Long convoys turned at the fork ahead, heading towards the Hedeng market, while the accompanying Chinese army cavalry headed in the other direction.卓永青 (Zhuo Yongqing) was in the middle of the formation, travel-worn, with a bandage on his forehead, clearly returning from the battlefield outside the mountains. His warhorse carried a cloth bag containing items 毛一山 (Mao Yishan), 侯五 (Hou Wu), and others had asked him to bring back from beyond the mountains.

Outside Liangshan, the Chinese army's offensive was swift, easily taking six or seven towns on the road to Chengdu. Thanks to strict discipline, the local people's livelihoods were not greatly damaged. Market goods began to circulate, and those with families bought items unavailable in the mountains, entrusting them to others to bring back, including rouge, powders, and exotic pastries.

In recent years, although the Hedeng regime vigorously pursued commerce, it primarily sold weapons and luxury goods, buying back grain and other scarce, practical items. As for things for enjoyment, apart from internal consumption, not much was actually imported from outside the mountains.

卓永青 (Zhuo Yongqing) was originally from Yanzhou in the Northwest. He joined the Chinese army for food and, through a stroke of luck, killed 完颜娄室 (Wanyan Loushi), becoming one of the most outstanding combat heroes in the Chinese army.

He was greatly rewarded, promoted, and received an audience with and encouragement from Mr. Ning. After that, he brought his family to Xiaocang River, but not long after, the puppet Qi army launched a major offensive, followed by the Jurchen invasion. His parents first returned to Yanzhou, then moved south with the refugees, encountering scattered puppet Qi soldiers during the relocation. 卓永青's boastful father led the resistance, covering the others' escape, and died from puppet Qi soldiers' arrows. During the three-year Xiaocang River War, 卓永青 fought bravely, surviving by luck. After arriving at Hedeng for less than a year, his mother also passed away due to depression, leaving 卓永青 an orphan.

Along the way, if he learned about bloodthirstiness in the battle where he killed 完颜娄室 (Wanyan Loushi), he truly threw himself into the war after his father's death, earning several more meritorious achievements. When Ning Yi saw him for the second time, he instructed him to switch from military to civil duties, gradually moving towards the core of the army. Now, 卓永青 serves as a staff officer in the Fifth Army headquarters. Although his rank is not yet high, he is already familiar with the army's core operations.

Several years ago, in the battle at Xuanjia Ao where 娄室 (Loushi) was killed, the surviving members, including 卓永青 (Zhuo Yongqing), maintained close relationships. Among them, Luo Ye entered the upper echelons of the army and had followed General Liu Chengzong to Xuzhou this time. Hou Wu lost a hand in the battle at Xuanjia Ao, transferred from the military, and entered civil security work. During this military expedition, he also went out of the mountains to participate in numerous pacification and arrangements after the war. 毛一山 (Mao Yishan) now serves as the battalion commander of the Second Battalion of the First Regiment of the Chinese Fifth Army. This is a highly valued reinforced battalion. He played a key role in the attack on Luqiao Mountain, and naturally followed the army this time.

渠庆 (Qu Qing) was a general during the Wu Dynasty and now works in the General Staff Department, moving from the forefront to behind the scenes – he is currently still in Hedeng. After his parents died, these people became 卓永青's relatives. They gathered from time to time, and everyone would appear to help when needed.

Returning to Hedeng, he went to report for duty according to the rules. By the time the work was completed, it was already late. 卓永青 led his horse to the family area on the mountainside. Everyone was reluctant to live there, but now there were not many people at home. Luo Ye had big things in his heart and was not yet married. 渠庆 (Qu Qing) was said to have led a decadent life during the Wu Dynasty – he was considered a soldier, with the army as his home. Although he was married, he later divorced and has not remarried. As for 卓永青, many people had come to propose marriage – especially after he killed 完颜娄室 (Wanyan Loushi) – but 卓永青 had never settled down, and after his parents passed away, he became even more evasive, delaying it until now.

Hou Wu, however, had a family early. Hou's wife was gentle and virtuous – often arranging blind dates for 卓永青. 毛一山 (Mao Yishan) also got married in Xiaocang River, marrying a straightforward, bold, and passionate woman from the Northwest. 卓永青 had just appeared on the street when he was seen by two women who had been watching at the street entrance – his return was not a secret, and the news had probably already spread here while he was reporting for duty.

"Two sisters-in-law, my brother asked me to bring you something."

"They always give you trouble," Hou's wife said with a smile, then tilted her head and asked, "Come on, tell sister-in-law, how long are you staying this time? When do you have some proper time? I tell you, there's a girl..."

After being warmly received by the two women for a while, a young man in military uniform, in his early twenties and tall, returned from outside. This was Hou Wu's son, Hou Yuan颙 (Hou Yuangyong), who had joined the General Intelligence Department for two years. Seeing 卓永青 (Zhuo Yongqing), he smiled and said, "Uncle Qing, you're back."

"Yes, yes, back to deliver things."

卓永青 talked with Hou Yuan颙 for a while. Hou Yuan颙 seemed to know about 卓永青's purpose for returning this time. When others walked away, he whispered, "Uncle Qing ran back, but don't dare argue with the higher-ups, or you'll get a scolding." 卓永青 also smiled and said, "I'm just back to accept the punishment." After chatting for a while, the sun gradually set, and 渠庆 (Qu Qing) also returned from outside.

Among the five survivors of Xuanjia Ao, 渠庆 (Qu Qing) and Hou Wu were relatively older. Among them, 渠庆 had the highest qualifications. He had been a general and participated in grassroots battles. He had been a soldier for half his life, and he had his own majesty and murderous aura. Now that he was in the General Staff Department, he seemed more restrained and steady. The five of them ate dinner together, and the two women cleaned up the house. 渠庆 (Qu Qing) and 卓永青 went out for a walk, with Hou Yuan颙 following behind.

卓永青's purpose for returning was not a secret, so there was no need to be too secretive – the most prominent criminal and disciplinary incidents during the war actually involved some past combat heroes. The most troublesome was a company commander who had some unpleasantness with a small merchant who entered the mountains in Hedeng. This time, after the city was captured, he found the merchant's home, accidentally killed the merchant, leaving behind a widow and two daughters. When this matter was revealed, the company commander confessed his guilt. As for how to deal with it, the army hoped to be lenient. In short, they tried to plead for leniency. 卓永青 was one of the representatives sent back this time – he was also a combat hero who killed 完颜娄室 (Wanyan Loushi). Occasionally, the military would use him as a face-saving project.

"The Chinese army's uprising has been almost ten years, and this is the first time we've fought outwards. But what the higher-ups value most is not the outside. Before fighting outwards, Yongqing, you saw it, the discipline was the strictest, with meetings held again and again..." 渠庆 (Qu Qing) said these things with a smile as he walked, "But the matter originally didn't have much to do with you. You're just a messenger. When something happens, your side can't have no expression... Just know that you're a messenger, and for the rest, look more, think more, and say less."

卓永青 nodded, "I'm not the one leading the team, I won't speak. But from Brother 渠's meaning, will the handling be strict?"

"I personally estimate that it will be strict, but there are two kinds of strictness. Increasing the punishment is strict, and expanding the scope of attack is also strict. See which one you can accept... If it's deepened, do you admit that a life for a life?" 渠庆 (Qu Qing) finished speaking, patted his shoulder, and smiled, "Okay, the idle talk is over, let's talk about serious business..."

卓永青 quickly waved his hand, "Brother 渠, serious business is not necessary."

"Serious business must be said. As soon as you entered the door, your two sisters-in-law pulled you over and gave you a death order... You're getting on in years, find a woman. Don't learn from Luo Ye, he was a playboy in the capital, coming from a pile of rouge and powder. You grew up in the Northwest, you've seen fewer women than he's touched. Your parents are gone, we have to arrange this matter for you. Come on, let's not play虚的 (xu de - empty pretense), what conditions do you have? Draw a line, and see if your brother can catch it."

卓永青 just shook his head with a bitter face. He didn't dare to try and cheat either – he had originally thought of blackmailing 渠庆 with a blind date and marriage, but 渠庆 didn't value women much. He was just tired of playing around and didn't want to mess around anymore, which didn't mean he was afraid of blind dates. If he opened the condition of going together, this Brother 渠 would definitely go along with the flow, and he valued this matter.

The meeting of the military and other departments regarding this matter was scheduled for the afternoon of the next day. As 渠庆 (Qu Qing) said, the higher-ups attached great importance to this matter. After several parties met, Mr. Ning and Liu Dabiao, the head of 霸刀 (Ba Dao - Hegemon Blade), who was in charge of the military law department, also came – although this woman was also Mr. Ning's wife in another sense, she was bold and highly skilled in martial arts. She personally participated in several military competitions and was deeply loved by the soldiers.

The specific handling of this series of matters was still the work of several departments. Mr. Ning and Liu Dabiao were only considered as attendees. 卓永青 (Zhuo Yongqing) remembered 渠庆's words, and at the meeting, he just listened carefully and stated things fairly. When the opinions of all parties had been stated one by one, 卓永青 saw Mr. Ning in front of him remain silent for a long time before he began to speak.

"Several... even more than several times, I have asked you, what do you think you are, and what is 华夏 (Huaxia - Chinese), after all? What is the difference between you and the people outside?"

"... The Wu Dynasty was defeated by the Jurchens, and millions of people were defeated like mowing grass. We killed the emperor of the Wu Dynasty, and we have also defeated the Jurchens. We say that we are the 华夏军 (Huaxia Jun - Chinese Army). After so many years, we have won enough battles. What do you think is the difference between you and the people of the Wu Dynasty? You are not the same people from beginning to end! Right? How did we defeat so many enemies?"

"... Because we realized that there was no retreat, because we realized that everyone's life was earned by themselves. We risked our lives, made efforts to turn ourselves into excellent people, and a group of excellent people formed an excellent group! What is 华夏 (Huaxia - Chinese)? China has the greatness of rituals, hence the name 夏 (Xia); it has the beauty of clothing, hence the name 华 (Hua). Excellent, outstanding things are called 华夏 (Huaxia - Chinese)! If you have done great things, you say we are the people of 华夏 (Huaxia), then 华夏 (Huaxia) is great. If you have done bad things and say you are the people of 华夏 (Huaxia), do you have the face? It's shameful."

"The Wu Dynasty has been around for more than two hundred years. Civil officials want power, form factions, and attack dissidents. Military officers want money, form gangs, and exploit layers to eat empty salaries, so that the civil officials cannot advise and the military officers cannot fight! When the enemy attacks, the soldiers first look to see if the people around them are running. The Chinese army has been around for almost ten years, and has finally fought outwards. Good days have arrived, right? What a good start you're making! You are also people of the Wu Dynasty! When you are forced to the extreme, you wake up, become excellent, and can begin to win battles. Your excellence was not born from your parents! Those people outside, they may all become like you! Even a rabbit will bite when it is cornered. After driving away the Jurchens, do you want to become the next Jurchens!? Is it good to be slaves to you all!"

"We have held many meetings and done a lot of ideological work. We earn our lives for ourselves, do our duty, and when the time comes, we feel superior to others! Many people say that too many meetings are held, but I don't think it's enough! Zhou Tong used to say that in good times, civil officials should have a ruler and military officers should have a knife. Today, your knives have been sharpened, but it seems that the ruler is not enough, and the rules are not enough! The last meeting was about the court. Who commits a crime, how to try and judge them, will be made clear, giving everyone a clear ruler..."

"... Plead for leniency, commute the sentence based on merit... If you become emperors in the future, it won't take two hundred years, your descendants will be killed in the Hall of Golden Bells, and you will be scolded by future generations... I don't think there will be that opportunity. The Jurchens are now attacking Daming Prefecture! Wang Shanyue and Zhu Biao are risking their lives to fight in the front! 完颜宗翰 (Wanyan Zonghan) and 完颜希尹 (Wanyan Xiyin) have also come down, passing through Yanmen Pass! We have a decisive battle with the Jurchens, do you want to enjoy yourselves? Become like the people of the current Wu Dynasty? Form factions and attack dissidents? Atone for your mistakes with three cups of wine? I think you will die in the hands of the Jurchens!"

"We are not going to rebuild a Wu Dynasty, we are going to do better, everyone... This time, the leadership of the Fifth Army will all have to write self-criticisms. Anyone who participated in this matter will first be dismissed from their positions... Who told you to plead for this favor..."

卓永青 (Zhuo Yongqing) listened to these words, writing everything down with his pen. Although the words were heavy, the attitude was not negative. On the contrary, it could be seen that the tendency was for internal discipline to be valued more than external victory. 渠大哥 (Qu Dage - Brother Qu) was right, Mr. Ning valued internal rules more than the external war situation. He had experienced a lot of things and participated in many important trainings, and he could finally see the steadiness hidden within.

He was a representative who came to be scolded, and just a messenger, so he was not too flustered. After this meeting, Mr. Ning took the time to meet him again in the evening, laughed and said that he "had been pushed over again," and asked him about the situation on the front line.

The next day, 卓永青 left Hedeng with the team, preparing to return to the front line battlefield south of Chengdu. Upon arriving at Jiading, he slightly left the team to arrange the implementation of something that Ning Yi had instructed: the merchant who was killed in Jiading was named He. After his death, he left behind a widow and two orphaned daughters. The Chinese army seriously handled this matter, and the compensation and resettlement of the family must be done well. In order to implement this matter, Ning Yi casually mentioned it to 卓永青, asking him to pay attention to it.

卓永青 brought some things and went there personally – he actually had some selfish motives.

The last time he was in Jiading, he had actually seen this family and understood some of the situation. The merchant named He was not in a very good financial situation. He was irritable and loved to drink, which may have been why he had a conflict with the Chinese army who came to his door, eventually leading to his death. His widow was weak and did not dare to speak out after her husband died. The eldest daughter, He Ying, was somewhat attractive and also somewhat stubborn – if it weren't for her insistence, this matter probably wouldn't have been a big deal, and the army's plan was probably to suppress it.

And the merchant's second daughter, He Xiu, was an obviously malnourished and thin cripple, introverted, and almost dared not speak.

She reminded 卓永青 (Zhuo Yongqing) of Xuanjia Ao seven or eight years ago.

At that time, he was seriously injured and left in Xuanjia Ao by his comrades. The villagers treated his injuries and let their daughter take care of him. That girl was deaf and mute, thin and skinny like firewood. The Northwest was poor, and such a girl couldn't even get married. The old villager had some thoughts of letting 卓永青 (Zhuo Yongqing) take the girl away, but in the end he couldn't say it.

The Jurchens came, the mute girl was stripped of her clothes, and then killed in front of him. From beginning to end, they hadn't said a word, but for many years, the mute girl's eyes had been flashing in front of him. Every time his family and friends asked him to go on a blind date – he actually wanted to get married – he could see those eyes. He remembered that the mute girl was called Xuan Manniang.

The crippled girl named He Xiu reminded 卓永青 (Zhuo Yongqing) of her.

He went to the He's house, knocked on the door, and upon seeing the military uniform, a jar was smashed from inside. 卓永青 raised his hand to block it, and the jar shattered into several pieces with a bang. A fragment cut across his forehead. 卓永青 had a wound on his forehead, and now another piece was added. Blood seeped out of the wound.

The one who smashed the jar from inside was the eldest daughter, He Ying. The crippled girl, He Xiu, hid behind, her eyes panicked behind a head of long hair. 卓永青 reached out and touched the seeping blood, then raised his hands: "It's okay, it's okay, I'm sorry..." He paused, "My name is 卓永青 (Zhuo Yongqing). We've met. I'm here on behalf of the Chinese army to inform the two young ladies that the Chinese army will give you a fair and just explanation for your father's matter. It won't be long, and everyone involved in this matter is already under investigation... Here are some urgently needed supplies and food. Please accept them for emergency use. Don't refuse. I'll leave first. The injuries are okay, don't be afraid."

He picked up two bags from the carriage and put them in the doorway. He Ying stretched out her foot to kick: "I don't want your stinky things." But she didn't have any strength. 卓永青 put down the things, closed the door, then jumped into the carriage and quickly left.

Don't scare people. I'll come to see you next time.

– He thought, pressing down on the wound and hurrying back. The next day, he rushed towards the Chengdu direction.

This was their second meeting. He didn't know what the future would hold, but there was no need to think too much, because he was going to the battlefield. In this war-torn era, who could think so much about these things...