did not indulge in the joy of victory for too long, but immediately began to arrange post-war affairs. He knew that although the invasion of the barbarians was temporarily repelled, the peace of the border still required long-term defense and governance. Therefore, he ordered the construction of more solid border fortresses, and at the same time sent envoys to the barbarian territory to try to negotiate peace and seek a way to long-term peace.

Under General Sun's governance, southern Xinjiang gradually regained its former prosperity and peace. People rebuilt their homes, farmlands were filled with laughter, caravans shuttled between major towns again, and trade became increasingly frequent. General Sun also set up schools to encourage children to read and learn, hoping that through the power of knowledge, the people of this land would be more united and jointly withstand the storms of the future.

Seeing that his second brother was not only skilled in martial arts, but also had a far-reaching strategic vision and compassion for the world, Jin Zhe admired him even more. He began to practice martial arts more diligently and studied military tactics, hoping that one day he could be like his second brother, not only protecting his homeland on the battlefield, but also seeking the welfare of the people in peacetime.

As time went by, Jin Zhe gradually emerged in the army and won the respect of everyone with his outstanding talents and firm beliefs. General Sun also always paid attention to the growth of this young junior, often gave guidance and help, and hoped that he could become the next generation of heroes guarding southern Xinjiang.

During a border conflict, Jin Zhe led a small team to perform a reconnaissance mission for the first time. With precise tactical layout and fearless courage, he successfully obtained important intelligence from the enemy and won precious time for the deployment of the army. This achievement quickly spread in the army, making him a veritable young general. He knew that true unity is not only reflected in fighting side by side, but also in the understanding and support of each other in daily life. Therefore, Jin Zhe actively promoted exchanges and mutual assistance among soldiers, making the atmosphere of the entire team more harmonious and significantly improving combat effectiveness.

At the same time, Jin Zhe did not forget the teachings of his second brother. He knew that if he wanted to protect the land and people for a long time, it was not enough to rely on force alone. So he began to study agricultural technology, encouraging soldiers to participate in farming during the truce to increase food self-sufficiency; at the same time, he also advocated cultural education and established simple schools so that the children of soldiers could also have the opportunity to study and cultivate more knowledgeable people for the future of the country.

Jin Zhe's measures not only won the heartfelt support of the soldiers, but also gradually influenced the surrounding people, who began to take the initiative to participate in these construction activities and contribute to the prosperity and stability of the border. Under Jin Zhe's leadership, this land that was once plagued by war gradually regained new vitality and became a solid line of defense in southern Xinjiang and a symbol of peace and hope.

General Sun saw this and was filled with relief. He knew that Jin Zhe was not only an excellent soldier, but also a visionary leader. He believed that with the efforts of Jin Zhe's generation, no matter how great the storms in the future, Southern Xinjiang would be safe and sound and continue to write their glorious chapter.

General Sun decided to further support Jinzhe's work. He not only sent more materials and manpower, but also went to the border areas in person to communicate with local residents in depth, understand their actual needs, and ensure that every policy can truly benefit the people. Under his promotion, the infrastructure of education, medical care, transportation and other infrastructure in the border areas has been significantly improved, and the quality of life of the people has made a qualitative leap.

At the same time, Jin Zhe did not stop. He knew that improving hardware facilities alone was not enough to ensure long-term peace and prosperity. Therefore, he began to promote cultural exchanges and ethnic unity projects, encouraging intermarriage and integration between different ethnic groups, and deepening mutual understanding and respect through festivals, celebrations, and skill inheritance. Gradually, a unique multicultural atmosphere was formed in the border areas, and people of all ethnic groups were as close as a family, jointly resisting foreign aggression and protecting this land. (End of this chapter)

Tap the screen to use advanced tools Tip: You can use left and right keyboard keys to browse between chapters.

You'll Also Like