Cultivation Begins with Caring for Sister-in-law

Jun County.

County School.

"When soldiers rise, it must not be out of anger. Victory is sought when seen, but cease when not. If calamity is within a hundred miles, do not raise a day's troops; within a thousand miles, do not raise a month's troops; and within the four seas, do not raise a year's troops."

In the hall, Ling Li held the military book and read aloud on the platform.

Below the platform, along with Cui Shuang, Sun Meng, Zhang River, Hu Qiang, Luo Yong, and other leaders of the Four Guards, everyone but those on duty was present.

Chen Mo stood at the back, listening.

In his view, since it was time to recuperate, he should use this time to improve the military knowledge of his subordinates. After all, none of the leaders under his command could act independently. There was no one coming to pledge allegiance, so he had to cultivate them himself.

"Lord Ling, we've seen these words in books before; they're just grand principles with no practical use. Can't you teach us something useful for the military?" Zhang River said with a smile.

Ling Li cast a glance at Zhang River, then looked at Chen Mo.

Chen Mo said nothing, simply crossing his arms and watching Ling Li, seemingly curious to hear more.

Ling Li recognized this as a test and felt a bit pressured. He recalled what he knew and learned, saying, "Therefore, a warrior must inspire the soldiers with his presence, as the mind commands the limbs.

If the will is not inspiring, the soldiers will not give their lives. If soldiers do not pledge their lives, the masses will not fight. The way to inspire soldiers is to enrich the people's livelihood. Organize according to what the people live by, glorify what the people honor, the truth of the land's yield, kinship of food and drink, urging from the villagers, saving each other in life and death, following each other in military service; these are what inspire the people..."

After Ling Li finished, just as he thought he had spoken well, Zhang River asked, "What does it mean?"

Ling Li's mouth twitched slightly.

"Lord Ling, are these words meant for me to hear? But it seems somewhat off-topic compared to Captain Zhang's query?" Chen Mo remarked.

What Ling Li spoke of was methods to inspire courage and motivate the people, thereby enhancing the combat strength of the army, somewhat differing from Zhang River's request.

Seeing Chen Mo point this out, Ling Li's heart skipped a beat, feeling like he did when chastised by a tutor during his studies.

He thought for a moment and said again, "Those without battle mind are those who avoid risks, challengers lack complete spirit, combatants lack triumphant soldiers."

"Thus, whenever gathering troops, a thousand miles is ten days, a hundred miles is one day, must gather in enemy territory. As troops concentrate and approach, penetrate deep into their lands, break off their paths, seize their major cities and towns, make them climb the walls in precarious danger, men and women in layers, each compelled by terrain, attacking the stronghold..."

"Stop." Seeing Ling Li continue, Chen Mo quickly called to halt, saying, "Lord Ling, come with me."

Chen Mo had realized that Ling Li seemed to only recite text like Xia Zhining, lacking practical application, even struggling with lecturing.

If it was only about reciting military books, anyone literate could teach.

Ling Li followed apprehensively outside.

Chen Mo did not reprimand him, saying, "I asked you to teach them military concepts, perhaps a bit too demanding."

Ling Li felt somewhat guilty, acknowledging his own inadequacies in this regard, keeping his head lowered without speaking.

"How about this, from now on, just convey the simplest meanings of the military books to them. Also, if you have time, look into the current state of the Celestial Master Army, summarize the exposed issues, and warn them during your teachings." Chen Mo said.

The actions of the Celestial Master Army nowadays are merely a microcosm of the numerous farmer uprisings throughout history.

The root of the problem is not identity, but the perspective across class boundaries.

In this region, especially the common folk at the bottom, the furthest place visited in their lifetime is entering the city, seeing luxurious places yet not daring to enter due to lack of money.

Every day upon awakening, it's the toil of farming, worrying about hunger.

Such a person, after instigating a revolt, suddenly encounters the indulgent, extravagant lifestyle of the upper echelons, making it hard to resist indulgence; coupled with the power bestowed by their status, allowing them to control others' fate, crime easily breeds.

This kind of thing, whether before or after Chen Mo's crossing, has been witnessed countlessly.

The vile consumption and extravagant enjoyment of nouveaux riches is not uncommon. Even in the well-regulated legal society of Blue Star, people still commit crimes; let alone the current chaotic times.

There's a saying, it's hard to be a good person.

But being a bad person is very simple.

The Chen Army is known for its strict discipline, avoiding the issues seen with the Celestial Master Army, though some problems have still surfaced.

Take Zhang River, for example, being the first to follow him, Chen Mo treated him well and trusted him a lot.

Consequently, he held high status in the Three States, others respected him; after taking the Wang Family's widow as a concubine, he added a concubine in Yu State, kept in Sanyuan.

He thought Chen Mo was unaware, but Chen Mo was actually well-informed.

However, Chen Mo wouldn't reproach him over women, as long as it didn't interfere with work, having multiple wives was quite normal.

Moreover, Chen Mo was in no position to reprimand him, given his own number of women.

What dissatisfied Chen Mo was Zhang River using his power to accept bribes from subordinates, assigning them as Decurions or Centurions.

Currently, aside from the Initial Brave Cavalry Guard, the Divine Courage, Divine Martial, and Xianzhen Guards are all expanding, the increased manpower leading to many vacant Decurion and Centurion positions.

With Chen Mo extensively busy, he could only appoint Centurions, leaving Decurion and Centurion selection to recommendations below, giving Zhang River the opportunity.

Besides accepting bribes from subordinates, when reinforcing and rebuilding walls in Longmen County and Shiling County, Zhang River dared not skimp on materials but deducted workers' wages.

Chen Mo pays the laborers involved in the work a daily wage of ten cents, yet Zhang River takes away one or two cents from each person.

If it weren't for Sun Meng telling him, Chen Mo would have never known.

But despite knowing, he decided to suppress it; after all, Zhang River has been with him for so long, and Chen Mo is quite nostalgic.

Moreover, with just a budding foundation, punishing or blaming the old associates would undoubtedly spread rumors of not treating "contributors" well.

Therefore, Chen Mo made up his mind to give Zhang River three chances to make mistakes, and he has already used up two.

Chen Mo was afraid Zhang River would make a third mistake, yet was hesitant to remind him directly, so he had Ling Li warn him in this way, also allowing other commanders a sense of judgment.

He hoped it wouldn't lead to a major mistake.

This kind of thing definitely couldn't be allowed to persist, as it would be detrimental to a newly developed force.

Ling Li was startled, clasped his hands towards Chen Mo and said, "Understood."

...

After returning from Jun County, night had fallen.

It was December, and the cold wind howled.

Under the clear sky, the shining cold moon cast its light on the earth, and the wind felt as if even the moonlight was cold.

Returning to the Government Office, Chen Mo handed the Snow Dragon Steed to his personal soldiers to take to the stable. As he walked to the backyard, Song Min's sweet voice sounded, "Brother Mo has returned."

Song Min was already thirteen, and girls mature faster than boys, beginning to show the silhouette of a young woman, dressed more maturely than before.

The previously sallow complexion had been nurtured to a fairer shade, with a hint of blush.

Chen Mo smiled at the graceful young girl, his gaze pure, and spoke softly, "Prepare some hot water, I will bathe later."

"Okay." Song Min withdrew.

"Wait." Chen Mo called out to Song Min.

Song Min turned her head.

"Bring the hot water to your two Ms. Xia's room; it's their turn to serve today," said Chen Mo.

Song Min understood much already and her face immediately turned red, her eyes filling with a touch of shyness.

"Brother Mo, take care of yourself." With that, Song Min ran off with her head down.

Chen Mo returned to the master bedroom, reassured Han Anniang and Yi Shiyin, then turned towards the Xia Sisters' courtyard.

At this moment, Chen Mo lifted his eyes and saw in the next-door courtyard of Ning Wan, a beautiful woman squatting in front of a tub, washing intimate clothes.

Although Chen Mo had assigned a maid to Ning Wan, it wasn't the maid Ning Wan had used before. Besides being difficult to command, Ning Wan had some reservations about "strangers," thus she washed her intimate clothes herself.

Ning Wan's figure was voluptuous, squatting down formed a beautiful line with her back and the curve of her jacket and skirt, with round fullness pressed tightly against her knees, creating a scene immensely alluring.

After advancing to Third Grade, Chen Mo's senses improved significantly, and with just a glance, he took in everything.

Ning Wan was quite sensitive to gazes, quickly sensing something amiss, she lifted her eyes and, sure enough, saw a silhouette at the courtyard opening.

Who else could it be but Chen Mo?

Noticing the gaze, Ning Wan glanced downwards, immediately stood up, feeling somewhat awkward; this was the discomfort of an outsider living in someone else's home.

She sideways sorted out the disordered collar, turned slightly with a blush on her face, and softly said, "The Marquis has returned."

Chen Mo nodded, looked away, "Is Aunt Ning better now?"

"Thank you for the Marquis's concern, it has passed," Ning Wan knew what Chen Mo meant.

"It's cold, use warm water when washing clothes, I see your hands are red from the cold; be mindful of frostbite in this weather, it would be very uncomfortable if your hands got chapped," Chen Mo said warmly.

"Mm-hmm."

Ning Wan nodded, feeling somewhat odd inside.

Such caring words were not something a subordinate would say to their master.

It seemed more like family care.

Before she was married, only her mother spoke to her like this.

"The Marquis should rest early," Ning Wan replied.

Chen Mo nodded, arriving at the Xia Sisters' courtyard, entered the room.

The hot water Song Min had already prepared and left.

But Chen Mo raised an eyebrow, looking at the stately and cool woman, surprised, "Zhi Ning, did you advance?"

At this moment, the red numbers on Xia Zhining's forehead were 126.