Chapter 146: Gentle Comfort

"Are you worried about how to break the news to the families of the fallen soldiers?" Yunniang asked softly.

Li Yi closed his eyes, feeling the warmth of her fingertips, and let out a gentle sigh.

"You could tell?"

Yunniang's voice was tender. "My dear, every time you return from battle, you spend several days in deep melancholy. How could I not notice?"

Looking slightly irritated, Li Yi said, "I know casualties are inevitable, but seeing the expectant faces of their families and the ultimate agony of their heartbreak tears me apart inside. I often think that if only I had slain a few more enemies, or devised a better strategy, perhaps..."

Before Li Yi could finish, a small, warm hand gently covered his mouth.

Opening his eyes, he met Yunniang's soft, refined gaze. Her eyes were filled with care, aching affection, and deep concern.

"Brother Yi, listen to me. None of this is your fault."

Gently cupping his face, Yunniang looked at him with clear eyes overflowing with tender pity. "Though I have never set foot on a battlefield, I know that life and death in war are ultimately up to fate. In these chaotic times, had you not united the common folk and trained an army, far fewer people could live in peace. Facts have proven that what you are doing is right. To safeguard days like these, paying a price is worthwhile."

Li Yi stared at Yunniang with wide eyes, then slowly wrapped his arms around her. Her soft body carried a faint, delicate fragrance that gradually dispelled the turmoil in his heart, bringing an unprecedented sense of peace and happiness.

"Yunniang..."

Looking at the gentle and delicate woman in his arms, Li Yi opened his mouth, but no words came.

Her tenderness, clear as a mountain spring, deeply moved his soul.

Nestled against Li Yi's chest and listening to his steady, powerful heartbeat, Yunniang whispered, "I once thought that after my father passed away, I would be trapped in the countryside to live out the remainder of my days in solitude. I never expected to meet you, Brother Yi. I watched you step by step relieve the suffering of the people, unite the villagers, perform meritorious service, and rise through the ranks. From that moment on, I fell in love with you. No matter what happens in the future, in my heart, you will always be an indomitable hero who can hold up the sky."

"Yunniang, thank you."

Looking at her blushing cheeks, Li Yi lowered his head and kissed her forehead.

Shyly turning her face away, Yunniang murmured, "Brother Yi, someone might come by."

Seeing her adorable expression, the corners of Li Yi's lips curved upward. Without another word, he scooped her right up into his arms.

"In that case, I shall find a place where there is no one."

With a soft cry of surprise, he carried her straight through to the back courtyard.

Only silent love lingered in the main hall.

The days of bitter combat had left Li Yi somewhat fatigued, so he decided to cast all other matters aside.

That day, after a profound and intimate exchange in the bedroom with Yunniang, he unusually laid down all official business to enjoy a world for just the two of them. They shared a quiet dinner and drank a little wine.

Naturally, the wine was followed by yet another fierce engagement.

Yunniang chanted softly, her hair tumbling into disarray as she was brought to surrender time and time again, lying helpless on the bed and begging for mercy before Li Yi finally spared her.

The next morning, looking refreshed, Li Yi washed up and stepped out of the bedchamber.

He was not wearing his military uniform today; instead, he wore a blue round-necked long robe and a scholar's cap. With his tall and upright stature, he looked dashing and full of spirit, resembling an accomplished and romantic young scholar.

"Sister-in-law, have you been well lately?"

Hearing someone, Xiuniang, who was busy doing the laundry, looked up and froze for a moment, a blush spreading across her cheeks. "Master Li, when did you return?"

Li Yi chuckled lightly. "The battle concluded, and I returned yesterday afternoon."

In truth, Xiuniang had known of his return for quite some time.

The situation in the master bedroom last night had been intense, and sounds were inevitably carried. Xiuniang had stood in the courtyard listening for a long time, and in her dreams last night, the woman on that grand bed had somehow become herself.

At this thought, her face turned crimson, and she instinctively pressed her thighs together.

At that moment, Yunniang, still feeling a slight weakness in her legs, walked out of the courtyard fully dressed.

Catching sight of Xiuniang, she smiled and said, "Sister-in-law is here too. Brother Yi sustained some injuries in this battle. Whenever you have a moment, could you please examine him?"

As the image of that sturdy, powerful body flashed through her mind, Xiuniang nodded with pleasant surprise and said, "Whenever Master Li wishes, I am ready to examine him."

"Let's make it tonight then. I still have to report for duty in Mizhi County today."

Suppressing the surging restlessness in her heart, Xiuniang smiled and replied, "Very well, tonight it is."

Li Yi nodded and stepped outside.

Buyan was already waiting at the yamen, accompanied by Wang Wu.

Seeing Li Yi emerge, the two quickly hurried forward.

"Buyan, send someone to fetch my warhorse and accompany me to Mizhi County," Li Yi instructed.

After Liu Zongming was injured, Li Yi had assigned Buyan and his men to follow him, temporarily serving as his personal guards.

"Milord," Wang Wu stepped forward and bowed.

Looking at him, Li Yi asked, "Wang Wu, is there something you need?"

"Begging milord's pardon, now that we have returned to Mizhi County, can the civilian laborers be disbanded? Everyone is anxious to return home."

Hearing this, Li Yi slapped his forehead with a look of self-reproach. "I was a bit rushed yesterday and completely forgot to arrange that."

He then led Wang Wu into the yamen, took up brush and paper to write a slip, and handed it to him.

"Take this slip to Li Guo, the captain of the youth detachment, and have him issue some silver to all of you. Ten taels for each civilian laborer, and fifteen taels for you and the various supervisors. You may also take a donkey as a reward for yourself."

Hearing that silver would be distributed, Wang Wu grew flustered. "Milord, we laborers were merely driving carts to transport military supplies; how could we possibly accept silver? And such a large sum at that?"

Li Yi caught Wang Wu by the hand and pressed the slip into his palm.

"My rule here is simple: merits are rewarded, and offenses are punished. Although you did not go to the frontline to slay enemies, caring for the soldiers and transporting supplies involved a great deal of hardship. This is entirely what you have earned."

With reddened eyes, Wang Wu gripped the slip tightly with emotion and raised his head as if about to drop to his knees.

Li Yi quickly supported him. "What are you doing? Stand up quickly."

Weeping, Wang Wu said, "When government corvée labor is demanded, one usually steps with half a foot into the gates of hell. Yet milord has shown us care at every turn, providing adequate food and clothing without ever striking or cursing us. Even when the battle was perilous, you never forced us onto the battlefield, and now you bestow rewards upon us. We are deeply moved by milord's immense kindness."

Patting him on the shoulder, Li Yi said in a deep voice, "You underestimate yourselves. I believe your contributions are substantial. Remember, this silver is rightfully yours."

Wiping away his tears, Wang Wu nodded heavily.

"Alright, go lead the laborers to collect their silver. I have matters to settle at the county magistrate's office."

Li Yi, Buyan, and the others mounted their horses and rode off.

When Wang Wu returned to their quarters, the laborers were waiting anxiously.

"Brother Wang, how did it go? Did Master Li agree to let us leave?"

"I bet it's unlikely. Look at them building houses around here; those officials are probably going to take advantage of us as cheap labor and make us work for free."

"Shut your damn mouth!"

Staring wide-eyed, Wang Wu snapped, "I must say your brain is full of water. Could Master Li possibly be like those corrupt officials? Let me tell you, not only did Master Li agree to let us go, but he's also giving us silver!"

"Ah? Can there really be such a good thing?" The laborers were astonished.

"How much could it be? Are they going to brush us off with a few pennies?" a laborer asked skeptically.

Normally, Wang Wu wouldn't even bother with such a person; every group had a few rotten apples.

Today, however, he puffed out his chest and held up all ten fingers.

"Ten copper cash?" a laborer sneered, curling his lip.

Wang Wu shook his head.

"One hundred copper cash?"

Wang Wu shook his head again.

"One thousand copper cash?" someone exclaimed in shock.

Seeing that he had thoroughly piqued their curiosity, Wang Wu declared with absolute confidence, "Let me tell you, it's ten taels of silver."

"Ten taels of silver?"

The laborers drew in a sharp breath of cold air, staring in disbelieving shock.

Ten taels of silver meant little to officials, but to impoverished commoners who were dirt-poor, forcibly conscripted by the government as corvée laborers, it was an astronomical sum.

It was akin to a family of five earning five hundred a month and starving, only for someone to suddenly hand them one hundred thousand.

Gazing at the stunned laborers, Wang Wu puffed out his chest and said, "I told you long ago that Master Li is different from those corrupt officials. He genuinely treats us dirt-poor folk like human beings. Do you believe it now?"

The laborers nodded vigorously, their faces beaming with joy.

For people who had been enduring hunger and were on the verge of running out of food, this silver was quite literally a lifeline.

With a proud tone, Wang Wu continued, "Since you believe in Master Li, you should also believe in the Peasant Association. Let me tell you, the Association was founded by Master Li precisely to help folks like us—to stand up against wealthy landlords and corrupt officials, so we can live in peace and prosperity..."

Wang Wu was already a member of the Peasant Association, and having forged a connection with Li Yi through it, he spared no effort in trying to expand its ranks.