In the twelfth lunar month, the bitter wind howled. Before dawn, Duan Yan left the residence for the training grounds, personally leading the new recruits in their drills.
For the first ten days or half a month, the main focus was on building the recruits’ stamina. They went on morning runs before daybreak to wake themselves up, then, after eating, continued with push-ups, sit-ups, frog jumps, sprints, and other exercises.
During their breaks, they received training in marching chants and discipline.
This period was meant not only to improve the militia’s physical fitness, but also to transform their thinking—from that of scattered commoners into that of soldiers.
The militia had never lived such a life before. Being thrown into this kind of concentrated training was practically more exhausting than farming and harvesting in spring and autumn. By the time they returned each day, their bodies felt as though they had been beaten from head to toe. Their heads were heavy, their feet unsteady, and the moment they touched their beds, they would fall into a dead sleep.
Under such intense drills, many found it difficult to adjust and complained bitterly.
In private, they would gather together to grumble about how exhausting it was, loudly declaring that they did not want to continue.
Yet for all their fierce talk, not a single person truly left.
Everyone who had been accepted for training had earned the opportunity only after passing round upon round of selection. The authorities had made it clear that anyone who withdrew halfway through training would never be hired again, no matter what happened afterward.
Besides, they had already received half a month’s wages, which would have to be returned if they left. Their families had been overjoyed when they brought the wages home. Since the militia had been chosen through competition, many others had been eliminated, and the families of those who made it in felt especially proud. They had been boasting about it to everyone outside.
If the recruits wanted to quit simply because they could not endure the hardship, even if the authorities were willing to let them go without making things difficult, their families would probably be the first to refuse.
With that in mind, after complaining with their companions in private, they all gathered for training as usual the next day. No one actually left.
During the daytime drills, once they concentrated on what they were doing, the exercises did not seem quite so unbearable. Moreover, no matter what they practiced, Duan Yan always trained alongside them. He had never once called out that he was tired.
After six or seven days of suffering, the militiamen gradually grew accustomed to the rhythm. Their physical strength also visibly improved. They were said to have entered the proper groove: the complaints became fewer, while their training grew more serious.
After Duan Yan began leading the troops, Song Fengsui rarely got to see him.
Even when he rose as early as possible in the morning and asked An Ge'er, he would be told that Duan Yan had already gone to the training grounds. In the evening, even after darkness had fallen, Duan Yan still had not returned.
Though they lived under the same roof, it felt as if they had been separated by two different places.
If Song Fengsui wanted to see him, he had to go to the training grounds.
There were guards stationed there now, and outsiders were not allowed to enter or leave at will. Naturally, the guards would not dare stop him if he wanted to go in, but the place was full of men, after all. It would not be proper for him to keep going there for no reason, lest people think he was overly attached to Duan Yan.
Only when he delivered medicine could he make the trip under the pretext of official business and catch a glimpse of Duan Yan leading the recruits through their drills.
He did not know how Duan Yan had come up with so many strange exercises, making the men lie on their backs and sit up, or leap like frogs.
If Song Fengsui had not understood medicine, known the direction of the body’s muscles, and realized that these movements could train them effectively, he might have thought that ordinary people would see it as nothing more than pointless torment.
He wondered whether the men below had no objections. But when he left the tent after organizing the medicines and saw Duan Yan in the bitter winter wind, dressed only in a thin shirt because he had worked up a sweat, he found his answer.
The man had broad shoulders and a narrow waist, and every movement he made was crisp and decisive.
Doing one-handed push-ups, he did not even change expression. All Song Fengsui could see was a long, rigid body rising and falling like a steel plank.
Once the thick winter clothes had been removed, even men could not help admiring his well-proportioned, powerful muscles, and naturally had fewer doubts about this method of training.
Song Fengsui thought that this was not the first time he had seen Duan Yan’s figure beneath his thin clothes. He had known for some time that it was quite impressive.
But perhaps because Duan Yan had been so busy that they had not had the chance to linger together for several days, or perhaps because Duan Yan had been training the new recruits and had trained himself in the process, Song Fengsui felt that he looked even better now than he had during the warmer days a while ago.
He touched the tip of his nose. Whatever happened, he was going to take a good look at him that evening.
Duan Yan had spent the entire morning leading the troops. When the guards told him that Song Fengsui had delivered medicine to the training grounds that day, he hurried toward the tent as soon as he got a break.
When he arrived, however, he saw only a military physician busy inside.
He was told that Song Fengsui had already left and had placed a food box in the tent for him.
Duan Yan opened the lid and found a bowl of stewed chicken. From the aroma, he could tell that Young Master Song had made it himself. Otherwise, there would not have been the fragrance of medicinal herbs in the dish.
A smile curved across his lips. He closed the lid, picked up the food box, and went to find Third Son Qian to ask him to eat lunch together.
That rascal had recently brought Ji He to the city. Every day, Ji He sent him lunch, and Third Son Qian had been showing off about it in front of Duan Yan endlessly.
On his way home, Song Fengsui happened to encounter the carriage belonging to Tax Officer Qin at the entrance to an alley. When the curtain was lifted, he saw that it was Mr. Bai inside.
Mr. Bai asked whether he had anything important to attend to. If he was free, why not come to their home and have a cup of hot tea together?
Song Fengsui had nothing urgent to do. If he went home, he would only sit by the brazier, peel a few chestnuts, and leaf through his medical texts.
Thus, he turned around and went with Mr. Bai to the Qin residence.
“The winters here in Yanzhen are probably even colder than those in the prefectural city. The woods block out the sky, and the wind is always so strong.”
The two of them entered the residence and went together to Mr. Bai’s courtyard. A charcoal brazier had already been lit inside to warm the room. Knowing that Song Fengsui was afraid of the cold, Mr. Bai had also ordered the servants to bring in another brazier.
As he removed his cloak, Mr. Bai answered Song Fengsui, “Indeed. The girl’s health is weak as well. With one day of rain and the next of snow, she hasn’t left the house at all.”
“Still, it is better for the whole family to be reunited here and live in peace. No matter how unpleasant the weather is, it is a hundred times better than being out there.”
Mr. Bai lowered his voice as he told Song Fengsui that Qianzhou was currently in chaos. Several factions were fighting to seize the prefectural city, and there was conflict within it as well.
Although the Bai family had settled in Yanzhen, his brothers dealt in salt and still had channels through which they could learn about the situation outside. Because they were able to obtain such news, they felt especially frightened in retrospect—and especially fortunate that they had come here. Otherwise, with the powerful figures above them scheming for control, it would still have been ordinary people who suffered the bloodshed.
Song Fengsui nodded. Naturally, he had also heard rumors of the turmoil outside. His mother was worried about the safety of his maternal grandfather and the others.
Even so, doctors and medical families could generally receive some degree of special consideration during times of war.
After exchanging a few more words, they both felt that the subject was too heavy, and tacitly let it drop.
Mr. Bai changed the subject and spoke of the reason he had gone out that day.
“I went to visit Madam Wan in the western part of town. Her husband is an old licentiate. Old Qin told me that Scholar Wang once established a private school and taught the children of prominent local families to read.”
Song Fengsui said, “Are you thinking of sending your eldest boy there to study?”
“Exactly. The child is at an age that is neither particularly old nor particularly young—just twelve. If we don’t teach him to read, I truly cannot think what else to have him do. We cannot let him idle away his days simply because there is fighting outside. Besides, our little town is still peaceful enough, isn’t it?”
Mr. Bai said, “I’ve always thought that even if there’s a war, the fighting will eventually stop. Once things settle down, the imperial examinations won’t be abolished, will they? If he doesn’t let his studies lapse and keeps reading now, he’ll have a chance in the future.”
Song Fengsui nodded. He felt that Mr. Bai was indeed quite far-sighted.
“How did things go today?”
Unexpectedly, Mr. Bai sighed. “That Scholar Wang is far too modest. After having the child ask him a few questions about his studies, he told us after the meal that he couldn’t teach him.
“People say that, in the past, he only taught young children the basics—recognizing characters and reading simple texts. He didn’t really teach things like composition. Once the few students under him grew older, those who wished to continue their studies went to academies in the county seat. Those who didn’t want to study any further simply stopped.
“Scholar Wang said my boy already knows quite a lot and that he has nothing more to guide him in. He didn’t want to waste the child’s time. But how can a man who’s a licentiate himself be unable to teach a mere young boy?”
Hearing this, Song Fengsui consoled him. “Scholar Wang is advanced in years. Perhaps seeing the wars outside has made him lose the inclination to teach students. He didn’t want to refuse Commissioner Qin outright, but in truth, he no longer wished to teach, so he came up with this excuse.”
Mr. Bai said, “If there had been any other learned scholars in town, I wouldn’t have gone to trouble a man as old as Scholar Wang.
“Two other prominent families from town were also at Madam Wan’s banquet today. Their children had previously been studying at an academy in the county. After hearing about the fighting, they hurriedly brought the children back to town. Naturally, they went to ask Scholar Wang for help as well.”
Mr. Bai let out a long sigh. “Back when Old Qin served here, our whole family didn’t move with him. We were afraid the child wouldn’t be able to find a teacher here.”
Every small place had its own difficulties, and Song Fengsui understood that all too well.
He offered Mr. Bai a few more words of comfort. The two of them chatted for quite some time, and when Song Fengsui saw that it was getting late, he declined Mr. Bai’s invitation to stay for dinner and returned home.
He did not go to Duan Yan’s place, but to the Song residence.
Recently, Duan Yan had practically been living at the training grounds, so Song Fengsui had been eating at his own home.
The Song residence was quiet as well. His father and second uncle were both extremely busy outside, leaving early and returning late, and hardly ever eating or drinking at home.
Only Grandfather Song and Mu Linghui were in the residence. Mu Linghui had caught a chill today and had been coughing a little since she got up that morning, so she had the kitchen send the meals to her room. Since Song Fengsui happened to return home, he accompanied Grandfather Song to dinner.
“How is Xiao Duan doing with training the militia?”
“Quite well. He has his own methods. I went to watch today, and the new recruits were much more orderly. Their drills are also beginning to look proper.”
Grandfather Song nodded and placed a serving of vegetables into Song Fengsui’s bowl. “He’s been busy, so he has less time to accompany you. That means you’ve been spending more time at home.”
Song Fengsui pursed his lips. “Grandfather, you’re teasing me again.”
Grandfather Song smiled kindly. “When you walk around the house, it brings some liveliness to the place. Seeing you makes Grandfather happy.”
Hearing this, Song Fengsui felt a little guilty. His father and second uncle were both busy, and there were no other children in the Song family. As the eldest grandson of the main branch, he should have been looking after his grandfather. Yet ever since he and Duan Yan had gotten together, he spent nearly all his time with him and hardly accompanied his family.
It was only because they were in a small place like Rock Town, where his family was open-minded and Duan Yan was dependable, that he could be so free and unrestrained—staying with someone whenever he wanted and living together with him whenever he pleased.
All of a sudden, he gently set down his chopsticks and said to Grandfather Song, “Grandfather, I spent some time today visiting with the family of Tax Officer Qin. He told me about a troublesome matter all afternoon.”
Grandfather Song looked up at him. “What did he say?”
“His eldest son had been studying in the prefectural city. But with the chaos outside, Tax Officer Qin brought him back to town to keep him safe. Although the whole family has finally been reunited, his eldest son is eleven or twelve—not quite a child, but not yet grown either—and they don’t know how to arrange things for him.
“They don’t want him idling at home until he grows up, and they’d like him to continue studying. Unfortunately, our little town has no academy, and even the only licentiate who used to run a private school has stopped teaching.”
Song Fengsui blinked. “Grandfather, what do you think should be done?”
Grandfather Song lightly tapped him on the head. “Are you hoping Grandfather will teach the child?”
“If Young Master Qin could receive your guidance, it would truly be a blessing in disguise!”
Song Fengsui continued slowly, “But I’m thinking even bigger than that. I don’t just want to ask you to teach Young Master Bai. I’d also like you to take over Scholar Wang’s private school, so that all the children in town who wish to study will have a place to learn.
“It isn’t only Young Master Qin who has this problem. The children of several other families are in the same situation.”
After hearing this, Grandfather Song fell silent and began to ponder.
Seeing this, Song Fengsui knew that his words had touched his grandfather’s heart.
Now that his father and second uncle each had work to occupy them, they were certainly more tired, but they were also doing things related to what they had done before and remained in good spirits day after day. Grandfather, on the other hand, had been recuperating at home all this time. Although they occasionally needed to trouble him for help, most of the time he had nothing to do.
With so much idle time, it was inevitable that he would overthink things, which in turn wore down his spirit.
Grandfather had been able to rise from his sickbed only because a major crisis had arisen and required him to hold the family together. That was what had helped him recover somewhat.
When all was said and done, not one of them could truly afford to spend their days doing nothing.
Song Fengsui thought that, with his grandfather’s wealth of knowledge, running a private school under the current circumstances would be both a meaningful undertaking and a way to pass the time.
In troubled times, training soldiers and strengthening defenses were certainly important. But could educating children and teaching them to read really be considered unimportant?
Besides, Song Fengsui knew that his grandfather was not the sort of person who looked down from a lofty position on ordinary people. He would not feel that, having once been a grand secretary and taught the promising students of the Imperial Academy, instructing children in some remote little town was beneath him, nor would he refuse to lower himself to the task.
“This matter should be discussed with your father and second uncle before we decide,” Grandfather Song said.
Even if he was willing, he could not create trouble for the family. In such turbulent times, nothing could be done solely according to one person’s preferences.
Song Fengsui smiled happily. “Very well. Whether you’re willing or not, everything will be according to your wishes, Grandfather.”
As luck would have it, the brothers Song Wushen and Song Xuemu had gone to the pass that day to supervise the construction work. When sleet began falling outside, they returned earlier than usual.
Song Fengsui seized the opportunity and told his father and second uncle about the matter.
“I did hear Qin Cheng mention his child’s schooling two days ago,” Song Xuemu said cheerfully. “But then a runner came to report that there was something wrong with the newly built watchtower, so we never got the chance to discuss it properly.
“This is a good idea, Sui Sui. If Father doesn’t pass on all that learning to a few more students, it would be a waste of all that knowledge he has accumulated.”
“Teach the children more and spread education far and wide. This place will only improve in the future. Whether the war lasts three years or ten, no matter what kind of world we live in, having read and studied gives people more ways to make a living.”
Song Wushen nodded as well. “No matter how chaotic things are outside, people still have to live their lives as best they can. That’s the only way to calm the people somewhat.”
“There’s another matter. Sui Sui says that there are still children from other wealthy families in the city who want to study. If we could gather them here and teach them, it would also make it easier for the office to issue orders. That way, we won’t have to worry about all those wealthy households outside refusing to cooperate with the authorities while everything is in disarray.”
They were currently rushing to construct checkpoints and fortifications, which required an enormous amount of materials. How could the authorities accomplish that on their own? They still needed the support of the wealthy families in the area. Only with everyone’s cooperation could things proceed smoothly.
Tax Officer Qin had personally tried to persuade them twice, but only two or three families were willing to contribute. Most of them were as tight-fisted as iron roosters, clutching whatever they had and refusing to give a thing. They had no sense of solidarity whatsoever.
After weighing all the factors, everyone agreed to open a private school. The residence was spacious enough, and classes could be held in the rear courtyard, so there was no need to look for another location.
No one in the room objected. Grandfather Song naturally did not refuse, and the matter was settled then and there.
Once the discussion was over, Song Fengsui thought he should share the good news with Duan Yan. Despite the snow drifting through the rain outside, he returned to the other residence after nightfall.
Duan Yan had also gone home. The evening rain was heavy, mixed with cold snow, and he arrived soaked through.
He was sweaty beneath his wet clothes. The sudden change from hot to cold made it easy to catch a chill, so as soon as he reached home, he called for hot water and went back to his room to bathe.
As he washed, he pondered when the training grounds would finally be completed so that he could improve the conditions for drilling the militia.
Winter itself was not a problem for training. The real trouble was rain. Once the rain and snow began falling, there was nowhere outdoors to dry off after training. That sort of hardship could certainly toughen people up, but these were all raw recruits. He was afraid that before they managed to improve, they would simply collapse in a heap.
At the same time, he thought about how Young Master Song had gone to the training grounds during the day without even coming by to see him. And now he was not at home either—he had returned to the Song residence.
Duan Yan wondered whether he should go over and bring him back. It was already late, and he did not know whether Song Fengsui had gone to bed. If he had already washed his feet and turned in, he certainly would not be willing to come with him. But if he was still awake, there might be a chance.
He also wondered whether Song Fengsui had been upset with him lately because he had been leaving early and returning late.
With that in mind, he hurriedly finished bathing. He grabbed a cloth and quickly dried himself, then reached for his clothes—only to realize that he had forgotten to bring them into the room.
Duan Yan walked straight out. But as soon as he reached the sleeping quarters, he saw Song Fengsui sitting with his legs crossed beside the soft couch, warming himself by the brazier on the floor.
Hearing someone come out, Song Fengsui instinctively looked up. With just one glance, his entire face suddenly flushed bright red.
How could Duan Yan have known that the man who had supposedly gone home would suddenly return and be waiting in his room? Otherwise, he would never have come out so carelessly.
He hurriedly covered himself with the cloth in his hand and fumbled for his clothes. In his haste, he kicked over a small stool and nearly knocked down a vase.
Song Fengsui quickly lowered his gaze and turned his head away. After a loud clatter came a rustle of movement.
“...Are you decent yet?”
Once Duan Yan had put on his sleeping robes, he approached awkwardly.
“I heard from the servants that you’d gone home. I was going to bathe and then come pick you up, but I didn’t expect you to return first.”
The flush on Song Fengsui’s face refused to fade. Duan Yan was fully dressed now, but Song Fengsui could still vividly recall what he had just seen.
That dazzling glimpse had been far too real. His mind had gone blank, as though it had turned to paste.
He had barely heard what Duan Yan said. Suddenly, he stood and tried to escape. “...I’ll go back to my room first.”
Duan Yan hurriedly caught him by the hand. Song Fengsui had only just returned, and even after warming himself by the brazier, his hand was still a little cold. Duan Yan tightened his fingers around it, holding it in his palm.
“I truly didn’t know you had come into the room. That’s why...” He immediately promised, “I won’t do anything improper.”
Song Fengsui’s face grew even hotter. “Th-then stay here and rest for now. We can talk tomorrow after you’ve recovered.”
Duan Yan flushed with embarrassment as well, but in the end, he released his hand and let him return to his room first. He did not want to frighten him.
The moment Song Fengsui was free, he fled back to his room. He did not even care that the corridor was cold. Duan Yan had offered to drape his cloak over him, but by the time he turned around, Song Fengsui had already disappeared.
Holding the cloak, Duan Yan was no longer sure whether he should go to Song Fengsui’s room to speak with him that night.
After thinking it over several times, he went to the door and gently knocked.
“The physical training has lasted ten full days. After this, we’ll begin practicing combat. I’m giving them tomorrow off, so I won’t be going to the training grounds in the morning.”
“I know,” Song Fengsui replied from inside.
“Then get some rest early. I’ll make you sour fish noodle soup tomorrow morning.”
Song Fengsui was silent for a moment before turning to open the door.
Duan Yan looked at him, his eyes shifting slightly. He seemed to want to say something, but hesitated.
In the end, fearing that he might leave Song Fengsui with some lasting trauma, he tried to reassure him. “...That was merely a normal reaction for a normal man. You’re a physician—you should understand.”
“Mm.”
Duan Yan looked somewhat guilty. “Then I’ll come over tomorrow morning.”
“All right. You should rest early too. You’ve worked hard all day.”
Only after they had finished speaking did the two of them return to their respective rooms.
Song Fengsui merely felt that the impact had been rather great. As a physician, he had read about many such things in medical texts, so it was not as though he had never encountered them.
Still, the impression created by a small page of writing was vastly different from seeing a living person. And that person was none other than Duan Yan.
As he lay in bed, he thought that it was fortunate he had not acted recklessly with Duan Yan that night at the inn in the prefectural city when they had gone there to purchase supplies during the autumn.
At the time, he had thought that such matters should happen naturally, when everything fell into place. But if it really came without any preparation or understanding, it would not be easy at all.
His mind wandered through all sorts of things that could neither be seen nor heard in respectable society. He did not know when he finally fell asleep.
He vaguely heard the sound of rain and dreamed throughout the night. As luck would have it, he dreamed of that night at the inn in the prefectural city.
The room was filled with a heady, intoxicating fragrance. In the middle of the night, Duan Yan slipped into his bed. Passionate and tender, everything was going wonderfully. Just as they reached the most crucial moment, the blurred figure in his dream suddenly became clear.
It was the very scene he had witnessed in Duan Yan’s room that night.
He began to tremble. It hurt terribly!
Song Fengsui suddenly opened his eyes. His thoughts gradually returned, and he realized that he was lying safely in his own bed. There was no one else in the room, yet his whole body was drenched in sweat, even the strands of hair falling across his smooth forehead sticking to his skin.
Clutching the bedding, Song Fengsui could not decide for a moment whether it had been a nightmare or a pleasant dream.
