Legend of the Female General

Chapter 258: Righteousness

Emperor Zhaokang ultimately granted permission for the Marquis of Wu'an, He Yan, to lead the Pacify Yue Army, the former troops of Flying Swan, to Nine Rivers to resist the enemy.

Although there was much discussion in the court, it gradually subsided in the end. On one hand, it was due to the influence of the Xiao family, and no one dared to say much. On the other hand, even if He Yan did not go, there were very few capable individuals in the court who could be deployed. It was better to let this Marquis of Wu'an, who had previously fought against the Wutuo People, lead the troops.

Yan He led the Yan family's troops to Ji County first, while Xiao Jue led the Southern Garrison Troops deep into Yunzi. The older General Huwei took command, leading the Liangzhou Guard to Bing River, where the situation was slightly better. He Yan, meanwhile, led the Pacify Yue Army to Nine Rivers.

Among the four of them, aside from General Huwei who was older, the other three were quite young. Especially He Yan. Yet Emperor Zhaokang dared to entrust them with military authority, not out of a gambling mindset but likely with the intention of cultivating his own trusted followers. Particularly He Yan—if used well, she might very well become the next "Flying Swan."

Once the military tally was in hand, they would soon depart from the capital. He Yan requested of Emperor Zhaokang that Wang Ba and the others, who had followed her from Liangzhou Guard to Rundu and cooperated seamlessly with her during the night raid on the enemy camp, be allowed to join the Pacify Yue Army for the expedition to Nine Rivers. Emperor Zhaokang agreed.

Once everything was settled, only two days remained in Shuojing.

Spring thunder rumbled, and the Awakening of Insects was approaching. Willow branches already bore new green buds, hidden along the riverbank, dyeing the river's color a fresh green.

In the noodle shop run by Old Man Sun in the east of the city, a girl in a blue cloth skirt was scooping noodles from an iron pot. She was not very old and could only be described as plain-looking. When someone spoke to her, she would become somewhat shy—a quiet and timid girl.

Two young men walked in. The younger one grinned and said, "Two bowls of plain noodles." He then handed over a few coins.

Sun Xiaolan hurriedly wiped her hands with a handkerchief, accepted the coins, and said, "Please take a seat inside, sirs. They'll be ready right away."

Xiao Mai nodded, winking at his elder brother, only to be glared at by Shitou as a warning.

The two went inside and found a table to sit at. Xiao Mai asked Shitou, "Brother, we're about to go to war soon. This time, it's not like going to Liangzhou Guard—we're really going to fight those Wutuo People. Since you like Sister Xiaolan, why don't you tell her before we leave?"

Shitou remained silent.

"If you don't say anything, what if Old Man Sun arranges a marriage for her while we're in Shuojing City?" Xiao Mai looked at his elder brother. "We've been in Liangzhou Guard for so long. How come you've become so timid now?"

Shitou shook his head and whispered, "Going to Nine Rivers, we might not come back alive. Why give someone hope and delay their life for nothing?"

He looked at the busy girl in the blue skirt, a rare smile appearing at the corner of his lips. "If I return alive, I'll tell her how I feel..."

Xiao Mai glanced at Sun Xiaolan, then at Shitou. After a moment, he sighed in resignation. "Alright, brother, whatever you say."

The noodles were soon served. Sun Xiaolan smiled and said, "Please enjoy your meal, sirs," before quickly leaving.

Shitou watched for a long time before finally withdrawing his gaze.

A light rain began to fall from the sky, washing the bluestone slabs in front of the shop clean and bright. The girl from the noodle shop went to collect the empty bowls. When she reached the table, she saw that in front of the two empty noodle bowls, there was also a pot of mountain peach blossoms.This pot of peach blossoms bloomed early, some not yet fully opened, shades of light and deep, specks of crimson, like spring's red snow. She paused for a moment, the image of the quiet, handsome young man from earlier surfacing in her mind. After a while, her cheeks flushed slightly as she picked up the pot of peach blossoms and carefully carried it into the house.

...

The mountains were still the same as before, but the bandit stronghold looked much more dilapidated.

The scar-faced man climbed the last earthen mound and stared blankly at the stronghold ahead.

A child leading an ox past the entrance glanced at him, then froze in place. After a moment, the child howled, "The boss is back—"

Surrounded and ushered into the stronghold, with everyone calling out "Boss," Wang Ba felt as if he had stepped into another world. Having spent so long in the Liangzhou Guard, he had learned obedience and served as a lowly soldier. This kind of bustling attention and adoration felt deeply uncomfortable.

He cleared his throat lightly. "I came back today just to say that in another day, I'll be heading to Nine Rivers to fight the Wutuo People! And to see how you're all doing."

Someone squeezed forward, flattering him. "After you left, Boss, not many people came up this mountain. The harvests were poor, so everyone started farming. We also raise silkworms. It's not as good as when we were bandits, but it's stable. The second-in-command says that when summer comes, we'll dig a pond in the mountains to raise fish. Then we won't have to worry about food or supplies."

Wang Ba felt a surge of relief, tinged with a hint of bitterness. He forced a smile and said, "Seems like you've been doing just fine without me."

The second-in-command walked over. He was a scholarly, refined man who had turned to banditry after his family fell into ruin and he had nowhere else to go. However, he was neither strong nor capable of heavy labor. Wang Ba had initially hoped he might offer some good ideas but eventually gave up and let him stay in the stronghold to teach the children to read and write.

The second-in-command said, "Back then, you joined the Liangzhou Guard because the government troops were cracking down hard on bandits, and robbing travelers was no longer safe. But these past two years, things have been chaotic everywhere, and life has been tough for everyone. Being self-sufficient like this is already a blessing. You're going to fight the Wutuo People now. Without you risking your life out there, how could we have such good days? The brothers all remember you. If you ever want to come back, you'll still be our leader."

Wang Ba felt a little more at ease and snorted lightly. "At least you've got some conscience!"

He took out several silver ingots from the bag he carried and laid them out one by one.

"What's this?" someone asked cautiously.

"I earned these for my achievements in the army! Rewards from above!" He waved a hand dismissively. "I eat and sleep in the barracks now, so I don't need them. Take them and buy whatever you want. Don't say your boss never cared about you!"

"This..." The second-in-command hesitated. "You earned these with your life. We dare not accept them."

"Take them when I tell you to! Stop with the nonsense!" Wang Ba glared. "Daring to talk back now, are you?"

Everyone exchanged glances, not daring to argue. The children nearby swarmed around, clamoring, "The boss is amazing! The boss is the best!"

Squeezed until only his head was visible, Wang Ba shouted in frustration, "Don't step on me! Get off, all of you!"

Watching the lively scene, everyone lowered their heads and chuckled softly.

...In the dilapidated thatched cottage, a large pot of stewed mutton sat on the table—a rare treat.

The eleven- or twelve-year-old boy was at an age where he could eat heartily, his mouth greasy and his cheeks stuffed full.

Hong Shan said, "Slow down, no one's going to take it from you."

"Brother," the child looked up, mumbling through his food, "Next time you come back, let's have stewed mutton again!"

Hong Shan chuckled, "Alright."

The elderly woman beside him shook her head disapprovingly, "You indulge him in everything. What if he gets spoiled?"

"Acheng is so well-behaved, how could he be spoiled?" Hong Shan smiled, patting his younger brother's head with a hint of emotion. "Acheng has grown so much taller since I left. In a few more years, he'll be able to stand on his own."

Their family consisted only of the two brothers and their elderly mother. While Xiao Mai and his brother were close in age, Hong Shan's younger brother was only twelve now. Hong Shan had never amounted to much in life, and being able to join the Liangzhou Guard and meet such capable brothers was something he had never expected. Still, he was willing to place all his hopes on his younger brother, wishing for him to bring honor to their family.

"Acheng," he looked at the young boy happily gnawing on a lamb leg, "When I first arrived at the military camp, the first time I saw the Marquis of Wu'an, she was even skinnier than you. But later in the Liangzhou Guard, she stood out above everyone else."

"Is she really that amazing? Even more amazing than you, brother?" Acheng asked curiously.

Hong Shan smiled, "She's far more capable than I am." He looked at the young boy before him. "She could eat just as much as you. So, Acheng, while I'm away, you must work hard. Perhaps one day, you too can become someone like the Marquis of Wu'an."

"The Marquis of Wu'an is a woman, and I'm a man. How can I become the Marquis of Wu'an?" The young boy protested. "If I'm going to be someone, I want to be like General Feng Yun!"

Hong Shan and the elderly woman exchanged a glance, then both lowered their heads and laughed.

"Alright, alright, being like General Feng Yun is fine too," Hong Shan said with a smile. "After I leave, you must focus on your studies, practice martial arts diligently, and not upset Mother, understand?"

"Understood," Acheng thumped his chest in assurance. "Brother, don't worry, I'll definitely take good care of Mother!"

"Ah Shan," the elderly woman looked at Hong Shan, her gaze gentle yet worried. "On the battlefield, blades and arrows have no eyes. You must be careful."

Hong Shan pushed a bowl of soup toward the elderly woman. "Don't worry, Mother. I'll take good care of myself too."

...

Capital City Martial Arts School.

Master Jiang was sparring with the young master, Jiang Jiao.

Both were using spears. Master Jiang had once wielded a spear with unparalleled skill, but now, his son, Jiang Jiao, had surpassed even him. True to his name, his spear moved like a dragon emerging from the sea—both elegant and fierce.

With a sweeping strike, the spear tip pressed against Master Jiang's neck. As the red tassel trembled slightly, the surrounding crowd erupted in cheers.

"Bravo! The young master is incredible!"

"Master Jiang has lost. He can't deny he's getting old!"

Defeated by his own son, Master Jiang showed no anger. Instead, he wore a proud expression, gazing at the tall, upright young man before him with immense satisfaction.

Years ago, when Jiang Jiao's fiancée had committed suicide with another man, Jiang Jiao had become the subject of ridicule and had fallen into despair. He shut himself in his room day after day, refusing to see anyone. Relatives and friends came to console him, but it was all in vain.The martial arts hall master had only this one son, and he was both angry and heartbroken, utterly helpless.

It happened that the Liangzhou Guard was recruiting new soldiers. Thinking to temper this boy's will, he forced Jiang Jiao to enlist.

Unexpectedly, in just two years, Jiang Jiao was completely transformed. Gone was the despondency of the past, and his spear skills had greatly improved. If there was one thing in his life that the hall master considered fortunate, it was the day he tore down the Liangzhou Guard's Conscription Notice and threw this troublesome son into the military camp.

He feigned reservedness and said, "Your spear technique has indeed made considerable progress."

Jiang Jiao smiled. "I had a good friend who gave me guidance."

His spear skills had been honed under He Yan's instruction. Thinking about it now, he felt a pang of emotion. He Yan's spear technique was far superior to his own; catching up to her would require much more effort.

The hall master walked into the room and brought out a long rod wrapped in red cloth from the inner chamber.

"What is this...?"

"For you," the hall master said. "Open it and see."

Jiang Jiao did as told, unwrapping the red cloth to reveal a silver spear. This spear was more beautiful and sharper than the one he had taken with him to the Liangzhou Guard.

"For your journey to Nine Rivers, your old spear likely won't suffice. Our martial arts hall is never short of fine weapons. This spear better suits your current skill."

Jiang Jiao swung the spear casually a few times, finding it quite to his liking, and immediately exclaimed happily, "Thank you, Father!"

"Since you've taken the hall's fine spear, do not disgrace the reputation of our Jiang family!" the hall master said sternly. After a moment of silence, he added, "Of course, more importantly, protect yourself. Remember, come back alive!"

Jiang Jiao gave a carefree laugh, slung the spear over his back, and replied cheerfully, "Naturally."

...

The drizzle was light, and the tavern by the riverside had an old man in a straw raincoat fishing. A burly man, built like a black bear, held a broadsword in hand, rubbing the Buddhist prayer beads hanging on his chest as he gazed at the tavern before him with unexpected tenderness.

This had once been his home.

Back then, it was also such a spring day. Their house was close to the river, and during this season, they could catch plenty of fish. The brothers would toss the fish haphazardly into bamboo baskets, and the girls would scale and clean them, roasting them until they were fragrant. Back then, his parents were still alive, and the courtyard was lively every day. Those carefree days seemed endless, and he felt as if he would never grow up.

In the blink of an eye, many years had passed, and everything had changed. His former family was long gone, and the house filled with memories had become a tavern.

And he was alone, with no one to bid farewell to before his departure.

The tavern woman greeted him warmly, "Brother, would you like a bowl of apricot blossom wine?"

Huang Xiong turned his head to look, then after a moment, nodded and said, "Bring three bowls."

"Right away," the woman replied with a smile.

He placed his sword on the table, waiting for the woman to bring three bowls of clear, sweet wine. The wine was fragrant and sweet, not particularly expensive, but it reminded him of the osmanthus wine his mother used to brew.

Huang Xiong looked up. Outside the window, under the eaves, raindrops fell one by one, creating small pits in the ground. As he watched, he suddenly shook his head and laughed.

Actually, it was nothing.

Sitting here now was like sitting in his former home. The woman's care could be considered his mother's admonitions, the sound of rain outside like the clamor of younger siblings. And this sword...

was the loyal friend who would accompany him forward.The fierce and burly man tilted his head back, downing three bowls of wine one after another. He set down the silver coins in his hand, rose to his feet, and strode away.

Only the rain beneath the eaves fell unhurriedly, lingering with an unusual persistence.

…

In the Lin family residence in the capital, the atmosphere was unusually tense and cold today.

Madam Lin kept wiping her tears with a handkerchief, gazing at the person before her as she sobbed, "For no reason at all, my son, why must you insist on going to Ji County? Do you know that place is constantly plagued by war? You don’t know martial arts—what if you run into the Wutuo People? You’re my only precious child. If anything were to happen to you, what would I do…"

"Enough," Master Lin, Lin Mu, frowned and said, "All this crying and wailing—what kind of behavior is this? What if the servants see you?"

Madam Lin refused to relent and turned her anger toward Lin Mu. "You useless man, go and speak to the Emperor. Tell him to let He’er come back. Or you go in his place! You’ve lived so many years already, but my son is still young… Wuwu… He’s so delicate and frail—how can he go to the battlefield…"

Lin Shuanghe: "…"

For the first time, he realized that his mother could shed so many tears when she cried.

"Mother, I was the one who asked the Emperor myself. I wanted to go. Please don’t blame Father," Lin Shuanghe said. "This is a great opportunity to achieve merit and make a name for ourselves. Our Lin family can’t just treat women forever. If I go and accomplish something, the Lin family will become renowned throughout Great Wei."

"Who cares about that?" Madam Lin scolded. "Our family isn’t short on money!"

For the first time, Lin Shuanghe felt helpless in the face of a woman’s tears and looked toward his father.

Lin Mu frowned slightly and asked, "Are you truly decided? That is a battlefield."

"Father, it’s not like I’ve never been to a battlefield before. When we were in Jiyang, didn’t I already encounter the Wutuo People? And I came back just fine. You’re worrying too much. I’ve always had good luck. Nothing will happen."

"But…" Madam Lin was about to continue when a voice came from behind her. "Shuanghe, come with me."

It was Lin Qingtan.

Lin Shuanghe finally seized an opportunity to slip away and quickly said, "Grandfather is calling me." He hurriedly followed Lin Qingtan.

Once they reached the study, Lin Qingtan turned around and looked into Lin Shuanghe’s eyes, asking, "Are you so determined to go to Ji County because of the plague?"

Lin Shuanghe was taken aback for a moment, then grinned and said, "Grandfather is as wise as ever."

The Wutuo People had been slaughtering innocents in Ji County, piling corpses into mountains. Rumors of a plague had already begun to spread. Lin Shuanghe had volunteered to go precisely to quell the epidemic.

"Are you truly decided? The battlefield is not like the capital. It’s a place where you could lose your life at any moment," Lin Qingtan said. Everyone in the capital knew that the youngest son of the Lin family was quite talented, but unfortunately, his behavior was frivolous and he was unlikely to achieve great things. Perhaps even Lin Shuanghe’s father, Lin Mu, thought so. The Lin family’s expectations for this younger generation were simply that he would avoid causing major trouble, live a peaceful life, and that would be enough.

"Grandfather," the usually carefree young man showed a solemn expression for the first time. "In times of peace, specializing in women’s medicine would be fine. But with the urgency of war, if the Lin family still clings to life and fears death, fleeing from the battlefield, then we are unworthy of practicing medicine."

"This trip to Ji County is not only to treat the common people infected with the plague. The wounded soldiers in the army also cannot lack military medical treatment.""The battlefield is indeed perilous, but Grandfather once taught us that as physicians, we must never lack the heart to save lives, nor harbor selfish intentions. I am a young master of the Lin family, but first and foremost, I am a healer."

Lin Qingtan gazed at Lin Shuanghe before him, his eyes flickering with emotion. After a long while, this reserved elder revealed a gratified smile for the first time.

"A healer's art is one of benevolence. You already possess a compassionate heart—that is good."

"Go to Ji County," he said. "Physician Lin, that too is your battlefield."

(End of Chapter)