Chapter 457: The First Winter (IV)

“If the maiden isn’t blind, an outstanding and handsome Langjun like Han Mei will surely be the desire of every woman.”

Don’t mistake Liyun’s innocence, when he is silently solemn, he exudes as a tall, cool aura akin to one’s dream man.

Qiguan Rang laughed mockingly, saying, “Whenever Han Mei enters the government office, those maidens will crane their necks just to have a glimpse of him. Evidently, he has an alluring face that stirs one’s heart. A pity Han Mei is gifted with the ability to knit sweaters, otherwise the maidens will volunteer early on, albeit too timid to ask if he needs help with knitting.”

Speaking of abilities, his martial arts skills were far superior; he was unrivalled except against Jiang Pengji in the whole of Xiangyang district. His spear moves were sharp and strategic. Meng Hun practiced with him once and exclaimed that the younger generation supersedes the older generation. Youngsters these days are impressive.

Thereafter Liyun excitedly went to Jiang Pengji to exchange pointers, but he almost got beaten to death by her.

Comparing external looks, Liyun was undoubtedly Xiangyang district’s number one pretty man, while in Dongqing, he was in the top three.

A pair of eyes that were electrifying. When he focused intently on someone, almost no one could resist his quiet, alluring eyes. it felt like electricity was coursing through his body, making the other person feel weak in the knees.

Of course, this was only meant to trick those outside the loop. If one was familiar with Liyun, they would probably experience what it meant to be disappointed by illusions.

Where is the tall, proud man of one’s dreams?

Who is the cute, innocent one before them?

You must know that the ladies at the government office had a crush on him previously, but now they only see him as a cute younger brother.

Liyun was highly praised and his face silently reddened, “Master Wen Zheng, you’ve praised me too highly. Yun isn’t that great.”

Jiang Pengji held a piece of roasted meat dipped in chilli to her mouth, then she nibbled on it and lamented, “Wen Zheng is not wrong in saying this. If Han Mei wishes to get a wife next year and father a child by the end of the year, it’s best to speak less. If someone looks at you, look back at them. If someone mentions ten sentences, answer them with a word. Your eyes must appear calm, your expression must be sombre.”

“If he keeps quiet, radiates his cold, proud aura, just this face alone and charm can stir the infatuated hearts of young girls.

“Once he opens his mouth, every minute he unveils his dim-wittedness.”

Liyun was confused and couldn’t comprehend. “Isn’t that very rude?”

Jiang Pengji sneered, “If you don’t heed our advice, then just be single. It is a tumultuous trouble.”

Liyun looked at Qiguan Rang and the trio with incomprehension and tried to obtain an answer.

From his observations, other than his lord, these three masters were the smartest. Only they were people of few words, they gave him a deep meaningful gaze and seemingly had no intention to speak or offer counsel. Meng Hun and Luoyue sighed and patted Liyun’s shoulders.

For military men, it was enough to have wits at the battlefield. There was no need for more.

We don’t associate ourselves with beasts who started to be literates since they’re young.

While eating, we discuss official matters around the table.

Jiang Pengji has a free-spirited nature in private, many were not used to it at first, but they got used to it after some time.

She took the roasted chicken leg from Liyun and bit it. Her mouth was filled with delicious flavors, it diffused through her taste buds.

She spoke, “The weather is getting colder, there’s nothing much to do during winter. Staying at home, the people engaged in knitting their sweaters are bored to death. I wish to assign them a task, to recruit some able-bodied, strong women and equip them with first-aid skills. They will prove useful after the spring ploughing season.”

Luoyue looked at Jiang Pengji in awe and shock. The rest wore their normal expressions.

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Xu Ke used his chopsticks to pick up a cooked mushroom, then dipped it into a red sauce.

“This is feasible…how many does the lord intend to recruit?”

The labourers recruited within the district. As the overseer of accounts, Xu Ke understood women better through the process.

They indeed had less strength than men, but their tenacity was commendable. Their physical fitness was surprisingly not inferior to men.

Having witnessed the fighting prowess of the women troops led by Jiang Nongqin, Xu Ke had no comments on this.

“Let’s recruit four to five hundred people for a start…” She stuffed the chicken drumstick into her mouth, then she made some noise and spit out a perfectly clean bone. There was no trace of meat seen.

“Nongqin brought along 600 to 700 female soldiers. There are still 1303 strong and able-bodied men. I’ve informed them to congregate at Xiangyang district after New Year. The female troops will be commanded by Nongqin, though they are dispatched to administer first-aid afterwards, they must learn to kill their enemies as many situations during a war cannot be predicted.”

It doesn’t mean that being part of the logistics team will guarantee their safety. In history, aren’t there many examples of surprise attack on one’s enemy?

Jiang Pengji doesn’t intend for female troops to only serve as nurses during the war. Rather she wants them to go to the battlefield to kill.

Presently there are too few female troops and they have little substance. They require more time and will start off as nurses during wartime.

“But, but women… it’s rather inappropriate…” Luoyue said reluctantly.

Xu Ke laughed and said, “You must not let Maiden Jiang hear of this, otherwise you will surely be walloped from the district city’s west gate to the east gate.”

“Maiden Jiang?” Luoyue was dumbfounded and had never heard of her.

Xu Ke explained, “Maiden Jiang, her full name is Jiang Nongqin, a maiden in the lord’s manor. Since the lord first consolidated her troops, Maiden Jiang has been a part of it. Coached by Coach Meng, her cruelty in killing is unmatched. Even a daring elderly man will uncontrollably tremble in fear. If they fight even Coach Meng will not have it easy.”

Meng Hun was signalled out.

He smiled bitterly, raised his hands and said, “Don’t mention her, it makes my whole body scream in pain.”

Meng Hun lived for the battleground. His military might served this purpose, daring to go all out, using his strength to break the enemy.

Jiang Nongqin was unique, and she knew her weakness and avoided it. Instead, she focused on building up her strength. She was considered half a disciple of Jiang Pengji who had shown her favour. She inherited Jiang Pengji’s menacing style, her every move attacked her enemies at their weakest spots.

Meng Hun fought with Nongqin once. The troops surrounded to watch in suspense, but he didn’t have a chance to react before he was knocked down.

It was at that point that Nongqin steadily established her prestige. She was not one to mess with.

After Meng Hun led some troops to Chongzhou, the troops stationed in Hejian were placed under the supervision of commander Nongqin. Moreover, she led men frequently to exterminate bandits. Wherever she went, she would kill until there were no survivors.

Meng Hun was deeply suspicious. The number of troops had not been increasing. It could probably be related to Nongqin.

Luoyue was startled. “Not unless she’s a tigress? Is she so terrifying?”

Meng Hun laughed and shrugged, “She is more fearsome than this. When she comes, you can challenge her to a fight.”

Luoyue trained with Meng Hun frequently; they competed in horse riding and were naturally aware of each other’s strengths.

If even Meng Hun approved of this maiden Jiang, she was obviously not just any female.

He knitted his brows and commented, “We’ll see when she comes.”