Chapter 78 Returning

Chapter 78 Returning

Chapter 78 Returning
Dari's answer surprised Zhu Shenzhui. He didn't expect such a request.

But in a flash, Zhu Shenzhui understood Dali's thoughts. Although this child was young and of low status, he was not stupid.

As a slave, Dari had no status among the Mongols. He had been working under his previous master since he was old enough to understand. His previous master did not treat him well. After all, a small slave like him could not do much. Apart from herding cattle and sheep, he could only help other slaves with their work.

If he did a good job, there would be no reward. If he did a bad job or his master was in a bad mood and needed to vent, he would be severely whipped. If he died, no one would feel sorry for him.

This time the Khan was gathering troops, and Wanhu needed a group of slaves and auxiliary soldiers. The young Dari was sent to the military camp by his master.

If nothing unexpected happens, Dari will follow the team eastward with other slaves and eventually go to the battlefield to serve. This journey is not easy. For the Mongols, slaves are just consumables, especially when such a large army is on the march. If they can't survive, it is very common for slaves to die on the way.

Darry knew very well what he would face next. If he were an adult, he might be able to barely survive it, but he was just a half-grown child, and the next march was simply a road to death for him.

The army is about to set out today, and Dari will follow the army. He had originally accepted his tragic fate, but now because of a question raised by Zhu Shenzhui, Dari sees hope of life again.

Compared with his previous master, Dali felt that Zhu Shenzui was unusually kind to him. At least in Zhu Shenzui's eyes when he looked at him, Dali saw an attitude that he had never seen before.

Also, the clean clothes he wore yesterday, which Ma Shizhou took him to wash, were something that Dali, as a slave, had never had before. Although Dali had never been to school and could not read, and had been doing the lowest, most tiring and dirty work as a slave since he was a child, this did not mean that Dali had no thoughts and judgments of his own.

In his opinion, no reward was better than being able to truly recognize Zhu Shencui as his master and follow him. If possible, he would rather follow a master like Zhu Shencui who treated him kindly than to receive any reward.

Dali knew very well that such a rare opportunity would pass by in a flash. If he didn't seize it, everything would be in vain. Perhaps it wouldn't be long before he would become a cold corpse on the marching road, lying on the grassland like discarded waste, and eventually his flesh and blood would merge into the grassland.

Seeing the endless pleading and hope in Dari's eyes, Zhu Shenzui was silent for a moment. He was hesitant. Although he felt a little sorry for the Mongolian child, he had never thought of being his master after all. Now Dari's request exceeded his original plan.

Zhu Shenzhu wanted to refuse and ask Dali to change his request. But he couldn't say it. If the other party was an adult, Zhu Shenzhu might have hardened his heart and refused, but this was just a half-grown child. Zhu Shenzhu couldn't help but hesitate because of his soft heart.

"Master, I don't eat much. You can feed me with just a little bit of food. I can work for you. You can ask me to do anything!" Seeing that Zhu Shenzhui didn't nod, Dali became a little anxious. He knew this was his only chance.

Zhu Shenzhui sighed and was about to speak when Burigude's loud voice came from outside the yurt.

"Brother! My brother!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the curtain was lifted and Burigude strode in.

"Hahaha! You drank so much last night, I thought you couldn't get up." Seeing that Zhu Shencui was dressed neatly, Burigude grinned, walked up to Zhu Shencui and touched his chest affectionately with his fist.

Zhu Shenzhui laughed loudly: "What's this little bit of wine? Want to get me drunk? This is not enough."

"Hahaha, refreshing!" Burigude laughed at the same time. It was not easy for a Han Chinese to drink as much as him. As a Mongolian noble, Burigude had dealt with Han Chinese before. Zhu Shencui was the first Han Chinese who could drink as much as he wanted.

Mongolians have always believed that there are only two types of men: one who can fight, and the other who can drink.

He didn't know whether Zhu Shencui could beat him, because Burigude felt that Zhu Shencui, who was thinner than him, would definitely not be able to beat him. But he had verified whether he could drink, because they drank a lot in their yurt yesterday, and such a good alcohol tolerance was rare among Mongolians.

"It's a pity that we have to leave soon, so we can't continue drinking to our heart's content today. But it doesn't matter. When I come back from the east, you can come to the grassland to drink with me again!"

"Okay! We have a deal!"

"It's a deal! Hahaha!"

Burigude opened his arms and hugged Zhu Shenzhu tightly. He came to say goodbye to Zhu Shenzhu. The camp had already started to be dismantled and they were about to set off. They didn't know when they would be back.

Patting Burigude on the back, Zhu Shenzhui said take care, and at the same time made an agreement with him again that he would go directly to his tribe to find him when he returned to the grassland.

After the chat, Burigude was about to leave. Seeing him about to leave, Zhu Shenzhui suddenly remembered something and called him. "Brother, I need your help with something."

"Help? Hahaha, we are all brothers, just tell me what you have to say!" Burigude said straightforwardly.

"This child and I get along well. I want to take him away. Please give me some convenience. If you need money, just name a price and I will buy him." Zhu Shenzhui pointed at Dali who was kneeling in the corner.

Following Zhu Shenzui's finger, Burigude noticed Dari standing beside him. He frowned slightly and looked at the half-grown child, unable to react for a moment what was going on.

After all, arranging three slaves for Zhu Shencui the day before was just a casual order from Burigude. With his status, how could he have the time to pay attention to a few lowly slaves?
Moreover, now that Dari had washed and changed into clean clothes and was kneeling with his head down, not moving, it was even less likely that Burigude would think in that direction.

Zhu Shenzhui briefly explained Dali's identity, and Burigude finally realized what was happening. He grinned and looked at Dali, and said directly, "Isn't he just a little slave? This is easy, you can just take him away, and there is no need for money. How much is a slave worth? Even if I give it to you."

"Hahaha, thank you then."

"Don't be polite, okay, I have to go now. I can't stay here any longer. See you next time, brother. Remember to come to see me first when you come to the grassland next time!"

"Don't worry, it will definitely happen!"

After hugging each other again and letting go, Zhu Shenzui personally escorted Burigude out of the yurt. After leaving the yurt, he strode onto the warhorse outside with a few big steps, then with a whistle, he squeezed his legs and the horse started running towards where his team was.

At this time, the entire camp had begun to move. Each unit broke camp, gathered according to their respective teams, and then left the camp one after another.

Back in his yurt, Dari was still kneeling there, but his body was trembling slightly with excitement.

He listened to what Zhu Shenzui and Burigude said just now, and knew that his fate had changed at this moment.

Now, Zhu Shenzhui has become his new master, and he no longer needs to follow the army. For a moment, the joy of rebirth, hope for the future, and immense gratitude filled his heart, making Dali extremely excited.

Facing Zhu Shenzhui, Dali didn't know how to express his gratitude. The only thing he could do was to kowtow to Zhu Shenzhui again to express his gratitude.

"Get up, and follow me from now on." Zhu Shenzhui raised his hand to let him stand up, and then said: "The army has moved out of the camp, and it's time for us to leave too, you follow me."

"Yes, master..." Dali responded, quickly got up from the ground and followed Zhu Shenzhui out.

When he got outside, Ma Shizhou and the others were already packing their bags. Since Burigude and the others had moved out, there was no need for him to stay here any longer. Moreover, although the previous plans were disrupted due to some temporary changes during this trip to the grassland, the results were still pretty good anyway.

All the things they brought had been sold, and the harvest was pretty good. In addition, as Ligdan Khan was gathering troops to attack the Inner Khalkha tribe, there was no need for them to stay on the grassland.

So Zhu Shenzhui prepared to head south and return to Ming Dynasty directly from Qierhaizi according to the return route previously planned.

He handed Dari over to Ma Shizhou and told him about Dari's situation. Ma Shizhou was slightly surprised to hear that Zhu Shenzhui accepted this little Mongolian slave, but he didn't ask anything, just nodded and took Dari to work on the side.

After a while, they had finished packing up, and the march from the main camp was continuing.

Zhu Shenzhu looked around and decided to set off now, in case it would be inappropriate to leave after the Mongolian camp was empty.

After greeting his people, everyone got on the carriage or on horseback. Zhu Shenzhui also came to his horse. When he was about to get on, Dali ran over from somewhere and knelt down beside the horse.

"Master, let me help you mount the horse." Dali said respectfully.

Zhu Shenzhui then realized the purpose of Dali's posture. He thought about it and did not refuse. He stepped on Dali's shoulders and climbed onto the horse...

(End of this chapter)