MHNEB 13 (1/2)

Book 1: Now we don’t hear the loom shuttle; we only hear our daughter sighing

包工头木兰

Chapter 13: Chief Labour Contractor Mulan

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Translated by Pierrot


Edited by Granny

　　

These people that came to support He Mulan were being ordered left and right by He Mulan. 

These people used Hua Mulan’s house as a camping ground, ate all her surplus grains, finished off the chickens she raised. 

　　

Every day, numerous villagers, men, and women gathered at the entrance of her house, looking on with curiosity. The Hua house is a military family in the village. The large and open space of the entrance had turned into something like a bizarre market. 

“Are you guys leaving or not?” He Mulan felt no need to be courteous anymore towards this band of men. “You’ll get it if you don’t leave!” 

“It would be an honour to have a duel with General Hua!” Li family eighth son’s eyes brightened up and started to ball his palms into fists. 

　　

He Mulan was speechless, and really wanted to know what kind of supplements these people of noble birth use did to rub on their faces. 

How can they have such thick skins? 

　　

“You guys are too bored, right?” He Mulan called out a few soldiers that looked like Hu-ren, “You, you, and you, the three of you go feed our horses, and since you’re at it brush them as well!”

They seriously have too much time on their hands, better give them something to do. 

　　

“Sir, yes, sir!” the three Hu men answered with fist clasped, and they obediently went to look for Little Brother Hua for the brushes to brush the horses. 

　　

“You, you, you... “ He Mulan looked at a few men that had an air of elegance and who’s clothing looked luxurious, and she rubbed her chin. “You’re all from high born families, yes?”

“Yes.” They nodded their heads. 

　　

DuGu Nuo’s so anxious that he wanted to smash through the wall. 

Could it be that General Hua likes handsome and elegant Han men? 

If that’s the case, then he’s the first one to be eliminated!

　　

“Good that you guys know how to write. We have a lot of people in our village that doesn’t know how to write a letter. Since there are so many people gathered outside just watching us, I’ll put a small table outside in a bit. You can help the villagers write letters or documents.” In the Hua family, only Hua Mulan can read and write, but everyone’s afraid of Hua Mulan, so no one was bold enough to ask her for help. 

Since fear and rumours came from them not understanding Hua Mulan enough, this is a great chance to get closer to the villagers and neighbours! 

　　

Hua Mulan, with a swing of her hand, placed a table at the door, set down a few chairs, and asked Hua Younger Brother to visit the neighbours asking if anyone needed someone to help them write. 

　　

The gentlemen born with a silver spoon didn’t anticipate that Mulan would use them this way, so they just looked at each other with a forced and awkward smile, picked up the skirts of their robes (1), and quietly sat down behind the tables. If it weren't for the Hua house as a backdrop, they would look like a gathering of Daoist discoursing on Emptiness. 

　　

These men lived and ate at the Hua house, and they did in fact brought about many inconveniences. 

Hua Mulan ordered them around without much modesty. Since they were crying and begging for her to “please let us become your admirers,” then she’ll treat them just like her little brothers. 

Horsemen: Ah eh eh, isn’t there something not quite right? We wanted to be your “admirers”, not your “followers”.

　　

“What about me? What do I do?” DuGu Nuo starred as one was being ordered to fix the roof, the other was told to feed the pigs in the back of the house, another commanded to brush the horses, and he’s the only left out, standing dully in the courtyard while still in his shiny armour.  

He Mulan turned around and looked at him up and down. 

　　

“Hm, that won’t do…” Then while still staring at DuGu Nuo, she said the sentence that lit the flame of anger in his heart and made the other glare daggers at him. 

“Take it off.” 

“Huh?” DuGu Nuo wrapped his hands around his chest. He looked hesitant at the brothers all around him who turned their eyes towards him. “Here?” 

　　

He Mulan blinked. 

“You can do it here if you want.” 

.

.

.

　　

Two hours later, DuGu Nuo pulled uneasily at his shoulder while wearing Mulan’s old outfit, feeling undulating. 

This outfit was worn by General Hua, and, though, it’s a bit small…

But the other brothers didn’t have this kind of special treatment. 

Riding her horse, He Mulan silently watched as Dugu Nuo had a silly grin plastered on his face, not understanding why he’s so happy wearing outfits that were too short. 

As if they’re here for a beauty contest, they donned on shiny armours, luxurious outfits, and even each of their change of outfit is more outrageous than the next. It’s like peacocks who came here just to fan their tails. 

　　

Since she’s making them do work, she won’t hinder if they want to wear all those fancy outfits, but she has something she wanted to talk privately to Dugu Nuo, and she can only use the excuse of going to the market to get him out of there. 

He came wearing a whole outfit of intricate and beautiful shiny armour, iron boots used for battle (He Mulan strongly suspects he’s the one with the foot stink). This, of course, is blinding to the eye, and if they went to the market they would be surrounded by people. 

　　

Even if they weren’t surrounded, if he wears something like that to buy grains and condiments, he would either get conned or they poor folks would offer up the goods in their palms as “protection fee”. (2)

If that’s the case, then Hua Mulan won’t be able to stay in this area anymore. 

　　

Therefore, He Mulan had him shed the armour and don on regular clothing. The shoes were an easy fix. Most regular folks couldn’t distinguish the quality of leather, so she lent him a pair of leather boots that’s about right of his foot size. The other horsemen’s clothing and/or armour were also as eye-catching as DuGu Nuo’s, so of course, they aren’t suitable to hide their identity to come shopping. 

　　

DuGu Nuo’s big and tall, and even both Hua Younger Brother and Hua Father were shorter than him. Little Brother Hua’s figure was on the lean side whereas DuGu Nuo’s figure was wide-shouldered and strong, and he couldn’t stuff himself into Hua Younger Brother’s outfits. In the end, after all, methods exhausted, Hua Mulan found the largest leather coat and shirt that she owns and had him wear it. 

However, Hua Mulan was still a woman, Even though she was taller, her body wasn’t muscular. These leather coat and the shirt were gifted by a friend and bigger than her other clothing, but it could only be so large. DuGu Nuo was barely able to stuff his shoulders and chest into it, and the sleeves left a gap where it was too short to reach the wrist. 

Funny enough, not only did he not feel discontent, he grinned himself silly on the way to the market. 

Looks like ignorance is bliss. (3)

He Mulan noticed that the horseman is still a way behind her, she flicked the reins while guiding the horse close to DuGu Nuo.
　　
Seeing that Mulan was coming over, DuGu Nuo’s heart skipped a beat, and heard General Hua say, “Tell me, why did you all come here? All these handsome and charming young men from the military, some of them don’t look like they know you, how did you gather them all up and bring them to this rural village of mine?”

If it’s out of righteous indignation, the ones who came should have been those comrades who were under her for many years and those underlings who had served her comrades, not these “elitist” who looked as if they were drafted into this.

Any of these men would have been good enough for a princess.
　　
With a pause, Dugu Nuo’s expression clouded over. He blinked and went into a daze.

“What do you mean why? We’re all here to propose to you.”

He Mulan was waiting for an answer. But when she heard his reply, she was so upset that she was speechless.

If Dugu Nuo was really such a sly person, then his acting was way too good!
　　
“I don’t have the patience for this game. DuGu Nuo, there’s no doubt that you've been writing to Hua KeHu, and all those years I was in the military I was never close to anyone. Have you been a bigmouth spreading the word that I, Mulan, had fallen into a pitiful circumstance?” He Mulan made a serious face. “If that’s really the case, then I must “thank” you.”

“I wouldn’t do that!” DuGu Nuo frowned. “They’re the ones of asked me what the truth was. They knew that Hua KeHu used to be my underling, so they wanted to ask if you’re being judged and criticized by the villagers…”

“Besides, we are more like soul brothers! Soul Brothers!” DuGu Nuo spoke the word in fluent Xianbei dialogue that He Mulan completely couldn’t understand. There’s no word for “soul brothers” in Xianbei dialect. It must have been tough for him.
　　
He Mulan, seeing that DuGu Nuo lacked a brain even though he had all the looks, decided to give up the interrogation.
　　
No wonder most of her comrades got promoted to dangerous battlefields, but this guy here got sent to the capitol to be the emperor's guard.

It’s all in the looks.

Even though she’s only a forensic scientist, after so many years working in investigations, she’s quite confident in her power of observations. DuGu Nuo’s expression that was like “Ah, they’re here for you so I’m coming along as well, therefore, we just decided to come together” didn’t look fake.
　　
Whether or not there’s someone in the shadows pulling the strings, and if it’s with good or evil intentions, He Mulan didn’t know and didn’t want to care.
　　
Whatever happens, she will just deal with it as it comes.

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(1) I’m sure some of you readers have seen this in historical Chinese dramas where they pick up their robes in the back before they sit down, especially on a bench, so that the fabric won’t pull on their backs or waist when they sit down. The alternative would be to stick their butts out before they sit down, which doesn't look elegant at all. XD 

(2)Like if they were the mafia who extorts money or else they’ll smash up the stall. 

(3)  The literal translation of this saying seems to be “brain-damaged children have more joys”. There doesn’t seem to be a similar saying in English.  

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Fleur's corner: 

No translator notes for this part of the chapter.  (Edit: Turns out there are) Next part of the chapter will be up next week. 

I can be really inefficient in editing and uploading chapters, but please bear with me till end of July guys~

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