Chapter 56 (2/2)

Sure enough, Chi Cheng becomes really touched when he hears that.  He kneels on the ground and pays her respect, ”This subordinate will try his best to help General Bai, from now on!  Thank you for giving me this opportunity, General Bai!”

Bai Jiu immediately steps forward and helps him up, ”Please get up, Deputy Chi.  From now on, we are all brothers.  No need for so many formalities.”

After this incident, the soldiers no longer have any qualms about Bai Jiu becoming their General.  In fact, they thought the emperor and the Great General did really good by giving her the control of the cavalry soldiers.

After that fanfare, Han Yi Xiao and Bai Jiu walk to the cavalry camp together.

Bai Jiu looks at Han Yi Xiao, looking a little guilty, ”I did not think this would reach the Great General's ears.  I was too reckless.”

Han Yi Xiao shakes his head, a touch of smile hanging at the corner of his lips, ”I believe, that is a part of General's plan.”

Bai Jiu is stunned for a moment before she laughs, ”In the end, I got discovered by the Great General.  I am too inexperienced.”

”You did well.  You are so young and inexperienced and are already appointed as a General.  A lot of people are naturally unhappy with that.  What you did today has banished the cavalry's worries.  Chi Cheng is held in high-esteem in the cavalry camp, the soldiers are all supportive of him.  With his martial arts ability, he is already qualified to be the cavalry camp's General.  However, he is too reckless and emotional when making decisions.  In troubled times, one needs to be calm and level-headed when making decisions, that is why I haven't promoted him.  Now that you've had him by your side, no other soldiers would dare to have other ideas.  Even if they do, Chi Cheng will help you settle that.  Your move is really impressive; I need to thank you for giving Chi Cheng a lesson.  Chi Cheng is a very good person, but he always underestimates his enemies.   I've told him that so many times, but he never changed.  Now that you have beaten him, you have basically given him a lesson.”

Hearing Han Yi Xiao praising her, Bai Jiu is really happy.  ”Then, that means that you are not angry at this subordinate?”

”You didn't do anything wrong, why should I be angry?  Although we don't have to speak with great reasonings every day, like those literary officials, we cannot simply depend on brute force.  We need to use intrigue as well.  The best kind of officials are those who can balance brains with strength.  From now on, the cavalry camp will be under your care.  The soldiers will be your brothers.  Their way of thinking is very simple; as long as you treat them earnestly, they will repay it with earnest loyalty.” Han Yi Xiao responsibly advices Bai Jiu.  He personally appointed her; he hopes he didn't make a wrong decision.

Han Yi Xiao's advice is very valuable.  Bai Jiu feels touched, ”Thank you for your teaching, the Great General.  I will definitely do as you taught me to do.  The cavalry camp will unite as one, we will not disappoint you!”

Han Yi Xiao nods in satiafaction, ”Heroes are born from youngsters, I believe in you.”

Bai Jiu is happy, like a little child.  ”Great General, I have only arrived, so I am not very familiar with the surroundings.  Can you help me know this place better?”

Han Yi Xiao who originally planned to go back to his barrack agrees to her request, ”Let's go.”

Bai Jiu happily follows him.

In order to not to have awkward silence, Bai Jiu quickly finds another topic.

Feng Yang Palace is very lively today.  Mo Qi Qi wants to train the concubines and she needs to do that based on their existing physical conditions.

She tells them about yoga and dances, and the concubines are learning from her in great interest.  Learning and playing are now fused together.

Mo Qi Qi looks at the concubines who are playing really happily before asking them proudly, ”Meimeis, all of you finally knows how to be a woman after learning so many body-shaping movements.  The moral of the story:  No woman can win over a man's appreciation without doing anything!  No woman can contend against another without polishing themselves.  No man is willing to drill through your outer appearance to seek for your inner beauty!  You must fight to get what you want.  If you want to live the life you wanted, it will have to depend on your own effort!  Sure, we are not the emperor.  We do not know what the emperor wants.  But we must try and think from another person's view.  If we are men, would we fall for jealous women who throw a fuss everyday?  No, right?  So, we must cut off that bad habit, we must change.  We must be pretty, inside and out.  Only then, will we become the perfect beauty.  Now, bengong wants to teach you a dance.  Bengong a.s.sures you that if the emperor sees this dance, he will become completely mesmerized!”

The concubines perk up upon hearing that, ”What kind of dance?  Please teach us, Your Ladyship!”

Serene: This chapter was brought to you by Mckenzie.