"Everyone get down quickly," General Liu commanded. Those who could, did, but their eyes remained fixed on the small figure, unwilling to miss a single detail.
Some even began to whisper, speculating about who the little girl's next target would be.
They had been soldiers for many years and each had their own prediction, but none guessed correctly.
It wasn't surprising they couldn't guess, for Fu Xin Ci's teleportation was so fast she changed positions in the blink of an eye. It was only natural they couldn't anticipate her moves.
Consequently, even these so-called skilled generals could only admire the little girl's skills more, with no one suspecting that she was cheating with her space.
General Liu almost wrung his hands in regret. "If only she were a boy, how wonderful that would be." He couldn't take the little girl to the military camp.
Everyone shared the same thought: with the little girl's skills, taking the enemy general's head in a million-strong army would be as easy as plucking something from a pocket.
As everyone was lost in their thoughts, the sound of shouting and killing came from the opposite side. General Liu, still wanting more, commanded his subordinates, "Everyone, get up and mount your horses, and kill them for me! If we don't leave these bastards here to fertilize this land today, then my surname isn't Liu!"
"Kill, kill!"
The moment Fu Xin Ci saw Uncle Jin and the others appear, she had already teleported out of the battlefield. Looking back at the thunderous roars behind her, she smiled as brightly as the first primrose blooming in the spring breeze.
Only Qi He, crouching behind a bush, was filled with melancholy. "Sister Fu, hurry and get me out of here."
"Coming, coming," Fu Xin Ci landed beside him in a few leaps and bounds. Then she grabbed his arm and they hid behind a rock.
Finally having a chance to speak with Sister Fu, Qi He was so excited he stammered. "Sister Fu, what, what were you throwing just now?"
Fu Xin Ci couldn't bear to lie to this simple-hearted child, so she whispered to him, "That was a hand grenade given to me by my master. Brother Qi, you must keep it a secret for me and not tell anyone else."
The little girl's large eyes, neither smiling nor serious, stared at him. The playfulness in her gaze made Qi He willing to go through fire and water for her.
"Yes, Sister Fu, don't worry. I definitely won't tell anyone. Not even my father."
After Qi He made his promise, he shyly discussed with Sister Fu, "Sister Fu, next time we encounter the Tatars, can you let me throw one too?"
Fu Xin Ci thought for a moment and agreed, "Next time we encounter the Tatars, I'll let Brother Qi throw one."
"Great, thank you, Sister Fu."
Qi He was overjoyed, eagerly awaiting the next encounter with the Tatars so he could fulfill his wish.
However, Qi He never dreamed that his desire to simply throw a hand grenade to blow up a Tatar would be so difficult.
Time flew by, and five years passed in the blink of an eye.
Since General Liu led his men to annihilate the invading Tatars at the foot of Eagle Beak Cliff five years ago.
Overnight, the Tatars seemed to have vanished, never to reappear.
After five years of recuperation, small courtyards were gradually built on the plains at the foot of Eagle Beak Cliff, and Meng Jia Village continued to expand and expand.
Later, Wu Jia Village was also incorporated, and the people of Wu Jia Village were naturally very happy.
Especially in the past two years, wandering merchants from the south and north gathered here. They not only brought daily necessities from outside but also sold the cotton, dried fruits, and mountain goods produced in Meng Jia Village.
The people of Meng Jia Village gradually became prosperous, and more families moved in.
Meng Jia Village, starting last year, became Meng Jia Town.
Grandpa Meng also rose from being the village chief of Meng Jia Village to the town mayor of Meng Jia Town.
Even those exiled to Liaodong tried their best to get a settlement in Meng Jia Town.
However, Grandpa Meng did not accept just anyone. He would not accept real corrupt officials or wicked evildoers.
General Liu also gave face to the second master of the Meng family and sent all the undesirable elements elsewhere.
Qi Yuan Shan, through his persistent efforts, would pester General Liu every few days to maintain their relationship.
Eventually, General Liu became tired of it. To avoid seeing him, General Liu reluctantly agreed to move the Thousand-Household Office to Eagle Beak Cliff.
After the matter was settled, Qi Yuan Shan was in a good mood. To show his gratitude, he gave General Liu a bottle of a certain brand of wine that the little girl had for him to drink during the New Year.
The result was that after General Liu tasted the wine, his eyes changed, and their relationship became one where General Liu visited Qi Yuan Shan at the Thousand-Household Office every few days for a drink.
In the early morning, as the sky began to show the color of fish belly in the east, the soldiers training at the Eagle Beak Cliff Garrison had already assembled in the courtyard.
In the position of the Sixth Small Flag stood a group of teenagers, all in their teens.
Their leader was also a boy of sixteen or seventeen, with a tall and slender build, thick eyebrows, large eyes, and a clear gaze. His wheat-colored skin exuded a healthy luster against the backdrop of the green military uniform.
He shouted slogans, leading the young boys on a round trip along the mountain road at the foot of Eagle Beak Cliff.
As the sun gradually rose, their backs were soaked with sweat.
Not a single one of the boys complained of hardship or fatigue. Their gazes were firm, fixed forward, and no one fell behind.
When they returned to the garrison and cleaned up, it was time for breakfast.
One person threaded three steamed buns onto a skewer and was served a bowl of soup. They then squatted outside the barracks to eat.
A boy with delicate features took a bite of a steamed bun made of three kinds of flour, then sidled up to the leading boy and said, "Brother Qi, after training today, should we go see Sister Da?"
"Meng Yu Tang, you've thought of some mischievous idea again, wanting to see Sister Fu?"
"Brother Qi, this isn't a mischievous idea. Look, spring is in full bloom now. Should we go to the seaside with Sister Da and pick some seafood to satisfy our cravings?"
"That sounds good. I'm craving it too. After eating so many things, seafood is still the most delicious." Meng Yu Luo also unceremoniously squeezed in from the side.
"Little He, are we going together?" Meng Qi Shan also came over, his eyes fixed on Qi He.
The other boys, finding their steamed buns no longer appetizing, all perked up their ears and looked at Qi He expectantly.
Qi He glanced at them, swallowed the last bite of his steamed bun, and said ambiguously, "I'll have to ask Sister Fu before I can decide."
"Heh heh, Little He, as long as you say a word to Xin Ci, she'll definitely agree to let us go together."
"Meng Qi Tian, if you're so sure, why don't you go and tell Sister Fu yourself?"
"How can I say it? I'm an uncle, telling Xin Ci that I'm craving food. If my father knew, he'd chase me for two streets."