Chapter 8: Zhou Huchen's Moving Story

  Out of the capital, only a hundred miles ahead, after passing through Huailaiwei, Zhou Huchen and his party entered Yanqing Prefecture (Yanqing County) to wait.

  Zhou Huchen was accompanied by more than 20 family servants, including Zhou Wanjiang, the leader of the Zhou family servants. Zhou Wanjiang was very familiar with this place because he had served as a military officer in Xuanfu before.

  Xuanfu has always been a place of contention for the military, with a very important strategic position. Especially after the Ming Dynasty built its capital in Yanjing, Xuanfu Town was also the throat to defend the capital and prevent the Mongols from advancing south, and it had always been heavily guarded. Yanqing Prefecture is far away from the border wall, so safety is not a problem.

  Zhou Huchen had always wanted to see the Great Wall of his dreams, but now it was a bit far from the border wall, and it seemed that there would be no chance this time.

  After waiting for two days in the inn, Liu Qing, Zhou Huchen's uncle, arrived at Yanqing Prefecture.

  Liu Qing had another mansion in Yanqing Prefecture. After a brief stay at the inn, Liu Qing took Zhou Huachen and his men to his own residence.

  Zhou Huchen had passed the courtesy, and asked for peace. Liu Qing stood up with excitement, his right leg had a residual disability, his steps towards Zhou Huchen were slightly unbalanced, but this disability could not conceal Liu Qing's elegance, he was very tall, his face, which had been weathered for a long time, revealed his life experiences, there was a long scar on the right side of his face, this scar told about Liu Qing's past passion and heroism.

  "It's grown quite a bit! My family's Tuzi has grown up!"

  Liu Qing stretched out his hand, and Zhou Huchen stood up accordingly: "Uncle, are all the people at home okay? Aunt has been in poor health, Father and Mother, as well as Xiao Hu, have always been thinking of you!"

  "Everything is fine! Your aunt has also recovered well! Sit down and talk, Hu Zi!"

  After a brief exchange of greetings, Zhou Huchen respectfully presented his father's letter.

  After reading the letter, Liu Qing's face showed a hint of solemnity: "Brother-in-law has always been a proud man who never asks for help! It seems that this time he must have encountered great difficulties!"

  "Uncle, the news has already spread in the imperial court that Father is about to be promoted to General. Uncle, you have also been in the military and know how many years of war have caused heavy losses of soldiers and supplies! You naturally understand how difficult it is to be the General of a town! Today, Little Tiger not only wants to ask for silver from Uncle but also has another matter that others cannot help with, now only Uncle can help!"

  "Silver is easy to say! Your uncle is a military man, what's the use of leaving silver behind? As long as there's enough food and money at home, that's all that matters, don't you know what's important and what's not?! Liu Qing has fought against the Mongols, fought against the Jurchen slaves, and now with the current tense situation, he understands Zhou Yuji's difficulties: "What's this other matter, Little Tiger? Just say it directly!"

  "Father needs war horses now! Many war horses!"

  "How much?"

  "The more the better! As much as you want!" Liu Qingtao was delighted, and Zhou Huchen naturally wouldn't be polite either:

  Liu Qing began to think, and soon after, he looked at Zhou Huchen with a face full of expectation and opened his mouth: "Within 1,500 horses, more than 1,000 horses, is it enough?"

  War horses and ordinary horses are not the same concept. War horses are horses that can be ridden into battle immediately, they are trained horses, this is the most important and urgently needed military supplies, war horses are very valuable, Liu Qing was able to answer so readily, this has already cost him dearly.

  The Great Wall is not impenetrable, Liu Qing has a way to get war horses on the grasslands, and this is something that the border town generals are delighted to hear, the border generals have benefits to gain, and can also bring back horses for the Ming Dynasty, this is the key element of Liu Qing's success in Xuanfu.

  "Little Tiger will make Uncle see a powerful army, it will be the pillar of this country, and become the enemy's nightmare! Please trust Father, trust Little Tiger!"

  Liu Qing naturally trusted Zhou Yuji. This somewhat stereotypical brother-in-law, if not for his inability to curry favor, would have already become a town general based on his military achievements.

  "Xiao Hu waited for a while in Yanqing and said, I don't think it will take too long. I'll arrange for the silver to be delivered with the ticket, but as for the war horse, I'm afraid it will take about half a month!"

  Zhou Huchen had nothing to say, his uncle Liu Qing was his own uncle, an absolute family member, he should have seen something, Liu Qing's prediction of the situation was not good, now it is a desperate attempt, he is ready to help Zhou Yuji with all his might.

  Liu Qing left Yanqing Prefecture the next day, and Zhou Huachen's group began to wait, but the invitation letter promised by Liu Qing had not been delivered yet.

  Zhou Huchen and others waited anxiously, this wait actually exceeded half a month. When Liu Qing returned to Yanqing Prefecture in a cloud of dust, eighteen days had already passed.

  "Horses are too difficult to deal with! The Mongols have already surrendered to Jian Nu, and Jian Nu is now in control of the border wall trade. Horses are even prohibited from trading, and later, it's likely that Jian Nu will be hard to restrain!" As soon as he entered the door, Liu Qing, who was covered in dust, began to recount the situation:

  It is indeed a military man, Liu Qing's judgment is correct, and Zhou Huchen also knows that when the Songjin War, which concerns the entire Liaodong battlefield this year, ends, the Ming army will lose its ability to counterattack against Jianzhou, and the Mongols will also become thoroughly vassals of Jianzhou.

  Zhou Huchen bowed to Liu Qing, who sat on the chair and continued: "Take it! The silver is of no use in my uncle's hands now. The Jian Nu are getting stronger and stronger, and the Mongolian slaves are also getting restless. Now that the Mongolians have joined forces with the Jian Nu, our Great Ming dynasty is plagued by internal strife and bandits everywhere, making every step difficult! Wars will only increase from now on! These silvers and war horses don't need to be returned anymore! Consider it a small contribution from your uncle, a support for the imperial court and your father!"

  Liu Qing's face was full of gloom, it seemed that he had concentrated all his energy and actually took out 360,000 taels of silver at once.

  "Uncle, why don't you leave with Xiaohu too?" Yinzhi didn't mince words. Zhou Huchen knew that time was running out and the places of Xuanfu and Beijing were no longer safe. He tried to take Liu Qing's family away:

  "No! Uncle won't leave! Xiaohu will take your cousin away, even if something big happens, the Liu family will still have some last blood left. This is all I ask of you, uncle! Also, uncle brought back over 1,200 war horses that can be ridden into battle immediately! Xiaohu has been waiting for two days, and your aunt and cousin will arrive soon!"

  Liu Qing seems to have completely lost confidence in the current situation. He wants to abandon his wealth, which is the last bit of strength he can exert for his country.

  Zhou Huchen's younger cousin is twelve years old this year, Liu Qing did not wait and directly gave his son a name; Liu Wei. This is an expectation from the depths of his heart, he hopes that his son will be a useful person in the future, able to become a guardian of the country.

  It was almost a farewell, Liu Qing's wife Hu cried bitterly, the kind of mother-son affection, the reluctance to part made everyone feel sad instantly.

  Liu Qing is undoubtedly a man, a bold and determined man. Despite having all sorts of attachments, his vision is far-reaching, which is a kind of wisdom, a wisdom brought about by life experience. Liu Qing knows that he should make a choice, and his son will eventually have a place to settle down, perhaps this choice is a kind of calling from the unknown.

  Zhou Huchen was moved to tears and knelt heavily on the ground.

  This uncle Liu Qing is a hot-blooded man, he can't leave because he's still a soldier.

  "Anyway, Uncle and Aunt will see Liu Wei grow up, he will become a man who stands tall! Will see Little Tiger, will see Liu Wei become your pride!" These were the words left behind by Zhou Huchen before his departure.

  The burden is heavy and the road is long. The people of this land have never lacked love for this land, nor have they lacked resistance to invaders. In the history of China, during the Ming Dynasty, there were countless people like Liu Qing!

  Zhou Huchen stood up, with hot tears streaming down his face.