Chapter 80

The next noon, Chen Qing ate his lunch alone in the large tent. His lunch was not much different from the soldiers', consisting of a large bowl of rice, a grilled fish, a few pieces of salted meat, a bowl of chicken soup, and a dish of pickled vegetables. Jiangnan, the land of fish and rice, indeed provided better rations for the troops compared to the Western Army.

At this moment, the tent curtain was lifted, and Hu Yan Tong rushed in like a gust of wind.

"Commander, I've found out Wang Bo's background!"

Chen Qing put down his bowl and smiled. "That fast?"

"It's not about speed. After my uncle found out the relationship between Wang Huan and Wang Bo, the people he commissioned found out some more details. My uncle thought I didn't need to know, so he didn't tell me."

"Tell me, what's Wang Bo's background?"

"Wang Bo's family is as wealthy as I said, but their status isn't very high. The key is his maternal uncle, who turns out to be Chancellor Qin Hui. Surprised, right?"

This news stunned Chen Qing. Qin Hui's wife, Wang Shi, the woman who was cast in iron and knelt by the West Lake for nine hundred years, was actually Wang Bo's aunt. It was truly unexpected.

"Then why did Qin Hui target Wang Huan and have him dismissed from office?"

"I think this is where Qin Hui's cunning lies. First, to distance himself, and second, to show his righteousness by punishing his own relative. I believe Wang Huan's investigation in Muzhou was arranged by Qin Hui."

Chen Qing nodded. This made sense. How could Wang Huan be sent to investigate him unless it was Qin Hui's arrangement? This time, Zhang Jun's willingness to help Wang Bo was also due to Qin Hui's favor. It seemed Qin Hui valued this nephew and was determined to groom him as his confidant.

I thought I wouldn't have much to do with Qin Hui, but unexpectedly, through Wang Bo's personal grudge, I've become entangled with him. He's been watching me all along.

"Commander, there's one more thing!"

Hu Yan Tong stammered, "Can you do me a favor?"

"Sure! What is it?"

"I have a younger sister who also likes martial arts. Everyone calls her 'One-Zhang Green.' She heard that you beheaded Wanyan Lou and wants to meet you. She's waiting outside the camp gate."

Chen Qing laughed. "I didn't expect to have female fans in the Song Dynasty."

"Alright! I'll give her an autograph and an arrow."

Chen Qing paused his lunch, took an arrow, and walked out of the camp.

This "One-Zhang Green" is not the female warrior from Liangshan. It's a common nickname in the Song Dynasty, indicating that Hu Yan Tong's sister uses a long whip.

Outside the camp gate, a young woman in a red martial arts outfit, about seventeen or eighteen years old, was riding a white horse, accompanied by two mounted attendants.

Chen Qing was taken aback. He thought Hu Yan Tong's sister was a twelve or thirteen-year-old girl, the age when one would be enthusiastic about chasing stars. He didn't expect her to be a young woman.

Chen Qing glanced back at Hu Yan Tong, feeling a bit cheated. If he had known it was a young woman, he wouldn't have come.

"The girl in red is my cousin, the daughter of my fourth uncle. Her original name was Wu Niang, but my grandfather changed it to Hu Yan Wu Niang, with 'Wu' meaning martial arts."

Hu Yan Tong waved to the red-clad girl, who spurred her horse and galloped over.

The red-clad girl had an oval face, rosy cheeks, and beautiful eyes, but her eyebrows were a bit thick and black, and her mouth wasn't a small cherry lip. Her features were strong, and her skin was a healthy wheat color.

These three traits diluted her feminine charm, making her appear more spirited and heroic.

"Wu Niang, this is the Commander Chen you wanted to meet, the Western Army general who beheaded Wanyan Lou."

Hu Yan Wu Niang sized Chen Qing up from head to toe and suddenly asked, "How is your literary talent? Can you write poetry and fill in lyrics?"

Chen Qing was puzzled. Although Hu Yan Wu Niang was a bit rude, he didn't want to argue with her for Hu Yan Tong's sake.

Chen Qing smiled faintly. "We martial artists rise early and stay up late, dedicating ourselves to martial arts. How can we have time to read books? I can only recognize a few thousand characters."

Hu Yan Wu Niang suddenly glared at Hu Yan Tong. "Why did you lie to me, saying that General Chen is both a scholar and a warrior?"

Hu Yan Tong was speechless for a moment.

Hu Yan Wu Niang bowed to Chen Qing. "General Chen, it's an honor to meet you!"

With that, she turned her horse and galloped toward the city gate. Watching her ride away, Hu Yan Tong sighed in relief.

"What happened?" Chen Qing asked with a smile.

"Ah! Let's go back to the tent. It's a long story!"

Back in the tent, Chen Qing threw the arrow into the quiver and continued his lunch.

Hu Yan Tong sighed. "I only found out today that my grandfather has taken a liking to you and wants to recruit you as his grandson-in-law!"

Chen Qing laughed. "You mean this Wu Niang?"

Hu Yan Tong nodded. "We only have three girls in our family. Two are already married, leaving this one. She's eighteen and spends all her time practicing martial arts. She's had countless matchmakers, but either she or the other party didn't like each other. It seems today's match won't succeed either."

Chen Qing's eyes widened. "You mean, the meeting at the camp gate was a match?"

"Of course! What did you think?"

Chen Qing suddenly became a bit angry. "I warn you, next time you should tell me clearly. I thought it was a young girl asking for an autograph."

"I was wrong today. I should have asked you to change your clothes. Wearing armor definitely wouldn't work."

"That's not what I meant. I mean, I'm not considering marriage at all. My former deputy, Yang, regretted getting married. He feared that if he died in battle, his new wife would suffer for life."

At this, Chen Qing suddenly remembered Yang Yuanqing, slapping his forehead. He had forgotten about it. He should visit Wei Qing and Yang Yuanqing's wife, who were in Lin'an, but... where could he find them?

Chen Qing glanced at Hu Yan Tong, who looked remorseful, and smiled. "I just felt a bit surprised, but I'm not really angry with you."

Hu Yan Tong shook his head. "I'm not angry with you. I'm angry with myself. I should have asked you to change your clothes. I knew it, but..."

"Knew what?" Chen Qing asked curiously.

"My sister, although she likes martial arts, doesn't like men who practice martial arts. She likes scholars, gentle and refined men. You exude a killing aura that can't be hidden. If you had worn a scholar's robe, it might have been better."

Chen Qing laughed. No wonder Hu Yan Wu Niang asked if he could write poetry and fill in lyrics. She liked scholars.

"I'm afraid I've disappointed you. Although I've practiced calligraphy and read a few books, recognizing a few thousand characters, I'm not the kind of scholar your sister likes. The phrase 'gentle and refined' doesn't apply to me at all. I've killed too many people and am full of blood and gore."

Hu Yan Tong hesitated and then said, "Actually, marriage is not up to her to decide. If you like her, I think there's still hope."

Chen Qing sighed and said sincerely to Hu Yan Tong, "Thank you for your grandfather's kindness, but I'm not considering marriage right now."

Hu Yan Tong, not giving up, said, "But you're already twenty-four. Although I haven't married, I'm already engaged. Even Zheng Ping has a fiancée. Even if you don't want to marry, at least you can get engaged, so someone can care about you."

Chen Qing shook his head, a bit sad. "After the battle of Fuping, I haven't even had the chance to visit my parents. I don't know if they survived the war. Hu Yan, from last year to now, I've been floating in the chaotic sky. How can I consider marriage?"

Chen Qing spoke from the heart. From last year to now, he had been floating in the chaotic sky, never touching the ground. In the Song Dynasty, he had no home, no house, nothing. As for his previous family, he wanted to visit them and leave them some money so they could survive.

Hu Yan Tong nodded silently, understanding.

......

That night, Chen Qing walked slowly on the parade ground alone. Although today's match was a bit abrupt, it subtly touched a deeply hidden soft spot in his heart.

It was loneliness. He had never felt as lonely as he did today. His parents, home, colleagues, and friends were all far away, leaving him alone in the Song Dynasty.

He fought fiercely and went to war, even longing to die in battle, hoping his soul could return to the future.

He hid his greatest secret, living a false life in the Song Dynasty. But deep down, he also longed for a woman to care about him from afar, and he longed to have a home and children in this world.

But... he was also afraid that if such a situation arose, he would never be able to return to the future.

Chen Qing was torn, longing for someone to love him but afraid to take on that responsibility.

This loneliness, which had been suppressed deep in his heart, finally burst forth. He looked up at the dark night sky, and the endless loneliness, like the dark night, completely enveloped him.