maidservant

Chapter 64 Lin Xiao receives military merit from the bandits in exchange for one person

In the cold winter, the wind is biting and the breath turns into frost.

At the intersection of Yezhou and Cangzhou, a landscape of rolling hills formed one after another. This once beautiful, tranquil and peaceful place was now shrouded in a gloomy haze, as vicious bandits suddenly appeared here.

The mountains are so dangerous that every hilltop is like a natural fortress. As long as the bandits occupy the advantageous terrain, they can be like a single man guarding the pass and ten thousand men unable to break through.

The officials of Yezhou and Cangzhou naturally did not dare to take this matter lightly, and quickly ordered the news to be conveyed to the two neighboring towns and counties, uniting all forces to jointly encircle and suppress this bandit problem.

However, these bandits were by no means kind. They were cunning and vicious, causing great unrest in the area. As long as there was a slight opportunity, they would rush down the mountain like hungry wolves and rush into the nearby villages.

Wherever they went, all the food was looted, and the quilts that the villagers relied on to survive the winter were also looted, leaving behind only a mess and the villagers' cries and curses.

Whenever officers and soldiers discovered their whereabouts and rushed to encircle and suppress them, these bandits would quickly move their positions like cunning foxes and continue to commit crimes on another hill.

Starting from the winter month, for a month and a half, the officers and soldiers worked day and night and racked their brains, but they were still unable to effectively curb the arrogance of the bandits.

On the contrary, the bandits grew stronger and more unscrupulous as they escaped and plundered again and again.

A few days ago, the evil deeds of these bandits became even worse. They even started to kidnap young girls from the village, causing panic among the people.

After weighing the pros and cons, the emperor and his close ministers decided to appoint Lin Xiao as the commander-in-chief to lead the army to suppress the bandits.

At the same time, he ordered his deputy general to follow Lin Xiao to prepare enough food, clothing and other supplies, in order to properly settle the villages and people who had suffered the disaster, so that they could feel the care and protection of the court in their difficulties.

On New Year's Eve, the palace was decorated with lights and colorful lanterns, but Yunshan's worries could not be concealed.

She stood quietly in front of the window, gazing at the trees swaying in the cold wind outside, her heart filled with worry for Lin Xiao. The whistling wind made her heart tighten.

"Yunshan,"

"Why did you get up, Madam? Do you want some water?"

Lin Yu shook his head and motioned her to sit down.

"You don't need to worry too much. Brother Xiao has been through life and death on the border and experienced countless brutal battles. This time he is leading the troops to suppress the bandits. With his ability, his life is safe."

After a brief pause, Lin Yu added solemnly:

"However, since it's New Year's Eve, when families are reuniting, we must expedite the suppression of the bandits. If the bandit problem isn't quelled after the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, the people will panic, and the situation will become even more difficult to control."

"Also, after suppressing the bandits, how should we properly settle the people and restore local order? I wonder what experience Brother Xiao has in this area."

Yunshan listened carefully to Lin Yu's analysis, nodded frequently, and her eyes revealed worry and concern.

When she had nothing to do in the middle of the night, she lit the oil lamp and carefully opened the military book that Lin Xiao had given her before.

Once upon a time, she was so focused on preparing for the medical exam that she put this military book aside and almost never opened it.

Now, under the soft light, those lines of text seemed to be the bond connecting her and Lin Xiao, allowing her to feel his breath in this quiet night, as if he was by her side.

Twenty days later, Lin Xiao returned triumphantly to the court.

The suppression of bandits and the quelling of rebellion went very smoothly, and the resettlement of villagers was also arranged in an orderly and proper manner.

The local people were grateful for the imperial court's protection. During the Lantern Festival, every household decorated their houses with lanterns and prayed for the good fortune of the Dali Dynasty. Local officials wrote a special letter praising Lin Xiao's achievements.

After hearing this, the emperor ordered Lin Xiao to meet him in the imperial study and asked him in a friendly manner what kind of reward he wanted.

Lin Xiao, contrary to everyone's expectations, respectfully said:
"Your Majesty, I dare to ask for your mercy and hope to grant freedom to one of the musicians in the Imperial Music Bureau."

The emperor was startled when he heard this, then burst into laughter:

"After such a great achievement, you only ask for a musician? I heard that you have been to the Music Bureau many times recently. Is it just for this musician?"

Lin Xiao nodded slightly, hesitant to speak: "Your Majesty..."
He was really shocked to realize that his whereabouts had been closely monitored by the emperor.

The emperor jokingly said, "I also heard that you even have a crush on your sister's personal maid."

Lin Xiao suddenly looked a little embarrassed, not knowing how to explain. He cupped his hands and stammered, "Your Majesty..."

The emperor waved his hand and said with a smile:
"It's normal for young people to be a little romantic. I understand. Never mind. Just do as you wish."

This matter soon spread and became a romantic story among people.

Yunshan heard that her sister Xiaoyue had been removed from the music industry by the government and restored to her status as a good citizen. The next day happened to be a day off, so she hurried out of the palace to visit her.

She had just stepped into Suzaku Street and was wondering where to go to find her sister when she saw Li Mao and Xiaoyue waiting there.

"Sister, are you waiting here for me on purpose? But how did you know I would come today?"

Xiaoyue had a gentle smile on her lips. She turned to look at Lin Xiao who was leaning against the pillar of the Magpie Bridge and explained:
"General Lin used his great military achievements to buy my freedom. Young Master Li and I went to thank him, but General Lin simply said it was out of your kindness."

Yunshan slowly turned her gaze to Lin Xiao, her eyes full of gratitude, and a hint of indescribable longing and shyness.

Xiaoyue looked at Yunshan, her face filled with happiness, and whispered:
"Ashan, there is no need to always hesitate about some things. You might as well be brave and try." As she said this, she looked at Li Mao beside her affectionately.

After exchanging greetings, Xiaoyue and Li Mao got on the carriage first, intentionally leaving Yunshan and Lin Xiao the opportunity to be alone.

Yunshan was a little nervous. She slowly moved in front of Lin Xiao, rubbing the corners of her clothes unconsciously with her hands.

Lin Xiao spoke first, his tone somewhat teasing: "No need to thank me, this is just a trick I used to take over your city."

After hearing this, Yunshan raised the corners of her mouth and revealed a happy smile. Thousands of words were stuck in her throat and she didn't know where to start.

I felt that a corner of my heart was quietly warmed by Lin Xiao's actions. It was a different kind of warmth that I had never experienced before.

She just stood quietly in front of him, with stars in her eyes, locking her eyes on him tightly, not moving away for a moment.

After all, Lin Xiao was a young man who was inexperienced in the world and had just begun to fall in love. Being stared at by her so intently, he felt a sudden panic in his heart, as if countless small insects were tickling him.

He scratched his head unconsciously, pursed his thin lips, and a shy smile appeared at the corner of his mouth. He stood there awkwardly and quietly, looking into her eyes.

There was a bustling crowd of people all around, walking hurriedly, and the sound of the wind, carrying the noise, whizzed past their ears, but all of this seemed to be isolated from them. This small world belonged only to them.

(End of this chapter)