“I know how to plow fields. Before joining the army, I was responsible for our family’s few acres of paddy fields.”
“I know how to plant rice seedlings and thresh grain.”
“I know how to grow corn and sweet potatoes.”
“I know how to grow vegetables.”
She questioned each of the forty to fifty soldiers who had stepped forward.
In the end, she selected twenty older soldiers to stay.
“You twenty will come with me, the rest return to your ranks and continue training.”
She led the twenty men away from the training grounds. Long Yi followed her and curiously asked at her side, “Young Master Yan, why did you specifically select these older soldiers? Wouldn’t younger soldiers have more strength? Both farming and fighting require strength.”
Yan Xiaosi gave him a smiling glance.
“Farming only requires physical strength, but war might cost one’s life. Letting young people go to the battlefield gives them a better chance of survival. These older soldiers have declining combat abilities and stiffer movements compared to the younger ones, so it’s better to keep them here to farm with me.”
Long Yi couldn’t find any fault with this answer.
“Young Master Yan has a kind heart.”
“Military Doctor Yan has a kind heart.”
The twenty veteran soldiers following behind were moved to tears.
Before this, these older soldiers had been worried they wouldn’t live to see the end of the war and return home to see their families. Now it was different – Military Doctor Yan had selected them. Following her to farm would certainly mean they would live to return home and see their loved ones.
“Military Doctor Yan, we will definitely work hard for you.”
“If you tell us to grow corn, we absolutely won’t grow rice.”
“Yes, yes, yes!”
Yan Xiaosi hadn’t expected that her casual remark would win over the hearts of these veteran soldiers – this was truly an unexpected gain.
She gave Long Yi a grateful look.
Lowering her voice, she said, “You asked a good question just now.”
Long Yi grinned.
“Being able to help Young Master Yan is this subordinate’s honor.”
Young Master Yan was the person his master cared for. By helping Young Master Yan, his master would certainly think he was competent.
Yan Xiaosi let Long Yi go about his own business. Seeing that it was still early, she led the twenty veteran soldiers to tour the empty land outside the training grounds.
“This area is close to the Yunluo River, so the soil is moist. We can cultivate it to grow rice, and we can also raise fish fry in the paddy fields. Growing rice and raising fish together – killing two birds with one stone.”
The veteran soldiers followed behind, listening attentively as she divided the areas for paddy fields and dry land, nodding in unison.
“The terrain is higher here, making it difficult for river water to flood it. We can cultivate it as dry land for growing corn, wheat, and vegetables.”
“But Military Doctor Yan, we don’t have farming tools right now,” one of the veteran soldiers suddenly spoke up.
Yan Xiaosi glanced at that soldier and said, “I’m planning to go to Daxing Town today and will bring back seeds and farming tools.”
“Military Doctor Yan, what shall we do today?”
Yan Xiaosi thought that with daily training in the medical corps, these veteran soldiers probably hadn’t rested for a long time.
“Today, do nothing. Everyone is free to do as they please.”
The veteran soldiers were overjoyed and began discussing in small groups what they would do today.
Seeing their happiness, Yan Xiaosi added, “His Highness the War King has asked me to farm this land. Now that you’re all helping me farm, I won’t shortchange your wages. So work hard – the higher the crop yield, the higher your wages will be.”
Just being able to save their lives was good enough; these veteran soldiers hadn’t even thought about wages. Yan Xiaosi’s mention of this astonished everyone.
“Military Doctor Yan, is what you said true?”
Seeing their disbelieving expressions, Yan Xiaosi answered confidently, “Of course it’s true. Work well with me, and each person will earn no less than one tael of silver per month.”
One tael of silver!
The veteran soldiers were once again moved to tears.
It’s worth noting that they received no pay as soldiers. Only upon achieving merit or returning home after being discharged would the court issue some compensation.
If they could earn one tael of silver each month, after working with Military Doctor Yan for some time, they could save up money. When they eventually returned home, they could afford to marry and buy a few acres of thin soil, living a stable life.
Meanwhile, in the commander’s tent.
Long Yu saw Long Yi return without Yan Xiaosi and asked, “Is that kid still selecting people at the training grounds?”
It was just a casual question, but Long Yi detected a strong tone of affection.
His master truly thought about Young Master Yan at every moment.
“Young Master Yan has already selected the people.”
“Oh, so quickly? I thought he would carefully select for quite some time at the training grounds.”
“Master, Young Master Yan selected twenty veteran soldiers.”
This result was somewhat unexpected.
Long Yu raised an eyebrow and asked, “Does she think veteran soldiers have more farming experience?”
“No, Young Master Yan said that farming only requires strength, but war not only requires strength but may also cost lives. Those veteran soldiers are older with declining combat abilities and stiff movements. If they went to the battlefield, their chances of survival would be less than those of the younger soldiers. So Young Master Yan kept those twenty veteran soldiers.”
After hearing this, Long Yu’s lips curved almost imperceptibly, clearly approving of Yan Xiaosi’s reasoning.
“He is quite kind-hearted.”
Long Yi said, “Those twenty veteran soldiers’ hearts have already been won over by Young Master Yan.”
“Clever little one.”
Long Yi had followed his master for many years but had never heard him praise anyone. Hearing it suddenly, his expression froze momentarily.
Long Yu, however, seemed unaware that he had just praised that kid and continued to instruct seriously, “Long Yi, you and Long Er take a squad of men and accompany that kid to Daxing Town later.”
Long Yi knew they were going to Daxing Town today to receive the military funds.
“Yes, this subordinate will definitely protect Young Master Yan and the military funds well.”
“That kid is full of tricks; don’t let him cause trouble for me in Daxing Town.”
“Yes.”
Was his master afraid that Young Master Yan might get lost in the dazzling world of Daxing Town and not return?
After leading the group of veteran soldiers around the empty land, Yan Xiaosi returned to the commander’s tent. She drank tea while waiting for Long Yi and Long Er to go to the training grounds to select soldiers for departure.
The War King was sitting at his desk, busy handling official matters. From time to time, he would divert his attention to glance at the person sitting casually at the dining table with legs crossed, leisurely drinking tea, and feel content.
Since some point in time, as long as that person was by his side, even just catching a glimpse from afar would make his mood incredibly pleasant and relaxed.
“Don’t drink too much tea, or you might not find a latrine in Daxing Town.”
The War King’s reminder was apt – this era had no public toilets.
Yan Xiaosi put down her teacup and walked toward the desk.
“Your Highness, this commoner is about to leave for Daxing Town. Is there anything you need me to bring back?”
Long Yu thought for a moment, took a clean sheet of paper, and wrote down a line of characters.
“Help me buy the items on this list.”