The militia of Puzhou City expanded at an astonishing rate.
The common people enlisted with enthusiasm!
Upon hearing this news, Li Daoxuan secretly chuckled to himself in satisfaction.
Excellent, he thought. It seems the combined effects of Gao Yiye's speech and the film "Mu Guiying" are finally beginning to show.
Gao Yiye's speech had laid the foundation for recruitment by emphasizing welfare, benefits, and social status.
"Mu Guiying," on the other hand, provided the emotional catalyst. It appealed to sentiment, righteous spirit, and collective emotion.
With these two elements working together, it was only natural that the common people would rush to enlist.
Excellent. Making "Mu Guiying" was absolutely worth it, Li Daoxuan thought again.
But relying solely on "Mu Guiying" isn't enough. That story belongs to the Song Dynasty. It's not the present era, and it's still somewhat removed from people's real lives.
If we could create stories set in the current dynasty, or at least based on recent events, the impact would be even greater.
So—
Where could he find suitable material for stories about the present dynasty, or recent history?
A figure suddenly surfaced in Li Daoxuan's mind.
Someone who loved writing short essays about border affairs.
Someone intimately familiar with everything that happened along the frontier, big or small, and who investigated matters with tireless diligence.
Someone educated, articulate, and skilled with the brush.
Sun Chuanting.
In Daizhou, Shanxi.
Sun Chuanting sat alone in his study, his expression heavy and somber as he wrote a short treatise titled:
"A Memorial on the Vulnerabilities of the Manchu Invaders."
In this essay, he meticulously listed the weaknesses of the Manchu forces and contrasted them with the strengths of the Great Ming, planning to use the latter to counter the former.
Just then—
"Master," an attendant reported as he entered the room, "that merchant, Tie Niaofei, has come again."
Sun Chuanting's eyes brightened immediately.
"Oh?" he said. "Invite him in at once!"
Whenever Tie Niaofei passed through Daizhou while delivering supplies to the border army, he would always visit Sun Chuanting's residence.
Sun Chuanting consistently treated Tie Niaofei as an honored guest.
Over time, a genuine friendship had naturally formed between them.
Before long, Tie Niaofei entered, accompanied by Zao Ying and Zheng Daniu.
The moment Sun Chuanting saw Zheng Daniu, a smile appeared on his face.
He waved his hand and instructed the attendant,
"Go prepare our Daizhou specialties. Bring out Baode Bowl Tofu, Sorghum Noodle-Fish, and Daizhou Sesame Noodles to entertain our guests."
Before the food had even arrived—
Before the attendant had even stepped out—
Zheng Daniu's drool was already dripping onto the floor.
Zao Ying quickly pulled out a handkerchief and gently wiped his mouth.
"Daniu," she scolded affectionately, "don't behave like that. If others see you, they'll think our family is poor and that you've never eaten anything good."
Zheng Daniu mumbled honestly,
"I really am poor. I can barely afford to eat."
Zao Ying laughed.
"Don't worry, don't worry. I have plenty of money. Look—if you sleep in my tent tonight, all my money will go toward buying you food."
Zheng Daniu looked shocked.
"Huh? I thought of you as a buddy, and you're actually trying to sleep with me?"
Zao Ying playfully punched him in the chest.
"What nonsense are you saying? That's not very 'buddy-like' of you. Are you and Gao Chuwu buddies? Have you two ever shared a bunk in the barracks?"
Zheng Daniu scratched his head.
"Yeah… we have."
Zao Ying spread her hands.
"Then there you go. So why can't you sleep with me? Don't you consider me a buddy too?"
Zheng Daniu's face immediately lit up.
"You're right! That makes sense. Then let's do that!"
Sun Chuanting snorted with laughter.
Tie Niaofei smiled helplessly and said,
"Mr. Sun, please don't mind them. Those two are bound to marry sooner or later. I came today because there's something I'd like your help with."
Sun Chuanting nodded.
"Oh? What matter?"
Tie Niaofei carefully presented several books with both hands.
Sun Chuanting accepted them and glanced at the titles:
"Soaring High"
"Tale of a Mortal's Cultivation."
He flipped through a few pages, nodding slightly.
"These books are quite interesting," he said. "Why show them to me all of a sudden?"
Tie Niaofei spoke frankly,
"To be honest, the person who created these books has earned a fortune from them. I'm a merchant, after all… I can't help feeling envious. I'd like to create books like these and make money myself."
Sun Chuanting laughed.
"If you want to publish books for profit, just go ahead and do it. What does that have to do with me? I don't understand business matters."
Tie Niaofei sighed.
"I lack education. I can't come up with good stories. After much thought, I believe I could create stories about border affairs."
"Border affairs?" Sun Chuanting's eyes lit up instantly.
His spirits rose the moment the frontier was mentioned.
Tie Niaofei continued,
"I want the protagonist to be a minor Ming soldier stationed at the Daling River, telling the story of the Battle of Daling River from the perspective of an ordinary soldier."
"It would be similar to 'Soaring High,' which tells Gao Family Village's rise through the eyes of a common person."
At the mention of the words 'Daling River,' Sun Chuanting's expression darkened.
The Battle of Daling River.
It was a deep humiliation for the Ming army.
Sun Chuanting said quietly,
"The Battle of Daling River was a shame for our Great Ming. Wouldn't writing about it simply invite ridicule?"
Tie Niaofei replied calmly,
"Precisely because it was shameful, it must be written down—to serve as a warning to the world. Wouldn't you agree?"
Sun Chuanting pondered for a moment, then nodded.
"That is indeed true."
Tie Niaofei continued,
"I don't know nearly as much about the Battle of Daling River as you do, Mr. Sun. So while writing this story, I hope you can help by explaining the course of the battle and assisting with the plot arrangement."
Sun Chuanting's eyes gleamed.
"Very well."
The two men leaned together and discussed the story at length—from the protagonist's character, to the battle's progression, to the emotional tone—talking for a very long time.
Before they realized it, the attendant had already brought out the prepared food.
Zheng Daniu sat to one side, stuffing pastries into his mouth with one hand and shoveling specialty snacks with the other.
Zao Ying hovered around him busily, handing him drinks and wiping his mouth as needed.
After quite some time, Tie Niaofei finally stood to take his leave.
Zao Ying and Zheng Daniu accompanied him out of Sun Chuanting's residence.
After they had walked some distance away—
The golden embroidered emblem of Dao Xuan Tianzun on Tie Niaofei's chest suddenly spoke:
"Well? How has the story been arranged?"
Tie Niaofei's spirits lifted immediately.
"Reporting to Dao Xuan Tianzun, the story has been finalized."
"The title is 'A Junior Soldier of the Daling River Border Army.'"
"It tells the story of a common soldier under He Kegang, fighting desperately against the Manchu invaders. His comrades die one after another. Though the young soldier is terrified, he still forces himself to stand firm, fighting to the death to defend his homeland, his wife, and his children."
"However, the battle goes extremely poorly. The Ming army is at a disadvantage, while the Manchu forces press relentlessly. Daling River is eventually besieged. Zu Dashou, wishing to surrender, even kills He Kegang, who refuses to yield."
"Our protagonist also refuses to surrender. He risks his life to reclaim He Kegang's body and, alone, fights his way out of the encirclement."
"Finally, he buries He Kegang within the passes. Gravely wounded and having lost too much blood, he collapses and dies."
Li Daoxuan replied after listening,
"This story is very stirring. I like it. But the ending won't do."
"Don't kill off the protagonist so casually. That will leave a bad taste in the audience's mouth, and they'll be furious."
"Change it."
"In the end, the protagonist survives his injuries, joins Gao Family Village, dons a mask, lives anonymously, organizes a militia, and swears to one day kill the enemy and repay his country."