knife

Chapter 367 Who says women are inferior to men

Tu Jiaojiao stared blankly at the father and daughter sitting on a high platform in the middle of the tavern.

The father plays the erhu, and the daughter taps the clapper; the two sing and dance in harmony, enacting a story.

Before she knew it, she was already in tears.

Her parents and family were murdered by the Yuan people, leaving her all alone. In the story, the weak and helpless young woman cut her long hair, put on armor, and threw herself into the battlefield. In order to avenge her family, she made a difficult journey forward step by step.

Tu Jiaojiao thought of herself.

His parents and family also died at the hands of the Yuan people. Unfortunately, he didn't have that girl behind him. He was powerless and could only grit his teeth in hatred and grieve in the dead of night.

"Jiaojiao!" Sitting opposite her, Ding Ergou reached out and grasped his wife's cold little hand. "I'm here. I'll kill Yuan dogs for you. I've killed so many Yuan dogs in the past few years. Now my martial arts cultivation has greatly improved, and I'll soon be a captain, able to lead more troops and kill even more Yuan dogs for you!"

Withdrawing her small hand and wiping away her tears, Tu Jiaojiao stared intently at the father and daughter, listening to their chanting, and slowly said, "That's different. I only regret that I don't have this woman's skills. Otherwise, I would have joined the army long ago. Taking revenge myself would always be more satisfying."

Seeing his wife's dejected expression, Ding Ergou scratched his head, feeling somewhat at a loss.

His wife was the anchor of the family. At home, Tu Jiaojiao made all the decisions, taught him to read, told him the principles of life, and guided him on how to socialize. It seemed that he had never seen his wife so lost and helpless as she was now.

Suddenly, something popped into Ding Ergou's mind, and he realized that it might make his wife happy.

"Jiaojiao, if you want to take revenge yourself, you don't necessarily have to go to the battlefield and wield swords and spears yourself!"

"What else can we do? Put effigies in the house or curse people? How can that harm the Yuan people in the slightest?" Tu Jiaojiao sighed.

"These past few days at the martial arts school, listening to the teachers' lectures, I've learned many lessons!" Ding Ergou said, "Fighting face-to-face with the enemy, stabbing them in the chest with knives and spears, your face splattered with their blood, is actually just the final step in killing them. Before that, there are countless things to do, such as planning and deploying the war, gathering intelligence, raising provisions and funds, providing compensation for wounded soldiers, and governing the local area after the war. Every step of these tasks is indispensable, and every step in these tasks can be considered a part of the revenge!"

"What do you want to say?" Tu Jiaojiao asked, somewhat puzzled.

"The teachers said that the Beiting Protectorate is recruiting women to serve as officials." Ding Ergou said, "I heard that our Beiting Protectorate is vast but sparsely populated, and there is a severe shortage of officials. Moreover, there are very few literate people. Therefore, the Protectorate hopes that literate women will also come out to work, instead of staying at home composing poems, playing the zither, and painting."

"Really?" Tu Jiaojiao's eyes lit up immediately: "You mean the Beiting Protectorate allows women to serve as officials?"

“Yes,” Ding Ergou said. “But they say there will be an exam, and then people will be assigned to different positions based on their scores and abilities. You used to be a teacher in the village, but now that I’ve moved to the city, you can’t be a teacher anymore. The children are getting older now, and we can find a nanny to take care of them. In another year or two, they should be able to go to the school to study.”

Will you let me go?

Ding Ergou looked at Tu Jiaojiao. After so many years of marriage, this was the first time he had truly seen light in his wife's eyes.

"Why won't you go?" Ding Ergou said, "If it weren't for you, would our family be where we are today? If it weren't for your foresight, I might have died in some war long ago. As long as you're happy, I'll do whatever you want."

Tu Jiaojiao looked at the face opposite her and burst into tears again.

Her life was undoubtedly tragic, but she was also incredibly lucky; in such an arranged marriage, she found the best one.

"Why are you crying again? If you don't want to go, then we won't go!" Ding Ergou panicked and hurriedly wiped away his wife's tears.

"No, I'll go, I must go, I want to do my part to destroy the Yuan Dog!" Tu Jiaojiao said, choking back tears.

He took his wife's hand and walked out of the tavern.

In the tavern, the girl had reached the climax of her song. The lonely and helpless girl, through tireless struggle, became a great general admired by all, and on the battlefield, she slaughtered the Yuan people, making them howl in terror.

"Let's go, I'll take you to the Protectorate General's Office to ask about the specifics!" Ding Ergou said.

"Can we get in?" Tu Jiaojiao asked, somewhat worried.

“You underestimate your husband too much!” Ding Ergou laughed. “I am now a seventh-grade Xuan Yuan, someone who can become a captain as soon as I graduate with my martial arts skills, and I can still get into the Protectorate. And don’t forget, Chief Secretary Mao has met you and even allocated special funds to the school in our Jigongling Village.”

“That’s true, but who is Chief Secretary Mao? He wouldn’t remember a little woman like me,” Tu Jiaojiao said softly. After helping his wife onto the horse, Ding Ergou led the horse slowly, saying as he went, “Actually, I also heard a rumor.”

"What rumors?"

"It's the story behind the piece of music we heard today!"

"Isn't it just a story that can touch people's hearts?"

"Rumor has it that this story is actually about Protector Xiao of our Beiting Protectorate!" Ding Ergou looked around and spoke in a low voice that only Tu Jiaojiao could hear.

Tu Jiaojiao spurred her warhorse, which neighed in pain, drawing the attention of everyone on the street.

"how is this possible?"

Ding Ergou looked around sheepishly, then led his horse quickly to a less crowded area before saying, "It's very possible. You haven't seen Protector Xiao, but I have. Protector Xiao is really handsome, which is why he always wears a demon mask during battles. I've always wondered how a man could be so good-looking, but if this relates to that, it makes sense."

"So, the Protector-General of our Beiting Protectorate is actually a woman?"

"Keep your voice down!" Ding Ergou said, "It's just speculation right now, but that's what all the students at the martial arts school are guessing. When you ask the teachers, they just laugh, neither confirming nor denying. Do you know who the teachers at the martial arts school are? General Gu Xiaoman, General Xiao Dongwei. General Xiao Dongwei is the one with only one eye. I heard he's always been with the Protector-General. Even he doesn't deny it. Don't you think this is pretty much a done deal?"

"Let's go, let's go to the Protectorate!" Tu Jiaojiao excitedly shook the reins, tapped the horse's belly, and the horse instinctively galloped forward, leaving Ding Ergou far behind.

Ding Ergou put his finger in his mouth, whistled, and the horse that had been galloping immediately stopped, turned around, and then trotted back to Ding Ergou's side.

Ding Ergou laughed and picked up the reins again, saying to Tu Jiaojiao, "Don't even think about shaking me off. Come on, I'll lead the horse for you."

Watching Ding Er'er's retreating figure leading the horse forward, the sorrow that Tu Jiaojiao had kept hidden deep within her heart was finally shattered at this moment, disappearing without a trace from her body.

Although the wind and snow continued, my heart was filled with sunshine.

In the Protectorate General's office, in the Chief Secretary's office, Mao Daxian looked at the thick stack of rosters, his wrinkled face beaming with joy.

"Look, look! In Baoping City alone, there are hundreds of literate women." Mao Daxian casually flipped through the roster. "Most of these women come from wealthy or official families, so they are quite knowledgeable. As for their abilities, well, abilities can be cultivated. Besides, becoming an official isn't actually that difficult. Some officials need creativity and decisiveness, but others are just a matter of practice!"

"Chief Secretary, I know that many people are badmouthing you behind your back," an official said with a smile, holding a pen. "But they can't do anything about it. Even Chief Administrator Qian and General Xiao have set an example. If they keep it a secret, they'll inevitably be seen as disloyal to the Northern Court. Besides, everyone now believes that the Protector-General is a woman. Many people even think that you came up with this underhanded trick of letting women serve as officials in order to alleviate the Protector-General's predicament!"

Mao Daxian sneered: "Only when these women become high-ranking officials in the future will they understand my good intentions! Men can bring glory to their families, and women can too. The Protector-General is a typical example."

"By the way, Chief Secretary, Li Duhu doesn't know about this. Will he be angry? After all, it's such a big deal." The official hesitated, "The far-reaching impact of this matter will probably far exceed our expectations."

“Young Master told me about these things a long time ago!” Mao Daxian said, “Everyone should make the best use of their talents, regardless of gender. It’s just that in the past, we didn’t have many literate women under our command, let alone women with the necessary knowledge and qualities! But it’s different now. Look, wouldn’t it be a waste if we didn’t use these people?”

"Chief Secretary, may I pick a few first?"

"Sure, General Xiao's two concubines are very beautiful and generous. Moreover, having served by General Xiao's side, they have gained considerable experience and are quite knowledgeable. They can serve as your subordinates!"

"Chief Secretary, don't harm me!"

"What do you think of Dean Qian's twin daughters? They're a sight to behold!"

"Hey Chief Secretary, do you have a grudge against me? Why are you trying to harm me in this roundabout way? As for Qian Jia's daughter, I think we should stay as far away from her as possible, unless you can command them. Otherwise, we can send them back to Zhi Qiu Courtyard."

Seeing his subordinates leave in a sorry state, Mao Daxian couldn't help but burst into laughter.

Looking at the roster in his hand, Mao Daxian's lips curled into a mischievous smile.

If these people are used properly, they can be a great help to the local area.

(End of this chapter)