Being a tour guide for historical celebrities, the motherland is amazed again

"Who is coming?" Wang Mang asked curiously.

"He's a young military commander. A few years ago, he led dozens of men and captured a traitor alive amidst a huge army. He later became a civilian official. Now that the fighting on the border is intense, the court has transferred him here."

After hearing Lu You's description, Su Jiahe and Wang Mang were both shocked.

"Xin Qiji!"

"That's him. Why, have you heard of him?"

"I've more than just heard of him. He's as famous as you in later generations. He's practically a household name." Su Jiahe's excitement was beyond words at the thought of meeting the legendary Xin Qiji, a man of both civil and military talents.

"Haha, Xin Jiaxuan was so brave and good at fighting, it is not surprising that he would be recorded in history." Lu You laughed.

"You misunderstood. Xin Qiji became famous in later generations not because of his martial arts, but because of his poems," said Su Jiahe.

"Oh? I see." Lu You was also a little surprised. "But Jiaxuan is indeed a man of both literary and martial talents. I've read his poems. They are vigorous and powerful, with extraordinary writing skills."

"This trip was not in vain. I was able to see so many ancient people." Song Yingxing was also very excited.

"Mr. Lu, you two can communicate with each other." Su Jiahe was very much looking forward to what kind of sparks would be created when two great figures, Lu You and Xin Qiji, came together.

"I'm afraid I don't have the energy to do that right now. The battle on the front is intense. Let's wait until we return victorious."

Three days later, a tall and strong young man with sharp features and heroic air came to Lu You's residence on a tall horse, exhausted.

Wang Mang, Su Jiahe, and Song Yingxing had been looking forward to this day for a long time. They had already prepared a welcoming banquet and were waiting at the door. As soon as Xin Qiji entered, everyone gave him a warm welcome.

"Lord Lu, are these your family members? Thank you for your warm hospitality." Xin Qiji humbly bowed to everyone.

"These are my friends," Lu You said. "Thanks to their help, we were able to drive out the Jin people."

Xin Qiji saw that Wang Mang and Song Yingxing were both old men, and Su Jiahe was a young girl. He was very surprised to hear that they had helped the soldiers on the front line win a battle.

"Oh? So, you guys are truly remarkable people."

"No, I'm just an ordinary person, but I did my best. These two are the extraordinary people." Su Jiahe smiled embarrassedly.

"Neither do I."

"Neither do I."

Wang Mang and Song Yingxing declined repeatedly.

"Well, Master Xin has come a long way, let's eat first."

Lu You invited Xin Qiji to the living room. Looking at the many unfamiliar dishes on the table, Xin Qiji was suddenly stunned.

"Are these specialties from Guanzhong?"

"These are what we brought. Lord Xin, please try them. I guarantee you have never eaten them before." Wang Mang said as he pulled out a chair, asked Xin Qiji to sit down, and served him a bowl of rice.

"This brother Wang is such a warm and straightforward person." Even someone as bold as Xin Qiji was a little overwhelmed by Wang Mang's familiarity.

"Let's all sit down."

Lu You asked everyone to take their seats and the banquet began. During the meal, Xin Qiji tasted many dishes that had not yet appeared in the Song Dynasty, such as chili peppers, potatoes, and sweet potatoes, and was amazed by them.

"Where did Miss Su and Brother Wang bring these things from?"

"We are traveling scholars from all over the world, and we brought these things from overseas." Wang Mang made up a new identity for himself.

"What about those firearms you are talking about? Are they also brought from overseas?" Xin Qiji was shocked.

"Yes, it was also introduced from overseas, but we made some improvements." Wang Mang thought to himself that many later thermal weapons did originate from the West, so there was nothing wrong with saying that.

"I always thought that overseas was a wild and desolate place, but I didn't expect there were so many treasures there," Xin Qiji exclaimed.

The next day, Xin Qiji changed into his battle uniform and rushed to the front line with Lu You.

"Brother Wang, how long do you think we will stay here?" Su Jiahe asked.

"As long as the Song Dynasty stands firm and doesn't just sit back and relax, we should be able to repel the Jin troops in about a year or two. Of course, Mongolia is growing stronger now, so it will be a bit more troublesome."

Winter came in a blink of an eye. Su Jiahe, wrapped in a thick cotton coat, stood at the door, looking at the mountains and rivers all in white.

"This must be the 'Iron Horses and Ice Rivers' Mr. Lu mentioned. It's been so long, why haven't they returned yet?"

"They left in the autumn, marching on horseback. How could they possibly be back in two or three months? It would be almost spring next year," Wang Mang said. "Don't worry about them. We just need to take care of the logistics."

Just after the Spring Festival, the ice and snow in Guanzhong melted, the weather warmed up, and it was time for spring plowing again. People from all over the country came to Su Jiahe to ask for seeds for the new crops.

Just as the fields were ablaze with green, news of victory arrived from the north: the Song army had swept through with unstoppable force, reclaiming the old capital, Bianjing, and all the lost territory in the Central Plains. When Lu You and Xin Qiji's troops returned, the people lined the streets to welcome them.

"Brother Wang, Miss Su, thank you so much for your help. I have no way to repay your kindness." Lu You held Wang Mang's hand and was so moved that he burst into tears.

"You're welcome, you're welcome. We have won. Don't cry." Wang Mang quickly supported Lu You, who was crying so hard that he almost couldn't stand.

"We have recaptured Bian Jing and are going back to Lin'an to report. You two should come with us. It's a good opportunity to see the scenery in the south." Xin Qiji extended an invitation enthusiastically.

Half a month later, the group set out south in a mighty procession. When they arrived in Lin'an, it was already midsummer.

"Ah, after all, the scenery of West Lake in June is different from that in other seasons." Su Jiahe looked at the endless lotus flowers on the water and was suddenly inspired to write poetry.

Lin'an seemed unaffected by the war. The streets were lined with shops, and many wealthy young men and women in fine clothes and glamorous attire were walking around, laughing and joking as if no one was around. Inside the brothel, a group of people were cheering around the stage.

"Is this what it means to be 'the warm wind intoxicates the tourists, who mistake Hangzhou for Bianzhou'?" Song Yingxing couldn't help but sigh.

"To be honest, although the Southern Song Dynasty was cowardly, its economy and culture were truly prosperous, which can be considered a commendable aspect," said Wang Mang.

The group first settled down in the inn. A few days later in the evening, a gorgeous carriage suddenly arrived at the door.

"You are..." Su Jiahe had never seen the other person before, so she asked carefully.

"Dear guests, I was sent by Lord Xin to take you to the restaurant." The coachman replied.

"Haha, Xin Qiji wants to treat us to a meal." Su Jiahe called Wang Mang and Song Yingxing, and they happily went to the largest restaurant in Lin'an. The private room was magnificent, and Lu You and Xin Qiji, both wearing new clothes, sat at the table.

After a while, the waiter served a table full of delicious dishes. Each dish was so exquisite that Su Jiahe was reluctant to pick up her chopsticks.

"Sir Xin, I'm sorry to have cost you so much." Song Yingxing said embarrassedly.

"You guys have helped us a lot. This is nothing. I have other plans."

After Xin Qiji finished speaking, he whispered a few words to the waiter next to him. After a while, the door of the box was opened and several women in bright clothes came in one after another.

Su Jiahe was stunned for a few seconds before realizing what these women were doing, and immediately covered her eyes.

"Ahhh, is this something I can watch?"