Chapter 139: Easily
Editor: Atlas Studios
Since the aim was to hunt as many rabbits in the mountains as possible, Mu Yangling naturally wouldn’t keep this under wraps. Shortly after telling the villagers in Chenggu Garrison about it, she went to look for her uncle and even specially brought them into the mountains to mark out a safe area for everyone before letting the villagers spread the news.
This way, at the very least, it could slow down the reproduction speed of some rabbits. Mu Yangling was only worried that the villagers who entered the mountains might not listen to her advice and enter the depths of the mountains.
However, Mu Yangling had already gotten someone to set up warning signs at various mountain passes. Also, she had spread the word that since the mountains were dangerous, they should enter in teams and were not allowed to go deeper. In the end, if anyone still refused to listen to her advice, Mu Yangling could only say that she had tried her best.
Those who could enter the mountain were all adults and had their own judgment. Mu Yangling did not think that she should be responsible for them.
With these villagers as a buffer, she believed that she could delay the rabbits from coming out of the mountains.
After patrolling the wheat fields that were planted first and starting to germinate, she ran to the camp to look for Qi Haoran regarding the issue of manpower.
Mu Yangling leaned against the wall and looked down at the camp below. When she saw that the patrolling soldiers had just walked away, she nimbly jumped in.
Qi Haoran was looking at the map in the tent, staring at the position of Xingcheng Pass without moving. After a long time, he circled a position with his pen and said to Fan Zijin, “If I were the one deploying the troops, I’d definitely set up an ambush here first. Then, I’d lure the Jin soldiers to attack, before turning around and launching a counterattack. Finally, I’d have the men hiding in ambush to all come out and surround the enemy.”
Fan Zijin looked up at the map before continuing to look down at the book in his hand. He said indifferently, “Now that Cousin is leading the troops, his main focus is on ‘stability’. He won’t agree to this move. It’s good if you can successfully lure them into a trap, but I’m afraid that the other party will sense it first. At that time, they’ll pretend to have failed and counterattack you. It would be bad if they make use of your trap to attack Xingcheng Pass at close range.”
Just then, Qi Haoran suddenly shouted at the door, “Who is it?” He strode forward and lifted the curtain. Mu Yangling’s raised hand almost hit his nose.
Startled by Qi Haoran’s shout, she asked, “What’s wrong?”
Qi Haoran frowned. “How did you get in?” Although the construction of the camp was not complete, the wall was the first to be completed. Since there were people guarding the four gates, there was no reason for him not to receive a report about Mu Yangling’s visit.
“I climbed the wall.” Mu Yangling said matter-of-factly, “The soldiers guarding the door didn’t let me in and refused to inform you of my arrival, so I had no choice but to climb the wall myself.”
Qi Haoran’s face darkened, and Fan Zijin could not help but put down his book. His expression turned solemn as he asked, “You didn’t get discovered along the way?”
Mu Yangling sneered and said, “How can anyone find out when your defense is so lax? If anyone found out, would I still be here talking to you? Alright, Qi Haoran, I came to look for you because I have something urgent to discuss with you. Are you willing to come into the mountains with me?”
“Whatever for?” Qi Haoran asked casually. What he cared about the most was that Mu Yang had easily climbed over the wall and entered his tent. If this place were to be infiltrated by the enemy during a war, he would probably die without realizing what had happened. Hence, he asked, “What route did you take when you climbed over the wall just now? How many passersby did you avoid? Tell me in detail.”
Mu Yangling was focused on the rabbits in the mountains. Instead of answering, she pulled Qi Haoran back and said, “Follow me into the mountains first. I’ll tell you later.”
Seeing that Mu Yangling wasn’t in the mood to elaborate about it, Qi Haoran was afraid that she would brush him off later, so he said seriously, “Alright, I’ll follow you into the mountains, but you have to tell me in detail later.”
Mu Yangling paused before saying, “I won’t be able to explain this matter in a matter of a few words. I’m so busy now I wish I could clone myself. So, instead of explaining in words, I’ll re-enact the scene for you to see later. Follow me and you’ll naturally know what the problem is.”
By now, Mu Yangling had realized what Qi Haoran was concerned about. Being from the army in the past, she naturally knew the potential damage that this negligence could cause Qi Haoran. However, she had never been good with words. In the past, she had to rack her brains to write reports. Now, it was even more so. In addition, what she said or wrote might not be comprehensive due to the lack of time. It was better to let Qi Haoran witness it himself and let him think for himself.
Mu Yangling had her own considerations. Although they had only interacted a few times and hadn’t known each other for long, Mu Yangling couldn’t help but be amazed by Qi Haoran’s talent. She had heard from her captain in the past that when it came to dealing with such a person, one shouldn’t impart to him the knowledge grasped. Instead, she should guide him to think for himself and let him learn on his own, master, and contemplate the essence of the matter.
Mu Yangling didn’t know how to teach people, but she knew how to do the same thing as the captain. How far this could go would ultimately depend on Qi Haoran’s talent.
Just as this thought flashed across her mind, Qi Haoran had already agreed. He found it really refreshing to follow behind the enemy and watch how the enemy broke into his camp. Feeling his blood boil, Qi Haoran said eagerly, “Shall we start now?”
“No, I told you that you have to follow me up the mountain first.”
“No problem.” Qi Haoran agreed immediately and turned to change his clothes. He asked casually, “Why are we going to the mountains?”
“I’ll show you what it means for the rabbits to conquer the mountains.”
Qi Haoran pursed his lips. “I’ve only heard that the black bears and the female tigers are overlords in the mountains. When did rabbits—a species that can be crushed with one hand—become king of the mountains?”
Mu Yangling chuckled. “That’s why I said I’ll show you.”
Curious, Fan Zijin also changed into lightweight clothes. Fei Bai and Yanmo brought their horses over and wanted to follow them. Waving her hand, Mu Yangling said, “Alright, you guys don’t have to follow me. Otherwise, I’ll have to bring you along. How troublesome.”
Frowning, Fei Bai said in a low voice, “Fourth Young Master, you can’t leave the camp at will. Recently, Hu spies have entered the city…”
Qi Haoran rolled his eyes and said, “Do you think I’ll be caught so easily? It’s best if they come and try to catch me. I’m getting worried that I won’t be able to find them.”
Fan Zijin glanced at Mu Yangling and said, “Alright, don’t worry. We’re going to the mountains, not the city.”
Mu Yangling patted her chest and promised, “I will definitely protect the two young masters. Fei Bai, don’t worry.”
Mu Yangling drooled as she touched the horse. Then, she climbed up and sat down before waving her hand and saying, “Let’s go!”
Qi Haoran jumped onto the horse in disdain and said, “Since you want to ride a horse, you could’ve just come to me. It’s not as if I can’t bear to let you ride it.”
Riding on the horse, Mu Yangling replied smugly, “Do you think I’m so free like before? My family relies on me to farm. Now that it’s a busy time for farming, I worked hard to squeeze out an entire day to come out today.”
Qi Haoran asked curiously, “Is it very difficult to farm?”
Sighing, Mu Yangling nodded. “It’s too difficult. Despite all my efforts, ultimately I still have to rely on the heavens. It’s really not easy to be a farmer.”
Having occasionally walked around the edge of the fields a few days ago, Qi Haoran and Fan Zijin fell silent. Moreover, the soldiers who returned to camp after farming seemed to have fallen seriously ill, looking much thinner than before. They could see for themselves that it was not easy for farmers.