Three Kingdoms: A Million Soldiers Grown from the Fields

Chapter 244 Mountain Deer
Xiahou Lan's holiday had an added touch of novelty compared to the past.

He didn't rush back to the city. Instead, he found a family in the mountains to stay with. After returning to the mountains with some hunters and skinning, butchering, and butchering the bear, he stayed there temporarily.

Xin Yi didn't leave either; she changed the dressings for her savior every day.

Not long after the perilous experience, she regained her lively and cheerful nature. Every day, like a tireless little sparrow, she would chatter to Xiahou Lan about the interesting things in the mountains, the effects of various herbs, and the stories of her father treating wounded soldiers in the medical camp.

Xiahou Lan became a silent listener. He distributed his breast meat to several nearby households as rent and focused on recuperation every day, listening to Xin Yi's stories and occasionally responding. Under Xin Yi's careful care, the injury on his arm was almost completely healed in just two or three days.

Three days later, when Xiahou Lan's arm injury was healed and Xin Yi was about to return to Jinyang City to deliver medicine to the medical camp, the two left together.

The moment you step through the gates of Jinyang, a bustling atmosphere, completely different from that of the mountains and forests, hits you.

After the autumn harvest, Jinyang City was like a giant who had just had a full meal and was very satisfied, exuding a sense of abundance and peace.

The most spectacular sight was the grain stores on both sides of the street! Huge grain bins were piled high with golden millet and plump wheat grains, like small mountains, almost reaching the eaves.

The long queue in front of the door was not made up of starving people with furrowed brows, but of farmers with smiling faces, greeting each other.

They were pushing wheelbarrows or driving oxcarts, their carts fully loaded with their harvested grain, waiting for the grain shop clerk to weigh and purchase it.

"Old Zhang! How's the harvest this year?"

"Hahaha, thanks to the general! This year's harvest of pumpkins is nearly 70,000 catties! The grain store also gave a fair price! After paying the taxes, the money is enough to buy my wife a few new outfits and some candy for the kids!"

"Mine too! Those pumpkins are such a treasure! They grow so many even on a hillside! I never even dared to dream of that before!"

The grain shop clerks were busy, sweating profusely, their abacuses clicking away, loudly announcing the weights and amounts of money. Bags of copper coins or brand-new grain coupons were handed to the farmers, eliciting bursts of satisfied laughter in return.

The air was filled with the unique fragrance of freshly harvested grain.

The butcher shops and oil mills were also doing booming business.

The stalls displaying fresh beef and mutton were surrounded by people.

The newly launched iron wok from the craftsmanship camp has become a hot commodity. Although it is expensive, people with spare money are willing to buy one to improve their family's meals.

The oil mill was filled with the rich aroma of oils. Freshly pressed sesame oil, rapeseed oil, and animal fat were sold in rough earthenware jars.

Some vendors were even selling a byproduct of the Jiangzaoying Oil Workshop, a "hand soap" with extremely strong cleaning power made from wood ash and oil, which attracted the curiosity of many women.

The cloth shops and general stores were also bustling with people.

The newly harvested cotton was spun into snow-white cotton thread and woven into thick, soft cotton cloth. The price was much more affordable than expensive silk, making it the first choice for people to buy winter clothes.

The shelves were filled with all sorts of farm tools, iron pots, earthenware bowls, needles and thread... a dazzling array.

Clutching the spare change given to them by adults, the children lingered at the stalls selling hawthorn gourds, dough figurines, windmills, and kites, their little faces beaming with carefree smiles.

The sound of students reading aloud could be heard every day in elementary and night schools.

After the autumn harvest, when farmers have less time to work, more adults and children have time to go to school.

Children dressed in clean cotton clothes held elementary school textbooks printed on new paper from Bingzhou, reciting aloud: "When the granaries are full, people know etiquette; when they are well-fed and clothed, they know honor and shame..."

In the night school, with bright oil lamps lit, adult men and women earnestly followed the teacher to learn to read, calculate, and understand agricultural seasons, solar terms, and how to use new farm tools.

Xiahou Lan led the horse, walking side by side with Xin Yi, who was carrying a medicine basket, on the bustling street.

Like a happy little bird, Xinyi excitedly pointed to the new things on both sides and chirped, "Brother Lan, look! That iron pot is so shiny! I heard it smells especially good when used for cooking!"

"Wow! Hand soap! My dad said they tried it at the medical camp, and it cleans hands really well without hurting them!"

"Look at that school over there! The students are reciting so neatly! Why wasn't I so lucky when I was a kid…"

Xiahou Lan listened quietly, looking at the bustling and peaceful scene before her, the genuine smiles on the faces of the people on the streets, the carefree running and playing of children, and the mountains of goods piled up in the shops.

He remembered the old woman he had met on the way from the small mountain village to Zhengding with Brother Xian and Ayun that day.

I recalled what my brother Xian had said in the Guo family mansion.

At the time, he couldn't understand or be moved by its meaning, but now he understands a lot.

A profound sense of pride and belonging welled up within me.

The light of Brother Xian has now begun to shine, illuminating the heads of over a million people in Bingzhou!
A smile curved his lips: 'That's nice.'

Xin Yi was standing on tiptoe, curiously looking at a stall selling colorful dough figurines. When she turned around, she saw Xiahou Lan's smile.

She was stunned.

This was the first time in all these days that she had seen her savior smile so naturally and warmly.

She stared blankly for a moment.

Magnolia.

Then Xiahou Lan suddenly asked, "Which medical camp is your father in?"

Xin Yi snapped out of her daze, her cheeks burning, and she lowered her head involuntarily: "It's right next to the wounded soldiers' treatment camp in the south of the city! Brother Lan, why are you asking about this? Do you want to see my father about your injury? Your injury is almost healed!"

"Um...it's nothing."

"I will send you back."

Xin Yi was taken aback at first, then seemed to understand something. She lowered her head and fiddled with the straps of the medicine basket, her voice barely audible: "Oh...okay...okay."
-
As the date of the "World's Number One Martial Arts Tournament" draws ever closer, Jinyang has become the gathering place for the world's most influential figures.

A loud shout suddenly came from the second floor of Jinyang Restaurant, attracting the attention of passersby below. Some quick-witted people had already run towards the patrol route of the judicial officer.

"Damn it! Why should I wait? I reserved this spot yesterday!"

A giant man, eight feet tall, with a face full of scars and speaking with a heavy Sichuan accent, slammed his large, fan-like hand hard on the rosewood table, making the cups and plates jump around.

Behind him stood several equally fierce-looking men, staring at the opposite side with hostile eyes.

Opposite him stood a wiry young man dressed in brocade attire, with a ring-pommel sword at his waist.

His face was cold and stern, and he didn't even bother to lift his eyelids. He just slowly sipped the wine in his cup. The two short-clothed attendants standing behind him had their hands on the short-handled axes at their waists.

"Hmph, booked? The restaurant hasn't received your deposit. This spot goes to the highest bidder. I paid double, so it's mine!"

The young man's voice was not loud, but it carried an air of arrogance, clearly indicating that he came from a wealthy family.

"Bullshit! I'm a man of honor, I rely on my fists, not money!"

The giant from Sichuan flew into a rage, grabbed a wine jar from the table, and was about to smash it! The men behind him also drew their weapons, their cold glints flashing!
The restaurant erupted in an uproar! Diners scattered in terror, while the manager and waiters turned pale with fright and repeatedly bowed and begged.

A conflict is about to break out!
"stop!"

A sharp shout, like a thunderclap, came from the stairwell.

Five officials dressed in black, with xiezhi patterns embroidered on their chests, led by a young official with a cold face and sharp, eagle-like eyes, quickly walked up to the third floor.

It was none other than the patrol officers of the Judicial Office! The leader was none other than Chen Yin, a capable subordinate of "Iron Face Zhao," who was known for his incorruptibility!

"Private fights are strictly prohibited within Jinyang City! Those carrying weapons, lay them down!"

Chen Yin's voice was icy, carrying an unquestionable authority, and his gaze swept over the two opposing sides like a knife.

The officials behind him had their hands on the hilts of their swords, their expressions calm and collected; they were clearly skilled members of the law enforcement guards.

The burly man from Sichuan was furious and didn't care about any of that. He stubbornly shouted, "What kind of lousy official is this? Meddling in my business? Get out of my way! Or you'll be taken down with you..."

"Take him down!" Chen Yin shouted before he could finish speaking!
Two officials behind him pounced like cheetahs! Their movements were swift as lightning, and their coordination was impeccable! One of them grabbed the giant's wrist holding the wine jar with a cunning and precise grappling technique!

The other person circled around to his side and behind like a ghost, delivering a sharp knee strike to the back of his leg!
"Ouch!" Caught off guard, the giant felt a sharp pain in his wrist, the wine jar slipped from his grasp, his legs buckled, and his massive body crashed to his knees!
The man behind him was about to make a move when the blades of the other two officials were already at their necks! The cold touch made them freeze instantly, and cold sweat poured down their backs.

Upon seeing this, the young man from the Central Plains narrowed his eyes, slowly loosened his grip on the hilt of his sword, and his arrogance subsided somewhat. He cupped his hands in a respectful gesture towards Chen Yin: "This patrol officer, they provoked us first..."

"Right and wrong will be judged by the law!"

Chen Yin didn't even look at him, his voice still icy: "Take him away! Disturbing public order and threatening with weapons, according to the Bingzhou Public Security Law, he will be detained for ten days and sentenced to hard labor to repair the city wall!"

The officials swiftly and efficiently put wooden shackles on the still struggling and cursing giant from Sichuan and his accomplices, and escorted them out.

The whole process was so fast it was dazzling.

The young man and his entourage turned pale and silently sat back down, daring not to make any further moves.

The restaurant was silent for a moment, then erupted into low murmurs and cheers.

"Good! Well done!"

"Zhao Tiemian's men are truly formidable!"

"Do these outsiders really think there's no law in Bingzhou?"

"Exactly! Want to fight? Wait until we're in the ring, then fight all you want! But in the city, you have to follow the rules of Bingzhou!"

Chen Yin glanced around expressionlessly, his gaze lingering for a moment on several people who were clearly dressed as江湖客 (jianghu ke, meaning martial arts practitioners) and whose eyes were gleaming, carrying a warning tone.

Then he led his men, escorting the prisoners, and strode away.

The hall was filled with awe and discussion about the strict laws of Bingzhou and the swift and decisive actions of the judicial office.

This scene, like a pebble thrown into a lake, quickly spread among the heroes from all directions who flocked to Jinyang.

Many previously unruly and lawless江湖客 (jianghu ke, a term referring to people who live by the martial arts world) subconsciously toned down their arrogance after witnessing the tough methods of the Judicial Officer.

They understood that while the glory and rewards of being the best in the world were tempting in Bingzhou, the prerequisite was that you had to abide by the rules here first.
-
The small medicine hut next to the wounded soldiers' treatment camp in the south of the city was filled with the fragrance of herbs.

Magnolia rolled up her sleeves, revealing two fair arms, and deftly sorted the newly picked herbs, spreading them out on a bamboo tray to dry.

Sunlight streamed through the window, casting a soft glow on her focused profile.

"Miss Xinyi!" A deep voice sounded at the door.

Without turning around, Xin Yi's lips involuntarily curved into a sweet smile.

She turned around and saw Xiahou Lan's tall figure standing at the door, still wearing his leather armor, carrying a longbow on his back, but holding a plump wild rabbit tied with a straw rope in his hand.

"Brother Lan!" Xin Yi put down the herbs in her hand and went to greet him.

"You've gone into the mountains again? This rabbit is so fat! Hey? Your arm's just healed, don't overexert yourself!"

She naturally pulled up Xiahou Lan's left arm and carefully examined the wound, which had scabbed over and was now only a faint red mark, before she felt relieved.

Xiahou Lan, feeling a little awkward being pulled along, cleared her throat and handed over the wild rabbit: "Hmm... caught in the mountains, for you... and your dad, to add some dishes to your meal."

"Thank you, Brother Lan!" Xin Yi happily accepted the rabbit, her eyes crinkling into crescent moons.

"My dad went to the military camp for a consultation today, and he'll be making this stew when he gets back tonight! Why don't you stay and eat with us?"

"Okay...okay." Xiahou Lan nodded, a simple and honest smile appearing on his dark face.

Since his last encounter in the mountains, he has been visiting the medicine hut much more often. Sometimes he brings some game he has hunted, and sometimes he just stops by to see if Xinyi is busy.

Xin Yi always warmly invited him to drink water, told him interesting stories from the medical camp, or gave him some herbal pills to regulate his body.

The weather is fine today, and Xinyi is going into the mountains to collect some medicinal herbs that are only available in autumn.

Xiahou Lan naturally became the "protector of the flowers".

The two walked one after the other on the familiar mountain path.

Xin Yi carried her medicine basket on her back, her steps light and quick, like a nimble mountain deer. She would stop every now and then, pointing to the roadside plants: "Brother Lan, look, that's honeysuckle vine, it's the best for treating sore throats... Oh! That's dendrobium! Good stuff!"

She skillfully dug with a small hoe, her movements practiced and precise.

Xiahou Lan seemed to have returned to her role as a guard.

His sharp eyes scanned the surrounding dense forest, alert to any possible danger.

Whenever Xin Yi needed to climb steep slopes or cross deep ravines, his calloused hand would always reach out promptly and firmly to support her slender arm.

Each brief encounter sent a shiver through their hearts, before they quickly separated again.

"Brother Lan, your archery skills are so good, who did you learn from?"

While gathering herbs, Xinyi asked curiously.

"My master taught me," Xiahou Lan said instinctively.

"And... I trained myself. Back in Changshan, I used to go hunting in the mountains all the time."

“Oh…” Xin Yi nodded thoughtfully.

"Then you must have suffered a lot, right?"

Xiahou Lan shook her head: "I haven't suffered much hardship. I had a master before, and I do now."

He stopped halfway through his sentence, and Xinyi didn't press him for details, continuing to pick herbs.

In the afternoon, the two returned to Jinyang City.

An open area outside the city, used by county soldiers, became a place where Xiahou Lan often practiced martial arts.

In the open space, there were several straw targets and wooden stakes.

Xin Yi sat on the stone steps by the field, her hands supporting her chin, quietly watching the agile figure in the field.

Xiahou Lan removed his leather armor and outer robe, leaving him in only a thin linen short jacket, revealing his strong, muscular arms and broad back.

Sweat streamed down his bronze skin, glistening in the sunlight.

He drew back the hardwood longbow, the bowstring groaning painfully as it was pulled taut to its fullest extent! His eyes were as focused as a hawk's, his arm muscles bulging like rocks! Whoosh! A heavy arrow flew from the bowstring like a black lightning bolt, piercing precisely the bullseye of the target a hundred paces away! The arrow's fletching still hummed and vibrated!
Immediately afterwards, he put down his bow and arrows and picked up a heavy iron-spined spear from the side of the field.

The spear flashes like a dragon! Sweeping, thrusting, parrying... the movements are wide and sweeping, carrying the momentum of the battlefield. The heavy shaft of the spear tears through the air, emitting a muffled whistling sound!
Sweat splattered as he moved violently, but he showed no signs of fatigue.

Magnolia has seen things quite deeply.

She had seen the wounded soldiers her father treated and the soldiers training in the barracks, but she had never felt such a pure sense of power up close before.

Every bulging muscle, every heavy breath, every sharp slash—all exuded masculine charm and a reassuring sense of reliability.

Xiahou Lan stopped practicing until he was exhausted. Leaning on his spear, his chest heaved violently, and his clothes were soaked with sweat.

He turned around and saw Xin Yi quietly waiting on the stone steps, the afterglow of the setting sun gilding her with a warm golden edge.

The girl smiled at him and handed him a bamboo tube filled with water and a clean cloth.

"Wipe your sweat, Brother Lan." The voice was as light and clear as a mountain breeze.

Xiahou Lan took the bamboo tube, tilted her head back, and gulped it down. The cool water moistened her parched throat and seemed to flow into her heart.

He took the cloth and wiped his face and neck haphazardly, but his gaze involuntarily fell on Xin Yi, and their eyes met.

(End of this chapter)