Chapter 61: Invitation (Part 1)

  "Hmph!" The plateau couldn't help but let out a snort.

  Geng Yan Yu hastily stopped what she was doing and asked, "Sir, does it hurt a lot?"

  Gao Yuan shook his head and said, "It's okay, let's continue." At this time, he was topless, sitting in front of Geng Yan Yu. However, on the clearly defined muscles of his chest, abdomen, back, and arms, there were at least a dozen or so bruises, with some areas turning blue and purple, although there was no bleeding, it still made people look away in shock.

  Geng Yan Yu responded with a sound, and then put the towel into the hot water in the basin to soak for a while. After wringing it out, she gently pressed it on the purple bruise on Gao Yuan's back, also feeling some heartache: "How did you get hurt like this, sir?"

  Gao Yuan also smiled wryly, thinking to himself that Zhao Xuan was not polite at all when it came to fighting. This afternoon, Gao Yuan had a practice match with Zhao Xuan in Li Mu's residence. This was the first time they had ever clashed, and although Gao Yuan had seen Zhao Xuan in action several times before and knew his spear techniques were exquisite, he could only truly appreciate how frightening Zhao Xuan's skills were when facing him personally.

  Zhao Xuan's shooting technique was actually very simple, just the most basic ones in shooting techniques, such as stabbing, piercing, hooking, circling, grasping, pouncing, pointing and brushing, not fancy at all. But it was precisely these simple techniques that made Gao Yuan unable to defend himself, Zhao Xuan's gun always found the gaps in Gao Yuan's knife technique and hit him. Even when facing Lie Bo, Gao Yuan was not completely powerless, but in front of Zhao Xuan, he was completely helpless.

  In an afternoon practice, Gao Yuan was hit by Zhao Xuan at least fifty or sixty times. Of course, Zhao Xuan used a practice spear with no metal head, just a long wooden pole wrapped in thick cloth on the end. Even so, Gao Yuan was still beaten all over his body. If they were fighting with real swords and spears, Gao Yuan would have died who knows how many times already. It seemed like he had found that feeling of being beaten up by his instructor every day when he first joined the army. However, Gao Yuan also showed a very strong will, getting knocked down by Zhao Xuan time and time again, but getting back up each time to continue practicing. That's how Gao Yuan made progress bit by bit in the beginning.

  However, this time's practice also brought him a rich harvest on the plateau. Firstly, it made him understand the gap between himself and the strongest martial skills of this era. Secondly, it also made him aware of the weaknesses and shortcomings in his knife techniques.

  After returning to his own mansion, the sky had already darkened, and Geng Yan Yu had also gotten up. Seeing Gao Yuan's injuries all over his body, she was startled. She quickly prepared a basin of hot water and used a towel to apply it to his wounds. Actually, being covered in injuries like this was nothing out of the ordinary for Gao Yuan, but he didn't want to reject her kind intentions either. Under Geng Yan Yu's gentle care, Gao Yuan indeed felt much more comfortable, and at the same time, he discovered that having someone take care of him wasn't bad at all, especially when it was someone like Geng Yan Yu, a stunning beauty.

  After applying hot compresses to all the bruises on his body, Gao Yuan put on his clothes again and said to Ge Yan Yu: "Okay, thank you Yan Yu, I feel much more comfortable now."

  Geng Yanyu's face turned slightly red, but her heart was still filled with joy. She said, "Serving the master is within my duties as a concubine, so there's no need for the master to thank me."

  Gao Yuan gently wrapped her in his arms and smiled: "Does it still hurt now?"

  Geng Yan Yu's cheeks flushed with a red glow, she lowered her head and said: "It's already much better, if the master wants me to serve him, I can still...can still..."

  Gao Yuan kissed her face and smiled: "You'd better rest for a few more days, anyway our future is still long ahead of us? And from now on, don't call me 'sir' anymore."

  Geng Yanyu looked up at Gao Yuan and blushed, saying: "Yes, husband."

  Gao Yuan smiled slightly and said, "Come on, let's go eat together."

  Geng Yan Yu was taken aback for a moment, and her eyes were also filled with joy. Since moving into the mansion, she usually had meals together with the servants in the mansion, which not only strengthened their relationships but also allowed them to discuss some matters during dinner. This time, letting Geng Yan Yu accompany him meant that Gao Yuan officially confirmed her status in front of everyone.

  In this era, it was normal for a master to take one or two beautiful maids as concubines, and no ceremony was needed, just an announcement would do. Although Yan Zuo, Han Sheng, Guo Chen, Yao Shao Si and others knew about the relationship between Gao Yuan and Li Ying Hong, Ge Yan Yu was only a concubine and wouldn't affect Li Ying Hong's future status. So when everyone saw Gao Yuan bring Ge Yan Yu to the gathering, they didn't think it was unusual. On the contrary, they all congratulated Gao Yuan. From then on, Ge Yan Yu's identity in the Gao Yuan household was formally established.

  Geng Yan Yu naturally also knew that her identity couldn't be compared to Li Ying Hong's, and she definitely couldn't become the official wife of Gao Yuan. Being able to become a concubine was already a very good outcome, so she also went around offering wine to everyone, expressing her gratitude.

  Not many people know Geng Yan Yu's true identity, the vast majority of people just think she was favored by Gao Yuan because of her beauty. At the same time, they are also very envious of Gao Yuan, who would have thought that among the maids, there is such a stunning beauty, and it was discovered by Gao Yuan, this luck is really not bad.

  After dinner, Gaoyuan kept Du Yi behind and began to arrange the training plan for each day. The cavalry's training didn't need Gaoyuan to worry about it, now Du Yi could follow the previous pattern to take charge of the cavalry's training. Therefore, Gaoyuan's focus was on training infantry.

  However, the quality of Zhao Jun's soldiers is very high, and among the various countries, it is second to none. Therefore, Gao Yuan does not worry about the foundation of his soldiers, and the focus is on practicing array tactics. For this, Gao Yuan also had a plan early on, taking out a white silk with an array shape drawn on it, and giving Du Yi a detailed explanation of how to use the array.

  After listening to Gao Yuan's explanation, Du Yi also took a deep breath. Although he was now the commander of the cavalry, he was not unfamiliar with the training and tactics of infantry. After hearing Gao Yuan's explanation of this tactic, he couldn't help but admire it, and indeed found it hard to think of how Gao Yuan's mind could come up with so many things. He said: "Sir, your tactic is simple, but its power is boundless, and can be used in large or small numbers, more or less. Once our Zhao army masters it, it will surely greatly increase our combat effectiveness."

  Gaoyuan Road: "Although I know this formation, the actual effect is still unknown. First, select 150 soldiers and prepare a batch of practice equipment according to the required weapons. Starting tomorrow, we will practice the formation for a period of time to test its effectiveness. If it really works, then let General Zhao see it with his own eyes and promote it throughout the army."

  Du Yi nodded and also thought that Gao Yuan's idea was indeed very thoughtful. He immediately said: "Alright, I'll arrange it tomorrow."

  Dividing line Dividing line

  The next morning, Gao Yuan and Du Yi were selecting soldiers when Geng Zhong came to Gao Yuan's side and said: "Sir, Lady Wen Qing has arrived and is waiting in the main hall."

  Gao Yuan nodded and said, "Alright, I'll change clothes and come right away. Let Yan Yu go keep her company first."

  Gao Yuan changed into a new set of clothes and arrived at the main hall, where Geng Yan Yu was chatting with Lin Wen Qing. Upon seeing Gao Yuan's arrival, Lin Wen Qing immediately stood up and knelt down on the ground, saying: "This time, it was all thanks to Lord Gao's selfless efforts that my child's life was saved. I am truly grateful for your great kindness and virtue, Lord Gao. I will never forget this debt of gratitude for the rest of my life. From now on, no matter what orders you give me, I will not hesitate to carry them out, even if it means risking everything or sacrificing my family's wealth."

  Gao Yuan hastily said, "Lady Wen Qing, no need to be so polite." He also gave a glance at Geng Yan Yu, who quickly stood up and supported Lady Wen Qing, saying, "Lady Wen Qing, please get up quickly."

  Lin Wenqing then sat up straight again, pulled out a bamboo slip from his sleeve and said: "Great kindness doesn't need to be thanked, Wenqing has prepared a humble gift. Although it's not enough to thank you for your great kindness, it can also be considered as a token of Wenqing's sincerity. Please accept it."

  Gao Yuan waved his hand and smiled: "Lady Wen Qing, I rescued Huan'er entirely because of your kindness and couldn't bear to see you suffer the pain of losing a child. It wasn't for your reward. Besides, I still have some savings, enough to guarantee my own life is more than sufficient. In fact, rescuing Huan'er this time wasn't just my own effort; General and Master Wu also contributed greatly. Without them, I alone couldn't have rescued Huan'er. So, please take back your thanks."

  Lin Wenqing also felt somewhat unexpected, but he had even more respect for Gao Yuan. He said: "Your Excellency's moral character is noble and lofty, and I deeply admire you. As for General Wu and the Master of the Martial Arts Academy, I should also thank them heavily. However, if Your Excellency does not accept this humble gift from me, wouldn't that make me a person without honor?"

  Gao Yuan also smiled wryly, knowing that Lin Wenqing had said so, and he himself couldn't refuse anymore. After thinking for a moment, he said: "Alright, the imperial court has already decided to purchase grain from the Qi State. Madam, you can exchange this batch of gifts for goods, and consider it as payment for the grain, which will be used to relieve the disaster victims."

  Lin Wenqing nodded and said, "Your Excellency is kind-hearted, I will follow your advice." After a pause, he continued, "However, tomorrow I will host a banquet at my home to thank you, General, and the Master of the Martial Arts Academy for your kindness. Please do me the honor of attending."

  Gao Yuan nodded and said: "Since Madam has invited me with great enthusiasm, I will definitely keep the appointment tomorrow. How is Huan'er now?"

  "He had a fright and caught a chill, which made him seriously ill for a time; but he is much better now and there's no serious harm done."

  Gao Yuan said again: "There is still one more thing, I would like to ask the lady to understand." He then explained the doubts about this matter and Li Mu's difficulties.

  Wen Qing listened, puffed for a while, and finally nodded, saying: "General Yu has great kindness to Wen Qing, Wen Qing cannot make things difficult for General Yu because of personal matters. Please rest assured, Wen Qing will not pursue this matter."