Patrol Captain

The Yun family's backyard.

Maids walked through the arched corridors, chirping like cheerful larks.

"The Third Young Master is back!"

"The Third Young Master is back."

"."

Immediately, the sounds of doors and windows opening came from the backyard and the pavilions. Maids and servants looked out, and then women and young ladies stepped out to see what was happening. When they saw the imposing and dignified figure in full red armor appear under the archway in the backyard, some of them couldn't help but smile and come over to greet him.

"Oh my, it's Sanlang back! You've finally come back. You look so refreshed. I've made some delicious soup in my yard. Come, come, come sit in my yard and try my cooking." Madam Liu, the wife of the third branch of the family, had crow's feet around her eyes as she warmly invited her nephew, her enthusiasm bordering on excessive.

Beside her stood a beautiful young woman, the tenth daughter of the third branch of the Yun family, awaiting marriage. She blushed slightly at her mother's overly enthusiastic manner and tugged at the young woman's sleeve.
"Oh dear, Mother, Third Brother is now a general, a valiant and illustrious figure. Why are you pulling and tugging at him?"

After speaking, she respectfully bowed to her third brother, saying, "Yun'er greets Third Brother!"

Liu turned her head, pinched her daughter's cheek, and said irritably, "You silly girl, what do you know? Your third brother works so hard leading troops outside, can't I, as his aunt, feel sorry for him?"

After saying that, he turned his head back, his face immediately returning to a smile.

"Sanlang, why don't you come in and sit down? I'll call your uncle back so you two can have a good chat."

Despite the aunt's enthusiastic greeting, Yun Tiansheng remained unmoved, his tone as firm as iron.
"Thank you, Third Aunt, but the General granted me a half-day off, so I'm in a bit of a rush. I came here specifically to pay my respects to Grandma, so I won't go inside!"

Upon hearing this, Madam Liu didn't find anything wrong with her capable nephew's tone; she knew he was always like this, and in fact, she felt it was just how it should be.

"Oh my, Sanlang is really capable. I heard you've been particularly busy lately, and you managed to get special permission from that general."

"The old lady will be overjoyed to hear of your return. You are now a Lieutenant General, bringing glory to the family!"

"Then let's go tell the old lady the news first, so she can be happy in advance. Let's go, let's go."

Liu chuckled, turned around, and pulled her daughter along with a group of maids and servants, walking further into the backyard.

Then Yun Tiansheng quickly heard the commotion in the backyard, which was quite lively. He raised his hand and told the guards who had come with him to stay in front of the backyard gate.

Then, he removed his heavy armor and handed it to his personal guards. Wearing a silver-white flying fish robe, he walked towards the old lady's courtyard.

Before long, in the quiet courtyard at the far end of the backyard, the copper bells under the eaves of the main hall jingled incessantly, footsteps echoed in the corridor, and maids and servants shuttled back and forth carrying washcloths and hot tea. A corner of the brocade curtain was lifted by the wind, revealing a room full of glittering hairpins and elegant figures.

Inside the hall, the highly respected matriarch of the Yun family was helped to the head of the table in a pearwood armchair. Her white hair was neatly combed, and her eyes narrowed into slits with a smile. Soon, the joyful voices of maids and servants rang out from outside.

"Madam, the Third Young Master has arrived."

Inside the hall, the old woman looked up at the sound and saw Yun Tiansheng's handsome figure stride across the threshold. Her cloudy eyes lit up instantly, and she leaned on her cane to get up, smiling and saying, "My good grandson is back." "Grandmother, don't be in such a hurry, look how happy you are." Someone helped her up, letting the old matriarch of the Yun family sit down properly.

Upon seeing this, Yun Tiansheng rushed forward, knelt down on the red carpet, and said loudly, "Grandson greets his grandmother!"

"Get up, get up." The old lady quickly reached out to help her up, her eyes full of loving kindness, and said:

“You are a fine son of the Yun family. These knees are more precious than gold. Even if I die now, it’s worth it.”

As he spoke, his aged, wrinkled hands carefully stroked his grandson's weathered face.
"Our grandson has worked hard for this family."

"I heard that you have now become a general in the mountains. You are quite capable, but you must remember to follow your general well. He is a towering figure, born a hero. You must not disgrace your general."

This is the earnest expectation of the elder of the Yun family. Clouds follow the dragon, and wind follows the tiger. He hopes that this most promising descendant of the Yun family will understand this principle and not forget his roots.

Yun Tiansheng replied, "Grandson understands."

The old lady laughed heartily, then pretended to be angry and looked to the side, stamping her cane.

“Look at you all, so inconsiderate! My grandson finally comes home, but he hasn’t even had a sip of tea. You’ve all just been watching him.”

Immediately, laughter and chatter filled the hall. Maids and servants served tea and fruit, while several aunts chatted and joked around. The young ladies and gentlemen of the various households looked reserved. The younger ones hid behind their mothers, secretly observing their glorious and dignified elder brother; the older ladies, still unmarried, were dignified, curtsying with their robes drawn, their eyes filled with girlish shyness and admiration: "Greetings, Third Brother."

The room was filled with dazzling jewelry, the laughter of the women, and the old lady's nagging instructions. Time passed quickly in a relaxed and pleasant atmosphere. In less than the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Yun Chuxiong, the current head of the Yun family, came to find his son with a happy face, saying that he had important matters to discuss.

The father and son bid farewell to the old lady. Knowing that her grandson was destined for great things, the old lady could only reluctantly let them go, and the two went to Yun Chuxiong's study.

In the study, the father and son sat facing each other.

Yun Chuxiong laughed and scolded, "You little rascal, you still know how to come back. You're such a busy man now, even your father rarely gets to see you."

“I was entrusted by the general to take charge of the First Mountain and build a new army. I shouldn’t have had time to come back. But I was busy all day and night yesterday. The general was considerate of us and gave me half a day off so I could come home to visit. I also wanted to ask my father how the preparation of supplies is going.” Yun Tiansheng replied.

The preparation of supplies is for the army to set off. Putting aside the deep bond between the Yun family and the Ninth Mountain, which requires all-out efforts, Yun Tiansheng is now serving as the General of the First Mountain, rebuilding the organization, and there is still a considerable shortage of resources. The current strategy of each mountain is to share part of the burden with the Pacification Commission, and raise the rest on their own.

The Yun family's current task is not only to make preparations with all their might, but also to find other families in Jin Guan City to provide military aid to the Fu Si under the guise of comforting the army. This matter is being handled by Yun Chuxiong, who is now the head of the Yun family.

Upon hearing this, Yun Chuxiong chuckled.
"Don't worry, your father won't let you down. My Yun family has been pushing this matter forward with all our might. General Chen dealt with all these people thoroughly and taught them a lesson. Now, the trend is clear, and no one objects to this proposal. Something will be sent to Yunding Mountain soon."

"The problem now is that these forces are offering more or less of what they have. We need to work out this balance slowly. I'll handle it as I see fit."

Yun Tiansheng nodded upon hearing this, then suddenly remembered what had just happened.

"Just now, a father and daughter came in outside. Did you see them?" (End of Chapter)