When dawn broke, Tie Ci rose early, folding her blanket into a neat rectangular block and arranging the utensils on her table in a straight line before leaving her tent.
This was a habit from when she studied under her master, who called it military-style management. A few days ago, when Di Yiwei saw this, she was very interested and chatted with Tie Ci about it. Tie Ci took the opportunity to discuss some knowledge from future armies regarding hygiene, management, drills, patriotic education, and fostering cohesion and loyalty. When she had first heard her master discuss these matters, she found them very practical and insightful. However, this theoretical system differed greatly from the current military system and institutions of Da Qian. To implement it, someone would need to be willing to be the first to try this new approach.
Actually, she had heard that the previous dynasty had armies like this, but they too were eventually lost in the long river of time. Establishing rules was difficult, but overthrowing them required only a single word.
Looking around, it seemed that Di Yiwei was someone who didn’t follow conventional paths, with very broad vision and methods. Sure enough, when Tie Ci tentatively mentioned it, Di Yiwei immediately issued orders for the entire army to begin training by first organizing internal affairs and strict punctuality.
Initially, some questioned why time should be wasted on a blanket—could folding blankets like tofu blocks really help soldiers kill more enemies?
Di Yiwei, being the troublemaker she was, issued orders for the entire army to comply while refusing to explain, using her pipe to poke at Tie Ci from behind until she pushed her forward.
Tie Ci really wanted to break that troublemaker’s pipe.
She had no choice but to step forward and address the vast crowd assembled below: “Let me tell you a story first.”
“In a certain dynasty, during a great war between two countries—let’s call one the Lion Kingdom and the other the Rice Ball Kingdom. The Lion Kingdom had equipped itself with the most powerful navy in the world, truly formidable ships and cannons. Though the Rice Ball Kingdom was an island nation, it was small, far inferior in ship tonnage, firepower, and equipment. So the Rice Ball Kingdom initially had doubts about whether to engage in battle, with some suggesting immediate surrender. But after observing the Lion Kingdom’s warships from the opposite shore, the Rice Ball Kingdom decided to fight and indeed achieved final victory. Can anyone guess what gave the typically bullying Rice Ball Kingdom the courage to fight directly?”
Below, confused faces looked up at her. Someone muttered: “It couldn’t be because the blankets weren’t folded properly!”
“Correct!” Tie Ci snapped her fingers. “It was indeed because of blankets!”
The soldiers: “…”
Go to hell.
What bullshit.
Di Yiwei took a deep drag and squinted her eyes.
Raised in a teahouse, were you? Full of teahouse storyteller flavor.
“The Rice Ball Kingdom used telescopes to observe the Lion Kingdom’s warships for several days and discovered that ropes were strung haphazardly all over the ships, with socks and underwear hanging everywhere, blankets and bedding drying in the sun. It practically blocked their vision. From this, the Rice Ball Kingdom concluded that although the enemy’s warships were powerful, the soldiers’ discipline was lax and management chaotic. Such an army could not win.”
This time, everyone fell silent.
“In the era of cold weapons, the outcome of wars was mainly in the hands of the armies themselves. Group coordination and cooperation were more important than individual combat ability. A chaotic and disorderly force cannot form effective command, and without effective command and strong execution, even if armed to the teeth, fighting strength would be halved.”
“Can you expect an army that can’t even fold blankets properly and has a complete mess of internal affairs to follow orders, remain calm in crisis, act methodically, and operate efficiently?”
“What we’re folding isn’t blankets—it’s discipline. Square, straight discipline without curves. What we’re arranging isn’t a row of cups, but the spirit of orders flowing from top to bottom, meticulous in every detail.”
“The army is not a place for your personal whims. Like these tofu-block blankets, it will preserve your sharp edges, but those edges must conform to its rules.”
Tie Ci surveyed the entire assembly and didn’t forget to add a final dig.
“Tofu blocks aren’t that easy to fold. Currently, I believe anyone clamoring that this stuff is unnecessary to fold are all idiots who can’t fold them properly. If you can’t even fold blankets well, you might as well go home early to your wife, kids, and warm bed!”
Di Yiwei chuckled.
No telling who she was laughing at.
Then she waved her pipe and said: “Did you hear that? If you heard it, then do it.”
That very day, countless soldiers flocked to Tie Ci’s tent to observe her blankets.
When someone wanted to touch Tie Ci’s blankets to see if they looked so rigid because books were stuffed inside, their hand hadn’t even reached over before Feiyu, who had come over to watch the excitement, slapped their paw away.
After understanding that such blankets initially needed stools to help them take shape, every tent fought over stools.
When Tie Ci passed by her comrades’ tents, she saw everyone carefully carrying their tofu-block blankets like eunuchs in Ciren Palace carrying the Empress Dowager’s hair oil.
The whistle blew—time for morning run. This whistle was long, but when it stopped, the crowd had to assemble completely.
Latecomers were responsible for emptying the entire team’s chamber pots.
The soldiers assembled into square formations for running. In the early winter of the northern regions, it was already very cold. In the orderly footsteps, white breath continuously rose like passing steam trains.
Soon, whistle sounds also rang from across the fence.
The miscellaneous duties camp originally didn’t run, since they didn’t go to battle but only handled logistics.
But since the miscellaneous duties camp got a new boss, the rules changed three times a day.
If the neighbors ran, the boss had to run too.
Since ancient times, for every hundred thousand troops marching, three hundred thousand handled logistics. Logistics itself was a massive organization, divided into seven camp fortifications interspersed with the main camp’s three camp fortifications. The camp where Feiyu was located had over ten thousand people, similar to the central military camp where Tie Ci was stationed. Those warehouse soldiers, supply soldiers, maintenance and repair soldiers, mess hall soldiers, veterinarians… were all awakened by the whistle sounds, walking out drowsily.
Initially, Feiyu only planned to run by himself—after all, he had no interest in helping Di Yiwei train soldiers. But people in the military naturally had a psychology of admiring the strong. After he became famous in one battle, and logistics soldiers were routinely looked down upon, they automatically made him their boss. When the boss ran, everyone ran. More and more people joined, creating a mighty procession.
Later, because Dan Shuang always ran at the very front and Mu Si always loved to catch up, the two ran far ahead like a pair of unrestrained wild horses prancing freely on the ground, leaving the large group behind to eat their dust.
This aroused everyone’s competitive spirit, especially since Dan Shuang was a woman.
So running became a competitive sport. The miscellaneous duties camp ran faster and faster, almost surpassing the main camp. The main camp had originally run at a moderate pace, but seeing this, they thought: This is terrible—those who serve horses and kitchen stoves run faster than us. No way—chase them!
After that, every day became a scene of pursuit on the field, with dust rolling, forcibly turning morning exercise runs into army-wide competitions.
Because the two camps were close together, sharing a fence in the middle, each run would become neck-and-neck progress in the middle section, inevitably leading to some friction—that devilish stepping, staring at each other and spitting kind of intimate eye contact.
But truly intimate eye contact (one-sided) occurred whenever Feiyu and Tie Ci met at the fence.
It could be said that Feiyu’s daily running was really just waiting for this moment. The two would run from the side, meeting at the western end of the fence. Feiyu would call: “Hey!” and pass over Tie Ci’s personalized hot breakfast.
Tie Ci would take it and turn to glance at him.
The next moment, Qi Yuansi would intentionally or unintentionally run over, blocking in front of Tie Ci and running alongside Feiyu.
But immediately he would cry “Ouch!” as a stone hit his knee hollow, dropping him behind.
But Yang Yixiu would immediately take his place. The clever Yixiu would smilingly ask Chef Feiyu daily how to make spicy pig’s trotters, and whether spicy diced rabbit would be good today.
Feiyu would wave away his dog head, and this time Tian Wu would charge over.
Fat Tiger didn’t know he was playing the role of a third wheel—he was just following Supervisor Rong’s instructions.
During a certain evening tea gathering, Supervisor Rong was eating fried orchid beans made by Feiyu that Yang Yixiu had stolen from the mess hall, while seemingly casually saying to several people: “Rong Wei seems to have ulterior motives toward the Crown Princess.”
Just this one sentence caused an uproar.
Tian Wu said the Crown Princess already had a fiancé—could she take a second one?
Yang Yixiu yelled that Rong Wei came from Liaodong with unclear origins and was approaching the Crown Princess with definite ulterior motives.
Qi Yuansi only said Rong Wei wasn’t worthy of the Crown Princess and had better not harbor fantasies.
After that, during daily runs, the three became the “Anti-Rong Wei Alliance,” determined to exclude every lecher coveting the Crown Princess.
The Anti-Rong Wei Alliance was constantly expanding, because students from the academy all felt the Crown Princess was so amazing she could reproduce asexually—no man was worthy of her.
Although Rong Wei had been a riding and archery teacher for a while, he was only popular with female students and was a male public enemy. After all, unless handsome men were like Rong Pu—weak and sickly, arousing pity, and thoughtful and exquisite in character—they would attract hatred.
Later, the alliance also included many main camp soldiers. After all, Tie Ci could crush them in martial prowess, wisdom, and eloquence. In combat training on the practice field, warriors who fell at her feet numbered in the thousands if not ten thousand. Thousands upon thousands of losers established Tie Ci’s reputation as a domineering king. The soldiers went from unconvinced to wholeheartedly convinced in the time it took for their backs to hit the ground.
The consequence of the alliance’s expansion was that initially Feiyu could still leisurely accompany Tie Ci for a section of running, the two side by side in silence, only hearing each other’s footsteps, which sounded so distinct even amid the heavy steps of the large group. Without careful identification, they still entered the heart upon hearing.
Later, people around them constantly changed, flashing before their eyes like a revolving lantern. When they passed by Tie Ci, she would naturally yield, and when Feiyu turned his head, he would see a big man beside him instead.
The big men mostly kept their eyes straight ahead, concentrating on their own running. After all, beside them was another big boss, and this boss was fierce, always making people suspect that looking once more would make their eyeballs disappear.
Feiyu felt both joy and sorrow about their obvious fear of him yet still daring to rush forward to their deaths.
Joy for Tie Ci’s popularity, sorrow for Tie Ci’s popularity.
Those meddling bastards forcibly squeezed Ye Ci into the innermost part of the formation, as far from him as the Milky Way. Every time he drove one away, another would fill in, like the endless waters of the Yellow River. Even if he used stones to drive away all these bastards, running time would be over.
Rong Pu, being in poor health, didn’t participate in running but had to sit at the finish line, appreciating someone’s fight against thousands of troops.
Today Rong Pu’s appreciative gaze was even more pleased, because yesterday, on his suggestion, a two-zhang distance had been cleared between the two camps, with some trenches dug and an additional fence added.
He told Di Yiwei that the miscellaneous duties camp’s defenses were inferior to the main camp’s—they mustn’t become a breakthrough point for enemy night raids. Therefore, distance should be increased between the camps with obstacles set up—the farther the better.
Di Yiwei adopted his suggestion.
After all, she could watch the young ones secretly compete while causing no harm to the army—why not?
So now Feiyu couldn’t slap away the third wheels’ heads or secretly slip snacks to Tie Ci.
When Tie Ci saw the extra fence that morning, she laughed.
How poor must his popularity be!
Over there, Feiyu glanced once, acted as if nothing happened, and shouted across the fence: “Ye Ci!”
If he couldn’t whisper, he’d announce it to the world—he didn’t mind.
Tie Ci ignored him—military regulations forbade talking while running.
Feiyu didn’t need her to respond and shouted loudly: “What do you want for breakfast tomorrow? How about fried dumplings with tofu pudding and stir-fried five-spice golden threads?”
Those who hadn’t eaten breakfast secretly swallowed their saliva.
Tie Ci made an OK gesture.
Feiyu: “Which little bastard is blocking me? Tomorrow I’ll treat him to mutton soup with dog shit.”
The crowd scattered with a whoosh.
Rong Pu sat at the eastern end of the fence.
When Feiyu ran past, he didn’t even glance at him.
The ground shook violently from the army’s running, and Rong Pu’s little stool kept trembling.
Feiyu ran past on his second lap, still not looking at Rong Pu.
Feiyu ran past on his third lap.
The main camp had almost finished running and was slowing down.
Feiyu was running right at the fence opening.
Rong Pu’s little stool suddenly broke one leg.
Rong Pu, caught off guard, tumbled to the ground.
Although he reacted quickly, supporting himself with one hand, one knee had already hit the ground, facing directly toward Feiyu.
Feiyu raised his hand with a solemn expression: “Rise.”
Tie Ci: “Pft.”
Chi Xue glanced over, chuckled softly, and said: “He really has the bearing of a primary consort.”
Dan Shuang said: “He’s not the primary consort though.”
Chi Xue slapped her forehead hard and said: “I almost forgot to mention—we received news from the capital while at the academy. Master’s engagement has been broken off.”
“What?”
“Previously, Prince Ding’an requested to cancel his son’s marriage contract. His Majesty kept it pending, but later First Minister Rong also advised His Majesty, and when Master He went to the capital, he brought word of the Crown Princess’s desire to break the engagement. Since both parties were unwilling, His Majesty no longer insisted. A few days ago, he issued an edict canceling the marriage contract with Liaodong.”
“That’s fine then. With the Crown Princess’s current status, what good match couldn’t she find?”
“That’s true, but I think the Crown Princess’s initiative to break the engagement might be because of Rong Wei, right?”
“Rong Wei isn’t impossible—as long as the Crown Princess likes him.”
“But I always feel Rong Wei’s background isn’t simple. Looking at the Crown Princess’s manner, she’s not necessarily at ease either. But if the Crown Princess doesn’t ask or investigate, this might not be good.”
Dan Shuang frowned and said: “If Rong Wei belongs to an opposing faction, the Crown Princess should cut through the mess quickly.”
Chi Xue sighed softly, thinking that matters of love were like drawing a sword to cut flowing water—not so easy to stop the flow.
The Crown Princess’s current attitude toward Rong Wei was actually quite forthright, conducting everything openly, not much different from how she treated other military comrades.
Not rejecting his goodwill wasn’t to string him along, but because with someone like Rong Wei, rejection was useless. Too drastic measures might even cause trouble.
Chi Xue thought of something and smiled: “Speaking of which, I’m a bit surprised that First Minister Rong intervened in this matter. The First Minister generally doesn’t concern himself with such things—could it be that Supervisor Rong requested it?”
Dan Shuang said: “If the Crown Princess truly wants to properly select someone, I think Rong Pu would be better than Rong Wei.”
Chi Xue smiled without speaking.
Ultimately, it would only be good if the Crown Princess herself liked him.
Tie Ci waved at them across the fence, smiling and asking: “What are you talking about?”
Having finished exercising, her eyes were bright as if containing starlight, her smile generous and gracious.
Dan Shuang thought the Crown Princess was becoming more and more charming.
The kind of charm that made women’s hearts flutter and men become intoxicated.
She should take back her earlier words—no one was worthy of such a Crown Princess.
She was about to mention the engagement matter when Tie Ci had already walked over to help Rong Pu up.
Rong Pu smiled, taking her wrist to stand up while smoothing out the slight wrinkles in her sleeves.
Very tender.
Across the way, Feiyu watched with gritted teeth.
Little bitch.
Should give you another stone.
However, Tie Ci intentionally or unintentionally blocked Rong Pu’s front, preventing him from using any of his various methods.
This made him even more displeased.
Rong Pu completely ignored his cold glare and leaned against the fence with Tie Ci, saying very casually: “I guess they’re talking about your broken engagement.”
Feiyu perked up, ears pricked.
Previously, Tie Ci had hinted to him about having an engagement and had hinted that to go further, he should wait for her to resolve the marriage contract.
Because there had always been the knot of mutual pretense between them, both sides had reservations, and many things hadn’t been clearly stated. But he was quite concerned about this matter.
Had her engagement really been dissolved now?
Was it dissolved because of him?
Tie Ci was also pleasantly surprised: “Oh? It’s really been dissolved?”
Rong Pu said: “Because your whereabouts were uncertain, when the news reached the academy, I received it. The engagement breaking was first proposed by the man’s side.”
Feiyu thought: Well, at least he’s sensible.
Still an idiot who doesn’t recognize gold inlaid with jade.
Tie Ci breathed a sigh of relief, saying that was good.
She had always worried that breaking the engagement would give Prince Ding’an an excuse to make things difficult for the court, which was why she had delayed making a decision. Since Prince Ding’an’s side took the initiative, that was naturally best.
Rong Pu gestured for her to move away some, walking until they reached a secluded spot, confirming that Rong Wei couldn’t hear, before saying softly: “Grand Tutor He also took this opportunity to gain the benefit of opening another trading post from Prince Ding’an.”
Tie Ci said with satisfaction: “The Grand Tutor is cunning—after my own heart.”
Although Liaodong was a vassal state, it had been implicitly independent for years. To maintain control, it managed border commercial circulation very strictly. Being able to openly open one more post would give Da Qian’s side more opportunities.
“But how could Prince Ding’an be willing to pay compensation? I remember he has many sons and doesn’t seem like someone who would care about his sons’ marital happiness.”
Once royal marriage alliances were established, they were very difficult to cancel, since political marriages never considered anyone’s preferences.
It was quite surprising to Tie Ci that Prince Ding’an would actively break the engagement and be willing to compensate for his son’s sake.
“Grand Tutor naturally wouldn’t directly ask for compensation. Grand Tutor only said that breaking the engagement was fine, but the gifts bestowed by imperial edict should be returned first. After all, many rare treasures among them could only be left for the future National Father. But Prince Ding’an’s side couldn’t return them. He had no choice but to agree to the request for opening trade.”
Tie Ci: “?”
“I heard that the Eighteenth Prince, upon receiving the rewards, immediately sold everything and couldn’t get them back.” Rong Pu said matter-of-factly, “He sold them for money and used it to buy many dancing girls and objects for his residence.”
Tie Ci: “???”
So LOW like this?
Author’s Note
I’ve been running to hospitals recently, so just one update today.