Love Lock

Chapter 137 No swords, just this.

The Xuzhou army marched across the stone bridge over the Qulin River and entered the territory of Fufeng County.

On the official road, dust swirled, and the sounds of warhorses' hooves and soldiers' footsteps mingled together, making the earth seem to tremble.

At the very front of the column, General Song Yuanqing, dressed in full military attire, rode a tall warhorse, his eyes piercing and his expression solemn.

Behind him, the flags of the Xuzhou army fluttered in the wind, symbolizing the army's prestige and power.

Meanwhile, Zhao Zun and Hua Tianyou had already changed out of their former fine clothes and put on coarse cloth clothes, straw hats, and hoes, silently digging stones in the wasteland.

Zhao Zun's movements were skillful and steady, as if he had long been accustomed to this kind of work.

The basket beside him was piled high with stones, almost full. Zhao Zun's gaze swept across the official road from time to time, as if waiting for something.

Only when the sound of the Xuzhou army's rapid march grew closer did Zhao Zun put down his hoe and turn to give Hua Tianyou a wink.

Hua Tianyou understood, and the two quickly picked up carrying poles and baskets, walking one after the other towards the side of the official road.

"Hey, Zhao Zun, look, isn't that Song Yuanqing, the young master of the Song family? Wow! He's a general now."

Hua Tianyou said loudly, with a hint of teasing in his tone.

Upon hearing the voices, Song Yuanqing glanced in this direction and saw many laborers working in the wasteland beside the official road.

He recognized the person who had just spoken; it was Hua Tianyou, the son of the Duke of Heng in the capital.

Hua Tianyou, dressed in coarse linen clothes and wearing a straw hat, was a farmer. He was carrying a shoulder pole on his shoulder and walking towards the roadside with another man.

Song Yuanqing frowned slightly, a hint of doubt rising in his mind.

He remembered that Hua Tianyou had always been a spoiled brat, so why would he be in a place like this?

Zhao Zun lifted his straw hat, revealing his handsome face tanned dark by the sun. His eyes were deep and calm, as if he had long seen through the turmoil of the world.

"It really is him. I didn't expect this young man from the Song family to be so capable now," Zhao Zun said calmly, with a hint of emotion in his voice.

"Yu!"

Song Yuanqing recognized Zhao Zun, stopped his horse, and the army behind him also stopped.

"Zhao Zun? Marshal Zhao?"

Song Yuanqing exclaimed in astonishment, his voice filled with disbelief.

He looked at Zhao Zun with complicated emotions, his heart filled with mixed feelings.

The once-glorious Marshal of Beiguan has now become like this, and Song Yuanqing was at a loss for words.

Zhao Zun stopped in his tracks, gave a wry smile, and said helplessly, "Brother Song is joking. I am no longer a marshal; I am now the King of Cangzhou."

When the soldiers behind Song Yuanqing heard Zhao Zun's name, they all looked at him with admiration, but their gazes were also filled with astonishment.

Zhao Zun's name was renowned throughout the Da Jing army. He was a hero who defended the northern pass against foreign enemies and a role model in the hearts of countless soldiers.

However, Zhao Zun now wears the clothes of a laborer, carrying a shoulder pole, seemingly unrelated to his former glory.

"If you are a prince, why do you... look like this?" Song Yuanqing frowned, his tone carrying a hint of confusion and disdain.

Zhao Zun put down the carrying pole laden with stones, fanned himself with a straw hat in one hand, and casually pointed to a distant forest with the other.

"You know, I'm just like you, I love martial arts. Now that I'm out of the army, I have nowhere to use my skills. So I've set up a hunting ground here. I ride horses and hunt whenever I want."

Song Yuanqing nodded, seemingly satisfied with the explanation.

However, he still asked, puzzled, "These rough jobs can be done by the servants, why are you doing them yourself?"

Zhao Zun showed a slightly embarrassed expression and lowered his voice a little.

"Uh... well, don't laugh at me, Brother Song. My queen is a country bumpkin with a fiery temper who likes to raise chickens and ducks. So, to please her, I had to personally build up a plot of land here for her to tend to those chickens and ducks."

"Hahaha……"

"Haha, so Commander Zhao is afraid of his wife!"

"Could it be that Madam won't let Commander Zhao into bed, so Commander Zhao is doing it himself? Haha..."

Some of the soldiers at the front of the column heard Zhao Zun's words and began to tease him.

Song Yuanqing frowned even more deeply.

In just over three months, the news that Emperor Jing had stripped Zhao Zun of his military power had already spread among officials throughout the Great Jing Dynasty, and he naturally heard about it as well.

However, seeing Zhao Zun's current situation with his own eyes, he still found it hard to believe.

The once formidable Marshal of Beiguan has now fallen so low as to marry a countrywoman.

He even built a chicken and duck shed here himself to please his wife.

At this moment, Hua Tianyou came forward carrying baskets and said with a smile, "Zhao Zun, didn't your sister-in-law say she wanted to raise pigs again?"

Zhao Zun nodded and replied, "There's so much space here, I'll fence off another area for your sister-in-law to raise pigs later."

Hua Tianyou patted Zhao Zun on the shoulder and teased, "Then hurry up, or if you delay, your sister-in-law will cry and make a scene when you get home tonight and won't let you into the house."

Zhao Zun smiled and nodded, saying, "Alright, hurry up!" After saying that, he looked at Song Yuanqing, clasped his hands in a fist salute, and said, "Brother Song, we have to get back to work. Farewell."

Song Yuanqing watched Zhao Zun turn and leave, his heart filled with mixed emotions.

He suddenly called out, "Brother Zhao, wait a moment!"

Zhao Zun stopped and turned around to ask, "Brother Song, is there anything else?"

Sitting on his warhorse, Song Yuanqing looked down at Zhao Zun and said in a deep voice, "Brother Zhao, are you aware that the Turks have launched another major attack on Yong'an City, and that they are already forming a three-nation alliance? The imperial court has issued an order to dispatch us to provide immediate support to Yong'an City."

Zhao Zun shook his head, a hint of helplessness and sadness appearing on his face.

He said in a low voice, "What does this have to do with me?"

Song Yuanqing was taken aback, clearly not expecting Zhao Zun to give such a reply.

He felt a pang of regret and couldn't help but offer his advice.

“Brother Zhao, everyone has a responsibility for the rise and fall of the nation. An eagle should spread its wings and soar through the sky. Although you are currently without military power, you should still be a tough man who gallops on the battlefield and a bulwark against foreign enemies, not a farmer who deals with chickens and ducks in the fields.”

Upon hearing this, Hua Tianyou couldn't help but roll his eyes and retorted, "What's wrong with dealing with chickens and ducks? It's better than risking your life and getting no reward, right?"

His tone was clearly one of dissatisfaction, and he was obviously standing up for Zhao Zun.

Song Yuanqing was speechless for a moment, knowing that Hua Tianyou was dissatisfied because Zhao Zun had taken away his military power.

He sighed and continued to persuade him, "I know it's hard for you, Brother Zhao. I just feel that with such a formidable enemy at hand, it's a real pity that a hero like you, who strikes fear into the hearts of foreign enemies and is so brave and skilled in battle, is being buried here. Why don't you join my ranks? I'll make you my deputy general and you can support Beiguan together."

Zhao Zun's eyes lit up slightly, but then dimmed again.

He sighed deeply, "Brother Song is absolutely right, but I and my queen are doing very well here now, and I don't want to..."

Before Zhao Zun could finish speaking, Song Yuanqing interrupted him.

"But what if the Three Kingdoms break through the northern pass and advance unimpeded? Will Brother Zhao still be able to raise chickens and ducks here in peace?"

Zhao Zun fell silent, seemingly lost in thought.

His gaze was fixed on the direction of Beiguan, as if he were weighing something.

At this point, the soldiers of the Xuzhou army also began to speak up and offer their advice:
"Zhao Shuai, come with us!"

“Marshal Zhao, the Turks, Ala, and Meng must have known that you left Beiguan, which is why they launched a joint attack.”

"Yes, Marshal Zhao, with you here, those three kingdoms will certainly not dare to be arrogant."

"Zhao Shuai, stop thinking about it. Let's go, come with us and drive them out." Hua Tianyou became anxious when he saw everyone trying to persuade Zhao Zun.

He slammed the carrying pole on his shoulder onto the ground, pointed at the soldiers, and said angrily, "If my sister-in-law knew that you had once again encouraged Zhao Zun to go to the battlefield, she would skin you alive."

The soldiers were amused by Hua Tianyou's words and shook their heads.

However, they still looked at Zhao Zun with expectant eyes, as if waiting for his decision.

"Heavenly Blessing, you must not be rude."

Zhao Zun finally spoke.

“Brother Song and the brothers are right. Regardless of my personal grudges, we should unite against the enemy first.”

Upon hearing this, Song Yuanqing smiled with satisfaction.

He nodded and said, "Brother Zhao, I am very pleased that you think this way."

The soldiers of the Xuzhou army cheered, as if they had seen a glimmer of hope for victory.

Zhao Zun looked down at his dusty laborer clothes, then clasped his hands in a respectful gesture towards Song Yuanqing.

He solemnly said, "This humble general Zhao Zun greets General Song. Please go ahead, General. I will go back and tell the Princess Consort, then make preparations and immediately take my personal guards to catch up with you."

He referred to himself as "this humble general," implying that he had agreed to be Song Yuanqing's deputy general.

Song Yuanqing was overjoyed. He nodded and said in a deep voice, "Yes! Go."

After saying this, he waved his hand, and the Xuzhou army set off again, marching rapidly forward.

Zhao Zun and Hua Tianyou also picked up their baskets and turned to leave.

After walking for a while, Zhao Zun looked back at the Xuzhou army that was gradually disappearing into the distance, and a mysterious smile appeared on his lips.

He raised his hand and patted Hua Tianyou on the shoulder, saying in a low voice, "Tianyou, you did a good job this time."

Hua Tianyou smiled smugly and said, "Hehe, don't you know who I am? There's nothing I can't do when I'm in charge."

Zhao Zun laughed heartily, "Yes, yes, you are my little master."

Hua Tianyou's smile faded, and his gaze toward Zhao Zun became unusually serious.

"You're really planning to go to the battlefield again? Then I want to go with you."

Zhao Zun shook his head and said in a low voice, "No, you can't go. I have a more important task for you."

Hua Tianyou's eyes lit up, and he hurriedly asked, "Oh, what kind of mission?"

Zhao Zun smiled mysteriously and said, "We'll talk about it when we get back."

As they talked, their figures gradually disappeared into the wasteland, finally vanishing into the afterglow of the setting sun...

On an open space near the cement factory, several hundred newly recruited soldiers were busy learning how to set up camp.

This open space was separated from the cement factory by a hillside. The terrain was wide and flat, and the surrounding area was densely wooded, making it particularly secluded and suitable for building military camps and training new recruits.

Han Lei stood on high ground, looking down at the camp, secretly satisfied.

These new recruits were all young and strong men, a rarity among the poor families in Fufeng County.

Although the number of people is less than four hundred, and they all look pale and thin and malnourished, fortunately they are still energetic and ambitious, and with a little training they can become a powerful team.

"Your Highness, the camp has been set up, and the solar lights have been distributed as you requested."

Xiao Zheng walked over quickly, looking somewhat tired, but his eyes were still sharp.

Han Lei nodded, her gaze sweeping over the new recruits who were curiously fiddling with the solar-powered lights.

"Hehe, they seem quite interested in these new gadgets."

Xiao Zhengfei followed her gaze and laughed, "Yeah, these kids have never seen these things before, they're treating toothbrushes and toothpaste like treasures."

Han Lei sighed softly: "For children from poor families, having the opportunity to leave the village is already a rare privilege. I hope they can cherish this opportunity and train hard."

Xiao Zhengfei nodded in agreement, then asked, "Your Highness, the wooden sticks used for sword training are ready. Would you like to begin training tomorrow?"

"No, not swords. Use this."

As she spoke, Han Lei took out two Walther pistols with fifteen-round magazines from her spatial storage and handed them to Xiao Zhengfei. These two pistols were the very ones that Hua Tianyou and Ping Chuan had used.

"This...this is a pistol?" Xiao Zhengfei's eyes widened in surprise.

Ever since they witnessed firsthand the power of Hua Tianyou and Pingchuan's pistols in killing the enemy during the last raid on the Turkic army, they all longed to use such a powerful weapon themselves.

Unexpectedly, such a powerful weapon is now right in front of me.

Xiao Zhengfei carefully took the gun and stroked it as if it were a precious treasure.

"Tsk tsk tsk, I can touch it myself now." Xiao Zhengfei's eyes gleamed.

He touched it for a while, then suddenly realized: "Your Highness, do you mean... this garrison will all be equipped with pistols from now on?"

"Yes! This is His Highness's intention." Han Lei nodded calmly.

"Wow!" Xiao Zhengfei looked at the new recruits who knew nothing and felt a pang of envy: "These guys are so lucky, they're equipped with pistols as soon as they arrive."

Han Lei chuckled and said, "Alright, stop being so sour. From now on, your Royal Guard will not only have pistols, but also this."

Before she finished speaking, Han Lei had already dragged a big thing out of the space—an M16 automatic rifle.

This rifle has a 507mm barrel, is well-designed, has stable firing, long range, and high accuracy, making it particularly suitable for close-range and long-range attacks.

Most importantly, it weighs only about 2.8 kilograms. In that era of inconvenient transportation, this small and lightweight rifle was suitable for long marches.

Wow! There's more?

Xiao Zhengfei's eyes almost popped out of their sockets.

Han Lei smiled and said, "I'll teach you how to use these two firearms now. Only after you've learned how can you train them."

As night fell, Zhao Zun and Hua Tianyou returned here.

Several hundred soldiers were divided into many small teams, and the guards were assigning them tents. Han Lei had just taught Xiao Zhengfei how to use two types of firearms.

After Zhao Zun and Hua Tianyou returned, everything seemed to become tense. Zhao Zun didn't say much, but simply issued a series of orders.

Because Hua Tianyou had spent several months in the military camp, he was very familiar with the subjects the soldiers were training in.

Zhao Zun sent Hua Tianyou to take over the soldiers recruited by Xiao Zhengfei and have him stay here with his personal guards to train the soldiers in physical training exercises.

As for the use and practice of modern weapons, Zhao Zun entrusted Han Lei with the responsibility.

Next, Zhao Zun summoned twenty of his personal guards, including Lao Meng, and instructed Xiao Zhengfei to teach them how to use two different firearms as quickly as possible.

Then, Han Lei gave them some training ammunition and urged them to practice shooting as soon as possible.

After having dinner with the new recruits, Zhao Zun and Han Lei, along with twenty personal guards, returned to their residence in the county town.

Upon returning home, Zhao Zun's courtyard was locked with the doors shut. Han Lei, Xiao Zhengfei, and twenty other personal guards gathered together, secretly discussing their upcoming plan until very late...

No one knew what they were doing inside the house, nor what they were discussing.

The next day, after resting and tidying up at home for half a day, Han Lei went to the magistrate's office to pick up the newly recruited laborers and craftsmen, and together they rode in a carriage to the cement factory.

She was to teach the new craftsmen how to use concrete to pave the ground and build a military camp for five hundred soldiers.

Zhao Zun, along with Xiao Zhengfei and the others, dressed in military uniforms and mounted on warhorses, went to catch up with the Xuzhou army and head towards Beiguan.