Chapter 41 Targeted by Han Jin’er

She was once a courtesan, and at the age of fourteen, she caught the eye of a wealthy man in Xi’an Prefecture. Through persistent pleading, she managed to marry him as a concubine. Later, when the wealthy man grew tired of her, he sold her to Yan’an Prefecture. Yan’an was a harsh and bitter place, and unable to endure the hardship, she seduced a down-and-out scholar and eloped with him. In time, the scholar discovered her infidelity and drove her away. With nowhere else to turn, Han Jin’er was forced to follow Li Zicheng.

Though Li Zicheng provided for all her needs, Han Jin’er held him in contempt. Now, forced to come to the Li family village, she found it unbearable and longed to escape at once. All she wanted was to hook another man—one with wealth and status—so she could once again live a life of luxury.

She set her sights on the handsome and capable Li Yi, but he showed not the slightest interest in her. Thinking of Li Yi’s tall, upright figure and striking features, Han Jin’er felt a flush of heat in her heart and muttered through gritted teeth, “I don’t believe I can’t win over a greenhorn like you.”

Li Yi, however, had no idea Han Jin’er had set her sights on him.

He went to the ancestral hall, where Yun Niang sat, lost in worried thought.

A few days earlier, Li Yi had handed her a chest of gold, startling her greatly. Born into a scholarly family, she understood well what a fortune it was. Later, learning that one of Gao Jie’s men had died, she realized Li Yi must have gotten involved in dangerous business. Since then, she had been distracted and anxious, her mind plagued by fear.

Li Yi had noticed Yun Niang’s strange demeanor these past days. Approaching her, he spoke gently, “Yun Niang, what’s troubling you?”

Yun Niang looked up at Li Yi, her eyes rimmed with red. “Brother Yi, you’ve founded the farmers' association and organized the militia—I know you’re preparing against the Ai family. But the other day Liu Zongmin was wounded, and now you suddenly come home with a great sum of silver, and someone under your command has died, yet you say nothing to me. I can’t help but worry.”

Li Yi fell silent for a moment.

“Brother Yi, I, I…” Yun Niang faltered, seeing the solemn look on Li Yi’s face, her heart turning anxious.

“It was never my intention to make you live in fear. If you don’t wish to live this way, I can arrange for you to leave,” Li Yi said suddenly.

A forced union brings no happiness. With chaos looming, he knew there would be bloodshed ahead, and if Yun Niang wished to leave, he would not keep her by his side to suffer.

But Yun Niang misunderstood. Tears welled up in her large eyes, making her look all the more pitiable.

Li Yi offered no comfort, only waited quietly for her response.

Meeting his calm gaze, Yun Niang gradually regained her composure. Despair flickered in her eyes as she spoke, her voice trembling with emotion, “Brother Yi, I am your betrothed. Husband and wife should be of one heart, yet you keep all your thoughts from me. If you refuse to accept me, I’ll leave tomorrow morning.”

With that, she stood to go.

Li Yi gently caught her hand. Calloused and cold from her household work, her palm trembled in his grasp.

“To tell you the truth, these past years have been plagued by disaster; the people are destitute, and the authorities levy harsh taxes. The Central Plains are on the brink of chaos, and I can’t avoid walking the knife’s edge. If you don’t want a life like this, I’ll have the caravan take you to your kin. We’ll owe each other nothing—”

“I’m not leaving.” Before he could finish, Yun Niang cut in, her expression resolute. “From the moment I entered this family, I was your betrothed. I will not envy heroes or covet luxury. In life, we share a bed; in death, a grave. If I break this vow, may heaven and earth destroy me.”

Her words rang with determination, moving Li Yi deeply.

“Are you certain?” Li Yi asked in a low voice.

Feeling the warmth of his hand, Yun Niang’s cheeks flushed as she tried to pull away, but he held her fast. When she looked up, she saw his bright eyes fixed on her, and her heart raced as she lowered her gaze.

When she remained silent, Li Yi stood as if to go. “What’s wrong? Are you regretting it?”

Blushing, Yun Niang shook her head. Her fair face glowed, her clear, almond-shaped eyes met his, and her small lips were pursed in a way both innocent and charming.

Li Yi smiled, leaned in, and pressed a kiss to her forehead.

Yun Niang’s face turned even redder, and she bowed her head like a startled fawn, though the sweetness at her lips was impossible to hide.

“I have to teach the children now,” she murmured shyly, and left to begin her lessons.

Ever since Li Yi returned from Mizhi County with ink and brushes, and began feeding the children three meals a day, the villagers of Ganquan sent all their children to him. This, too, was Li Yi’s intention.

Only by enlightening the people, by letting the children understand their suffering and its root causes, could he inspire them to stand firm in resistance. When they gathered as one, forming a powerful collective, neither the gentry nor the imperial government would be able to hold back this tide.

Thus, in Li Yi’s heart, enlightening the people was even more important than training militias—though it was also harder and would take much longer.

For now, the school focused on literacy; the characters taught were those most useful in daily life. Yun Niang also composed simple essays and proverbs for the children to recite and write from memory, speeding their learning.

Li Yi sometimes gave lectures as well. Whenever he did, the students were filled with excitement and anticipation.

He did not simply teach, but opened new worlds for them—from history and geography to economics and politics. Only after listening did the children realize that the Ming Empire had two capitals and thirteen provinces; that the southeast coast was a land of vast plains and rich harvests, the wealthiest region in all of Ming; while the southwest was a land of hills and rainforests, rife with poisonous insects and ruled by tribal chieftains.

From Li Yi’s stories, they learned how the Ming’s founder, Zhu Yuanzhang, drove out the cruel Yuan and restored China. They learned, too, of the current court’s endless bickering, as officials schemed and quarreled, caring nothing for the people’s wellbeing.

In the northeast, they heard, a regime called Later Jin had risen—fierce in battle and a constant threat to the Ming court.

These were topics that fascinated not only the children but many villagers as well.

So, as soon as Li Yi arrived at the ancestral hall, his great-grandfather and a crowd of villagers would bring their stools and sit outside, waiting eagerly for his lectures.

Li Yi smiled, stood before the blackboard made by Li Zijin, and picked up a piece of chalk.