Pan Yucheng saw the three of them too.

Surprise showed on his face.

He had done as Ning Chen told him: got out of the city of Xiuzhou and ridden hard the whole way back to the capital to ask for the edict.

Once he had His Majesty's order he mustered troops and made for Xiuzhou at speed.

The whole way he had not dared to lose a moment.

Because every hour late meant more danger for Ning Chen and the others.

He simply had not expected to find Ning Chen here.

He raised a hand and the column slowed.

When he came up, Pan Yucheng swung down and walked over quickly.

"You... here?"

Ning Chen smiled. "Everything in Xiuzhou is settled. We were on our way back to the capital to report."

Pan Yucheng was astonished. "Settled?"

"We'll talk inside."

Ning Chen said it, then looked at the men of the musket battalion and called out cheerfully, "Brothers, you've had a hard road. A good New Year to you!"

"A good New Year to General Ning!"

A thousand soldiers shouted it with one voice.

Ning Chen said, "Make camp nearby. The business in Xiuzhou is settled, and tomorrow you all come back to the capital with me."

"When we get to the capital I'll go to His Majesty myself and ask a reward for you. Five taels of silver each at the least."

"It's New Year today. I'll have wine sent over to you shortly, but no drinking too much... two taels of wine a man."

The soldiers were delighted, and roared it out together:

"Thank you, General Ning!"

Ning Chen waved a hand and the column drew back to find open ground and make camp.

Ning Chen and the others went into the post station.

Ning Chen told the station master to send some wine over to the men of the musket battalion.

Then they went to a room.

First, it was New Year today.

Second, the station master did not dare give short measure to men of the Inspectorate.

So a whole tableful of food had been…