Chapter 142: The General's Honored Guest

Facing Gu Xixi's question, the usually straightforward Meng Chengping actually showed a troubled expression.

He glanced at Gu Xixi, seeming a bit guilty, and said, "The specifics are too complicated; I can't really say."

"Originally this place might be unstable at any time, I shouldn't have let you come, but today the General said it's better for him to tell you in person."

Gu Xixi didn't press Meng Chengping, saying, "The General's surname is Huo, right?"

Meng Chengping recovered his hearty laugh, "That's right, surname Huo, given name Jiang, the Jiang of Jiangshan."

"It's said that because the General's mother's surname is Jiang, the couple deeply in love each took their own surname when naming the child, and the character Jiang also carries the meaning of guarding Jiangshan."

"Guarding Jiangshan?" Gu Xixi said interestedly, "Is the General's father also a military officer?"

Meng Chengping grinned and laughed, "Everyone who just learned the origin of the General's name thinks that."

"Actually, Old Master Huo is a civil official; those who came from the military are our Heavenly Strategy General and River General."

Gu Xixi exclaimed in delight, "You mean... the General's mother is a military officer and was even ennobled as Heavenly Strategy General?"

Meng Chengping said, "That was around the time the former emperor turned forty."

Upon hearing about such an extraordinary woman, Gu Xixi felt both moved and happy.

She smiled and looked ahead, her mood like a sail filled with wind, and even added a few degrees of longing for the General she had never met.

According to Mu Nan Zhao, the General is thirty-four years old.

At this age, in his prime, what a vigorous bearing he must have!

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

Gu Xixi replied, "Knowing that women can also achieve great deeds, I'm happy."

Meng Chengping chuckled and straightened up, "Coincidence."

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

Gu Xixi laughed lightly, not surprised.

Northwest Army camp.

The sentinels saw Meng Chengping, did not immediately let him pass, but waited for him to produce his token and the General's hand letter.

After several sentinels confirmed in turn, they opened the gate.

As Meng Chengping passed, he didn't forget to introduce, "Brothers, take a good look—this carriage-driving lass is Boss Gu, a guest personally invited by our General; hurry up and get familiar with her."

One sentinel smiled and cupped his hands toward Gu Xixi, "Boss Gu, I've long heard your great name. Our General Meng is the army's biggest loudmouth; Boss Gu, your ears must have suffered a lot on the way, please bear with us."

Gu Xixi and the several other sentinels all laughed.

Meng Chengping stuck out his neck, rolled his eyes, and said, "Hey, I'm saying, is it just you kid who has a mouth?"

Gu Xixi smiled and mediated, "General Meng, please take me over quickly; don't keep the General waiting."

Unless there is an urgent military matter, horseback riding is not permitted inside the camp.

Meng Chengping led the horse on foot, while Gu Xixi slowly drove her cart following behind.

Tents of various sizes could be seen everywhere in the camp.

After walking an unknown length of time, they finally arrived before the central tent.

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

At the tent entrance, four sword-bearing soldiers stood guard, each wearing armor and with solemn expressions.

By the time Gu Xixi got down from the mule cart, Meng Chengping had already stepped forward and clasped his fists in salute.

His voice boomed, "Report to the General!! Esteemed guest Boss Gu has arrived!"

A moment later, a string of unrestrained laughter burst from inside the tent, quickly drawing near from afar.

The thick felt door curtain opened, and a man over eight feet tall, broad-shouldered and sturdy, strode out.

His eyes were like copper bells, his skin dark, and his beard grew wild like grass, reaching his chest.

"Hahaha…… Boss Gu! Nice to meet you!"

Gu Xixi sized up the man before her, inwardly nodding.

After transmigrating, it's rare to encounter a character that fits the stereotype—isn't this just the sort of robust, towering, door-god-painting-like mighty general?

Gu Xixi performed a salute, "Northwest commoner pays respects to the Northwest Guardian God."

Huo Jiang stared for a moment, then burst into loud laughter, "Even though it's flattery, I love to hear it! Love to hear it!!"

"Please come inside, Boss Gu!"

The tent is spacious, furnished with seating and long tables, presumably the place where the General meets with the officers to discuss affairs.

The table is messy, with various scrolls, papers, small colored flags used for sand table drills, and so on.

Looking further inward, there is a huge sand table on the ground.

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

She only glanced hastily upon entering, then quickly lowered her head, absolutely unwilling to take a second look.

Huo Jiang observed Gu Xixi's demeanor, smiling, "Boss Gu, you needn't be restrained; it's fine to glance at these things displayed openly, don't be afraid!"

Gu Xixi, having been seen through, felt a bit embarrassed, "It's my first time entering the camp; please excuse my awkwardness."

"Eh!" Huo Jiang raised his hand, saying, "What's there to laugh about? It's just that each has their own strengths."

"If it comes to Boss Gu's expertise in farming methods, I'm truly a blind man with eyes open—I understand nothing!"

After saying that, he himself burst into laughter first.

Consequently, the atmosphere of their first meeting became much more relaxed and cheerful.

It was already afternoon, and Huo Jiang knew that Gu Xixi, having rushed here, surely hadn't eaten.

Therefore, he ordered someone to prepare food from the kitchen.

Afraid Gu Xixi would feel uneasy, Huo Jiang specially said, "I've been busy all noon; those monkey rascals just dispersed before you arrived, and they hadn't eaten either; the kitchen has reserved food, so arranging it poses no trouble."

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

The host and guest took their seats, and Meng Chengping sat beside Gu Xixi.

The dishes were served; it was a set‑meal system, each person receiving one meat dish, one vegetable dish, two flatbreads, and a bowl of mixed‑grain porridge.

There was also a bronze wine pot.

However, the style of this wine pot was not like the usual ones of the Great Undertaking Dynasty; instead, its pattern resembled that of the Western Regions.

Gu Xixi saw that a wine pot had also been placed in front of Huo Jiang and Meng Chengping.

She then surprisingly discovered that the three pots' styles were all different.

Back then, when wealthy families entertained guests, all the tableware and wine utensils on the table had to match in style and be part of a set.

Could it be that the military has its own rules, buying guest wine pots deliberately mismatched?

Huo Jiang once again saw through Gu Xixi and said with a smile, 'This pot was seized from the Northern Departure army's tent.'

"Our usual porcelain pots and earthenware jars may look nice, but they're too fragile and break easily; in the army we'd rather use something sturdy like this!"

Gu Xixi nodded in agreement, thinking to herself, 'The key is which pot is more usable? The key is that this bronze pot is a spoil of war.'

She proactively picked up the wine pot and filled her own cup.

"I had originally restricted myself, absolutely forbidding drinking when I go out."

"But today, using these wine utensils that symbolize merit, I will surely raise a cup to the general."

Huo Jiang and Meng Chengping both laughed heartily as they watched Gu Xixi.

Gu Xixi boldly tipped back her neck, the full cup of wine entering her mouth, and she furrowed her brows, showing a puzzled expression.

Meng Chengping couldn't help but slam the table and laugh, 'That expression! Hahaha… another one who's been fooled!'

Huo Jiang also couldn't hold back his laughter and asked, 'Boss Gu, how does this cup of wine taste?'