Chapter 111

Chapter 111

Xiao Zhen did not try to persuade Tong Sui further, for the light in her eyes had already given him his answer.

She preferred standing here with the old man and the city guards rather than waiting at home, and she had the courage to do so.

There was a chance of getting injured or even losing their lives, but wasn't that the same for everyone in the Wei County army, including the old man, Second Uncle, and even their brothers?

Xiao Zhen now worried about something happening to Tong Sui, but it was also possible that she would be fine while he might not return.

Was he truly fearless?

Xiao Zhen was afraid too, but the family had no other choice. They could either sit and wait to die or take up arms and fight for a way out.

Having elders, brothers, and a beloved wife by one's side on this path was indeed a fortunate and joyful thing.

He held Tong Sui's hand as they descended from the city wall.

The old man was already waiting below. Seeing his granddaughter-in-law let go of his grandson’s hand, he smiled and pretended not to notice as he looked away.

After eating a communal meal in the military camp, the three of them walked back home together.

Tong Sui followed Xiao Zhen to the East Wing Courtyard. After heating water and washing up, she discovered the money bag Lin Ningfang had slipped into her bedding. Weighing it, she realized it contained almost all the money.

At that moment, Xiao Zhen, having finished wiping himself down, entered the room.

Tong Sui lifted the money bag and explained its origin to him.

Xiao Zhen: "Leather armor is excellent. Genuine leather armor is not inferior to iron armor in terms of defense; it's just that cowhide is limited, which is why iron armor gradually replaced it."

He then added meaningfully, "Third Sister-in-Law cares deeply for you. A piece of leather armor requires three layers of raw cowhide. The cost of the cowhide plus labor is more than five taels of silver."

He knew there were a few sets of armor in the military camp and had reminded the old man to provide one for Tong Sui, but someone had been even more thoughtful.

Tong Sui had already been moved last night, but now she was thinking about the price: "How much does it cost? I can add some more to make up the difference for Third Sister-in-Law."

Their small savings were hidden in a more secure and less accessible place.

Xiao Zhen: "We don’t need to pay. I’ll ask Grandfather for it."

He sat down on the bed and pulled Tong Sui into his embrace.

Looking at his chest, Tong Sui asked, "How many sets of armor do we have here?"

Xiao Zhen smiled. "Two hundred."

Tong Sui exclaimed, "So few?"

Xiao Zhen: "There are no permanent troops stationed in the county. Armor is only needed when bandits appear, and preparing too many sets is unnecessary during peacetime."

The iron collected by the Xiao family was used to make weapons, and they lacked the resources to make armor themselves.

Tong Sui: "How are those two hundred sets divided?"

Xiao Zhen: "Sixty sets for the hundred-households, one hundred twenty for the total-flag commanders, leaving twenty sets for Grandfather to distribute during city defense."

Tong Sui felt a tightness in her heart. "Don’t you thousand-households wear any?"

Xiao Zhen explained, "All the thousand-households are family members. Sun Dian is also from our Lingshui Village. When we decided to defend the county, we agreed to protect all the people. If we only equip ourselves and leave the six thousand soldiers in regular cotton clothes, how would they feel? Other officers wear armor to make it easier for their soldiers to follow orders, but we don’t need to."

Hearing this, Tong Sui recalled a poem Lin Ningfang had once recited: "Do not say you have no clothes; share your coat with me."

Her eyes welled up, and she leaned against his shoulder.

Xiao Zhen held her hand. "Don’t worry about us. We fought the southern army for six years and returned safely. Dealing with the rebel king’s ragtag group will be even easier. But you must take care of yourself. Don’t think you’re safe just because there’s a city wall. During battles, it’s hard to stay alert, and enemy arrows can come at any moment."

Tong Sui: "I understand. You mustn’t underestimate them either. Even among a ragtag group, there are always some skilled individuals."

---

Although the rebel king had captured Ying County, it would still take several days to reorganize his troops before moving forward.

Both Ding County and Wei County were making urgent preparations.

The next day, instead of taking Tong Sui directly to the eastern gate, the old man first went to the county office and rang the bell to gather the townspeople. Meanwhile, Tong Youyu led the patrolling constables to disperse throughout the major streets and lanes, directing each household to send one person to the county office in an orderly manner.

When the county office was surrounded by a crowd of men, women, and children, Xiao Mu stood high up and solemnly announced the situation: "Fellow citizens, we have received news that King Xing has captured Ying County and is about to gather an army of fifty thousand. Once they are fully organized, within three to five days, they will attack our Wei County."

The faces of the townspeople changed dramatically, and they began to discuss anxiously.

Xiao Mu raised his hand, and when the noise subsided, he calmly said, "The Wei County army is prepared, but the rebel king has more troops, and we have fewer. To win this battle, we need the cooperation of all the townspeople to join forces with us."

Li Gang’s troops were relatively kind to ordinary villagers, demanding only men, mules, and livestock, without committing further atrocities. However, they treated the townspeople differently. Any merchant families were labeled as traitors, and wealthy households were branded as tyrants, leading to their complete extermination and the plundering of their wealth and property.

During the chaos, soldiers would kill civilians out of personal greed, robbing them or taking women, behaving no differently from bandits.

These messages had already spread throughout Wei County, and the townspeople naturally hoped that the Xiao family would hold the line.

"What do you need us to do, Commander Xiao? Just tell us, and we will stand with Wei County!"

"Right, I’m only forty-seven. Although I don’t meet the recruitment criteria, I still have strength and can help defend the city wall!"

"I can’t fight, but the soldiers need food. Cooking and serving meals can be left to us women!"

Without needing much prompting from Xiao Mu, the townspeople were willing to contribute to defending the city.

Standing beside the old man, Tong Sui looked at the sincere and enthusiastic faces around her, and her vision blurred several times, but she forced herself to remain composed.

Then, Xiao Mu listed the human and material resources the Wei County army required.

We need able-bodied men, as many as possible. These people will be responsible for continuously transporting stones, logs, and buckets of water to the city walls. They also need to promptly assist injured soldiers who have lost their combat ability off the walls. If there is a shortage of soldiers, they will take up weapons and step in.

We need women skilled in cooking. The cooks in the military camp will go to the city walls, so these women will need to tend the fires and cook meals. They will also be responsible for transporting food, water, firewood, and other supplies. Additionally, when wounded soldiers come down from the walls, the women will assist the doctors in treating and caring for them.

We need doctors and medical practitioners. Injured soldiers will keep coming in waves, so it's best if all the doctors from the city's clinics come here to help.

We need weapons such as bows, spears, swords, and knives that can be used for defending the city. We also need needles, thread, scissors, medicinal herbs, buckets, pots, spoons, and even tables and chairs. We need lanterns, tung oil, firewood, and other items that could be useful.

On either side of the county office, there were several tables set up under the walls. The clerks sat there, waiting to register the names of the citizens who came to volunteer and the donations they brought. After the battle, anything that can be returned will be given back to the citizens.

Xiao Mu took Tong Sui outside for a while, then entered the county office and said to her, "Defending the city has never been a solitary effort by soldiers alone. The support of the citizens within the city is crucial. When officials truly care for the people, the people will naturally support them wholeheartedly. If someone like County Magistrate Liu were here, even if he begged the citizens for help, do you think many would respond?"

Tong Sui admired him, saying, "Grandfather always acts with righteousness. The villagers and the citizens of the city are willing to follow your lead."

Xiao Mu chuckled, "I am teaching you about the hearts of the people, not seeking empty flattery."

Tong Sui replied, "But what I said is the truth. Grandfather is indeed remarkable."

Xiao Mu shook his head, "You've seen too little; there are many people more capable than me."

Tong Sui said, "No matter how capable they are, they don't matter to me. Grandfather protects our family and teaches me these skills. You are the most remarkable person in my heart."

Xiao Mu laughed heartily at his granddaughter-in-law's words.

---

On the evening of the last day of the month, Tong Sui returned home with the old man.

Xiao Shouyi and his nephews had also returned. With the impending battle, the family gathered for a reunion meal.

The leather armor Lin Ningfang ordered from the fur shop was ready, and the shopkeeper delivered it personally. A servant came in to report, and it was impossible to hide it from the women of the household.

Lin Ningfang didn't intend to hide it anyway; Tong Sui would eventually wear it.

When Ah Zhen first brought the leather armor in, Lady He misunderstood and snatched it away, smiling as she praised it but also commented, "It's thick, but is it too small? Can Third Brother wear it?"

Lin Ningfang straightforwardly said, "It's made for Second Sister-in-Law."

Lady He: "..."

Aunt Xiao snatched the leather armor and praised Lin Ningfang, "Only you are so thoughtful. Aman said she wants to join in the defense of the city. It's dangerous, and there are no armors in the military camp that fit her. This leather armor is perfect; it might save Aman's life."

Given the gravity of the situation, Lady He did not feel that Tong Sui was unworthy of wearing the armor. She just thought her daughter-in-law finally cared for her son.

When the family gathered in the main hall waiting for dinner, Xiao Yuchan enthusiastically said, "Third Sister-in-Law, bring the leather armor over. Let Second Sister-in-Law try it on. I want to see her in it."

Seeing the encouraging look from the old man, Lin Ningfang instructed Ah Zhen to fetch it.

Xiao Yan was puzzled, "What leather armor?"

Lady He muttered something.

Xiao Yan's gaze shifted between the sisters-in-law several times, revealing nothing of his thoughts.

Ah Zhen brought the leather armor.

After a few days of training, Tong Sui had become more confident. She stood in the middle of the hall and let Lin Ningfang help her put on the armor.

Lin Ningfang had meticulously drawn the design and explained it to the shopkeeper herself.

The shopkeeper did not disappoint Lin Ningfang's expectations. Although it was the first time making it, the leather armor was sturdy, though not particularly refined in appearance.

Besides the chest and back plates, there were shoulder guards on both sides, protecting vital areas without hindering Tong Sui's archery.

Tong Sui loved it and didn't mind its appearance at all.

Xiao Mu stroked his beard and praised, "Not bad, better fitting than the iron armor I prepared for Aman. How much did it cost?"

Lin Ningfang replied, "The shopkeeper heard it was for Second Sister-in-Law to use in defending the city and wanted to give it to her for free. I refused, so he only charged the cost of the cowhide, ten taels in total."

Xiao Mu told Tong Sui, "Leather armor is a military necessity. Tomorrow, take it to Wengong and exchange it for ten taels to reimburse Ningfang."

Tong Sui agreed with a smile.

Aunt Xiao praised the close relationship between the sisters-in-law, unlike some families where sisters-in-law quarrel daily.

Lady He thought, "Yes, they're closer than a married couple!"

Xiao Yan listened silently, then quietly returned to the western courtyard after finishing his meal.

Lin Ningfang ate slowly and returned a bit later. Seeing the dark room, she knew the lamp wasn't lit.

Ah Zhen worriedly tugged at her sleeve.

Lin Ningfang shook her head, telling Ah Zhen to rest in the servants' quarters, then entered the room.

Xiao Yan sat on the bed and said to her, "I'm not envious of the leather armor, but of your concern for Second Sister-in-Law. Do you hope she lives well, while if I die out there, you wouldn't shed a tear?"

Lin Ningfang calmly replied, "You've already told me that none of you wear the armor in the military camp. Making one for you would be useless."

Xiao Yan said, "It's true we don't need it, but you didn't even think about it, only thinking of Second Sister-in-Law."

Lin Ningfang said nothing, walked to the wardrobe, and then returned to the bed, placing something in his hand.

Xiao Yan looked at it, pulled it, and asked, "A money pouch?"

Lin Ningfang replied, "A good luck pouch. Inside is a talisman bought from a street vendor. It's for good luck."

This person stopped panting and no longer leaned against the wall, jumped off the bed, lit a lamp, and examined a small sachet, turning it over and over.

Lin Ningfang took up her brush and tooth powder and went out to wash up.