A-Ning pursed her lips, her mouth was full of the earthy smell of mud and the astringency of muddy water. But she felt a burst of sweetness in her heart.

A-Ning didn't hesitate this time, and decisively stretched out his hand to Su Jinyao, and held it tightly with her hand.

Su Jinyao used her strength to pull A-Ning up. Then he said to Gu Shangqing: "Brother, Ge Fei, you are optimistic." The race is still going on, and the people in the back have to cheer me on and make them all persevere. A-Ning and I went to wash first. This mud is going to dry out, and it looks like it's going to stick to my skin. ”

After speaking, Su Jinyao pulled A Ning, and the two walked towards a barracks not far away.

The importance of character

Gu Yuanda is still discerning, and has already ordered several buckets of water to bathe Su Jinyao and A Ning.

At the door of the barracks, Su Jinyao picked up a bucket of water and poured herself down from the top. The mud that washed down turned into a puddle of muddy water under his feet.

For Su Jinyao's arrogant posture, the other soldiers didn't dare to take a second look. Someone put down a few buckets of water and retreated in time.

A-Ning also washed himself with a bucket of water first, and after washing away the mud on his head and body that was about to dry up, he followed Su Jinyao into the barracks.

A Ning said: "Master, I still have to call it that." You have been my master all your life, and I am willing to be your shadow for the rest of your life. ”

Su Jinyao smiled and didn't continue to insist, anyway, when the sign of the shadow guard came from the pavilion master, A-Ning would be free. When the time comes, she is willing to follow her best, and if she doesn't want to, she can go at any time.

Seeing that Su Jinyao didn't mention this matter again, Ah Ning felt very comforted instead of disappointed. She was a little afraid that once Su Jinyao gave her freedom, she would drive her away.

Su Jinyao and Aning saw a trace of fear of loneliness in her eyes. She understands that after A-Ning has been a shadow guard for too long, she has become only able to live as someone else's shadow, and cannot survive under the sun on her own.

Therefore, A-Ning's fear of the future and the contradiction of freedom, Su Jinyao can understand.

Su Jinyao just said, "Okay, let's not talk about this first." It's getting late, so we hurry up and wash up, and we have to rush back to the capital. ”

There were two large wooden barrels in the room, both of which were filled with warm water. But A-Ning didn't choose one to jump in, but said to Su Jinyao: "Master, you wash first." There's so much mud on this body that you can wash one bucket and soak it in another bucket before you can wash it off. I...... I'll just wash it with the water you've washed. ”

Su Jinyao smiled and said, "Even if you don't think I'm dirty, I'm still upset." Wash your own by yourself, and if you are afraid of mud, go outside and flush two buckets of water. ”

After speaking, Su Jinyao took off the muddy clothes on her body and jumped into the barrel at once.

The water temperature was right, and Su Jinyao breathed a long sigh of relief. Then he pouted at Aninunu and said, "Go wash it, hurry up." Now I'm still the master, and I have the say. ”

A-Ning then took off his clothes and jumped into another wooden barrel.

The hot water soaked the tired body, Su Jinyao and A Ning lay on their backs on the edge of the bucket at the same time, and chatted without a word.

A Ning suddenly thought of a detail, and then asked Su Jinyao: "Master, when you were still in the quagmire just now, you took a look and said that we could win." Have you already seen that the people in front of you are our own people? I can see that at the end, that Fang Lei deliberately stumbled, and he deliberately let you catch up. ”

Su Jinyao opened her eyes and glanced at A-Ning, and said, "Do you want to hear me tell the truth?" ”

A Ning nodded and said, "Master, please tell me." ”

Su Jinyao smiled "hehe". And then he said, "Yes, that's one of the reasons." But there is another reason, which I analyzed based on Ge Fei's character. ”

A Ning couldn't help frowning, and after thinking about it again, he didn't find the analysis standard that Su Jinyao said.

Su Jinyao continued: "The four people in front can only form two teams, and then they have to carry them

Run fifty paces from your companion. And because of Ge Fei's age, his weight should be the lightest among the four. Therefore, from Ge Fei's selfish point of view, in order to achieve victory, he will definitely go to the tallest and most powerful person to carry him. And Ge Fei never knew how to be grateful, and even pointed fingers at those who helped him. Just imagine, if it were you, would you be willing to run forward with such a guy on your back? ”

Speaking of this, Ah Ning understood, and then Su Jinyao's words said: "In other words, Ge Fei's selfishness will annoy the companion who carried him behind his back. So sooner or later, disagreements will arise. Even if we can't win the run, we will chase a lot of distance, and when it comes to the final bandage, the master is confident that he can beat them. ”

Su Jinyao nodded and said, "This is the importance of character." ”

Ah Ning thought about it again and said, "But, I mean, what if Ge Fei wins?" If the guy behind him had a good temper and didn't bother with him in order to win the game, we would still lose. Didn't the master think about what he would do if he lost? ”

Su Jinyao shook her head and said, "I haven't thought about it." It doesn't matter if you win or lose. However, with my temperament, even if I promised not to blame Ge Fei for the past, I only agreed not to hold him responsible, but I didn't promise not to take his life. It's a big deal to let the Divine Gu King bite him, and he's dead for a hundred. ”

A-Ning listened to it and was a little speechless. She finally understood that the master's heart was something that no one could fathom.

There is no such word as forgiveness or forgiveness in the eyes of the master. As long as it is the person she wants to kill, she can't kill it in a dignified manner, so she will die behind her back, and sooner or later it will be a death.

After washing for a while, their bodies were completely clean, and Su Jinyao and A Ning came out of the barrel.

Because they didn't have any clothes to change, Su Jinyao and A Ning could only change into new Gujiajun uniforms.

Of course, Su Jinyao was wearing a general's costume.

And A-Ning is wearing the captain's costume, although the official is not big, but it also shows the recognition of the Gu family army for her.

As a woman, A-Ning is not inferior to men at all in terms of momentum and physical strength, and her loyalty and maintenance to Su Jinyao have earned her a lot of admiration, and she can be regarded as famous in the Gu family army.

Walking out of the barracks again, the sun had set outside, and the sky and the earth were grayish-brown.

But a few beating bonfires on the school grounds, and the people gathering and laughing around the bonfires, make the night with a strong warmth.

As soon as Su Jinyao and A Ning came out, those people saw them. All the soldiers gathered towards Su Jinyao, and then knelt down in front of Su Jinyao.

"Gu Yuanda, the commander of the Gu family's army, is willing to listen to the orders of the second lady from now on." Gu Yuanda knelt in front of the crowd, raised his hands into fists above his head, and surrendered to Su Jinyao.

Gu Shangqing walked over, he was still holding a rope in his hand, and the bundle was like a zongzi, and Ge Fei, who was covered in mud and covered in a hard callus, also pulled it over.

Gu Shangqing said to Su Jinyao: "Jinyao, the ancient general said just now that those obstacles and that mud pond must continue to be retained and used for future training. ”

Gu Yuanda also said: "Yes. None of us thought that a few simple obstacles could be so physically exercised, more conscious, and more able to make everyone understand what companionship and friendship are. ”

Chapter The veteran officer is the oldest

"So......" After Gu Yuanda finished speaking, he turned his head to look at the other people kneeling behind him, and said to Su Jinyao: "So, please don't take the other brothers with you... In the future, there will only be one way for the Gujia army here, and those brothers from the cottage will no longer be isolated and ostracized. ”

From the tone in which Gu Yuanda spoke, and his willingness to kneel in front of Su Jinyao, he could know that his mood had changed.

The men in these barracks will have tempers, they will be unruly, they will be self-righteous. But all of them are people who really dare to face it, and they have a sharper intuition and admiration for the strong.

So after Su Jinyao put forward projects that seemed harsh and almost impossible to complete, these Gu family troops already had the heart to surrender.

What Su Jinyao has achieved is not only a victory in a game, but also won the absolute respect of these people for the strong.

"Do you think that 'women' can also enter the barracks now?" Su Jinyao smiled, hoping to hear an affirmative answer.

Gu Yuanda was stunned for a moment and lowered his head. Then he said, "Does the second lady want to hear the truth, or is it a lie?" ”

Su Jinyao said: "Of course, you have to listen to the truth. In the face of all the Gu family troops, I want to listen to the truth. ”

"Second Miss, I still think that ...... 'female' people are not allowed to enter the barracks, let alone go to war, because that is the responsibility of our men." After Gu Yuanda finished speaking, when he saw Su Jinyao's eyes that were surprised and exuded coldness, he immediately said: "But we have already regarded you as companions, and only those who can become companions can fight together." There is no distinction between men and women, only trust in each other. ”

They are companions, not men or women!

Su Jinyao smiled after hearing this. Then he asked Gu Yuanda: "Veteran general, I think you should abandon your military service, because what you said is very philosophical." Moreover, I am preparing to open a few free schools for some children from poor families to learn. You may be able to go to my school and be an old gentleman who knows martial arts, and teach those children from poor families well. ”

Gu Yuanda was stunned for a moment, looked down at the saber on his waist, and then looked up at Su Jinyao, the corners of his mouth slowly hooked, hooked again, and smiled innocently.

Gu Yuanda took a deep breath and said: "I came from a poor peasant family, and when I was seven years old, I entered the Gu family as a house slave with my father, and later I was fortunate to become the coach's follower, and then followed the commander on the battlefield, until now." My wife died early, and I have no children and no 'daughter' under my knees, if the second lady is really willing to let me teach children to read and practice martial arts, I can't ask for it. I just hope that the next general can lead this ancient army, and I will have no regrets in this life. ”

This time, it was replaced by Su Jinyao and Gu Shangqing who were stunned. Neither of them expected that Su Jinyao's casual joke would arouse Gu Yuanda's sadness and make him retreat.

However, Su Jinyao took a closer look at Gu Yuanda and found that his sideburns were frosty white, his forehead was wrinkled, and he was indeed not young.

Maybe he's still in this barracks, not for the right of his hand, but because of homelessness. If he could be given a good placement, he might have given up the affairs here and concentrated on the elderly.

The so-called heroic twilight, many generals on the battlefield are not afraid of bloodshed and sacrifice, but they are afraid of dying old in the end, and they have no one to rely on.

Moreover, many generals stick to the barracks all year round, either because they are not close to their families, or it is difficult to return to their families. Of course, part of it is because the severance pay is too small, and life is even more hard.

Therefore, these heroes are full of contradictions, longing for the warmth of home, but afraid of the ultimate loneliness, and some even hope to die on the battlefield.

Thinking of this, Su Jinyao walked over and helped Gu Yuanda up with both hands, and raised her hands to the soldiers who were still kneeling, signaling everyone to get up.

Su Jinyao said to Gu Yuanda: "Veteran general, don't say such things first. I understand that some of you have followed the Gu family army all your life and have made this place your home. It is our negligence that we have not been able to accommodate you better. I promise to go back this time and come up with the best plan so that everyone can live out their old age in peace. And they won't feel lonely and lonely because they unloaded their armor and returned to the field. ”

Gu Yuanda looked up at Su Jinyao, then at Gu Shangqing, nodded heavily, and with a deeply wrinkled face, he 'revealed' a relieved smile.

Gu Yuanda asked again, "So...... Those copycat brothers? ”

"I'm going to take them away." Su Jinyao looked at the bonfire in the distance and said, "Although I am a little 'girl', I am difficult to chase even if I say a word. I know that if you stay, you will be treated kindly, and we will get along better. It's just that in this way, it is easy to create another situation of excessive relaxation. So, I'll take them back first, and then I'll send them back when they're all qualified soldiers. ”

After speaking, Su Jinyao looked at all the soldiers and said, "However, from the day you stepped into this barracks, you are all called the Gu Family Army. It doesn't matter who left with me or who stayed, it's a fact that won't change. You must remember that all the Gu family soldiers are brothers of the family, including those soldiers who are far away in Luoqiu. ”

"Yes. We are brothers in a family! All the soldiers responded to Su Jinyao's words loudly.

Su Jinyao looked at all the people, there was a hot flame beating in the depths of her eyes, it was the surging heart 'tide' power, she seemed to feel that she was about to embark on another new journey.

Gu Yuanda glanced at the sky again, and said: "But now it's too late, and there are really no 3,000 horses in the barracks, and I am afraid that I will have to walk one night from the capital for more than 100 miles." ”

Of course, Su Jinyao also knew that it was late. After thinking about it, he said: "Go back, it's a night training." If you have military affairs in your body, you must set off rain or shine, and you must not stop the march for any reason. Now too, we need to be ready for any eventuality. ”

Gu Yuanda nodded, he didn't expect Su Jinyao to have such a deep understanding of military discipline. He sighed and immediately ordered the queue to be lined up.

The people and horses were divided into two sides, one side was to follow Su Jinyao to leave, and the other side was ready to see them off.

And these people who followed Su Jinyao strode forward one by one majestically and high-spiritedly, as if they were really going to the battlefield, full of pride and pride.

Su Jinyao said goodbye to Gu Yuanda again, and said with a smile: "Old general, let's see you in three months." Don't relax in your training, or you may really be overtaken by me. ”

Do you want to propose now?

Three thousand men and horses set out overnight, and the twelve riders led the way in front of them with battle flags.

Behind Gu Shangqing's horse, Ge Fei, whose hands were tied, was still tied.

The strips of cloth tied to Ge Fei's body had been untied, and a few buckets of water had been poured on him as a bath, washing away the mud that had dried up. Although he also changed his clothes, it was not considered an abuse of the prisoner, but Ge Fei was still embarrassed with his head drooping.

Ge Fei was directly dismissed, not a general, but he didn't have a horse to ride. The long rope in his hand was tied behind Gu Shangqing's saddle, and he had to trot all the way to follow closely.

However, Gu Shangqing did not have a personal vendetta after all, and he did not ride and quickly dragged Ge Fei to the ground, which can be regarded as a preferential treatment for his many years of service to the Gu Family Army.

Gu Shangqing asked Su Jinyao: "Jinyao, where do you plan to place these three thousand people?" You must know that it is not allowed to station troops without permission within 50 miles of the capital. ”

Su Jinyao thought for a while and said, "Originally, I wanted to place them in Heming Mountain. However, the food and housing of 3,000 people are all problems, and they can't all be crammed into Heming Mountain for these three months. In my opinion, if you find a slightly remote place to buy it, it doesn't matter if there are villages and towns around. You can build a barracks by yourself, open a few acres of land, and grow and eat by yourself. ”

Gu Shangqing frowned and said, "Jin Yao, a military camp of three thousand people." You're really rich. Besides, in just three months, is it appropriate for you to invest so much? ”

Su Jinyao smiled and said, "There is nothing suitable or inappropriate." I have the silver, as long as the place is big enough. It doesn't matter if it's a barren mountain or a wilderness, as long as it's a place where there are people, it can always prosper. And my idea may not be the same as you think, I bought such a quick place, and now make it a temporary barracks, and when these people are gone, I want to turn this place into a welfare home. ”

"What is a welfare home?" Gu Shangqing had never heard this word at all, and his face was dazed.

Su Jinyao explained with a smile: "It is a place to house those lonely old people and orphans. It can also be called...... Welfare Village. After all, a place that can accommodate thousands of people is a big village. ”

Gu Shangqing's eyebrows were raised, and the doubts on his face did not diminish at all, obviously he still didn't understand.

Su Jinyao said, "Let's make an analogy."