Xiangzi rested for two days, and then dragged Shuzhen to Qitai.

There are fewer big men, and the laughter in the small ancient city is also much rarer. Especially Zhang Hongjie, who hasn't seen him for a few days, everyone looks old.

After a few words of greeting, Xiangzi and Shuzhen came to the county government to report on their work.

County Magistrate Zhang was very satisfied with the results of this crackdown on bandits and specially arranged a halal banquet to entertain them. In addition to Captain Zhang, Secretary Wang, there was also Captain Xu of the garrison.

Xiangzi and Shuzhen don't drink, and there is a lot less excitement during the banquet.

After two glasses of wine, County Magistrate Zhang said with emotion: "Oh, although Fuyuan County is small, there are many talents. In this crackdown on bandits, Regiment Commander Guo commanded and dispatched well, and the results were brilliant. Greatly enhance the prestige of the government among the masses. I won't talk too much. If you have any requirements, as long as you don't go out of line, I will answer you. ”

Xiangzihan smiled and said hesitantly: "I was sent by County Magistrate Liu to assist in suppressing the bandits, and the matters agreed upon by the two sides at that time should be fulfilled, right?" ”

When County Magistrate Zhang heard this, he smiled happily and said, "It's not a big deal, I'll remit the money yesterday." The pension of the big man is going to be handed over to the chargé d'affaires of the small ancient city. The tax-exempt paperwork will be done as soon as possible, just waiting for you to take it back. ”

As he spoke, Secretary Wang took it out of his purse and handed it to Xiangzi.

Xiangzi smiled with relief, and snorted: "Then there is the matter of the small ancient city, his parents are old and not in good health. Let's see if County Magistrate Zhang can find an errand for him in the county, and he can take care of his parents in the morning and evening, so that he doesn't have to go all over with me. ”

When County Magistrate Zhang heard this, he smiled and said, "I have long been interested in settling him in the police station, and I am worried that you will not let him go." This time it's good, why can the two of them think of a mile. ”

Head Xu, who had been drinking with his head down, saw that he had an opportunity to interject at this time.

He raised his wine glass and said with a smile on his face: "I heard that Captain Guo's pistol skills and intelligence are first-class, and Xu Mou admires them in his heart." Borrow flowers to offer Buddha, pay tribute to the head of Guo, I will do it first as a respect, you are free. ”

As he spoke, he raised his head and drank the wine in his glass.

Shoko also took a sip of the teacup. Head Xu was holding the vegetables in his hands, but a pair of eyes were rolling on Xiangzi.

After hesitating for a while, the tentative Chong Xiangzi said: "Is Regiment Commander Guo interested in developing in the army?" ”

Without waiting for Xiangzi to speak, County Magistrate Zhang looked disdainful and said with a smile: "Okay!" When you stand on horseback, you are just a regimental commander, and others are also regimental commanders, so what is the development of your team? ”

Seeing that Xiangzi was smiling and silent, Regiment Commander Xu said matter-of-factly: "If you are willing to come over, I will hand over the most capable special service battalion in the whole regiment to you." ”

Xiangzi smiled apologetically at him and said, "I'm not interested in being a soldier to fight, and leading the militia to suppress bandits is also a last resort. ”

County Magistrate Zhang glanced at Regiment Commander Xu mockingly, and muttered: "People are not only the regiment commander, but also the assistant to the county magistrate, but also the lord under one person and above tens of thousands of people." As far as your regiment is not neatly organized, how can it be provided for others? ”

As he spoke, he sighed lightly and continued: "Oh, County Magistrate Liu doesn't know what kind of life he burned high incense, and when he met such a capable assistant as you, he was really envious of the dead." ”

County Magistrate Zhang and Regiment Commander Xu pinched each other back and forth, but they all showed their admiration for Xiangzi in and out of their words.

Xiangzi just, while sandwiching her favorite dish for Shuzhen, pursed her lips and smiled perfunctorily.

After dispersing the entertainment, Xiao Gucheng took Xiangzi Shuzhen and went to the cemetery to see the big man.

Looking at the newly built grave, Xiangzi couldn't help but feel sour in his heart. After a moment of silence, Shoko asked Shuzhen in a low voice, "Can you read a prayer to him?" ”

So, Shuzhen read it with a solemn expression.

The little ancient city couldn't help but read along: "O believers and * in the tomb! Peace be upon you. If Allah wills, we will follow in your footsteps. You are the forerunners and we are the successors, and we ask Allah to grant you and us well-being. ”

Back at home, Xiangzi asked Xiao Gucheng with a heavy heart: "What are you going to do about the big man's death?" ”

Xiao Gucheng looked a little thoughtful and said, "The big man saved my life, just like my own brother." There is only an old mother and a sister left in his house. I want to go to Hezhou in person, and if the two of my mother are not doing well, I plan to take them over and live with me. ”

Xiangzi let out a long sigh of relief, gently patted Xiao Gucheng's shoulder, and said, "I heard that the road is not very peaceful, so go with a caravan." ”

As he spoke, he handed the bag of bonuses that County Magistrate Zhang had just given him to Xiao Gucheng.

Xiao Gucheng hurriedly excused himself and said: "This is not necessary, although my family is not a big family, there are dozens of acres of land in the countryside, and it is impossible to feed a family." ”

Xiangzi insisted on insisting, but the little ancient city had no choice but to pull out a stack from it and say, "These, if you mean it, I'll take it for the big man." ”

Shoko glanced at him silently and didn't say anything.

Xiangzi personally accompanied the small ancient city and went around several camel shops. It just so happened that there was a caravan to Zhangye, and it would leave tomorrow morning.

found the person in charge, and Xiangzi made his identity clear. When the other party saw that it was a yamen on business, he readily agreed to accompany him.

There are rules in the dart industry, and people are generally not allowed to follow the dart team, for fear of being an undercover agent who grabs darts. And the first-line bandits in the northwest are rampant, if you are a begging passer-by, no one will take care of it, if you see someone riding a horse with luggage, you will come to rob it. It is difficult to resist alone, so it is generally with the dart team.

Xiaogucheng was determined to take the mother and daughter of Hezhou back to Xinjiang to provide for them, so he not only brought the pension of the big man, but also brought a lot of entanglements. The little ancient city always remembered that nightmarish night in the muddy spring, if it hadn't been for the big man hugging him with his wide body, I am afraid that he would have frozen to death. With this kindness, the little ancient city should do something for the mother.

There is another important reason why the small ancient city is so grateful to the big man. It was Ma Zhongying's attack on Dihua, which was blocked in Ziniquanzi. The cavalry rifles faced Sheng Shicai's chariot cannons, and the team could not advance at all. Many charges were suppressed by strong fire.

Seeing this, Ma Zhongying was anxious. The siege date he had agreed with the southern road and Ganiyaz was approaching, and he had to try to tear the hole as soon as possible, break out of the encirclement of the provincial army, and rush to the city of Dihua in time. Therefore, he ordered each company to draw sharpshooters to form a death squad, intending to fight to the death.

When the big man received the order, he hesitated again and again, and stared at the small ancient city for a long time. Suddenly, he dragged the ancient city up and came behind a tuft of stalks. Without saying a word, he pressed the right hand of the ancient city to the ground, grabbed a stone the size of a bowl and smashed it down with his hand. A heart-piercing pain made Xiao Gucheng almost lose his breath.

After relieving his breath a little, Xiao Gucheng angrily pushed the big man away, and shouted in a crying voice: "What are you doing here?" ”

The big man said with a blushing face: "The above wants to draw sharpshooters to form a death squad, I don't want you to die in vain." ”

Looking at his gradually red and swollen hands, Xiao Gucheng couldn't help but shed cool tears. Is it pain? Is it gratitude? Or both.