A husband found in the village? I bought a regent for a penny!

Faced with Gu Xixi's question, the usually forthright Meng Chengping looked embarrassed.

He glanced at Gu Xixi, still seeming somewhat guilty, "The specifics are too complicated for me to explain."

“Originally, things could get turbulent here at any time, so I shouldn’t have asked you to come. But today, the General said it would be better for him to discuss this with you in person.”

Gu Xixi stopped making things difficult for Meng Chengping and asked, "General, is your surname Huo?"

Meng Chengping resumed his hearty laughter, "That's right, his surname is Huo and his given name is Jiang, Jiang as in Jiangshan (mountain).

"It is said that the general's mother's surname was Jiang. The couple were deeply in love, and when they named their child, they each took their own surname. The character Jiang also has the meaning of protecting the country."

"Protecting the country?" Gu Xixi asked with interest. "Was the General's father also a military officer?"

Meng Chengping grinned and said, "Everyone who just learned the origin of the General's name thinks the same thing."

"In fact, Lord Huo is a civil official, but he is our General Tian Ce and General Jiang, who came from the military."

Gu Xixi was overjoyed, "You mean... the General's mother was a military officer, and was even granted the title of Tian Ce General?"

Meng Chengping said, "It happened around the time the late emperor was in his forties."

Gu Xixi was both moved and happy to hear about this extraordinary woman.

She gazed ahead with a smile, her heart filled like a sail billowing in the wind, and she felt a growing longing for the great general she had never met.

According to Mu Nanzhao, the general is thirty-four years old this year.

At this age, he must be in his prime; what a magnificent presence he must have been.

Meng Chengping looked at Gu Xixi and asked with a puzzled smile, "What are you laughing at, Boss Gu?"

Gu Xixi replied, "I am happy to know that women can also achieve great things."

Meng Chengping chuckled and turned around, "What a coincidence."

“When He Jinglan heard this, she said exactly the same thing as you.”

Gu Xixi chuckled softly, not surprised at all.

Northwest Army barracks.

The sentry saw Meng Chengping but did not let him pass immediately. Instead, he waited for Meng Chengping to produce his token and the general's letter.

After several sentries confirmed the information in turn, the gate was opened.

As Meng Chengping passed by, he didn't forget to introduce her, "Brothers, take a good look. This young lady driving the carriage is Boss Gu, a guest personally invited by our General. Everyone, quickly get to know her."

A sentry smiled and cupped his hands in greeting to Gu Xixi. "Mr. Gu, I've heard so much about you. Our General Meng is the biggest loudspeaker in the army. Your ears must have suffered quite a bit on this journey, so please bear with us."

Gu Xixi and the other sentries all laughed.

Meng Chengping stiffened his neck and rolled his eyes, saying, "Hey, I'm telling you, you think you're so clever with your mouth?"

Gu Xixi smiled and defused the situation, "General Meng, please take me there as soon as possible, don't keep the General waiting."

Horses are not allowed to run freely within the military camp unless there is an emergency.

Meng Chengping led the horse on foot, while Gu Xixi slowly drove the carriage to follow.

Tents of all sizes can be seen everywhere in the camp.

After walking for an unknown amount of time, they finally arrived at the central command tent.

Meng Chengping said, "This is the general's tent."

Four soldiers with swords guarded the entrance to the tent; each was clad in armor and had a serious expression.

As soon as Gu Xixi got off the mule cart, Meng Chengping stepped forward and clasped his hands in a salute.

The voice boomed, "Reporting to the General!! Our esteemed guest, Boss Gu, has arrived!"

A moment later, a series of arrogant laughs came from inside the tent, quickly getting closer.

The thick sheepskin curtain was opened, and a man over eight feet tall, with broad shoulders and a strong build, strode out.

His eyes were like copper bells, his skin was dark, and his unkempt beard reached his chest.

"Hahahaha... Mr. Gu! It's a pleasure to meet you!"

Gu Xixi sized up the person in front of her and nodded inwardly.

After transmigrating into the book, it was rare to encounter a character who fit the stereotype. Wasn't this the kind of robust, tall, and imposing general who looked like a door god?

Gu Xixi bowed and said, "This humble subject from the Northwest pays respects to the guardian deity of the Northwest."

Huo Jiang was taken aback, then burst into laughter, "Even though it's a compliment, I love to hear it! I love to hear it!!"

"Mr. Gu, please come in!"

The tent was large, with seating and a long table, presumably where the general and his officers held meetings.

The table was a mess, with various scrolls, papers, small colorful flags for sand table exercises, and so on.

Looking further in, there was a huge sand table on the ground.

Gu Xixi knew that the items inside the general's tent involved military secrets.

She only glanced at it briefly as she entered, then quickly lowered her head, refusing to look at it a second time.

Huo Jiang observed Gu Xixi's behavior and smiled, "Ms. Gu, there's no need to be reserved. You can just take a look at what's on display. Don't be afraid!"

Gu Xixi was a little embarrassed when she was exposed. "It's my first time in the military camp. Please forgive my poor performance."

"Hey!" Huo Jiang raised his hand and said, "What's so funny? They're just each having their own strengths."

"If we're talking about the farming methods that Boss Gu is good at, I'm completely blind; I don't know anything about them!"

After he finished speaking, he burst into laughter.

The atmosphere at our first meeting was much more relaxed and cheerful as a result.

It was already afternoon, and Huo Jiang knew that Gu Xixi must not have eaten while traveling.

So he ordered someone to go to the kitchen to prepare the meal.

Fearing that Gu Xixi would feel bad, Huo Jiang specifically said, "I've been busy all noon. Those rascals had just left before you came and hadn't eaten yet. The kitchen has reserved some food, so it won't be a problem to arrange it at all."

Gu Xixi smiled and nodded, swallowing back her words of refusal.

After the guests and hosts took their seats, Meng Chengping sat beside Gu Xixi.

The meal was served in individual portions, with each person receiving one meat dish, one vegetable dish, two pancakes, and a bowl of multigrain porridge.

There was also a bronze wine pot.

However, the style of this wine pot is not common in the Daye Dynasty; the pattern looks more like that of the Western Regions.

Gu Xixi noticed that Huo Jiang and Meng Chengping had also placed wine jugs in front of them.

To my surprise, the three teapots were all different in style.

When wealthy families entertained guests, all the tableware and wine vessels on the table had to be of the same style and must be a set.

Could it be that there's a special rule in the army that different wine jugs are used for serving guests?

Huo Jiang saw through Gu Xixi once again and laughed, "This pot was seized from the Northern Li army's tent."

"Our commonly used porcelain pots and earthenware jars may look nice, but they are too brittle and not durable enough to withstand breakage. It's better to use something as sturdy as these in the military!"

Gu Xixi nodded in agreement, thinking to herself, "The key question is, which type of pot is better to use? The key question is, the bronze pot is a trophy."

She took the initiative to pick up the wine pot and poured herself a full glass.

"I had already restricted myself from drinking alcohol when I went out."

"But today, since we are using such a wine vessel that symbolizes our achievements, I must offer a toast to the General."

Huo Jiang and Meng Chengping both looked at Gu Xixi with smiles.

Gu Xixi tilted her head back boldly, took a sip of the full glass of wine, and then frowned, revealing a puzzled expression.

Meng Chengping couldn't help but pound the table and burst into laughter, "That expression! Hahaha... another one who's been fooled!"

Huo Jiang couldn't help but chuckle and ask, "What does Boss Gu think of the taste of this drink?"