These words suddenly hit Ji Changying hard.
She was stunned for a moment before she replied with a smile, "Me? On a small level, I want my family to live a life without worries. On a larger level, I want to revitalize the Ji clan, to end wars and chaos in the world, and to ensure everyone is free from hunger. How about this, can you help me achieve this?"
Zhongli Zhou turned around and looked at her steadily: "If you can ensure that no one in Liangzhou City is hungry, how about I grant you an official position?"
Ji Changying raised an eyebrow. "As far as I know, there was no reason for women to serve as officials during the Dali Dynasty. Even the Red Sleeves Army, which fought in dozens of battles, went through life and death, and was reduced from over a thousand men to around five hundred men today, was never recognized by the court."
The last time they were having dinner at Shuiyunjian, Ji Changying realized that he lacked common sense, so he pulled Kou Yunyi and Jiang Fengshi to cram in a lot of information about the Dali Dynasty.
Of course, they inevitably asked about the news of the Red Sleeves Army.
At that time, Kou Yunyi said with a complex yet admiring expression: "Everyone in the Red Sleeves Army is a heroine, but it's a pity... they were born as women."
"The officials in Kyoto simply refuse to acknowledge that women are no less capable than men. Every time Prince Ping submits a petition for a title, it's rejected. It's said that the officials in the court are arguing fiercely over the matter, and the prince's mother's family has no influence in intervening, so the matter is shelved year after year."
"You know the princess's legs, right? When the barbarians first attacked, she led a hundred elite soldiers from the Red Sleeves Army, went around to the rear and stole their food supplies, forcing them to withdraw after running out of supplies. She then pursued the princess and her men for three days and three nights in the dead of winter."
"Of the people we brought out, only one in ten survived. In the end, the princess gave up riding and carried a soldier on her back, crawling and walking. But since then, the princess's legs have been..."
Jiang Fengshi sighed and continued, "Despite such great achievements, news of this has spread back to Kyoto, and some people are still scolding the princess in the court: 'She is restless and crows at dawn! She should be severely punished to serve as a warning to others."
Thinking of this, Ji Changying had the urge to overthrow this dynasty.
What the hell is this!
"You're right. My mother's Red Sleeves Army is indeed not recognized by the imperial court, but everyone in Liangzhou City recognizes them! These leeches who only know how to lie down and suck human blood, I will let them know what's right for them sooner or later!"
Zhongli Zhou spoke in a sharp tone at this moment.
He turned to look at Ji Changying and said, "Your situation is different. Crops are related to people's livelihood. I can't control what happens to other people, but in Liangzhou, my words still count! As long as you dare to do it, nothing is impossible!"
Ji Changying stood up straight: "Really?"
She is not stupid. As a commoner, how can she have a smooth life with power?
Whether it is to make the family worry-free or to achieve the seemingly joking goal of everyone having enough food, without rights it is all empty talk.
"A gentleman's word is as good as gold!"
"If you dare to give it to me, I'll take it!"
Zhongli Zhou stretched out his hand: "Let's high-five to swear!"
——
Zhang Dazui pulled Zhou closer to the crowd with an interested look on his face. "Tsk, tsk, tsk, tsk, you've seen everything when you've lived long enough. Do these ladies even look like women? It's bad enough they're all dressed like this, but they're even carrying stones around the streets. They might not be able to get married in the future!"
Zhou glanced at her with some displeasure: "What's wrong with carrying stones? I can carry ten of those stones!"
Zhang Dazui gave an awkward laugh, stroking her arm and smoothing her hair: "I'm just being quick-witted, aren't I? You're already married, so of course you don't have to worry about this."
"Anyway, I think it's good to be stronger. I don't like what you said." Zhou glared at her dissatisfiedly, and continued to turn her head to watch the Red Sleeve Army running in the crowd.
She didn't quite understand what they were doing.
The Red Sleeves Army turned a deaf ear to the discussions around them and focused solely on their own training.
After running with the stones on their shoulders, they gathered in the wheat field again, where they all sat in horse stance for half an hour.
Some curious children squatted down with them, but they couldn't hold on for long.
For several days in a row, the Red Sleeves Army trained in public.
They either ran around the village carrying stones, or climbed over mountains and hills, and they also drove a few wooden stakes into the village to fight in groups.
Zhou watched with great interest for several days in a row. After dinner every day, she would follow the man around and would not go home until dinner time.
Every time Mrs. Hu looked at her, she seemed to be hesitant to speak.
"Mom, do you want to go?" Ji Changying couldn't help asking her when she saw Zhou hurriedly finishing her meal and preparing to run to the wheat field.
"Where are you going?" Zhou was stunned for a moment and asked back.
"Train with them!"
Zhou scratched the back of her head and said, "Don't tell me, I find it quite interesting that they do this all day long."
A look of understanding flashed in Ji Changying's eyes. After all, she had caught her mother.
"Then let's go!"
Ji Changying pulled Zhou straight to the wheat field.
The area within two miles around the wheat field was completely cordoned off. When they passed by, they saw the soldiers guarding the gate stopping two people who were joining in the fun from getting close.
"Go away, this is not the place for you to play." The soldier guarding the gate looked at the two lazy men with some impatience.
They had a flattering smile on their faces: "We're not here to play, we're here to deliver something. Look, this is the stew we made at home. Do you want some? I'll bring it in for you."
"No, go away!"
The soldier shouted loudly and drew half of his sword to intimidate the other party.
"This is our village. Why won't you let me through? I'm going in!"
The two lazy guys finally got to see so many young ladies and were unwilling to just go back like that. They puffed out their chests and tried to rush in, looking like scoundrels.
Ji Changying and Zhou walked over. The two soldiers saw them with a kind smile on their faces and looked at Zhou and teased: "Are you here to play again?"
Zhou grinned, "I want to do the same as you. Aren't I here to talk to the princess?"
Surprise flashed across the faces of the two soldiers. They looked at each other and said happily, "Then hurry in!"
Ma Dalai and Ma Erlai took a step forward, intending to follow Zhou and Ji Changying in.
"Stop!" The soldiers stopped the two men as usual.
"Why can they go in but I can't? I want to go in!"
"Who do you two think you are to be allowed in here? Get out of here now! Otherwise, don't blame us for being rude!"
The two soldiers had completely lost their patience and drew their swords against the two men.
Ji Changying ignored the dispute behind him.
Those two people are notoriously shameless in the village. They won't give up until they see the Yellow River. Once they get beaten, they will know who they can and cannot mess with.
Zhou has been coming here so often these days that people passing by greet her enthusiastically.
Ji Changying didn't expect that her mother got along well here, and she felt a little relieved.
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