The words “equality between men and women” echoed in Qing Muluan’s ears.
Indeed, if men and women were equal, would she still need to struggle so hard to go to the battlefield?
If men and women were equal, would people still point and gossip about her?
In that moment, Qing Muluan felt as if the clouds had parted, and everything became clear.
“Thank you, sir, for helping me find my life’s goal.”
Her eyes sparkled like stars, radiant with purpose.
She stood and bowed to Jin Feng.
But this time, she didn’t mimic a man’s salute. Instead, she used the etiquette of women in this era.
She understood what Jin Feng meant earlier.
As a woman, why should she imitate a man’s salute?
“You’re very perceptive,” Jin Feng said with a smile, praising her.
“It’s your excellent guidance, sir. One word from you is worth more than a decade of my studies,” Qing Muluan replied, her usual fiery temper giving way to a rare playful tone.
“You gave up a comfortable life, led a group of female soldiers all the way from Xichuan Prefecture to this small village to find me. Compared to other women of this era, you’ve already taken a huge step,” Jin Feng said. “But the road ahead is long and difficult. You must be prepared.”
“Don’t worry, sir. No matter how hard it is, I’ll keep going,” Qing Muluan said firmly. “Even if I don’t succeed, even if I die on this path, I’ll have no regrets.”
“Whether you succeed or not, I believe you’ll leave a milestone for future women. They’ll know your goal, your efforts,” Jin Feng said, his gaze tinged with admiration.
Equality between men and women sounded simple, but even in the 21st century, with equal education for women, it wasn’t fully achieved, let alone in Dakang.
Qing Muluan was essentially challenging the entire era.
Jin Feng admitted he wouldn’t dare to do so himself.
Thus, he admired her.
Most people pursued fame, wealth, power, or love, but Qing Muluan cared little for money, status, or even her own life. She valued her legacy above all.
Jin Feng’s high praise was like pouring oil on the fire in her heart, making it burn even brighter.
That night, Qing Muluan stayed until late.
Jin Feng described a world where women could have the same educational opportunities as men, not only joining the army but even holding office and participating in governance.
When she left, Qing Muluan was brimming with determination and enthusiasm.
Her view of Jin Feng had completely transformed.
In her eyes, he was now a wise mentor, a guide to life.
Especially after Jin Feng promised to equip her women’s army with crossbows, her gratitude was boundless.
During training, she had already seen the power of the new crossbows.
With rapid loading, high firing speed, and great power, crossbows could significantly bridge the strength gap between female and male soldiers.
If every female soldier had one, their combat strength would rise several levels.
Of course, Jin Feng’s guidance and offer of crossbows came with his own motives.
His earlier words were like painting a grand vision for Qing Muluan, subtly encouraging and inciting her.
Due to the war, Dakang had far more women than men, a vast resource that, if used well, could be a game-changing force.
Jin Feng was eager to see how far Qing Muluan could go.
From the next day, Qing Muluan stopped avoiding others. She trained when it was time to train, ate when it was time to eat, and returned to the village when it was time, ignoring the gossiping women as if she didn’t see them.
When something new appears, people view it with curiosity or judgment.
But when it persists and becomes normal, people gradually accept it.
The village women were the same. As the female soldiers continued their routine, the gossip faded.
No one wants to be oppressed. The women’s gossip partly stemmed from jealousy.
Many secretly envied the female soldiers but lacked Qing Muluan’s courage to challenge norms.
The female soldiers’ training gradually became accepted, a normal sight.
The village slowly returned to its usual rhythm.
The textile factory, construction sites, and ironworks were bustling as ever.
At dusk, men and women returned home with smiles.
But this calm didn’t last long.
Half a month after the female soldiers arrived, Guan Xiaorou ran into the ironworks, finding Jin Feng working on crossbows with Manchun.
“Darling, Brother Tie is back. He’s waiting outside with an official carrying a sword,” she said.
The ironworks was a restricted area in Xihe Bay, guarded around the clock by veteran soldiers. Only Jin Feng, the Manchun brothers, and Guan Xiaorou were allowed inside.
Since Zhang Liang took over training the veterans, Liu Tie, the village chief’s son and someone Jin Feng valued, had gradually taken on the task of delivering goods and buying supplies in the county.
But he still wasn’t allowed in the ironworks.
“Brother Tie is back early?” Jin Feng asked, frowning.
Since the bandits from Iron Jar Mountain set up a checkpoint at Copper Mountain, Liu Tie had been going to the county at night, returning the next night or the following morning after procuring supplies.
He had left last night, so he should have returned tonight or tomorrow morning.
Coming back early with an official suggested something had gone wrong.
Jin Feng put down his tools and followed Guan Xiaorou to the courtyard next to the ironworks.
Though he hadn’t moved in yet, Jin Feng was already using one of the study rooms as an office.
In the study, Liu Tie sat with a bailiff at the table. Runniang had poured them each a bowl of water before leaving.
Jin Feng recognised the bailiff, Zhang, who had come with Qing Huai before.
Jinchuan County was Qing Huai’s fief. Though he had no administrative power, he had taxation rights, so he placed people in the county to prevent the magistrate from skimming taxes.
Before returning from Weizhou, Qing Huai had told Jin Feng that Zhang was one of his men in the county office, someone to contact if needed.
Jin Feng, aware of Qing Huai’s awkward position in the county, had never bothered Zhang, yet now Zhang had come to him.
Seeing Jin Feng, Liu Tie stood quickly and limped forward. “Brother Feng, something’s happened.”
Only then did Jin Feng notice Liu Tie was injured, walking with a limp.
Instead of asking what happened, Jin Feng lifted Liu Tie’s left trouser leg.
There were two clear bruises and a five-to-six-centimetre wound on his leg.
“Brother Tie, who did this?” Jin Feng asked, looking up.
His eyes burned with anger.
