Translator: Ink Hub

Editor: Yoog

“You killed a group of Qiang spies? The enemy is pressing our borders, the army is at the gates, and the entire city is under martial law, yet spies can still infiltrate our walls? This is the greatest joke in the world! What the hell are the guards at the city gates doing!”

Kong Xian’s face was dark as he slammed his hand on the table in fury upon hearing the news.

“Search! Send men to search immediately! Find out exactly how many Qiang spies are still hidden in the city. Catch one, kill one. Leave none alive!”

The cursing was incessant, and spittle flew everywhere.

This General Kong certainly had the heart to protect the territory and its people, but his temperament was far too impulsive. Combined with Luo Yu’s recent observations, he agreed with Xiao Shaoyou’s assessment: this man’s capability was indeed average.

“Please calm your anger, General. This humble officer believes that would be inappropriate!”

Xiao Shaoyou understood Kong Xian’s nature well and hurried to advise him.

“The citizens in the city fear the very word ‘Qiang’ like tigers. If they learn that spies have infiltrated the city, it will surely cause a riot. Would that not be throwing our own ranks into chaos? This subordinate has already ordered a strict blockade on the news. The pursuit of the spies must be conducted in secret to prevent us from alerting the enemy.”

“True.”

Kong Xian finally calmed down a little.

“Your consideration is thorough. We shall proceed as you say.”

Xiao Shaoyou’s expression grew even more solemn.

“General, this humble officer has an even more important matter to report. It concerns the very survival of Yunyang Pass!”

“Oh?” Kong Xian’s brow furrowed. “That serious? What is it?”

Luo Yu stepped forward and handed over a secret letter.

“During the battle at Black Ditch Fortress, this humble officer recovered a secret letter from the body of a Qiang centurion, Walige. The writer should be a certain general within the city. He has made a pact with the Qiang to open the gates and surrender on New Year’s Eve!”

“What!”

Kong Xian’s face changed instantly. He stood up abruptly, strode to Luo Yu, and snatched the letter. He scanned it quickly, his brow knitting tighter with every second. By the end, he was livid.

“Who! Who is it! With the great enemy before us, they do not think of defending the country but instead plot to collaborate and rebel. This is an unpardonable sin! Over the years, our border battles have suffered defeat after defeat precisely because of these cowards, these scum, these traitors! Have they no concern for the people of the border? Have they no concern for the nation and its lands?!”

Kong Xian cursed for a long while before stopping, his grip tightening on the letter.

“Besides the two of you, who else knows about this?”

Luo Yu replied in a deep voice, “This matter is of great importance. We did not dare to leak the news lightly. No one else knows.”

“Good. You have considered this carefully. This General truly did not misjudge you.”

Kong Xian’s brow remained furrowed as he paced back and forth.

“But with only this vague letter, we cannot determine who the traitor is. Do either of you have a lead?”

“We have no leads for now. We can only speculate that this person’s rank is high. To open the gates and coordinate with the Qiang from within, they must hold military power!”

Xiao Shaoyou and Luo Yu exchanged a glance. They did not directly point their suspicion toward Jun Yi or Li Chengxiao. Without solid evidence, they could not voice such accusations.

“This is troublesome.”

Kong Xian’s face was full of worry. “There are only fifteen days left until New Year’s Eve. If we cannot root out the traitor, Yunyang Pass is in peril! You two have quick wits. Do you have a plan?”

Xiao Shaoyou cupped his fists. “Before the traitor is caught, we can only prepare for the worst. We must put the entire city on alert and control the four main gates. The west and east gates are guarded by the General’s own troops, so they should be secure. However, the south and north gates are defended by the Jun and Li families. I fear there may be loopholes. We should station trusted troops near those two gates to monitor them closely, just in case.”

“Good! This General will handle that!”

Kong Xian agreed on the spot.

“But what about this traitor? Are we to stop investigating?”

“This humble officer believes there is no need to search. He might just jump out on his own.”

Luo Yu’s words confused Kong Xian. “Jump out on his own? Is this traitor truly that stupid?”

Luo Yu gave a cold smile.

“General, please look. The writer mentioned in the letter that before surrendering, he would find a way to kill the other generals in the city to seize as much military power as possible. With so many officers in the city, if he wants to wipe them out all at once, he must create a situation where most of them are gathered together. Once that situation arises, the person hosting the event will be the most suspicious! We only need to wait patiently and watch the changes.”

“That makes sense!”

Kong Xian’s eyes lit up, his spirit rising significantly.

“Though you both are young, your thinking is agile. You are true talents! Work hard, and this General will surely place you in high regard. I leave the task of secretly investigating the traitor to you. Report any findings immediately! The safety of the five thousand soldiers and ten thousand citizens of Yunyang Pass rests on our shoulders. Not a single mistake can be made!”

“This humble officer obeys the command!”

* * *

Leaving the General’s Manor, Xiao Shaoyou and Luo Yu finally breathed a sigh of relief. With Kong Xian’s support, they felt much more grounded.

As they chatted idly, Luo Yu suddenly asked, “I have a question. Why do other centurions mostly have infantry with very few horses, while your hundred-man unit consists entirely of cavalry? Did General Kong favor you so much that he provided all those horses?”

“How could that be? These horses were earned by my own military merit!”

Mentioning this, Xiao Shaoyou’s face was full of pride.

“Every time I won a battle, I didn’t want the reward silver. I only wanted warhorses. I accumulated them bit by bit over two or three years until I had over a hundred horses. Do you think it was easy for me?”

“I see.”

“What? You want some too?”

“I do. Of course I do!”

Luo Yu stared at Xiao Shaoyou, the corners of his mouth curving into a strangely devious smirk.

“Didn’t you want to recruit me as your subordinate before? How about this: give me a hundred warhorses now, and I’ll work for you from now on.”

Watching from the city walls that day when the four thousand Qiang riders appeared, Luo Yu realized the vital importance of cavalry. In the face of absolute strength, any scheme was insignificant.

“Pah! If I give them to you, what will I use?”

Xiao Shaoyou saw right through Luo Yu’s little scheme and gave a cold snort.

“Warhorses are rare treasures in this city. I wouldn’t give them to you even if you killed me. And as for being my subordinate? I don’t believe a word of it!”

“Then tell me how to get horses, or else I’ll just have to raid your camp.”

“You… Are you just going to be a rogue now?”

Xiao Shaoyou was exasperated, but then he thought of something.

“Actually, there is a way. A few days ago, the General’s Manor distributed twenty warhorses to Commandant Han Shuo. He hasn’t decided which unit to give them to yet. You could try to see if you can ask for them.”

“Commandant Han has horses? Excellent! I’m going right now!”

“Wait, wait! You’re going empty-handed?”

Xiao Shaoyou pulled him back, looking at him with disdain. “If you go like that, not only will you not get the horses, but you’ll also get a scolding.”

Luo Yu realized he was right. Commandant Han Shuo wasn’t a bad man, but getting money, men, or horses from him for nothing was as difficult as ascending to heaven. Last time, the man had said it himself: this was a military camp, not a vegetable market. If he wanted something, he must trade it for military merit!

“This will be difficult.” Luo Yu’s brow furrowed. “The Qiang haven’t attacked the city yet. Where am I supposed to get military merit to trade for horses?”

“You stubborn blockhead. Can you only do things by fighting?”

Xiao Shaoyou gave him a hint.

“You can cater to his interests. Send a gift. If you make your superior happy, won’t the horses be yours?”

“Send a gift?” Luo Yu’s eyes lit up. “Commandant Han accepts bribes? If he does, this is easy! What does he like? Silver?”

“Eh? So decisive?” Xiao Shaoyou’s expression turned strange. “I thought you were far too noble for such things.”

“Noble? What use is being noble? It’s a thing to be thrown into a stinking ditch. Can it be traded for grain or food?” Luo Yu gave a cold laugh. “The border army is already rotten to the core. Is it enough if I alone am noble?”

No official isn’t greedy! This was an eternal truth.

“You see through things quite clearly.” Xiao Shaoyou laughed.

“But don’t bother with silver. The commandant won’t care about the paltry amount of pay you have. However, I can tell you that Commandant Han is a total drunkard. If you can get a few jars of good wine…”

“A drunkard?”

Luo Yu looked up thoughtfully.

“That’s easy!”