Chapter 34

After Liu Jun and Li Chunjiang took their leave, Mr. Zhao held the completed military equipment purchase order and examined it once more, muttering to himself, "This Liu Jiye is quite interesting." After saying this, he put the list in his bosom, stood up, and walked to the back yard.

In the back yard, Mei Zhihuan and Li Changgeng were leisurely drinking tea and playing chess under a large tree.

"Are they gone?" Li Changgeng asked without lifting his head.

"Just left," Mr. Zhao replied.

"Did you tell them we're here?"

"No," Mr. Zhao replied, "Mr. Mei, Mr. Li, this is the order they placed, and it's quite unusual."

Hearing Mr. Zhao's evaluation, both Mei Zhihuan and Li Changgeng became interested. The two had come today specifically to see how the young men would order military equipment. Originally, Mei Zhihuan had planned to equip the cavalry himself, but Li Changgeng had opposed it.

He supported his nephew's cavalry project to give him some practical experience and a better understanding of military affairs. It was more about the process than the result. Li Chunjiang wasn't really going to lead a local militia, so it was best to let him do as much as possible on his own.

However, he wasn't entirely at ease. Training was one thing, but someone still needed to keep an eye on things and offer guidance when mistakes were made. That was the true purpose of training.

Mr. Zhao took out the list and handed it over.

Li Changgeng looked at it first, and after a quick scan, he couldn't help but smile. "Indeed, it's interesting."

"Oh, hearing you say that, I can't wait to see how interesting it is," Mei Zhihuan said, taking the list and glancing over it. "It is interesting. Old Zhao, did they decide on this list themselves, or did you recommend it to them?"

"Ah, Mr. Mei, you're wronging me. I only explained the performance of the equipment to them. As for what to buy, how much, and how to combine it, it was entirely their decision. In fact, it was mostly the decision of Master Liu Jiye. Although Master Li Chunjiang is a jieyuan, he doesn't know much about military equipment. For example, at first, Master Li Chunjiang wanted to buy only three-barreled muskets, saying that the cavalry in Liaodong used to prefer them. But Master Liu Jiye could clearly explain the pros and cons of the three-barreled musket, stating that its performance was poor and providing evidence that the matchlock was superior."

"Liu Jiye actually knows so much about firearms. It seems the military education at Huangzhou Guard is quite good," Mei Zhihuan laughed. "But why did they only order thirty matchlocks?"

"I heard from Liu Jiye that he plans to organize the cavalry into one large unit, with two medium units under it, and each medium unit will have three small units. Each small unit will have twelve men, one squad leader, and ten combat soldiers, including four matchlock soldiers, four archers, and two hook gunners. So the entire unit will have only twenty-four matchlock soldiers, and they ordered thirty matchlocks to have six as spares."

"Twelve men in a small unit, three small units in a medium unit, and two medium units in a large unit. This organization is quite good, indeed reminiscent of Qi Jiguang's methods. I underestimated Liu Jiye. He's not only brave and strategic but also has courage and insight. A mere military student already understands some military tactics. We can now rest assured and let them handle it. We don't need to worry about it anymore." Although Mei Zhihuan was a jinshi, he had often led troops in battles and was very familiar with military affairs. From Mr. Zhao's words and the organization of the cavalry, he could see that Liu Jiye indeed understood military matters.

Although young, they were leading a local militia, and even if they faced bandits in the future, this level of knowledge was sufficient.

"Old Zhao, when you place the order, tell them that this batch is for me, Mr. Mei. It must be of the highest quality, with no flaws at all."

"Yes, I understand."

Li Changgeng stroked his beard and smiled. "Originally, when Chunjiang said he wanted to form a cavalry of two hundred men, I thought he trusted Liu Jiye. Now it seems he does. The cavalry has been reduced to about seventy men, which is a smaller scale but perfect for these beginners."

"Come, come, let's continue our game. Let the young men handle their own affairs. We don't need to worry about them anymore." Mei Zhihuan urged.

After Liu Jun and Li Chunjiang left, they walked together. Li Chunjiang said, "Mr. Mei has already chosen a camp for us, about fifty miles southwest of the county, in Queen City."

Liu Jun, now familiar with the memories of his body, knew that Huangzhou was Yong'an County in the Sui Dynasty, and Queen City was actually Yong'an County, commonly known as Queen City. Later, Nuzheng was built, which had a glorious history but was destroyed long ago. Now, Queen City was actually a village.

However, because this village was on the main road between Macheng and Huangzhou, it had become a market town. On odd days, nearby villagers would come to the market, making the village quite lively with many shops. It even had a wall, resembling a small city.

By stationing the cavalry in Queen City, Mr. Mei was clearly showing favor. Stationing them in such a bustling market town would be much more convenient.

"We'll set out for Queen City tomorrow," Liu Jun said.

"There's no need to rush. After all, the equipment will take a few days to arrive. I think we should set out in three days. In the meantime, let the cavalrymen go home to settle their affairs or take a break. You also need some time, right?" Li Chunjiang said with a grin. "I didn't expect you to actually carry out a bride abduction. But I've heard the details, and it was a good abduction. A man must have some spirit. You should act on your feelings. If she was your old love, you couldn't let others take her."

"But now that you've abducted her, what do you plan to do next? You can't keep her in the inn forever, can you? What would that look like?"

Liu Jun hadn't thought it through yet.

"I think you shouldn't hesitate. Here, I have a small courtyard in the county. It's not luxurious, but it's quiet and not very expensive. I'll give it to you. Take your sister-in-law there and settle her down. When things calm down, I'll personally accompany you to the Lu family to send gifts. The Lu family will have no reason to refuse your marriage."

"Or, you could just make a fait accompli. Then, Old Man Lu will have no reason to object. Hahaha!"

Liu Jun smiled helplessly. "Thank you for the house. As for the rest, let's wait and see." The relationship with Lu Xueqi was complicated. After all, he wasn't the original Liu Jun, but he had abducted her. In the Ming Dynasty, this was considered both a bride abduction and elopement. If not for his connection with the Li family, the Zhou family could have filed a lawsuit against Liu Jun.

Regardless of the legal aspect, since the girl had eloped with him, she was now his. However, Liu Jun felt he needed more time to get to know her.

Otherwise, it would be too awkward.

When they reached the street, Zhang Shan and the other brothers were already waiting for him.

"Come, let's move together."

Hearing that Li Chunjiang had given Liu Jun a courtyard to settle his sister-in-law, the brothers all cheered, suggesting they should get married that night. They laughed and returned to the inn, where Liu Jun went in first.

Lu Xueqi was in good spirits, chatting with the maid Yaoyao. When she saw Liu Jun return, she immediately stood up, but when she reached him, she didn't know what to say and blushed.

"I've bought a small courtyard near the Wanshou Temple in the south gate. It's a gift from Gongji. It's not large, but it's quiet. I think we should move there today. After all, we can't stay in the inn forever. What do you think?" Liu Jun asked straightforwardly.

Lu Xueqi blushed even more. "I'll follow whatever Er Lang decides." She turned her face away.

Liu Jun thought, "Sister, I just said we should move there, not live together immediately. Why are you so shy?" But then he wondered, "Could she have already agreed to live together?"

Lu Xueqi had jumped over the wall and left home, so she hadn't brought any clothes or luggage, only a maid. Therefore, moving was simple. They didn't even need to settle the bill at the inn, as the brothers refused to take any money. They called a sedan chair and soon arrived at Li Chunjiang's courtyard.

Although Li Chunjiang called it a small courtyard, it was actually a three-section house with over a dozen rooms. It could easily accommodate twenty to thirty people, not just Lu Xueqi and her maid.

Li Chunjiang had been waiting for a long time and had already sent someone to a sign shop to make a "Liu Family" sign, which was now delivered.

"Put up this sign. From now on, this will be Brother Jiye's residence."

"Second Brother, go to the restaurant and order two tables of food," Liu Jun called Zhang Shan to instruct.

"Er Lang, will this be our home from now on?" Lu Xueqi looked around the courtyard after entering. Her eyes were full of appreciation. It wasn't that she hadn't seen large courtyards before; the Lu family's mansion was much larger. But in her eyes, this place, no matter how humble, was different. It was her home with her beloved.

The moment she jumped over the wall and left the Lu family, she had decided to follow Liu Jun. But she couldn't help but feel some worry.

Now that Liu Jun had bought a courtyard and brought her here, she felt she had finally achieved her goal.

"Yes, this will be our home from now on," Liu Jun could sense the emotion in her words. The original Liu Jun might have harbored resentment over her wavering, but for the current Liu Jun, although she had wavered, she had remained steadfast in her feelings for the past two years. This was rare.

She had left her home and made a decisive choice, with no chance of turning back. If Liu Jun didn't accept her, this woman who hadn't left her room for two years might do something even more drastic.

"We still need some servants. I'll find some later. I don't feel comfortable leaving you two alone here."

"Will Er Lang not live here?" Lu Xueqi's face suddenly turned pale, and her eyes began to well up.

Liu Jun hadn't expected her to be so sensitive and quickly reassured her, "Of course, I'll live here too, but in three days, I have to go to Queen City to train the local militia. The camp is fifty miles away, so I can't come back every day." Liu Jun explained.

"Then take me to Queen City too. I don't need such a large courtyard. I just need a place to stay. I don't want to be separated from Er Lang."

"I'm going there to train the militia and will stay in the camp. If you come, I won't be able to spend time with you. It's better to stay here, and I'll come back when I have time."

(Please give me some recommendations, everyone!)