The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure

Chapter 1858 - 1846: Overnight in the Desert

All the parting words had already been said back at home; now the mother and daughter were simply enjoying this moment of togetherness before departure.

Once Song Chongjin’s farewell ceremony was completed, the procession finally set off.

The people of Chicheng County spontaneously gathered at the city gate to see them off, including the families of those in the convoy. Although it was a farewell, there was not much sorrow evident on their faces, but rather a sense of ambition and determination.

Especially the merchants, who could travel thousands of miles in a day, were eager to get business rolling and earn silver quickly.

As the grand convoy proceeded, Wang Yongzhu discreetly bid farewell to Old Granny Zhang and slipped into the convoy with Jinhoo and Zhang Yinbao.

Old Granny Zhang watched her daughter’s silhouette, wiped away tears, and instructed the coachman to take a shortcut home while everyone else was still waving to the departing procession.

It took Wang Yongzhu’s group four whole days to reach the frontier military camp due to the large number of people.

At the camp, the Imperial Court’s order had already been received, and a select elite team of a hundred had been assigned to ensure the safety of the diplomatic mission.

Of course, if they truly entered the grassland and tensions flared between the grassland and Great Chu, even a thousand troops might struggle to survive there.

But under the current circumstances, a hundred troops as the vanguard would suffice to protect the mission from small-bandit attacks and nocturnal beast assaults.

This hundred-man team was personally selected by the frontier commander, who was originally a subordinate of Song Hong. Despite the years past, he still held great respect for Song Hong.

Song Chongjin, being the son of Song Hong and the Princely Heir of Duke Weiguo Residence, the future successor, warranted utmost caution. Any mishap would be a grave consequence.

The commander wished he could allocate five thousand soldiers to protect Song Chongjin, ensuring a safe return with not a single hair harmed.

However, reality restricted him to select only a hundred and eighty skilled men, whom he instructed repeatedly, promising rewards if they safely brought Song Chongjin back.

He also privately indicated that should danger arise, Song Chongjin’s safe return to Great Chu was imperative; his death on the grassland would mean death for the rest of them as well.

If Song Chongjin returned alive to Great Chu, even if they lost their lives, their families and descendants would be taken care of.

His words were clear, and those hundred chosen men understood all too well that they were destined to be expendable fighters. To make their deaths worthwhile, ensuring Song Chongjin’s safe return meant their kin would be looked after.

Moreover, they had met Song Chongjin and interacted with him.

During negotiations, Song Chongjin stayed at the camp for extended periods; Wang Yongzhu felt for him, admiring the soldiers who defended the border and the people of Great Chu with their flesh and blood, often bringing supplies which benefited the soldiers at the camp substantially.

Thus, they fully believed in the commander’s words and resolved to protect Song Chongjin with their lives.

Due to the urgency from both the Imperial Court and grassland, Song Chongjin’s party dared not delay, thanked the commander, personally inspected the hundred-man team, and set off again after a brief rest.

The commander led the troops, escorting them to the border, conveying the importance and serving as a deterrent to the grassland.

The grassland had already dispatched officials for reception.

Leading them was none other than Batu, who was seen during previous negotiations, Qi Le’s trusted aide, now appearing unassuming as a clerk.

Meeting him this time, he was ornately dressed, a stark contrast from their prior encounter.

Upon seeing Song Chongjin’s group, he was exceptionally warm, first inquiring about their wellbeing and then enthusiastically leading the way on horseback, pointing to nearby landscapes with his whip, introducing them while riding, projecting a surprisingly harmonious facade.

The grassland lacked stationed troops like Great Chu; this area was a desert, sparsely populated except for Batu’s entourage, not a trace of other grassland herdsmen in sight.

Batu apologized profusely, stating they should hasten through the desert to reach habitation on the other side.

He further commented on the poverty in the grassland compared to the richness of Great Chu, apologizing for any inadequate hospitality.

With such conversations preceding, the delegation had no grounds for complaints.

This scenario was expected by Great Chu, with self-prepared rations eliminating reliance on grassland hospitality.

Even if the grassland provided lavish foods, no one dared to consume them fearing poison.

Though the desert appeared small, traversing it commonly required one to two days, especially for such a lengthy procession.

Soon enough, darkness fell across the horizon; in the desert’s daylight, sun brought solace, but at night, the wind penetrated to the bone.

Batu suggested resting overnight and set out early the next day.

The hundred-man team included individuals familiar with grassland terrain and understood the impracticality of marching further at night with such numbers.

Moreover, Batu’s chosen spot was impeccable, a dry riverbed to shield from night winds, surrounded by barren trees to provide warmth with branches.

Thus, when Song Chongjin surveyed the area, he nodded before ordering an overnight stop, continuing the journey after a day’s rest.

Upon command, the procession moved systematically.

Orders were relayed, soldiers started setting up camp promptly, pitching several tents for the mission’s officials.

Nearby dried trees were dragged to the site, chopped into smaller pieces, and soon campfires were lit progressively.

Under soldier supervision, the convoy encircled forming a thorough barrier: goods, vehicles, livestock like horses and camels, then the campfires and human habitats.

There was consistent spacing between each convoy, mutually guarded and defended.

Needless to say, the escorts and guards hired by the merchant groups were exceptionally vigilant, constantly patrolling.

Batu observed this scene, a fleeting shadow crossing his eyes, though the darkened sky concealed his expression.

Soon, he resumed his cheerful demeanor, aware of Great Chu’s wariness, wisely settling in a nearby area also igniting campfires.

Familiar with the locale, a few rode out briefly, returning shortly with hunted prey, swiftly yielding a tantalizing aroma of roasting meat carried by the wind.

After cooking, half a roasted lamb was specially sent to Song Chongjin’s tent.

Regrettably, Song Chongjin’s tent was surrounded by soldiers on constant guard; the emissaries carrying the roast had to stand afar, waiting for soldier notification inside.

Half a day passed before someone emerged, accepting the roast and casually tossing a silver ingot, concluding the matter.

Clutching the silver, the man reluctantly glanced at the tent, overhearing a woman’s voice amidst the tent flap’s brief opening?

His eyes narrowed immediately, turning away.