MHNEB 15 (1/2)

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

吾家木兰

Chapter 15: Mulan’s home (0) [Part 1 of 2]

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Edited by Granny

The 14 men who were carefully chosen to take up the duty as the city’s honorary guards, after staying in Mulan’s home for 3 days, finally left in low spirits.

Within these three days, these Yulin men who were born of a silver spoon had suffered a lot.

One of the Yulin men who was mending the rooftop accidentally stepped on the moss that was on it and slipped. Luckily, at that moment He Mulan was helping Fang-shi and Hua MuTuo take care of their children, and to not scare the kids to death, He Mulan caught that Yulin man, therefore, the sight of “such a tragedy, not only did he failed to propose, he also broke his leg”’s a bargaining chip.

As to how He Mulan caught him, and what kind of pose she used to catch him, she shall not dwell on the past. For the sake of not willing for the Yulin man to have trauma in the future, all the fellow soldiers collectively indicated that they didn’t see or forgot about it.

The rest were feeding the pigs or chickens, grinding stones, etc, anyway it was just some chores that were not hard to do and only needed strength.

Although Hua younger brother felt pity for the Yulin lad who kind-heartedly helped him to kill the chicken, when he finally chopped the chicken’s head, he did not collect any chicken blood. However, for someone like him who had stayed at home to carry out household chores farmed the lands, groomed the horses and fed the pigs, these past few days was unbelievable. 

At midnight when he finally hit the sack with Fang-shi, he couldn’t help but relay his thoughts to her that if he was the one who carried the mantle and became a soldier, he wouldn’t have such a glamorous life nowadays, wearing such bright and dashing armours.

To that, Fang-shi mercilessly told him the cold hard truth.

“We’ll need to wait for the moment when you are fearless enough to not fear death.”

For those Han men who has a strong family backing, they also learned a lot these few days. Some of them felt that their confidence was crushed and dispirited. They learned that they wouldn’t die of hunger due to their ability to write letters.

Writing letters and reciting the works are, after all, two different things. Especially for those commoners who do not know any difficult words, if the phrases used are too hard to understand, the commoners would not be able to comprehend it. It’s a skill-on how to write a letter that is concise and simplified.

Under the nagging of numerous old grandmas and grandpas, these noble tribesmen from the north slowly grasped the skill to write such letters.

The biggest realization was their feelings of yearning after they put down their brushes.

Their yearning towards a son who went afar to work.

Their yearning towards the son who was out on a journey.

Their yearning of the daughter who had married, wondering whether she was well.

The yearning towards a relative or a lover, their true and honest feelings.

They would not say, “Not meeting one day, seems like three months has passed,” (1) or “This gentleman is willing, what do you think,” (2). But the words they use were much more touching than that.

At first, these men with strong family backgrounds were unwilling to do such tasks. They only did it to preserve Hua Mulan’s name and improve her reputation. Later, as they began to understand the hardships and the bitterness of the commoners, they completely understood that the “powerful had more to do”.

Using the improved writing skills of the literary officials and the nobles as a weapon, using a gentle way to utilize it, to soothe other’s hearts.

Some of these men with a strong family background would even feel curious towards those soldiers situated at the borders, and the men who are out on a journey, what would their feelings be when they see the letters they wrote?

Regardless, when He Mulan had obviously displayed that their actions had disrupted her way of life, these Yulin men can’t help but return to the capital.

They revered He Mulan to the point they were unwilling to see her show any bit of animosity towards them.

In the morning, the 14 horsemen took their horses from the stable of Hua Mulan’s backyard. Then they rode their horses out. He Mulan left the horsemen out from her stable as well as moving the gifts they gave her. She placed it on the horse cart.

Although the 14 horsemen all felt that they disturbed the peace of Hua family, these gifts they brought to Hua Mulan could purely be presents they gave to her. But He Mulan felt that she didn’t do anything to deserve them. Adding on to the fact that she had rejected all their proposals, at this moment if she accepted the gifts it would not be appropriate. Therefore, she stubbornly refused the gifts. The 14 horsemen could only accept the fact.

“General Hua, after today’s parting, I do not know when we will meet. I hope the next time we see each other again; you don’t chase me away.” Dugu Nuo’s eyes watered. If only he wasn’t the guard stationed in the palace, right this moment he would have built a straw house next to Hua house, to pursue Hua Mulan till she agrees to marry him.

“Of course.” He Mulan gave a carefree smile, “the next time you come, I would surely bring some good wine and delicious dishes to greet you.”

She playfully rolled her eyes at DuGu Nuo.

“This time the group of you came with too many people, I can only save the good wine then.”

DuGu Nuo had never seen the playful side of Hua Mulan. Seeing this, he was instantly stunned, it was soon followed by joy.

“General DuGu……” He Mulan bent down to his ears to whisper to DuGu Nuo, in a low voice, she secretly told him some matters.

As He Mulan neared, DuGu Nuo’s face turned red and his heartbeat accelerated till he felt that his heart was jumping out. And after listening to what He Mulan had said, he jumped.

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(0) 吾家 - it has 3 meanings. One meant 'my home', one meant 'my tribe' while the last meaning meant a term to address oneself. 

(1) & (2): literary verses. The second one was probably from the Song Dynasty. 

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Fleur's corner:

Hi everyone. I've been contemplating these days on if I should drop this novel.

Part of the reason why I had chosen to pick this novel up was that it seemed interesting and many of the readers could learn about historical China. But now as it seems that not many people are interested in this novel.

I'll decide after I upload part 2 of chapter 15. I apologize for the slow releases. As some of you might have seen on the Tumblr announcement, I injured my hand. It's harder to translate now.

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