I asked you to go hunting, and you ended up wearing a yellow robe?

"you say."

"All literate teachers in the city are invited. Those willing to teach the army to read will be given silver and rice. Those who do not wish to come will not be forced."

Zhao Bingkun's eyelids twitched. "You really want to teach these soldiers to read?"

"If you can't understand military orders, maps, or military merit records, then whatever others say will be the truth."

Qi Shan sneered, "I don't raise blind people."

Zhao Bingkun said, "Those who don't understand will probably call you ridiculous."

Qi Shan: "That doesn't matter. A strong military is the only real solution."

As Zhao Bingkun left the military camp, he glanced back at the drill ground.

The thousand men who were a chaotic bunch during the day are now in neat camps, with braziers lined up, and veteran soldiers on night patrol changing shifts on time.

Qingyang City is truly changing.

I just don't know what it will turn out to be.

……

When Qi Shan returned home, it was already late at night.

The lights were still on in the backyard.

Lin Wan stood at the door, holding a dry cloth in her hand.

As soon as he entered, she went to greet him.

"My lord, the water is boiled."

Qi Shan smelled the sweat on his body and looked down at his clothes.

The mud, ash, horse sweat, and dust from the drill ground—Zhang Xixi really needed to wash herself off.

He smiled.

"Thanks a lot."

Lin Wan shook her head and reached out to remove his armor.

The leather buckle was soaked in sweat and became stiff and tight.

She lowered her head and carefully unpacked it, her movements very gentle.

Qi Shan looked at her.

Lin Wan's ears turned red from being stared at.

"Why are you looking at me, my husband?"

"You're so skillful."

Lin Wan whispered, "She's just trying to coax me again."

There was a large wooden barrel inside the house.

Hot air is rising.

Soapberry leaves, dry cloth, and a change of clothes were placed next to it.

Qi Shan took off his outer robe and stepped into the water.

The heat washed over him, and he felt a wave of relief wash over him.

Lin Wan rolled up her sleeves and took a cloth to wipe his back.

She wiped it carefully.

She avoided the old wounds on her shoulder, the marks on her arms, and the cracks on her palms that hadn't fully healed.

As she was wiping, she suddenly stopped.

Qi Shan closed his eyes.

"What's wrong?"

Lin Wan didn't say anything.

Qi Shan turned around and saw that her eyes were red.

He reached out and grasped her wrist.

"Who bullied you?"

Lin Wan shook her head.

"Nobody's here."

"Then why are you crying?"

She pursed her lips and after a long while said, "My husband is now a commander of a thousand households."

"Um."

"He will rise to a higher official position in the future."

Lin Wan lowered her head, her voice even softer.

"I've heard people say that once a man becomes successful, he'll find his old wives an eyesore. He'll take many new wives and leave his exes in the backyard."

Qi Shan was taken aback.

Then he was left speechless, both amused and exasperated.

This girl held it in all night, and this is what she came up with?

Lin Wan became increasingly flustered as she spoke.

"It's not that I forbid my husband from taking other women. My husband is a great hero, it's normal for him to have three wives and four concubines. As long as... as long as you don't abandon us."

She spoke the last few words very slowly, as if afraid that they would come true if she said them.

Qi Shan didn't reply immediately. He reached out from the water and pulled her to his side.

Lin Wan exclaimed in surprise and quickly grabbed the edge of the bucket.

"My husband!"

Qi Shan looked into her eyes.

"Wan'er."

"Even if I ever rise to a very high position, I will not abandon you. Zhou Xue, Su Yue, and you are all my family in Qishan."

Lin Wan bit her lip.

"real?"

"Absolutely true."

Lin Wan burst into laughter through her tears.

"My husband is so good."

Qi Shan handed her the dry cloth.

"continue."

Lin Wan blushed and wiped his shoulder again.

The only sound inside was the sound of water.

Her fingers paused for a moment when they touched a certain spot on Qi Shan.

Qi Shan opened his eyes.

Lin Wan's face turned even redder, but it didn't fade.

"My husband."

"Um?"

"Is the water too hot?"

Qi Shan glanced at her.

"A little."

Lin Wan whispered, "Then...should we add some cold water?"

Qi Shan reached out and took her hand.

"Need not."

The candlelight flickered gently.

Outside the door, Su Yue was carrying a plate of snacks when she heard a splash of water coming from inside the house.

She stopped in her tracks.

Then he pursed his lips, turned around and left.

"Sister Lin Wan is also taking extra classes."

She took two steps, then turned back and placed the snacks under the windowsill.

"Forget it, I'll laugh at her again tomorrow morning."

In the next room, Jia Qinghan turned over and covered her head with the blanket.

A moment later, she sat up abruptly.

"Can't a person get any sleep...?"

After she finished cursing under her breath, she perked up her ears again.

After listening for two breaths, her face turned red all the way to her neck.

"shameless."

Scolds are scolded.

She couldn't escape the common fate after all...

……

Three poles in the sun.

Qi Shan opened his eyes.

Sunlight streamed through the window and fell on the headboard. He rubbed his temples and, unusually, took a nap.

After days of fighting, training, and planning, plus last night's hard work, even an iron body needs a rest.

Pushing open the door, the courtyard is full of life.

Zhou Xue was busy in the kitchen, the rhythmic clapping of her chopping vegetables distinct.

Su Yue squatted under the eaves, teasing a stray cat that had appeared out of nowhere with a blade of grass, humming an unknown tune.

Beside the well, Lin Wan was rolling up her sleeves and laboriously scrubbing the clothes in the wooden basin.

Qi Shan walked over and looked at the pile of washed clothes in the basin, especially the bed sheet on top, and couldn't help but smile.

"Why didn't you sleep a little longer?" Qi Shan asked.

Lin Wan was startled.

When she turned around and saw that it was Qi Shan, two blushes instantly appeared on her cheeks.

She subconsciously wiped the sweat from her forehead with the back of her wet hand.

"My husband is awake? There's some porridge keeping warm in the kitchen; I'll go get it now."

He was about to get up when he said that.

As a result, his legs gave way and he almost fell back onto the small stool.

Qi Shan reacted quickly and grabbed her arm.

Lin Wan's face turned even redder, her ears even flushed, and she lowered her head, not daring to look at him.

Qi Shan looked at her slightly trembling legs and understood.

Last night we were really rough with her; this girl is new to this and her bones haven't recovered yet.

"Go and rest, I'll do the washing."

Qi Shan released his grip and took the opportunity to snatch the washing pestle from her hand.

"useless!"

Lin Wan panicked and desperately protected the wooden basin.

"My husband is a man destined for great things, how can he do such menial work? Besides... you worked so hard last night, you deserve a good rest."

Qi Shan chuckled: "What hardship have I experienced? It's you who's been under a lot of pressure."

Upon hearing this, Lin Wan wanted to bury her head in her chest, her voice barely audible.

"Serving my husband... is simply Wan'er's duty."

Qi Shan did not try to take it again.

He understood the views of women in this era.

If I were to actually wash her, she would probably be terrified all day.

He pulled over a bamboo chair and sat down beside the well.

Seeing Lin Wan biting her lip and enduring the soreness to continue washing the clothes, Qi Shan's gaze gradually softened.

Having been in this world for a few months, from initially living hand to mouth to now commanding a thousand soldiers, this small courtyard is his only safe haven.

Three women, each with a distinct personality, yet each with their own merits.

Zhou Xue is older, calm and dignified, and thorough in her work.

She managed all the affairs of the household, big and small, with remarkable efficiency, subtly displaying the demeanor of a matriarch of a prominent family.

With her around, the household remains peaceful.

Su Yue is the youngest, with a lively and mischievous personality.

She acts cute when she's happy and pouts when she's unhappy; she's like a little girl who never grows up, always adding a touch of vibrancy to this dreary world.

Lin Wan, standing before him, was the most gentle and compliant.

She was unassuming and uncompetitive, with only him in her eyes; she was the kind and gentle girl next door from my past life.