[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army":3,"chapter-a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-chapter-824":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","A Little Soldier of the Late Ming Border Army",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1206113,1561,"Chapter 824: Resolve","a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-chapter-824",824,"\u003Cp>The next day when Wang Dou awoke, he saw Zhong Susu propping her chin on her arm, gazing at him without blinking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When his eyes looked over, Zhong Susu shyly closed her eyes and feigned sleep, her long eyelashes fluttering faintly from time to time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Remembering Zhong Susu's volcanic passion the night before, Wang Dou shook his head, found his clothes beside the bed, took out a case of Yun cigarettes, and drew one out. Zhong Susu scrambled up at once and said, \"Does the Grand General wish to smoke?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She found a fire striker and solicitously lit it for Wang Dou.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou saw the spots of fallen crimson beneath her and felt the affair was somewhat absurd. He blew out a long plume of smoke and sighed, \"Susu, this matter has no outcome. How could I take a general as a concubine?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhong Susu was not surprised that Wang Dou knew her true sex. Her eyes only reddened, and then she threw herself recklessly into Wang Dou's embrace, clinging tightly to his body, and said with a sob in her voice, \"Grand General, this general cares nothing for formal status. This general only wishes to be with the Grand General always, and that is satisfaction enough.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She stammered haltingly, \"Only... only... this general worries whether this body might bring ill fortune upon the Grand General...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou laughed in spite of himself. \"That is not what I meant. Though you are a White Tiger, I am a Green Dragon, and I suppress it utterly — no need to worry... Ah, what am I saying? Enough.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He spread his arms, and Zhong Susu nestled docilely into his embrace, as meek as a kitten.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All her worries melted away, and she wore a look of contentment. \"If only I can be like this always, this general is satisfied. Of course, if there could be a child, that would be best...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou lowered his head to look and saw Zhong Susu's face full of dreamy infatuation, the very image of a little woman — yet she was a great general under his command, one of the several great generals of the Jingbian Army.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This matter had come somewhat suddenly. Wang Dou needed to sort out his thoughts. He reflected that Zhong Susu was, after all, one of the old hands who had followed him for a long time, who had been at his side through battle after battle, sharing life and death, enduring hardship together. Even many husbands and wives could not claim such a bond, could they?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he pondered, a tenderness rose in his heart, and he said, \"Susu, I recall the first time I saw you was in the eighth year of Chongzhen, was it not?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhong Susu said, \"Yes. At that time this general was shooting the bird gun, and the Grand General even rewarded me with a mace of silver.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She said with a touch of shyness, \"This general's heart beat so fast then. I have kept that silver mace to this day.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She said, \"From that time on, this general... there were many opportunities over the years, but this general always worried about this White Tiger body...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her words carried considerable chagrin. \"Little did I know that a man of the Grand General's stature would fear a mere White Tiger! Just now the Grand General also said that you are a Green Dragon and can suppress this White Tiger utterly. This general is now at ease.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou listened, and after a long while sighed inwardly, \"Enough.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These days Wang Dou stayed continuously in Zhong Susu's residence, using her ardent body to soothe his gloomy spirits. Under her attentive care, the shadows in his heart slowly dispersed. He possessed an iron will to begin with, so it was only natural that he could swiftly adjust.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That evening Wang Dou lay on the bed reading. Zhong Susu nestled in his embrace, from time to time placing a piece of soft cake into his mouth. Seeing that Wang Dou was in good spirits, she whispered a few words in his ear. Wang Dou started, then scolded, \"Nonsense.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhong Susu shook Wang Dou's arm and pleaded, \"Grand General, please grant this general's request. Sister Yunluo and I are as close as true sisters; we should share blessings and face hardships together. Besides, had I not married her, she would have long since wed into a good family. This general feels guilt in her heart, and moreover...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She said somewhat dejectedly, \"This general is nearly thirty. Once a woman passes thirty, the chances of conceiving and bearing a child are likely small. Two are always better than one.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing her downcast expression, Wang Dou thought for a moment and said, \"Enough. Let her come in.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhong Susu said joyfully, \"Sister Yunluo, come in quickly.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There came the sound of the beaded curtain, and Zhong Susu's \"wife,\" Li Yunluo, walked in with a graceful, swaying gait. Her gauze garments were light and thin, her elegant hair loosely bound, her willow-leaf brows gently curved, her makeup exquisitely refined, her cheeks flushed rosy — she had clearly dressed with great care.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She entered with a reddened face, her eyes not daring to glance this way. That usually calm and gentle woman was now all bashfulness, her face red as fire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhong Susu said, \"Sister Yunluo, come up quickly and attend to the Grand General.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yunluo, blushing, came before the couch. She bowed with shy courtesy and knelt gracefully. \"I beg the Grand General's tender regard.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou looked at her. His first encounter with this woman had been in the ninth year of Chongzhen, when he was still a Garrison Commander. Li Shichen had wished to marry Li Yunluo to him and was even willing to offer ten thousand taels of silver as dowry, on the condition that she be his principal wife.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that time he had said, \"Principal wife is out of the question; concubine can be considered.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The matter had ended there. Wang Dou had thought he would never cross paths with her again. He had not expected that after so many years things would come full circle. The strangeness of worldly affairs could not be more so.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That day, Wang Dou reclined comfortably on a rocking chair, lighting a Yun cigarette and puffing smoke. Zhong Susu and Li Yunluo nestled beside him, one on the left and one on the right. One fed him wine, the other fed him food, their charms vying in delicate beauty, allowing Wang Dou to thoroughly enjoy the blessings of a man with two wives.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Zhong Diaoyang entered, Zhong Susu was leaning in Wang Dou's embrace, whispering something in his ear that made Wang Dou laugh heartily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Catching Zhong Diaoyang's gaze, Zhong Susu turned away somewhat shyly and lowered her head. After all, in front of outsiders she had always presented herself in male attire, yet now she was in full feminine dress and makeup, which left her rather flustered and embarrassed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhong Diaoyang pretended not to notice the change in her attire and appearance, and cupped his hands toward her. \"General Zhong.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he turned to Wang Dou and said with a solemn expression, \"Grand General, General Wen, General Gao, General Han, and the others have all arrived at Guihua City.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou nodded and said, \"Good.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A look of resolve appeared on his face. \"All the generals are assembled. How we proceed from here, the various strategies — these must be settled!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this, even Zhong Susu left Wang Dou's embrace, composed her expression, and together with Zhong Diaoyang cupped her fists and said, \"Grand General, no matter how the world turns, these generals will remain at the Grand General's side!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sincere smile appeared on Wang Dou's face. He clapped them both hard on the shoulder and back with two resounding slaps and said loudly, \"Good brothers.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He made to leave, then suddenly recalled something and said to Zhong Susu, \"Susu, from now on you may wear men's clothing, but there is no need to bind yourself anymore. It is bad for your body.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhong Susu blushed slightly, then hesitated and said, \"I only fear what the brothers will say.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou laughed heartily. \"In truth, many of the officers and soldiers already know your true sex; everyone simply sees through it and pretends otherwise. And what of it if you are a woman? Our Great Ming has many heroic female generals. Your return to womanhood will let the outside world see that our Jingbian Army also has heroines who yield nothing to men — this will be an enduring tale for the ages.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhong Diaoyang's face also revealed a warm smile. \"Sister Zhong, what everyone cares about is that comrade-in-arms who has shared life and death with them all along. They do not care whether you are a man or a woman. You need not worry.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou laughed heartily and strode out. Zhong Diaoyang followed closely, and then the crowd of guards outside clustered around them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching their tall figures disappear into the wind and snow, Zhong Susu felt that everything in the world was so very beautiful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She grasped Li Yunluo's hand and said excitedly, \"Sister Yunluo, I am so happy. The Grand General and the brothers truly do not disdain me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing her joy, Li Yunluo was equally happy. Then Zhong Susu remembered something. \"Right — let us dress properly. It is time for the military council!\"\u003C\u002Fp>",1584,"2026-06-03T14:06:27.906Z",1,"Novelzhen Translator","c9e8e21268fc53aeab8f7f24165e3664666d51668bb1f33e791a6f538e85b1d2","a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-chapter-825","a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-chapter-823",896,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fa-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-cover.jpg"]