An Affair (Part 1)

An Affair (Part 1)

"Take concubines? You want me to take concubines at a time like this? Uncle Wu, don't joke around."

"Young Master, this old uncle isn't joking. Ever since us retainers followed the Master of the House to Dayuan, we've become part of the main family. Our lives and fortunes are all tied to you, Young Master. Other nobles have begun taking concubines in great numbers these past two years—you can't remain above such customs, can you?" To persuade Qin Mo to accept his suggestion, Wu Shengze even used the somewhat overfamiliar self-reference, "this old uncle."

"Forget it, Uncle. Marriage and concubinage aren't child's play. What matters when two people are together is mutual affection—how can we let worldly customs dictate us?" Qin Mo was thoroughly dismissive. Though having three wives and four concubines, teasing respectable women, was one of his dreams, he still had to like them himself. Scooping every crooked melon and cracked date into his arms would not make him a dashing scholar—it would make him a vulgar lecher.

"This... fine... sigh!" Wu Shengze suddenly recalled all sorts of things from the past and let out a long sigh. He should have realized long ago that neither father nor son could be measured by ordinary standards. Even a woman like that from the Wang family had...

Kaihime looked at the snowy white rice before her, then at the thick soup filled with bones and meat. She touched her rounded belly, forcibly swallowed her saliva, and with tremendous willpower set down her bowl, abandoning the thought of eating more.

On the journey from Fusang to Great Xia, they had eaten twice a day aboard the ship: white rice with pickled fish. That alone had already left her and her women warriors deeply satisfied. Though they would vomit much of it back up soon after eating, both the taste and the spiritual satisfaction filled them with yearning for the future. Even Kaihime, the daughter of a Fusang noble, did not get white rice and pickled fish at every meal.

But after arriving in Tong County, Great Xia, Qin Mo's personal guards delivered orders saying they would need to rest for several days before proceeding to the Imperial Capital. Large tents were erected across a crude stretch of wilderness, leaving the Fusang women, who had always loved cleanliness, somewhat uncomfortable. Kaihime warned them that since they had come to fight, they should not fuss over such ridiculous cleanliness obsessions.

Yet the meals that followed completely captured the hearts of these young maidens. After all, they were only fifteen, sixteen, or seventeen, and terribly fond of eating.

They ate three meals a day. Breakfast came with pickled vegetables, while lunch and dinner both had soup. As the commanding officer, Kaihime even received meat soup and bone broth at every meal. When away from home, one naturally had to show extra care for one's own people. Kaihime gave her meat soup to several of the youngest women warriors and drank only bone broth herself.

But things went against her wishes. That very night, more than a dozen girls suffered unbearable stomachaches and made a racket for half the night. At last, she panicked and could only seek out Qin Mo with a red face, saying that they needed a physician.

The physician arrived quickly. He was kindly and smiling as he prescribed them a great deal of digestive "medicine," then told them that meals had to be increased gradually. Their stomachs had been starved too badly and could not adapt to stuffing themselves senseless all at once. Kaihime and the women warriors were so embarrassed they could barely lift their heads.

But the next day, the scene at mealtime became even more awkward. They drooled at the sight of huge chunks of meat, yet did not dare take a bite, only daring to drink thin porridge. Several girls wept as they drank their porridge, making the cooks ache with pity. The cooks added another half-barrel of braised pork for them, and the scene immediately spiraled completely out of control. Everyone cried. No one knew whether they were moved to tears by the beautiful future before them, or humiliated and resentful toward their own disappointing stomachs.

Fengtai lay southwest of Great Xia's Imperial Capital. Since it was the throat passage leading from southern Great Xia to the Imperial Capital, Great Xia had established Fengtai Camp there, with tens of thousands of Imperial Guards permanently stationed within. Each year, the private armies of conscripted nobles also assembled here, awaiting court deployment before setting off north. Every August and September, family banners and emblems of every shape and color filled this vast plain.

Half of the Dayuan Army had already reached Fengtai and erected a temporary camp. By the time Qin Mo arrived, the camp was filled with whinnying horses and shouting men, a scene of uproar. Veteran soldiers, recruits, and Fusang soldiers were all striving against one another in training. Qin Mo's retainers clearly had extensive experience leading troops; they were using their spare time to blend the forces together and improve their combat strength.

Qin Mo led this final group of warriors in, filling every last nook and cranny of the camp. The Dayuan private army had finally reached its intended strength of ten thousand men. Once an army surpassed ten thousand, it stretched boundlessly beyond sight. Seeing this war machine entirely under his command, Qin Mo could not suppress his pride. A mere loser like him had now become someone important in his own right.

That night, Qin Mo gathered every officer from squad leader upward for a banquet, deepening their bonds. The Fusang warriors were even more moved. Their food and lodging over the past days had already surpassed the utmost limits of what they could imagine. Now, eating a feast prepared by cooks personally trained by Qin Mo, they felt it would be best if they encountered the enemy tomorrow, so they could display their valor to their employer and prove they were worth the price.

Kaihime was the only woman present. She had already grown accustomed to the strange looks others gave her, especially those half-aged old men from Great Xia. The way they looked at her felt odd—there was some good-natured teasing in it, but also the manner of elders looking upon younger relatives. If she knew they all regarded her as Qin Mo's concubine, she would certainly draw her blade and spar with those old killers.

Qin Mo gave Kaihime sufficient respect. Though she had only a few dozen people, all her treatment was equal to that of a brigade commander. He had never been the slightest bit harsh merely because she was a woman, much less committed any humiliating act against her. Kaihime and her women warriors were moved to tears. After all, in Fusang, no matter how outstanding a woman warrior might be, she would eventually become a man's plaything.

The next day, Kaihime and the others finally learned why Qin Mo had brought them all the way to Great Xia.

Qin Mo took them to a corner of the camp. It had been cleaned with exceptional care and hardly looked like part of a military camp. Qin Mo's camp was already unusually clean compared to other camps, yet this corner surpassed even that.

Kaihime saw an old man reeking of alcohol speaking with the Heir of Prince Heng, showing no regard whatsoever for rank or status. Men were like that—after downing a few cups of yellow brew, they forgot who they were. Kaihime felt that Qin Mo was far too kind; he lacked the majesty a superior ought to possess.

"Young Master, why have you brought me a group of women? When has there ever been a place for women in the military camp? This violates a taboo." That single sentence from the old man sent Kaihime's rage soaring. She dearly hoped Qin Mo would give her a look, so she could teach this blind old fool a lesson.

"Uncle Li... they are warriors. You can't treat them as women!"

"If they're warriors, they should go to the vanguard camp, the armored camp, or the logistics camp. Why bring them to my wounded soldiers' camp? Looking the way they do, won't those soldier ruffians all cut themselves a wound and come running to me?"

What Uncle Li said might have been true, but the most important reason was that he feared these women had some special relationship with Qin Mo. Especially their leader—everyone was spreading rumors that she was having an affair with the Young Master. If she came over and discovered that he and his old brothers had been secretly drinking, it would cost those old brothers their very lives.

"Uncle Li, women are meticulous and better suited to caring for wounded soldiers. Besides, these women warriors are no frail women; every one of them is skilled in battle. Teach them the methods of treating external wounds with all your heart. On the battlefield, they can serve as your assistants. Just treat them as your apprentices. You are in charge here, and you must train them up as quickly as possible."

The alcohol on Uncle Li's breath gave Qin Mo a headache. These old retainers left behind by his father were good at everything except self-restraint. They loved strong liquor even more than their own wives—only stopping short of hugging it to sleep at night.

"Missus, what's your name?"

"This subordinate, Narita Kai, greets her superior."

"Hehe... I heard you and our Young Master... are having an affair? Is that really true?"

"...Kai deeply yearns for Great Xia martial arts. I hope my superior will favor me with instruction..."

"...What does that mean? Damn it... you dare draw your blade on me... Old Xu... Old Xu... come out quick! The one having an affair with the Young Master is here! She wants to kill me..."