Feng Qingxue, carrying a medicine box and shoulder bag, and holding Fubao, together with Han Ping and Gao Yuzhu who took on the bulk of the luggage, fully armed themselves for the journey. Lu Jiang, on the other hand, had one hand holding a luggage bag, while his back was strapped with Xibao, who was all dressed in a cotton cloak and wind-blocking hat. Resting on Lu Jiang’s back, Xibao’s eyes darted around in curiosity.
"I’m riding a big horse!" Xibao expressed his excitement.
After a while of holding Fubao, Qingxue’s arms began to tire, so did her legs from the walk. Walking on the icy and snowy road was challenging. During these times, Lu Jiang would take over and carry Fubao for a while, with the luggage bag being taken over directly by Han Ping and Gao Yuzhu.
Gao Yuzhu himself had brought some luggage, but Han Ping, who came with Lu Jiang to pick them up, carried nothing except their equipment.
When Feng Qingxue needed to feed Fubao along the way, they would walk a safe distance away.
Traveling with Feng Qingxue and the children, they walked, rested, and ate dry food along the way to stave off their hunger. They managed to arrive at the military camp before nightfall, as dusk arrived later here than in the plains.
As soon as they stepped through the gates of the camp, they were welcomed warmly.
"Xibao, Xibao’s back!"
"Xibao, come with me, I’ve prepared malt essence for you. Would you like to come home with me?"
"Don’t go home with her, Xibao! I have dried yak meat and butter tea at my place."
"Xiaoxue has been gone for half a year now, we’ve missed Xibao so much!"
"Xibao, Xibao, Xibao!"
Hearing so many people calling his name, Xibao peeked his little head out from the hood of his cloak, revealing his big dimples and two rows of tiny, white teeth. He even waved his chubby little hands, "Hello, comrades! Thanks for your hard work!"
After his greeting, the crowd was stunned into silence.
Following the silence, everyone burst into laughter, laughing so hard their bodies rocked. "Xibao, who did you learn that from?"
"From Grandpa!" Realizing their reactions were out of place, Xibao’s face turned beet red as he waved his hands frantically, "No, no! You say, ’Greetings, leaders!’ and ’Serving the people!’ "
Lu Jiang asked Feng Qingxue, "Did the little guy review the troops with the old leader?"
"I don’t know. He’s a frequent guest at the old leader’s house. Whether the old leader took him out or not, he wouldn’t tell me, and the bodyguards around the old leader wouldn’t either." Feng Qingxue was also left dumbfounded, you know?
Hearing the laughter, Zhao Yong came over. After learning the reason, he laughed so hard that he was in tears.
"Good job, Xibao! We are all here to serve the people!"
Even though they didn’t use the words ’Greetings, leaders,’ they did use the familiar words ’Serving the people’. Satisfied, Xibao nodded his little head. Zhao Yong happened to be near Lu Jiang, with Xibao still perched high and mighty on Lu Jiang’s back, he patted Zhao Yong’s shoulder, "Comrade, you’re doing well!"
"I’m doing well?" Zhao Yong pointed to his own nose.
"Hmm! Grandpa said it’s good!" Xibao claimed confidently.
"This kid is simply unbelievable! So clever at such a young age. What might he become when he grows up?" Unable to resist, Zhao Yong rubbed Xibao’s head and turned to Feng Qingxue, "Xiaoxue, how did you raise such a likable child? Oh, you’re holding Little Fubao, right? Come here, let me hold our Little Fubao. He must be as adorable and intelligent as Xibao."
... Another Chapter of continued efforts.