Lian Erye in the Red Mansion

Meanwhile, behind Jia Lian's tent, as the Oirat prince and his entourage left...

Zhao'er stepped forward and asked Jia Lian, "Second Master, are all these ice blocks really unusable? That's such a waste."

Zhao'er was referring to the huge amount of ice inside the wooden bucket.

On such a hot day, they had just gone up to experience the air conditioning and wished they could break off a couple of ice cubes and eat them raw to cool off!

"Who said it can't be used anymore?"

Upon hearing Jia Lian's words, Zhao'er and the others were overjoyed.

They knew, of course, that they could not enjoy the small amount of ice in the iron bucket.

However, the nobles didn't care for what was in the large wooden barrels, so they naturally had the opportunity to enjoy it.

"Where's the plum juice I told you to make? Bring it out right now!"

For Jia Lian, who now commands a household of thousands, he certainly wouldn't waste any of the supplies that came with the army.

Although the ice cubes inside the wooden barrel are not edible, they can serve as a natural refrigerator.

As a refreshing drink to beat the heat, plum juice was readily available to the army. Jia Lian had enough plum juice prepared in advance so that all the officers and soldiers could enjoy a bowl of chilled beverage.

Upon hearing Jia Lian's instructions, all the guards sprang into action once again.

Each person found an iron bucket, poured the plum juice into the bucket, covered it, sealed it, and refrigerated it.

Since it was only intended for the soldiers, it didn't need to be frozen very cold; it was just taken out when it was slightly chilly and sent to each battalion headquarters.

Having been with the army for so many days, this was the first time they had drunk an iced drink, and perhaps the first time in their lives they had drunk an iced drink in the summer. All the soldiers cherished it very much.

Because the assignments were all personally given by Jia Lian's personal guards, the three thousand soldiers all knew that this was a reward from the imperial envoy, and naturally respected Jia Lian even more.

As Xiang He walked towards Jia Lian's tent, he could hear the laughter of the Ice Generals and their praise of Jia Lian all the time.

He thought to himself:

I was initially worried that this young nobleman from the Duke's mansion might not be able to command respect. The journey was long and arduous, and if the soldiers mutinied, it could lead to a major disaster.

The Fairy Tree Romance

But now it seems that such worries were unnecessary.

If this continues, let alone a mutiny, I'm afraid that if General Jia returns from the Oirat a year later and leads these soldiers in a rebellion, they might very well follow him...

……

After traveling and stopping frequently, we finally arrived at Yanmen Pass.

It was also the first step in leaving the Central Plains and stepping into the vast desert.

Upon reaching this point, half of the officers and soldiers accompanying the army would have to return to the capital and be replaced by the garrison of Yanmen Pass to escort the troops.

This was also a strategy devised by the imperial court to reduce the burden on the troops on this trip.

After all, it's not a war, so there's no need for thousands of troops to travel thousands of miles.

So the rest of the journey will probably be like this, with the local guards taking turns to escort the passengers at each important checkpoint.

The fourth prince must also return to the capital.

Despite his reluctance and unwillingness, there was nothing he could do to change the situation.

Therefore, he could only place his last worries on Jia Lian.

"Jia Lian, you must, you absolutely must, deliver my elder sister safely!"

He rode on horseback, with more than a hundred riders behind him, fully prepared to set off.

The fourth prince lingered for a while, but his elder sister did not come out. So he clasped his hands in a fist and begged Jia Lian.

"Your Highness is too kind. This is my duty."

"Ha, another mission... Anyway, as long as you deliver my elder sister safely, I'll consider it my second favor to you."

I, Wei Ling, keep my word. No matter how difficult the task, just ask, and I will do it for you!

The fourth prince took one last look at the majestic pass, then turned and rode away.

Behind him, more than a hundred people followed on horseback, kicking up clouds of dust.

When the dust settled slightly, a pattering sound approached. Jia Lian turned around and saw that it was Princess Zhaoyang.

At this moment, Princess Zhaoyang took off her skirt and changed into a fitted outfit.

With a graceful figure, undaunted by the dust in the air, she arrives confidently, exuding a dashing and heroic air.

Jia Lian seemed slightly dazed.

At this moment, he seemed to truly understand why Princess Zhaoyang could become the dream goddess of countless talented men in the capital.

It's not just her noble status and outstanding appearance.

Furthermore, she possesses a confidence and elegance that even men cannot match.

"He's gone?"

Princess Zhaoyang rode alongside Jia Lian, gazing at the distant road, and asked softly.

Jia Lian nodded: "Just now, the Fourth Prince stopped his horse here for quite a while. He was probably waiting for the Princess to come out."

"I know."

Princess Zhaoyang turned around and looked at Jia Lian with a deep gaze: "Since we are destined to part, why not be decisive and ruthless, and not give each other any hope? Perhaps that would be the best for both of us."

General, do you think I'm right?

Jia Lian frowned slightly, remaining silent.

Princess Zhaoyang did not ask Jia Lian for a response. She looked at the broad hillside to the south and smiled, "When I entered the pass yesterday, I saw that the mountain flowers were in full bloom and the scenery was very beautiful."

This is probably the last time this year that all flowers bloom.

I'd like to go and see if the general might come with me.

Princess Zhaoyang was clearly smiling and speaking in a relaxed manner, yet she could easily influence Jia Lian's emotions.

This was probably the last view of the area inside the Great Wall that she would see.

It's difficult to judge whether the marriage alliance itself was right or wrong. However, a woman who went to a foreign land alone for the sake of her country and people is absolutely worthy of respect.

"Protecting Your Highness's safety is my duty."

Princess Zhaoyang smiled, then waved the reins and spurred her horse south.

Jia Lian and his personal guards immediately followed.

Inside the pass.

A detached house.

Strict prevention and control measures are in place.

This was the territory that the garrison commander had cleared out for the marriage alliance delegation, but Jia Lian allocated it to the Oirat envoys and others.

The Oirat prince and his trusted men were roasting a leg of lamb in the house, talking in Mongolian.

A guard suddenly entered and reported, "Your Highness, we saw their princess and the general leave the camp with only a small number of cavalry."

"What?"

Everyone was shocked and began to speculate: Could it be that the princess was unwilling to marry into the royal family and wanted to run away?

The Oirat prince narrowed his eyes and asked, "What about the whereabouts of the rest of them?"

"Everything else is as usual."

The Oirat prince thought for a moment and said, "Gentlemen, there is no need to be nervous. I understand the culture of the Central Plains people. They are probably reluctant to leave their homeland and want to see the scenery of their homeland one last time."

After the Oirat prince explained, the others gradually calmed down.

However, some of them were indignant: "Prince, everyone says that the Great Wei Dynasty values ​​etiquette the most."

But their princess, who was clearly engaged to the prince, dared to go out with other men in front of him, showing no respect for the prince at all.

When I was in the capital of Wei, I heard that their princess had been entangled with this General Jia.

Clearly, their princess is utterly unchaste. For the Wei Kingdom to send such a princess for a marriage alliance is a blatant insult to the Oirat royal court!

Upon hearing this, the Oirat prince's expression also turned somewhat unpleasant.

Finally remembering something, he shook his head: "Don't worry too much about these things."

In my observation, the envoy sent by the State of Wei is quite extraordinary.

If we can use their past relationship to disrupt their minds, it will be of great benefit to us.

Anyway, I won't let this princess from Wei become my queen (similar to a royal consort). At most, I'll play with her for a while, so what she does is none of our business.

If this plan succeeds, not only will a princess be subject to my rule, but the Khanate and the entire fertile land of Wei will also grovel at my feet.

Therefore, all we need to do is follow the plan.

"The prince is wise!"

……