How to Sleep?

"Sir, cover your face," Qing Huai said as they reached the mountainside, handing Jin Feng a square cloth. He then turned to Zhang Liang's burly comrade and added, "Fang Lei, you'd better not come down."

"Thank you," Jin Feng nodded, accepting the cloth.

He understood that Qing Huai was taking precautions in case any bandits had escaped and were hiding in the shadows, potentially memorizing his appearance.

The burly man also nodded and hid behind a large rock. He was too familiar with the Cat Cat Mountain bandits, and even with his face covered, he might be recognized.

As for Qing Huai and Zhong Wu, they weren't worried about the bandits remembering them. In fact, Zhong Wu probably hoped the bandits would seek revenge.

Zhong Wu untied one of the bandits and dragged him aside. "How many of you are left on the mountain?"

"Besides the three left to guard the base, everyone else came down," the bandit quickly replied.

After questioning a few more bandits and receiving the same answer, Zhong Wu gestured toward the woods. A few guards emerged, carrying crossbows, and headed up the mountain.

"My lord, what should we do with these men?" Zhong Wu asked after tying the bandits together and securing them to a tree.

"Notify Magistrate Zhang to bring the local garrison to take them in! Oh, and remind him that there's a bounty for capturing bandits. Make sure he brings my reward," Qing Huai said coldly.

The rampant banditry in the Great Kang Dynasty was closely tied to corrupt local officials. Every year, the Jinchuan County government would launch bandit suppression campaigns, but the bandits always seemed to receive advance notice and hide in the mountains. The garrison troops would return empty-handed year after year, yet they continued to mobilize. Why? Because suppressing bandits came with military funds, and afterward, the bandits would send generous bribes. For the county officials, it was a lucrative scheme, and even the lowly soldiers could earn some extra silver for drinking and visiting brothels. Everyone benefited.

"Yes, sir!" Zhong Wu ran into the woods, and soon a guard rode off on horseback.

Before leaving, the guard glanced at the bandits as if they were already corpses.

In truth, these bandits were as good as dead.

The collusion between bandits and local officials was an open secret in the Great Kang Dynasty. Delivering the Cat Cat Mountain bandits to the county government was like slapping the magistrate in the face. Qing Huai's fief was in Jinchuan County, and although he only had tax rights, not administrative authority, he was still a marquis. No matter how angry the magistrate was, he wouldn't dare confront Qing Huai. The bandits' fate was sealed—they would be sent to the most dangerous battlefields as cannon fodder. Surviving a month would be a miracle.

Shortly after the guard left for the county, a fire broke out on Cat Cat Mountain.

Before long, the guards who had gone up the mountain returned, carrying a large chest.

"My lord, we've burned the bandit hideout. All the valuables are here," a guard said, opening the chest.

Inside were mostly copper coins, along with some silver ingots of various sizes, as well as assorted jade pendants, porcelain, and other trinkets.

"Zhong Wu, handle this later. Keep twenty percent of the proceeds for yourselves and send the rest to the workshop as military funds," Qing Huai said dismissively, clearly unimpressed by the loot.

"Thank you, my lord," Zhong Wu said, his eyes narrowing with delight.

This was the accumulated wealth of the Cat Cat Mountain bandits over many years. Even a twenty percent cut was a substantial sum.

As dusk fell, the magistrate arrived with over a hundred garrison soldiers.

"My lord, you truly live up to your reputation as a great general. The Cat Cat Mountain bandits have been a scourge for years, but they've finally met their end at your hands," the portly magistrate said, forcing a smile despite his resentment.

"The men are yours," Qing Huai said, glancing at the magistrate before coldly leading his men away.

Jin Feng, watching from behind, shook his head. Qing Huai's personality seemed suited only for military life. If he were to enter the political arena, he'd likely be outmaneuvered quickly.

By the time they reached Jinchuan County, it was already dark. Jin Feng followed Qing Huai to his residence in the county—Qingfeng Villa.

In the historical dramas Jin Feng had watched, the mansions of nobles were always filled with artificial hills, flowing water, exotic flowers, and beautiful young maidservants everywhere. But Qingfeng Villa, as Zhang Liang had described, had no such luxuries. There were no artificial hills or gardens. The vast courtyard was mostly empty, with a few rows of weapon racks on the side. The occasional servants were mostly men, and the few women he saw resembled the village aunties in both appearance and demeanor.

"He really doesn't know how to enjoy life," Jin Feng thought, adding another mental note about Qing Huai.

Entering the inner courtyard, Jin Feng was surprised to see Guan Xiaorou, Tang Dongdong, and Zhang Mancang there. He turned to Qing Huai with a puzzled look, only to find that Qing Huai was equally confused.

"My lord, sir, here's what happened," Zheng Fang explained. "This afternoon, as we were packing to leave, we went to fetch Mancang. Madam saw us and insisted on coming along to see you off…"

"Well, this works out perfectly. Aunt Liu, please prepare the guest rooms in the front courtyard," Qing Huai said with a hearty laugh. "My humble abode is rather simple. I hope Madam won't mind."

On the way back, Qing Huai had been discussing with Jin Feng about departing for the battlefield tomorrow. Jin Feng had mentioned that he still needed to arrange things at home. Now, with Guan Xiaorou and Tang Dongdong here, Jin Feng no longer needed to return.

Guan Xiaorou, coming from a modest background, didn't know how to respond to Qing Huai's polite remarks. Her face turned red with embarrassment. Fortunately, Tang Dongdong noticed her discomfort and quickly stepped in, pulling Guan Xiaorou into a graceful curtsy. "We apologize for the intrusion, my lord."

"I've caused you enough trouble in Xihe Village," Qing Huai said casually, waving his hand. "Make yourselves at home. I'll go change."

"Brother Zheng Fang said they're heading to the battlefield. Husband, are you going too?" Guan Xiaorou asked, her face filled with worry as she tugged at Jin Feng's sleeve.

"The marquis has been very kind to us. Since he's asked, it's only right that I go," Jin Feng replied.

Originally, he had been concerned about the Cat Cat Mountain bandits, but now that Qing Huai had resolved his last worry, Jin Feng had no reason to refuse. Besides, he was eager to see how ancient battles were fought—both to earn merit and a title, and to better understand how to design weapons in the future.

"Young master, madam, the guest rooms are ready. Please follow me," Aunt Liu said, leading Jin Feng, Guan Xiaorou, and Tang Dongdong to the front courtyard. She pointed to a door on the east side. "It's getting late, so I'll leave you to rest."

"Thank you, Aunt Liu," Jin Feng nodded, leading Guan Xiaorou and Tang Dongdong into the room.

But once inside, he was stunned.

He had assumed it would be a suite, but instead, it was just one large room with a single bed.

Jin Feng looked at Guan Xiaorou, then at Tang Dongdong.

Three people. One bed. How were they supposed to sleep?