[Rong Li's Version]
Rong Li was the leader of a band of female bandits, and a very ambitious one at that.
To put it simply, she planned to kick down the crumbling old house that was the Great Huan Dynasty, storm the capital with a blade in hand, and seize the throne from that damn emperor.
The emperor's turn comes around to everyone. Next year, it'll be my turn!
Of course, ambition alone wouldn't put food on the table. She still had to lead her brothers down the mountain and get to work.
For example, visiting the homes of wealthy tyrants and corrupt gentry to pay their whole families a greeting;
For example, taking some gold and silver from corrupt officials' congratulatory gifts to share in the good fortune;
For example, having a friendly discussion with the bandits on the neighboring mountain to explore the possibility of all eating from the same pot in the future.
While doing her best to be a bandit chieftain, she would work hard and strive toward her lofty ambitions.
One day, she led her men down the mountain to start a job, hoping to share in a crooked official's good fortune. She was sure she had landed a big fish, but...
How come this time the crooked official's treasure was a person?
Looking at the youth who seemed like an immortal banished from heaven, she couldn't help thinking, This crooked official sure has some interesting tastes!
Whatever the case, she couldn't come all this way for nothing. She was taking the man, too!
Not only did this beauty look like a celestial being, he was as skillful with his hands as one, too. He could make anything for her. What an unexpected windfall!
They had no tools for reclaiming wasteland and farming? He easily made sturdy plows and waterwheels.
The neighboring mountain was hard to take? He brought out a repeating crossbow.
They were going to rebel and needed to besiege a city? He could build a whole set of siege engines.
What an incredible unexpected windfall!
[The Yun Heng Version]
Yun Heng was a young master from an aristocratic family, and a rather unconventional one.
While everyone else loved elegant writing, he preferred ingenious mechanisms and all sorts of crafts. Every so often, he'd have a little accident and blow his courtyard to smithereens, earning himself a reputation as a weirdo.
One day, he was sitting in his carriage, drinking tea and reading, when he was suddenly robbed.
And the robber was a woman! Female bandits really were rare these days.
This female bandit had pretty good taste. She didn't mind that he was a weirdo. Instead, she admired him and treated the things he invented like treasures, encouraging him to keep experimenting.
This woman was clearly destined for great things!
From now on, he'd follow her!
Theme: While you live, you should set your sights high
