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Time to Reel in the Net
Jing Wan coldly tugged the corner of her mouth. Heheh, this emperor, exactly what did he want to do?
However, it didn’t matter. Since he had the people invited over, then naturally it was just utilizing to the fullest. And no need to bother with how many among these people had problems, carrying ulterior motives. As long as they have these people kept under tight watch, not allowing them to take a single step out of a certain fixed range, not allowing them to casually come in contact with others, and if they disobey, just deal with as a spy. In any case, this was the rear of the battlefield, able to find any random excuse. As such, she didn’t believe, they can still cause trouble.
After these people arrived, it was Jing Wan personally ‘receiving’, just having one hair ornament, her clothes mostly light colors, just sitting there in a simple chair. On the square table to the side, a teacup was placed. Jing Wan’s one hand rested on the armrest, her expression calm, and behind her, just stood a Gong mama. Originally, it was just a very ordinary scene, yet it made these people standing there tense and on edge for no reason, not daring to slack in the slightest.
Gong mama meticulously explained to them the numerous rules, “……..Have you all understood?”
These rules were even more strict than when entering the courtyard of a qinwang manor back in the capital. The people from the famous acting troupes were somewhat displeased inside. It’s not like they were criminals. However, seeing the seemingly nonchalant Jin Wangfei, they all didn’t dare to offend, successively agreeing.
In comparison, the people of Jin Qinwang Manor were very calm. These rules were more or less the same as the ones back in the manor.
Jing Wan’s fingertip lightly tapped against the armrest, the tip of her fingernail against the tip of the armrest, letting out a light sound. Merely just this kind of sound, yet it attracted everyone’s attention, “Some unpleasant words, this wangfei will just say first. These rules, if violated, then you better be prepared to stay at the army camp forever. As for in what way you will be left behind as, this wangfei believes that everyone is all well aware inside. That probably won’t be what you all want.”
They were all play actors, belonging to the lowly class. Even as men, going to the army camp, it absolutely won’t be as a soldier. There was only one possibility——-as a prostitute. As the saying goes, serving in the army for two three years, even female swines can compete with Diao Chan[1]. The things flourishing in the army camp absolutely will be much more than what outsiders can imagine. Because of various reasons, mutually ‘comforting’ one another seemingly was also quite normal. Getting ordered by a qin-wangfei to be thrown into the army camp, never mind the women, even the men afraid will similarly need to ‘sound the reed pipes’ every night. When times comes, who would care whether it’s a man or woman.
(T/N: Btw, if anyone’s curious, this is what a chinese reed pipe looks like, also known as a sheng.)
Although there were men that, because of certain reasons, take on the female role, and either because of their own reasons or external factors, appear more effeminate, it didn’t mean that these people were just willing to become a member of the military prostitute. In the military prostitute camp, afraid it can’t even compare with those in the lowest level brothels. To put it unpleasantly, to want to sleep with those people, for better or worst still need to spend a bit of money, but for a military prostitute, afraid one won’t even have the chance to catch one’s breath. It can’t be helped, there were too many soldiers.
That’s why, hearing the underlying meaning in Jing Wan’s words, each and every one all trembled in fear. Even if really having some ulterior motive, at this time, afraid all need to reconsider.
However, their impression towards Jin Wangfei seemingly need to change again.
What they were thinking inside, Jing Wan completely didn’t care. After warning, she just got up and slowly walked out. Her words absolutely weren’t a joke. If someone dares to deliberately violate the rules, then she absolutely won’t let them have a good end. Towards innocent people, her pity was already growing more and more weak, so let alone people that have committed an offense, deserving to be punished.
After having this matter handed out, Jing Wan just no longer involved herself. What she wanted to see was just the final outcome.
And probably because there was nothing to do, or perhaps wanting to nicely show off in front of Jin Wangfei, or as acting troupes of Jin Qinwang Manor, want to compete with the ones outside——-After all, as privately raised, if compared down by the ones outside, wouldn’t that make one seem very useless, then how can one uphold one’s position? And the ones outside, for better or worse, they were the most famous in the capital, experiencing through the trials of wind and rain. Getting compared down by the privately raised ones, where would their face go? ——–As such, with this competitive mentality, they very quickly produced results.
With them producing results, the ones in the injured soldier camp naturally will have a feast for the ears and eyes. Thus, these people finally learned, coming to this place full of dangers, it wasn’t for the sake of relieving Jin Qinwang and Jin Wangfei of boredom. However, Jin Wangfei’s order was placed there, so where was there room for them to comment. That’s why, regardless of what they thought inside, they all obediently continued singing.
TN: All
Of course, towards the end, it wasn’t just singing at the ‘injured soldiers camp’. The soldiers at the front should also have the pleasure to enjoy, no?
As such, another month quickly passed, another year approaching its end. Although it was cold enough, fortunately it didn’t snow in this area. However, judging from the information Jing Wan received, it was indeed as what Li Hong Yuan had said, to the north, a large region was covered by snow, a rare case of snowstorm. Sure enough, human affairs can be changed, but nature’s might was still the same as before.
Speaking of which, Rui Qinwang’s ‘son’ was already born. Can only say, Rui Qinwang sure enough wasn’t fated to have a son. Rui Wangfei’s third child was still a girl, so it was obvious that they will certainly need to get a boy. Jing Wan rather wanted to ask, where this boy came from. A certain someone certainly will know, but he just smiled and didn’t speak. From the looks of it, it certainly won’t be the child Rui Qinwang originally prepared, and his origins nine times out of ten won’t be simple. This was clearly intending to have the matter made big.
The war was still in a deadlock. West Xiongnu’s Daxian Wang didn’t continue advancing, or rather, powerless to advance, yet he still firmly guarded the conquered territory, not yielding an inch.
In the capital, Le Cheng Emperor obviously was already impatient, ‘issuing the order’ to Li Su Yan not just once.
Li Hong Yuan tapped the map in front, “Time to reel in the net.”
[1] Diao Chan – One of the four legendary beauties in ancient times. Although based on an actual historical, albeit minor, figure, her character is mostly fictional. Mostly known for her role in the ‘Romance of the Three Kingdoms’ novel.
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