After more than two months of arduous journey from the capital to Liangzhou, carving paths through mountains and building bridges across waters, everyone was exhausted and noticeably thinner when they finally reached their destination. As He Yan sat by the lake scooping water to drink, she caught her reflection in the water. The once fair-skinned Young Lady He was now tanned to a wheat-like complexion after two months of exposure to the scorching sun, making face powder unnecessary.

She found herself amused by the thought that if the real Young Lady He were to return now, she would probably want to strangle her. “What’s making Brother He so happy?” Xiaomai asked.

Hong Shan glanced at He Yan by the lake and explained knowingly, “We’ll reach Liangzhou before nightfall after another half day’s journey. Our hardships are almost over – how could one not be happy?”

“That’s true,” Xiaomai agreed wholeheartedly and turned to Shitou, “Are you happy, Big Brother?”

The taciturn Shitou nodded.

These two months of travel had indeed been inhuman. Although most of those who came to join the army were from poor families accustomed to hardship, this journey proved far more challenging than anyone had imagined. Some of the weaker ones had already perished along the way, never making it to Liangzhou or having the chance to return to the capital.

This was a path of no return.

By evening, the main force finally reached Liangzhou. Located in the northwest, they had expected it to be desolate and barren but surprisingly found it rather prosperous. Though not comparable to the capital, it was bustling and abundant. As He Yan walked with the others, she thought to herself that Xiao Jue truly knew how to pick locations. Liangzhou was far better than Mo County where she had initially enlisted. When she first went to Mo County, it had nothing – civilians could barely afford food, and the soldiers’ lives were truly difficult.

Their first stop in Liangzhou was the Liangzhou Guard, stationed at the foot of White Moon Mountain. The mountain’s base had vast open spaces suitable for training grounds, where soldiers usually conducted their drills. While tents were available for overnight stays, they would now be housed in the guard station’s quarters.

With so many people, there weren’t enough rooms in the quarters, so more than a dozen people had to squeeze into small rooms with communal sleeping platforms. He Yan naturally stayed with Hong Shan and the Shitou brothers. Having few belongings, they found spots on the sleeping platform and settled in.

“I checked around and found a river nearby,” Xiaomai returned excitedly. “Many people are bathing there. Shall we go too?”

“Great idea! I’m covered in sweat!” Hong Shan quickly removed his outer clothes, ready to run out.

Xiaomai looked at He Yan: “Aren’t you coming, Brother He?”

“He won’t come. He’s afraid of water. The three of us will go!” Hong Shan said, pushing Xiaomai and Shitou out.

He Yan had explained the first time Hong Shan invited her to bathe in the river that she had nearly drowned as a child, and since then, entering the water caused dizziness and rapid breathing. Hong Shan didn’t question it, and truthfully, He Yan wasn’t lying – she was afraid of water now.

However… He Yan lay down on the communal bed with a creaking sound. She frowned, unsure whether it was because she was too thin and her bones pressed against the wood, or if the bed was simply unbearably hard. After a moment, she could only sigh inwardly about how “easier it is to go from thrift to luxury than luxury to thrift.” After three years in the army camp and a year as Madam Xu, she had grown accustomed to soft beds and quilts, finding this wooden platform irritating.

Xiao Jue had it better – his bed must be soft. He Yan found this quite unfair.

She rested in the room until Hong Shan and the others returned, then went with them to eat at the guard station.

Being their first day, after two months of dry rations and plain water on the road, they finally had hot food in Liangzhou. Even simple congee and steamed buns were steaming hot – the new recruits sat on the ground, feasting heartily as if enjoying rare delicacies.

“These meat buns barely have any filling,” Hong Shan complained while licking his fingers. “It’s not satisfying at all.”

“Having hot food is already good,” He Yan said. “Better than dry rations.”

“Don’t worry, I heard there are many wild animals and rabbits on White Moon Mountain,” Xiaomai said with a smile. “Brother and I can go hunting. Once we catch rabbits or wild boars, we can clean them, skewer them on branches, or wrap them in leaves, sprinkle some salt, and roast them until they’re sizzling with oil. It’s delicious!”

Xiaomai was a foodie who couldn’t stop talking about food. Hong Shan grew hungrier from his description and gulped down his remaining congee, slamming the bowl on the table. “Damn it, you’re making me want to go up the mountain right now!”

“Military rules forbid unauthorized mountain climbing,” He Yan dampened their enthusiasm.

“There will be time for that eventually,” Hong Shan said dismissively.

After eating and drinking their fill, everyone cleaned up briefly. The training commanders had already informed them to assemble at the training grounds at dawn tomorrow, so they should retire early tonight.

He Yan returned to the quarters with Hong Shan. Many people were already there, some sleeping, others still chatting excitedly.

He Yan slept in the innermost part of the communal bed, with Xiaomai on one side and the wall on the other. She heard Hong Shan cheerfully saying from the other end, “Compared to our journey here, this is paradise!”

With food, drink, baths, and beds, no exposure to sun and rain, and no mosquitoes keeping them awake at night, it did seem much better than before.

Xiaomai whispered, “Training here seems easier than hunting in the mountains. Plus, there are so many people to play with.”

He Yan thought to herself: “Naive child, how could anyone think military training is easier than hunting in the capital?” These first-time recruits assumed everything would be as relaxed as tonight. But this was like the last meal before execution – after this good meal, it would be their final one.

Tonight would be their most relaxed night in Liangzhou. Tomorrow, the real torture would begin.

He Yan closed her eyes – let these foolish children dream a little longer!

Sure enough, early the next morning before dawn, a clear horn sounded from the training grounds outside the guard station.

“Mmm, so early… can’t we sleep a bit more?” Xiaomai turned over, rubbing his eyes. He noticed He Yan was already dressed and standing by the bed.

“Brother He, how are you up so early?” he asked groggily.

“Failing to respond to roll call, arriving late for assembly, or missing appointed times is considered disrespect to military discipline and punishable by flogging,” she said with a smile, showing no signs of drowsiness.

“If you don’t want to be beaten, get up quickly.”