Peaceful borders and happy people

Shen Jiye stayed in the courtyard in Jiangnan for three days. Swallows carried mud to build their nests under the eaves, and moss turned the stone crevices green. Everywhere he looked, there was a sense of peace and tranquility. However, he was always worried about the sandstorms on the border. On the eve of his departure, Shen Jifang carried a lantern and delivered a bag of medicine and snacks to his room.

“Brother, the border is bitterly cold. These are some warming ointments I made with saposhnikovia and angelica. Apply them before bed to warm your body. There are also wound medicines. I added notoginseng and dragon’s blood to stop bleeding and promote tissue regeneration faster.” She carefully instructed, her fingertips tracing the two characters “Peace” embroidered on the bag. “The snacks are your favorite walnut shortbread. Have some to tide you over while you travel, so you don’t go hungry.”

Shen Jiye took the luggage, its contents heavy, not only of the medicine and snacks, but also of his sister's concern. He looked at his sister, whose temples were already streaked with gray, and his eyes welled up with tears: "Don't worry, sister, I will take good care of myself at the border. You are busy running the clinic, seeing patients every day, so don't forget about your own health while you are thinking of others."

Before dawn the next day, Shen Jiye set off on horseback. Heading north, the closer he got to the border, the stronger the wind and the heavier the dust. When he arrived at the military camp, the soldiers were already lined up to greet him, their armor gleaming coldly in the morning light. He changed out of his long robe, put on his armor, and immediately went to inspect the border walls.

Beneath the city walls, the former wasteland has been transformed into fertile fields. People lead oxen to work in the fields, while children chase and play on the ridges with bamboo baskets, their laughter carried away by the wind. An elderly man with white hair, carrying a hoe, walks by. Upon seeing Shen Jiye, he quickly puts down his tools and bows respectfully: "General Shen, you've finally returned! Since you established the rules for trade, the surrounding tribes have ceased their incursions. Our grain can fetch a good price, and our children can finally study in peace."

Shen Jiye helped the old man up, his gaze sweeping over the vibrant land, his heart filled with satisfaction. Over the years, he had not only fortified the city walls and trained the soldiers, but also actively engaged in trade with the surrounding ethnic minorities—exchanging silk and tea from the Central Plains for their horses and furs, and sending people to teach them farming techniques. Now, along the border, there were no more beacon fires or smoke signals, only the sound of camel bells from traveling merchants.

The old man took out a cloth bag from his bosom, opened it layer by layer, and inside was a pair of tiger-head shoes, with fine stitches and lifelike tiger head embroidery. "General Shen, this was made by my granddaughter overnight, saying it was to ward off evil spirits for you. We have no way to repay you for protecting our homeland, so please accept this small token of our appreciation."

Shen Jiye accepted the tiger-head shoes; the rough fabric, carrying the scent of everyday life, was warm and comforting. He carefully put them away and said loudly, "Old man, protecting the people is my duty. As long as the border is peaceful and you can live and work in peace, I will be content."

The wind swept across the city walls, fluttering his battle robes, while the distant snow-capped mountains stretched endlessly. Looking at this land protected by his ancestors and which he vowed to defend to the death, Shen Jiye's resolve grew stronger: the peace his ancestors had won with their blood, he would surely safeguard firmly, living up to the people's expectations, and even more so, living up to the love and care of his family in his Jiangnan courtyard and the teachings of his ancestors.