The stationmaster shook his head. "I heard that general is from the Turkic Crown Prince's faction, yet he handed this opportunity to earn military merits to the Third Prince. Don't you think that's strange?"
Xiao Jin Yu frowned in thought for a moment, then nodded slightly. "Then does Official Zhou know about the Miao sorcerer currently in the Turkic army?"
"Wang Ye, please don't blame this humble official for being cowardly..." The stationmaster's face turned pale. "I didn't believe in such evil arts before either, but this sorcerer is truly sinister... I heard he just waves his hands left and right, and he can steal people's souls. People can hear his commands from far away and will kill themselves without the Turkic soldiers even needing to lift a finger... This is a true story, and General Leng is nearly driven mad with worry over this matter."
Xiao Jin Yu gave a cold laugh. "If this really is the work of some sinister sorcerer, then he must be a brainless one at that..."
☆、69 Roasted Whole Lamb (Five)
Xiao Jin Yu slowly took a sip of the tea before him—bitter and flavorless, like boiled tree leaves.
Xiao Jin Yu had never been to the battlefield, and this was his first time coming so close to the border. But he remembered Xiao Jue's past descriptions—this was exactly what the frontier was like.
Xiao Jin Yu savored the taste of the tea as if it were premium quality, his expression completely unchanged. "If I had that sorcerer's abilities, I would definitely eliminate General Leng first. With no leader, the army would certainly fall into chaos and could be defeated with one strike. Why bother dealing with common soldiers one by one, creating trouble for himself?"
The stationmaster was stunned for a moment, then his face showed sudden understanding. "You're right, Wang Ye! You're absolutely right!"
"Furthermore... he's ultimately a Miao tribesman, not a Turk. If he truly had such abilities, why would the Turks believe he wouldn't use them against their own people?"
"Yes, yes, yes..."
Xiao Jin Yu finally gave up on continuing to drink that cup of tea, setting it down and looking up at the stationmaster. "Then how did the rumors about this sorcerer harming people first spread?"
"Oh, now that you mention it..." The stationmaster frowned, thinking deeply for quite some time. "This humble official isn't really sure, but it definitely came from the military camp."
"Why do you say that?"
"Ahem..." The stationmaster smiled bitterly. "Wang Ye, you can see for yourself—there's not a single person around here. Besides the military camp ahead, it's just me alone facing a courtyard full of livestock. If it didn't come from people in the military camp, then it must have been spread by the livestock..."
"How many horses are there in this station?"
"Eighteen," the stationmaster said, straightening his back with a proud expression. "Liangzhou Station may be poor and rundown, but it's a major station. All urgent military reports are sent to the capital from here... I've been stationmaster here for nearly twenty years. More than half of these horses were raised by me since they were foals—all are hardy, enduring good horses that have never failed in their duties!"
"Are there messenger pigeons here?"
"Yes, but Liangzhou has strong sandstorms. Pigeons aren't as reliable as horses. Usually, when the junior generals want to send letters home, they pay to borrow a pigeon... This station is very remote, and the court provides little funding, yet the expenses are high. We always need to prepare more feed money for these horses and sheep. Otherwise, if three or five groups of high officials come in succession, they'd have to live on air..."Xiao Jin Yu suddenly remembered something and pulled out a hundred-tael silver note from his robe. "Our abrupt visit violates the regulations for court officials using courier stations. Please accept this as our accommodation fee, Magistrate Zhou."
The stationmaster hurriedly stood up, shaking his head and waving his hands repeatedly. "Wang Ye misunderstands... This humble official didn't mean that, not at all..."
Xiao Jin Yu placed the silver note on the table. "This is what I mean... I'd also like to borrow your pigeons, if it's convenient."
"Of course, of course... Wang Ye need only command!"
"It's not official business... I just want to send a letter home."
"If it's bound for the capital, you could entrust it to the horse delivering today's battle report - that would be more secure."
"Not to the capital... to Suzhou."
"Oh... Very well, very well... Please write your letter, I'll select the fastest and most reliable pigeon for you."
"Thank you."
As the stationmaster hurried out, Chu Chu slipped into the room through the small door leading to the backyard.
"Wang Ye, are you sending a letter to Suzhou?"
Having overheard Xiao Jin Yu speaking with the stationmaster at the door earlier, she had waited outside and happened to catch the part about the pigeons.
"Yes."
Chu Chu nestled close to Xiao Jin Yu. "Then... could you send one for me too?"
"To whom?"
"To Grandpa and Grandma, my father and brother. To tell them we've arrived safely and set their minds at ease."
Xiao Jin Yu raised his hand to encircle Chu Chu's waist, chuckling lightly. "Silly girl... Who do you think I'm sending to?"
Chu Chu's eyes brightened. "You're sending to my family?"
"Isn't that my family too..." Xiao Jin Yu's eyebrows lifted slightly. "Are you already disowning me so soon?"
"I acknowledge it, I acknowledge it!" Chu Chu said quickly. "It's our family, I misspoke!"
"And what should be done about misspeaking?"
"Well... I'm sorry."
"Is 'sorry' enough?"
Chu Chu pursed her lips, then quickly leaned down to plant a kiss on Xiao Jin Yu's cheek.
Xiao Jin Yu continued gazing at her unrelentingly. "Just this?"
Chu Chu blinked, then pressed her lips against Xiao Jin Yu's rose-petal-like mouth. After her little tongue had lingered enough on his smooth lips, she seized the opportunity to slip inside. Xiao Jin Yu, tickled by her teasing, wanted to capture the mischievous little tongue, but it deliberately dodged about, eluding him completely. Provoked into mild annoyance, he gave a strong pull with his arms. Chu Chu's body tilted and she tumbled completely into his embrace, naturally ending up seated on his lap.
Chu Chu was frightened out of her wits. Falling onto him so suddenly and sitting on his particularly thin legs must have hurt him... She hurriedly tried to stand up, but Xiao Jin Yu held her tightly. Seizing the moment of her fluster, he contentedly captured the elusive little tongue.
"Mmm..."
As if seeking revenge for earlier, Xiao Jin Yu kissed her with increasing fervor, until Chu Chu could barely breathe. Only when she had gone completely soft in his arms did he finally release her, satisfied.
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