The overall framework of the court has been established, and the rest depends on everyone's concerted efforts.
Although many people had never held official positions before, nor had they studied much, Bai Sheng felt that she had never been an empress either. Therefore, everyone was in the same boat, fumbling their way forward. No matter how rough and perilous the process, as long as the direction was correct, it was sufficient.
She believed that human potential is unleashed through "doing."
After the meeting, Ma San, Hu Da Niu, Huang Gou Sheng, and Zhao Da Zhuang's heartbeats took a long time to return to normal. They were very fortunate that they had persisted in learning to read and write back in Hongshu Village.
Even though at first they could only recognize a dozen characters a month, and nine out of ten characters were wrong, making the tutor want to pry open their heads to see if they were filled with wood, they had also wanted to give up countless times.
However, they did not want to leave a bad impression on their lord and madam, so they stubbornly persevered. They never imagined that after three years, they would truly be able to read and write.
One could imagine that if they were illiterate, unable to recognize a single character, then even if the madam wanted to promote them, she wouldn't be able to. Who would appoint a completely illiterate person to a high office?
However, aside from joy and excitement, several of them also felt some anxiety and worry.
None of them had ever held office before, and they were still unfamiliar with their respective domains. Therefore, everyone was eager to learn and immediately sought out Zuo Siming to inquire about what books they needed to read if they wanted to become proficient and capable in their respective fields.
Seeing their eagerness to learn, Zuo Siming wholeheartedly helped them. He not only told them how they could improve themselves but also recommended many books that could enhance their ability to handle official duties.
Holding the books, the few of them began to study with great fervor, neglecting food and sleep.
The women at home were also very supportive. They had never imagined that one day they would become the wives of officials. Therefore, since their men were going to be officials, they had to be competent and good officials, not disgracing their wives. Moreover, their wives trusted them so much; they had to achieve something.
Consequently, the women all became strict overseers, urging their husbands to strive for excellence.
Zhao Da Zhuang watched Ma San, Gou Sheng, and Hu Da Niu slack off a little. He saw their women using rolling pins to hit them, twisting their ears, and scolding them to their faces, making him drool with envy.
He held a book and ran to Tian Gui Hua, who was helping Xue Ma cook in the kitchen. With tears streaming down his face, he pleaded, "Gui Hua, will you be my wife? I really want a woman to hit me and scold me!"
Everyone in the kitchen was stunned. So, there really were men who craved a beating and scolding!
Tian Gui Hua put her hands on her hips and said irritably, "Zhao Da Zhuang, don't I often hit you even though I'm not your wife?"
"That's different," Zhao Da Zhuang twisted his strong shoulders.
"How is it different?" Tian Gui Hua gritted her teeth.
Zhao Da Zhuang covered his face and said shyly, "Something is missing."
"What's missing?" Tian Gui Hua felt her palms itching. She flexed her knuckles, feeling an urge to beat someone.
"A little... love!" Zhao Da Zhuang finished, then plopped down beside Tian Gui Hua, hugged her leg, and cried, "Gui Hua, be my wife. I will treat you well, and I will treat Tian Dou well. My body is very strong, and I... can still have children. You'll know if you try."
By some unknown time, everyone in the kitchen had slipped out. They were all hiding by the door, peeking inside with their heads craned.
"Zhao Da Zhuang! Get up!" Tian Gui Hua forcefully pulled her leg out.
"If you don't agree, I won't get up," Zhao Da Zhuang began to act shamelessly. "Gui Hua, I will treat you well, I love you, I like you, I will love you like the lord loves his madam, and I will never take a concubine."
"Agree to him. If you don't agree soon, the meat porridge in the pot will burn," Xue Ma urged loudly from the doorway. Tsk, this family was truly unrestrained. The masters were unrestrained, and the servants were also unrestrained. They dared to utter such bold words.
"Yes, hurry up and agree to him. If the porridge burns, the madam won't like to eat it," Lu Mi and Lu Mian also chimed in with sly smiles.
Tian Gui Hua gritted her teeth and nodded, "Alright, I agree to you, Zhao Da Zhuang. Remember, if it weren't for the fear of the meat porridge burning, I wouldn't have agreed to you!"
"Yes, yes, yes, I know, Gui Hua. I'll report to the madam immediately! Let the madam help choose a good day!" Zhao Da Zhuang got up and ran off like a flash.
Tian Gui Hua touched her leg, recalling Zhao Da Zhuang's strong arms and chest muscles. A hazy, amorous vision suddenly appeared in her mind.
She blushed, cursed herself as an old lustful woman, and then threw herself back into the important task of cooking.
Bai Sheng, Mei Qing, and the National Preceptor had been working overtime in the alchemy room within the space for the past few days, producing sleeping potions. Zuo Ye was going to attack Fengcheng and needed a large quantity of them.
Hengheng saw Zhao Da Zhuang knocking impatiently on the door and told Bai Sheng that someone was looking for her.
Bai Sheng emerged from the space and, upon learning that Zhao Da Zhuang and Tian Gui Hua wanted to get married, was very pleased. She promised them that after Zuo Ye captured Fengcheng, she would host their wedding banquet.
Zhao Da Zhuang initially did not want a wedding banquet, just a good meal with his family. However, Bai Sheng said that marriage was a major life event and must have a sense of ceremony, so even if it was a simple wedding, it should still be held.
Zhao Da Zhuang could only comply with his madam's wishes, but his heart was filled with excitement.
His madam was truly too good to them. For the rest of their lives, their entire family would serve the madam wholeheartedly!
He was determined to do this job well, without fear of any hardship!
Five days later.
Zuo Ye, Shi Sheng, Deputy General Xu, and Da Li, along with the few children of Zuo Yun, all headed towards the western border.
Zuo Ye brought a spatial stone. Upon reaching the border, it would be convenient for Bai Sheng to teleport over.
If he did not rely on his dear Bao's sleeping potions and spatial abilities, Zuo Ye was confident he could still take Fengcheng. However, to have Qing Huang's several thousand soldiers confront Da Xia's tens of thousands of soldiers would inevitably lead to casualties.
On one hand, Zuo Ye did not want any casualties among the Qing Huang army. Qing Huang already had a low population, and people had become the most scarce resource.
On the other hand, he also did not want to see any casualties among Da Xia's soldiers. After all, over 20,000 free young and middle-aged laborers, who could develop wasteland, cultivate land, build water conservancy projects, and fortify borders... over decades, they would create immense value for Qing Huang.
Therefore, he would not do anything detrimental to Qing Huang's interests for the sake of personal masculine dignity and pride.
If anyone mocked him for relying on his wife and being a kept man, then let them mock. He had the breadth of mind and vision to accommodate it all.
He knew who Zuo Ye was and how capable he was, and his dear Bao also knew. That was enough. The comments of outsiders were not important.
As for the position of Protector General, he also wanted to attain it. In the future, he wanted to help his wife train the army and safeguard Qing Huang.
The group rode their fast horses and took two days to reach the western border.
When inspecting the soldiers, Deputy General Shi Sheng, with eyes full of admiration, introduced His Highness Prince Consort Zuo Ye to all the soldiers and conveyed General Shen's promise to them.