Yue Qiu greeted Lu Ping with a smile. “Commander Lu, long time no see.”
Lu Ping patted him on the shoulder. “Haha, it really has been a long time. When will you be returning to the liaison station?”
Yue Qiu chuckled. “Now that you’re here, we’ll probably be heading back soon. In the next couple of days, most likely.”
Lu Ping nodded and turned to Shangguan Mao. “May I ask where the barracks are?”
He pointed toward the soldiers behind him. “I’d like to get them settled first. It would be best if someone could show them around and help them get familiar with the area.”
Shangguan Mao nodded, then instructed Ye Wenbao, who was still stroking the strange saber. “Hurry. Take them to the barracks, then show them around and introduce them to the surroundings.”
Ye Wenbao’s face lit up with excitement. “You got it. I’ll do it right away.”
“Count me in!” Yue Qiu hurried after them.
Lu Ping smiled, then looked at Shangguan Mao. “I’d like to go see Magistrate Yu. Would now be a convenient time?”
The smile faded from Shangguan Mao’s face, replaced by a solemn expression. “It’s fine, but his condition has never improved much. I hope you’ll understand.”
Lu Ping shook his head. “There’s no need to be so formal. From now on, we’re family. There’s nothing to understand or forgive.”
Shangguan Mao was taken aback. A moment later, the heavy stone in his heart finally lifted. “That’s right. Haha, we’re all family.”
Yu Mo’s condition remained much the same. It had not worsened, but neither had there been much improvement. Still, his spirits were considerably better than before.
He was very excited to see Lu Ping and tried to rise to greet him, but Lu Ping quickly pressed him back down. “There’s no need for that.”
“How are you feeling now?” Lu Ping asked gently as he sat beside the bed.
His excitement made Yu Mo’s breathing somewhat uneven. “I’m fine. Just the same as always. I’m afraid I won’t get better.”
He knew his own body best. Years of hardship had completely ruined his health. The only thing keeping him from collapsing was the faint hope he now had.
“You shouldn’t be so pessimistic.” Lu Ping took two porcelain bottles from inside his robes.
“These are restorative pills specially bestowed by our lord. Take two every day, along with nutritious meals, and you’ll gradually recover.”
They were health-restoring pills developed by Mu Zhuo for people who had suffered from prolonged physical weakness. Made with a large quantity of precious medicinal ingredients, they were gentle in nature yet highly effective at nourishing and strengthening the body.
The physicians under Jiang Jin now had a general division of labor. Suo Qian and Liu Mi focused on surgery and often accompanied the army.
Mu Zhuo spent most of her time in Ge Feng, primarily handling internal medicine and researching pharmacology.
Now, Old Master Qiu had joined them as well. His medical skills surpassed Mu Zhuo’s by quite a bit, and he had many original insights of his own.
After being exposed to some of the medical theories from later generations that Jiang Jin had provided, it was as if he had discovered an entirely new world. Saying that he had forgotten sleep and food would not be an exaggeration; he spent nearly every day in the laboratory.
But that’s getting off track. Back to the matter at hand.
To put it simply, Yu Mo’s body had reached the end of its reserves after suffering from prolonged hunger and mental exhaustion. Dietary nourishment alone would not be enough to restore him.
That was why Jiang Jin had asked Lu Ping to bring two bottles of restorative pills specifically intended for cases like his.
It wasn’t that she could see the future. She had simply been able to make a fairly accurate guess about Yu Mo’s condition.
Besides, even if her guess had been wrong, these restorative pills would do no harm to the body.
Yu Mo was stunned, and his breathing quickened. “Specially bestowed by our lord?”
Lu Ping nodded. “After learning what happened in Wenlong City, our lord was deeply moved. Your loyalty and courage are truly admirable. She hopes you’ll recover as soon as possible and join us in defending Wenlong City.”
Yu Mo felt his throat tighten, and for a moment he could not speak.
Even Yu’s mother and Yu Yue, standing nearby, had tears in their eyes. To them, such recognition was the highest honor imaginable—more precious than anything else.
Lu Ping patted Yu Mo’s hand. “Take good care of yourself. You’re still young. It’s far too soon for you to truly rest.”
His words left Yu Mo with a painful tightness in his chest. His voice trembled. “We merely did our duty. We are unworthy of our lord’s favor.”
Lu Ping nodded. “Since you understand her goodwill, then don’t disappoint her hopes. Recover as soon as possible and follow our lord as we witness the return of our lands and the restoration of peace throughout the realm.”
Yu Mo’s lips quivered, and he could no longer hold back his tears. “Yes. Yes!”
On that day, Wenlong City was completely abuzz. Everywhere one looked, there was an air of celebration and encouragement.
The following day, Wenlong City was even more excited, because Wen Ping and the others had finally arrived with the supplies.
Looking at cart after cart of provisions, Shangguan Mao was dumbfounded. “This… this is far too much!”
Wen Ping shook his head with a smile. “Not at all. This year’s cotton was only just harvested, and we haven’t had time to make cotton-padded clothes or military overcoats yet. The warm clothing and quilts will have to wait until later before we can send them over.”
Shangguan Mao drew in a sharp breath. “Cotton-padded clothes? Clothing made from cotton?”
As far as he knew, cotton was difficult to grow. Even in peaceful times, few people could afford garments made with it, let alone in an age of chaos.
Wen Ping nodded. “That’s right. Every member of our Jinyang Army has at least one set of cotton-padded clothing.”
He handed over a chart. “Please check the quantities of the supplies on your end. If everything is in order, we’ll head back tomorrow.”
Shangguan Mao accepted it excitedly and immediately passed it to Yu Yue. “Take a look.”
Yu Yue answered eagerly. As she read through the list of supplies prepared in full, she was at a loss for words.
She immediately got to work. After counting everything, she sent what needed to be stored to the warehouses and distributed whatever needed to be handed out at once.
By evening, all the soldiers in Wenlong City had changed into brand-new uniforms. They had also received bedding, cloth towels, and other personal items, along with the appropriate weapons.
They had officially become members of the Jinyang Army, and their entire bearing had changed.
Shangguan Mao ran his fingers over the Longling Crossbow as if he were touching a priceless treasure. “This repeating crossbow can fire twenty arrows in succession?”
All three hundred soldiers Lu Ping had brought were equipped with Longling Crossbows. This time, Wen Ping had also brought two hundred more, along with a considerable supply of arrows.
Before Lu Ping could answer, Shangguan Zhan eagerly interjected, “That’s right. I’ve seen them use it before. It has a long range and tremendous power.”
“Excellent! Absolutely excellent!” Shangguan Mao felt his confidence swell.
Lu Ping pointed with a smile at the pile of ordinary bows and arrows. “We’ve also brought several hundred sets of bows and arrows. They’re ordinary weapons, but they’re still quite powerful and can be issued to regular soldiers.”
Yu Yue did not finish her work until evening. She returned home carrying a large bundle of cloth, with Ning Five following behind to help carry the supplies.
Yu’s mother came out to greet her. “A’yue, what are you carrying?”
Yu Yue’s face was full of smiles. “Mother, these are the clothes, quilts, and other supplies distributed by the authorities.”
She turned to Ning Five. “Take the rice, grain, salt, and oil to the kitchen.”
Ning Five nodded, greeted Yu’s mother, and headed into the kitchen.
Yu Yue entered Yu Mo’s room and saw him leaning against the bed, looking toward her. Clearly, he had already heard their conversation.
“Father.” Yu Yue smiled, her eyes crinkling.
A smile appeared on Yu Mo’s gaunt face as well. “A’yue, you’ve worked hard this past year.”
His health had begun to fail about a year ago. At first, he had still been able to handle some official business, but as he became bedridden, he had gradually handed nearly all his duties over to Yu Yue.
Yu Yue shook her head. “It hasn’t been hard. As long as you get better, everything will have been worth it.”
She placed the things she was carrying on the table. Then, with Yu’s mother, she helped Yu Mo sit up and removed the bedding that had been used for who knew how long and had long since become stiff.
Yu Mo was helped back onto the bed. Breathing in the sun-warmed scent of the quilt, he felt his spirits lift and let out a contented sigh.
“I’ve heard that the Jinyang Army has something called a kang. If there’s still time, make one for Father. That way, he won’t have to fear the cold this winter.”
Those in poor health were especially vulnerable to the cold, and winter was always the hardest season to endure.
Yu’s mother’s eyes lit up. “A kang? Something that can keep him warm?”
