The day before leaving, Liu Fan suddenly became busy, and first said goodbye to his teacher, Mr. Xu Guangqi. Recently, it was early winter, and the weather had become very cold, Liu Fan didn't want the teacher to send him off in person at such an age, so he could only run to the teacher's house to say goodbye. In the afternoon, in the Xu family's study, Xu Guangqi taught Liu Fan and Sun Yuanhua that they must make some achievements when they go to Shandong, and not lose his face. He also told Sun Yuanhua that Liu Fan must take more care of him when he is still young, and also seriously warned Liu Fan that "if you are not of my race, your heart will be different", and you must not let those Westerners steal high positions and hold real power. In the end, he also instructed Liu Fan to do things in a hurry, and he must consider the impact and think about it slowly.

Liu Fan was deeply moved by Xu Guangqi's concern, thinking that he would die of illness next year, he was also very uncomfortable, and told him that he must pay attention to his body and not work too hard. Leaving the Xu Mansion, Liu Fan also asked Li Xiaohu to send a large number of tonic medicines and other things to nourish the body, which was also considered to be a good intention.

In the evening, Liu Fan personally came to the palace to say goodbye to Chongzhen, took the sword of Shang Fang, which represented the right, from Chongzhen, and promised Chongzhen that he would not let him down. As long as he needs it, Liu Fan is on call.

On October 14, Liu Fan bid farewell to the capital and embarked on a journey back to Shandong with Xiaozhu Xiaohe, Sun Yuanhua and several missionaries, as well as the father and daughter of the Tian family.

When he arrived in Tongzhou, Liu Fan also went to visit the craftsman camp and left a team of veterans of the Broken Army in Niutunbao, the place where the Broken Army was built. wrote a letter asking Chongzhen to give his team an officer the title of a hundred households in brocade clothes, which can be regarded as leaving a seed in the capital and fulfilling his oath to protect the artisan household camp.

During the march, Sun Yuanhua and others finally saw the sophistication of the broken army under Liu Fan. After a few days of close contact, they found that the Breakers were well-disciplined and marching in an orderly manner, and even in the midst of rapid advance, they still maintained a good formation. The whole team was silent, and there was almost no commotion. The daily march reached more than 60 miles, and this was because of taking care of the female dependents in the team. Compared with those rotten guards, the speed of marching more than ten miles a day is really a world of difference. Although sleeping in the open is not as comfortable as living in the city, it is precisely because of this that they are full of confidence in their future. In these chaotic times of the world, is there anything more reassuring than having a strong army by your side?

The return journey was much easier than going to the capital, and since there was no need to transport goods and no bandits to disturb them, the speed was obviously much faster. Although the weather was already a little cold, Liu Fan still entered the Shandong border at the end of October.

On the second day of November, after a long journey of more than half a month, Liu Fan and others finally returned to Jiaozhou City. He sent Li Xiaohu and others to return to Shihe with the army and several missionaries, as well as the father and daughter of the Tian family. Liu Fan and Sun Yuanhua stayed in Jiaozhou City for the handover of duties. The prefect and garrison officer are the highest-ranking civil and military officials in Jiaozhou. For the next few days, Liu Fan was busy dealing with Jiaozhou's affairs.

On the other side, something happened that Liu Fan didn't expect. Liu Fan's return was also a great joy for the remnants of the broken army who stayed in Shihe, as Liu Fan's "big housekeeper" Wu Tao personally greeted everyone, and arranged accommodation according to Liu Fan's instructions.

"Miss! Oh no! Something is wrong! Lu'er ran into the teacher of the officer academy in a hurry, attracting everyone's sideways, Zhang Yao's face turned dark and stopped lecturing, and asked in a cold voice, "Does Lu'er know that I am in class?" What kind of system is shouting and shouting? If you don't give me a reasonable explanation today, see how I clean you up! ”

Lu'er said urgently: "Miss, what kind of class are you still teaching!" Come with me! Something really happened! I don't think you'll be a teacher for a few days! After speaking, he forcibly pulled Zhang Yao out of the classroom, leaving a room full of shocked students.

Zhang Yao followed Lu'er out of the classroom with a stunned face, and couldn't help asking, "What happened?" Panicked! ”

Lu'er saw that there was no one around, so she stopped and said urgently, "Miss! Aren't the Broken Army and Liu Fan back! I just went to see the excitement and discovered a big secret. It turned out that Liu Fan brought back two concubines from the capital! ”

Yang Yao breathed a sigh of relief when she heard this, patted her chest lightly and said, "I thought it was a big deal!" I've known this for a long time! Brother Liu told me! Xiaozhu and Xiaohe are the maids given to him by His Majesty! It's normal to bring them back! ”

"No! He also brought back a fiancée! I heard that the emperor himself gave the marriage! It's Tian Guifei's sister! Now Tian Guozhang has come to Shihe with his daughter, and it is said that he will get married soon! And Liu Fan also invited a lot of Hongmaoyi people to be teachers. I'm afraid you won't even be a teacher! Lu'er said quickly

"What?" Zhang Yao was shocked when she heard Lu'er's words, tears rolled in her eyes, as sisters who grew up together, she knew that Xiaolu would not lie to her. For a moment, Zhang Yao's heart was full of gloom, she couldn't believe that Liu Fan would actually deceive her, Liu Fan told her when he was leaving, he would marry her when he came back, but she didn't expect such a result.

"What about Brother Liu? Why didn't he come to see me? I want him to tell me in person that this is not true! Zhang Yao asked with an inexplicable feeling

Lu'er pouted and said, "Miss, don't wait for him!" I've asked them all! He's still in Jiaozhou! I heard that it was promoted to garrison! Hum! This negative person! In vain I still worship him so much! ”

Zhang Yao was a little disappointed, and at the same time said with some joy in his heart: "Maybe he has something!" After all, you still need to hand over official duties when you just arrive! ”

"Don't you know how to send someone to inform you when you hand over official business? I think he just didn't take you to heart! Miss, I don't think you're awake yet! There is a reception party at noon! Let's go and participate together, and we'll know when the time comes! Lu'er said with indignation on her face

"Hmm!" Zhang Yao nodded silently.

At noon, as one of the members of the three-person team appointed by Liu Fan, Zhang Yao was also invited to the banquet. In addition to Wu Tao, Zhang Yao, and Wang Yong, there are only these guests who participated in the banquet, according to custom, there are generally no female dependents at the banquet, but most of the people present are influenced by Liu Fan and have some respect for women, and there are no outsiders at this banquet, either Liu Fan's henchmen, or people who are close to Liu Fan, so everyone doesn't care too much about this. At the meeting, Wu Tao made introductions to everyone. Although Zhang Yao was a little mentally prepared, she still couldn't believe it when she really heard Wu Tao's introduction. It turns out that all this is true. The woman in front of her who is beautiful and exuding nobility is really Liu Fan's fiancée! And what about yourself? Zhang Yao was a little depressed! I don't know everything that follows, and I don't even know when the banquet will end!