Traveling through time as a peasant girl to turn things around

The next day, just after dawn, the men of the Chai Mansion all gathered at the backyard martial arts training ground. Some were running, some were practicing boxing, and some were even practicing martial arts. Guoguo washed her face, dressed, and walked there as well, exercising and perfecting her martial arts skills. She had been learning this since she was a child, and she had been working even harder these past few days, fearing she would be a hindrance on the battlefield. Ye Heng stood by, offering occasional guidance.

The sun rose and its weak light shone down, and everyone went back to wash, change clothes and eat.

All the Chai family members were present in the main hall, not one missing. The men sat at one table, the women at another.

Yingchun, Qiuju, and Dongshuang all arrived, serving meals and presiding over daily affairs. Guoguo: "Yingchun, you guys come eat with us. Afterwards, teach my second sister-in-law how to manage a shop. From now on, all my shops and hotels in the capital will be managed by my second sister-in-law." Yingchun said respectfully, "Yes, Master." "Also, you guys should continue to manage your shops and help my second sister-in-law." Yingchun: "Okay." Yan Bao, with keen eyesight, knew that Guoguo was trying to help her win over others, so she didn't try to bully her. She stood up and said humbly, "Thank you, Sister Yingchun!" Yingchun quickly saluted. "Master, don't thank us. I'm sorry. This is what we should do." Yan Bao listened to the maids addressing her as "my" and "mine." She knew in her heart that this was the princess's instruction. She felt relieved that she had done nothing wrong. She smiled and nodded, sitting down. Guoguo: "Please sit down. Here, there's no master or servant. We're all sisters and brothers. Come eat!" Yan Bao patted his chest and breathed a sigh of relief. Guoguo glanced at her, [Hehe, hehe. Yan Bao had known for a long time that the Chai family was different. The rules were so different from those of the big families in the capital, but he didn't expect it to be true.] Then he heard Guoguo continue, "Huangbao, Xiaochen, Xiaotian, after dinner, change into some handsome clothes and follow me to the palace to meet the emperor." He said with a sense of momentum. Huangbao: "Okay, I just want to go." Xiaochen: "Sister, do my brother and I want to go too?" "Go. Show off your knowledge and let those old-fashioned people see it." Xiaochen smiled and said, "Okay." Yeheng smiled and said, "This is an opportunity to train you. No matter what, you will be fine." Xiaochen: "Okay." "Don't be nervous, ancient people, compared with them, it's self-evident! The victory and defeat are obvious." Huangbao said proudly, "That's right. We haven't learned in vain all these years."

After finishing his meal, Ye Heng rode off and entered the palace first. Yingchun and the others took Yan Bao to the shop.

Hengheng practices martial arts and prepares to go to the battlefield.

Crown Prince Xiaodong has already informed the Emperor that they need a general capable of leading troops in battle, one who is both civil and military! The Emperor has granted permission and issued a decree during the morning court session. Civil and military officials under the age of 25 will take the examination to select a talented general!

The entire court was in an uproar, with much discussion. This was the first time they had heard that leading troops to war required someone with both civil and military skills. "Such a person is hard to find! Since ancient times, those who led troops to war were all reckless men. Finding someone with literary talent is even harder!" The ministers shook their heads and sighed, feeling worried.

Ye Heng came after the morning court session and went directly to the imperial study to wait for the emperor.

After the court session, the six ministers, the dukes, and several veteran generals followed the emperor to the imperial study to discuss state affairs.

First, the prince said a few things: First, next spring, we will plant the roots and crops, and vigorously promote cotton, sugarcane in the south, sugar beets in the north, spring corn, sweet potatoes and other crops.

Second, the borders of Dayan are in turmoil, with several neighboring countries ready to make a move. We cannot afford to be passive. We must recruit troops and send them to support the borders as soon as possible. Third, Dayan is in imminent danger of dealing with several countries at once. I hope that the ministers, the military, and the people will be united in facing the enemy and protecting our homeland! Fourth: That is, out of the East China Sea, the northeastern gateway. Southeast, across the border. Daliang, sacrifice for the country. Troops and generals must be sent to each location. The most urgent need is for generals. An exam will be held within three days, recruiting from all over the country, and of course, the military will also select talents to participate in the competition. The requirements this year are strict: candidates under the age of 25, both civil and military, must possess both wisdom and courage! This increases the difficulty.

Fifth: The prince didn't know what to say, and said, "Facing the destruction of the country and the loss of the family, the whole nation is dedicated to protecting the country. In the future, officials should think more about the people." After speaking, he sat down. He was tired of talking. Ye Heng smiled and looked at Xiaodong. He said, "The prince is dedicated to the country. I hope that the adults here will pay attention to what the prince said and think carefully about whether they should support what the prince said!" Ye Heng continued, "What I want to say today is that within three days, people under the age of 25 and over the age of 10 can participate. Enrollment will be open to the whole country." Before the others could speak, Ye Heng turned to the emperor and said, "Royal brother, please issue an order and post it out. Time is running out. The Ministry of War has also issued orders to all parts of the military camp." The emperor said: "Okay! What the ministers, the prince, and the regent said is very good. I will issue an order immediately."

The Grand Eunuch ran to pass on the imperial decree, which was posted at the city gate. The Ministry of War sent a message to the barracks. The imperial guards rode swiftly to pass it on!

After Ye Heng finished speaking, he stopped talking and sat aside to drink tea.

Guoguo took the carriage and entered the palace with her three children. They went directly to Yongfu Palace to find the Empress. As soon as Guoguo entered the palace gate, she shouted, "Mother, Guoguo is here to see you!" The Empress received the news and hurried out. Seeing Guoguo, her face was full of smiles. She said, "Guoguo, you finally came to see me." "Mother," she said, running forward, hugging Lucy with both hands, and whispering, "Mother, are you feeling well?" "Thanks to Guoguo, I'm feeling very well." "Mother, I was worried about you. You have to take care of two children and manage the harem at the same time." "It's okay. Xiaowen is helping me with the children, and the Emperor is helping too. I'm not tired. They're all grown up now, and the Emperor sent them to the Upper Study early to study." "Good, that's a relief for you. They'll grow up sooner." The Empress said, "Yes. Come on in, sit down," and took Guoguo into the main hall. The Emperor's children followed behind, and after entering, they saluted the Empress. The Queen chuckled, "No need to be polite. Come, let Grandma Huangbao hug you." Huangbao narrowed his eyes, "Hello, Grandma Huangbao." Xiaochen and Xiaotian shouted at the same time, "Hello, Godmother." The Queen laughed heartily. It sounded strange, but on second thought, it made sense. "No need to be polite. Sit down and talk. The children have grown up; I almost didn't recognize them." "Mother, you held them all when they were little, but they haven't been home much these past few years. From now on, make sure you make time for these little brats to come and pay you respects and see you more often." The Queen was very relieved. "Okay, come when you have time, so they can play with the little prince." "Okay. Later, let the other children come back to play together, so your own children won't feel unfamiliar." The Queen said, "Only Huangbao came back this time, but the others didn't?" "Yes. I had other things to do, so I didn't let the others come. Mother, when you have time, Guoguo will bring them back to see you." "Okay, I know there's something going on at court. The Emperor and the Crown Prince are busy," Lu Xi said with a heavy heart.

"Don't worry, mother. Da Yan will be fine. Don't worry, be happy." They chatted and laughed. Huang Bao: "Hello, Grandma. Mother, I'm going to find Daddy." The Queen said, "I'll send someone to take you there." She called Xiao Wen and said, "Take the children to the Imperial Study." Xiao Wen: "Okay, Queen." Then she said to the children, "My little masters, come with me." Guo Guo said, "You can go."

The three children bowed to the queen and left.

Outside the imperial study, the eunuch reported, "Your Majesty, the young master of the palace and the two children of the Chai family are waiting outside." The emperor looked at Ye Heng, who nodded. "Let them in."

The emperor saw that things were almost done, so he said to several ministers, "You all go down, we'll stop here today. Do what needs to be done." "Yes, Your Majesty." All the old ministers left.

Ye Heng looked around and saw that everyone had left. The matter was over. Huang Bao, Xiao Chen, and Xiao Tian all entered, their gazes fixed on the emperor. They knelt and said, "Greetings to the Emperor, and to the Crown Prince." They looked at Ye Heng and said, "Greetings to Father." The two Chai boys said, "Greetings to the Prince." The Emperor laughed heartily. "Rise up, everyone! Sit down and talk." "Yes, thank you, Your Majesty." The three children looked at each other and sat down.

The Emperor asked, "How old are you?" Huang Bao stood up and saluted. "I'm eleven." He looked as adorable as could be. The Emperor was beaming with joy. Xiao Chen stood up and said, "My name is Chai Muchen, and I'm thirteen." Xiao Tian: "I'm thirteen too." The Emperor continued, "I heard that you guys are also going to take the general selection exam?" Huang Bao: "Yes, Uncle Huang." The three children looked at the Emperor. Huang Bao continued, "The three of us have been practicing martial arts for many years, studying both civil and military skills simultaneously." Ye Heng nodded and said, "I personally taught the martial arts, and Taifu Li taught the culture." The Emperor heard that since Taifu Li taught, it should be good. He focused on the martial arts. "How about this, try a competition outside, Guibao, you compete with them." The Crown Prince stood up and saluted, saying, "Okay."

Several people came out, and at the entrance of the hall, the eunuchs brought out stools for Ye Heng and the emperor to sit on.

Soon, word spread through the palace that the Crown Prince had engaged in a martial arts duel. The little princes and princesses all rushed to watch, taking leave from school. The youngest grandson also came running over. Duke Lu, still here, heard about this and hurried over to watch the fun.

The eunuch brought a stool. A circle of people sat outside the hall. Ye Heng said with a smile, "Who's going first?" Huang Bao stood up and said with a chuckle, "I'll compete with my brother, the Crown Prince, first." The Crown Prince looked at his little brother and said dotingly, "Okay. Huang Bao, use all your strength and let your brother see it." Ye Heng called his son to him and whispered, "Try it without using spiritual power. Then try it with spiritual power again. Let's compare and see." Huang Bao nodded. "Go."

Xiaodong looked at the little figure before him, the height difference between him and him far exceeded his own. "Brother Huangbao, let's begin. You go first." "Okay." The size disparity between the two men was so great that the prince struggled. Huangbao, smaller in stature, easily met his blows. His agility and flexibility kept him from darting back and forth. Xiaodong never managed to hit Huangbao, while Huangbao repeatedly struck Xiaodong. Xiaodong said, "Brother, you're quite skilled in martial arts. I'm going to try using 90% of my strength." "Okay. I'll increase my strength too. Brother, be careful." The prince replied, "Okay." The two leaped up and down, flying back and forth. A moment later, they engaged in a close-range attack. Xiaodong didn't benefit from this, and the defeat was embarrassing. He had to stop, "Thank you, I can't win." Huangbao politely said, "Brother, your martial arts are excellent. Don't be discouraged. You have the potential to be a great general!" Huangbao withdrew, and Xiaochen took the stage to face the prince.

Duke Lu: "I didn't expect that. Heroes have always emerged from youth. Ambition transcends age." He said to the emperor, "I have no objection to selecting generals under the age of 25." The emperor smiled and said, "Okay. I also think that ambition transcends age!"

Xiaochen and the crown prince were evenly matched, ending in a draw. A senior general said, "Your Majesty, I would like to compete with this young man." The emperor looked at Yeheng, who nodded, "Okay." Xiaochen looked at the other man, who looked tall and imposing. His own weakness lay in strength, so he had to avoid the strong and attack the weak.

The two of them greeted each other, and Ye Heng said: "Let's get started."

This match was unprecedented and unparalleled. The sky darkened with bloodshed. The battlefield was full of twists and turns. The people around were watching with a thrilling feeling. Xiaochen narrowly avoided several dangers. Gradually, he realized the opponent's weaknesses and turned defeat into victory. The emperor saw that his general was about to lose and hurriedly called for a halt. "That's it for today. We will have a competition in the training ground in two days." The general said, "My little brother, you are a great martial artist. I admire you!" Xiaochen bowed and saluted, "Thank you! You will definitely be a fierce general on the battlefield!" The general was so happy to be praised that he forgot his embarrassment and saluted and retreated!

Ye Heng smiled and said, "I didn't expect Xiaochen to be so adaptable!" Xiaochen chuckled. Studying in the army wasn't in vain. Every day, I learned how to adapt on the battlefield, tactics and strategy! University really does teach you a lot! Xiaotian said, "Brother-in-law, I haven't competed yet!" "You and Xiaochen, have you ever competed?" The two smiled at each other, "Haha, we fight every day." Huangbao: "It's about the same."

Ye Heng: "Let's compete in two days." "Okay." Xiao Tian listened to Huang Bao's comments about them. Hehe, it's just that their martial arts skills are similar, he knows it. Even in a competition with Huang Bao, neither of them has ever won. Hehe, sorry.

The emperor said, "Let's go back to the house."