Jin Feng was a decisive man. Since he had decided to go search for cotton and Champa rice, he would not drag his feet.
While he was explaining the world layout to the Ninth Princess, Da Liu was also selecting escort guards.
This trip was different from usual escort missions. The destination was very far away, and it might take a year or half a year before they could return.
So Jin Feng did not force anyone. Instead, he let the escort guards volunteer themselves.
The Ninth Princess, like Qing Xin Yao, was also arranging people to recruit manpower.
By evening, Da Liu had gathered the men. Holding the list, he hurried to the Ninth Princess’s separate courtyard.
Seeing Qin Er standing guard at the courtyard gate, he said carelessly, “Qin Er, go call the master. I have something to see him about.”
“Hmm?” Qin Er glanced sideways at Da Liu.
Only then was Qin Er satisfied. She turned and entered the courtyard.
She knocked on the study door. “Your Highness, Da Liu has come to see the master!”
“Got it!”
“Sister Qin Er, please kindly inform him. This little one wishes to see the master.”
Da Liu quickly bowed with clasped fists, his tone becoming much gentler.
“Stand to the side. Do not block the door. Wait!”
Her expression was also a bit off.
Qin Er had the feeling that the cabbage she had guarded since young had suddenly been nibbled by a pig.
The key was that this big cabbage had grown long legs and eagerly delivered itself to the pig’s mouth.
The Ninth Princess’s voice came from inside the room.
But it took a full several minutes before the door opened.
Qin Er subconsciously glanced at the Ninth Princess’s sash. Sure enough, it was tied differently from how Zhu Er had done it that morning.
He had originally been about to leave, but seeing Qin Er glaring, he stopped again. He pointed at his cheek, signalling for the Ninth Princess to give him a kiss.
“Hurry up and go!”
The Ninth Princess pushed Jin Feng towards the door in annoyance.
Qin Er did not dare offend the Ninth Princess, so she could only glare fiercely at Jin Feng.
Was Jin Feng the type to swallow his anger and back down when provoked?
Of course not.
The Ninth Princess gave a coquettish scold, bent down, and lightly pecked Jin Feng on the cheek.
Only then was Jin Feng satisfied. Under Qin Er’s murderous gaze, he left with his hands behind his back, swaying leisurely.
At the gate, Da Liu quickly came forward to greet him.
“If no kiss, then I am not leaving!”
Jin Feng simply sat back down. “Qin Er, go outside and tell Da Liu to wait.”
“Annoying!”
As soon as Da Liu poked his head out, he saw a rapidly enlarging pink fist.
Then stars exploded before his eyes, and his head spun dizzily.
Puff!
He still managed to poke his head in for another look into the courtyard.
Seeing this, Jin Feng quickly stepped aside.
Qin Er was in a fit of anger at the moment. She did not dare vent on Jin Feng or the Ninth Princess, so Da Liu had eagerly delivered himself…
Although Qin Er was angry, she did not lose control.
Da Liu looked miserable, but they were only superficial injuries.
Otherwise, with Qin Er’s strength, one punch would not really smash Da Liu’s head, but it could at least give him a concussion.
Jin Feng turned to look and nearly spat out his saliva.
Da Liu’s left eye socket had turned completely black and purple, becoming a classic panda eye.
“Next time you peek again, I will smash your head!”
It was one thing to gossip about the village and Tie Guan Shan normally, but he even dared to poke into the Ninth Princess’s gossip.
Was he not courting death?
“Master, did you provoke Qin Er again?”
“After being beaten like a sandbag by Qin Er so many times, remember better next time!”
Jin Feng held back his laughter and said.
Da Liu was good in every way except his excessive curiosity.
“I have found the men. Two squads.”
Getting to business, Da Liu stopped grinning. “As you instructed, priority went to brothers who were once hunters.”
This trip to search for cotton and Champa rice would pass through many great mountains.
Da Liu said aggrievedly, “Does this count as work injury?”
“You brought it on yourself. What work injury?”
Jin Feng kicked Da Liu again. “Speak quickly. What is it?”
“Where are the men? Take me to see them.”
“Good!”
Da Liu quickly led the way ahead.
Escort guards who had been hunters had more experience surviving in the mountains and forests.
“They are all volunteers, right?” Jin Feng asked.
“Rest assured, master. All are voluntary.”
Jin Feng did not bother arguing with her and continued, “Once they are all gathered, have them come assemble. I have things to remind them about.”
“Understood!”
Only when Qin Er heard it was serious business did she nod. “I will go ask right away.”
Jin Feng took two steps after her, then turned back and called, “Qin Er!”
Qin Er was still angry, pouting and ignoring him.
“Have you gathered all your people?”
Jin Feng raised an eyebrow at Qin Er. Seeing her stomp her foot in fury, he smiled and left.
“Master, please stop provoking Qin Er, alright?”
Da Liu said with a bitter face. “I have a premonition. Next time I see Qin Er, I will probably get beaten again.”
“By the way, notify Lord Qing as well. Have his people come over too.”
“Yes!”
“I will be waiting for you!”
Jin Feng said, “Do you feel your martial skills are getting better and better?”
“It seems so. Before, I could not even see how Qin Er threw her punches. Now, although I still cannot dodge, there were two times I saw her move.”
“Exactly. It is the same as how chronic illness makes a good doctor. The more beatings you take, the faster your reactions become.”
“You have worked hard!” Jin Feng patted Da Liu’s shoulder sympathetically. “I will raise your pay later.”
“I am afraid I will have money but no life to spend it. This month has only been five days, and I have already been beaten by Qin Er four times!”
“You do not understand. Qin Er is teaching you martial arts! The more beatings you take, the better your skills will become!”
“Believe it if you want. If not, forget it!”
“Do not act anymore. I am just taking the beatings for you. This one today must count as work injury!”
“Then go back and ask Brother Liang for reimbursement. See if he approves?”
Jin Feng said, “Now you understand my good intentions, right?”
“Master, if you had not said that last sentence, I almost believed you!”
Da Liu curled his lip. “The way you say it, you are definitely trying to trick me!”
“Go ask Qin Er. She knows.”
“Then master will have to find a new personal guard.”
…
“Please spare me. If Brother Liang finds out I was inquiring about you and Her Highness, he will definitely beat me too!”
“So you already know in your heart?”
“Master, tell me. Just how far have you and the Ninth Princess gone?”
Da Liu winked at Jin Feng.
“If you get beaten later, do not blame me for not warning you. Qin Er’s ears are sharp.”
Jin Feng simply wanted to pry open Da Liu’s head and see what he was thinking.
Qing Mansion was not far from the escort bureau outpost. The two did not ride horses and casually chatted as they walked back.
Qin Er acted quickly. By the time Jin Feng returned to the escort bureau outpost, the Ninth Princess had also arrived with her people.
“Master, your methods are impressive. We have only been apart for a short while, and Her Highness has already chased over.”
“You all know what you will be doing next, right?”
“Yes!”
Once Da Liu had arranged everyone in the training ground, Jin Feng picked up an iron megaphone and jumped onto the high platform.
Still sporting panda eyes, yet so nosy.
Jin Feng was just about to greet the Ninth Princess when Qing Xin Yao and her brother also turned the corner with their people.
Whether the escort guards or the people of the Ninth Princess and Qing Xin Yao, they all answered in unison.
“This time you are not only going to Da Zhao. You might also go to Jiaozhi and Tianzhu. Many places there are different from Sichuan and Shu, so there are some things I need to explain to you.”
