Lata opened the training yard for a free class in ordinary cultivation forms. The first row included local youths, two former initiates and an orchard worker who had never trained. Qinghe sat on the clinic steps with the pulse slate, ready to check anyone who felt unwell. No one had to give a name to join.
Han Yue had posted the open hour beside the watch rotation. He stayed near the gate at the start, but did not direct the class. When one young man asked if attending would place him on a recruitment list, Han said no and crossed out the blank name column from the watch form the man was holding. The student stayed for the lesson after that. He reminded the students that the class carried no military oath and no watch duty. One young man said he had left a guard post once because the captain expected him to sign up after each lesson. Han told him this yard did not work that way. The man stayed in line.
Lata began with posture and breath count. She asked each person to find a pace they could keep without strain. She demonstrated the standing form once, then let the students choose whether to follow her count or breathe at their own pace. One man began too quickly and had to stop to catch his breath. Lata asked whether he wanted to sit or try again more slowly. He chose the slower count. She did not treat the…
