Stepping out of the main hall, Jinfeng saw a group of girls standing in the courtyard.
Each was equipped identically to the Iron Forest Army’s personal guards, clad in armour with swords at their waists.
Except for the girl at the front, who was curiously surveying her surroundings, the other dozen or so stood in three neat rows, backs straight, eyes fixed ahead.
If not for their prominent chests and slightly fairer faces, Jinfeng might have thought Zhong Wu had brought Qinghuai’s guard unit.
The lead girl stepped forward upon seeing Jinfeng and asked, “Are you Jinfeng?”
“I am indeed Jinfeng. And you are, miss?” Jinfeng replied, his mind racing through the host’s memories.
Moments later, he confirmed the host didn’t know this girl.
“I’m Qinghuai’s sister, Qing Mulian!” the girl declared, head held high.
“Qinghuai’s sister?” Jinfeng frowned. “He never mentioned you.”
But then he noticed her sword, one of the two black blades he’d forged for Qinghuai.
Glancing at her gear, Jinfeng began to believe her.
“Here’s a letter from my brother. Take a look,” she said, pulling a letter from her sleeve.
Jinfeng took the envelope, noting Qinghuai’s seal on the wax.
Opening it, he recognised Qinghuai’s handwriting.
After reading, a wry smile crossed Jinfeng’s face.
In the letter, Qinghuai explained that Qing Mulian was his cousin, daughter of Qing Liancheng, the elder brother of Duke Qing.
Qing Liancheng, a staunch advocate for war and a formidable general, had greatly contributed to Duke Qing’s status and Qinghuai’s achievements.
Tragically, five years ago, Qing Liancheng was gravely wounded fighting Dangxiang cavalry and had to leave the battlefield. The emperor appointed him governor of Xichuan Circuit.
Xichuan Circuit wasn’t just a road but a provincial administrative unit, under which Jinchuan County fell.
Qinghuai’s fief being in Jinchuan was largely due to his uncle being Xichuan’s top official.
However, Qing Liancheng’s battlefield injuries were severe, and he passed away two years after returning.
As a powerful regional governor, after his death, Duke Qing manoeuvred to place Qing Liancheng’s eldest son, Qing Mulian’s brother Qing Xinyao, in the governor’s role.
Raised under her father’s influence, Qing Mulian was obsessed with military affairs and warfare, preferring armour to feminine attire.
Dakang’s strict constraints on women meant that while Qing Liancheng was alive, Qing Mulian was cautious, not daring to go too far.
After his death, with her brother swamped by administrative duties, Qing Mulian was free. She swiftly recruited over a dozen skilled girls, forming a women’s militia.
She repeatedly wrote to Qinghuai, demanding to join the Iron Forest Army to defend the border.
Dakang had never had a female unit, so Qinghuai couldn’t agree lightly, only coaxing her gently.
Qing Mulian wasn’t unreasonable and didn’t press too hard, mostly requesting armour and weapons.
But after news of the Iron Forest Army’s great victory in Weizhou City reached Xichuan, Qing Mulian could no longer sit still. She wrote to Qinghuai, threatening to take her militia to the border to fight the Dangxiang if he didn’t let her join.
Knowing his cousin’s resolve, Qinghuai wrote that the Qingshui Valley victory was Jinfeng’s doing and suggested she study under him before joining the army.
Intrigued, Qing Mulian sent people to the capital to verify the news.
Upon confirming Jinfeng’s role in the Qingshui Valley victory, she led her militia straight to Xihe Bay.
“My brother says you’re the greatest general in the land. I’m here to learn from you,” Qing Mulian stated. “From today, I’ll follow you to study, and once I’ve learned, I’ll go to the border to fight for the country!”
“You really want to stay?” Jinfeng rubbed his brow helplessly.
Qinghuai had sent him quite the handful.
Qinghuai, knowing he was imposing, apologised profusely in the letter, begging Jinfeng to help.
It was the first time Jinfeng had seen Qinghuai speak so humbly. Given their friendship, he had to take this on, no matter how tough.
“Why are you rubbing your head? Got a problem with me?” Qing Mulian glared, her large eyes cold.
“Miss, it’s not that I’ve got a problem with you. I’m just worried a girl like you can’t handle the hardship,” Jinfeng said, sizing her up and shaking his head slightly.
Since she was here, he couldn’t let her leave easily.
What if she sneaked off to the border? How would he explain that to Qinghuai?
For someone like Qing Mulian, provocation worked best.
Hearing this, she exploded, “I thought you were some great man, but you’re just another fool who looks down on women!”
“I don’t look down on women. On the contrary, I believe women can hold up half the sky. In many things, women outperform men, like spinning thread. Two men couldn’t match one woman,” Jinfeng said. “You may not know, but I’ve set up a textile factory in the village, all female workers…”
Before he could finish, Qing Mulian cut in, “I’m not here to learn spinning. I want to fight!”
“Let me finish,” Jinfeng said. “I don’t discriminate against women, but there are physical differences. Some roles, like soldiering, aren’t suited for women. Women’s stamina is naturally less than men’s…”
“Who says we’re less than men?” Qing Mulian drew her sword. “Want to test that?”
“Put it away. I’m a scholar, not here to spar with you,” Jinfeng stepped back, exasperated. “For Qinghuai’s sake, if you’re set on staying, fine. But let’s be clear: if you can’t meet my standards, you’ll go back to learning needlework and stop running around.”
“Name your standards,” she demanded.
“I’m currently training a group of veteran soldiers, retired from the Iron Forest Army. You just arrived, so we’ll let today slide. But from tomorrow morning, you’ll train with them. If you can’t keep up, don’t blame me for not giving Qinghuai face,” Jinfeng said, smiling. “Fair enough?”
“Fair. Very fair,” Qing Mulian nodded confidently. “I’ll prove we’re no less than men!”
“You’d better,” Jinfeng said, a slight smile curling his lips.
