Chapter 26: Outwardly Gentle, Inwardly Strong

Wang Dou stood up and said, "Xiu Niang, what brings you here?"

Xie Xiu Niang saw everyone around looking at her and smiling; she felt shy and uneasy. Gazing at the tips of her shoes, she said softly, "Brother, you have not returned to the estate for many days. Mother was worried, so she sent Xiu Niang to visit."

Wang Dou smiled and said, "So that's it. Matters at the fortified village have indeed been busy lately. Come to think of it, I haven't been back for some time, which has made Mother worry."

He said gently, "You haven't eaten yet. Come and have something with us."

Xie Xiu Niang answered meekly and stepped over. The men gathered around Wang Dou hurriedly made room for her. Han Zhong, holding his bowl, called out, "Sister-in-law, I haven't seen you for quite a while."

Qi Tianliang also chimed in from the side, "Yes, yes, it's been some time since we went to the estate with Chief Wang. How is the Old Madam?"

Xie Xiu Niang answered softly. Seeing so many people watching her, she hardly dared to speak.

Zhong Rong had privately inquired about Wang Dou's affairs and heard that he had a child bride not yet formally married — apparently this young girl before him. He quickly stood, cupped his hands and bowed to Xie Xiu Niang, and said with a smile, "So this is the young lady. This student Zhong Rong pays his respects."

Xie Xiu Niang saw that the man before her looked like a scholar. Not daring to be remiss, and remembering the etiquette her mother had once taught her, she smoothed her skirt and returned the courtesy, saying softly, "Sir, you are too polite. Xiu Niang does not deserve it."

Yang Tong nearby had long heard that Chief Wang had a wife at home but had never seen her. Though inwardly he wondered how someone as big and tall as Chief Wang could have such a thin, small wife, outwardly he certainly dared not be remiss. Beaming, he cried out cheerfully, "So this is the young lady! This humble Yang Tong has long heard Chief Wang mention you. Meeting you today is truly a fortune of three lifetimes."

He said in a rapid stream, "Quick, quick, young lady, please sit down. In such cold weather, you must have some hot soup at once to warm yourself."

He shouted for his wife, Madam Liu, to hurry and bring an extra bowl and chopsticks.

Madam Liu came trotting over, carrying a soup bucket. She poured a bowl of hot soup and said to Xie Xiu Niang with a smile, "It's freezing cold. Young lady, please drink some hot soup to warm yourself."

Xie Xiu Niang saw that all these people were fawning over her and knew it was because of Wang Dou. In her heart she felt both proud and nervous, and even more afraid that her own conduct might be improper and cause others to gossip behind her back. She took the soup bowl, thanked her softly, and began drinking in small sips.

Wang Dou ate in large mouthfuls and urged Xie Xiu Niang to eat more. Xie Xiu Niang ate, nodding continuously.

After everyone had finished eating, Wang Dou again led them back to work. Xie Xiu Niang said softly to Wang Dou that she also wanted to help.

Wang Dou thought for a moment, gave her a hoe, and told her to follow behind him, cautioning her not to overexert herself. Xie Xiu Niang agreed happily.

When work ended at dusk, Xie Xiu Niang went back together with Wang Dou. Wang Dou asked about matters at the estate. Xie Xiu Niang said that all was calm there for now, and that she wanted to stay at Jingbian Fort to see if she could help Wang Dou with anything, adding that her mother had said the same.

Wang Dou smiled and let Xie Xiu Niang stay, arranging for her to live in his original room at Jingbian Dun.

The next day, Xie Xiu Niang again went out to work with Wang Dou. The military households all around had long since spread word of the relationship between Wang Dou and Xie Xiu Niang — that she was the future mistress of Jingbian Fort. Many military households came over to pay their respects, calling her "young lady." Xie Xiu Niang returned every courtesy.

Thereafter Xie Xiu Niang stayed at the fort for several more days, leaving early and returning late with Wang Dou every day, laboring together. Her conduct and bearing won considerable favor among the fort's military households. After a few days of work, however, Wang Dou noticed that Xie Xiu Niang's face was growing pale again, and he told her to take care to rest.

In fact, ever since Wang Dou had seized spoils from the Later Jin army and brought silver home, he had also hired a physician to examine Xie Xiu Niang. The physician said that Xie Xiu Niang had been frail and weak since childhood, that it was best for her not to overwork, and that quiet recuperation would be ideal.

But despite what was said, every day Xie Xiu Niang still went out to work with Wang Dou, saying that she had worked since she was little and that Wang Dou need not worry.

Wang Dou discovered for the first time that this young girl actually had quite a strong character.

Time soon reached mid-tenth month of the seventh year of Chongzhen — already early twelfth month by the later solar calendar, nearly the Great Snow season. The north of the Great Ming was truly bitterly cold; when the north wind blew, it was enough to kill a man. Wang Dou calculated that they could work a while longer, but once the ground froze over, the military households would have no choice but to rest.

Fortunately, the land reclamation and canal digging were nearly complete; by next spring they could begin planting.

Today seemed especially cold, and a few snowflakes drifted down. As the north wind swept past, the remnant snow on the ground instantly froze into hard ice. The military households laboring outside were all bundled up like zongzi, yet they still felt stiff and shrunken, and the breath they exhaled was thick white vapor.

Wang Dou also wrapped his leather jacket tighter and pulled his leather hat down more snugly, cursing the wretched weather under his breath. He inadvertently glanced at Xie Xiu Niang beside him and froze. Xie Xiu Niang's face had gone white, her lips were blue-purple, and she seemed to be shivering constantly.

Wang Dou went over and grabbed her hand. Seeing that her small hands were already covered with chilblains, he said loudly, "Xiu Niang, I told you not to come out, but you insisted. Look at your hands — in this cold, it's sheer foolishness."

Xie Xiu Niang, her face pale, just stared blankly at Wang Dou. She did not speak for a long while. At last, she said softly, "Brother, do you despise me for being useless?"

Wang Dou was taken aback. He softened his voice and said, "Xiu Niang, why would you think that?"

Xie Xiu Niang looked at Wang Dou for a moment, her eyes glistening. Finally, she slowly withdrew her hand, turned her back, and said in a faint, melancholy voice, "I know I am useless, but I just wanted to share my brother's burdens."

She walked slowly away, her voice lingering and twisting, until at last it faded to a whisper.

Watching her small figure disappear, Wang Dou stood stunned for a long while. Finally, he called Madam Tao over and told her to take good care of Xie Xiu Niang.

Madam Tao said, "Chief Wang, rest assured, I will certainly look after the young lady."

Wang Dou let out a long sigh. Perhaps he had been too harsh just now. This young girl had only wanted to do something for him.

The next day, Xie Xiu Niang returned to Xinzhuang. Wang Dou had Madam Tao accompany her back.

By the beginning of the eleventh month, the land reclamation and canal digging by the military households of Jingbian Fort was completely finished. According to Zhong Rong's statistical register, a total of 1,163 mu of farmland had been opened, over three li of irrigation channels had been dredged, and five irrigation wells had been dug — a result that was quite outstanding among the many fortified villages of Shunxiang Fort.

After Wang Dou's Jingbian Fort field-acreage register was submitted for record, not only was Zhang Gui astonished, but even Du Zhen, who managed garrison-farming affairs in the Shunxiang Fort administration, was very surprised. When Garrison Commander Xu Zhongjun learned of it, he was also extremely pleased; it seemed his decision to send Wang Dou to farm the land had been a very good choice indeed.

Wang Dou was also proud in his heart. He had overcome all kinds of difficulties for this fortified village before achieving such results — pride was entirely warranted. At this time, Han Chao and the others also returned from Shunxiang Fort. After many days of toil, they had finally gathered enough stone for the fort's various residential buildings; as for the stone for the outer wall foundations, that would have to wait until next year's continued efforts.

In this weather, however, Wang Dou certainly could not let Han Chao and the others keep working. Looking at Han Chao, the man had grown dark and thin. Wang Dou instructed Han Chao and the others to rest well.

Xu Zhongjun was mulling over when to visit Jingbian Fort for an inspection and to reaffirm his support for Wang Dou. As for Wang Dou, he had already begun busying himself with another matter.

"Brother, you've done quite well with that fortified village of yours — truly impressive."

Inside the Dong Family Estate, Zhang Gui sighed with admiration, then added, "Tell me, brother, what brings you to me? I know you never come to the Temple of the Three Treasures without a reason."

"I do have a request."

Wang Dou smiled faintly, cupped his fists, and said, "I've come today to ask my elder brother to supply some swords and weapons. As you know, my fortified village is newly established and still lacks weapons for self-defense."

Zhang Gui stroked the short whiskers at his lip and pondered for a while. "Very well," he said. "I still have some long spears and fire lances in the storehouse. I'll let you have them at a discount."

Wang Dou said, "Many thanks, elder brother."

Wang Dou followed Hong Qiu into the storehouse. Inside were piles of military equipment, mostly swords, spears, and three-barreled fire lances. Wang Dou asked, "Are there no arquebuses or bows and arrows?"

Hong Qiu shook his head like a rattle-drum.

Wang Dou thought it over. Archers were difficult to train, and the quality of Great Ming arquebuses at present was also worrisome. For now, swords, spears, and three-barreled fire lances would do.

He picked up a long spear and examined it. The spear was about one zhang long, with an iron head shaped like a duck's bill — a typical Great Ming regulation long spear. Unfortunately, the preservation of this batch of spears was poor; the spearheads were rusted, and those three-barreled fire lances were likewise covered in rust.

Wang Dou sighed. Such weapons, such quality — it really wouldn't do. In the end, he selected thirty passable long spears and ten three-barreled fire lances. He gave up on the waist sabers because they were too expensive; fortunately, his fort still had a batch of captured Later Jin waist sabers that could be used.

Besides these weapons, Wang Dou also spent forty taels of silver to buy over three hundred jin of raw iron. Buying was not as good as making; he decided to do the work himself.