[Marriage first, love later] She is happy after marrying a widower

Han Heming bent his waist slightly, with a respectful look on his face, and led the old village chief through the winding corridor.

The sunlight squeezed in through the gaps in the eaves, casting fine light and shadows, as if paving a mottled road for them.

After entering the room where he often rested, Han Heming first walked quickly to the window and pushed the half-closed window open a little more to let the fresh air flow in freely. Then he turned around and picked up the teapot on the table familiarly.

The teapot was warmed by the charcoal fire. He steadily filled a cup of steaming tea for the old village chief. The aroma of tea instantly spread, filling the room with fragrance.

Han Heming then slowly sat down opposite the old village chief, his eyes sincere as he asked, "Grandpa Jiu, do you know how bad the situation outside has become?"

Hongya Village is like a pearl forgotten in the corner of time, hidden deep in the Ten Thousand Mountains.

This small village is located in an extremely remote area, surrounded by rolling mountains, which seem to be a natural barrier separating it from the outside world.

Due to inconvenient transportation and difficulty in information transmission, the people in the village live almost isolated from the world and know very little about the outside world.

Even though there was war and smoke outside, the thrilling war news was difficult to reach this peaceful land.

Here, time seems to flow exceptionally slowly, and the villagers follow their ancient and traditional way of life day after day, working hard and living contentedly.

I have no idea how difficult the world outside the mountain is.

The old village chief was stroking his beard leisurely, but when he heard this, his hand shook violently, and his beard was pulled a little crooked. His heart skipped a beat, and his expression, which had just been somewhat leisurely and serious, was instantly shrouded in a layer of gloom. His eyes were full of tension and concern, and he hurriedly asked questions.

"What's going on outside?"

Although the village is closed, as the village chief, he shoulders the responsibility of protecting the village. He usually chats with the knowledgeable headman.

The head of the village in Hongshi Town is a "living map" of the mountains. He exchanges new things with the merchants in the town from time to time. He also goes to the county town from time to time, and occasionally brings back some news about the unrest in the outside world.

When Baozang was with the old village chief, he would occasionally talk to him about something.

Relying on these fragmentary information, the old village chief knew that the emperor outside had changed several times like a revolving lantern.

Although he did not have much knowledge about governing a country, the gossips he had heard since childhood made him understand that if the head of a family changed frequently, life would definitely not be peaceful, and the same should be true for the country.

Han Heming sighed heavily, his hands unconsciously clenched on his knees, his brows furrowed, his face full of worry.

"Grandpa Jiu, it's hell out there right now! There are wars everywhere, the smoke has obscured the sky, and the number of casualties every day is simply incalculable.

Although we still bear the name of the people of the Red Leaf Country, we have actually not been that anymore. Only 80% of the Red Leaf Fruit is left near the capital. We are now an unattended place. If someone really breaks in, or comes here to recruit men, we will have no power to fight back.

And in these troubled times, how can there be any peace? We will always be affected by the flames of war, and the flames of war are like an uncontrolled beast, and one day it might break through the defenses and burn all the way to our paradise.

Think about it, the people in our village are all honest farmers, holding hoes and sickles in their hands. If we really encounter those soldiers and bandits who are brandishing swords and guns and are bloodthirsty, what can we use to resist?

That's like fish on the chopping board, at the mercy of others!

I know that Grandpa Jiu came to me today to ask if I was training. I am indeed training.

Han Heming became more and more excited as he spoke, his eyes slightly red, and he waved his hands in the air, gesturing the tragic scene outside.

"I went through so much trouble to bring these brothers back for training, not to cause trouble, but to build a wall to protect the village. If a disaster strikes without warning one day, we will be able to fight back, so that everyone can live safely under their own roof without being displaced."

Han Heming leaned forward, staring into the old village chief's eyes, and every word he spoke was powerful.

The old village chief frowned even deeper, and the wrinkles on his face seemed to be filled with worries. He picked up the teacup, blew away the heat gently, took a small sip, and the scalding hot tea slid down his throat, but it could not warm the worries in his heart.

He put down the teacup, pondered for a long time, and then slowly spoke in a low and solemn voice: "Heming, what you said is as clear as a mirror in Grandpa Jiu's heart.

But raising private soldiers has always been a guillotine hanging over your head. If you are not careful, you will face the disaster of having your property confiscated and your family exterminated!

Even though things are in turmoil right now and no one has time to care about our remote little village, if the news gets out one day and the higher-ups find out, our entire village will be buried with it. This is no joke."

Han Heming stood up quickly and paced back and forth in the room. His steps were quick and heavy, causing the ground to tremble slightly.

"Grandpa Jiu, how could I not know that this risk is terrifyingly huge! But if we don't plan ahead and just wait, when the war reaches our doorstep and people come to the village to conscript men, think about it, those big and strong soldiers will not care about the lives of us ordinary people?

By then, the young and middle-aged men in the village will be taken away as cannon fodder, and the elderly, the weak, women and children can only cry and wail, watching their homes destroyed and their loved ones separated.

My life was given to me by the village, and I really can't bear to see such a tragedy happen!" Han Heming said at the end, his voice choked with sobs.

The old village chief also stood up and paced around the house with his hands behind his back, his brows twisted into a knot. After a long time, he stopped, looked at Han Heming, and said earnestly.

"Heming, everything you said makes sense. However, this matter involves too many people and is too large. We need to think carefully and not act rashly.

I'll keep your military training a secret from the villagers for now. You must also be extra careful in your daily actions and not reveal any clues."

Han Heming nodded solemnly, as if making a solemn promise: "Don't worry, Grandpa Jiu, I have a plan in mind like an abacus. I will be very careful with every step and will never let the village be implicated."

"Okay, as long as you understand what's going on, I'll go back now." The old village chief said as he raised his foot to leave.

There was a hint of relief and assurance on his slightly weathered face, as if he had a certain grasp of what was happening.

"Master Jiu, don't leave in such a hurry!" Han Heming took a step forward and stopped the old village chief who was about to leave.