IDWBE -Chapter 69 Military Training

For now, the most urgent task was to separate the He Mansion’s guards from the administration of Sanhe.

The He Mansion’s guards managed too many things—everything from capturing thieves and criminals to keeping the city clean.

When they did good deeds, the locals might praise them briefly, but soon forgot. Maintaining security benefited the people, yes, but it wasn’t done specifically for anyone.

Moreover, this was all voluntary for the so-called “second fool” and the Wang family—they didn’t feel the need to be overly thanked.

However, if the guards’ words or actions strayed even slightly, they would face complaints and resentment from the locals.

For example, the policy of cleaning up garbage, maintaining hygiene, and reducing disease was excellent.

But even when coordinated with the He Mansion, many merchants and residents still didn’t understand and grumbled constantly.

In the end, Xie Zan had no choice but to enforce the rules strictly—anyone dumping trash improperly was fined.

Those refusing to pay were sent for labor reform.

Few people were that obedient. In the past, labor reform meant at least they were fed; now it meant working hard on an empty stomach.

Naturally, people resisted.

After pushing and shoving, black eyes and bruises were inevitable.

Even after receiving ten favors before, one minor grievance now erased all previous goodwill.

The He Mansion’s guards weren’t exactly loved!

And by extension, even “He” himself wasn’t seen as a good man.

Lin Yi deeply felt the saying, “harsh lands produce stubborn people,” was not an exaggeration.

So, he planned to split the He Mansion guards into two groups: one for administrative tasks in Sanhe, the other purely for military purposes.

In short: one would play the “bad cop,” shouldering blame professionally.

The other would play the “good cop,” avoiding local conflicts and focusing only on defeating bandits or aiding in disasters.

Lin Yi weaved through the bustling training ground and found Xie Zan at the school.

When he explained his idea, Xie Zan didn’t refuse at all—no complaints about low rank or lack of responsibility.

Three days later, the Sanhe Militia was officially formed, led by Wang Xing, son of Sanhe’s wealthiest man, Wang Cheng.

It was Xie Zan’s idea. Liang Kingdom practiced integrating civilians into military service, so having a militia formed by local gentry was entirely appropriate.

To distinguish them from the He Mansion guards, Lin Yi specially designed black uniforms for the militia.

Soon, the locals nicknamed them the “Black Skins.”

The He Mansion guards stopped managing Sanhe’s security, and their public image improved instantly—they now only did good deeds!

They smiled at locals and never forced them into unwanted tasks.

Lin Yi felt deeply satisfied.

Even Wang Xing’s attitude became much more respectful.

“Your Highness, I will not fail my mission; I will serve you to the death!”

After completing his labor reform and joining the militia, Wang Xing never mentioned going home again.

His father was Sanhe’s richest man.

With a fortune and skilled retainers, he had once roamed the countryside without worry—but caution was still needed. Pirates, salt smugglers, lone thieves—they had to be avoided when possible.

Now things were different!

Backed by the He Mansion, according to Prince He’s words: in Sanhe, whether you’re a dragon or a tiger, you obey!

Those Fourth and Fifth Ranks who had once treated him dismissively now behaved perfectly.

Dissent? One wave of his hand, and a large group would be tied up and sent for labor reform!

He finally tasted the thrill of power.

Thus, even when his father repeatedly sent people, or came personally, he refused to return home.

Knowing he was a tool of Prince He, he didn’t care—he was willing.

Lin Yi patted his shoulder and smiled. “Keep it up. I have faith in you.”

Wang Xing knelt and kowtowed. “Thank you for your favor, Your Highness!”

After days of continuous rain in Baiyun City, the chill was closing in.

Lin Yi switched from short sleeves to long sleeves, showing at least some respect for winter.

Next door, the orphanage grew louder as more children living far from home stayed there—effectively serving as student dormitories.

A single compound housed five to six hundred children, full of energy, endlessly noisy, with occasional crying or shouting late into the night.

Poor planning made Lin Yi sigh.

He regretted placing the orphanage next door.

Fortunately, the orphanage was small and would be relocated eventually.

For now, he could only endure.

“Look at how fast she’s growing,”

Wen Zhaoyi squatted, holding a little girl and smiling. “She can walk already.”

This was a child she had personally rescued from the ruins, carried from Songyang to Sanhe, always in her arms out of care.

“Meeting you was her blessing,” Lin Yi said sincerely.

“I’ve decided—she’s going to be my disciple,”

Wen Zhaoyi doted on the girl’s cheeks, smiling. “From now on, she’s the youngest little junior sister.”

Lin Yi asked curiously, “So you have other disciples?”

Wen Zhaoyi said, “Why, can’t I have disciples?”

“No, no,” Lin Yi laughed, “I just never saw them before.”

“How do you know you haven’t seen them?”

Wen Zhaoyi teased.

“I have?”

Lin Yi thought carefully, but his mind held no trace.

Wen Zhaoyi played with the child and slowly said, “You’ll find out in time.”

“Fine.”

Lin Yi shrugged as usual—there was no prying into Wen Zhaoyi’s many secrets.

Since Wen Zhaoyi arrived, He Jixiang’s visits to the He Mansion became more frequent.

Lin Yi suspected he had ulterior motives but could see no clear signs.

After all, he only came for Lin Yi, never glancing at Wen Zhaoyi.

“Your Highness,”

He Jixiang cupped his hands. “A skilled general uses rules to teach caution; wherever troops reach, even a narrow path or valley can be conquered…”

Lin Yi sipped his tea lightly. “I understand. Just get to the point.”

He Jixiang said, “Bandits are rampant. I request Your Highness to eliminate them.”

“To that… Jinji Mountain? Let them join in combat?”

Lin Yi thought of the gold mine.

He Jixiang said, “No, I intend to send them west to join the Hu family father and son.”

Lin Yi sighed. “They’re all refugees—unless they’re notorious criminals, bring them back safely. Don’t harm anyone unnecessarily.”

He had underestimated the difficulty of gathering refugees.

The Hu family requested loads of food, yet returned with fewer than two hundred people—mostly elderly, weak, or sick.

Sanhe and Yuezhou were connected by only one road; halfway through, the refugees were intercepted by bandit leaders, never reaching Baiyun City.

He Jixiang patted his frail chest. “Your Highness, rest assured. I’ll go myself.”

Lin Yi said, “Be careful—you’re an old bone.”

Hearing the pigeons on the roof, he ignored him and headed straight to the backyard.