373: Nazia

"My Lord, isn't this somewhat inappropriate?" Feng Cai whispered.

"This is a different time, a different situation," Lin Yue reassured, then said in a deep voice to the Generals: "I plan to establish a reserve army. They will farm in peacetime and enlist during war!

One out of every hundred people in each village will be chosen. The selection will be based on recommendations from each village chief. After the selection is complete, they will gather here during the annual farming off-season for training led by the Guard.

The selection will rotate annually, and they must be Soldiers who are at least fifteen years old!

Those who perform exceptionally well during this period will be selected to join the Guard!

Who among you is in favor, and who is against?" Lin Yue said in a deep voice.

With a population of one hundred thousand in his Fief, one percent would be a thousand people. He didn't expect everyone to become an elite Soldier; he only wanted to ensure that if an unexpected event occurred, the militia in his Fief wouldn't be too weak. He would be satisfied if they could fight after half a month of training.

This requirement, for the Generals, resonated deeply with them. Naturally, they were full of praise and had no objections!

Afterward, Lin Yue let Feng Cai continue speaking. This time, Lin Yue did not voice any opposing opinions; everything was as Feng Cai suggested.

After listening for a while, Lin Yue rose to take his leave. At this moment, his presence was like a mascot; simply showing his face would put them at ease. Now that his objective was achieved, Lin Yue stood up, waved his hand, and walked out.

He arrived at the training ground outside the tent where the cavalry was being trained and found the Generals teaching multiple students at once. There were forty warhorses in total, meaning forty cavalrymen, but they were all focused on teaching a few individuals. Lin Yue could already see the fear in the Soldier's eyes from the sweat on his forehead.

Lin Yue sighed inwardly, realizing that wherever these people were, things would be a mess. He didn't want to provoke She Jian, so he slipped away before they noticed him... Liaodong Commandery, Xinchang County.

An exquisite carriage rumbled over the flagstone streets, weaving through the city.

"Mmm~ Young Master Zhao, be gentler~" The young woman moaned, her entire body nestled in the man's arms.

"Mmm." The man released his grip after a few breaths, then sat upright and said, "Qi Ya, it's a good thing the intelligence just came in that Li Rupo is already injured and bedridden, unable to move. Otherwise, I really wouldn't have been willing to let you go."

"Oh, Young Master Zhao, this humble one doesn't want to go either, but this humble one is willing to give her all for your great cause!" Qi Ya said with deep affection.

"No, all of you belongs to me," Young Master Zhao said with a sharp tone.

"He is unable to move now, so he can't do anything to this humble one.

Young Master, rest assured, this humble one will protect herself. All of this humble one belongs only to you!" Qi Ya smiled.

"I've put you through a lot, Qi Ya," Young Master Zhao said with deep affection.

"Qi Ya is not wronged. For her clansmen, and for you, Young Master, Qi Ya is willing." Qi Ya took Young Master Zhao's hand and placed it in front of her, saying, "Young Master, rest assured, Qi Ya's body and heart will forever belong to you!"

"But whenever I think of you going to that idiot's side, I inexplicably get very angry," Young Master Zhao said, his face full of reluctance.

"It's alright, Qi Ya will only take care of him for a few days and then return. Can Young Master wait for Qi Ya here?"

"Mmm." Young Master Zhao nodded.

Qi Ya smiled at his words, then pushed her hair aside and leaned down.

"Mmm~"

...The carriage finally stopped at a private residence. Qi Ya slowly stepped out of the carriage, wiped the corner of her mouth with a handkerchief, and walked gracefully into the mansion.

"Qi Ya, be careful..." The coachman suddenly spoke, his face full of pain.

"Brother, you don't have to worry about me. Just please take good care of Young Master Li." Qi Ya looked back and smiled, then walked into the mansion.

"Alas..." The man's face was full of pain.

Young Master Zhao looked at Qi Ya's retreating figure through the carriage window and sneered inwardly, "What a pity. It's rare for our clan to produce such a woman."

Then Young Master Zhao said to the coachman, "Šurhaci, please take me to Chunxiao Tower."

Šurhaci was enraged by these words. He turned around, lifted the curtain, and suppressed his voice like a low growl from a beast, saying, "Zhao Bo, Qi Ya is currently in the tiger's den, and you're going to a place like that? Are you even a human being!"

"If I'm not mistaken, the clan sent you to escort me and protect my safety, right?

Did they tell you to point fingers here?" Zhao Bo said disdainfully.

"How can you do this and still face Qi Ya!" Šurhaci gnashed his teeth.

"Whether I can face her or not, what does it have to do with you? Qi Ya hasn't said anything, so what right do you have to worry?

I'm going for serious business this time. If I delay the clan's important matters, can you bear the responsibility!" Zhao Bo said with disdain, reaching out to pull the carriage curtain closed again.

Šurhaci was stunned by these words and could only dejectedly drive the carriage, while thinking to himself, "Qi Ya, I can't believe you fell for someone like this. I truly feel it's not worth it for you!"

...As Qi Ya stepped into the mansion, a military officer led her to a room.

The military officer then stole a glance at Qi Ya, secretly swallowed, and whispered, "Miss, Second Master was ambushed by a villain and is now seriously injured and bedridden. His temper is not very good."

Qi Ya nodded gently, then pushed open the door and walked in!

"Who!" A furious roar sounded.

"Second Brother, it's me," Qi Ya said softly.

"Qi Ya? Is that you, Qi Ya!" A slightly anxious voice sounded.

Qi Ya walked further in and saw a man lying on the bed, struggling to turn over.

Qi Ya quickly stepped forward and helped him sit upright.

"Ah!" Qi Ya screamed, seeing a pig-like head wrapped in white bandages.

"Qi Ya, do you... do you despise me in this state?" Li Rupo said, his heart like dead ashes.

Qi Ya recovered, covering her mouth with both hands, her eyes tearful, saying, "Who beat you into this state, Second Brother? Qi Ya's heart aches so much!"

"I knew you wouldn't despise me, Qi Ya," Li Rupo said, moved.

His only pair of eyes visible through the bandages were also incredibly moist at this moment.

"Second Brother, tell me who it was. Qi Ya will avenge you even if it costs her life."

Li Rupo laboriously raised his hand and held Qi Ya's slender hand, saying, "Qi Ya, with those words, I would even die for you!"

"No, Second Brother, Qi Ya wishes it were her lying in bed right now." Qi Ya subtly withdrew her hand and said, "Second Brother, tell me quickly, who beat you into this state?"

"That's not important, Qi Ya, I missed you." Li Rupo grabbed Qi Ya's hand again and said.

"Wait a moment, you're in this state, how can you still be thinking about that?" Qi Ya said, her face flushed with shyness, "Besides, didn't you promise Qi Ya? Don't worry, Qi Ya's body will be saved for you, Second Brother, until our wedding night."

"Good! When I recover, I will speak to Father again. This time, no one can stop us."

"Mmm." Qi Ya subtly withdrew her hand and said, "I'll go get your medicine. Second Brother, get well soon so Qi Ya can be at ease."

"Good!" Li Rupo nodded heavily.