Finding Goat Milk, Hiding Grain and Silver

When Jiang Li appeared at the village chief's house carrying a tiger cub, the entire family was out in the courtyard.

The Qiu brothers were washing up under the veranda, Mrs. Zhao was tending the stove in the kitchen, and the eldest Qiu daughter-in-law was sweeping the yard.

The children in the courtyard were chasing each other, running back and forth. Holding a broom, the eldest Qiu daughter-in-law shouted aloud, "Stop running! The ground is all dusty. Go play outside."

The children paid no attention and continued circling around. The eldest Qiu daughter-in-law raised her broom in a mock threat, startling the group of children into scattering in all directions. They bolted straight out of the courtyard gate, colliding head-on with Jiang Li.

With a startled exclamation, Jiang Li quickly reached out to steady a child who was about to fall.

The eldest Qiu daughter-in-law looked over gently, and seeing it was Jiang Li, greeted her with a smile, "Morning, Mrs. Jiang. Come right in."

"Morning, Eldest Sister-in-law."

The eldest Qiu daughter-in-law waved her hand to clear the dust in front of her face and was about to speak when her mother-in-law, Mrs. Zhao, poked her head out from the kitchen and called out to Jiang Li, "Have a seat inside, Mrs. Jiang. It's too dusty in the courtyard."

Jiang Li gave an acknowledging hum and started to walk forward.

Only to be instantly surrounded by a group of children.

"Auntie, where did you get that big calico cat? Let us pet it!"

The pack of little rascals tilted their heads up with shining eyes. No one could resist anything fluffy.

Unfortunately, this fluffy creature was a tiger cub, not a mild-tempered cat.

A taller boy reached out to touch it, and the tiger cub let out a low huff. Jiang Li hurriedly pulled back, smiling as she said, "You can't pet it. It bites."

The boy who missed out wore a look of utter disappointment.

When Xue Man and Aning had petted it that morning, the tiger cub hadn't made that kind of sound at all.

It seemed the cub had a sliver of human understanding, knowing the difference between outsiders and its own people.

Because of those two huffs, the men of the Qiu family all looked over. After staring closely for a moment, their expressions changed drastically.

The village chief looked at the tiger cub, then at Jiang Li, and upon seeing the tiger lying docilely against Jiang Li's arm, he was deeply shocked.

"Where on earth did you get that, Mrs. Jiang?"

Jiang Li smiled, "Its mother sent it to me. I'll be raising it from now on."

Village Chief Qiu, "..."

He wanted to say something, but seemed entirely at a loss for how to put it into words.

Judging by Jiang Li's character and conduct, she surely wouldn't just release this tiger to roam freely in the village.

The other Qiu daughters-in-law hadn't yet realized it was a tiger. Zhou Huan smiled cheerfully and said to Jiang Li, "Whose big cat gave you that? We should go get one too; it looks so delightful."

As she spoke, she picked up a clay basin and poured out the water. She set the basin against the wall under the veranda, wiped her hands, and walked over to Jiang Li, wanting to pet this "big cat," only to be yanked back by third-older Qiu.

"Keep your eyes wide open! That's no ordinary cat."

Zhou Huan was utterly puzzled at being pulled back by her husband. She looked carefully at the fluffy head in Jiang Li's arms—it was just a big, chubby cat, wasn't it?

Jiang Li smiled, "Third Sister-in-law, my cat doesn't like others petting it. It has a bad temper and will bite."

Mrs. Zhao came out of the kitchen, washed her hands, and invited Jiang Li into the main room.

Village Chief Qiu followed them inside. It was then that Jiang Li spoke up, " Uncle Qiu, I caught wind of some news and came to tell you, though I'm not certain if the information is accurate."

Her tone was solemn. Village Chief Qiu furrowed his brow slightly, his hand stopping midway through rolling a cigarette.

Mrs. Zhao said, "Have a seat, Mrs. Jiang. I'll go check the stove fire."

After Mrs. Zhao left, Jiang Li continued, "Other prefectures and provinces have begun prematurely collecting next year's poll tax and grain tax from the common people. But that's not even the worst of it—this time, the imperial court has also dispatched officials down here. It's not a matter of how much you pay; they are literally stripping households completely bare."

Village Chief Qiu's expression changed drastically in an instant.

Premature taxation was one thing, but outright plundering? That meant they didn't intend to let people live at all.

Jiang Li also wore a troubled expression as she said in a deep voice, "The rebel armies are closing in on the capital. Perhaps they realize this sinking ship can no longer stay afloat, so they're grabbing one last harvest?"

Village Chief Qiu shook his head slightly, remaining silent for a long time before saying, "How could we ordinary common folk ever fathom the minds of those official lords?"

"This is forcing everyone to die together."

Jiang Li paused for a moment and said, "It seems people in our village still have a bit of stored grain left. If they really are going to pillage house-to-house upon entering the village, I suggest everyone hide their provisions. But is this something we can openly discuss?"

Village Chief Qiu shook his head slightly.

Jiang Li suggested, "Otherwise, should we tell everyone that ferocious bandits are roaming the surrounding area and will leave nothing behind if they enter the village, and have everyone hide their belongings?"

Matters concerning the imperial court could not be spoken of aloud. Fabricating the presence of bandits would be slightly safer.

"Did Mrs. Jiang go to the county town recently?"

"Mhm. Isn't Zhao Qingzhu getting married soon? I went to the county town to buy her a wedding gift, and that's when I heard that the Tianhe rebel army had broken through Tianshan Gorge, the imperial army had been forced to retreat to Huazhou, and about this tax collection."

"I thought it over and came to give you the heads-up, Uncle."

Village Chief Qiu nodded slightly, tapped his tobacco pouch, and put away the cigarette he had rolled. "Let me think about what we should do."

Jiang Li didn't stay long. She stepped out into the courtyard and exchanged casual pleasantries with Mrs. Zhao, who looked at the tiger cub in her arms and smiled, "You certainly have a lot of courage, Mrs. Jiang."

"It's all a matter of fate."

Mrs. Zhao chuckled, "Ordinary people wouldn't dare have that kind of fate."

The children who had wanted to pet it earlier had been told by the adults that it was a tiger. Now, looking at Jiang Li, they were torn between wanting to touch it and being terrified.

Jiang Li looked at the children before her and smiled, "We're practicing martial arts today. Are you all coming?"

The leading boy nodded and said, "My brothers and I are all going."

Jiang Li looked at the girls nearby and asked, "What about you little sisters? Not coming?"

The girls smiled shyly. Jiang Li pondered for a moment and smiled, "Today isn't formal anyway—it's just for fun. Anyone interested is welcome to come."

With that, Jiang Li bade farewell to Mrs. Zhao and the others and headed home.

Shortly after she returned home, children began arriving in groups of threes and fives.

In the courtyard of the older Xue family, Xue Huai, Xue Xiaoduo, and their siblings had all received permission from the adults to follow Jiang Li in learning martial arts. Zhou's children wore gloomy expressions; last time, Zhou and Jiang Li had fallen out over meat pancakes, and though Zhou had run into Jiang Li twice since then, Jiang Li had remained cold and silent. Zhou had felt too embarrassed and ashamed to greet her.

As for learning martial arts, many of the children hadn't thought much of it—it was just a passing whim.

However, with so many children in the village, wherever people gathered, play followed. Children loved joining in the excitement, and since Xue Huai and the others were going, the rest naturally felt tempted too.

Xue Shan took his younger brother and sister to ask Zhou. Naturally, Zhou hoped the children would go; since Jiang Li wasn't charging money and the children of every household could go, not going would be passing up a free opportunity.

Yet, remembering her past awkward friction with Jiang Li, she worried that if her children went, Jiang Li might treat them poorly.

Leaning over the courtyard wall, she asked Zhao Jiashiu, "Jiashiu, are you sending Xiaoduo and the others?"

Hearing her, Zhao Jiashiu replied, "It's so close, why wouldn't I send them?"

Only after speaking did she realize what Zhou was implying.

She looked at Zhou, furrowing her brow slightly. "With Jiang's temperament, she won't take out her feelings on the children because of you. If you're worried, just keep your kids at home. Besides, they aren't going to eat food; they're going to learn martial arts. Jiang will definitely put them through their paces. If your kids come home crying and whining about aches and pains and you get upset again, that simply won't do."

Zhou pondered for a moment, and acting on the principle of not missing out on a free advantage, she let Xue Shan take his two younger brothers along.

Xue Daniu was also eager to join, but the old grandmother was unwilling, so he was left behind at home.

Houses in the village were built rather close together, voices carrying back and forth. In less than half an hour, a surging sea of little rascals swarmed the open space outside Jiang Li's courtyard. Taking a rough glance, Jiang Li estimated there were at least a hundred children.

Initially, she had thought of having them run a couple of laps around the village and then practicing forms in the open space around the old house. But looking at them now, there simply wasn't enough room.

Recalling a stretch of wasteland she had seen while out cutting thatch earlier, Jiang Li decided to lead them running up the mountain to practice in that open area.

She had originally intended to leave the little tiger cub at home—the entrance to the root cellar could serve as its dwelling, though it lacked a door yet.

However, leaving it behind was out of the question; if left in the courtyard, it would just mill around Jiang Li. With no other choice, she locked both the main house door and the courtyard gate and brought it along.

Some of the children weren't very familiar with Jiang Li and hung their heads shyly. Others were more outgoing, their eyes shining as they looked at her—like Xue Xiaoduo, Zhao Qingzhu's nephews, and the Qiu children, who knew her better and grinned broadly.

Jiang Li didn't maintain her usual demeanor. As her gaze swept across them, those smiles gradually stiffened.

She picked the three tallest boys to stand at the head of the lines, and had the rest of the children line up by height into three rows.

Once everyone was standing properly, Jiang Li began to ask, "Did your parents all agree to let you come? Are there any of you whose parents did not agree? Step forward first."

The children looked at each other, but no one stepped out.

"Since your parents all agreed, then we'll get started."

"Today isn't any formal martial arts training. Martial arts is dull, uninteresting, and requires immense willpower and physical endurance!"

"Therefore, our main task today is running. First, let me see how your physical stamina is. After the run, I'll teach you a simple set of fist forms."

"Anyone who can't keep up halfway through is allowed to rest. If, after finishing today's practice, you find you aren't interested or feel you can't endure it, you don't have to come tomorrow."

"Those who can persist for seven consecutive days and still want to learn martial arts may have their parents come pay the tuition fee."

"Did everyone understand clearly?"

Jiang Li's voice was loud yet deep. Standing at the very front after finishing her words, the crowd of children stood frozen in place.

No one answered. Hearing her ask again, "Did you hear clearly?"

"Heard clearly!"

As if afraid they would be beaten for not being loud enough, the children answered with a deafening roar.

Standing in the crowd, Aning looked at Jiang Li bathed in the sunlight. Her spine was straight, her words resonated with impact, and her gaze was sharp enough to instill awe. Yet, never before had Aning felt so desperately eager to become her.

Before setting off, Jiang Li led them in loosening their wrists and ankles and doing some light stretching.

Then, she led them running toward the wasteland.

Along the way, Jiang Li carried the tiger cub while running back and forth. Whether because her sternness was frightening or for some other reason, the children dared not fall behind. Running up a mountain trail, however—mostly uphill at that—proved too much, and before long, many children could no longer keep pace. Seeing Jiang Li's icy gaze, they kept silent and trailed all the way to the wasteland.

Upon reaching the destination, they collapsed flat onto the ground.

At a few stern barks from Jiang Li, they all scrambled back to their feet and stood at attention.

"After prolonged running, you are forbidden from immediately sitting or squatting down, or you will cramp."

"Everyone stand straight, spread out to the right, and extend your arms. Stop when you can no longer touch the person next to you."

Jiang Li led them through another round of stretching.