Chapter 120: Good People Are All Around

While the Luo Ping family was having lunch, some villagers passed by not far away one after another.

Seeing Li Dafeng, they all greeted her warmly.

“Dafeng, came to deliver food to your father and mother?”

Hearing this, Li Dafeng also responded with a chuckle, “Yes, Auntie Zhang.”

“Just made a simple lunch and brought it to my parents.”

The person who came was a woman around forty years old, whose husband’s surname was Zhang. She rode over on a horse, looked at the Luo family’s food on the ground, and showed a surprised expression.

She complimented very tactfully with a smile: “Heh, smells very fragrant. Dafeng’s cooking skills are quite good.”

“Not at all; just made something casually, ordinary food,” Dafeng smiled somewhat embarrassedly.

She knew how her cooking skills were; it could only be said to be above average, not as exaggerated as Auntie Zhang said.

If there was really a difference, it was that today’s meal had more meat.

After all, having to do high-intensity farm work for several days in a row, they really couldn’t hold up without some meat.

“Just made casually and it’s so fragrant? If you practiced more, wouldn’t it smell so good it kills people?” Auntie Zhang was also a smooth talker.

Her mouth chattered non-stop, full of nice words, making Dafeng blush a little.

“Dafeng is beautiful, capable, and cooks so deliciously.”

“Being able to marry such a good wife like Dafeng, your Dameng is truly blessed.”

“Mine is no good; clumsy at work, only crows but doesn’t lay eggs, worrying me to death.”

Hearing Auntie Zhang praise Li Dafeng and then start talking about her own daughter-in-law in the blink of an eye…

Li Dafeng couldn’t handle it even more and said with a smile, “Sister-in-law Zhang is also not bad.”

Auntie Zhang rolled her eyes and snorted, “Gave birth to two money-losing goods (daughters) in a row; what’s good about that?”

“But Dafeng, looking at how pointed your belly is, this one is definitely a boy; can’t be wrong.”

Hearing this, Mother Luo also became spirited. For her now, nothing was more important than the child in Li Dafeng’s belly.

Thus, the two women began to exchange experiences in this regard.

In the end, Luo Ping couldn’t stand it anymore.

He took a big bite of the freshly baked sesame flatbread, swallowed it, drank a mouthful of mutton soup, glanced sideways at these two troublesome women, and said.

“Old Zhang’s wife, aren’t you going to fetch water? If you keep chatting like this, Old Zhang and the others will die of thirst.”

Hearing this, Auntie Zhang also realized immediately that she had delayed a bit too long.

Flipping onto the horse and carrying several large water skins on her back, she rushed towards the river.

After she had gone far, Luo Ping said to Mother Luo and Li Dafeng, “You two, listen less to her blathering in the future.”

“This old woman’s mouth is like it’s been consecrated; she can chatter more than a group of damn bald donkeys.”

Luo Ping shook his head, looking helpless.

Unexpectedly, Mother Luo snorted lightly upon hearing this and said, “Now you find her annoying.”

“When you were young, who was always wandering around her door?”

Hearing this, Luo Ping’s face looked a bit unnatural, and he said angrily from embarrassment, “I was going to find Old Zhang.”

Listening to the conversation between the two, Li Dafeng also shook her head secretly.

Don’t think the older generation is feudal; in fact, they played even wilder than young people.

Especially in winter, when heavy snow sealed the doors, if the man of the house wasn’t home, just wait for a knock on the door.

Not long after Auntie Zhang left, several more women came to greet them. Without exception, they all praised and complimented Li Dafeng.

Saying she would definitely give birth to a big fat boy and so on.

In the past, although the Luo family was the Fortress Master of Hedong Fortress, their status wasn’t this high.

Now that Li Dafeng had a younger brother who was the Vice Military Governor, she felt her life slowly changing.

No more trivial family matters or petty things to bicker about with her.

Everyone showed her sincere smiles.

This made Li Dafeng sigh with emotion secretly: “Good people are all around.”

Luo Ping had four sons; Luo Meng was the eldest.

After the family finished lunch, Mother Luo called the youngest son to fetch water by the river.

Then she looked at the five slaves. Three of them had completed their tasks and were each given a sesame flatbread as lunch.

The remaining two women could only go hungry.

With this lesson, even just to get food, they would definitely work hard in the future.

“Dafeng, go back and rest!”

After lunch, Mother Luo urged Li Dafeng to go home.

“It’s fine, Mother; I can work, I’m not that delicate.”

Saying this, disregarding Mother Luo’s obstruction, Li Dafeng picked up a sickle and went down to the field to harvest wheat.

Her movements were quite skilled; after all, she had practiced since childhood in her maiden home.

Mother Luo wanted to stop her but was stopped by Luo Ping: “Alright, let Dafeng stay.”

Then he instructed that if she felt uncomfortable, she should stop moving.

With Li Dafeng’s participation, the work in the field became a bit faster.

However, not long after, a faint sound of hoofbeats came from the distance.

Luo Ping’s ears moved, his eyes became sharp immediately, and he looked up into the distance.

Like him, many Hedong villagers looked alert and walked towards their warhorses.

But fortunately, a shout soon came from the distance: “Dameng and the others are back.”

Hearing this, everyone slowly relaxed.

Looking again at the shadow of the black cavalry army in the distance, they indeed looked like Han people.

And the most excited one was Mother Luo.

She immediately put down the sickle in her hand, stood on tiptoe to gaze, her face full of excitement.

“Eldest is back?”

“What about Second? Is Second back?”

A smile also appeared on Li Dafeng’s face. Supporting Mother Luo’s arm, she laughed: “Mother, since Dameng is back, Erzhu definitely won’t be missing.”

Previously, Luo Ping brought most of the able-bodied men of Hedong Fortress back to harvest grain.

Only some teenagers were left to serve by Li Xiao’s side, including Luo Meng and his younger brother Luo Zhu.

And Li Dafeng also knew that Luo Meng had likewise established merit in this war and had already been appointed as a Hundred-Man Commander.

The second son, Luo Zhu, was appointed as a Ten-Man Commander.

The whole family received rewards and rose to prominence.

This made Li Dafeng very happy.

In the future, the Luo family’s life would become better and better.

As the large cavalry unit approached, the herdsmen of Hedong Fortress in the distance let out exclamations one after another.

“It’s the vice Governor.”

“The Vice Governor has come to our Hedong Fortress.”

“Vice Governor!”

The men of Hedong Fortress looked at a figure in the distant cavalry and cheered loudly.

The Governor here was naturally not Xiao Lintuo, but Li Xiao.

They had all followed Li Xiao all the way through the battles.

First the surprise attack on Sanhe Fortress, then Wuya Village, and then the expedition against the Naimans.

The Four Fortresses Alliance could be said to be the core of Li Xiao’s direct line, following firmly by his side from the very beginning.

Similarly, these men of Hedong Fortress had witnessed with their own eyes how Li Xiao rose step by step.

From Hexi Fortress Master to the current Vice Military Governor of Jin Prefecture holding great power.

His limelight even overshadowed the main Military Governor of Jin Prefecture, Xiao Lintuo.

In a word, Li Xiao was a child of the Four Alliance Fortresses and even more so the pride of their Jin Prefecture Han people.

So, seeing Li Xiao again after many days, these Hedong Fortress men couldn’t help but shout.

Although Xiao Lintuo was nominally the main Military Governor of Jin Prefecture, in their hearts, Li Xiao was the only Governor.

Only Li Xiao was worthy of the word ‘Governor’.

And Li Xiao rode on his horse, waving to these herdsmen, a smile on his face.

These people were his foundation!

Soon, Li Xiao and his party stopped in front of the Luo Ping family’s field.

Luo Ping had already led people to welcome them here.

“Uncle Luo, have you been well these days?”

“I have brought my brother-in-law and Zhu Zi back to you safe and sound.”

Li Xiao dismounted and laughed loudly to Luo Ping.

Behind him stood the two brothers, Luo Meng and Luo Zhu.

“Father, Mother…”

The two brothers stepped forward one after another and called out to the Luo Ping couple.

Subsequently, Luo Meng walked towards Li Dafeng impatiently.

Gently putting his arm around her waist, his other hand landed on her belly.

A look of excitement appeared on his face, as if seeing light, his spirit uplifted.

He said in surprise, “I’ve only been away for less than three months, and the belly is already this big!”

When the war broke out, Li Dafeng had just discovered she was pregnant, but the Luo Ping father and son had to set foot on the battlefield.

Next came the endless battles attacking the Naimans.

Lasting for more than two months.

Returning again, Luo Meng felt as if a lifetime had passed. Touching the belly, a wondrous feeling of blood connection seemed to be growing.

Li Xiao also walked up, staring at Li Dafeng’s belly and looking gently.

Smacking his lips, he said, “I’m about to become an uncle.”

This child was the first of the next generation of the Li family bloodline. Although not a child of the Li family (surname-wise), they were connected by blood after all.

“Yes, Dalong, you are about to become an uncle.”

“And you two, Dahu, Erhu, don’t hide in the back.”

“I see you.”

Li Dafeng scolded jokingly and called Dahu and Erhu over too.

“Eldest Sister…”

“Eldest Sister!”

The two brothers stepped forward and called out with a chuckle.

Li Dafeng was the oldest child in their generation.

Although she was a girl, she had had a boy’s temper since childhood.

She beat up these younger brothers quite a lot when they were little.

Dahu and Erhu were somewhat afraid of her.

“You… have all grown up…”

“All become adults!”

Looking at the three younger brothers before her, Li Dafeng felt both happy and sentimental.

Speaking, tears flowed out.

“If our father saw your achievements today, he would definitely be overjoyed.”

Li Dafeng wiped her tears gently, thinking of her father who died in battle a few months ago. Luo Meng hurriedly comforted her.

Dahu and Erhu’s moods also became somewhat low.

Only Li Xiao sighed lightly and said, “Eldest Sister, don’t cry.”

“The dead cannot come back to life; Father would definitely hope we all live well.”

Li Dafeng shook her head gently, crying as she said, “I’m not sad; I’m happy.”

“Seeing that you have all grown up, each one becoming so heroic and strong, establishing countless merits.”

“I, your eldest sister, am happy in my heart.”

Actually, her heart ached!

Although Li Xiao became the Vice Military Governor of Jin Prefecture, and Dahu and Erhu both became Hundred-Man Commanders.

Looking majestic and glorious.

But Li Dafeng keenly saw the residual bloodstains on the leather armor they were wearing.

Although already dried and looking like they had been washed.

But there was too much blood; it couldn’t be washed clean at all.

Seeing the bloodstains on them, Li Dafeng couldn’t help but think of the dangers they experienced on the battlefield.

They were only teenagers.

Without their father’s protection, they could only walk onto the battlefield themselves, experiencing unknown numbers of slaughters and dangers.

Only then did they have today’s achievements and status.

Li Dafeng was happy for her three younger brothers, but her heart ached more.

Of course, when she saw the scars on Luo Meng’s body at night, she would probably forget these three younger brothers and heartache for her husband instead.

“Don’t cry if you’re happy; it’s bad for the child.” Li Xiao stepped forward and gently wiped away the tears on her face.

Then, he called out to Dahu, asking him to bring something over.

“Eldest Sister, look what I brought you.”

“This is authentic Shu brocade.”

“Grabbed after breaking through Naiman Tayang Khan’s old camp back then.”

“Unfortunately, most of it was taken away by Tayang Khan in advance.”

“I only got ten bolts.”

“Two bolts for you; make a few more beautiful clothes. When my eldest nephew is born, we need to be festive.”

“Two bolts for Grandma, two for Mother, and two for Second Aunt.”

“Divide the remaining two bolts among Erfeng and the other two girls.”

Li Xiao handed the two bolts of Shu brocade to Li Dafeng with a smile.

The Naiman tribe was the overlord of the western steppe and was considered relatively wealthy on the steppe.

This Shu brocade was bought by Tayang Khan from Western Xia, specifically to give to his concubine Gurbesu.

Although Li Xiao got quite a lot, most of it fell into Xiao Yanyan’s hands.

That woman was quite fond of beauty.