Chapter 177: Sent to the Desert for Training

Chapter 177: Sent to the Desert for Training

The little one was already six months old, able to roll over and sit up. He was tall with a large frame, and occasionally, when he rolled over, he could crawl a few steps. Seeing him lying on her waist, Sui Yu knew he had climbed up there himself. Most likely, after being placed in bed while asleep, he woke up, played for a while, and then fell asleep again.

"Little one, wake up," Sui Yu gently shook the child, wiping his drool with one hand, and said, "Are you hungry? I'll go wash your face first. What delicious food were you dreaming about?"

The little one opened his eyes, looking at her quietly. When Sui Yu reached out, he darted forward and pounced into her arms.

Sui Yu pretended to exclaim, and the little one laughed heartily, revealing a white tip of his lower front tooth.

Golden light spread across the ground, and the scorching heat had mostly dissipated. Opening the door, a hot breeze carrying the scent of dust blew in her face. Sui Yu smoothed her hair and saw a few figures moving in the wilderness to the north.

Smoke rose from the kitchen again. Xiao Chunhong and Liu Ya'er squatted under the eaves peeling broad bean shells, while Dream Mom led two female slaves chopping radishes in the yard. Another three female slaves were actually splitting firewood.

"Lady, you're awake?" Xiao Chunhong saw her first.

"Yes, fetch me two buckets of water," Sui Yu walked to the eaves and sat down, asking those splitting wood, "Xiao Xi, why are you the ones splitting wood? Where are Zhang Shun and Li Wu?"

"The drowned man was found, they are digging a grave to bury him," Xiao Xi's face was somewhat grim. She whispered, "He floated up after swelling in the water. We didn't dare look too closely and came back."

"We have less strength, so we thought splitting wood would help us build it up," another female slave named Sancao said.

Xiao Chunhong came out with the water. Observing Sui Yu's expression, seeing that her mistress did not seem displeased, she added, "Lady, guess what? The drowned man floated up at the bend in the river. If it weren't for the rocks at the bend, he might have been carried much further."

The little one was grabbing Sui Yu's clothes. Sui Yu squatted down, splashed water on his face, and instructed, "Don't mention this matter again. In the future, let Zhang Shun and Li Wu deliver meals to the people across the river. You mustn't go over there. Also, don't neglect patrolling day and night; don't let the slaves from across the river get close to the guesthouse."

When a companion died, if she didn't call out, these people could remain indifferent and watch. From that moment, Sui Yu felt the terrifying nature of this group.

When a chicken is slaughtered, the flock is startled and scatters in panic. But before the blood has even drained, the flock calms down, each one busy pecking at water, insects, playing, and crowing. Even when people finish eating the chicken and toss the bones, they will still fight over the scraps of meat on the bones.

These pitiful souls, who have suffered greatly, are often like a flock of chickens, their human thoughts eroded. They live day by day just to fill their bellies. In such circumstances, to eat well and be full, they can do anything without fear.

Sui Yu returned to the room with the little one to feed him. He hadn't eaten for half a day and was very hungry, sweating on his forehead from the effort of nursing.

Footsteps echoed in the courtyard, and the little one's eyes moved. Sui Yu looked up and asked, "Is it the father of the little one who has returned?"

"Awake?" Zhao Xiping didn't enter the room. He took off his dirty trousers, grabbed clean ones from the clothesline, and put them on, saying, "I went to the training ground. I'll be back for dinner tonight."

"Alright, I shot a rabbit this morning. It will be stewed for your return."

"Don't go out after dark, and don't cross the river," Zhao Xiping instructed. "I've told Gan Da and Gan Er to take care of delivering meals."

"I've arranged for Zhang Shun and Li Wu to deliver the meals," Sui Yu said.

Zhao Xiping was relieved now that she understood the precautions.

"As you wish, arrange it as you see fit. I'm leaving."

The footsteps faded away, and Sui Yu faintly heard Sui Liang's voice, seemingly asking if the little one was awake.

After the little one finished eating, Sui Yu carried him outside. Sure enough, Sui Liang was waiting outside, reaching out to take the baby as soon as he saw them.

"Wa—" The little one smiled at him.

"Call Uncle," Sui Liang teased him, "Ah—open your mouth, let Uncle see your teeth."

The little one opened his mouth wide. His intelligence was now similar to that of a big black dog; he could understand some words. Hearing "open your mouth" and "teeth," he proudly showed his mouth.

"Good job, little one." Sui Liang adored the little one, kissing him twice and spinning him around.

Sui Yu didn't interrupt their uncle-nephew bonding. She called the servants and took them to practice with sticks.

As the evening glow faded, the eight soldiers across the river finished work and left. After they were gone, Zhang Shun and Li Wu crossed the river with two buckets of millet rice and two buckets of dumpling soup, informing them that they would handle meal delivery from now on.

"Brother, does your master plan to buy more slaves for work?" a hoarse-voiced male slave asked.

Puzzled, Zhang Shun shook his head, "I haven't heard of any such plans."

"But, but..."

"Even if the master had plans to buy more slaves, she would only buy unowned slaves," Li Wu interrupted. "Unless your master falls and you are resold, you won't change masters."

The hoarse-voiced male slave fell silent and retreated to scoop rice from the bucket.

Picking up the count, Zhang Shun said, "We'll bring twenty-three bowls tomorrow."

"What did you use to eat before? No bowls or chopsticks?" Li Wu asked.

A male slave with his hair covering his face shook his head. While working in the fields, they used wooden stakes as bowls. Later, when they came here, the wooden bowls suddenly disappeared, either kicked into the river or buried in the soil. They didn't dare ask.

The four buckets of food were emptied, and the slaves belched contentedly. Zhang Shun and Li Wu picked up the buckets and quickly crossed the river.

As the last bit of daylight vanished, the rabbit stew was ready. The rabbit stewed with broad beans, the beans soft and soaked in broth, the parts at the bottom of the pot had a crispy flavor, making them even more delicious than the rabbit.

When Zhao Xiping returned, Sui Yu, Sui Liang, and A'shui had already eaten most of the broad beans.

"We've been waiting for you, the dishes and rice are ready," Sui Yu called.

"Is it cold noodles?" Zhao Xiping asked.

"Yes, since you mentioned it, how could Yin Po not prepare them?" Sui Yu pressed the little one's hand down, saying, "Daddy is tired, sit still."

"Daddy is dirty, I'll hold you after I take a bath," Zhao Xiping shook his son's hand, noticing a new mosquito bite on his face. He pinched it and cursed, "This damn mosquito knows to feast on the good stuff."

Sui Yu handed him a cooled glass of water, saying, "Drink some water before eating... eat more meat, you're the busiest and most tired in the family right now."

There were fewer caravans in the city, and fewer people causing trouble. Without the need to patrol the city all day, compared to spring, Zhao Xiping was much more relaxed.

After dinner, Zhao Xiping went to the river to bathe. Sui Yu stood nearby with the little one, gazing at the starry sky under the summer night.

A shooting star streaked across the sky, and the little one excitedly cried out.

"Make a wish quickly." Sui Yu held his hand, her large hand enveloping the small one as they bowed together. She smiled and said, "Wish that mosquitoes won't bite us anymore."

"There are fewer mosquitoes inside; let's go back to the house and sit down." Zhao Xiping walked over with the dirty clothes.

"Let's eat some meat, and you can walk around with me to digest it." Sui Yu handed the little one over, saying, "Go to your smelly father's arms quickly."

Zhao Xiping dropped the dirty clothes and lifted the child by the armpits, holding him high. The little one laughed joyfully.

Sui Yu picked up the clothes and left, while Zhao Xiping carried the little one and chased after her.

"You can't catch me—" Sui Yu ran in small steps, "Come and chase me."

Zhao Xiping ran without teasing, unable to mimic the child's tone like Sui Yu could.

The boundless night sky silently gazed upon the earth, and as the stars shifted, the child grew, and the crops flourished. On the plains, mountains, grasslands, deserts, and snow-capped peaks, amidst the changing winds and clouds, each place played out its own unique yet similar stories.

The scorching summer gradually came to an end as sweat dripped away. Far from the city walls, a dozen sun-tanned people strode through the wilderness, practicing archery, racing camels, sparring with wooden sticks, or diving freely in the cool river water.

Voluntary training yielded better results than forced drills. Excluding Gan Da and Gan Er, these ten private slaves had been bought nearly a year ago. Compared to last year, they seemed like different people—taller, stronger, more powerful, and even showing a fighting spirit with a fierce determination in their eyes.

"Before the caravan enters the pass, you should spend about ten days in the desert," Zhao Xiping suggested suddenly. "I'll take you out of the city. Northwest has the Jade Gate Pass, and southwest has Yang Guan. Apart from these two cities, most of the area outside Dunhuang is desert. Stay in the desert for ten days and then come back."

Sui Yu also agreed, "I'll prepare the dry rations for you, and give each of you three large water bags. You'll have to gather the rest yourselves."

The twelve slaves showed no fear on their faces and nodded in agreement.

Zhao Xiping gave them a day to prepare. On the tenth day of the eighth month, he took the household register and led the twelve slaves out of Dunhuang's West City Gate. After sending them off, he returned to the city.

"What are you doing?" Huang Ancheng called out, "These slaves all carry heavy bags and bows and arrows. What are they doing out of the city? Aren't you going with them?"

Zhao Xiping realized that Song Xian hadn't told him about Sui Yu's plan to engage in trade, so he couldn't explain right away. He simply said, "I'm letting them go into the desert to find wild camel herds."

"Come to my house for dinner another day; we haven't gathered in a long time," Huang Ancheng said.

Zhao Xiping nodded. Thinking he hadn't seen Zhao Xiaomi in a while, he changed direction and went to visit her in-laws' home.

Zhao Xiaomi was nearly five months pregnant, her belly already showing, and she had gained weight. She looked spirited, and the yard was filled with golden herbs, which she was turning over while carrying her belly.

"Are you alone at home?" Zhao Xiping asked as he entered.

"Third Brother, you're here?" Zhao Xiaomi handed him a pitchfork and said, "You came just in time; help me turn the herbs."

Zhao Xiping sighed but helped her turn the herbs.

"My in-laws and Lianzheng are all out cutting grass. Uncle Niu's twenty acres of land are overgrown, and they went to cut it and bring it back. Drying it and stacking it will earn us a good amount of money," Zhao Xiaomi explained.

"Use our camels to transport the grass."

Zhao Xiaomi waved her hand, "My younger aunt-in-law lent us camels, and we don't need yours."

Zhao Xiping: …

"Why did you come alone? Didn't Third Sister and the little one come?" Zhao Xiaomi asked.

"No, Third Sister is at the inn," Zhao Xiping said after finishing turning the herbs in the yard. He put down the pitchfork and added, "Stay at home. I'll leave now. Do you need eggs? I'll bring you a basket this evening."

"Sure, bring them over," Zhao Xiaomi walked out to see him off and asked, "Are your parents coming over this year, or will you go back?"

Zhao Xiping hadn't decided yet.