CH 4

Chapter 4: Surrender of the army, Part 1 of 7

The midsummer afternoon sunlight is scorching hot, below the cliff is an open area, there is no shade of a tree to take shelter from, the blazing sun impaled people’s eyes making them feel dizzy, the skin stung under the burning sun. Before her eyes each and every one’s sturdy figure, kneeling on one knee on the ground, backs ramrod straight, motionless, showing their persistence and determination. Sweat and dust on their faces left embarrassing traces of water on their swarthy skin, their young faces displaying before both utter indifference and disdain, so much that even their eyes were taunting, at this moment full of admiration and sincerity were staring straight at her.

But that cry “Boss”, touched Gu Yun unexpectedly and filled her heart with delight. This meant they have finally officially accepted her!

Although Gu Yun’s face was deadpan, yet her heart could not help but be startled, this young pack of lads acting shaken and nearly shamed, compared to being plain ignorant incompetents, moreover arrogant cowards, this kind of brave soldiers she would take pleasure in training!

Gu Yun looked grim, the young men remained silent for a while, afterwards all the soldiers again yelled in chorus: “We beg Boss to teach us the skill to scale a mountain!” So extreme! Calling out so loud! Naturally beneath the valley’s cliff wall, their deafening roar vibrated and echoed moving a person’s heart!

They were getting ready to yell for the third time, Gu Yun frowned, stepped forward, her voice and temper cold she said: “Enough! Get up, the knee of a person is for moving about, it’s not meant for kneeling. In the future whoever kneels down casually will be penalized with one thousand leapfrogs!”

All the soldiers glanced at one another, does this mean that the Boss is willing to continue to train them? Watching them still kneeling on the ground with their hesitant faces “A pile of blockheads!”, Gu Yun suddenly felt ridiculous, feigning anger, her face black, she scolded them saying: “Now do you wish to be punished, yes or no?! Get up! It’s a command!”

“Yes!” She finally began to rant again, the soldiers’ minds were suffused with joy, together they all quickly stood up from the ground, because nobody really wanted to do a thousand leapfrogs. Of course, they did not know yet, because of their extremely poor leg strength, Gu Yun has already decided to make “thousand leapfrogs” as an essential daily routine in their training.

Gu Yun went over to Ge Jing Yun, held out her hand and said: “Give me the rope, you help me hold the other end.”

“Yes.”

Knowing that she will be demonstrating to them how, everyone waited in anticipation.

While Gu Yun was tying the end of the rope to her body, she was also explaining: “Today’s third training is teaching you how to use simple tools and your own strength. In climbing majority of the people cannot go up perilous peaks, in the whole land, there’s no mountain peak exactly the same with another one. In rock climbing using your bare hands you must have physical stamina, excellent body coordination and flexibility are utmost requirements. It will put to the test your sense of judgment, your adaptability, but rest assured, I’ll have the appropriate training program to help you improve in all these aspects. Nevertheless, there’s one thing you have to overcome on your own – and that is, your fear. Here in front of you is a cliff only about a hundred feet high, as well as ropes to protect you. However, in the future in a real combat situation perhaps you’ll be confronted with a thousand feet high mountain summit, and there wouldn’t be anyone supporting you with ropes. At that time, that will be the real test to your ability!”

She was right, exactly it was their fear, the soldiers realized now clearly in their minds, because they believed they couldn’t do it, the root cause was mainly fear. Looking up to the cliff once more, many soldiers clenched both their fists, secretly swore to themselves, they’ll surely climb up this perilous mountain peak!

Arriving at the foot of the cliff wall, Gu Yun darted a quick glance to Ge Jing Yun, he looped the rope on his arm tightly around three times, and nodded towards her.

“Now I’ll demonstrate it once to you, observe closely the path I’d take and compare how different it is with yours, watch my technique and the way I move.” Then, Gu Yun turned backwards, her sharp eyes glanced over again thoroughly the wall and quickly noted its structure and the features of the rock, quickly choosing the best path she began to climb. Her speed was awfully fast, every movement was so smooth, each climbing point she took was very precise, her lithe body, the formidable strength of her arm, enabling her to maneuver effortlessly, jumping with ease, watching her from afar, her black-clad body’s vigorous ability to be steady on the wall like a gecko and be brave like a goshawk.

In only but a moment, she has easily climbed the peak of the rock, afterwards the people beneath after a spell of blank daze, finally broke out in cries of wonder.

“Wow! Boss’ speed was awfully fast!”

“She was extremely powerful!”

“Boss completely without qing gong, really climbed all the way up!”

“How did she do it?”

Han Shu from the start remained standing behind the troops, his pair of fierce eyes also tensely followed Gu Yun’s progress upwards, his eyes blazing and in his heart emotions were stirred up, only he alone understood.

In a military war campaign this rock wall is visible at any time, most of the time the military would choose to circle around, only as a last resort will they climb over to force entry, naturally the vanguard [second-in-command] advances first. Unconsciously, Han Shu’s hand gently stroked his old wound on his shoulder, the injury no longer caused him pain, but his heart invariably suffered sharp pangs of pain whenever he recalled that battle.

At that time they had to climb a cliff wall many times higher than this rock, halfway to it they were discovered by the enemies, just as she said, the enemy troops threw boulders down, during this one time they suffered heavy casualties, he also for this reason lost his most competent lieutenant! In those days if they could climb at this speed, perhaps they have long reached the top, the casualties back then wouldn’t have been so high!

Profound, heated eyes were firmly fixed to the woman easily descending to the bottom of the cliff, the contours of her confident face under the scorching sun was unexpectedly so dazzling, in the eyes of the soldiers were open and undisguised awe and admiration. Watching this enthusiastic group, suddenly the young soldiers were full of confidence, Han Shu also suddenly recalled in his mind the elite forces she mentioned at noon, perhaps the Su family army really needs such a team!

Chapter 4: Surrender of the army, Part 2 of 7

Gu Yun untied the rope around her waist. She headed towards the crowd of young soldiers who appeared to be somewhat too enlivened. What’s with this group of excited young men? They did not know why she was able to easily accomplish this task. It’s because starting from when she was fourteen years old she liked rock climbing as sports. Later she joined the SWAT team in the police force. To have gone through such process of intensive training as a result she had this ability today. They, however, must practice this exercise many times over.

Gu Yun’s lips formed a grim smile. A little later you’d wish you’d rather die! Looking towards the unflustered Ge Jing Yun, she said: “You’re now divided into two teams. Ge Jing Yun, lead your team to do climbing exercises. Everyone must try once to experience the feeling. You climb in groups of five. Pay attention to safety.” 　　

“Yes.” Ge Jing Yun departed with his team. 　　

Gu Yun continued, saying: “Leng Xiao, do chin-ups and ligaments exercises with your team.”

Chin-ups, huh? Ligaments exercises, huh? The minds of everyone were full of questions. But this time, no one has raised a question. 　　

Gu Yun knew of course that they did not understand. She had to make them understand what she meant by her cryptic words. Taking them to the side of the mountain where vines grew and spread in abundance, Gu Yun, pointing to a young lad nearest to her, said: “You, out of the line.”

“Yes.” Without hesitation the teenager stepped forward.

Looking for a sturdy vine, Gu Yun said: “Grab the vine above.” 　　

“Yes.”

Exerting some effort to leap, the young soldier tightly clung on to the vine, hanging motionless. 　　

Gu Yun stood beside him. Instructing him step by step: “Now slowly bend your elbows. Pull your body up until your chin is over the height of the branch. Then straightening your arms, lower your body to return to your initial position. Done this way you have just completed one chin-up.” The young lad easily completed one. Everyone covertly rejoiced. Fortunately, it wasn’t quite difficult. However, Gu Yun’s subsequent words hurled them down deep into the abyss, “sixty chin-ups in a set. I require everyone to do five sets.”

Anguished wailing of the hearts sprung up everywhere, but no one dared to talk back.

Looking at their appearance of being close to weeping, Gu Yun snickered in her heart. The corners of her mouth formed a sly smile: “As for ligament stretching exercises, well…”

Gu Yun’s gaze focused on the crowd scouring it thoroughly. Raising her hand, she pointed to the boy who questioned her about roudao earlier in the forest. In an unusually soft, gentle voice she called out: “You, come over.”

“Yes.” The boy’s back broke out in cold sweat. His mind faint with fear, but he dared not show a hint of hesitation in his steps. He trotted forward towards Gu Yun.

“Next is the ligament training. The first task is doing the split!” Gu Yun, pointing to his legs, said: “Legs apart extending in opposite direction, get down until reaching the middle.”

The boy froze for a moment, then quickly he parted his legs. This is the so-called split? Gu Yun swatted his hand saying: “Get down! Brace the hands on the ground. Don’t bend the upper body. Straighten up your lower back!”

Hands bracing on the ground? The boy struggled to splay out his legs. He dared not bend his lower back. With difficulty his fingertips finally touched ground. His legs cramped in pain. 　　

“Continue to go down.” Gu Yun was getting impatient. What kind of ability is this, ah?! The distance to the ground is yet too far! She deliberately chose this boy on the premise that as he looked to be the youngest, the flexibility of his ligaments should be optimal. By making him do the demonstration was letting the other soldiers better understand her command. Who knew that he was going to be this useless! 　　

Farther down? The boy’s legs gave way. He really was having cramps! Gu Yun’s fierce eyes zoomed in on him. The boy with a lot of effort tried once more. His palms fully propping himself up on the ground, his pain so sharp he wept, crying out loud: “Really I can’t anymore! I can’t go down farther!”

Gu Yun approached him, holding on to his shoulders to keep his body erect, she pressed him down with both of her hands …

The boy curled his legs on the ground crying out aloud wah… wah… The other soldiers watching this scene involuntarily clamped their legs. This, this is too horrible! 　　

“Shut up!” Gu Yun was looking daggers at the boy but he kept on rubbing his thighs. He quickly silenced himself. Noting his pale face she knew he also really tried his best. 　　

“From front to rear separate the legs into a straight line until sitting on the ground, only then is this considered complete.” To make them understand the basics of the exercise, Gu Yun parted her legs afterwards. Sliding slowly, she completed a perfect split with ease.　　

Damn it, staring at Gu Yun’s legs forming a straight line, every soldier became white in the face. Even the fearless who reckoned they were not afraid of death, broke out in cold sweat.

This this this – this is impossible!

Chapter 4: Surrender of the army, Part 3 of 7

Gu Yun slowly got up, her gaze swept towards the cliff, perhaps gloating over their misery or secretly rejoicing, her tone cheerful she laughingly said: “you need not just watch. You must also do it. After two hours, the two teams will swap with the training exercises. Everyone must accomplish my commands. I’ll give you five days’ time. Whoever cannot do it, I’d personally help him!”　　

Personally?! Gu Yun uttering this word with abnormal sweetness sent shivers down everyone’s spine simultaneously. Pleased to watch their deeply grieving faces as if they were wishing for death, Gu Yun in good mood laughed, saying: “Alright, start practicing!”

As expected, within the mountain valley unceasing hollering and anguished wailing could be heard from every direction. Managing with great difficulty to hang on until sunset, everyone had sore and limp arms, their legs suffering from cramps. However even though they were like this, when Gu Yun yelled “Line up” everybody automatically moved at maximum speed to complete the formation. [Her threat of 100-tree-trunk-kicks penalty if getting in line exceeds 10 seconds works wonders! :-) ] 　　

“Today I am dissatisfied with your performance. Tomorrow I do not want to see the same situation happening again. Tomorrow assemble in the forest at mao shi. Do you understand?” Her hands behind her back, Gu Yun coldly stared at their exhausted faces. Her heart also felt sorry for them, but the training had only just begun. They were still too far from her expectations. She must harden her heart.

Standing straight and grinding their teeth, the soldiers all replied: “Yes!”

Waving her hand, Gu Yun ordered: “Head back to the camp.”

Under Ge Jing Yun and Leng Xiao’s leading, the soldiers unexpectedly went back to the camp by trotting forward. Gu Yun, delighted, smiled faintly. Very well, she likes this kind of toughness and obstinate refusal to concede. Training them for the whole day, giving them demonstrations countless times, Gu Yun was also a little bit tired. Turning around, she saw Han Shu who was surprisingly standing behind her. His eyes were staring at her uncannily.

He actually observed for the entire day! Gu Yun snickered mockingly: “Vanguard [or second-in-command] Han had lots of free time today, eh?” Does he not disdain a woman training an army? 　　

For the first time, Han Shu did not spout his usual sarcastic retort. Unflustered, he asked: “The daggers you need — how long should they be?” 　　

Briefly startled, Gu Yun hesitated for a moment before replying back: “blade around five cuns[1], hilt about two cuns.” Recalling the short swords she saw this morning, Gu Yun laughed in spite of herself. What she wants is something that is convenient to carry — a compact and practical small knife.

“Alright, I’ll prepare them.” Leaving such a cold, laconic reply, Han Shu turned around and left. 　　

Watching his departing strong and muscular figure, hurriedly leaving, he frantically left as if his ass was on fire, the corner of Gu Yun’s lips once again curved — the men in the camp, they’re quite cute.

General Manor study. 　　

Placed on top of a small, exquisite yellow rosewood table was a tiny cup of warm tea. The air was filled with the faint fragrance of tea and wood. Slender fingers lightly pinched a piece, slowly it was put aside. The white Go chess pieces seemed to have the upper hand. Long fingers again pinched a black piece, but it was not put down for a long time. On the chessboard, black and white pieces were grappling with all might in a fight. While on the low, small table there were two sides, yet for both there was only one white-clad figure playing. 　　

This scene which ought to be elegant and quiet was broken by a low angry snarl, “The Ministry of Justice lost this kind of thing, to give us an explanation it changed secretly the army provisions case la? This is clearly looking for a scapegoat!”

Su Yu put down the furled scroll he was holding in his hands heavily on the low, small table. Unable to bear the strong impact the porcelain teacup rocked. Tea spilled on the table. Su Ren put down the board game piece. Shaking his head in frustration, when would Yu learn to be calm? 　　

Picking up the scroll to read it once through, Su Ren’s thin lips lifted high, clearly understanding he chuckled saying: “You just calm down, don’t get excited, regarding this matter Shan Yu Lan has already intervened, he will not let it go like this.” 　　

In a military war campaign, the army provisions are transported in advance. Come to think of it, that is to show evidently how important provisions are to the army. Such matter of secretly switching army provisions, the Ministry of Justice naturally has to give them an explanation. Since this matter arose up until now, already a month has gone by. The Ministry of Justice should come up with something to account for it. 　　

Compared to that pack in the Ministry of Justice indeed Shan Yu Lan is a reliable court official. But still Su Yu’s heart felt uneasy, coldly he snorted, “Who knows! He’s already a man of the Ministry of Justice. It’s hard to guarantee he will not and give vent his anger to those official noses!” 　　

Knowing perfectly well that he said these words in a fit of anger, Su Ren didn’t feel like reasoning with him again. Grasping a black piece, his attention once again returned to the unresolved chess game.

Su Ren stared concentrated at the chessboard. He appeared to be so engrossed in it. It’s really beyond Su Yu to understand, how much fun is there in playing chess by oneself?

[1] Cun – a traditional Chinese unit of length equivalent to the width of a person’s thumb at the knuckle; about an inch. (Source: Wikipedia)

Chapter 4: Surrender of the army, Part 4 of 7

Su Yu turned around preparing to leave the room, while doing so he directly bumped into Gu Yun who had just entered. Looking at the full moon suspended high in the horizon outside, he ill-humoredly commented: “It’s very late in the evening. What are you doing here?” 　　

Gu Yun did not even spare him a glance. She headed straight towards Su Ren.

Su Ren looked up and saw Gu Yun. Incredibly he put down the chess piece in his hand and got up to greet her. Su Yu gawked, immediately afterwards his face blackened. How come meeting him second brother did not attach so much importance, yet welcoming her with such a smiling face!

“Sister-in-law, today you have time to come over?”

“Sister-in-law?” His mood already upset, upon hearing Su Ren’s words, Su Yu promptly exploded, “Second brother, have you gone crazy?! When did this woman become our sister-in-law? I do not approve!”

Su Ren smiled, solemnly he replied: “She is big brother’s woman, of course, she’s our sister-in-law.” The main thing is, Bing Lian has chosen her, reckoning that even if big brother himself will not approve that would be futile as well, let alone he?

“No way!” Su Yu naturally is not aware of the reason, with disdain he scoffed, “at best she can only be considered a concubine, nothing more!”

“If you two want to discuss such a boring topic, I have no interest in listening. I only came to request two different things. Thirty wooden stakes, fifteen, at least thirty feet long, thorny vines.” After blurting out the two sentences to them, Gu Yun just stood there coolly. She did not lose her temper at all. Her face completely deadpan. To deal with a person like Su Ren, ignoring him is the best way, because he will not on your account become angry, or even a few provoking words would not stimulate any tad reaction from him.

Su Ren nodded and smiled: “No problem, tomorrow at 5 o’clock in the morning, certainly they’ll be delivered.”

Su Ren did not talk further, but Su Yu unable to curb his curiosity asked: “What will you do with these things?” He could still understand the wooden stakes, but what are the thorny vines for?

Gu Yun slowly turned around her body, suddenly she raised her face, plastered on it was a brilliant smile, a pity that the words spat out of her mouth were ice-cold and heartless, “This has nothing to do with you!”

Her water-chestnut lips slightly curved, two tiny dimples suspended on the sides of her mouth, her round eyes bent like the crescent moon, her smile – truly lovely. This sudden awesome smile put Su Yu into a light trance, but Gu Yun’s cold words and sarcastic comments like cold water poured on him immediately sobered him up. 　　

Damn it, that he actually thought she’s lovely, he should have known in his bones this woman is a nasty shrew! 　　

“Qing Mo, don’t you get too complacent!” Perhaps loathing himself for putting down his guard a moment ago, to put up his defenses once more, Su Yu’s retort was increasingly getting virulent, “Ten days more. At the appointed time, I’ll make you suffer a crushing defeat. I’m telling you, the battlefield is always just a man’s world! A woman ought to obediently stay at home. Do laundry, cooking, milk a baby.” 　　

The tip of Gu Yun’s brow lightly fluttered. Sneering in her mind, he thought such a verbal blow could humiliate her? She is very curious. Su Ling is unfeeling and calm, restrained Su Ren is crafty inside, why is rude and impetuous Su Yu this simple?! But having said that, among these three brothers, Su Yu is in comparison the charming one.

She initially thought he’d leave seeing him so vexed. Gu Yun unable to bear her ire, slumped on a wooden chair beside the low, small table, gently shaking her head, giving him a pitying look, she sighed: “Self-confidence is a good thing, but blind confidence is very lamentable. I feel sorry for your ignorance.”

“You! You bitch!” Su Ren nearly laughed out loud. Su Yu was fuming mad, steam was coming out of his ears!

Gu Yun had wanted at first to rebut his words, but the corner of her eyes unexpectedly swept into a dossier on the table, inadvertently reading a few lines. Gu Yun’s heart started racing. This autopsy report’s usage of terminologies and its style of exposition, are a carbon copy of Qing’s!

Chapter 4: Surrender of the army, Part 5 of 7

Gu Yun quickly picked up the dossier on the table and began to read it attentively. Su Yu, already in a fit of anger, saw how Gu Yun was ignoring him now. Finally he could not hold back his fury anymore. Grabbing back the dossier, Su Yu angrily said: “Is there any good in reading it?! This is a matter you should not meddle in!” 　　

They have collaborated together on so many cases in the past, Qing’s autopsy methods and procedures she knew them inside out. Absolutely it was of Qing! 　　

Suppressing the excitement in her heart, Gu Yun feigning as if nothing was amiss, casually asked: “Who wrote this autopsy report?” 　　

Autopsy report? Su Yu glanced down at the dossier which Gu Yun read just a moment ago, originally it’s a coroner’s document ah! The dossier was again dropped on the low, small table, Su Yu snappily replied: “Are not those, people of the Ministry of Justice.” He only read the sentence passed by the Ministry of Justice, the outcome was he already right away got angry half to death. He did not have the mood at all to continue reading it. 　　

A person of the Ministry of Justice? This – this cannot be true! Gu Yun continued to ask: “Are they usually written like this?” 　　

Su Yu hesitated for a moment, how would he know how the Ministry of Justice usually writes? 　　

Su Ren seemed to look at Gu Yun peculiarly, replied: “Today’s coroner’s report is definitely not quite the same, the use of words in the sentences is particularly …” Pausing for a moment, he did not continue. Gu Yun finished it for him, saying: “precise and incisive.” 　　

“Right.” That’s it exactly. Precise and incisive. Initially he noticed the difference, but somehow he could not come up with the right words to describe it. She unexpectedly nailed it spot on. 　　

Could it be that in the end Qing in this different era landed herself later in the Ministry of Justice? It is not impossible at all, Gu Yun continued to ask: “Who is in charge of this case?” 　　

“Why are you asking?” Su Yu was getting impatient, how come today she is so bothersome?! 　　

Gu Yun shrugged her shoulders, masking her eagerness, she curiously asked: “Don’t you think that this case is dubious in numerous points?” 　　

A hint of surprise flashed in Su Ren’s eyes, laughing, he inquired: “What made you think so?” 　　

Unfolding the dossier, inside there were three parts of the small scroll, Gu Yun delivered her analysis: “The deceased was murdered inside the prison cell, and this was after he was meted out the death penalty sentence, isn’t this suspicious? The murderer is the current housekeeper of the family of the deceased. The motive of the crime is surprisingly because the master did not treat him well. The person is anyway soon to die. How deep runs the enmity, how great is the hatred to insist on and take risks personally killing someone? Moreover, the issue of theft and switching of military provisions extremely lacks basis, this kind of autopsy report, the case assertions and presentation of its conclusions—their words are inconsistent with one another, the chain of evidence clearly did not establish the case to be tenable, even if the case is closed?”

Gu Yun really wondered, the case riddled with so many loopholes why did they not even think it odd, even if boorish and sloppy Su Yu didn’t find anything, but also Su Ren turning a blind eye? 　

Su Ren slightly lowered his head down. His face was filled with astonishment and contemplation. She merely had a cursory glance over the dossier, yet she was able to quickly identify the problems, recited her analysis concisely, recounting the key points clearly, as if this kind of stuff she had already dealt with countless times. What kind of a woman is she after all? Rumor has it that the Qing sisters are well endowed with beauty and talent. He was initially under the impression that the so-called “talent” is no more than excelling in poetry and music, in playing the guqin, chess, calligraphy and painting. But, she is unexpectedly skilled in military training, is she likewise good in cracking cases? This talent is really something extraordinary! 　　

Su Ren smiled on the sly, Bing Lian’s picked mistress is someone quite unique! 　　

Sensing Gu Yun’s sharp eyes watching him intensely, Su Ren wore a smile on his face and replied: “This case was originally closed, discovering it later to be dubious, it has been sent back to the Ministry of Justice for re-investigation. Currently the court’s chief investigative official specifically supervising prison penalties is Shan Yu Lan of the Department of Enforcement of Penalties.

Department of Enforcement of Penalties? To hold this position she reckoned his ability to solve cases and forensic skills are not inferior, muttering to herself hesitatingly for a while, Gu Yun continued and doggedly asked: “This forensic report was written by him?”

“I don’t know, perhaps.” Su Ren eventually noticed that she had been continuously questioning about the so-called post-mortem examination report, could there be something fishy in it? Su Ren, not batting an eyelid, asked: “You are quite interested in the autopsy?”

Her interest on the autopsy is on account of Qing! Gu Yun calmly smiled, shaking her head, she replied: “No. I simply think this person is awesome, can you help me check out who wrote it?” If consequently Qing can be located, that would be wonderful! 　　

“Okay.” Su Ren readily nodded his head, he is now also interested in this coroner. 　　

At last getting some news about Qing, Gu Yun’s mood cheered, thinking of this body and her two elder sisters, if Qing came along into this different era, she has also very likely entered the body of one of the sisters, seizing the opportunity Gu Yun conveniently said: “I’ve been in Qiong Yue for quite some time, I wonder how my other two sisters are getting by?” 　　

So much time has passed, the matter of her longing to see her sisters again is naturally understandable, and Su Yu although he does not regard well her overbearing personality, nevertheless he tried to console her, uttering, but his words still had this annoying tone, “you relax your mind a bit. One eats and drinks best inside the imperial palace, your big elder sister is unlikely suffering from ill-treatment. As for your second elder sister, you need not even worry about her. The Estate of the Prime Minister does not have a mistress yet. Lou Xi Yan is kind of a warmhearted person, no one would make things difficult for her.” 　　

So, that’s how things turned out, one entered the imperial palace, the other went to the residence of the prime minister. The sister in the imperial palace is likely difficult to visit, but not the one in the Estate of the Prime Minister perhaps!

Her mentality still on the modern era setting, Gu Yun thoughtlessly exclaimed: “the Estate of the Prime Minister should not be far away from the General Manor, I gather I can meet my second elder sister.”

“Out of the question!” Su Yu sternly replied.

Gu Yun was somehow baffled, before she can refute Su Yu peremptorily spoke: “The last time I talked to you I only allowed you to roam freely within the General Manor, but not permitting you randomly going out of it. Your sister in the Estate of the Prime Minister is maybe not really a concubine. Do you think the Estate of the Prime Minister is a place you can simply enter whenever you wish? Besides, the Estate of the Prime Minister and our General Manor have no dealings with each other. Since you came to the General Manor, you’re now a person of the General Manor. In the future so long as you’re always honest your stay here in the General Manor will be all right. As for your sisters, their matters have long been out of your hands.” 　　

Gu Yun’s face grew darker the more she listened, Su Ren suspected she took offense, so he tried to explain using a low tone: “although Yu spoke somewhat harshly, but it is also the fact. Even if Prime Minister Lou is warmhearted, polite and modest, but he’s also the country’s Prime Minister, the gate to his Estate is not that easy to pass. As for the imperial palace, you have very little chance you can visit it.” But if you become the wife of the country’s General, that is altogether another story! Of course, these words he cannot utter as yet.

Gu Yun nodded slowly, “I understand.” 　　

In fact, contrary to what Su Ren thought Gu Yun did not get angry because of Su Yu, but she was contemplating on her current plight. Since she came to this different era, her stay here can no longer be considered short, but her days were spent inside the General Manor, encountering a few men here and there. She also quite liked and was used to these circumstances, but to live here she considered it not good. Here’s not the place where she used to live. In this era, there’s strict hierarchy and severe sexist mentality, regarding men as superior to women. She does not want to stay here. She must find Qing, and then find ways to return. She wants to be Gu Yun, and not Qing Mo! 　　

Gu Yun slightly bowed her head, with a pensive look on her face.

Su Yu was somewhat not used to this stillness in Gu Yun, and yet he cannot bring himself to console her, he wanted second brother to say a few more comforting words. As a result he found himself unexpectedly starting to play chess by himself. 　　

Su Yu unable to endure it growled low: “I really don’t get it, where’s the fun in playing chess alone?” He was even more this fascinated! Indeed a strange occurrence. 　　

Su Yu’s ghost-conjuring squawk pulled back Gu Yun from her deep train of thoughts, since she has decided to find a way back, Gu Yun’s frame of mind gradually calmed down. She is just passing through this era, that is all there is to it. There is for her no need to fit in after all. She remains her true self, she is Gu Yun.　　

Chapter 4: Surrender of the army, Part 6 of 7

Hands propping up her chin, Gu Yun peered askance at Su Yu, chuckled and quipped: “No opponent, no better option but to play and beat oneself, a certain simple-minded brawny person will of course never ever understand this kind of pleasure and loneliness.” Within today, to be bickering with this buffoon, her day had turned out to be a tad amusing.

Su Yu looking somewhat embarrassed refuted: “who are you calling a simple-minded brawn? How about you against second brother?!” Admittedly his chess is really bad, but it’s not just him, nobody in the General Manor is a match to second brother ah! She‘d be sorry to utter such words! 　　

After listening to his words, Su Ren suddenly brightened up laughing somewhat excitedly he said: “That’s a pretty good idea! I heard of the three young ladies of the Qing family, the fame of Qing Ling’s guqin skill is all over the land, Qing Feng’s calligraphy and painting are unrivalled, and Qing Mo’s chess skill is until now uncontested. Today, I’d like to ask your guidance.” How come he has altogether forgotten this thing, like this afterwards he can pit and hone his chess skill against someone equally capable.　

Gu Yun’s body stiffened all over, oh no! The Qing family three sisters were that excellent huh? The problem is… in the game of Go her skill is merely that of a beginner’s level, nothing more. And playing Go with him, how could he not expose her identity, Su Ren is an astute man, she’d better not take chances. 　　

Quickly wracking her brain and pondering for countermeasures, her eyes fixed on the chessboard, Gu Yun’s heart suddenly quickened, her Go skill sucks, but in a variant of Go she’s still truly uncontested.

Gently picking up a white Go chess piece, Gu Yun scoffed, clicking her tongue, she laughed: “This game is already outdated, I have long ago got tired of it. If you want to play, let’s play a new game. Although this game I frequently play is simple, the time for a round is short. However, it’s very interesting and difficult to win.” 　　

A new game? Su Ren’s mind was stirred up, he asked: “what’s this new game?” 　　

Grouping the chess pieces according to its color, respectively placing them into separate boxes, Gu Yun adeptly picked up the black pieces using her one hand, while her other hand was also busily picking the white ones. While doing this, she was also explaining the rules of the game. “The game is played on this board, the pieces are placed on the board line intersections, two people can play, or even three, but now there are only black and white chess pieces so only two people can play, both sides play with the same color, on alternate turns the player places his piece on the board, who can first form a horizontal, vertical or diagonal line of five or more pieces of the same color together in a continuous row, he wins.” That she would end up playing Gobang (Five-in-a-Row), whew! 　　

Su Ren appeared to be earnestly reflecting, but Su Yu loudly exclaimed: “This is very simple ah, not to separate the pieces but link together at least five! It can be horizontal, vertical, or diagonal, that’s way much easier than Go!” 　　

Gu Yun’s eyebrows raised a bit, smiling faintly she replied:

“Then you and I, let’s try one round.”　　

“Come on, come on!” Su Yu sat down opposite Gu Yun. Go, having so many confusing rules, he was never able to master. But this game is simple, he’ll definitely fare well.

Su Yu sat in front of the black pieces, Gu Yun smiled and said: “I’ll let you start, okay? Black piece precedes.”

He started on his piece. The first piece of Su Yu was placed in the very middle of the board. Gu Yun immediately placed hers on the right side of this. Su Yu bristling also placed a piece, Gu Yun without much thinking used her white piece to block at one end, Su Yu knitted his brows, on the next direction, Gu Yun again blocked. 　　

It seemed wherever he went, she would follow and block, if this continues like this, nobody wins! 　　

Just when Su Yu was silently cursing, Gu Yun gracefully put down a piece, smiled and said: “You lost.” 　　

“What, so fast?! No way!” He only has just placed less than twenty pieces ah! Su Yu looked carefully, and sure enough, when he was not paying attention, Gu Yun has already completed a five-in-a-row. 　　

Unconvinced Su Yu said: “Come on, let’s play another round.” This time he was being careless, next time he’ll pay close attention certainly he’ll not lose. 　　

“Alright.” 　　

Pushing the black pieces to Gu Yun, Su Yu said: “This time you go first.” 　　

“Fine.” Gu Yun indifferently smiled, black pieces are for the attacking side, she prefers to attack, the blacks are the best! Handing over the white pieces to him, Gu Yun started by putting a piece in the middlemost part of the board. 　　

This time, Su Yu did exercise a lot of caution, using a step-by-step approach, wanting to beat Gu Yun, imagining himself winning! Just when Su Yu was inwardly getting pleased with himself, Gu Yun again leisurely smiled: “You lost!” 　　

A piece laid down, from top to bottom in succession, indeed are five pieces in a row! 　　

“This is really weird!” Su Yu could hardly believe his eyes. He did not see this one, just where did it pop out? Gu Yun slowly looked up, threw a glance to the one who was quietly standing to the side, his eyes still staring at the board, looking to Su Ren, she said with a smile: “Do you want to try it?”

“Okay.” Su Ren seated himself casually smiling, but his eyes were filled with a passionate and deep glow. He’s really a relatively profound person, before making any moves he plans and determines, he first observed both rounds, he must have had some experience with Gobang, Gu Yun dared not underestimate the opponent, in this round both the players were relatively slow and cautious. 　　

This time Gu Yun as before was the one to open the round, Su Ren followed suit, after thirty chess pieces placements neither appeared to be winning or losing, when it was again Su Ren’s turn, he appeared to be just holding high his white piece for a very long time not putting it down, after a while, shaking his head he smiled, sighed and said: “It seems I’ve already lost.” 　　

Indeed it’s not a time-consuming long game, but it is difficult to score a win ah! Su Yu stared at the chessboard for a long time, still not quite understanding, pointing to a spot of three blacks in a row, he said: “No ah, on this side she obviously has only three, you still can block her!” So even if she places a piece on the other side, second brother can also block, so how can he lose? 　

Su Ren replied: “You have not noticed on the other side there are also three, if I block here, it will be too late to block the other side.” Under closer inspection, sure enough on the other side there were three blacks in a row, so that how he’s stuck with which row to block. 　　

Gu Yun smiled, in order to beat Su Ren, she meticulously fixed up a double game. 　　

One by one collecting the white pieces into the small box, Su Ren whose interest was heightened asked: “it’s indeed a fascinating game. What’s the name of this game?” Although the rules of the game are simple, yet it’s also not a tad inferior to the exquisite game of Go.　　

“Gobang. I play it during my leisure time.” In reality, she’s only playing it now just to fob Su Ren off concealing her inability to play Go. Gu Yun certainly did not want to continue a discussion with them, tomorrow at six in the morning she still must continue training the soldiers. Straightening her body, Gu Yun got up and said: “then you chew it over, okay?! I’ll not keep you company, remember to deliver the things I required on time.” 　　

“Okay.” Su Ren smiled and nodded.

After Gu Yun left, Su Ren turned to look to Su Yu, and asked: “how’s the training of your recruits?” Su Ren suddenly looked too serious, Su Yu was puzzled and laughed: “it’s going well ah, step by step following the usual routine, this isn’t my first time to train recruits, you don’t have to worry about me!”

“This time, the allotted period is only fifteen days, the manner of battle is different from the usual, you are competing in a night raid.” She wanted something odd every time, moreover last time he heard Han Shu went to observe her training the army. Not only did he watch all day long, but also when he came back he immediately let forged the daggers she required. Han Shu is one of big brother’s fierce generals, he has seen far too many elite troops forces. He surprisingly spent one whole day with her, clearly there must be something unique with her method of army training. 　　

Su Yu waved his hand and quipped: “Don’t worry, I’ll train them rigorously, that woman doesn’t have the slightest chance of winning.” Su Yu so carelessly underestimating the enemy, Su Ren helplessly shook his head, sighed and said: “I hope so, ok?!”

Tonight, within a brief period of an hour, she was repeatedly astonishing him, this kind of a woman, definitely is able to succeed in her schemes, talking somebody round fiercely, Yu is so complacent, victory or defeat is difficult to predict.

Chapter 4: Surrender of the army, Part 7 of 7

The seventh day of training.

In the ever verdant and lush forest, during the day the dense foliage blocks the scorching sunshine, at night, the big branches and thick leaves equally keep the soft moonlight outside. Tonight although there’s a full moon up in the sky, the moonlight can only spill through slits in the branches reflecting on the ground a motley of innumerable shadows.

Inside the huge forest, shadows in the vast expanse, a tall shadow and a dense mass of shadows heaving up and down, it looked a bit strange. In addition to the sound of wind rustling through the leaves, the sound of rapid, rough gasps of breathing can be heard. 　　

“One hundred and eighty, twenty more, persevere!” Clear and chilly, a stern female voice suddenly resounded in the forest.

In the dim light of the night, Gu Yun opened her eyes wide, intensely watching this group of soldiers she had trained for seven days, five hundred people were doing push-ups together, the people behind almost completely sunk into the darkness, if it were not for her excellent night vision, their every move is impossible to see clearly, conscientiously and persevering, fortunately they did not let her down.

The soldiers one after the other completed the task of two hundred push-ups. Gu Yun did not give them time to rest, immediately she yelled: “Line up.”

The soldiers were still quick to move, just because it was not daytime did not mean they could go easy, from time to time came the sound of bodies colliding with each other, it seemed that they were not very much suited to this mode of nighttime training.

Waiting until everyone had stood up, only then Gu Yun’s clear voice rang out: “Today is the seventh day of the training, you’re already more than halfway into the entire period, starting tonight, you have a new training content. It is to learn how to execute and complete the entire daytime training programs at night, at the same time making night operations into your expertise.”

Although one cannot say outright the surroundings was pitch-black, but to see things was basically difficult, to complete the day’s training programs at night was already very challenging, let alone to make them their expertise. Each person’s heart was beating wildly, in the darkness, many people could not see the expression on Gu Yun’s face, but their guess was, right now across her face must be cold indifference.

“Before you start training, first you have to undergo a test.”

Their hearts were now filled with uncertainties, in this pitch darkness a test? What test?

Gu Yun suddenly walked into the middle of the ranks, everyone stood up perfectly straight, however she only stopped at the boy’s side, and asked: “What’s your name?” 　　

“Liu Xing.” Liu Xing immediately winced in fear, ever since that question about roudao the last time, Boss afterwards was constantly singling him out to do demonstrations, although ultimately he accomplished each demonstration, however each time it awfully terrified him! Tonight it is so dark, she should not see him! Before Liu Xing could finish reassuring himself, Gu Yun already exclaimed, “step out of the ranks,” the command knocked him into despair. With a pained expression on his face, Liu Xing as if venting out his anger, bellowed loud, “Yes.”

Gu Yun laughed in spite of herself, asking him to step forward drove him behaving like he has to face death with equanimity? Pointing to a brawny lad two rows behind, Gu Yun said: “You, step forward.”

The brawny lad immediately stepped forward, yelled back: “Yes.”

Gu Yun was quite pleased making the two of them come forward, she observed tonight the two of them have very strong night vision capability. They were very far away from her yet they frequently looked to her in the eye, while a lot of the men when she watched them their faces looked so vacant and at a loss.

In this era there are no infrared night-vision goggles, one has to totally rely on the eyes to see things. She must test their night vision capability to decide well concerning the deployment during the night raid battle. But judging from their performance tonight, she decided to use the most simple eye test, after all not all men can meet the requirements for selection to join the elite forces.

Calling the two aside, Gu Yun whispered a few words in their ears, at first they were somewhat confused, afterwards they gradually understood, striding and running forward they stopped at a spot about hundred feet away from Gu Yun, two people stood apart on each side, one on the right, the other on the left.

Gu Yun stood in front of the troops, loudly commanded: “The first row attention, watch carefully their hand signals.”

Hand signals? The soldiers in the first row were all simultaneously struck dumb, a hundred of feet away, they can see well the two men, but also to watch their hand signals? Not only that, but there are two of them, whose hand signals to watch then? No chance to lament, no chance to quibble, they can only listen to Gu Yun’s yell, “Start.”

Upon hearing the order the two soldiers tacitly raised their hands, made a hand signal, doing this very briefly, after completing the task immediately they put down their hands. After a while, they performed the second hand signal, and the next doing this repeatedly for six times, and finally they stopped.

After the hand signals stopped, Gu Yun immediately raised her voice and said: “Just now they acted out six hand signals in succession, of these six, both gave the same signal five times, only one time it was different, I will count to three, afterwards simultaneously aloud tell me which was that in the sequence which you saw was different?”

“One, two, three.”

“Five.” Twenty-five men in the row, the outcome surprisingly less than ten called out the correct number, most people remained silent or were staring vacantly.

Gu Yun was very disappointed, this is only a test in the static state, according to this ratio, she would not be able to yield the estimated fifty people from this crop of young recruits for her elite forces. Secretly sighing, Gu Yun said in a low voice: “All who have not said five and those who did not speak, line up in formation to the right.”

“Yes.” Although they knew they failed the test, but they still straightened up their bodies and went to line up in rows to the far right.

“The second row attention …”

Soon, all the soldiers were tested, fortunately the soldiers in the rear performed well, eventually half of them passed the test of static night vision capability.

Leading them to circumvent the forest to go to the cliff where they had been drilling exercises for the past few days, the faint moonlight illuminated the rock wall, however the mountaintop above could hardly be seen. Gu Yun, pointing to the rock wall, her voice surprisingly colder than the moonlight, “tonight you start doing night climbing training. Although it’s the same rock wall, climbing it at night is treacherous a hundred times more than during the day. The soldiers on the right are in charge of pulling the ropes below. The soldiers on the left divide and form teams of fifty people. Three teams each of fifty men will climb together every time. I want to see, not the individual who reaches the cliff top first, but which team is the fastest in completing the entire team summit mission. Do you understand?”

“Yes!” The simultaneous and resonant response appeared to indicate a high morale. But this loud chant not only pleased Gu Yun very well, it also jolted and awakened someone who was sleeping in the darkness on top of a century-old parasol tree behind the mountain.

Dark eyes swiftly opened, a pair of cold eyes as cold as a deep pool and an aura of indifference within, the tall, well-built figure leaned over and jumped, graceful and quick as a leopard the man’s silhouette has already leaped to the highest bough of the tree, his silver hair beneath the moonlight like a reflection of light across the night sky.

Ao Tian leaned against the tree trunk, coldly watching, he saw a group of hundreds of soldiers not far away gathering in the side of the cliff wall beneath the mountain’s peak, he could not figure out what they want to do there. The reason why he recognized these people to be soldiers was because this place is a part of the territory of the General Manor, such a large group of people, if they’re not soldiers, it is impossible to show up here. Across his dark eyes flitted a trace of impatience and disgust, Ao Tian was just about to leave, when not far away he heard a clear, resonant and fierce female voice commanding, “start training.”

A woman in the army? Such a curiosity rarely roused in his lifetime made Ao Tian halt his footsteps, squinting his eyes, he saw just after this command was issued out, hundreds of soldiers immediately lined up in rows, moving quickly they rushed to the wall, each seemed like a gecko, their motion smooth and easy. Ao Tian’s dark eyes gleamed in amazement. This altitude is certainly nothing for people with superior qing gong skills, but for the average person, this indeed is impossible. Training all these soldiers to be good in climbing, turning them to be experts is not an easy feat to accomplish at all, let alone a woman doing it, how could this be possible? As a bounty hunter, he ought not miss this kind of information.

A solitary shadow leaped down and went towards the cliff wall.

“People above pay attention in seeking the climbing path, sharpen your eyes, be accurate, your swift moves must be precise!” Gu Yun clasped her arms around her chest, her brows wrinkled more and more tightly, she anticipated already that on the first night climbing will be relatively more difficult, but it had not occurred to her that they unexpectedly will not even be able to find the paths!

And there were even people falling!　

Gu Yun angrily hollered: “People who fell down, listen to me, line up last in the queue, do not obstruct the people behind you climbing up. Quick! Quick! Quick! Moving this slow, you fell asleep ah!”

Ao Tian came to the cliff wall behind the forest, half leaning against a tree trunk, he secretly watched the team of people not far away from him, his dark eyes slightly narrowed, staring coldly his smile disbelieving, the voice of this bizarre woman was too loud, who is she? In the Su family army, when is there a woman involved in their affairs?

Although not far away, but in the midst of the dark forest, it was practically pitch-dark, he believed that no one would discover him. Unfortunately, just when he came out to watch, unexpectedly the woman suddenly turned her head around and stared straight towards his direction. Ao Tian was a bit startled, retreated his body, and stealthily hid himself behind the stout trunk.

Keen eyes scanned the forest thoroughly, not finding any suspicious spot, just a moment ago she undoubtedly had an uncanny feeling of being watched, but she could not be sure, was it just figment of her imagination? Unless … the person left already?

After repeatedly sweeping her eyes and not finding anything, Gu Yun eventually took her eyes off. Ao Tian continued to lean back against the tree trunk, remaining motionless the whole time, taking precautions against a quite suspicious mind of a prey, he did not hurry to leave. It bothered him a bit because actually very few people can track his whereabouts, she’s extremely sharp, unless today he was not up to his own standards?

No longer feeling the sense of being spied, Gu Yun’s mind focused once more to the soldiers. After a while, several groups have already completed their tasks. Perhaps they knew they haven’t performed well, perhaps because of the disapproving look in Gu Yun’s face, the group of strong young men cautiously stood, lined up in formation, the atmosphere was tense with everyone holding his breath.

Silence reigned for a long time, everyone’s heart began to panic when Gu Yun’s cold voice declared: “Today the fastest was the third group led by Leng Xiao, but it was Ge Jing Yun’s team which delivered the best performance.”

Turning towards the perpetually wooden face of Leng Xiao, Gu Yun’s raised voice rang out: “Leng Xiao out of the line.”

“Yes.” Leng Xiao immediately stepped forward.

Gu Yun asked nonchalantly: “Do you know why your team did not perform the best?”

“I don’t know.” Indifferent and a tad rebellious saying the words, “I don’t know”, revealing nothing at all.

He doesn’t know? Very well! What she most can do without in her team is someone defiant! Slowly advancing forward, she stopped directly before Leng Xiao, Gu Yun slowly and emphatically said: “each one scrambled to be first, completely lacking method and order, let alone a good spirit of teamwork, you failed to lead this group of men, the biggest fault lies in your dereliction of duty! Now do you understand?”

This woman barely reaching his chest, yet she’s able to compel him with such a strong sense of pressure, Leng Xiao inwardly took a deep breath, and replied: “Yes.”

“Good that you understand! Tomorrow you lead your tonight’s team of people, leapfrog from the camp to the assembly point in the forest, whoever refuses to leap or arrives late, immediately get lost before me!”

Leng Xiao’s face immediately blackened, within the formation the sound of appalled people sucking cold lumps of air was heard. This isn’t just a question of being exhausting, but it’s very humiliating ah!

After uttering such words Gu Yun dismissed Leng Xiao and went over to Ge Jing Yun, retaining her nonchalant tone she asked: “Do you know why your group was not fast enough?”

The hairs of everyone in Ge Jing Yun’s team all stood on end, extremely fearful that he will also display some temperament and yell back he does not know, if he’ll do so they are sure to suffer!

Fortunately unflustered Ge Jing Yun kept silent for a moment, before he replied: “We didn’t move quickly enough.”

Hah! He wants the easy way out! Gu Yun unceremoniously roared: “Poor judgment! Wrong choice of path, slow movement, coordination and flexibility both poor. Tomorrow with your team members do three hundred chin-ups.”

“Yes.”

Many people heaved a sigh of relief, although chin-ups are equally tiring, but fortunately they will not lose face.

Utterly baffled, tonight for some reason she had an odd, uncanny feeling, as if behind her back there was always someone watching closely, such a very weird feeling indeed. Taking a look at the height of the moon, it was around two o’clock, Gu Yun decided to end the evening’s training, “Today is the first time to train climbing in the night, in the following days there will be a second time, a third time. The training content will constantly change, I will not allow the same mistake a second time! Tomorrow assembly time is still at mao shi, return to the camp.”

“Yes!”

The soldiers in formation remained rooted to the spot for a long time, Gu Yun looked to a soldier who started to speak yet hesitated to continue, she inquired: “What’s the matter?”

Taking deep breaths several times and feeling a bit nervous and somewhat dejected he asked: “Boss, we, who didn’t pass the test, we’re not qualified anymore to participate in the night raid battle? We want to take part in it!” They could not see people far away and see them clearly, but they still want the chance to compete, because they are soldiers!

So, they were worrying about this! The unwavering dedication brilliantly reflected in the eyes of the young man moved Gu Yun, Gu Yun smiled, patting firmly his shoulder she replied: “Who says you all cannot participate? The test a while ago was merely for me to be able to determine the division of tasks, everyone will have his place, so train hard!” Even if they cannot qualify to join the elite forces, nothing hinders them from becoming outstanding soldiers.

Within the formation cries of delight echoed. Gu Yun could not help but laugh, scolding them, she barked: “still not hurrying up to head back to the camp? Don’t you want to sleep?!”

“Yes.” A group of overjoyed men went back to the camp.

Following behind them, Gu Yun now and then turned her head around, looking at the patch of the lush deep forest, was it really just her imagination?

The troops walked away farther and farther, until they almost disappeared in sight, Ao Tian slowly came out from behind the tree trunk. Deep dark eyes stared intensely at the lean petite woman who had been constantly yelling, his mind increasingly puzzled over, among those tough and stocky soldiers surprisingly not even one dared to yell back at her? Just who exactly is she?