"Take in the wounded?" Jiang Yushu was stunned and greatly surprised. She frowned and thought without saying a word.
Seeing the other party was merely stunned, rather than flatly rejecting him, Captain Yan felt the offer was feasible. He struck while the iron was hot, saying helplessly, "I'm not intentionally causing trouble for your family, but I simply have no other choice. You can see, my four brothers have lost so much blood and are severely injured. If I force them back to camp, their injuries will only worsen, and with the bumpy ride, I'm afraid their lives are in danger."
"Alas, these four, the oldest is only thirty-something, the youngest is only twenty. They're all brave and skilled in battle, willing to sacrifice their lives to kill the enemy. That's why they're so seriously injured." Captain Yan spoke earnestly, continuing his persuasion: "As the saying goes, 'saving a life is better than building a seven-story pagoda.' If you could shelter them for a few days, perhaps you could save four lives. It would be a great deed!"
Saving your life is a great merit, but what if you can't save it? @Infinite good articles, all in Jinjiang Literature City
Jiang Yushu pondered secretly, her mind racing, and said seriously, "Sir, we greatly admire the brave warriors who kill the enemy and defend the country, and we can't bear to watch them die without helping them. But to be honest, we dare not take them in rashly."
"Why? What are you worried about? Just speak up!" Captain Yan wiped his face, sweat mixed with blood, and he was exhausted. Several soldiers stood at the bottom of the stairs, their uniforms stained with blood, their faces full of pleading.
Jiang Yushu spoke frankly, "As you said, everyone can see clearly that these four heroes are seriously injured, so seriously that you dare not move them back to the camp. So, let me be frank. If we take in the wounded out of kindness, and the wounded soldiers' injuries worsen in our home, or unfortunately die young, sacrificed for their country - then, will the army blame us or even hold us accountable?"
"Please forgive the fear and hesitation of ordinary people, but I dare not rashly take in seriously injured patients."
"Oh! So that's what you're worried about."
Captain Yan suddenly realized what was going on. He immediately held his head high and promised, "You're worrying too much! Those who have fought on the battlefield are accustomed to casualties. We are well aware of the injuries of our four brothers. No matter what the final outcome is, it's their own fate. No one else can be blamed. Don't worry, the army will never blame you!"
"This..." Jiang Yushu stood on the doorstep, looking down at the four seriously injured soldiers who were almost covered in blood. She couldn't help but think of the men in her family who had joined the army. She felt very uncomfortable and sighed with pity.
On the one hand, human lives were at stake, and on the other, the matter was grave. How could she dare take in a stranger who had just met her by chance? As the mistress of the Guo family, she was momentarily perplexed, clutching her handkerchief tightly, deliberating over and over again.
Zhuang Song frowned, sometimes looking at Jiang Yushu, sometimes examining the seriously injured, hesitant to speak, just watching silently.
"Actually, you don't have to be afraid at all." Captain Yan was a shrewd person. He had already determined that the other party was kind-hearted, so he took root and continued to persuade him: "I am the leader of this hunt for the remaining enemies. I gave the order, and even if the army investigates, it will only be me. How can they blame the kind-hearted villagers?"
Jiang Yushu looked serious and walked down the stairs involuntarily. Cuimei supported her closely and stayed by her side, and Zou Gui followed behind.
The three men moved closer and looked carefully at the seriously injured patient whose wounds were being bandaged by their companions. Recalling that Guo Honglei and others had also been wounded in battle, they all showed an expression of pity.
Jiang Yushu thought about it again and again, and said slowly: "After listening to your words, we feel relieved, but we are still worried. After all, this involves four lives."
"If you are afraid of being implicated, how about I write a note stating everything?" Captain Yan was relieved when he saw the other party bending down to look at the wounded soldier, and thought to himself: Hey, this can be done!
Jiang Yushu straightened up and asked in confusion, "Do you mean just taking them in? They're seriously injured and in urgent need of medical treatment and care."
"Well, I heard you have a doctor at home, right? Since he can make good medicine, he must be quite skilled. Can we ask him to help save the people?" Captain Yan wiped the sweat off his face with his sleeve, then said awkwardly, "Also, I'll leave two people behind to take care of the wounded, so you don't have to worry about it."
Jiang Yushu frowned and immediately reminded: "Although there is a doctor in my family, even if he is a world-renowned doctor, he cannot guarantee that he will be able to bring people back to health."
"Life and death are determined by fate, we understand!" @Infinite good articles, all in Jinjiang Literature City
Four seriously injured patients, two helpers, and six strangers... Jiang Yushu felt a headache. She caught a glimpse of Zhuang Song and suddenly had an idea. She asked tentatively, "Zhuang Zhubu, what do you say we should do?"
In an instant, everyone stared at Zhuang Song at the same time.
"Ah? I, I—" Zhuang Song, who wanted to play it safe, was startled and nervously replied, "In the whole Liu Village, only your family has a proper doctor! Alas, we don't know any medicine, and we have neither a doctor nor medicine. We can't take in the wounded. I'm sorry, I'm so sorry."
"Oh? No need to apologize. We never force anyone to do anything." Captain Yan sneered, seeing through the scholar's fear and evasion. He felt annoyed, thinking: If we hadn't risked our lives to defend Xi Cang, the Northern Qi would have crossed the river long ago to burn, kill, and loot. Humph, this weak scholar, so heartless!
You are such a good village chief! You are afraid that I will push the trouble onto you, and you don’t even think about the fact that it was you who brought people to my house.
Jiang Yushu was at a loss whether to laugh or cry, realizing that the other party was almost "dependent" on her house. After careful consideration, she finally couldn't bring herself to slam the gate shut.
After a brief discussion, she made up her mind and said in a strong voice, "First, as you can see, my house has been looted by enemy soldiers. It's a mess and the house is small and simple. Second, my family is taking refuge in the mountains and I don't know when they will return. Third, if there are any wounded people who really need to be taken in, please write a note and explain the details!" She looked at Zhuang Song and asked with a smile:
"Zhuang Zhubu, can you be a witness?"
"Yes, that's fine." Zhuang Song nodded repeatedly.
Captain Yan was delighted and asked hurriedly, "So, you agreed?"
Jiang Yushu sighed, "Human lives are at stake. I can't bear to see them die without help." She turned around and said calmly and methodically, "Cuimei, quickly bring paper and pen. Xiaozou, clean up the two side rooms and give them to the wounded. Zhuangzhubu, please arrange for someone you know to go to the back mountain, to the usual place, and tell my family that the village is safe."
"Yes." Zou Gui and Cui Mei have always trusted the young lady, obeyed her orders, and acted separately.
Zhuang Song answered readily, "Okay! That's easy. I'll send someone to do it right away."
After a while, Cuimei came out with a small table on which were placed writing brushes, ink, paper and inkstone. Yan Baihu wrote on three sheets of paper and wasted them before he wrote a note that satisfied Jiang Yushu, which was witnessed by Zhuang Song.
"Three days at the latest!" Captain Yan handed over the note and promised, "Within three days, the army will send someone to deliver their rations. It won't cost you anything."
"Is it a deal?"
"It's a deal!"
"Okay." Jiang Yushu put away the note, cheered up, and urged, "It's scorching hot outside. Hurry and help the injured into the house."
"Thank you very much."
Captain Yan sighed and sternly ordered, "Zhuzi and Xiaoshu, from now on, you two must take good care of the injured brothers and not be negligent or lazy."
"Yes!" The two strong men bowed and accepted the order. Together with Zhuang Song and Zou Gui, they carefully carried the wounded into the wing room.
In the evening, as the sun sets and dusk falls, smoke from cooking fires begins to drift from the village.
The Guo family fled in a hurry, and only dared to go down the mountain and return home after hearing that the enemy soldiers had been wiped out.
Guo Hongzhe took the lead, pushed open the gate and shouted, "Second sister-in-law?"
"Third Young Master, slow down." Nanny Pan and others followed, all of them hungry and exhausted.
"Oh my god, my house has actually become like this?" Guo Hongzhe was dumbfounded. He stood in the yard at a loss, looking around and observing the strange soldiers in confusion. Suddenly, his eyes lit up and he asked happily, "It must be my second brother who has returned! You must be his friends, right?"
Zhuzi and Xiaoshu stood at the door of the wing room, holding brooms and shaking their heads stiffly.
Jiang Yushu came out from the main hall and said loudly: "Your second brother didn't come home. Third brother, come here and listen to my explanation."
"Second sister-in-law, you're finally back!" Guo Hongzhe trotted closer, still feeling a lingering fear. "Oh, it was dangerous today! We almost didn't escape. Just as we reached the foot of the mountain, the enemy cavalry rushed to the gate of the courtyard."
"These damned enemies have ruined our entire home. What a sin, what a sin!" Nanny Pan felt heartbroken as she looked at the piles of broken tables, chairs and porcelain shards.
When the house was robbed, everyone suddenly gnashed their teeth, then hung their heads in dejection and filled with righteous indignation.
Jiang Yushu raised her hand, signaling her family to be quiet, and comforted them: "Forget it, at least everyone is okay. The damaged items can be replaced. Don't be sad, cheer up." Then, she briefly explained the origin of the strange guest in a few words.
"I see. I thought they were friends my second brother brought home." Guo Hongzhe sighed, very disappointed.
Zhou Yan, as the manager, was always pragmatic. He frowned and said, "At least for three days? With six more people suddenly here, it's going to be a hassle to find food, clothing, housing and transportation."
Jiang Yushu cleaned up busily for a long time and wiped the sweat off her face. "They are not homeless. They are just staying here to recuperate for a while. They will leave when they are able to move."
"Since we have discussed it carefully in advance, we should just do good deeds. Anyway, there are people to take care of the wounded, and it won't hinder us from working in the fields." Nanny Pan said kindly.
Jiang Yushu didn't have time to pause. She turned to Fang Sheng and said apologetically, "Doctor Fang, I have no choice. You are the only doctor in the village. Can you -"
"Yes!" Fang Sheng laughed happily. He drew water from the well and washed his face and hands. "I've read the note. It lists everything clearly. There's no need to worry about anything. Why shouldn't I be afraid to save people? I'll do my best." He washed off the sweat and dust, took out the medicine box hidden in the secret compartment, and hurried to treat the wounded.
Jiang Yushu calmly arranged, "We've slaughtered two sheep. It's so hot, the meat will go bad by tomorrow, so the village chief has decided to keep one for himself and the officials, and give the other to us. Zhuzi and Xiaoshu have been very diligent and have volunteered to help clean up. It's getting late, so let's cook first. After dinner, I'll tell you something important about the military farm!"
"The house was a mess, so the rest of us found work to do. We kept things that could be repaired, and threw away things that couldn't be repaired."
"Let's go cook and clean the kitchen." Nanny Pan nodded and called Xiaotao, Cuimei and Zhou Yan's wife to leave.
The rest rolled up their sleeves and worked together to clean up every mess.
At nightfall, Guo's house was restored to tidiness inside and out, and a large pot of fragrant mutton was served to fill everyone's stomach, soothing their fears.
The moon was above the treetops, and the night wind rushed in through the half-open window, causing the candlelight to flicker.
Jiang Yushu picked up the pen and dipped it in ink, sometimes thinking hard, sometimes writing quickly at the desk, revising and pondering every word and sentence.
With a creak, the half-closed door was suddenly pushed open, and several women in the house came in together.
Nanny Pan beamed with joy, very excited. "Congratulations, Madam! If the young master knew you were pregnant, I wonder how happy he would be!"
"Congratulations." Xiaotao smiled and bent her knees.
Zhou Yan's wife said excitedly, "When the little boy is born next year, our home will surely be much more lively."
A young prince? Or maybe a daughter.
Jiang Yushu put down her pen, subconsciously stroked her belly, and said shyly, "It's only been more than two months, it's still too early for the baby to be born."
"Miss, I showed the pregnancy-maintaining medicine prescribed by the county doctor to Dr. Fang. He wants to take your pulse and then make a decision. Is that okay?" Cuimei said.
Jiang Yushu replied with a smile: "Of course."
"Come, put on some clothes. Fang Sheng is waiting outside the door." Nanny Pan shook out her coat, smiling from ear to ear, and was extremely happy.
Jiang Yushu stood up and knocked the paper off with her sleeve. Xiaotao squatted down to pick it up and asked curiously, "What's written on this?"
“Experience in growing potatoes.”
As Jiang Yushu put on her clothes, she announced, "I've already discussed it with the village chief. In two days, the village heads from this town and Liangang Town, a total of thirty villages, will come to Liu Village to distribute grain seeds and learn planting methods!"
"You are pregnant and working day and night, how can this be okay?" Nanny Pan's joy turned into worry, and she looked worried.
Jiang Yushu was determined to succeed, full of energy, and calmly replied, "Actually, I didn't know I was pregnant before I took on this assignment, so I have to be more careful now. The government has promised to reward the Guo family with 15 million kilograms of grain. This is a rare opportunity, and we can't miss it!"
The next morning, the four wounded soldiers all developed high fever and lost consciousness. Fang Sheng used all his strength and took great pains to stabilize their condition.
No one from the army came that day.
The next day, three of the wounded soldiers regained consciousness, cried out for hunger, and took medicine and ate porridge. The remaining soldier, the most seriously injured, was on the verge of death.
On this day, no one from the army came.
Early in the morning of the third day, dozens of village heads from Yuehu and Liangang towns arrived as ordered and gathered at the foot of Zhuang Song, whispering to each other in a daze.
Jiang Yushu, wearing a veiled hat, handed the manuscript to Guo Hongzhe and gently instructed him, "Don't be nervous. I've written it all. Just read it. Think of yourself as the teacher and the village heads as students. Practice your courage."
"But, but I'm afraid I can't read it well." Guo Hongzhe stuttered nervously, "What if I make a fool of myself and become a laughing stock? Wouldn't that bring shame to my sister-in-law?"
Jiang Yushu smiled and encouraged him, "Don't worry, I'll be right next to you and will smooth things over for you at any time."
"Okay then." Guo Hongzhe took a deep breath, like a warrior rushing to the battlefield, and said resolutely: "I'll give it a try!"
At the same time.
"Well, not bad."
"Thank you for your hard work." Commander Dou Yong closed the document and said kindly, "The battle is finally over. There's no rush for follow-up work, so we can handle it later. Old Cao, go check on the boy. I heard he's very brave in killing the enemy. It's true that 'a tiger father will have a dog son.'"
Cao Hua's eyes were bloodshot, and his beard was untrimmed. He suppressed his anxiety and said with a wry smile, "General, you are too kind. Alas, that boy is brave but not wise. He only knows how to charge into battle. He does not deserve your praise."
At this time, Guo Honglei asked for an audience. He was in high spirits and reported loudly: "General, the battlefield of Changguwan has been cleared. A total of 137 prisoners have been captured and taken to the dungeon for trial!"
"Honglei, you've arrived just in time." Dou Yong coughed and ordered, "Immediately escort Lord Cao to Liu Village to see if the wounded can be brought back. It's against the rules to let them recuperate in the homes of ordinary people."
Guo Honglei was confused. "Liucun?"
The author has something to say:
Our Dai Mu is about to become a father~
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