The female prisoner was fierce

Everyone stared wide-eyed at Bai Muyi, who was restrained in the center of the arena, and didn't react for a long time!

"That's... the end?"

"Miss Bai's swordsmanship was so fierce, yet Lord Xiao subdued her in just a few moves without even drawing his own sword??"

silence!

A deathly silence!

At this moment, everyone had a clear understanding of Xiao Jianyang's strength.

"good!!"

Then, someone shouted first, and immediately the whole audience erupted in thunderous cheers.

"Lord Xiao is mighty!!"

"Lord Xiao is amazing!!"

"As expected of Lord Xiao, his strength far surpasses ours. I admire him!!"

The soldiers shouted at the top of their lungs, their voices echoing throughout the drill ground.

Bai Muyi stood frozen in place, her back to Xiao Jianyang, her face deathly pale.

She lost!!

And they lost so decisively!!

So thorough!

The opponent didn't even use any weapons, he subdued her with his bare hands in just a few moves!

Her prized swordsmanship was utterly laughable in front of her opponent, like children playing house!

She had never lost so badly in her entire life.

Seeing that it was about time, Xiao Jianyang released his grip, took a step back, and said calmly:

"You flatter me, Miss Bai."

Bai Muyi slowly turned around, looked at the man in front of her, and her expression revealed a rare hint of complexity. She also felt a little uncomfortable.

After 17 years of pride, this is the first time I've lost so thoroughly.

Her lips moved as if she wanted to say something, but she didn't know what to say.

Before I knew it, my eyes were slightly red, and tears were welling up in my eyes.

But she held back her tears.

"What, can't accept defeat??"

Xiao Jianyang looked at her ink painting and asked curiously.

"Who says I can't afford to lose?!"

Bai Muyi immediately raised her head, stiffened her neck, wiped away her tears, and said:

"A loss is a loss! I, Bai Muyi, mean what I say!"

Although he spoke toughly, the shock he felt inside was genuine.

She had always thought that Xiao Jianyang was only good at firearms and didn't have any real skills.

Now I realize that they were just keeping their abilities hidden.

His close-quarters combat skills alone are miles ahead of hers.

Seeing her defiant expression, Xiao Jianyang's lips curled into a very faint smile:

"There's no rush for the marriage. If you have nothing to do, come with me and help with the county's military and civil affairs."

"We'll talk about other things when you're truly convinced."

Instead of pressing for marriage, he gave her an out and even let her work for him, which was actually an opportunity for them to get to know each other better.

The outcome of the marriage alliance will not change.

So, if there's no affection, the only option is to cultivate it.

Bai Muyi was stunned.

"real?"

"Of course it's true."

"This…"

Senseless!

I thought he would propose marriage immediately, but that wasn't the case.

"Am I overthinking things?"

"Really??"

I started to doubt the meaning of life.

However, the awkwardness and resentment in my heart suddenly dissipated a lot.

She thought that if the other party won, he would immediately propose marriage and make her fulfill her promise.

Unexpectedly, they didn't take it seriously at all.

"good!"

Bai Muyi took a deep breath, raised her head, and said, still not giving up:

"Fine, I'll follow! I want to see if you're really as capable as they say!"

He still refused to admit defeat verbally, but his eyes had become more serious.

Those around him burst into laughter again, creating a very relaxed atmosphere.

Only Lin Qingxue's eyes were filled with even more bitterness.

Xiao Jianyang sensed something was wrong and instinctively turned to look in Lin Qingxue's direction.

Then, I saw the other person immediately turn their face away, compose themselves slightly, and then turn back to face me with a smile.

"This…"

Xiao Jianyang frowned, and after slightly sensing the sourness in the air, he sighed inwardly.

"commit a sin!"

Having lived two lives, he was well aware of Lin Qingxue's little schemes and could naturally sense them.

However, the current situation is special.

"How about we marry both of them?"

It seems that this is the only answer.

The competition ended just like that, and everyone dispersed, still feeling unsatisfied, while training continued.

After observing for a while and having breakfast, Xiao Jianyang, along with Bai Huatong, Bai Muyi, Lin Qingxue, and several personal guards, went out of the city to patrol the entire territory.

I'll also show the two of them around to familiarize them with the situation of the Xiao family army.

Our first stop was Lijia Village in the south of the city.

As soon as we entered the village, we saw several tables set up under the big locust tree at the village entrance, where several clerks from the Xiao family army were busy registering households and distributing land deeds.

A crowd of people gathered around, all with smiles on their faces, waiting quietly in line. No one cut in line or made a fuss.

Not far away, several soldiers were helping an elderly person living alone repair their roof and chop firewood, working enthusiastically.

The locals handed them hot water, treating them with the warmth of family.

"Lord Xiao has arrived!!"

Sharp-eyed people spotted Xiao Jianyang and immediately shouted.

Then, the people turned around upon hearing the sound, and greeted Xiao Jianyang warmly when they saw him.

"Greetings, Lord Xiao!"

"Lord Xiao is here! Come in and have some water!"

Their faces were filled with genuine respect and affection, without a trace of fear.

Bai Muyi was somewhat stunned.

She used to stay with her brother at the border garrison. The locals would avoid the soldiers as much as possible, fearing that their grain would be robbed or they would be conscripted.

When have I ever seen ordinary people greet soldiers so warmly and proactively?

Moreover, in her view, Xiao Jianyang was the commander-in-chief of an army, and all he needed to do was fight battles. These trivial matters could be left to his subordinates to handle.

Thinking about it, I couldn't help but say it aloud.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jianyang replied as he walked forward:

"No matter is too small when it comes to people's livelihood."

"The people are the foundation. Only when the fields, the grain, and the people's lives are secure can the foundation be stable."

"Only when the foundation is solid can the army have food and supplies, manpower and resources, and win battles."

"If these small things aren't handled properly, they'll accumulate and cause big problems."

Bai Muyi nodded thoughtfully, without refuting.

She had seen too many armies that only knew how to plunder grain and conscript men, completely disregarding the lives of ordinary people.

In the end, the people hated the soldiers, and the army could not get supplies, so it became weaker and weaker with each battle.

Xiao Jianyang's approach may seem slow, but it is actually taking deep root.

"Is this person really just a former infantry captain?"

I couldn't help but become curious.

But wisely, he didn't ask any more questions and instead followed behind.

They soon reached the other end of the village.

Here you have a dilapidated mud-brick house with a wooden sign hanging at the door that reads "Literacy Class".

The sound of children reading aloud could be heard from inside; they were mostly teenagers, along with a few young wives, learning to read from a girl in a blue cotton dress.

The girl was Chun Ya from Xiao Family Village, and she knew several hundred characters.

Originally, he followed Chu Yiran in the medical field.

But given the current special circumstances, Xiao Jianyang asked her to come and be his teacher, teaching for one hour every day.

"This is... a school?? And there's a female teacher??"

Bai Muyi was somewhat surprised. In those days, literacy was the privilege of aristocratic families, landlords, and men.

People can't even get enough to eat, let alone afford to go to school!

Women were even less likely to attend school, let alone become teachers.

Xiao Jianyang introduced:

"This is a simple literacy class."

"Teach them for one hour each day, to recognize characters and do arithmetic. No."

"I hope to be able to take the imperial examinations, at least to be able to read notices and calculate grain accounts, so that I won't be cheated by clerks and landlords."

Bai Muyi was completely stunned. The generals she had met were either thinking about seizing territory or making money; none of them had ever thought about teaching the people to read.

This is truly enlightening the people!

"Lord Xiao, aren't you afraid... that it will be difficult to govern people once they become literate?"

Bai Muyi couldn't help but ask.

In fact, this is the thought of many officials.

It's easier to control a foolish populace!

Xiao Jianyang glanced at her, his tone indifferent:

"It's easier to govern when the people are reasonable."

"Knowing what is right and what is wrong, and knowing that farming well can lead to a good life, will prevent you from blindly following others."

"Ignorant people are easy to incite, while reasonable people are the true foundation."

Boom!!!

These remarks were like a thunderbolt from the blue.

Bai Muyi opened her mouth, but couldn't say anything for a long time.

She had never heard these words before, but now they seemed incredibly reasonable.

She suddenly realized that her perspective had been far too narrow before.

They only knew how to practice martial arts and fight, but never thought about these deeper things.

I don't know why.

Suddenly I had a feeling.

Xiao Jianyang is far more unfathomable than I imagined!

After leaving the village, led by Xiao Jianyang, the group headed towards the city wall.

As Xiao Jianyang walked from the South Gate to the East Gate, and then to the North Gate, he pointed out the problems along the way.

"This section of the city wall is too thin, only three feet thick. The Northern Di people can break it open with just a few blows of their battering ram. We'll have someone thicken it to six feet and then wrap it with rammed earth and stones."

"This arrow emplacement is too low. When the soldiers shoot arrows, their upper bodies are completely exposed, making it easy for the enemy archers to aim. We need to change it to a combination of high and low arrow emplacements, with the high emplacements blocking arrows and the low emplacements firing arrows, so that they can work together."

"The moat outside the city wall is not deep enough. Dig it five feet deeper, fill the bottom with sharp wooden stakes, and cover it with a layer of loose soil and dead branches. When the cavalry charge, they will fall right in."

As he spoke, he picked up a twig and began drawing patterns on the snow.

He taught the soldiers of the Xiao family army, who were reinforcing the city's defenses, how to build high and low arrow emplacements, how to lay out trenches, how to construct barbicans, and where to place the horse-faced ramparts.

It is drawn clearly and is easy to understand at a glance.

Bai Huatong and Bai Muyi watched from the side, becoming increasingly alarmed.

They were all from the border army and had guarded cities, so they naturally knew about city defense.

Xiao Jianyang's city defense plan was systematic, meticulous, and interconnected, with every aspect meticulously planned, from the structure of the city walls to the outer obstacles, from the firepower configuration to the troop deployment.

In the past, when they defended the city, they would just stand on the city wall and shoot arrows and throw stones when the enemy came. There was no such thing as being so particular!

As Bai Huatong looked at it, he couldn't help but exclaim in amazement:

"Lord Xiao, your city defense method is truly ingenious."

"If Yanbei City had had this method back then, it might not have been able to break it at all."

Xiao Jianyang responded calmly:

"These are all clumsy methods, but as long as they work, that's fine."

Bai Muyi squatted on the ground, looking at the blueprints on the snow, her eyes shining.

She had loved military strategy and tactics since she was a child, but because of her gender, her brother only taught her swordsmanship, and no one else taught her these things.

The city defense layouts drawn by Xiao Jianyang were all ingenious, which truly broadened her horizons.

It turns out that defending a city isn't just about having a large number of people.

"Lord Xiao, why was this high and low embankment designed this way for the river?"

When Bai Muyi saw something she didn't understand, she couldn't help but look up and ask, her tone unconsciously carrying a hint of seeking guidance.

Xiao Jianyang glanced at her, and seeing that she was genuinely curious, he patiently explained:

"With a standard arrow sling, the soldier leans out to shoot, his upper body exposed, making it easy for the archers on the other side to aim."

"The arrow emplacements were arranged in a staggered pattern, with the higher emplacements blocking the upper body. Soldiers could shoot arrows from the lower emplacements, only exposing one eye and one hand, which was much safer."

"Moreover, the varying elevations allow for multiple shooting angles, covering a wider area without leaving any blind spots."

Bai Muyi nodded repeatedly as she listened, her admiration growing deeper with each word.

She used to think that Xiao Jianyang's victory was entirely due to his superior firearms.

Only now do I realize that, besides his martial prowess, he also far surpasses ordinary border generals in terms of proper military strategy and tactics, and even far surpasses myself.

That talk of a hermit from the mountains and fields is complete nonsense.

In terms of military insight, he was better than any border general she had ever met.

"No wonder my brother wants me to marry him. Does that mean I'm marrying above my station?"

Suddenly, doubts arose in my mind, and the more I thought about it, the more I felt that this conclusion was true.

After inspecting the city's defenses, the group passed by the wounded soldiers' camp in the west of the city and decided to take a look.

As soon as I entered, I heard a heart-wrenching scream.

Bai Muyi frowned:

"What happened? You're so badly injured?"

"You'll know once you go in and take a look."

Xiao Jianyang spoke, then took the lead and stepped inside.

In the courtyard, Chu Yiran was leading her medical team to treat the wounds of a seriously injured patient who had just been brought in.

The injured man had fallen and broken his leg while chopping wood on the mountain. The bone was protruding from his skin and flesh, and he was covered in blood and gore. He was on the verge of death.

Chu Yiran remained expressionless. First, she poured strong liquor to wash the wound, then used a red-hot knife to scrape away the rotten flesh. With extremely fast movements, she put the broken bone back in place, then used catgut to suture the muscle and skin layer by layer. Finally, she applied wound medicine and used a splint to fix and bandage the wound.

The entire set of movements has been repeated countless times, reaching a point where they are completely fluid, clean, and precise, even becoming an instinctive muscle movement with not a single superfluous movement.

The two men beside him held the wounded man down tightly. The man was in so much pain that his whole body was convulsing and his voice was hoarse from shouting, but he could only endure it.

Bai Muyi felt a chill run down her spine and instinctively covered her mouth.

She had seen countless wounded soldiers and military doctors treat their wounds, which involved nothing more than applying herbal medicine and bandaging the wounds; whether they survived depended entirely on luck.

But Chu Yiran's procedures—using alcohol, stitching, and setting bones—were things she had never even heard of before.

"This...this will work? A broken bone can be set back?"

Bai Muyi couldn't help but ask in a low voice.

"Um."

Xiao Jianyang nodded and replied:

"It's all set. Take good care of it, and it'll be able to walk and work again in the future."

"Using strong liquor to disinfect wounds makes them less likely to fester, greatly increasing the chances of survival."

"Lord Xiao, could it be... that you taught Doctor Chu all of this?"

Bai Muyi suddenly spoke, murmuring to herself.

"Just some basic methods for treating external injuries."

Xiao Jianyang nodded and said calmly:

"Many are wounded on the battlefield; saving as many as possible is crucial."

"Veterans are treasures; saving them is more valuable than recruiting ten new soldiers."

Upon hearing this, Lin Qingxue and the others were already used to it, as was Bai Huatong.

Only Bai Muyi, who was visiting Dongshuang County for the first time, was there.

He looked up at Xiao Jianyang, his eyes filled with shock!

Then, silence!

She had seen too many comrades die from wounds that weren't fatal, due to festering sores and high fevers.

If the border troops had this medical skill, how many brothers would have been saved?

Thinking of this, she looked at Xiao Jianyang's profile, and her feelings became more and more complicated.

This person seems to know everything!

He was skilled in warfare, governing the people, and defending the city; he even knew medicine.

"Is there anything he can't do?"

Thinking of this, her previous resentment had long since vanished, replaced by growing admiration and a touch of curiosity that she herself was unaware of.

After leaving the wounded soldiers' camp, the group headed towards Wangjia Village in the west of the city, intending to check on the land allocation there.

They had only gone halfway when they heard the cries of children and the screams of women coming from the village ahead, mixed with harsh shouts and curses in the Northern Di language.

Xiao Jianyang's face immediately darkened:

"There are Northern Barbarian cavalry!"

Splash splash~~~

Everyone immediately became alert and drew their weapons.

"Let's go! Let's go take a look!"

Xiao Jianyang waved his hand, then led the group quickly toward the village.

I went behind a big tree, hid well, and then peeked out.

as predicted.

Five Northern Di cavalrymen were riding horses in the village, carrying looted grain and bundles in their hands, with two crying, half-grown children on their backs.

Several villagers lay on the ground, covered in blood, their condition unknown.

The woman knelt on the ground, crying and begging for mercy, but was kicked away by the Northern Di cavalry.

"Damn Northern Barbarians!!"

Bai Muyi gritted her teeth, her eyes blazing with anger.

"They are stragglers from the Northern Barbarians, plundering the people everywhere!"

"The five scouts are few in number, but they are all cavalrymen. They come and go like the wind, and ordinary people can't stop them at all."

Bai Huatong spoke softly, his eyes also filled with murderous intent.

Xiao Jianyang had been calmly observing the situation, and then quickly gave the order:

"Lin Qingxue, take two guards and go around to the back of the village to block their retreat. Shoot them with crossbow bolts."

"Bai Huatong, sneak up from the left and make a noise to attract their attention."

"Bai Muyi, come with me around to the right. Shoot the horses first, then kill the people."

"clear!"

The three immediately accepted the order and split up to carry out their tasks.

Bai Muyi followed behind Xiao Jianyang, crouching low, and quietly circled around to the side using the trees and earthen slopes as cover.

She felt a mix of nervousness, excitement, and a feeling she couldn't quite describe.

An encirclement was quickly formed.

Soon after, Bai Huatong deliberately kicked a dead branch, making a noise.

"Who is it?"

The five Northern Di cavalrymen in the village immediately became alert, drew their scimitars, and looked to their left.

But just then, Xiao Jianyang shouted in a low voice:

"Let's do it!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the pulley crossbow he had taken from his waist was already raised and aimed at the Northern Di cavalryman at the front.

call out! ! !

The crossbow bolt shot through the air at an extremely high speed.

The cavalryman had barely turned his head when a crossbow bolt pierced his throat.

"Well……"

Before he could even scream, he tumbled off his horse, gushing blood and steaming hot liquid.

Immediately afterwards, Xiao Jianyang moved with lightning speed, cocking the bow, aiming, and firing again in one smooth motion.

call out! ! !

Another arrow struck the second cavalryman squarely in the chest.

Two arrows, two people, not even a moment to breathe.

Bai Muyi, standing beside him, was completely stunned!

This pulley crossbow is incredibly powerful!

And the rate of fire is that fast?

"What are you standing there for! Charge!!"

Xiao Jianyang immediately called out to her, then rushed out, carrying the official knife that was attached to his shoelace at his waist.

Bai Muyi immediately came to her senses:

"yes!!"

Then, he also rushed forward with his knife.

The remaining three Northern Di cavalrymen were both shocked and furious. The instantaneous killing of their two companions had turned them into bloodthirsty monsters.

"Han Chinese!! You're asking for death!!"

Two of them brandished curved swords and slashed at Bai Muyi as he charged forward.

Bai Muyi swung her sword to meet the attack, and with two clangs, she blocked it.

The combined force of the two cavalrymen was immense, causing her arms to go numb and forcing her to stagger backward.

She was fighting on foot, and her opponent was at a disadvantage because of the superior position.

One of the Northern Di cavalrymen, seeing this, revealed disdain in his eyes, then grinned maliciously and slashed his curved blade diagonally down, aiming straight for Bai Muyi's neck.

Bai Muyi's heart tightened, and she wanted to jump to the back as soon as possible.

Just at this critical moment, a dark figure suddenly rushed in from the side.

It was Xiao Jianyang!

He leaped into the air, his official sword gleaming coldly, and slashed fiercely at the cavalryman's arm.

Pfft!

The arm snapped off instantly, and blood spurted out.

what! !

The Northern Di cavalryman screamed in agony and fell off his horse.

Xiao Jianyang did not pause.

He then kicked another cavalryman's horse in the belly.

The warhorse cried out in pain, then began to thrash wildly, violently throwing the rider off its back.

Bai Muyi seized the opportunity to step forward.

Click!

Without hesitation, he slit the neck of the Northern Di cavalryman with a single stroke.

At this point, only one Northern Di cavalryman remained.

Seeing that the situation was not good, the other side turned their horse and tried to flee.

But he had only run a few steps when a crossbow bolt shot from behind the village, hitting him squarely in the back, giving him a piercing blow.

It was Lin Qingxue!

Thus, all five Northern Di cavalrymen were killed.

The whole process took only a short moment.

Bai Muyi stood there, her chest rising and falling slightly, watching Xiao Jianyang's back as her heart raced.

Just a moment ago, a life-or-death crisis overwhelmed my entire body.

Fortunately, Xiao Jianyang rushed over and saved her.

When he rushed over, his eyes were frighteningly calm, and his attacks were swift and ruthless, without the slightest hesitation.

That calm and collected demeanor in the face of danger is reassuring, yet also gives one a strange feeling.

"Are you alright?"

Xiao Jianyang turned around and glanced at her.

"N-nothing."

Bai Muyi lowered her head instinctively for the first time, her voice slightly strained:

"Thank you so much, Lord Xiao, for saving me."

"It's good that you're alright."

Xiao Jianyang ignored her strange behavior and turned to give the order:

"Check on the villagers, send the child back, and dispose of the body."

"The presence of scouts indicates the presence of scattered troops nearby. We should arrange patrols to patrol the area around the village more often."

"Yes."

The crowd responded.

Meanwhile, the villagers...

Everyone was still in shock, but seeing that the Northern Di people were all dead, they were relieved and knelt down to express their gratitude.

"Thank you so much, Lord Xiao! Thank you so much, sir, for saving my life!"

"Get up, everyone."

Xiao Jianyang reached out and helped them up one by one, then said:

"If we encounter the Northern Di people again, we should run to the county town, where it is safe."

"Yes."

"Thank you, Lord Xiao."

The villagers were grateful once again.

Xiao Jianyang didn't say much. After calming the villagers down, he walked back.

On the way back, Bai Muyi followed Xiao Jianyang silently, occasionally stealing a glance at him with a complicated look in her eyes.

There was admiration, gratitude, and a touch of girlish shyness.

She previously said that the man she wanted to marry had to be able to beat her in a fight and also be handsome.

Now it seems that Xiao Jianyang meets both criteria, and even far exceeds her expectations.

"My brother is right. A person like that is indeed worth entrusting your life to."

"But do I really deserve it?"

Recalling this string of experiences, she suddenly had a feeling.

If the other party weren't currently at a low point and weak, and if it weren't for the issue of his brother's identity, how could I possibly be worthy of Xiao Jianyang?

Thinking about this, I couldn't help but feel a little inferior.

……

By the time we got back to the county town, it was already dark.

After dinner, Bai Muyi hesitated for a long time, twisting the hem of her clothes with her fingers, pacing back and forth in the yard. Finally, she gritted her teeth and knocked on Bai Huatong's door.

"Come in."

Bai Huatong was wiping his knife inside the house when he saw his younger sister come in. He put down the coarse cloth he was holding, raised an eyebrow, and said:

"Xiaoyi, what's wrong? It's so late, why aren't you resting? What are you doing here?"

Bai Muyi pursed her lips, walked to the table, and remained silent for a long time.

"Just say what you have to say. Why are you being so hesitant?"

Bai Huatong looked at her strangely, finding it very odd.

My younger sister has always been energetic and outgoing; when has she ever been so hesitant and timid?

Before him, Bai Muyi took a deep breath, raised her head, looked at Bai Huatong, and whispered:

"Brother, about the marriage you mentioned before... I... I'm not against it anymore."

"What?"

Bai Huatong was stunned for a moment, thinking he had misheard.

"What did you say? Say it again??"

"I said! I agree to the marriage!"

Bai Muyi raised her voice slightly, her cheeks flushed:

"I'm willing to follow your arrangements and marry Lord Xiao!"

After saying that, she turned her face away, not daring to look into her brother's eyes.

Bai Huatong was taken aback for a moment, then burst into laughter.

He laughed heartily, slapping his thigh so hard the table shook.

"Okay! Okay!"

"I knew it! My sister has excellent taste! You'd definitely be tempted if you met someone like Lord Xiao!"

"Brother! Stop talking!"

Bai Muyi said coquettishly and stomped her foot.

"Okay, okay, I won't say anymore."

Bai Huatong laughed even harder, his eyes curving into crescent shapes:

"This is great news! Our Bai family can finally settle down."

"I'll find an opportunity to mention it to Lord Xiao later, and we should finalize the marriage as soon as possible. It would be best if we could get married early and give me a big, healthy nephew next year, so our Bai family can continue its lineage!"

"Brother! What you're saying is getting more and more absurd!"

Bai Muyi's face turned even redder, and she turned and ran out:

"If you keep doing this, I'm not talking to you anymore!"

"Hey! Why are you running away! I'm telling the truth!"

Bai Huatong called after her, watching his sister run away, a look of satisfaction on his face.

The worry that had been weighing on my mind for so long has finally been resolved.

Now that his sister has found a good home, he can finally work for Lord Xiao with peace of mind.

Thinking it over, a look of seriousness and emotion appeared in his eyes, which finally turned into decisiveness.

Because that means...

From this moment on, the entire Bai family is completely bound to the Xiao family!

We all prosper together!

If one suffers, all suffer!