18 Training

Just as the hype of "glitter" had died down somewhat, the court went in turmoil.

As a second rank official in the Ministry of Foreign Exchange and Trade (and known to be a genius translator), I naturally got wind of this early. The North West tribes had made their move again, and we were preparing for war.

Yuan An had been in a deadlock with the "vicious" and "unscrupulous" Northwest "bandits" for 2 generations. Previously, Yuan An was in an internal war as states fought to gain control of Huaxia after the last dynasty. Now that Huaxia was united and was in a pretty prosperous state, Lu Qing Yu and his supporting ministers wanted to quench the threat for good. The Northwest tribes seemed to have similar thinking – Huaxia would only get stronger and stronger. If they didn't make their move, it would be very difficult to break into Huaxia in the future.

The ministry was rushing around trying to get things done quickly while the ministry of war geared up for battle. The Norse-Huaxia trade route had been successfully established and we had been seeing overwhelmingly positive results. However, since it was new, it still had a shaky foundation. Having a war happen next to it might destroy the route that took us to long to obtain. Not only that, we had to prove our strength to the Norse kingdom and preserve the route.

That was why the Ministry of Foreign Exchange was busy – with communication to Novgorod. Since Novgorod had barely stabilised as well, they weren't eager to get themselves into another war and we weren't established allies yet. However, they also wanted to keep the trade route safe and open and were happy to cooperate if they would help. We set about establishing and brainstorming how to protect the route and they also handed over information that might be useful dealing with the Northwest tribes.

Due to the urgency of the threat and how long it took to courier things back and forth even with improved transportation infrastructure, we had to be very quick with our responses and translation. There was also the issue of accompanying Prince Eiwa. One event popped up after another, and now that the threat of war was imminent, Prince Eiwa would have to wait until we settled the issue. Meanwhile, the Ministry of War asked if I was able to decode the Northwest language and sent over some text that they managed to gain.

I stared hopelessly. at the foreign looking scribbles and rounded letters. Obviously, I wasn't actually a genius. I happened to speak some languages that impressed Yuan An and was of use to them.

However, while I could read some of the letters, I certainly had no idea what they meant. I could only send back the text to their disappointment. However, while it was messy and chaotic in the government wing, as soon as I returned to the harem, it was again tranquil.

The harem was protected from all sorts of affairs and didn't have to worry about anything. "Young Miss, what do you think about this?" In my absence, Qiu Ci and Qiu Le had found time to organise the treasury (originally small, but becoming fuller and fuller) and had organised my jewelry chest.

I picked up a necklace wistfully. Since I became Noble Concubine, all sorts of officials (and Lu Qing Yu) had sent me novelty gifts (mostly jewelry) in an attempt to curry favor with me (including Novgorod). In particular, I found the Norse jewelry very pretty and wore it often. It was a token of peace and diplomacy and showed others I was important to our allies.

In this chest, there were delicate jewelry, heavy jewelry, jewelry of all shapes and unique designs, jewelry not designed to be worn, jewelry of all sorts of colours (except black, I realised), that would match all my clothes. I noticed it was becoming very full. "We've already ordered a new chest." Qiu Ci added. I nodded absentmindedly.

War... this body had some memories of going to war with Ling Yan, her older brother, in the East. Surely they wouldn't call me to join them again? I'm a Noble Concubine now, aren't I? And I have some use here in the ministry. Nevertheless, I suddenly got an ominous feeling. I lackluster fighting skills and would be useless in an actual war. I could barely defend myself in a street fight even against drunk thugs. "Qiu Le, can you order me more training clothes? And... some war armour." I said. "Young Miss, you can't be... going to war?"

"No one has asked me to, but its better to have some armour to use anyway. In the case of any invasion, even the harem won't be safe. Women will be taken advantaged of and then executed. Being born into the Ling Clan may have its benefits." I said.

I quickly wrote a letter to Lu Qing Yu, asking him to get someone to train me. I wanted to be properly trained. The war with the North West would last many years. While the generals were too busy to bother with me, surely there would be some retired officials who wouldn't mind?

I needn't have worried. Many retired officials were happy to curry favor with the increasingly powerful Noble Concubine Ling and earn some income and rewards without having to go to war. My training schedule was set. On even days, retired General Mian would train me. On odd days, his eldest son, honorary General Mian jr, Mian Ru would train me. Sunday was my rest day.

The retired general used to defend the North West border and was good friends with my father, Protector General Ling Ke. The small Ling Yue had memories of this friendly uncle visiting her home and giving her and her siblings red packets. His son, Mian Ru was a promising soldier up for promotion to General.

However, in the last war, Mian Ru saved Lu Qing Yu's life by charging into an insurmountable situation to save him (when nearly no one wanted to). Although Lu Qing Yu got out relatively unscathed (many life threatening injuries, but was still in 1 piece), Mian Ru lost his right leg and was deemed unable to have any more children. Mian Ru only had 1 child, the 7 year old Mian Song, and his wife died from birth complications not long later.

Feeling very grateful and sorry to Mian Ru, Lu Qing Yu made him an honorary general as soon as he returned. Although Mian Ru had to retire from the battlefield, he would have the title of General and have all the full privileges and benefits of a general thereon.

Getting training from 2 retired generals was my good fortune. I hoped they could bear with me.