Chapter 9 Adaptation to the Environment

After listening to Lv Ning's words, Li You replied earnestly, "Yes, my lord, I will follow your arrangements in all matters"

Guihua said: "Sir, where are you planning to go in the future? You wouldn't really be going to fight against the Xianbei, the Xiongnu, and others, would you? That would be too dangerous."

As Lv Ning was lost in thought, Guihua pushed open the door and entered, holding several eggs in her hands. She said to Lv Ning, "Sir, it is late at night. I have boiled a few eggs for you. Please eat and rest early."

Guihua responded to Lv Ning's words: "Then I will call you brother from now on, sir"

Lu Ning shook his head after listening to Guihua's words and smiled, saying: "Guihua, how do you know what kind of bear I want you to embroider? You wouldn't be planning to help me embroider a big black bear, would you? I definitely don't want that fierce and intimidating look; I want you to embroider a cartoon bear."

Lv Ning said with a smile: "When I finish the drawing, you will know. I can't explain it clearly to you right now, but it looks very cute and is quite endearing. Alright, you should go to sleep now; I still have some issues to think about."

Lü Ning smiled at her and said, "Actually, it's very simple. It's just about embroidering a big bear. When the time comes, I will draw the design, and you just need to follow it to do the embroidery."

After listening to Lv Ning's words, Osmanthus asked, "Of course, big brother, are you going to make clothes? Then I will help you make them."

Later, Li You departed with his subordinates, leaving behind two small attendants for Lü Ning

In the evening, Lu Ning was contemplating what he should do in the future. To become an official? Without connections, background, or money, how could that be possible? To recruit the valiant generals and renowned scholars of the Three Kingdoms? What a joke! Who does he think he is? Who would pay attention to a nameless nobody like him? He might not even get a chance to meet them, let alone recruit them. Wouldn't that be deceiving?

Lü Ning glanced at her and snorted before saying, "How could you forget again"

Lu Ning looked up at the osmanthus flowers and said, "Hey, what are you doing, little girl? This is to fight against the Xianbei cavalry, not to go sightseeing. Why are you coming with me? I am going to war, not to enjoy the scenery. It is very dangerous. You should stay at home and take care of your parents. If there is a good young man, find one and live a good life. I will come to see you when I have time."

Lü Ning had no choice but to temporarily agree to them. Li You, along with his subordinates, knelt before Lü Ning and said: "To follow the lord unto death, should this statement be violated, may heaven and earth punish us."

After all the various tasks were completed, it was already bright outside. The entire village, along with Li You and others, enjoyed a hearty meal of cooked horse meat.

Lu Ning chuckled, thinking that this young girl must be experiencing a crush. "No need, but thank you anyway; I appreciate your kindness. However, there is one thing I need your help with, and I wonder if you know how to embroider."

After listening to her words, Lu Ning smiled and said to her: "It is not that I want to make clothes, but I would like you to help me embroider a large flag. As for the fabric, I will have someone call your adoptive brother to help purchase it."

After listening to Lv Ning's words, Guihua said: "Big brother, if it is to embroider a big bear, you don't need to draw it, I can do the embroidery. My sisters and I from the village can finish it in one or two days, I guarantee you will be satisfied"

Subsequently, Li You knelt beside Lü Ning, who hurriedly helped him up. However, he refused to rise, stating that from now on, he would follow Lü Ning and his subordinates, remaining by his side for life, viewing death as a companion.

Lu Ning is currently a nobody with nothing to his name. What can Lu Ning offer to others? Nothing at all, not even enough to eat. Therefore, he cannot afford to think about unrealistic things; he must first address the basic needs of food, clothing, shelter, and transportation. The only viable path is to lead Li You and his men to make a name for themselves on the vast grasslands, but this is fraught with danger and difficulty. After all, Li You only has about 200 men under his command, and they would be unable to resist the cavalry of the Xianbei or the Xiongnu, which could cost them their lives. Thus, he cannot dwell on unrealistic aspirations; he must prioritize the essentials of food, clothing, shelter, and transportation. The only feasible route remains to lead Li You and his men to carve out a reputation on the grasslands, yet this is perilous and challenging, as Li You commands merely around 200 men, and they would be powerless against the cavalry of the Xianbei or the Xiongnu, risking their lives in the process.

Lü Ning nodded in agreement

Old man Zhang, after hearing Lv Ning's words, helped Li You up and patted the dirt off his body, which surely indicated his approval. Li You immediately called out, "Father"

In the following days, Lü Ning accompanied the hunters from Shanhou Village to the mountains during the day, learning archery from them while also studying how to arrange and set various traps and mechanisms.

To recruit distinguished individuals and fierce generals, one must possess strength, territory, and status; otherwise, who would be willing to follow a person without roots or foundation? Distinguished individuals and fierce generals are also human; they choose their masters in pursuit of a better life, higher status, greater income, and a more fulfilling future

After listening to Lü Ning's words, Guihua said: "Elder brother, then I will go with you"

After Guihua left, Lv Ning took out the map to examine the geographical features of the northern part of Bingzhou in detail. Of course, Lv Ning was also aware that the current geographical features would likely differ significantly from those on his map, as more than two thousand years had passed. The original mountains, rivers, forests, and other terrains must have undergone considerable changes, especially the area of the forests, which would have varied greatly.

Osmanthus Avenue: "I will go with you to take care of you, I will be your maid, I see that you cannot take care of yourself alone, and I will not cause you any trouble."

After listening to Guihua's words, Lv Ning glanced at Guihua's alluring bosom, which was indeed impressive, reaching the level of the class beauty. "Guihua, from now on, don't call me 'Mr.' I'm only a few years older than you. If you don't mind, just call me 'big brother.' After all, I don't have a younger sister, and now you have a brother, so it doesn't necessarily have to be me who takes on that role."

After Lü Ning helped them up, he said to them: "Since you have chosen to follow me, I will now tell you this: First, you should send someone to your stronghold to support your men. Most of the people should return tomorrow to return the belongings of the villagers from the village behind the mountain. If there are any surplus funds or provisions, please send a little more to the village behind the mountain to aid the common people; Second, from now on, no one among you is allowed to oppress the common people, and you must protect them well. If any incidents of disturbing the public or oppressing the common people occur, they must not be taken lightly; Third, in the future, you may only raid the possessions or people of the Xianbei and Xiongnu tribes, or you may raid the oppressive officials and wealthy families, but you must not act recklessly. I will stay in the village behind the mountain for a few more days, and I will come to find you then"

After listening to Lv Ning's words, Guihua had a look of gloom on her face. Not knowing what Lv Ning was talking about, she asked him, "Big brother, what is a cartoon bear? I have never heard of it."

The osmanthus flower's face was flushed and silent, and Lü Ning continued: "Indeed, I will take Li You and the others to fight against the Xianbei, Xiongnu, and other barbarian tribes, as well as those bandits who oppress the common people. I will not let them go unpunished. I will do my humble part, eliminating as many of these savages as I can, until the last drop of my blood is shed."

Guihua felt a bit disappointed after hearing this, but still happily asked, "I wonder what kind of large banner you would like me to embroider, big brother?"