The Empress’ Livestream

Wei Ci shut the hot water bag resting on his stomach tightly. An unceasing flow of energy was transmitted throughout his body. It caused the bone-chilling cold that long plagued him to dissipate.

Coughing softly, he said, “It’s such a coincidence. I have a friend, so I will ask for his opinion.”

“Oh? Is that friend in Xiangyang district?” Qiguan Rang’s eyes lit up. If someone like Wei Ci joined, their workload would reduce significantly.

With a smile, Wei Ci said, “Xiheng and I came to Xiangyang district together.”

Considering Zhang Ping’s obsession with machineries, he had neglected his duties at the government office. His temperament was rather like the lord’s.

Raising his brows, Qiguan Rang looked at Wei Ci deeply for a long while and thought, Brother, you did well!

Zhang Ping’s nose become itchy. He couldn’t hold it in anymore and sneezed.

“Achoo!”

Wood dust floated in the air. Zhang Ping positioned the hot water bag steadily and wrapped himself tightly with the clothes he wore. Before him laid shaved wooden materials.

With agile fingers, he dismantled the water vehicle he just assembled. “Water vehicles? Something is amiss. Where did it go wrong, or is it the composition of the pieces together?”

Afterward, Zhang Ping realized the hot water bag had lost its warm temperature. He got up to refill the bag with hot water. When he opened the window, he discovered it was already dusk. Without realizing it, the whole afternoon had passed.

Rubbing his tummy, he felt hungry. After he took out some money, Zhang Ping wrapped his overcoat tightly around himself and prepared to walk in the snow and wind to buy food.

Wei Ci had his three meals at the district headquarters, so both Zhang Ping and Dian Yan had to fend for themselves. They don’t know how to prepare food, so headed to the nearby eatery.

“When the new year comes, I’m afraid even the eateries will close,” Zhang Ping said. “We need a maid who can cook and do household chores.”

He was a craftsman competent with his hands, but his ability to manage his daily life was rather lousy. No one knew, but a more uncertain future awaited him in the future. Two flowers can bloom, but each has its own fate.

Dian Yan and his bandit brothers were capable with their hands, so they were successfully recruited into the military camp. They initially thought the good days were near and that they could settle down in Xiangyang district.

He never thought she was up to winter training. During the wee hours of the day, they had to be in their full attire to anticipate and prepare for morning drills. On the coldest day in winter, they had to carry a heavy burden and run across the mountains and plains. It was said this was the most basic training. But, when they become accustomed to it, the training would increase in severity.

Dian Yan, a giant-like person stood out amongst men, performed well. Others quickly noticed him. The person who noticed his talents was Jiang Pengji, whom Qiguan Rang mocked as a slacker.

She wore coarse clothing made from camel’s cloth. It revealed her slim, white wrists. The viewers in the livestreaming room were worried for her, but she appeared to be alright.

With both hands folded, Jiang Pengji interviewed the new soldiers. “That tall guy is not bad. He has good substance.”

Liyun saw that she was pointing at Dian Yan and nodded.

“The intensity of training is demanding. Many people complain incessantly. They even threw tantrums. Few could control their temper. He was one of them.” Speaking of official matters, Liyun had always been mature and solemn. There were no traces of cuteness in him. “Perhaps my lord should shout for him and test him.”

Leading an army to war was the business of the generals. Presently, those “generals” were Meng Hun, Luoyue and Liyun.

Jiang Pengji could reluctantly be considered as a lord, but the subordinates under her were unwilling to let herself be put into danger. For now, there were enough people. When the territory increased in size, the dividing lines between wars would extend. At that time, those few men would not be enough.

It was better to be well-prepared for the worst. From the beginning, to identify anyone worthy to be invested in was of the utmost importance.

Jiang Pengji held a thin piece of wild grassroot in her mouth, showcasing her unorganized side. “No need. Have another look.”

Liyun nodded. Both of them continued to stand at the mountain gap to observe the caliber of the new soldiers.

After a while, the training lance corporal for the new soldiers finally relaxed and asked them to rest. Countless of recruits appeared as if they were just whipped to their bones. They laid on the ground exhausted. They were gasping for air. Despite the winter wind and biting cold, they still felt like they were next to a stove. Their backs perspired until they were soaked.

Dian Yan stood still on the spot. When his breathing became more regular, he followed the others to sit and rest. His actions, coupled with his body build, made him stand out amid the new troops.

It was evident in her eyes that Jiang Pengji held him in high regards. “He’s indeed not bad.”

The lance corporals responsible for training were chosen from amidst the troops. They treated the new recruits just like how they treated everyone else. New soldiers who performed well inevitably would attract more attention, especially someone like Dian Yan, who listened attentively and was keenly aware of the training schedule.

When the new soldiers took a break and had their meals, the food Dian Yan received included an egg in his porridge and an additional scoop of meat-based soup. Just a sniff of the extra food made everyone’s stomachs rumble with hunger.

He didn’t ignore the people beside him, nor did he encourage their jealousy. He buried his head and devoted himself to eating without caring if the porridge would burn his lips.

Dian Yan focused and drank the entire bowl of porridge. As the porridge entered his stomach, his entire body, from inside to outside, emitted a warm, comfortable and lazy feeling.

Just as he was about to send the ceramic bowl away, his sharp hearing allowed him to eavesdrop on a conversation nearby. The contents of it touched on his sensitive spot.

One recruit spoke to the other softly. Although his voice was soft, people around could still hear him. “Did you hear that? There are women here, eh.”

“Women?” The other recruit uncontrollably sneered and said, “Even if there are, only those superiors can enjoy them.”

The military camp had no women. If there were, they were only present to serve the soldiers. During the day, they cooked and did chores. At night, they served their customers.

Dian Yan’s blood boiled. He refused to believe that the district city also had such despicable practice. His eyes immediately turned violent. His raging expression caused others to tremble.

He confronted the other two men. “Is what you said true?”

The two new soldiers heard his voice and raised their heads. Seeing how Dian Yan looked, they subsequently laughed sarcastically, interpreting his reaction as him missing women.

“Of course, it’s true,” one of the recruits said. “The district headquarters publicized to recruit female troops. This is known throughout the district. Who wants to go…”

Jiang Pengji ha stunningly sharp hearing. She heard the commotion and uncontrollably knit her brows.

During the last recruitment, there were between 500 and 600 females. In the end, only slightly above a hundred people were willing to step forth. Moreover, it was those petite and weak young ladies who stepped up. The majority of them had lost both their parents. They were often forcefully dragged over by their grandparents or relatives.

When they came over to register, one by one they inconsolably cried with much reluctance, as evident by their attitude. This made Jiang Pengji’s blood boil. Her women’s troop camp was not a rubbish collection site. It was impossible to take in incompetent people. Now that she had surveyed the incident, the root of the matter was known.

“Allow me to clarify, did they mistake anything?” Jiang Pengji pinched her lower chin. The side of her lips were smiling coldly. She said to Liyun, who was beside her, “These imbeciles thought the women’s troops I assembled are to give them endless enjoyment, satisfy their desires, and unleash their wild side. Pei, pei!”

Liyun decided to keep silent. With regard to the women’s troops being misunderstood as a prostitution camp, he had only just found out.