The initial gloves Li Man'er had made were not satisfactory. She had a template to follow, and gloves that were uncomfortable to wear affected her feel for things. Whether fighting or working, an uncomfortable or unfamiliar glove was worse than no glove at all.
However, the wisdom and capabilities of ancient people were always beyond the imagination of modern people. Soon, someone produced a qualified finished product, which was not only the right size but also comfortable to wear, almost indistinguishable from the finished products sold in stores in later generations.
"What do you think, if we make more of these gloves and send them to the soldiers defending the city?"
"That would be great, of course," said a quick-witted sister-in-law. "This fabric is thick, not only warm but also quite comfortable. Wearing them to defend the city won't freeze our hands as much, and we might even get fewer frostbites."
"Then it's decided," Li Man'er waved her hand. "I have the fabric, so you can make as many as you want. However, you must get the sizes right. Soldiers have large hands and feet, so a little bigger is fine, but it must never be too small."
Everyone nodded repeatedly. They made dozens of pairs overnight, which was quite impressive.
Li Man'er sent someone to deliver the gloves to the city wall, and they happened to meet Qi Yihan, so they handed them directly to him.
"General, what is this?"
"Yes, what is this thing for?"
Ding Yan said, "This is a glove, an item for protecting the hands that General Li came up with. Everyone, look, just put it on like this, and your hands will be much warmer. It doesn't hinder holding a knife or arrow. Everyone try it."
Everyone followed Ding Yan's example and put on the gloves, and they were all very happy.
Their hands would get frostbite every winter, and many people's hands would rot to the point of being unusable because of severe frostbite. With these gloves, they felt warm and it didn't hinder them. They could still hold swords and swing knives conveniently, and their exposed fingers felt much warmer.
"How can General Li know how to do everything? She's so amazing."
"Exactly, how could we have thought of such an idea?"
Ding Yan heard someone whispering and immediately thought, 'This is bad.' Li Man'er's method of winning people's hearts was too effective, and many people were now speaking well of her.
This wouldn't do.
"General..."
Before Ding Yan could finish speaking, he was interrupted by Qi Yihan. His expression was solemn, and then he said loudly, "Everyone, brace yourselves!"
Upon hearing this, everyone immediately tensed up. The archers nocked their arrows, and the standby catapults were made ready. The guards on the city wall widened their eyes, trying to spot the enemy.
As dawn approached, the distant mist was hazy, and nothing could be seen clearly.
Some people strained their ears but heard nothing, no sound of hooves, but it seemed like the sound of wind, rustling over.
Rustling wind?
Many people had never heard such a sound in their lives!
"Enemy attack." Someone shouted, and immediately arrows began to fly towards the city wall.
Qi Yihan reacted swiftly, immediately ordering the catapults to retaliate, while the archers stepped forward and fired arrows into the distance.
The surroundings were shrouded in mist, and the barbarians' location was invisible. The torches and lanterns on the city wall were extinguished. There was no substantial conflict between the two sides, with minor casualties on both sides, but it soon stopped.
The barbarians came and went without a trace, their whereabouts unknown. However, everything that happened was real. The arrows left on the city wall and the wounded soldiers proved that someone had indeed attacked them before.
"What do we do now? Why have the barbarians disappeared again?"
"They haven't disappeared, they're just hiding," Qi Yihan said worriedly, gazing into the distance. "Under this heavy fog, nothing is visible. Perhaps this is why the barbarians dared to harass us."
Ding Yan, not fully understanding, asked, "General, the sun is rising, and the fog will dissipate. Then the barbarians' advantage will be gone. Why don't we take the initiative to attack?"
"No," Qi Yihan shook his head. "The snow is heavy, and the horses can't run. Opening the city gates gives us no advantage; instead, it's easy to fall into their trap."
"This snow won't melt easily."
Qi Yihan said, "Just you wait, this fog won't dissipate anytime soon."
"Why?"
Qi Yihan looked at the sky. "For the next few days, it's likely to be a foggy weather. With the heavy snow not melting, the barbarians in front, and no supplies coming from behind, what do you think will happen?"
Ding Yan was shocked. "General, you mean they want to starve us to death?"
A life without food or drink for over ten thousand people would be no different from a disaster.
"The people of Xin Cheng wouldn't abandon us, would they?" They were the Xiao family's troops. Even if others didn't care, Third Master couldn't possibly let them fend for themselves.
"Sometimes, even one's own people can become bargaining chips."
Qi Yihan's words sent a chill down Ding Yan's spine. Although he was unwilling to believe it, a voice in his heart told him that what Qi Yihan said was very likely true.
After the disappearance of the old master of the Xiao family, the Xiao brothers appeared to be on good terms, but in reality, they were all scheming against each other, setting traps for one another, waiting to see who would be unlucky enough to fall into them.
Xiao Ruhao, although seemingly powerless, had only increased his standing in the military over the years and had secretly cultivated many followers.
This was because he had money!
The food and supplies allocated by the imperial court were far from enough for the Xiao family's army to use. After layers of siphoning, if even half of the military pay remained when it reached the Xiao family, it would be considered good.
But soldiers needed pay, food, weapons, clothing, medicine, warhorses, and so on. All of these required money.
Xiao Rudí had been operating for many years and was extremely wealthy. He had invested a lot of money in the army every year, so how could he not win people's hearts?
It was truly a pity. In terms of ability, Third Master Xiao and Fourth Master Xiao were far inferior to Xiao Rudí. However, his leg was lame, making it impossible for him to stand openly in the military. He could only stir up trouble from the shadows, unwilling to let his two younger brothers overshadow him.
Third Master Xiao had mediocre talent but was a rare normal person in the Xiao family. Fourth Master Xiao was much stronger than Third Master Xiao, but unfortunately, his disposition was too sinister, his actions too ruthless, and he had too many blood debts on his hands. He was destined to be a mere lackey, and his future was unlikely to be good.
The most regrettable was the second master of the Xiao family. It was said he was a man of exceptional talent, but he died young, which was a great lament.
"General, if this is truly the case, what should we do?"
"First, send someone to urge for grain," Qi Yihan said. "I remember didn't Third Master Li go to transport grain?"
"Yes, but he hasn't returned yet. I suppose he's been delayed by the heavy snow?" If that were the case, these people would be in grave danger!
Delayed on the road?
A cold glint flashed in Qi Yihan's eyes. Not necessarily.
At this moment, Li Qingyan was also anxiously confiding her worries to Li Man'er. "Big sister, Father hasn't returned yet. Could something have happened?"
"Don't worry, Third Uncle will be fine. He will definitely return safely."