Married Thrice to Salted Fish

qualifications, he certainly qualified to command but being a vanguard shouldn’t be a problem.”

After Lin Qingyu weighed the matter and said, “If he wants to go then take him with him.
If he stays in the capital, he won’t be able to reach the heights he had in the original book.
One doesn’t attain something like that without experiencing the storm.
When you arrive in the Northwest, look after him a bit.
Don’t let him tread the same old road and act rashly for the sake of momentary impetuousness.” 

Gu Fuzhou grasped the main point.
“So, you’re agreeing to let me go?”

Lin Qingyu said indifferently, “Whether I agree or not, wouldn’t you still go?”

Gu Fuzhou gave a low laugh and said, “Life is already so difficult as is.
There are some things that Doctor Lin shouldn’t expose.”

Early the next morning, in the main hall, Gu Fuzhou, down on one knee, said sternly, “During this time of great peril for the Dayu, this minister is willing to put his own life on the line to keep the Northwest safe.
This minister, Gu Fuzhou, asks for battle assignment.” 

As soon as the words were out, the military officers were filled with joy.
Wu Zhan clenched his fists in excitement.
“I knew it! I knew it! What did I say? General Gu would never simply sit back and watch!”

“With General Gu in the Northwest, retaking Yong Liang will be just around the corner!”

“General Gu, you must cut out the tongues of those Xixia scoundrels to avenge General Zhao!”

Wu Guogong showed a gratified smile.
The corners of Xi Rong’s lips ticked up silently, a secret calculation flashed in his eyes.
Even the Empress Dowager Wen had an expression of relief. 

Everyone was happy that Gu Fuzhou had taken the initiative to ask for a battle assignment.
Only Lin Qingyu, standing behind the dragon chair, looked down at the ministers, his eyes gloomy.

The emperor’s imperial countenance looked well-pleased.
He immediately granted Gu Fuzhou’s request for assignment.
Furthermore, he appointed Wu Youyuan as vanguard.

There wasn’t much time left until Xixia’s threatened day of slaughter.
The Son of Heaven gave Gu Fuzhou three days to prepare.
Three days later, Gu Fuzhou would lead the reinforcements from the capital to the Northwest.

Before the expedition, Lin Qingyu and Gu Fuzhou each had important things to do.
The servant on night duty have not brought hot water to the Masters’ bedroom for many nights.
It can easily be seen where these two’s thoughts were. 

At that time, the General’s Mansion, rather than be gloomy and dismal was actually blanketed in an atmosphere of awe.
Huan Tong and most of the household thought that the General’s expedition was a matter of lofty sentiments and great aspirations.
They believed he would return triumphantly in the future.  While women like Hua Lu worried about sightless blades on the battlefield — after all, the General’s numerous wounds didn’t simply appear out of nowhere.
However, they couldn’t do much.
All they could do was a lot more care into the stitches they sewed on the General’s clothes.

Lin Qingyu met two people in succession in the Mansion.
One Hu Ji.
Hu Ji used to be the favored Imperial Physician of the former crown prince and Chen Shi but these two parted from the former Emperor.
Concubine Chen moved to Jinyang Garden and with no prince or concubine in the palace, Hu Ji found himself with a lot more time on his hands.
Part of his time was spent on treating the palace maids and eunuchs.

Lin Qingyu asked Hu Ji if he would be willing to accompany the army as their medic.
Hu Ji agreed instantly.
The Northwest has just experienced several major defeats and along with it countless casualties.
This was where his skills would be best put to use.
As a doctor, Hu Ji would advance courageously to wherever he was needed.

Hu Ji’s medical skills dwarfed most of his peers’.
Moreover, he has been Lin Qingyu’s good friend for many years.
Lin Qingyu could trust him.
After that, Lin Qingyu wrote another letter and asked Zhang Shiquan to take it Zhu Yongxin in Shuzhou.
When Shen Huaishi bid him goodbye, he told him that Zhu Yongxin would know his whereabouts should he seek him out for something in the future. 

Shen Huaishi, though unversed in the art of war, was skilled in martial arts.
He has spent his life learning skills of assassination of protection needed to serve as shadow guard to the royal family.
If he was willing to go to the Northwest to help Gu Fuzhou, Lin Qingyu would be greatly relieved.

While Lin Qingyu was exhausting all this thoughts and ingenuity, the numerous military officers were at the cavalry camp, holding a farewell dinner for Gu Fuzhou.
Drinking alcohol was not allowed in the barracks, so they simply roasted a freshly slaughtered fattened sheep and used tea instead of wine; wishing the general a great victory and triumphant return.

From the looks of them, it seemed that they genuinely felt that as long as the undefeated Gu Fuzhou goes to the Northwest, all the problems would be solved.

Wu Guogong patted Gu Fuzhou on the shoulder and said, “Brother Fuzhou, I will be entrusting my incompetent grandson to you.
That kid has been learning the ways of the battlefield with me since he was a child.
He has some real ability.
On his first campaign, I’m not asking that he make any grand accomplishments, only that he not hold you back.” 

Gu Fuzhou responded with a slight smile but in his heart he was urging Wu Youyuan to grow quickly so that he could take him to win while lying down.

“General, I’m sorry.
I shouldn’t have said that you were…you were…” Wu Zhan heaved a great sigh and said, ashamed, “I hope that the General, in his moral superiority, not take to heart the offenses made by a base person such as myself.
I ask that you not lower yourself to my level, to that of boor.”

Gu Fuzhou said, “Of course.
But I need you to stay in the capital and help me with something.”

“The General need but command, I shall shrink from no sacrifice!” 

Gu Fuzhou cast him a meaningful look and Wu Zhan readily took the hint.
The two moved away from the crowd and went to a secluded place.
Gu Fuzhou said, “I’m going to the Northwest and I do not know when I will return.
Truly, I worry about leaving my wife alone in the capital.”

“Is the General talking about Imperial Physician Lin?” Wu Zhan couldn’t understand.
“Imperial Physician Lin is favored by both His Majesty and the Empress Dowager.
What could possibly happen to him?”

Gu Fuzhou said slowly, “I too hope that I am simply thinking too much.
But just in case, I wish to leave him a ‘blade’ in the capital to protect him well.”

“A blade?” Wu Zhan said with a bitter face, “General, if you have something to say, just say it directly.
My mind is not one for twists and turns.” 

Gu Fuzhou lowered his voice, “I want you to hide a group of soldiers in the capital for me.”

For hot-blooded men, tea was fundamentally unsatisfying.
Some people suggested that they take a page of out the scholars’ book and commission a pleasure boat on the Jinshui River.
They would order a few pots of good wine and find some beautiful singers to entertain everyone.
Everyone agreed.
But when they went to ask General Gu’s opinion, hair nor hide of the General could be found in the barracks.