The border guards had to rotate every year to avoid being stationed there for too long which would make life seem hopeless.
The approximately 30,000 people returning triumphantly this year were to swap places with the 30,000 new recruit eggs trained in the capital city, and they would swap again when the next batch was trained.
Only after experiencing the bloody cruelty of the battlefield could iron-blooded and proud soldiers be forged.
Even a cursory glance by a layman would be enough to feel the coldness and deadliness exuding from the soldiers on their tall horses.
They did not smile, were prudent in speech and action, stood upright, and were well aligned.
Passing commoners could not help but halt their steps. Commoners who halted their steps were shocked, and shocked commoners developed admiration.
When Jiang Sheng and Old Lady Jiang arrived, this was the orderly yet tranquil scene they saw.
There were none of the twittering and giggling that occurred when the top escorts toured the streets, but also none of the joyful celebrations of the new year. All present had stern expressions, and the meek even had tears in their eyes.
It was the deadliness infecting them, but also...the blood-stained bandages, the youths missing an arm or a leg, the few-eyed soldiers, and the weak patients needing support.
Leading them was the tall and upright Jiang Jizu. His chest was also wrapped in thick bandages, the dense whiskers unable to hide his pale lips. His cheeks also bore new scars.
No wonder Grandmother said not to feel sad. She must have seen the injured family members countless times before. She knew there would be no unharmed returns for triumphant soldiers.
A victorious war would not be a war anymore, would it?
Wherever there was fighting, injuries were unavoidable.
“Daddy,” Jiang Sheng softly murmured, her big eyes covered with tears that she lightly blinked to let trickle down her face.
As if he sensed something, Jiang Jizu leading the horses turned his head and accurately spotted his little daughter amongst the crowds.
He grinning broadly, but upon seeing those translucent tears, he felt flustered and stuffy inside, yet was unable to go comfort her.
Fortunately, Old Lady Jiang reached out and patted her little granddaughter's shoulder.
Further back, Jiang Chengyuan’s left leg was injured, Fang Heng’s right hand was bandaged, and the six Jiang brothers all had more or less bandaging on them. Fortunately none seemed to be missing any limbs.
Jiang Sheng heaved a sigh of relief and buried herself in her grandmother’s embrace, unable to speak for a long time.
“There, there. They’ll be back home after going to the palace to receive their rewards,” Old Lady Jiang gently comforted. “Don’t be sad because of their scars. Being able to come back is the best outcome, isn’t it?”
Jiang Sheng did not speak.
She had rushed back to the Jiang Mansion at the fastest speed, annoyed at herself for previously putting her daddy slightly behind the others. She waited for who knows how long before the armored Jiang Jizu finally appeared at the mansion gates.
“Daddy!” Jiang Sheng yelled and flew into his arms.
She no longer cared if his armor was dirty or if he had a lot of facial hair.
Like a little sack, she grabbed at his armor but feared touching his wounds, her arms stiffly frozen as if someone was sandwiched between them. From afar it looked rather amusing.
“You girl,” Jiang Jizu laughed. “Let daddy wash up and shave first.”
Only then did Jiang Sheng let go and noticed her two brothers behind.
“I knew little sister would definitely be here!” An elated Jiang Chengyuan said. “A bet is a bet. Lend me the sharp Northern Nomad blade you captured from the Northern Nomads to play with.”
“Here, take it,” Fang Heng said with utter disgust on his face. “Little sister came to see the top general, not you. What are you so happy about?”
“That’s different. It shows little Jiang still puts the Jiang Family first,” Jiang Chengyuan rubbed his palms in anticipation as he leaned forward. “Little Jiang, back at Imperial City gates I heard what you said. When will you call me brother again?”
Despite all his expectations, he had finally waited for this day.
“Brother, thank you for coming back alive,” Jiang Sheng said with red rims around her eyes. “I’ve decided not to keep count of things with you. As long as you’re alive, that’s good enough.”
Even though it was such a boast-worthy moment, Jiang Chengyuan could not help his eyes reddening as well.
He had no choice but to turn around and punch Fang Heng.
Fang Heng: “......”
Fortunately, Old Lady Jiang had sent Tan Yue over. “Children, no more reminiscing for now. Go get washed and changed. Young Master Fang, don’t worry, the Jiang Mansion has prepared everything for you too.”
Jiang Chengyuan immediately left, determined to accompany his sister in a handsome and graceful manner.
Fang Heng hesitated. “I still have...some things I need to handle.”
He had wanted to deal with it last time he returned to the capital as well, but had to urgently leave because of the war situation. Now that they had finally returned triumphantly, he was raring to go.
The second branch leader of the Fang Family was still in death row awaiting execution after all.
“That’s where you’re mistaken, third brother,” Jiang Sheng stood with her chubby index finger upright. “You’re a general now. Fifth brother will definitely give you a special promotion and reward for this grand victory. When will you stand tall as a young general if not now?”
Fang Heng suddenly realized she was right. He no longer hesitated and went to wash up and change into brocade robes after.
When he walked out again, the handsome and heroic looking young general had straight posture full of power. Although lean, his body possessed strength. The saturated indigo brocade robes he wore highlighted his status, matched by the sparkling clear Fang Family jade pendant at his waist.
The young master Fang from those years had finally returned.
Back then he had been praised in the Golden Chariot Hall, called the successor of the general father. But after great changes occurred in the family, he had wandered lost in the wilderness. He found his life's confidante, and also found the path to the light.
He did not use his ancestors' glory to scale upwards. He used solid footprints to prove that commoners could also grasp their own futures.
He had finally succeeded. He had finally reached the heavens and stood on the earth.
Now he was going to ask the bitter end on behalf of his wrongfully dead mother and his formerly young ignorant self.
Though Fang Heng was usually bold, even he felt somewhat apprehensive about the scene he had imagined for so many years that was about to happen. But when he opened the door and saw his lined up siblings, he laughed and shook his head again.
Xu Mo who worked in the Crown Prince Residence could come and go freely. Doctor Wen Zhiyuan who ran his own clinic did as he wished. Even Zheng Ruqian who did business had run over completely out of breath. But the most outrageous thing was Crown Prince Long Yan from the East Palace had also sneaked out from the ongoing feast.
“Third brother, we’ll accompany you!” Jiang Sheng bounced over. “Second brother was really lucky. He was on the road transporting gold bricks when he heard the triumphant return news and rushed over just in time.”
“That’s right, almost missed the fun,” Zheng Ruqian was still panting.
And harvested looks of disdain from his siblings.
“Let’s go, to Feng Tian Prefecture Prison,” Jiang Sheng turned around with her hand up. “Move out!”
With the Crown Prince and Crown Prince Token, their way was unobstructed all the way.
The siblings stood slightly further away to give Fang Heng the main stage, and the dirty faced Fang Family second branch head Fang Huairen.
Fang Huairen, who had once been arrogant at the Golden Chariot Hall, now lay on a straw bed in prison, barely clinging to life.
Initially he did not notice Fang Heng until the second branch collateral descendants in neighboring cells started begging for mercy and even kowtowing. Only then did he look over.
In the dim oil lamp light, the youth's shadow overlapped with an old memory. His eyes turned black from lack of food, and the bellows of thousands of horses and soldiers roared in his ears.
"Big brother..." he crawled over. "Big brother, is that you? Big brother! Brother!"
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