The Lucky Farmgirl

Chapter 2280 - 2255: Attending the Banquet

Bai Shan nodded and said, "Shall we settle the remaining money for you in a couple of days?"

Da Yu immediately laughed, "That sounds good."

This meant they couldn’t continue living together, so he decided to go back and find an inn with his people again; they could move out by tomorrow.

Aye, the places those aristocratic young men stay are way too expensive.

After discussing this, the group started talking about other things. Assistant General Nie asked, "Do we not have to go to the military camp here?"

Bai Shan nodded, "We’re going to the Protectorate tonight, and if General Guo mentions it, I’ll explain."

If it wasn’t mentioned, there was no need to bring it up deliberately, just assume the other party agreed implicitly.

Assistant General Nie felt relieved, now having the chance to focus on other matters, "Why does it seem like General Guo is unhappy with our mission?"

Everyone turned to look at Liu Huan.

Liu Huan: "Why is everyone looking at me? I’m still a kid, I don’t know anything."

The youngest, Zhou Liru, couldn’t help but scoff at him, "You’re so grown up, and yet you’re still a kid?"

Mr. Zhuang smiled and advised him, "When you go to the Protectorate, stick with Bai Shan and the others. Don’t go wandering off alone."

Liu Huan agreed.

Mr. Zhuang continued, "Also, don’t randomly eat or drink at the Protectorate. Just eat what Bai Shan and the others eat to be safe."

Liu Huan agreed, although he felt as if he had heard this advice many times before, much like his grandmother advising his cousins.

Liu Huan felt a bit despondent comparing this.

Mr. Zhuang only brought two bolts of cloth to attend the banquet. Their supplies were abundant, but most of it was such goods, and they didn’t bring any interesting local products.

The Protectorate in Anxi is set up in the former palace of Gaochang.

The entire palace has been converted into government offices, with General Guo’s family residing in the palace.

Although the Gaochang Palace isn’t as grand as the imperial palace in the capital, it’s extremely luxurious, far superior to a normal Envoy Mansion.

The main issue is that the doors are way too high and large, which is against regulations, but General Guo, who lives here, doesn’t seem to want to change it.

Upon entering the palace... oh no, the mansion, servants were there to guide them. Fortunately, they entered through a side door, immediately reaching where General Guo’s family lived. Otherwise, entering through the main entrance would require passing through many offices.

After Hou Ji invaded the Gaochang royal family back then, a lot was plundered, but buildings couldn’t be taken, and many things inside weren’t destroyed, so along the way, they saw many peculiar sights.

The banquet was held in a large hall, seemingly the main hall of the former royal family. The room was quite large, with tables and couches placed on both sides. Fortunately, the head table wasn’t raised; otherwise, Zhou Man would have had to consider reporting to the emperor that General Guo was plotting something.

Manbao breathed a sigh of relief; she hardly liked getting involved in such matters.

Bai Shan didn’t like it either, so after they sat down in their respective seats, they remained somewhat silent.

General Guo seemingly didn’t want to make things difficult for them regarding seating arrangements, and Zhou Man’s rank in the Western Regions was considered high—of fifth rank—only General Guo and the two deputy generals in the army were above her. The rest, including Guo Zhao, were below her.

Junior General Meng arrived early as well, as he was there for support, considered a guest, and therefore had a good seat diagonally opposite Liu Huan. Upon seeing them, he held his belly and slowly rose, swaying over to greet them, "Lord Zhou, I was thinking of coming to find you."

Manbao’s gaze fell on his belly, asking, "Has the wound opened again?"

Junior General Meng hissed; it had already torn once during a charge, and the second suturing felt more painful than the first. He said, "It hasn’t reopened, but it’s bleeding."

He lowered his voice, "Imperia lDoctor Zhou, I feel my wound medicine isn’t as good as what you previously used."

Manbao said, "That one had Chinese ginseng powder mixed in, and we’re already out."

Junior General Meng looked regretful, so Manbao added, "But I intend to make some hemostatic ointment and powder, though without the ginseng, they should still work better than what you have. Send someone to fetch it from me later."

Then she advised, "Junior General Meng, you can’t drink alcohol or eat overly oily food at the moment, and you definitely can’t move around recklessly."

She added softly, "You shouldn’t have come to the banquet."

Junior General Meng, "...That can’t be helped; this is a welcome banquet organized by General Guo for me. If I didn’t come, it would be too unattentive, and my father would be difficult to placate later."

"No wonder you soldiers always have old wounds and hidden injuries. It’s not just because you’re always getting hurt, but also because you don’t properly care for yourselves afterward," Manbao paused, "But isn’t tonight’s banquet a welcome banquet for our diplomatic mission?"

Junior General Meng, "The steward clearly said it’s for me."

Manbao, "Coincidentally, the steward also said it’s for our diplomatic mission."

The two stared at each other in confusion.

Bai Shan said, "What’s there to argue about? Both events happen to coincide. General Guo must have just mentioned it casually; just pay attention to it lightly. Tonight’s main focus is to establish connections and prepare for the upcoming campaign against Kucha."

Junior General Meng turned to look at him, "How do you know?" This was something Guo Zhao mentioned to him in private.

Bai Shan nodded towards several military officers chatting nearby, "They’re talking so loudly, constantly criticizing how ungrateful Kucha is. They were sweet as honey at the end of last year, but with just a rumor, they turned hostile at the beginning of this year."

Junior General Meng was still confused, not catching on, "What rumor?"

"The emperor has contracted smallpox too, hasn’t he? This matter is being spread around in the Western Regions, right?" Bai Shan glanced at him curiously, asking, "Didn’t you know?"

"Oh, I knew about that." Junior General Meng showed a cold expression; of course he knew, these things were mentioned by Guo Zhao to him. But how does Bai Shan know about everything?

Clearly, no one had told him about these things.

Bai Shan had already turned to Manbao, saying, "When we find someone later, we should ask around. If we are near Kucha, we should take Assistant General Nie and the others with us."

Manbao nodded.

Junior General Meng couldn’t help but ask, "Whom are you looking for?"

Bai Shan replied, "A group of people."

Such a vague answer?

Junior General Meng wanted to continue questioning, but Bai Shan had already changed the subject with a smile, asking, "Junior General Meng, will you stay to participate in the campaign against Kucha?"

Junior General Meng was silent for a while before saying, "Since I’m here, I naturally follow General Guo’s orders."

However, General Guo will likely send him to deter the Tubo army, ensuring they won’t attack while Anxi troops are engaged with Kucha.

The reason Anxi troops are seeking support at this time is twofold: one, to reopen trade routes, and second, because they plan to strike Kucha but can’t secure the rear, given Tubo’s notoriety for opportunism and cunning.