Translator: Ink Hub

Editor: Yoog

“Wang Shuang colluded with Qiang soldiers, collaborated with the enemy, and betrayed the country? And he even got into a firefight with Zhang Gui? In the end, Wang Shuang was killed by Zhang Gui, but Zhang Gui died at your hands?”

“Correct. Every word this subordinate said is the truth.”

While reporting the battle situation, Luo Yu recounted the deaths of the two commanders in full detail. After all, he had to explain how he, a mere corporal, ended up leading Jiming Fortress. Xiao Shaoyou listened, dumbfounded.

Luo Yu had roughly figured out Xiao Shaoyou’s background. Every fortress outside the pass was guarded by a standard of garrison soldiers. Usually, they had no direct superior and were all under the command of the General’s Manor at Yunyang Pass.

But now, with the Qiang army pressing on the border and the war situation tense, Yunyang Pass couldn’t manage everything at once. So, the General’s Manor sent out several centurions to command the various fortresses separately. Above Xiao Shaoyou was a centurion named Zhang Lu; the two of them happened to be responsible for five or six fortresses, including Jiming Fortress.

“Truly absurd. One standard commander collaborating with the enemy, the other vice commander embezzling military pay, their crimes are simply unpardonable!”

Xiao Shaoyou looked angry, but then the corner of his mouth hooked up as he looked at Luo Yu.

“Your guts are certainly big too. A dignified vice standard commander, and you killed him just like that without a word? You should know what the crime is for killing a vice commander without authorization, right?”

“This humble officer was forced by circumstances; otherwise, I would have died at Zhang Gui’s hands. Moreover, I believe Zhang Gui embezzled military pay and deserved to die.”

Although Luo Yu’s face didn’t change color, his heart tightened slightly. No one knew he had a dagger hidden in his sleeve.

Zhang Gui was his direct superior. If they really pursued it, he would be guilty. But before meeting Xiao Shaoyou, Luo Yu had asked Dong Chuan about him. This Vice Centurion Xiao had always been clear about right and wrong and probably wouldn’t condemn him, so he told the truth.

But if Xiao Shaoyou couldn’t distinguish right from wrong and wanted to punish him severely, then he couldn’t be blamed for being ruthless.

“Sir, please be lenient outside the law! That Zhang Gui bullied soldiers at will and withheld our food and pay. His crimes were heinous.”

“If Brother Luo hadn’t led us to defeat the Qiang soldiers, all the brothers in Jiming Fortress would be dead.”

Fortunately, Luo Yu had already won the hearts of the people. Dong Chuan and the other two corporals pleaded for Luo Yu one after another, strongly testifying that Luo Yu killing Zhang Gui was a last resort.

“Don’t be nervous. I didn’t say I was going to punish him.”

Xiao Shaoyou waved his hand, a cold sneer on his lips.

“A traitor and a piece of trash, their deaths are not worth pitying.”

Luo Yu’s clenched fist finally relaxed. He felt a bit more goodwill toward this Centurion Xiao; it was rare to meet a reasonable superior since joining the army.

“But I have a question.”

Xiao Shaoyou crossed his arms, looking curious.

“You guys have been in the army longer than him, and your ranks are higher than his. Why did you recommend a new recruit to be the leader instead?”

“Brother Luo has ability; we’re all convinced.”

Dong Chuan had a straightforward personality and cupped his fists.

“Brother Luo has read books and is literate; his brain works much better than us uneducated roughnecks. Plus, his skills are good, and he has a lot of military merit. Only with him leading do the brothers have hope of surviving.”

“Oh? You’ve actually read books? That is indeed rare.”

Xiao Shaoyou stepped toward the wall. “Come, walk with me.”

Luo Yu finally breathed a sigh of relief. Judging by his tone, this matter was considered turned over.

The fortress wasn’t big, and the wall wasn’t wide. The inside had been burned to ruins by the fire. Xiao Shaoyou clicked his tongue in wonder.

“Wang Shuang collaborating with the enemy would have plunged Jiming Fortress into a desperate situation; the slightest carelessness would have meant the destruction of the fortress and everyone in it. But you, you beat him at his own game, luring nearly a hundred Qiang soldiers into the fortress and setting up an ambush to kill them.

“Such daring is rare in the army. Even if I were to lead the troops, I couldn’t have done better.”

The few cavalrymen following Xiao Shaoyou were somewhat stunned. They had never heard Xiao Shaoyou praise someone like this.

“You overpraise me, sir.”

Luo Yu didn’t think much of it and said in a deep voice:

“The lives of dozens of brothers were on my shoulders. I couldn’t betray their trust. This subordinate could only do his best.”

“Not bad. You have daring and a sense of responsibility. You’re a good seed.”

Xiao Shaoyou intended to praise him a few more times, but a soldier accompanying him suddenly pointed into the distance.

“Look, Qiang soldiers!”

Indeed, three or five black dots appeared in the west, circling Jiming Fortress but not daring to come close.

“Don’t be nervous. Just a few scouts; they can’t stir up any waves.”

Xiao Shaoyou sneered.

“I guess they discovered the besieging force was completely wiped out and came to gather intelligence.”

Xiao Shaoyou turned to look at Luo Yu.

“Slaughtering nearly a hundred Qiang soldiers is a great merit, but now is not the time to be happy.

“Since Qiang scouts have appeared, it means their main cavalry force will arrive at Jiming Fortress within days. Tell me, how should Jiming Fortress be defended?”

Xiao Shaoyou’s expression looked like he was giving Luo Yu a test.

Luo Yu said with a calm face:

“In this subordinate’s opinion, Jiming Fortress cannot be defended anymore. We can only abandon it.”

Dong Chuan and the others standing behind were dumbfounded. The centurion asked you how to defend, and you directly said not to defend? Aren’t you afraid of making Xiao Shaoyou unhappy?

Unexpectedly, Xiao Shaoyou didn’t get angry. Instead, he smiled slightly.

“Reason?”

“Very simple.”

Luo Yu analyzed methodically:

“Jiming Fortress has damaged weapons and no grain. To defend to the death, we’d need to transport grain and weapons, which takes time and effort. Plus, the eastern and western flank fortresses have already been breached by Qiang soldiers; Jiming Fortress has become an isolated point. Defending to the death is meaningless. Even sending reinforcements from the rear would just be throwing fuel on the fire, a futile effort that sacrifices brothers’ lives for nothing.

“In my opinion, the best way is to retreat south and concentrate the garrison soldiers from each fortress in one place to resist the Qiang soldiers.”

“They were right; your brain really works well!”

The appreciation in Xiao Shaoyou’s eyes grew stronger.

“Let me tell you the truth. With the Qiang army pressing on the border, most of the forward fortresses have been wiped out. Jiming Fortress is the exception, actually annihilating the Qiang soldiers.

“I came out this time firstly to scout the Qiang movements, and secondly to withdraw all the defeated garrison soldiers from the various fortresses to Black Ditch Fortress, forty li to the east. We will gather there to meet the enemy.”

Dong Chuan and the others were even more dumbfounded. Luo Yu had actually guessed the deployment from above!

“Tomorrow morning, take everyone to Black Ditch Fortress. This place is not suitable for staying long.”

Xiao Shaoyou didn’t stay much longer. After chatting casually for a few sentences, he mounted his horse.

“Remember to move fast. If you run into the main Qiang force, not even the King of Heaven can save you.”

“Yes, sir!”

Luo Yu asked curiously, “Where are you going, sir?”

“Me? I still have to continue gathering routed soldiers.”

Xiao Shaoyou drew his scimitar nonchalantly and urged his horse forward.

“And slaughter those few scouts while I’m at it. Mere handful of riders daring to wander in front of me!”

“Giddy-up!”

The dozen riders galloped out without looking back, coming in a rush and leaving in a rush. The garrison soldiers in the fortress were a bit stunned. Usually, Qian soldiers couldn’t hide fast enough when they saw Qiang cavalry, but this group actively sought them out.

Watching their retreating figures, Luo Yu asked curiously, “Brother Dong, what exactly is this Xiao Shaoyou’s background?”

Dong Chuan answered softly, “It is said this person is shrewd and capable, repeatedly establishing war merits. An eighteen-year-old vice centurion is unique in Yunyang Pass. It seems… it seems he came from a wealthy family and read a lot of books. Later, his family fell on hard times, and somehow he abandoned the pen for the sword.”

“I thought so. He has the air of a scholar about him.”

“But when this Centurion Xiao kills people, he doesn’t have a bit of a scholar’s air.”

They all looked into the distance. Xiao Shaoyou led the cavalry in a charge, cutting down all the scouts’ heads in one pass.

“Perhaps he is also a person with a hard fate. But he does have a young man’s sharpness.”

Luo Yu leaned against the wall and gazed out, murmuring softly:

“I wish to buy osmanthus flowers and carry wine with me, but in the end, it is never like the travels of youth.”

NOTES

Abandon the pen for the sword: A common trope/idiom for a scholar turning into a warrior/general.

“I wish to buy osmanthus flowers…”: A famous line from a Song Dynasty poem (by Liu Guo, later referenced in Genshin Impact as Zhongli’s idle line). It expresses nostalgia for the past and the feeling that things have changed/friends are gone. Luo Yu quoting this adds a layer of melancholy to Xiao Shaoyou’s character, a young man forced to grow up too fast by war.

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