Preparations for the General's Mansion were proceeding smoothly, and news of the food festival spread like wildfire throughout the mansion, filling everyone with anticipation. In a brief respite from their busy schedules, Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er decided to organize a gathering to allow everyone to relax amidst the intense preparations and share some amusing anecdotes.

That evening, the setting sun bathed the courtyard of the general's mansion in a golden glow. Soldiers and servants sat in a circle in the courtyard, with some fruit and snacks laid out in the center. Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er sat in the middle of the group, smiling as they watched everyone.

"I've gathered everyone here today so we can relax a bit after all our busy schedules. We can share some funny stories from our experiences to cheer everyone up," Xiao Yichen said, his voice light and cheerful, with an infectious energy.

A young soldier stood up first, scratching his head somewhat sheepishly: "I'll go first. Let me tell you a funny story from my childhood. I was very mischievous when I was little. Once, I saw the village's old ox grazing, and I wanted to try riding it. It took me a lot of effort to climb onto its back, but then the ox suddenly got startled and started running wildly with me on it. I was so scared that I clung tightly to its neck and screamed. Finally, the ox got tired and stopped. When I got off its back, I was completely dizzy and covered in cow dung."

The soldiers burst into laughter. One of them joked, "You really brought this on yourself, but the scene must have been hilarious."

Then, a maid stood up and said, “I also have a funny story. Once, I was helping out in the kitchen and saw the chefs making pastries, so I wanted to try it myself. I mixed all the ingredients together according to my own ideas, and the pastries I made were dark and hard, completely inedible. I didn’t believe it, so I took a bite, and the taste was indescribable—bitter and astringent. I quickly went to get water to rinse my mouth, but I drank too fast and choked, which startled everyone.”

Everyone burst into laughter again, and Lin Wan'er said with a smile, "It seems that your attempt at making pastries has been a truly unforgettable experience."

At this moment, a general stepped forward and said, “Let me tell you a funny story from the battlefield. Once, we were facing off against the enemy, and both sides were very tense. Suddenly, a hare darted out of the bushes and onto the battlefield. The hare seemed to be frightened by the tense atmosphere and ran around wildly. One of our recruits, probably too nervous, saw the hare and shouted, ‘Enemy! Fire!’ As a result, many of us shot arrows at the hare, and the arrows flew like raindrops. In the end, we didn’t hit the hare, and the enemy thought we were about to attack, so they quickly got into a defensive position. When they realized it was just a hare, they were all stunned. The scene was really hilarious.”

Xiao Yichen couldn't help but laugh out loud after hearing this: "You guys have really confused the enemy. But this kind of situation on the battlefield can also ease the tense atmosphere."

Lin Wan'er also shared an amusing anecdote from her time in the martial arts world: "Once, while traveling in the martial arts world, I encountered a swindler. He claimed to have magical pills that could cure all diseases. Many people around him were fooled and readily paid for his pills. I wanted to expose him, so I went up to him and asked if the pills could cure my illness. He asked me what illness I had, and I said I had a strange ailment where taking these fake pills would cause my whole body to itch. Upon hearing this, his face changed, and he tried to argue. I took one of his pills and swallowed it, then pretended to be itchy all over and rolled around on the ground. Everyone around saw this and knew he was a swindler, demanding a refund. In the end, the swindler slunk away."

"Miss Lin is truly clever; such charlatans should be punished," a soldier said, and everyone applauded Lin Wan'er's quick wit.

Xiao Yichen also recalled a funny incident from his own life. He laughed and said, "Let me tell you a funny story from when I was learning martial arts as a child. When I first started learning martial arts, I always wanted to slack off. One time, my master made me practice the horse stance, but after a while, I felt too tired. I saw a little dog sleeping nearby, so I wanted to go over and tease it. As soon as I moved, my master noticed. He took a small twig and flicked my bottom, saying, 'Concentrate when you're doing the horse stance!' I was so scared that I jumped up, and accidentally stepped on the dog's tail. The dog barked and chased after me. I ran around the yard several times in a sorry state before I finally got rid of it."

Everyone laughed so hard they were doubled over. Someone said with a smile, "General, I never knew you had such an experience when you were a child."

Amidst laughter and chatter, everyone grew closer. Each person shared their joyful and awkward moments, these amusing anecdotes shining like stars, illuminating this warm and cozy evening.

An old nanny chuckled and said, "I've seen quite a few amusing things in all my years at the General's mansion. Once, a guest came to visit, bringing with him a parrot. That parrot was incredibly clever; it could say so many things. A servant, finding it amusing, tried to tease it, only to be called a 'little rascal' by the parrot. The servant wasn't having it, so he tried to teach the parrot some nice words. He taught it for a long time, but the parrot just wouldn't learn. Finally, the servant stormed off in anger, and the parrot muttered 'idiot' behind his back, which made us all laugh."

Everyone burst into laughter upon hearing this. The story filled the entire courtyard with a joyful atmosphere.

As night deepened, the event of sharing interesting stories drew to a close. Xiao Yichen stood up and said, "Everyone shared some wonderful stories today, making for a relaxing and enjoyable evening amidst our busy lives. I hope we can have more gatherings like this in the future, where we can all share the little things in life together."

Lin Wan'er added, "Yes, these interesting stories have helped us understand each other better and filled the General's Mansion with joy. We must pass on this happiness so that even in the midst of difficult and chaotic times, we can still find joy in life."

The soldiers and servants nodded, their faces beaming, and returned to their quarters. That night, everyone slept exceptionally well, and those amusing incidents might continue to unfold in their dreams.

In the days that followed, preparations for the food festival at the General's Mansion went even more smoothly. While everyone was busy, they would occasionally reminisce about that night of sharing fun stories, and a knowing smile would appear on their faces. These fond memories became their motivation in preparing for the food festival, making them even more dedicated to creating this joyous feast that belonged to the General's Mansion.

Meanwhile, Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er were making final preparations for the food festival. They hoped that this food festival would not only be an event for tasting delicious food, but also a gathering for everyone to share happiness and strengthen relationships. Just like that fun-sharing session, they wanted everyone in the General's Mansion to find their own warm harbor in this chaotic world, and for the General's Mansion to always be full of vitality.

The General's Mansion was brightly decorated and bustling with activity, as the long-awaited food festival finally began. The morning sun shone into the courtyard, illuminating the colorful flags and decorations. The air was filled with the enticing aromas of various delicacies, mingled with the fragrance of flowers and the cheerful laughter of people, as if the entire General's Mansion was immersed in a sea of ​​joy.

The courtyard was filled with rows of long tables, each covered with an exquisite tablecloth and laden with a variety of dishes, snacks, and drinks. Each dish was like a meticulously crafted work of art, its colors enticing and its aroma mouthwatering. From traditional signature dishes of the General's Mansion, such as braised pork trotters and emerald shrimp, to the chefs' newly created innovative dishes, there was something for everyone.

In a prominent location stood a massive ice sculpture. Carved to resemble the emblem of the General's Mansion—an eagle with outstretched wings, its eyes lifelike, as if surveying the grand feast. Surrounding the sculpture were exquisite ice tableware pieces, filled with fresh fruit salads and sashimi; the coolness of the ice kept the food in optimal condition and freshness.

The soldiers and servants were all dressed neatly, their faces beaming with excitement. They moved about in the courtyard; some were admiring the food, some were discussing with their comrades which dish looked the most tempting, and others were already eagerly taking a bite.

Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er walked among the crowd, looking at the lively scene, their hearts filled with satisfaction.

"Wan'er, look, everyone is very happy. This food festival was a great success," Xiao Yichen said to Lin Wan'er with a smile.

“Yes, General. This is all thanks to everyone’s hard work. These delicious foods are like magic, bringing our hearts together,” Lin Wan’er replied, her gaze drawn to a beautifully presented dessert.

It was a plate of flower-shaped pastries made of glutinous rice flour. The petals were decorated with exquisite patterns using food coloring, and the stamens were made of candied fruit, emitting a sweet aroma. Lin Wan'er gently picked one up and put it in her mouth. The delicate texture and sweet taste spread across her tongue.

"This snack is delicious, General, you should try some too." Lin Wan'er said, handing one to Xiao Yichen.

Xiao Yichen took a bite and nodded in praise: "Hmm, it tastes very good. The chefs really put their heart into it."

At this moment, a chef walked over and said with a proud look on his face, "General, Miss Lin, this dessert is something we specially prepared for the food festival. The process of making it is not easy. We have experimented with the ratio of glutinous rice flour several times just to make its texture more delicate."

"Thank you for your hard work. This dessert will surely become one of everyone's favorites," Lin Wan'er said to the chef with a smile.

As time went on, the atmosphere of the food festival grew increasingly lively. A performance area was set up in a corner of the courtyard, where soldiers spontaneously organized some shows to entertain everyone.

A group of soldiers performed martial arts, their movements powerful and synchronized, earning rounds of applause. Each difficult move showcased their solid martial arts skills; the flashing blades contrasted sharply with the surrounding food and joyful atmosphere, yet blended together in a wonderful way.

After the performance, a soldier skilled in juggling came forward. Holding several colorful balls, he began to perform ball juggling. His movements were incredibly skillful; the colorful balls danced in his hands, seemingly alive. He would occasionally increase the difficulty, adding new techniques, keeping the audience mesmerized and eliciting cheers from all sides.

Between performances, people continued to enjoy the food. A soldier, holding a golden-brown, crispy lamb chop, said to his companion, "This food festival is amazing! We don't usually get to eat so much good food. And with such wonderful performances, it feels like a dream."

“Yes, I love this atmosphere the most. Everyone gathers together, eating delicious food, watching performances, and forgets all our worries,” her companion replied.

In addition to food and performances, the food festival also featured several interactive activities. One of these was a food-making competition, inviting soldiers and servants to participate. Participants were divided into groups and, under the guidance of chefs, prepared a designated dish.

Lin Wan'er also joined a group, and she and the group members discussed the cooking strategy together. The dish they chose was a creative dish called "Beautiful Mountains and Rivers," which required using vegetables and meats of various colors to create a pattern of mountains and rivers.

“Let’s cut the green vegetables into the shape of mountains, then use red peppers for the sun and yellow pumpkins for the land,” Lin Wan’er suggested.

The group members nodded in agreement and began to prepare the food. Everyone worked together, some chopping vegetables, others arranging the ingredients, all busy and enjoying themselves.

Some amusing incidents occurred during the preparation process. One soldier accidentally splashed chili sauce into his eyes, causing them to water profusely, and those around him quickly brought him water to rinse them. Another group got into an argument while plating the food, but they quickly reached a consensus and continued preparing it.

After much effort, all the groups completed their entries. The judges then began evaluating the dishes, scoring them based on their creativity, appearance, and taste.

In the end, Lin Wan'er's group won the competition. The judges praised their work highly: "This 'Beautiful Landscape' dish is not only beautiful in appearance, with colors that match like a real painting, but it also tastes excellent. The flavors of various ingredients blend together without losing their individual characteristics."

Lin Wan'er and her team cheered with joy; they had received an exquisite prize—a set of tableware meticulously crafted by artisans from the General's Mansion.

The food festival continued until evening, the afterglow of the setting sun casting a golden veil over the General's Mansion. As night fell, lanterns were lit in the courtyard, illuminating the entire food festival area.

Suddenly, colorful fireworks burst forth in the sky. The fireworks bloomed in the night sky like dazzling flowers, illuminating the entire sky above the General's Mansion. People stopped what they were doing, looked up at the sky, their eyes filled with amazement and joy.

"General, these fireworks are so beautiful!" Lin Wan'er looked at the fireworks in the sky, her eyes sparkling.

"Yes, this is a surprise I specially prepared for everyone. I hope this food festival will leave you with wonderful memories," Xiao Yichen said with a smile.

Under the fireworks, people continued to enjoy the final moments of the food festival. They savored the food, chatted about the day's events, and watched the fireworks. At this moment, the General's Mansion seemed to have become a secluded world of joy, free from the shadow of war, filled only with delicious food, laughter, and warmth.

After the food festival ended, the soldiers and servants returned to their quarters with satisfied smiles. Their hearts were filled with fond memories of the festival and anticipation for the next one.

Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er walked back to their room, their hands clasped tightly together.

"Wan'er, today is truly wonderful. I hope that the General's Mansion can always have such joyful moments," Xiao Yichen said softly.

“General, me too. These beautiful moments will be a source of strength for us during difficult times. We must strive to protect this happiness,” Lin Wan’er replied.

The two men smiled at each other. They knew that the General's Mansion faced many challenges ahead, but they also believed that as long as everyone was united, no difficulty was insurmountable. This food festival would become a shining memory in the history of the General's Mansion, forever illuminating everyone's hearts.

Even after the food festival's revelry, the General's Mansion seemed to still be immersed in the afterglow of its joy. Morning sunlight filtered through dappled leaves, casting dappled patterns on the stone path of the courtyard, reflecting the colorful remnants of last night's fireworks, like a vibrant, multicolored painting. The air still held the aroma of delicious food; a gentle breeze carried this sweet scent, softly stirring the hearts of those present.

The soldiers and servants began their day at their respective posts, their faces still bearing the smiles left from the food festival, their conversations revolving around the amusing anecdotes of the previous day. The cooks in the kitchen, though busy preparing daily meals, would occasionally recall the praise garnered for their dishes at the festival, their faces beaming with pride.

Lin Wan'er got up very early and strolled through the garden of the General's Mansion, admiring the flowers that looked vibrant and beautiful in the morning light. She was in a particularly good mood; the success of the food festival filled her with even more hope for the future of the General's Mansion. She knew that such events not only brought joy to everyone but also strengthened the cohesion among the people of the General's Mansion.

"Good morning, Miss Lin!" A maidservant passed by the garden and greeted Lin Wan'er with a smile.

"Good morning! You seem to be in a good mood," Lin Wan'er replied.

"Yes, Miss Lin. Yesterday's food festival was so much fun, I'm still savoring the memories." The maid's eyes sparkled with excitement.

Lin Wan'er nodded with a smile: "Me too, I hope we can have more activities like this in the future."

After lingering in the garden for a while, Lin Wan'er headed to the council hall. She knew that although the food festival brought joy, the duties and challenges of the General's Mansion could not be ignored. When she entered the council hall, Xiao Yichen and several generals were already discussing matters.

"Wan'er, you're here. We were discussing some arrangements after the food festival," Xiao Yichen said with a smile when he saw Lin Wan'er.

"General, esteemed officers, although the food festival has ended, I feel it has given us a lot of inspiration. We can use this experience to organize more similar activities at the General's Mansion to enrich everyone's lives," Lin Wan'er said.

One of the generals nodded in agreement: "Miss Lin is right. However, we must not forget our situation. The enemy could attack again at any time. While we enjoy ourselves, we must remain vigilant."

“That’s right, that’s exactly what we’re going to discuss next.” Xiao Yichen’s expression turned serious. “Although we’ve successfully obtained the supplies and the defenses of the General’s Mansion have been strengthened, the enemy won’t give up easily. We must be more fully prepared.”

"General, we can further strengthen our intelligence gathering efforts. Understanding the enemy's movements is crucial," a general suggested.

“Yes, we need to send out more reliable spies to expand our intelligence network. At the same time, we need to conduct more in-depth analysis of the intelligence so that we can take countermeasures in advance,” Xiao Yichen said.

Lin Wan'er thought for a moment, then continued, "We can also strengthen cooperation with surrounding towns. If the enemy attacks, we will need their support. We can establish a closer communication mechanism with them to jointly deal with potential threats."

“That’s a great idea, Miss Lin. We can conduct military exercises with the surrounding towns to enhance mutual understanding and cooperation,” another general said.

While discussing military defense plans, the construction and development of the General's Mansion were also put on the agenda.

"We must continue to improve the living conditions of our soldiers and servants. The food festival made me realize that everyone's lives need more color. We can repair houses and add some recreational facilities," Xiao Yichen said.

"General, we can also set up some schools within the General's Mansion, giving soldiers and servants the opportunity to learn. They can learn not only cultural knowledge but also some practical skills," Lin Wan'er suggested.

The generals all expressed their agreement, and they began to discuss in detail the school's setup and curriculum.

"We can start by offering some basic literacy courses so that illiterate soldiers and servants can read and write. Then, based on everyone's interests and needs, we can offer courses such as military strategy, medicine, and handicrafts," a general suggested.

“Yes, this will not only improve everyone’s quality, but also cultivate more talents for the General’s Mansion,” Xiao Yichen nodded and said.

After discussing these plans, Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er decided to personally visit the surrounding towns to communicate with local officials and generals about cooperation. They set off with gifts and sincerity, hoping to garner more support for the General's Mansion.

They first arrived at the town closest to the General's Mansion. The town streets were bustling with activity, filled with the cries of vendors. Led by local officials, Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er toured the town's defensive fortifications and barracks.

“General Xiao, Miss Lin, we have always admired the General’s Mansion’s defensive capabilities and military strength. You must have important matters to discuss with us.” The town official said.

"My lord, we have come here hoping to strengthen cooperation with your town. We all know that the threat from the enemy is growing increasingly serious, and only by uniting can we better resist the foreign invaders," Xiao Yichen said.

“The general is absolutely right. We have the same idea. May I ask what specific cooperation plan the general has?” the official asked.

Lin Wan'er smiled and said, "We can hold regular military exercises to enhance the combat capabilities and teamwork of soldiers on both sides. At the same time, we can establish an intelligence-sharing mechanism so that we can notify the other side in a timely manner if there are any enemy movements."

Both sides held in-depth discussions on cooperation and reached a preliminary agreement. After leaving the town, Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er traveled to several other surrounding towns to communicate with local leaders.

During this process, they also encountered some difficulties and challenges. Some towns were cautious about cooperation, worried that it would bring them unnecessary trouble. But Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er were not discouraged. They patiently explained the benefits of cooperation and demonstrated the strength and sincerity of the General's Mansion.

After several days of travel, they finally reached cooperation agreements with most of the surrounding towns. Upon returning to the general's mansion, they immediately began preparations for military exercises and intelligence sharing.

Inside the general's mansion, the soldiers were excited to learn that they would be conducting military exercises with neighboring towns. They prepared diligently, hoping to improve their skills and make new friends during the exercises.

Meanwhile, as construction progressed at the General's Mansion, preparations for the school were also proceeding smoothly. Some educated soldiers and servants volunteered to become teachers at the school. They began organizing teaching materials and preparing teaching aids.

Amidst the busy preparations, another message arrived from the General's residence. A scout reported that the enemy appeared to be amassing troops, showing signs of a large-scale operation. This news once again heightened the tension at the General's residence.

Xiao Yichen immediately summoned his generals to discuss countermeasures: "The enemy's actions are faster than we expected. We need to speed up the military exercises and strengthen the defenses of the General's Mansion at the same time."

"General, we can send out a small detachment to conduct reconnaissance and determine the enemy's specific movements and troop deployments," a general suggested.

"Alright, do as you say. But the reconnaissance troops must be careful and not expose themselves," Xiao Yichen ordered.

Seeing the tense expressions on everyone's faces, Lin Wan'er knew that a new challenge had arrived. But she felt no fear. Having gone through so much, she believed that everyone in the General's Mansion would be able to handle this crisis.

"General, we must keep everyone calm. This enemy attack is a challenge, but it's also an opportunity to test the results of our preparations over this period," Lin Wan'er said.

Xiao Yichen nodded: "Wan'er is right. We need to tell everyone this news, but we can't let them panic. We need to unite as one and face the difficulties together, just like we did at the food festival."

Thus, amidst the tense atmosphere of preparation for war, the General's Mansion continued to advance its various plans. Soldiers trained even harder on the training grounds, preparing to meet the impending challenges. Servants also actively cooperated, providing logistical support for the military operations. Amidst the interplay of joy and challenge, the General's Mansion continued to move forward, protecting their land and its people.