A veteran of the frontier army, after marrying a wife, fought his way through the northern border.

Two days later, at noon on October 16th.

Luo Yunxiao went into the mountains in the morning and dug up some more mountain products.

I had just arrived home at noon when I heard gongs and drums in the distance, as if someone was celebrating a happy occasion.

Then someone knocked on his gate.

He opened the door and saw Zhao Dezhu and Li Dachui looking at him with beaming faces.

Behind them followed three officials riding tall horses.

Wang San beat the gong and drum, and a large group of villagers gathered in front of Luo Yunxiao's house.

"Old Luo, you're pregnant!"

Zhao Dezhu beamed with joy.

"I'm pregnant? Are you kidding me? Do I look like I'm pregnant?"

Luo Yunxiao joked.

That's not what I meant.

This is Magistrate Shen, the county magistrate. He's here specifically to bestow this honor upon you. Look!

Li Dachui looked excited, head held high, chest puffed out, his face full of pride, holding a plaque in his arms.

The words "Righteous and Brave Gentry" are written on it!

"This humble subject greets Lord Shen."

"This humble woman greets Lord Shen."

Luo Yunxiao, accompanied by his three wives, paid a visit to Shen Fan.

The three officials dismounted and approached Luo Yunxiao.

"You must be Luo Yunxiao? You're a real man."

"I have come on the orders of Magistrate Zhang to commend you."

County Magistrate Shen glanced at Luo Yunxiao, then looked around at the surrounding villagers and said loudly, "Fellow elders of Chenjia Village, the Beggars' Helper Wang Tu has been wreaking havoc in Pinglu County for more than two years, committing all kinds of evil deeds such as burning, killing, looting and plundering!"

Magistrate Zhang had long harbored the ambition to eliminate the bandits. Several months ago, he had already laid out undercover agents to investigate their hideout, waiting for the opportune moment to wipe them all out in one fell swoop!

The villagers were stunned for a moment, then Wang San was the first to exclaim, "Magistrate Zhang is wise and far-sighted!"

The villagers all agreed.

"Luo Yunxiao, you and your wife killed Wang Tu and eliminated more than 30 members of the Beggar Gang. This is a great achievement!"

Magistrate Zhang said, "You are brave and resourceful; you are a model for Pinglu County."

With a wave of his hand, County Magistrate Shen summoned a bearded bailiff behind him who brought over a tray with five taels of silver, two bolts of blue cloth, and a letter of recommendation.

Luo Yunxiao had long recognized the bearded constable in front of him as the one who had come to Chenjia Village to distribute brides.

"So it was you, old rascal. You've married three wives and are getting younger and younger. It's truly impressive."

The bearded man recognized Luo Yunxiao and nodded with a smile.

"Thank you so much for bestowing upon me such a good match, my lord. I am deeply grateful."

Luo Yunxiao thanked Big Beard again.

The bearded man glanced at the three delicate beauties behind him, his expression complex.

His eyes held both envy and regret.

Why didn't I properly examine these criminal women back then?

Otherwise, how could such a stunningly beautiful woman have fallen into the hands of this poor soldier?

County Magistrate Shen handed the letter of recommendation to Luo Yunxiao, his tone carrying a hint of condescension: "Your merits are due to your bravery, but also inseparable from the teachings of the County Magistrate."

"If it weren't for the magistrate's benevolent rule, which allowed you single soldiers to settle down and start families, how could such a loyal and righteous man like you have been cultivated?"

"You're right, sir."

Luo Yunxiao accepted the letter of recommendation, thinking to himself that these officials were all incredibly shameless.

It's clearly my achievement, but saying it like that makes it sound like the magistrate was in charge.

However, one thing is true: if the government hadn't given me a wife, I definitely wouldn't be the way I am today.

Listen up, everyone!

The success of this bandit suppression was due to two factors: first, Luo Yunxiao's courageous leadership; and second, the county magistrate's strategic planning and foresight.

The magistrate said that he would increase protection for border villages and deploy more county soldiers on patrols to ensure the safety and well-being of the people.

He turned around and patted Luo Yunxiao on the shoulder, his smile carrying a hint of meaning: "Your merit has already been recorded in the case file by the county magistrate and reported to the prefecture."

When you join the army, the adults will put in a good word for you.

Remember to always speak of the magistrate's kindness and guidance when you are away from home.

These words, ostensibly praising Luo Yunxiao, were in reality nothing more than flattering the county magistrate.

They portrayed Luo Yunxiao's individual bandit suppression efforts as the result of the county magistrate's long-term planning and effective education.

Luo Yunxiao knew what the other party meant, but didn't say anything. He simply cupped his hands in thanks and said, "Thank you for your kindness, Magistrate. Thank you for your hard work, Lord Shen."

County Commandant Shen nodded in satisfaction, stood with his hands behind his back, and said to Zhao Dezhu, "Village Chief Zhao, you must spread this word well, so that the surrounding villages know that with Magistrate Zhang here, bandits will not be allowed to run rampant in Pinglu County!"

"Yes, yes, I will definitely do as you say!"

County Magistrate Shen instructed Li Dachui to hang the plaque reading "Righteous and Brave Gentry" above the main entrance of the ancestral hall.

Pulling Luo Yunxiao to stand under the plaque, he flashed a professional smile: "Brave Warrior Luo, let's take a picture together."

"Taking a photo?"

Luo Yunxiao looked completely bewildered. "You want to take a picture with me?"

There were no cell phones in this day and age.

There wasn't even a camera.

Could it be that the county magistrate Shen in front of us is also a time traveler?

Fellow villager?

The next moment, Luo Yunxiao realized he had been overthinking things.

An artist takes a drawing board, lays out rice paper, and begins to sketch.

"Master Xu, please draw the plaque and my official robes more clearly."

Remember to leave a space so you can draw the magistrate later.

"Yes, ma'am."

Luo Yunxiao found it somewhat amusing; this Lord Shen truly lived up to his reputation as a seasoned official.

It turns out that photoshopping leaders into photos of people offering condolences or sympathy is an ancient practice!

Luo Yunxiao stood with County Magistrate Shen for the time it takes to drink a cup of tea before the painter finished his painting.

He glanced at the screen and saw that County Commandant Shen was standing next to him, with a space between them.

It should be possible to fill in the position of the county magistrate.

The portrait of County Magistrate Shen shows him to be tall and heroic.

The ink in my self-portrait is a bit light, and the facial features are not as delicately depicted.

County Magistrate Shen was very satisfied after reading it.

As the sound of Lord Shen and his bailiffs' hooves faded into the distance, Li Dachui spat.

He whispered to Luo Yunxiao, "What the hell? These officials are really greedy!"

You were the one who risked your life to kill those bandits, and now it's become their credit!

"Don't let anyone hear you say that."

"It doesn't matter. As long as the village is protected, let them have the empty fame."

Luo Yunxiao waved his hand and turned to go back into the house.

A few more days passed.

Luo Yunxiao left Su Yunshang and her sister to watch the house, and then, with Qin Hongxiu in tow, drove a donkey cart to the blacksmith's shop in the county town.

The custom-made weapons and the winter clothes made for the three ladies should be able to be retrieved by now.

Luo Yunxiao was very satisfied when he received the horse-slaying sword.

Master Li watched as Luo Yunxiao wielded the knife with both hands, displaying impressive skill and effortless demeanor.

He couldn't help but exclaim, "What a valiant general!"

"Since you are so brave, why were you made a menial auxiliary soldier?"

He simply couldn't understand it. A warrior like Luo Yunxiao, though a bit old, was at least an elite cavalryman in the army.

Luo Yunxiao smiled and said, "Don't all generals start as common soldiers?"

"Good, an old steed in its stall may still aspire to gallop a thousand miles!"

I wish you continued success in your promotion and that you kill many more Tartars!

Master Li gave Luo Yunxiao a piece of linen.

Luo Yunxiao wrapped up the horse-slaying sword and tied it up.

He then took out five ghost-head knives and wolf-tooth clubs that had been seized from the Beggars' Gang and handed them to Master Li.

"I wiped out a group of bandits a few days ago and seized some weapons."

Could you please forge ten three-inch throwing knives for me, along with a knife sheath?

In his previous life, when Luo Yunxiao was a special forces soldier, besides handling guns, his best skills were hand-to-hand combat and throwing knives.

If you travel back to the era of cold weapons, firearms are gone.

But throwing knives is still something you can try.

Master Li's eyes lit up as he praised, "The news has been spreading throughout the county these past few days that the Beggar Gang was wiped out by the strong men of Chenjia Village. I never expected it was you who did it; you're truly a valiant warrior!"

Say no more, I'll forge you a throwing knife for free, I guarantee you'll be satisfied!

"You're too kind, sir. I must give you the money, otherwise I wouldn't dare trouble you!"

Finally, after much persuasion, Luo Yunxiao left two taels of silver before leaving the blacksmith shop.

He and Qin Hongxiu went to the cloth shop again to pick up the custom-made winter clothes.

He then sold some mountain goods in the West Market and earned six taels of silver.

Luo Yunxiao used the six taels of silver to buy a donkey and returned to Chenjia Village with Qin Hongxiu.

Because there were thirty people from Chenjia Village who were going to join the army, the village chief's family only had two donkey carts.

Two donkey carts certainly can't carry the luggage of dozens of people.

Therefore, he needed his own donkey cart to carry luggage so that his three wives could ride it to the military camp to report for duty.

After returning home, Luo Yunxiao took out his winter clothes.

Su Yunshang and her sister, along with Qin Hongxiu, took off their worn-out coarse cloth clothes.

She happily put on her embroidered cotton winter coat.

The three women were already beautiful, but now, dressed in new clothes, they looked even more stunning.

There are seven days left until I enlist in the army.

In addition to practicing the border defense techniques every day, Luo Yunxiao also taught Su Yunshang and her sister a few life-saving and killing techniques.

He knew that the auxiliary troops camp was on the front line, a place where all sorts of people mingled, and that Qin Hongxiu had martial arts skills and could protect herself.

However, the Su Yunshang sisters had no power to protect themselves.

So they designed three close-combat moves and three sword techniques specifically for them.

Every move is aimed at vital points; the goal is only to save one's own life, not to kill the enemy.