Chapter 388: Hiding Soldiers Among the People [Two-in-One]

The subordinate officials shifted the blame onto Zhao Feng.

He clasped his hands and chuckled, "Shen Jun saved the general's life. The general must repay this debt of gratitude. I, your humble servant, have no choice but to obey your orders..."

It was all because of our own general!

It was absolutely not of his own free will! His "degradation" was entirely a sacrifice made for his own general!

Wu Xian's expression was as numb as if struck by lightning.

He couldn't utter a single word for a long time.

He moved his lips twice.

"So, Da Yi also... built the kang (heated brick bed)?"

The subordinate official carefully considered his options and tried to save face for his general.

"Well, the general always likes to lead by example, regardless of wealth or poverty, he stands shoulder to shoulder with his subordinates. Naturally, he would do the same... The general's skills are a bit better than his subordinates'."

Zhao Feng wasn't sent on a business trip this time...

Sigh, it's purely because they think it has a bad influence.

Zhao Feng was once a powerful and daring martial artist who had been famous for many years. He was a ruthless character who made countless thieves and villains tremble at the mere mention of his name. How could his colleagues think of him when he was so skilled at building a kang (a heated brick bed)?

Otherwise, he would have come by himself.

Under the bewildered and worried gaze of his subordinates, he quickly reddened his eyes, tears streaming down his face. Wiping away his tears with his sleeve, he said, "My righteousness! How could Brother Shen treat Dayi so cruelly? I can't bear it... I know that Dayi is the most loyal and righteous person, but to go to such lengths to repay a debt of gratitude... Waaah, my heart aches... Tell me, has Dayi suffered any injustice from Brother Shen?"

Subordinate: "...Well, I'm not aggrieved, but the general has gained quite a bit of weight these days..."

When there's work to be done, they work; when there's no work, they drill the troops in tactics and formations, or spar with Commander Gongshu and the others. They drink and eat meat all day long, living a comfortable and carefree life, and it's impossible for them to lose weight even if they want to. Their general is quite enjoying himself.

Wu Xian wiped away her tears: "Huh? You've gotten heavier?"

Subordinate: "He's just gotten fat..."

The kind of fat he had wasn't the kind with abs; his face just looked less rugged and a bit rounder. In fact, the general could easily beat him with one hand now than before.

Wu Xian: "..."

Xu Jie changed from bowing his head to covering his face with his hands.

Wu Xian sighed, "But what Brother Shen asked Dayi to do is really putting Dayi to a difficult position..."

Let a brave and skilled general do craftsmanship...

The subordinate officials, however, remained noncommittal.

Wronged?

A livelihood that allows people to have enough to eat is not considered a hardship.

Unlike Wu Xian and others, the subordinate official was from a peasant background, and his ancestors had made a living in the mud for generations.

Why did he join the army?

Joining the army is about earning a paycheck and having enough to eat.

Because in this day and age, there are many common people who do not own land and sell their labor to landlords and powerful families who own land, becoming tenant farmers.

Following the local officer to join the army, fighting and killing enemies, making meritorious contributions, although there was a risk to life, at least they wouldn't starve to death.

If they were lucky, they would receive a reward or other extra income, and they could even send the scraps they managed to save back to their hometown to support their parents, wives, and children.

Frail parents;

A hardworking wife;

A helpless infant, crying for milk.

These are all obsessions that I can't let go of in the dead of night.

The same applies to warriors; they live simply to fight, achieve merit, establish a career, and ensure their families have enough to eat.

His family is similar.

The subordinate official and Zhao Feng were from the same village.

The two were childhood friends, having grown up together. Zhao Feng was born with superhuman strength and exceptional talent; at just seven or eight years old, he already had the physique of a teenager. He had a fiery temper and roamed the countryside like a wandering knight-errant.

The subordinate official believed that the other party was promising and followed him.

For more than twenty years, from when Zhao Feng left his hometown with his luggage as a young man to make his way in the world, to the fall of his homeland, to the years of wandering and hunger, moving from place to place to make a living, until he finally settled down with Wu Xian, he never abandoned him.

Zhao Feng treated his childhood friend well.

No matter how life goes, he always carries him with him, preferring to cut back on his own expenses rather than mistreat his brother.

The subordinate official always felt very lucky.

Compared to his fellow villagers who had perished on the journey, he was not only alive, but his parents, wife, and children were also fortunate enough to survive. While they weren't wealthy, they were at least no longer starving. Yet, even so, he lived in constant fear.

They were terrified that they might die on the battlefield one day, leaving their elderly, weak, women and children without anyone to protect them. They were even more worried that their children would be bullied, go hungry and cold, and some even began to have thoughts of dying.

He can't stay away from the battlefield; his whole family depends on him for food.

All he knows is fighting and killing.

Farming?

He has no land to cultivate.

Squatting by the riverbank, he gradually went from initial resistance and rejection—how could a martial artist, so noble, be reduced to making a living in the mud like a peasant—to acceptance.

Occasionally, he would return covered in mud, still feeling like a craftsman in a peaceful world, supporting his family with his exquisite skills instead of endlessly fighting and killing.

This led some subordinates to have inappropriate thoughts. On one occasion, one of them, drunk, asked the general: "General, tell me—if there are no more battles to fight, what will we eat?"

Zhao Feng casually replied, "[Let's drink and eat meat.]"

The subordinate official shook his head, saying wistfully, "...If there's no more fighting, who will be willing to spend so much on rations to support us? Support idlers? There's no meat to eat, no wine to drink..."

Zhao Feng chuckled: "[A man worrying about nothing.]"

They've been at war for centuries.

How can you just stop fighting like that? Even if the fighting really stops one day, it won't be their generation. So relax, they won't have to worry about how to live without war.

The official sighed even more deeply. Then he thought, if there were no more battles to fight, he would build kang beds for people, help people build bridges, repair roads, farm fields, and dig canals... See, there are still many things he can do.

After some self-reflection, the official finally came to terms with it.

Wu Xian instructed his men to do their utmost to cooperate with Zhao Feng's subordinates.

The latter will prepare all the necessary materials.

After the officials left, Wu Xian's face was no longer tinged with sorrow; a cold glint flashed in his eyes. Xu Jie heard him sigh, "This Brother Shen is truly unfathomable."

Xu Jie said: "Jun Shen?"

Wu Xian laughed and said, "Is this person truly devoted to the people and single-minded, or is he hiding his true intentions and has other plans? Brother Shen treats us without any suspicion. Even the most upright gentleman in the world would not entrust his life and fortune to an outsider, would he?"

But Shen Tang actually did it.

Wu Xian continued, “Every time I think Shen Di is going to suffer a loss, he always comes up with an unexpected solution. Tell me—I paid Shen Di to hire a ‘craftsman’ to build the kang (heated brick bed), but it turned out that the ‘craftsman’ was one of my own. He made all the money, and I had to suffer in silence. I’m wondering, is this really just a coincidence?”

Xu Jie frowned and said, "It can be said that Lord Shen is hiding his true strength. In such a large Heyin County, there are only a few decent troops. Among them, a thousand elite soldiers were brought by Da Yi to provide support, which is not impressive. I have traveled to Heyin several times to closely monitor its movements, but apart from the last time to aid Lu Xia and recruit a group of strong men, there has been no other activity... This is not normal..."

"That's why I said this person is full of contradictions..." Wu Xian always felt more wary than trusting towards Shen Tang.

The official passed on all his experience in building kang (heated brick beds) to the craftsmen and even led a group of people to demonstrate for several days. The kang was indeed more convenient and cleaner than a charcoal brazier; there was less smoke and dust in the room, and there was no need to worry about discomfort caused by poor ventilation.

Wu Xian set an example by building the wall for his own house first.

They also arranged for several families who had suffered from the winter disaster to receive assistance, and then they spread the word among the common people, one person telling ten, ten telling a hundred. Before long, this thing would be completely accepted.

Fortunately, that group of craftsmen were able to complete their apprenticeships.

The subordinate official led a team on a business trip to Tianhai for about half a month.

Shen Tang remained busy in the government office.

There's not much to do, so I can slack off.

"Young Lady Lu, how have you been these past few days?"

She took a sip of warm tea, the warmth spreading through her body and warming her hands and feet. Lady Lu, dressed in mourning clothes, had a calm expression, seemingly having recovered from the overwhelming grief of that day. "If there's anything I've done poorly or been negligent in, please don't hold it in."

Lu Xiaoniangzi forced out a faint, awkward smile.

"No, I've adapted very well."

That's fantastic.

After holding the family's funeral and observing a month of mourning, Lady Lu packed her bags and set off for Heyin County with her infant nephew, elderly steward, wet nurse, and maids.

She was uncertain about the future and even prepared herself for the worst, but the outcome was better than she had ever imagined.

Shen Jun is such a good person.

Concerned for the elderly, women, and children of the family, he specially arranged for them to stay near the government office, a heavily guarded area where there was no need to worry about security even if the doors were left unlocked at night. Madam Lu was grateful to Shen Tang for taking her in and caring for her, and would occasionally bring homemade tea and snacks to express her gratitude, drawing meaningful glances from her subordinates who knew the whole story.

As she visited more often, Lady Lu and Shen Tang became acquainted. On one occasion, when the latter was too busy, she asked Lady Lu to help find a letter to deliver to the registrar, and Lady Lu lent a hand.

As a result, Shen Jun would ask her for help from time to time.

After that, they simply got her her own small table.

When we have nothing to do, we enjoy slacking off together.

Drinking tea, chatting, and eating snacks.

These past two days, Miss Lu had seemed hesitant to speak, and Shen Tang assumed she had been wronged, which was why the higher-ups had shown concern. Hearing that she was adapting well, he was relieved.

but--

Lady Lu tried to hold back, but she couldn't help herself.

She asked, "Why doesn't Lord Shen expand his army?"

Shen Tang was stuffing food into her mouth, her cheeks bulging.

He turned to look at her, puzzled: "What?"

Lu Xiaoniangzi bit her lower lip, wanting to back down and gloss over the matter, but she felt that this wouldn't work. Shen Jun was the benefactor who took in her family, how could he see the problem but not point it out?

She carefully chose her words, saying, "...Yesterday, Commandant Gongshu submitted a letter requesting a new month's military pay..."

"I know that. Lingde has also checked it and said there's no problem, but where is there any omission?"

Lady Lu said, "It's not that there's a shortage, it's just that the military pay is only enough to support four or five thousand soldiers... With so few troops in Heyin County, how can we possibly deal with a strong enemy?"

Shen Tang understood and asked with a smile.

"Then what do you suggest we do?"

Lady Lu said, "It should be at least 20,000."

There were even more counties in the former Lu Xia Prefecture than this.

Shen Tang asked again, "Who said there weren't any 20,000?"

Miss Lu was stunned for a moment: "Huh?"

Did they hide the remaining 15,000?

"If that's the case, it doesn't seem to make sense..." Despite her current quiet and gentle demeanor, Lady Lu grew up in the military and knows the ins and outs of the place very well. Her father has never hidden anything from her, and even teaches her step by step.

Therefore, she is quite perceptive about this.

Shen Tang laughed and said, "Hidden? There's nothing wrong with saying that, but—I'm not hiding my troops in some deep mountain forest or anything like that. With the River Governor in such an 'undefended' state, they could be easily discovered by someone with ulterior motives..."

If she had 20,000 troops, her neighbors would be in for a world of trouble.

How could things be as harmonious as they are now?

Fifteen thousand is no small sum.

There's no way to hide it.

Lady Lu was sensible and didn't press the matter further, but the curiosity and speculation in her eyes were unmistakable.

Shen Tang said, half-seriously, as if joking, "If a war really breaks out, we can raise 15,000 soldiers in an emergency..."

Miss Lu: "..."

Little did they know, Shen Tang was not joking.

This was the strategy she and Chu Yao had discussed for a long time—to maintain good relations with the three families, to develop themselves quietly in a relatively stable environment, and not to have too many troops on the surface.

However, having no troops puts one at a significant disadvantage—having a sword but not using it is a different matter from having no sword at all.

Furthermore, she currently lacks the financial resources to maintain so many soldiers, so they discussed a compromise.

To make the lives of the common people under his rule as good as possible.

Every household has surplus grain.

They were completely bound to the River God, and the concept that "they have no other way out but the River God, and without the River God they will lose all their foundation" was forcibly ingrained in their minds and deeply rooted!

Once war breaks out, they will be so frightened that they dare not flee with their wealth and family, because the outside world is even more cruel and bloody! At this time, if you tell them that the enemy is here to kill, rob, and seize their food, they will naturally be willing to stand up to defend their wealth and bring their own food.

Before, they joined the army to fill their stomachs; survival on the battlefield was paramount. What did victory or defeat matter to them? The situation couldn't get any worse, could it? Now, they join the army to defend their food supplies; failure means losing both their lives and their resources.

Naturally, the latter are more willing to fight desperately.

After the busy spring farming season, Shen Tang planned to find an excuse to organize the common people to conduct light military training in villages, so that they could familiarize themselves with the combat units of villages.

If Wu Xian's family asks, it will be easy to find an excuse to brush them off.

Excuses are not hard to find.

It's said that a conflict arose in the village and a fight broke out.

This kind of thing is not uncommon.

It's not uncommon for disputes between two villages over a well or even a single verbal argument to escalate into a brawl involving hundreds of people.

As long as Shen Tang needs it—

Regardless of age or gender, everyone is a soldier.

Chu Yao: [Conceal your abilities and bide your time, then proceed gradually.]

Shen Tang: [Naturally.]

She has plenty of patience and can endure it.

Little did they know, such peaceful days would last only a few months.

Lu Xiaoniangzi frequently visited the government office and gradually became acquainted with Lin Feng and Yu Zi. However, the one whose temperament resonated with her was the elusive Bai Su. The latter appeared aloof, but the chilling aura surrounding her made Lu Xiaoniangzi feel particularly close to her.

Jiang Sheng witnessed this scene.

Looking at Lu Xiaoniangzi, who was smiling sweetly at Bai Suyu, Jiang Sheng sighed, "The difference between people..."

Look at Bai Su, and then look at my lord—that's the difference between people! My lord is completely absorbed in official duties; when he occasionally chats with Lady Lu, it's only to coax her into doing official business for him…

But Bai Langjun even knows to give gifts!

Chen, confused, Tang: "???"

Gu Chi was so frustrated by holding back his laughter that his face was twitching.

He suppressed a laugh and said, "My lord, the task is arduous and the road ahead is long!"

I don't know if everyone is malicious, but not a single one of them took the initiative to tell Jiang Sheng the true gender of their lord.

Winter goes and spring comes; spring plowing has begun again.

(End of this chapter)