Qi Yihan asked him, "Do you really not know she is the one Xiao Rudǐ coveted? General Xiao wants her to marry Xiao Sì as his wife!"
Ding Yan felt a bit awkward. "Really? I... I truly didn't know." He actually did know, but he was merely probing Qi Yihan's stance.
"How did the General know?"
Qi Yihan, however, said, "You, someone so meticulously observant, how could you not have seen this?" Qi Yihan walked over, patted Ding Yan's shoulder, and said meaningfully, "Observe more, and you will know everything."
Ding Yan inexplicably felt his words were a warning. He immediately replied, "The General is right. But what was the meaning of the story Miss Li told?"
"You think she was telling a story?"
Ding Yan was astonished. "Wasn't she?"
"Come with me to the city wall."
"Yes." Although Ding Yan couldn't figure it out, he was now Han Rang's bodyguard and didn't have time to think further, so he immediately followed him to the top of the city wall.
The wind was still strong, but the snow had lessened considerably.
Qi Yihan touched the hands of the guards, quickly telling those below who were resting to come and relieve them. Once people were frozen, they had no ability to resist and might freeze to death on the city wall. Before the barbarians even arrived, losing a batch to the cold would be a foolish waste.
"Go down, drink a bowl of ginger soup, soak your feet in hot water, eat a meal, and get a good night's sleep."
The guards were deeply moved. Since following General Han, they finally understood what it meant to treat soldiers like children. Following such a general, even if they died in battle, would be worth it.
"Thank you, General."
"Thank you, General."
At this moment, the soldiers who came to change shifts had arrived. The soldiers who had been battered by the wind and snow for an hour quickly headed down the city wall. However, having stood for too long, their legs were frozen stiff. Many almost fell, needing support as they trudged back.
As soon as they reached their quarters, the ginger soup was brought. Each person drank a large bowl, feeling their bodies recover, no longer as stiff as before.
Just as they changed out of their heavy armor and soaked cotton clothes, people brought basin after basin of hot water, infused with herbs, for them to soak their feet.
"General Li said that cold originates from the feet, so we need to soak them to expel the cold. The herbs in this basin were personally mixed by her. Everyone soak your feet and then apply some frostbite cream to avoid suffering."
The soldiers asked in disbelief, "General Li? Is she the legitimate eldest daughter of the Iron Gallant Marquis?"
"Precisely." The person delivering the hot water said, "That General Li truly has a benevolent heart, thinking of everything so thoughtfully. This medicinal cream was also sent by her."
"Does she not know we are of the Xiao family?"
"How could she not know?" The man who spoke was very sturdy, with a dark complexion, and his voice was loud and clear. "Her generosity is far greater than yours, you men. General Li's exact words were, 'What is Xiao family or Li family? Are they not all for the people of this esteemed country? Are they not all the Emperor's soldiers?' If you ask me, you all underestimate her. She thinks of the nation, while you think of factions."
He spoke the last sentence very quietly, only the few people nearby could hear it.
"That is true."
"But these factions have nothing to do with us. We are just small soldiers, what can we manage?"
"You still want to manage? Go soak your feet!"
Everyone burst into laughter and began rolling up their pant legs to soak their feet.
When their feet were first placed in the basin, they had no sensation at all. Slowly, their feet became numb and itchy. After a while, the numb and itchy feeling disappeared, replaced by a very comfortable sensation. Their feet were warm, their legs were warm, and they even began to sweat. They felt completely alive again.
"Soaking your feet is really good."
"Indeed, it relieves fatigue."
The dark-faced man added, "When the water cools, wipe your feet quickly, eat something, and sleep. If the barbarians really attack, having food in your belly will increase your chances of survival."
"Brother Wu, the snow was so heavy. It hadn't stopped when we came down from the city wall. Can the barbarians even come?"
"Yes, look at how deep the snow is at the base of the city. Horses probably can't get through either, right?"
The dark-faced man said, "Better safe than sorry! We haven't been dealing with the barbarians for a short time, have we? Their tricks are endless, and you all have experienced them before."
"Right, right, right. They have thick skin and wear fur coats, so they can endure the cold better than us."
"Then what are we waiting for? Wipe your feet quickly, and let's eat."
These men were all frozen stiff on the city wall earlier and didn't feel hungry. Now that they were warm after soaking their feet, they all realized they were starving, and their stomachs began to protest.
"The food is all arranged. Eat first, then apply the medicine, and sleep soundly."
The wartime meals were also simple: hot noodles, two eggs, and a spoonful of chili oil. Eating it was incredibly comfortable.
After eating, they quickly applied the medicine, a layer on their hands and feet. The medicine had a pleasant smell and felt warm when applied. Some soldiers who already had frostbite found that their hands and feet felt much better after applying the medicine and were no longer itchy.
Everyone was delighted and repeatedly thanked the dark-faced man.
"This medicine isn't mine. Don't thank me, it was prepared by General Li."
"But we can't even see General Li, so it's a bit awkward to thank her."
"Indeed, she's a young lady, after all."
"Ah, Brother Wu, if you ever have a chance to see General Li, or someone by her side, please thank her on behalf of all of us."
"Yes, yes!"
"Brother Wu, we're entrusting this to you."
The dark-faced man quickly said, "Rest assured, everyone. If there's an opportunity, I will definitely convey your wishes."
Everyone thanked him again and then went to rest.
The dark-faced man walked out of the tent and returned to his own small space, sitting by the stove and watching the fire. The firelight illuminated his face, making it appear dark red. Lost in thought, the dark-faced man suddenly smiled, revealing a set of very white teeth that were quite intimidating.
The wind and snow finally stopped. The weather was still very cold, but at least it was bearable.
Another group of people came to change shifts, replacing the guards on the city wall who had been completely frozen.
The newly arrived soldiers, having drunk their fill and eaten well, had their clothes roasted warm. They were full of energy.
Qi Yihan spoke a few words with the soldiers being replaced and then walked back up the city wall.
He ordered the fingerless gloves prepared by Li Man'er to be distributed.
To avoid getting cold herself, Li Man'er had devised a method for making gloves. Using relatively thick cloth, she cut out two hand-shaped pieces, leaving only a segment for the finger bones and exposing the fingertips. Then, she stitched the two pieces together, creating simple gloves for the modern era.
She drew diagrams and asked A'si and Liuyá to gather skilled needlewomen to cut and sew, quickly producing the fingerless gloves she wanted.