Chapter 22: Chapter 22: Planting Melons, Militia Training

Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

Ling Chengyan requested a separate plot of land when the Wang Family divided property. Her eldest cousin and his wife arranged it for her—a sandy plot unsuitable for wheat but suitable for sweet potatoes, green beans, and cowpeas.

The aunt also prepared a variety of seeds for her, over ten types in total.

Ling Chengyan divided the land into small beds and planted assorted grains and vegetables.

That day, Ling Chengyan was planting chive roots as instructed by her aunt when her eldest cousin and his wife came over together.

Her cousin’s wife held a tea bowl, covered with a damp cloth, and smiled, “I got some zucchini seeds, let your brother help plant them.”

Ling Chengyan lifted the cloth to find the elongated seeds had sprouted, hence the need for the damp cover.

Wang Lianqi, holding a short-handled hoe, said, “This is a melon hoe, used for planting melons. I’ll help you get one from the commune’s agricultural station another day.”

Ling Chengyan smiled and agreed, wanting to help, but her cousin’s wife pulled her back.

As her cousin’s wife sat down on a tree stump, she hesitated before speaking, “I didn’t know earlier, just found out last night and gave him a good scolding. Imagine someone almost in their forties, acting so irresponsibly and doing mindless things…”

Ling Chengyan chuckled and patted her arm, saying, “Don’t be too formal with me, if there’s anything, just say it.”

Among the Wang Family, even relatives could resort to selling children, so whatever her oldest cousin might do couldn’t be worse than selling one’s flesh and blood!

Her cousin’s wife sighed, bowing her head and avoiding Ling Chengyan’s eyes, “The commune notified us that skilled militia from all teams are summoned for training and then selected to compete in a county competition. Liu Shoucheng from our team sprained his ankle and couldn’t go. No one else seemed capable enough, so your brother thought of you, saying you’re more capable than those young lads. And without much thinking, he signed you up. Once the commune learned you’re a female militia, they reported it to the county… saying if you train well and pass the tests, you’d partake in the county competition… Look at what a mess this has become…”

Ling Chengyan listened and laughed, her eyebrows curved into a genuine smile, her whole being bright and lively like a clear day post-snow on green spring mountains, a rare smile that left her cousin’s wife speechless.

“Don’t blame my brother, this is a good thing. I should thank him for the chance to participate.” Ling Chengyan earnestly smiled.

Her cousin’s wife blinked, slightly surprised, “You really want to go?”

“Why wouldn’t I? Maybe I’ll get to see the world at the county; what a great opportunity!” Ling Chengyan smiled, “Besides, you’ve seen me working; I’m strong enough to hold my own against anyone. I’ll go!”

“Good, you’re very straightforward, and I admire that quality.” Her cousin’s wife was amused, clapped her leg, and praised her.

Wang Lianqi already dug the seed holes and fetched a load of water, watering each hole to aid germination.

While busy, he heard the two women laughing heartily, the lively scene soothing his nerves, leading to a genuine smile on his honest, dark face.

Her name submitted to the county, with approvals coming swiftly, the commune organized militia training the following day. Ling Chengyan, the only female militia in the Nanli Team and Taiping Commune, packed her things and set out early with a bag of dry rations to the commune.

Having learned from her cousin to tie leggings, wear a dry ration bag, a bullet pouch, and a gun, she even understood the safety and basic structure of firearms, constrained only by the lack of ammunition for live firing.

Her aunt and cousin’s wife assured her they’d care for her child, the household, and her plot during her absence.

Ling Chengyan approached the county lightly equipped, among a crowd dominated by men, attracting numerous curious glances. Naturally, there were some who commented, wondering what a woman was doing at militia training, but Ling Chengyan ignored them, quietly standing with the Nanli Team.

Wang Lianqi, the militia captain, reported upon arrival, leaving Ling Chengyan with three other robust young men. Jiang Shenglin, her elder cousin, with Wu Qingyun and Zhang Wanxiang, who called her “Sister-in-law.”

Zhang Wanxiang, impulsive by nature, braced to confront some individuals from Longsheng Village mocking them, but Ling Chengyan stopped him.

Zhang Wanxiang angrily protested, “Sister-in-law, are we just gonna let those bastards talk nonsense?”

Ling Chengyan calmly asked, “What are we here for?”

Zhang Wanxiang and Wu Qingyun were momentarily at a loss, whereas Jiang Shenglin, unfazed, smiled, “We’re here for training and selection for the county competition. Use your heads; don’t act rashly.”

With that said, he flicked Zhang Wanxiang and Wu Qingyun’s heads.

This militia training had only Wang Lianqi and Jiang Shenglin from the older batch, with Zhang Wanxiang and Wu Qingyun standing out among the young militia, and Ling Chengyan added as a wild card, made for quite an adventurous arrangement.

Ling Chengyan glanced at the mocking men, calmly stating, “Since this is training and selection, let’s beat them in the selection, making them admit defeat willingly.”

Jiang Shenglin emphasized, “Exactly, outmatch them and show that mouthing off is nothing. Real skill should be shown in the competition!”

Wu Qingyun nodded thoughtfully, while Zhang Wanxiang spat in anger but turned away defiantly, ignoring those troublemakers.

Taiping Commune comprised fifty-three teams, each recommending five militia members for training, alongside militia captains, making up some 280-odd people, filling the commune’s courtyard densely.

Ling Chengyan took the chance to observe the militia members from various teams, mainly young laborers of average height, with few notably short, slender, tall, or robust individuals.

Ling Chengyan counted among the short and slender, with Jiang Shenglin and Zhang Wanxiang among the few tall and robust.

The scholarly-looking Wu Qingyun also added to Nanli Village’s team attracting extra attention.

Before long, Wang Lianqi and other teams’ militia captains returned, organizing their teams into a quiet stand.

Once order was restored, several people arrived, seating themselves behind the front desk. Ling Chengyan sharpened her gaze, recognizing a tall, long-legged man she had seen outside the purchasing station days ago.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep