A fierce wife enters the house: She helps up a house full of spineless people.

As the days went by, life in the courtyard gradually became more structured. The women made perfume in the backyard, the men helped with the heavy lifting, and the children learned to read with Chen Tianrun.

In their spare time, several grown men would occasionally run towards the city gate.

After all, they still have relatives in Yongning County, clansmen in Wangjia Village, and old neighbors in Chenjia Village. No one knows whether those people are alive or dead.

In the first few days, you could see some wealthy people slipping silver to the gatekeepers and whispering among themselves, discussing how to let them in.

But on the fifth day, the situation changed.

The number of guards at the gate increased from four to twelve, and an additional patrol of local soldiers was added. The city gate was only opened halfway, and people lined up in long queues to enter and exit. Anyone without a travel permit or a local guarantor was not allowed to enter the city.

Wang Dali stood in the tea stall outside the city gate, looking at the refugees who were being held back and crying out for help, and felt a tightness in his chest.

"Dad, let's go back." Wang Jinbao tugged at his sleeve. "There's nothing today."

Wang Dali sighed and turned to walk back.

They hadn't walked far when a commotion arose behind them. A ragged old man knelt at the city gate, clinging to the guard's leg and wailing, "Sir, please have mercy! My grandson is sick, please let us in to see a doctor!"

The guard kicked the man away: "Get out! The prefect has ordered the city to be sealed off immediately! No one is allowed to enter!"

Back in the courtyard, Wang Dali shared the news, and the house fell silent for a long time.

Chen Wangda paced anxiously, "I wonder how my parents are doing at home..."

"Wait a little longer." Wang Dali patted his shoulder, but his own voice lacked confidence.

At the same time, the prefectural city began conscription.

The notice was posted in the most conspicuous place at the city gate: Any male who is sixteen years of age or older and is strong and healthy may enlist in the army. Upon enlistment, he will receive two taels of silver for settling down and one tael of silver per month. Additional rewards will be given for meritorious service.

Two taels of silver for settling down, and one tael of silver for monthly salary.

This figure, given the current soaring food prices, is enough to tempt many people.

Wang Tianfang stood in front of the notice for a long time, and from that day on, he changed.

Before, when Wang Jinzhu was busy in the backyard, he would chop wood, repair the wall, or do his own thing in the front yard. But that's not the case anymore. When Wang Jinzhu goes to the backyard to mix perfume, he follows her; when Wang Jinzhu goes to the well to draw water, he rushes to carry the bucket; when Wang Jinzhu sits down to rest and have a bowl of tea, he moves a stool to sit next to her, without saying a word, just watching her.

On the first day, Wang Jinzhu didn't pay attention.

The next day, Wang Jinzhu felt something was strange.

Day 3

"Wang Tianfang!" Wang Xiaobao finally snapped, slamming his hand on the table. "Can you stop clinging to my little sister like a dog? Do you follow her to the outhouse every time she goes?"

Wang Tianfang blushed, but stubbornly replied, "I'm willing."

"You like it? It's an eyesore to me!" Wang Xiaobao rolled his eyes. "What kind of appearance is this, all sticky and gooey in broad daylight!"

Wang Dali passed by the yard, glanced at his son-in-law, and snorted, "A grown man, always revolving around his wife, what a loser!"

Wang Tianfang didn't care at all, but the next day he did the same thing.

Wang Jinzhu was pressing perfume molds in front of the cutting board, and he squatted down beside her to hand her tools. Wang Jinzhu looked up at him, and he immediately grinned, a smile that was both ingratiating and carried an indescribable sense of reverence.

Wang Jinzhu put down the mold and wiped her hands.

"Come in," Wang Jinzhu called him into the room and asked him.

"Speak up, I've been holding it in for days, what's up?"

Wang Tianfang opened his mouth, then closed it again. He rubbed his hands together and looked down at his toes.

"Jinzhu, I...I want to apply for the job."

As if afraid she would be angry, Wang Tianfang quickly added, "Let me finish. When we get to the prefectural city, I won't be able to do anything. There's nowhere to hunt, I don't know how to do business, and my father and older brother can do all the heavy lifting. I'll just be a freeloader."

He paused, then lowered his voice: "Last time the Black Tiger Gang came, if it weren't for Young Master Liu, I wouldn't even have been able to protect my own wife. I don't want that to happen again."

Wang Jinzhu looked at him. This man was over six feet tall, with broad shoulders and a thick back, and his hands were covered in calluses. He could fight wild boars with his bare hands in the mountains, but now that he was in the prefectural city, he felt useless.

"Have you thought it through?"

"I've thought it through." Wang Tianfang raised his head, his eyes showing an unusual firmness. "I won't be reckless. With my physique and hunting skills, I should be able to come back alive. If I'm lucky enough to earn some merit, even if it's just a minor officer position, my family will be able to stand on our own in the prefectural city and won't have to ask for favors every time."

Wang Jinzhu was silent for a moment, then nodded and said, "Okay."

Wang Tianfang was stunned. He had prepared a whole host of excuses, such as "Don't worry, your parents, brothers and sisters-in-law are taking care of you at home," and "I will definitely come back safely," but he didn't need to use any of them.

"You...aren't you going to stop me?"

"Why should I stop you?" Wang Jinzhu retorted. "You're right. If you're so capable, it's a waste for you to stay at home."

Wang Tianfang felt a lump in his throat and reached out to hug her, but Wang Jinzhu slapped him away.

"Don't be too quick to be moved. Starting today, set aside one hour every night. I have something to teach you."

That evening, Wang Tianfang waited expectantly in the house.

Wang Jinzhu closed the door, sat down at the table, and placed an oil lamp in front of her.

"Come, sit down."

Wang Tianfang obediently sat down.

"The battlefield isn't a forest, it's not just you against a wild boar," Wang Jinzhu said, her tone exactly the same as when she taught Chen Tianrun to read. "Humans are harder to deal with than wild beasts, because humans can lie to you."

"What do you do if your opponent is much bigger and stronger than you in close combat?"

"Find his weaknesses and attack his weak points."

"What's the weak point?"

"Uh... throat? temple?"

Wang Jinzhu shook her head: "What are you thinking? Can you even reach me once you're wearing armor? Remember, the three most effective positions on the battlefield are the knees, the groin, and the eyes. One kick to the knee and a person can't stand up; sand in the eyes, even the best fighter is useless. Don't talk to me about being honorable; coming back alive is what matters."

Wang Tianfang: "…………"

What his wife taught him sounds like street thugs fighting.

But he dared not say it.

Over the next few days, Wang Jinzhu made perfume during the day and taught Wang Tianfang lessons at night.

From teaching underhanded tricks to teaching formations, and from teaching formations to teaching the Thirty-Six Stratagems.

"Warfare is based on deception. When you are capable, feign incapacity; when you are active, feign inactivity..."

"Jinzhu, which book is this from?"

"You don't need to memorize the whole text of 'The Art of War'. Just remember the core idea: if you can win, fight; if you can't win, run; if you can't run, play dead."

Wang Tianfang nodded seriously.

"Also, once you get to the military camp, don't be a troublemaker. For the first three months, speak less and observe more. Figure out who you can befriend and who you should stay away from. Do what your superiors say, and don't try to be a hero."

"Once you've established yourself, then slowly reveal your abilities. Remember, your goal isn't to be a hero, but to survive and rise through the ranks."

Two days later, Wang Jinzhu began teaching him to recognize the terrain, observe the weather, and determine ambush points. Wang Tianfang was originally a hunter, so he grasped these skills quickly and could apply them to other situations.

"Not bad," Wang Jinzhu rarely praised.

Wang Tianfang grinned and was about to lean in for a kiss when he heard Wang Jinzhu say, "Don't be too happy yet. Tomorrow I'll teach you how to find food when you're out of supplies, and how to bandage and stop bleeding in the wild."

Wang Tianfang's smile froze on his face. He was sick of hearing it these past few days. Heaven knows, he barely knows any characters, yet he's been listening to this "Art of War" all the time, it's driving him crazy. He really doesn't want to be alone with his wife anymore.

The deadline stated on the conscription notice was May 15th.

Today is May 13th.