The Lucky Farmgirl

Chapter 2276 - 2251: Relatives

Thus Guo Zhao stood aside, getting to know Zhou Man unilaterally. He happened to see Zhou Man take a saw and cut off a soldier’s leg, blood flowing profusely, not only were her hands and body covered in blood, but her face was as well.

The soldier whose leg was sawn off wailed, while a boy, not much older than him, squatted nearby, pressing hard on the thigh. The blood visibly slowed down.

Guo Zhao was dumbfounded, "Will he still survive?"

Junior General Meng was also seeing such a thing for the first time, and was similarly astonished. Watching Zhou Man and Bai Shan busy themselves, he shivered alongside Guo Zhao, thinking to himself: What ruthless people!

One thought, despite being a young lady, she seemed even tougher than the men.

The other thought, aren’t scholars supposed to be genteel? Is this considered genteel?

From then on, in their future interactions, neither dared underestimate the other.

It was not until the next morning that Manbao finally formally met with Guo Zhao.

Mr. Zhuang and Zhi Ren both helped treat the wounded soldiers. Being older, they didn’t sleep until dawn, so they hadn’t gotten up yet.

The young people, full of vigor, although they still wanted to sleep, had no tents here, and the carriages were given to the seriously injured. They slept on the sand with clothes used as padding, so when dawn came, the brightness reached their eyes, making it hard to doze off, and they could only get up.

Hence, a group of young people stood on the sand greeting each other and introducing themselves. Naturally, Guo Zhao was the first to arrive, and when he introduced himself as being from the Guo family in Xuzhou, Liu Huan couldn’t help but look up at him.

Then it was Manbao’s turn, she introduced her name and official title, while Bai Shan introduced the identity he usually used the most — a Chongwen Pavilion student.

Bai Erlang followed suit, using a single identity, and Yin Huo did the same, with Liu Huan promptly following, without saying a word more.

In summary, all stated they were students of Chongwen Pavilion.

Junior General Meng thought they were being too vague, so he pointed to Yin Huo, introducing, "This is the only son of Commander Yin."

He squinted and winked at Guo Zhao while speaking.

Guo Zhao: ...

Though he found it hurtful to his eyes, he understood because there was only one Commander Yin in the entire court. He couldn’t help but look at Yin Huo, finding him quite handsome but visibly frail, pale and weak, leaving him unsure whether to envy or pity him.

Junior General Meng then cheerfully introduced Liu Huan, "This one is the grandson of Minister Liu."

Guo Zhao smiled and greeted him, yet after the salute felt somewhat uneasy, unable to pinpoint the issue.

It was at this moment Junior General Meng added that Bai Erlang is the emperor’s future son-in-law, the official son-in-law, and only then did he recall.

He turned to look at Liu Huan, hesitating before asking, "Minister Liu, is it Minister of Revenue Lord Liu?"

Liu Huan, seeing him recall, smiled somewhat embarrassedly, "Yes."

He paused before bowing, "Greetings, cousin."

Bai Shan and Manbao were surprised at the sudden recognition of kinship.

Junior General Meng was equally astonished, looking at Guo Zhao like he was some heartless betrayer.

Guo Zhao, suffering under this gaze, explained, "Minister Liu’s wife is a madam from our Guo family."

Liu Huan also clarified to Bai Shan and others, "My grandmother comes from the Guo family in Xuzhou."

Why didn’t you mention this before?

As they dispersed, Bai Shan and Bai Erlang flanked Liu Huan, one marveling, "For us, it’s just a journey of study, but for others, it’s a trip to visit relatives."

The other commented, "And he didn’t even say a word."

Beside them, Manbao, Yin Huo, and Zhou Liru nodded in agreement.

Liu Huan hastily explained, "If he hadn’t mentioned Xuzhou, I almost forgot this familial tie."

Bai Shan was puzzled, "The connection doesn’t seem too distant, how could you forget it?"

Liu Huan tilted his head in thought, but he couldn’t figure it out. He doesn’t manage family matters, only needs to focus on eating, drinking, having fun, and avoiding trouble. How would he know?

"Anyway, gift ceremonies come annually from Xuzhou and various places, but never from Anxi."

Bai Shan laughed, "Anxi was only established a couple of years ago. Previously, Gaochang belonged to others, and General Guo was probably stationed elsewhere, right?"

"There was never a gift from Guo Xiao."

Guo Xiao is the Protector of Anxi, also Guo Zhao’s father.

Liu Huan didn’t understand, but Guo Zhao did, explaining to Junior General Meng, "My father doesn’t get along well with Minister Liu, nor with Lord Liu of Suzhou."

Junior General Meng was confused, "Why? It’s just an extended family. However ill-mannered, courtesy is nevertheless essential, isn’t it? There’s no tribal or interest conflict."

Guo Zhao was somewhat at a loss for words, after a long pause said, "The son does not speak of the father’s faults. Anyway, Minister Liu dislikes my father’s conduct and even impeached him in court earlier. When we attacked Gaochang, originally His Majesty wanted my father to lead together with Hou Ji, but because of Minister Liu’s impeachment, my father ended up as Hou Ji’s deputy. Only when we captured Gaochang, renaming Gaochang to Xizhou, did my father temporarily govern it. And only over the past two years, as the Anxi Protectorate was formally established, did my father become the Protector."

Otherwise, should my father return to the capital amidst Hou Ji’s rebellion, he’d probably face cold treatment.

Junior General Meng pondered for a moment then whispered, "So, the conflict between them is really due to Uncle’s mistake?"

Guo Zhao: ...

He remained silent.

Junior General Meng grasped the situation, gave him a sympathetic pat on the shoulder, asking, "What will you do then? Will you invite him home? After all, he’s a relative, and his grandmother is your great-aunt. Without any gesture, word returning to the capital would make the Guo family seem unreasonable, wouldn’t it?"

Guo Zhao plainly stated, "I don’t mind, but I don’t know if Liu Huan is willing."

"His willingness isn’t what matters, but would General Guo agree?"

Guo Zhao’s expression turned strange, he paused before saying, "If father learned about his identity, he’d probably be very willing."

Not only willing, he’d likely make a grand affair of it.

Thus, Guo Zhao hesitated, wondering whether to mention Liu Huan’s identity.

Fortunately, General Guo didn’t let Guo Zhao remain distressed for long, as he already found out.

The battle was fought beautifully, not only killing a Tubo general but capturing plenty of soldiers, besides those who fled. Not just the number of captives but the extent of enemy casualties was impressive.

Thus, as soon as the war finished, Guo Zhao sent someone back to report, mentioning that their mission supported the Shazhou Army and rescued the envoy group sent by the imperial court to the Western Regions.

Upon hearing it was the envoy group from the court, General Guo immediately inquired thoroughly.

The reporting soldier didn’t know much, but for a detailed report on the situation when they left, they had asked the envoy group’s detailed information.

Therefore, each person’s name and background were clearly stated.