Chapter 1730: Playboy
Chapter 1730: Chapter 1730: Playboy
The iron pot was carried here, and they just dug a pit, propped up a few large stones, and set fire to cook the meat.
Niu Dabao watched their hurried actions and scolded, "Have you kids never eaten meat before? Why the rush? Set up the tents quickly, if you don’t pitch the tents, do you plan to sleep on the ground after dark?"
Han Sansong said, "Sir, we’re planning to sleep on the ground. It’s hot today; everyone smells so bad that we can’t sleep in the tents, better sleep outside and have some fresh air."
The argument made sense, but Niu Dabao wasn’t having it. He bellowed, "If you want to sleep on the ground, you still need to set up the tents! This is an essential skill; if you don’t practice, are you planning to be a burden when setting up camp during a battle? Half of the troops, hurry and pitch the tents!"
"Yes." Han Sansong quickly led the men to set up the tents.
The tents were built around the post station city walls. The open space outside the post station was chaotic; everyone was busy either pitching tents or dividing meat, distributing grain, and cooking.
Han Sansong feared that the water from the post station would be snatched up by everyone, quickly summoned around ten fellow soldiers to fetch water from the backyard of the post station.
Yet, when they arrived, the well was already surrounded by people, so they had to queue behind others, shouting to those ahead: "Uncle Bo, save some for us, water is scarce here in the Northwest, don’t draw it dry!"
The water wells here in the Northwest were quite troublesome, unlike those in the South, where they overflowed whenever it rained, never worrying the wells would dry up.
Only upon arriving in the Northwest did they discover that these wells could indeed dry up!
Simply unbelievable.
After several instances of arriving too late to fetch water, getting only the muddy yellow water, Han Sansong and the others wised up and would snatch water first whenever setting up camp.
This time, they were delayed by snatching meat and grain.
"Relax, we’ll save some for you!" Bu Dahu was drawing water and knew Han Sansong, responding while fetching water.
"Thanks, Uncle Bo!" Han Sansong smiled, thanked him, and settled down to wait. He instinctively surveyed the surroundings to study the terrain, noticed the door opening on the two-story pavilion beside the courtyard and saw a handsome youth in fine robes emerge from the pavilion.
Han Sansong thought to himself, which shameless scion of a rich family is living in this post station? I have to teach him a lesson later to prevent him from bullying us soldiers using his family power.
Upon closer inspection, he was almost scared out of his wits: "Company Commander Qin!"
Not a shameless playboy, but the fierce Qin San Lang known for his fierce combat skills!
Can’t blame him for mistaking, it’s just that Qin San Lang had been busy fighting battles lately, although he looked better than the rest overall, he was still completely dirt-covered, his beard had grown all over his face.
Suddenly shaving his beard, taking a bath, and changing into clean and nice clothes, looking like a young master from a wealthy family, he truly didn’t recognize him.
Upon hearing the voice, Qin San Lang turned to look over, nodded, tightened the wrist guard on his sleeve, smiled, and quickly descended the stairs.
Han Sansong was scared half to death; seeing Qin San Lang not only nodding at him but also smiling, he finally relaxed, thinking Company Commander Qin was this happy because he was going back to see his wife.
Thinking of Mrs. Qin, Han Sansong shivered... Oh dear, pity Company Commander Qin, who’s dressed so dashing, going back to see not a beautiful lady but an unattractive wife.
"Uncle Bo, could you give us a carrying pole of water? We’re hungry, and rushing to get water to cook the meat." Han Sansong’s stomach growled, shouting toward Bu Dahu.
Bu Dahu didn’t agree: "No way, our Lord Company Commander said, so many brothers are queuing up to fetch water, even good friendships can’t jump the line. If everyone jumps the line, what about the honest brothers lining up?"
Han Sansong blushed, quickly said, "Sorry, my hunger and heat scrambled my thoughts, talked nonsense."
Although Company Commander Qin wasn’t their direct commander, he had led their westbound troop against the Rong bandits, fought skillfully, and achieved great merits; these brothers didn’t dare disobey Company Commander Qin.
Hearing this, the other brothers waiting in queue laughed at Han Sansong.
Han Sansong wasn’t angry, knowing he was at fault, patiently endured the heat and hunger as he waited for water.
Outside the post station gate, Qin San Lang had already mounted his horse, instructing Zhang Zhong, "Look after the soldiers, stand guard, patrol, practice drill in the morning can’t be neglected. If there’s anything, send a message to the city."
"Yes, understood, sir. Don’t worry." Zhang Zhong had been trained by Qin San Lang; he was skilled at managing the soldiers.
"Has Xie Cheng arrived?" Qin San Lang was eager to return home, glanced around but didn’t see Xie Cheng and his group.
Zhang Zhong replied, "Sent someone to their camp to call them, they should be arriving shortly."
The company commanders had to settle their soldiers before they could leave.
Qin San Lang’s brows furrowed slightly, too slow. As a leader, he should delegate these trifling matters to trusted deputy generals or chief commanders, section leaders to handle, so he doesn’t have to do everything himself... wants to hurry back, see Xiao Yu.
Yet Qin San Lang restrained his impulse to ride back to the city, patiently waiting for Xie Cheng and the group for over an hour.
"Oh, San Lang, you rascal even took a bath. Where’d you squeeze out the time?" Niu Dabao was amazed to see Qin San Lang all refreshed.
Qin San Lang replied, "When traveling, I already informed Zhang Zhong how to settle the camp, scout soldiers had memorized the terrain outside the city long ago. Once outside the city, they quickly found a place to set up camp based on memory and maps. Zhang Zhong led the soldiers to camp, allowing me time to wash up in the post station."
Niu Dabao listened and said, "That’s how it is, San Lang is indeed clever, Uncle took note, next time we should do this, squeeze out time, can’t do everything piece by piece, too time-consuming."
Qin San Lang glanced at the group, seeing everyone was ready, immediately said, "Let’s go, if we don’t leave now, the city gates will close!"
The volume raised slightly, he finished speaking and rode off on his horse, clearly eager to return.
"Move!" Niu Dabao called to the group, and the company commanders, chief commanders hurried toward the city gate.
Before entering the city, another quarter-hour was spent luring insects, ensuring no poisonous insects were on them, before they were allowed to pass.
But God seemed to be against Qin San Lang; the more he wanted to hurry back to Xiao Yu, the more obstacles he encountered.
General Liang was already waiting at the city gate, Qin San Lang and company had to dismount again to exchange pleasantries with General Liang’s team.
"Company Commander Qin, you’ve finally returned. Admiring, admiring, you defeated the Rong bandits, resolved Great Chu’s crisis!" General Liang was delighted, grabbing Qin San Lang’s hand while speaking.
But Qin San Lang wasn’t happy; he really didn’t want to socialize, just wanted to go back to see his wife.
Fortunately, he’d learned from the scholars in his childhood how to say polite words, after several quick exchanges with General Liang, made him understand their eagerness to return, voluntarily released them.
"Are you here to bring your family? Then hurry to the separate yard."