IRBSC 91 PART 1

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Chapter 91 part 1

Gu Yuanbai dismissed these rumors with a smile.

He didn’t take these rumors to heart and instead shifted the conversation to the border affairs with Kong Yilin. They spoke casually, as the street wasn’t a place for discussing major matters. Their conversation seemed like idle chatter, and eventually, Kong Yilin voluntarily began describing the situation at the border.

The endless wind, the boundless grasslands, and the vast blue sky stretched before them. As Gu Yuanbai listened to Kong Yilin’s descriptions, he began to wonder about the state of the Da Heng’s border.

His thoughts soared into the sky, carried by the wind, heading towards the northern frontier.

***

While the soldiers of Da Heng were clearing the battlefield, they also brought back the horses that had been injured and died to add meat to their provisions.

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The horses they had captured were nurtured back to health. Once they tasted the fresh grass and grains, they stopped struggling and buried their heads in the grass, munching away.

As for the remaining cattle and sheep, which were also emaciated, some were kept while others were slaughtered, providing a much-needed source of meat for the soldiers.

“The remaining cattle and sheep can be kept until the cold winter, then slaughtered for food,” General Xue discussed with the other commanders. “It seems that Rilian has fled northward, probably seeking refuge with the Xiwandan tribe. Xiwandan is bold yet cautious, and their tribe has also been affected by the locust plague. They may accept Rilian’s tribe, but this winter, they won’t initiate a war against us for Rilian.”

The captured Khitan people were used as slaves to help construct shelters for the disaster victims.

This winter was harsh. The victims lacked warm clothing, and even a simple blanket to ward off the cold was considered a luxury. Some had fallen ill due to exposure, but fortunately, there were medicinal herbs and physicians available to provide timely treatment.

The locusts had entered the nymph stage. If they were not dealt with during this period, they would soon become mature locusts, laying eggs, and causing further devastation. Inside the tents, people remained silent, their faces filled with worry.

Suddenly, a duck’s quack echoed from outside. At first, the people inside the tents dismissed it as a misheard noise, but then the quacking grew louder, filling their ears with discomfort. General Xue raised his head abruptly, exchanged a glance with General Xue yuan, and then turned to walk briskly outside.

As the tent flap was lifted, the cacophony of quacks became even louder. Everyone followed the sound and stepped out, only to be greeted by tens of thousands of ducks.

These ducks quacked incessantly as they pecked at the locusts on the ground. Despite their agility, their plump bodies gave them a somewhat clumsy appearance.

These well-fed ducks were a far cry from the emaciated cattle and sheep that had previously been their only livestock. Many onlookers couldn’t help but swallow their saliva, and General Xue even noticed several commanders around him doing the same. These ducks were tightly packed, each one almost as large as a person’s calf, and they waddled toward them like a rolling wave. The person leading the ducks urgently shouted, “May I ask for General Xue’s presence?”

The soldiers and disaster victims blocking the way quickly made a path. General Xue’s eyelids twitched a few times, and under the expectant gazes of the crowd, he strode forward.

Upon seeing him, the approaching messenger’s eyes lit up, and he shouted loudly, “General Xue, I have brought 100,000 ducks from the rear! We encountered some rough terrain, losing track of about two hundred ducks. However, there are still over 99,700 ducks remaining. Please inspect, General Xue!”

The crowd behind erupted in astonishment.

100,000 ducks! Unbelievably, there were 100,000 ducks!

Major General Xue was momentarily stunned by the number but quickly regained his composure and asked concisely, “Have these ducks been feeding on locusts throughout their journey?”

The messenger replied enthusiastically, “Yes, MajorGeneral. They’ve been feasting on locusts all along the way. These ducks are now well-fed and in excellent condition. After the remaining locusts are pecked to extinction, these ducks will become the delicious dishes on the tables of our generals. I hope you won’t mind that they’ve been eating locusts.”

Delicious dishes.

Major General Xue cast a glance at the ducks. Their feathers were glossy, and their eyes were bright. While locusts were a delicacy for ducks, these birds, with their muscles toned from the journey, were now a delicacy for the soldiers, a rare and delectable treat.

Major General Xue’s throat moved as he considered the offer. Everyone present had their eyes fixed on the ducks with great anticipation, unable to look away.

The quacking of 100,000 ducks had transformed from mere noise into a delightful melody. Several thousand people had been involved in transporting these ducks to the border, and the leader among them said respectfully, “If the Major General wishes to taste their flavor, we can slaughter them today.”

“No rush,” Major General Xue replied politely, then added with a slight smile, “Let’s give them a few days to finish off the remaining locusts at the border.”

These ducks had arrived just in time, sparing them the effort of using manpower to catch locusts and eliminate locust eggs. Major General Xue’s lips curled into a subtle smile, thoroughly enjoying his current mood.

Did Gu Yuanbao send so many ducks to the border because he missed him and wanted to save him some time to return to the capital?

Major General Xue couldn’t help but chuckle softly.

He had just been thinking about how to deal with the locusts and their eggs, and now, 100,000 ducks from the rear had already resolved the issue for him.

Such timely coincidences made Major General Xue feel as though he and Gu Yuanbao shared a profound connection.

Major General Xue’s contentment lingered as he continued to oversee the relief efforts.

With the locust crisis under control within their borders and no external threats looming, it was a rare period of stability. With some free time on his hands, Major General Xue’s mind couldn’t help but wander to Gu Yuanbai. The thought of this man was like a potent wine, intoxicating him to the point where he couldn’t sleep at night and woke up with heightened desires every morning.

Major General Xue had been washing his trousers for half a month straight, and every day, pairs of pants would flutter outside his tent. Soldiers and officers passing by couldn’t help but notice, and they initially made jokes and snickered. However, as the days went by, their admiration grew.

General Yang, who was well-acquainted with Major General Xue, approached him with friendly advice, “Xue Yuan, don’t let your youthful vigor lead you astray. You’ve been washing your trousers for half a month, and your temper seems to be flaring up. What’s going on?”

Major General Xue lazily lay in the sun, hearing the comment, he raised his eyebrows slightly, “Don’t block my sunshine.”

General Yang brought a chair and sat down, observing the thousands of Khitan captives chopping wood nearby. He spoke earnestly, “I’ve been there, and I know that in armies on the march and at war, it’s mostly men, and not even a single sow in sight. It’s only natural to be pent up. But this seems a bit excessive. Tell me, do you have someone on your mind?”

For the past few days, Major General Xue had been vacillating between believing and doubting this notion of “heartfelt connection.” However, whenever he thought about the possibility that, while he was thinking about Gu Yuanbai, Gu Yuanbai might also know what he was thinking, he couldn’t help but feel agitated.

During these days, he had been having vivid dreams at night. Could the young emperor see these dreams as well? Did he blush and feel his heart race, yet try to maintain his composure?

Blushing… Gu Yuanbai probably wouldn’t blush. But with that confident stride and that teasing glint in his eyes, he could easily imagine it, and that thought alone was enough to make Major General Xue feel quite… aroused.

“Yes,” Major General Xue replied nonchalantly.

General Yang’s eyes lit up with curiosity, “Who is this person that has you, Xue Jiuyao, so utterly captivated, leaving you in such a state of bewilderment? Does General Xue know about this? Does Madam Xue?”

“What do you mean, captivated?” Major General Xue raised his foot to playfully step on a small stool nearby and denied, “How did you figure out that I’m captivated?”

“Your daily routine of waking up early to wash your trousers,” General Yang said with a heavy tone, “Isn’t that a sign of being captivated?”

“I’m just young and spirited,” Major General Xue retorted casually, “and a bit hot lately.”