Tang Li walk to the archery practise ground to have a look. She check on the condition of the new recruits. Unexpectedly, troublemaker Yan Rui is there. He smile and wave to her. While she pretend she did not see and continue to talk to the instructors.
"The noblemen are trained with archery. So they don't have a problem with it. The new recruits, their arms are weak."
"Get them to do more pulling of the string. Maybe push up or lifting heavy weights to develop the muscles."
"Also the new recruits are afraid of horses. Not all but some."
"When they are free, get them to feed the horses. Or make a duty shift for them to handle horses. That way, shouldn't have much fear."
Soon after that she leave with Man Chun. They continue to talk about things that need to be done urgently. They talk non stop and inspect everything in camp. Even the flags to be carry out for war are check on the condition whether they are going to use it now or not doesn't matter. By the end of the day, she is tired so is Man Chun. "I need to go soak in a bath tub general."
"Go and get someone to fill in hot water for my bath tub."
"Yes general." With that he drag himself out and scream "This is more tiring than going to war!"
Tang Li smile."Yes more tiring" and her shoes are on fire. Slowly she pull out her boots and wiggle her toes. She can hear someone is filling her bath tub. Usually it takes four round of filling in the water. So she waited patiently for the water to be fill up. She sits there quietly and with her eyes closed she roll her neck to release the tension. Suddenly someone is massaging her shoulder. It feels good. She allow the person to continue. Suddenly she open her eyes and feel her knife which is suppose to be on her bed. Instead that person suddenly hug her from behind. "If you move i will scream, everyone in camp with rush in here. I will tell them that you have a crush on me and try to touch me." Tang Li roll her eyes.
"Who will believe you?"
"There are people out there who loves to gossip."
"What do you want?"
"Tell me... what is your deal? Why are you so concern about me? "
Yan Rui release his hug and walk in front of Tang Li.
"Are you trying to attract my attention? Right from the start we meet, i think, you are trying to get my attention. You even please my father with what your big words. You even show me your power in camp!"
"I did nothing..."
"You did! The moment you wrestle me down, i saw that spark in your eyes. You like what you see. You love what you smell, don't you?"
Tang Li stare at her own toes and wiggle them. She is bored with this young man bubbling nonsense.
"So, what do you want to do?"
Yan Rui sit down next to her. He look at her wiggling her toes.
"I will give us a chance. You know i like older woman. You happen to be older than i am. You are stronger and you have a stable job. I will work hard to prove that i can be a good husband for you. "
"How are you going to do that?"
"I am going to work hard for these two years here and take the examinations."
"Ah sounds good. Now you can go back to your tent and plan it further. While i need to bath."
She watch the troublemaker walk out of her tent and sigh. Whatever it takes to have him work hard and improve himself now she have to throw herself in. She takes off her outer garments and left her top and pants on to hop into the bath tub. Just incase troublemaker comes back in, she have herself covered.
She soak for a long time till the water turns cold. Stepping out she wrap herself and walk outside of the tent. It's dead silence outside. After changing she sleep soundly without anyone disturbing.
The next two weeks, troublemaker is working hard. He try to be excel in all areas. He have good review from the corporals. Even help those who are not that good. Yan Rui saw that the cook are short handed, he offer to help. With his team leader approval, he run to help the cook. He learn to wash and chop the vegetables and meat. Tang Li watch him in a distance chopping the meat.
"Man Chun, he did not cause any problem?"
"No general. He is very corporative and learning helping along the way."
"When is the examinations starting?"
"General, are you thinking of getting him to take part in it? He just join our camp four months ago."
"No i am not talking about him. I am talking about you! Isn't it your time to take the examination?"
"General, i am too lazy. I am contented to be at this ranking. Not ambitious at all! I want to be your assistance for a long time. " He laugh
"Well taking the examinations, you will have more money to take home."
"Yes that is true General but now i am satisfy. I only have my parents to look after. My brother is married and have children. They are fine too."
"Man Chun, you have follow me a long time. I will personally increase your pay. If should you in trouble and i can help. You must tell me. "
He smile broadly and nod his head.
One day sewing up her boots, a decree come by to camp. Everyone got down on the knees to receive the decree. The emperor have mine ores in the far eastern mountains and arriving to pass the Tong mountains as it is near the camp, they are to go receive the ores and deliver them to the capital warehouse. Tang Li accepted the order and the eunuch left the camp. "General what is your order?" Man Chun come running after Tang Li which is walking with one boot and another with socks.
"Order, is to get one hundred men ready to go receive the ores. It will probably have ... twenty wagons. thirty men at the front another thirty men at the tail end. The rest spread out at the middle. What do you think?"
"Should be fine. Only the old soldiers to do the escort? Or mix."
"A mixture of every one. It gives the new recruit now we do things. Rarely we have a chance to do escort."
"The last time we escort was a Lord coming from the county up to the capital. He is such a pain in the butt."
"Well Man Chun. Can you organise who is going. Give me a list. While i try to finish up sewing this hole here. We have to be stingy bit till the new boots arrive."