Rebirth of the Three Kingdoms: Da Qiao doesn't want to be a widow anymore

Chapter 354 Can't Stir Up Any Waves
Sun An said, “When she first arrived in Runan, she tried to play the victim and act aggrieved, thinking that I was soft-hearted and would use her as a tool to punish another concubine of the general as before.”

That day, I deliberately kept General Zhao at home and witnessed her playing the victim with me. General Zhao believed that although he didn't often summon her to serve him, he had never mistreated her.

I never expected her to turn around and cry to me like this. Anyone who didn't know better would think the general was mistreating his concubines. When General Zhao left that day, his face was grim.

In their first encounter, Sun An made Xie Chunfu reveal his true colors without losing a single soldier.

She doesn't even need to do anything more.

Xie Chunfu used to rely on Sun An's name to gain a foothold in the household, but Sun An's attitude has made it clear that as long as he treats every concubine in the household fairly, Xie Chunfu's life will be difficult enough.

As far as Zhao Yun was concerned, Xie Chunfu was someone Sun An had sent to ask him to settle down. Out of respect for Sun An, he would naturally show him more respect.

Given her significant status, she has been entrusted with many household affairs in recent years, acting as the mistress of the house.

With one gaining at the expense of the other, Zhao Yun's other concubine, Yang Ji, was naturally resentful, but she never caused any trouble.

When Sun An arrived, this delicate balance was broken. Xie Chunfu thought that Sun An would still trust her as before, and thought that she could use Sun An's power to suppress Yang Ji.

Unexpectedly, Sun An, after three years apart, was no longer the young lady who would easily listen to her instigation.

"Are there any other people around General Zhao who have made you uncomfortable?"

Sun An laughed heartily, “Sister-in-law, you’ve probably forgotten that my brother gave me a whole army of Jin’an soldiers as dowry. Who would dare to be so foolish as to cause me any trouble?”

Indeed, it's good enough that the younger sister, whom the Marquis of Nanchang pampered and spoiled as she grew up, doesn't cause trouble for others.

"On the second day of my marriage, I led the Jin'an soldiers in a drill in the mansion for half an hour. Not only the concubines, but even the stewards and guards in the mansion behaved themselves."

Sun An couldn't help but laugh at the thought of Xie Chunfu trembling as he obediently handed over the steward's keys and account books, accompanied by the steward himself.

"Initially, they had some complaints about the Jin'an troops being stationed in the mansion. Last month, Liu Ye led troops in a surprise attack on Runan, and spies attacked the general's mansion."

If I hadn't led the Jin'an soldiers to capture the suspicious person and behead him, I'm afraid not only the general's mansion, but also the soldiers' families and innocent civilians nearby would have been in danger.

Having saved their lives, they dared not complain further. Instead, they respectfully sent the Jin'an soldiers clothes and food to express their gratitude.

Hearing Sun An's words, Qiao Wei felt relieved. "I also heard Junhou mention this matter. General Zhao even recommended you for merit in the military report, firstly for your service in protecting the people in the city, and secondly for you and your female relatives preparing winter supplies for the soldiers."

If the families of soldiers were taken hostage and something happened to them, the morale of the army would be greatly shaken. If civilians were killed, it would also affect the morale of the people in the city. In this way, Sun An guarded the rear and stabilized the morale of the people in the city and the army.

Sun An deserves half the credit for Zhao Yun's success in defending Runan. Zhao Yun was also able to request commendations for Sun An and the Jin'an soldiers, suggesting that he and Sun An were quite compatible.

As for the matter of regulating the women, Sun An felt that they were just too idle on weekdays, which was why they had the energy to scheme and cause trouble.

They were assigned the task of making clothes and shoes for the soldiers in the army.

If a household does a particularly good job, the person's food, clothing, and other necessities will increase by 20% the following month. If Zhao Yun returns to the General's Mansion, Sun An will prioritize arranging for that household to serve him.

As a result, the concubines in the mansion were all determined to help the soldiers in the army.

With things to do, there was naturally less trouble in the manor. People stopped bickering and spent their free time making clothes and shoes. Zhao Yun, upon learning of the new rules, was utterly bewildered as to why Sun An had established such rules and why he was expected to contribute his own efforts.

Sun Antong said that defending Runan is not only the responsibility of the soldiers, but also the responsibility of everyone living on this land.

Men are responsible for guarding the land, and women should not sit idly by. Those who are protected should have a responsibility to contribute in other matters.

Winter is approaching in Runan. Even if the women cannot wield knives and guns, the soldiers should not be forced to endure the cold to defend their homeland.

If this rule didn't exist before, it will begin with the current General's Mansion.

After listening, Zhao Yun praised Sun An for his righteousness and felt that since Sun An came to Runan, the atmosphere in the mansion had been completely renewed, and his ears were much quieter.

So the two hit it off immediately. Whenever Sun An arranged for a concubine to serve him, he would go along with Sun An's wishes, praising their skill and thoughtfulness, and expressing his gratitude on behalf of the soldiers in the army.

With Zhao Yun's cooperation, the concubines became even more enthusiastic.

Soon, the wives of generals and captains began to follow suit, earning fame for themselves while keeping their concubines in line.

Sun An also established great prestige among the women.

After finishing his sentence, Sun An didn't forget to boast to Qiao Wei, "I remember all the principles and skills that my two sisters-in-law taught me. I shouldn't have let them down, right?"

Not only was it not shameful, it was something to be proud of!

"No wonder General Zhao repeatedly praised you for your profound sense of righteousness in the military report."

As long as Sun An is doing well, Qiao Wei is at ease.

Sun An hugged Qiao Wei and whispered, "I am truly grateful to my brother Zhong for marrying such a noble and virtuous woman as my sister-in-law."

After she married into Runan, she had many female relatives to compare herself to, and only then did she realize what Qiao Wei meant when he told her that women should not be confined to the inner quarters.

Compared to most soldiers' wives, who could only rack their brains to please their husbands and resort to underhanded means to secretly compete with the women in the household, sometimes living in constant fear like rats in a dark ditch.

She, however, was able to use the skills she learned from her elder and second elder sisters-in-law to handle matters in the household with ease, employing both kindness and severity.

If Zhao Yun encountered difficulties in the army, she could even offer her suggestions. The two of them could sit down as equals and discuss important matters in the army and in the mansion.

In truth, they seem more like a loving couple.

Even Zhao Yun said that if she were a man, she would have accomplished even more by now.

A warm feeling welled up in Qiao Wei's heart. She looked at Sun An, who had completely shed her arrogant demeanor and was now becoming the person she wanted to be on her own battlefield with unwavering courage.

Qiao Wei watched Sun An leave until his silhouette shrank to a dot, then suddenly felt a weight on his body as a robe appeared on him.

The short story "You Are in My Eyes" is now complete at 30,000 words. It's free and has a happy ending, so feel free to read it.