Translator: Ink Hub

Editor: Yoog

In the span of a single day and night, Shen Li had already brewed two large jars of wine, or more accurately, she had distilled two jars.

At first, she had been full of suspicion, thinking Luo Yu was tricking her, but the moment the aroma of the wine permeated the air, she knew she was wrong. Having brewed wine before, she understood that the quality of this spirit was absolutely top-tier.

Luo Yu had already arrived at Han Shuo’s residence with the two jars of wine, brimming with confidence. Today, he was determined to take those twenty warhorses back with him.

“How do you have the time to visit me today?”

Han Shuo asked curiously.

“You recruited so many new soldiers. Shouldn’t you be staying in camp to train them?”

“This subordinate has important matters to discuss with the commandant today.”

Luo Yu took the initiative to step forward and pour tea for Han Shuo.

“Boss, the Qiang soldiers are all born on the grasslands and are experts in horse archery. If we want to face the Qiang head-on on the battlefield, cavalry is essential. Relying solely on infantry makes the war far too difficult to fight.”

The corner of Han Shuo’s mouth curled into a playful smirk.

“Go on.”

“This subordinate has quite a bit of experience in training cavalry. These past few days, I have already been training everyone’s riding skills. The brothers under me are also brave and willing to fight, having killed many Qiang thieves. I am determined to form an elite cavalry unit to slay the enemy and earn military merit, but I am suffering from a lack of warhorses.”

Luo Yu put on a troubled expression and rubbed his hands together.

“I heard the General’s Manor just allocated twenty warhorses to you, Commandant?”

“Heh, I see. So you came here specifically for the warhorses?”

The smile on Han Shuo’s face grew even more pronounced.

“I was wondering why Centurion Luo, who is usually so serious, learned how to pour tea and water today. Turns out you have a request for me. However, I have several centurions under my command. Who doesn’t know a bit of horsemanship? Who doesn’t want to form a cavalry unit? Wanting twenty warhorses based solely on your high-sounding rhetoric, isn’t that a bit of a pipe dream? I remember telling you that this is a battlefield. Military rations, pay, and warhorses are all top-priority resources. If you want them, you have to trade military merit for them.”

“Please rest assured, Commandant, if these warhorses are given to me, they will definitely be put to their best use!”

Luo Yu patted his chest.

“This subordinate can issue a military order to the commandant. In the next battle, the military merit I secure will definitely be higher than anyone else’s!”

“I still believe in Centurion Luo’s abilities.”

Han Shuo slowly crossed his legs and took a sip of tea.

“But that is in the future, something that hasn’t happened yet. If I give all twenty warhorses to you now for no reason, others will say I am playing favorites, which will inevitably invite criticism. So, Centurion Luo, please head back.”

Han Shuo’s expression showed no sign of relenting, and he even turned his head to the side.

Luo Yu didn’t care about his pride and hurriedly leaned over to the other side.

“Commandant, don’t be in such a hurry. I heard you love wine, so I brought you two jars of good wine today.”

Luo Yu’s face was covered in smiles, but internally, he was cursing his own shamelessness. When had he ever been so fawning? For the sake of the warhorses, he was truly going all out.

Han Shuo glanced indifferently at the wine jars. In truth, he had seen them long ago. He said coldly, “What? You think you can please me with just two jars of wine? It’s true that I love wine, but what kind of nectar could possibly be worth twenty warhorses? I’m telling you, this Commandant never accepts bribes! Moreover, I’ve quit drinking as of yesterday…”

Pop!

Before his righteous words were finished, Luo Yu slapped open the seal of a wine jar. The aroma of wine overflowed instantly. Han Shuo’s gaze focused, and his nose twitched as he sniffed repeatedly.

He was a wine-maniac. He could tell if a wine was good just by the smell, and this was the finest of the fine!

Luo Yu feigned annoyance.

“Ah, so you don’t like this sort of thing and even quit drinking. It was this subordinate’s blunder, please forgive me, Commandant! I will immediately have someone move the wine away so it doesn’t offend your eyes! Men!”

“Hey, hey! Stop!”

Han Shuo hurriedly grabbed Luo Yu.

“Ahem, two large jars of wine are quite heavy. It’s such a hassle to move them back and forth, just leave them here for now.”

The words were directed at Luo Yu, but his eyes were fixed on the wine jars, and he was nearly drooling.

“That’s true. Commandant is indeed considerate of his subordinates.”

Luo Yu directly picked up a jar and poured a full cup.

“Since they’re already here, why don’t you have a taste, Commandant? Consider it an evaluation for me. This is wine I brewed using a secret family method.”

“You brewed it yourself?”

Han Shuo was somewhat surprised. He excitedly picked up the wine bowl.

“Fine, then I’ll have a taste! But let’s be clear, this is only an evaluation.”

“Right, an evaluation!”

As the liquid entered his throat, Han Shuo’s face flushed red. A burning sensation scorched his throat, instantly warming his entire body.

“Hiss… What strong wine!”

Han Shuo was beyond shocked. It was his first time drinking such potent wine, and a feeling of total comfort immediately followed.

“Did you really brew this yourself?”

“Of course. If you don’t believe me, Commandant, you can search the whole city. If you find the same wine, I’ll buy it all and give it to you!”

Luo Yu added pointedly, “In other words, if you want to drink this, Commandant, you can only come to me.”

The room fell silent for a moment. Han Shuo’s eyes darted around. How could he not understand Luo Yu’s meaning? If he wanted to drink the wine, he had to trade warhorses for it.

“How about this, I’ll give you five horses.”

Han Shuo ultimately couldn’t resist the temptation and held up his right hand.

“These two jars of wine belong to me.”

“Commandant, since you’re giving them anyway, can’t all twenty warhorses go to me?”

Luo Yu also held up his right hand.

“In addition to these two jars, I will give you another five!”

“It’s not impossible to give them all to you, but I want fifty jars of wine!”

“Commandant, you might as well kill me. How long would it take to brew fifty jars? How about this? Let’s both take a step back. One jar of wine for one horse! I will brew twenty jars for you!”

“Deal!”

The two of them were like street vendors, haggling back and forth until they finally settled the deal.

“I’ll have someone send the warhorses over tomorrow.”

Han Shuo was clearly very happy.

“Don’t forget my wine!”

“Don’t you worry, Commandant, haha! Then this subordinate shall take his leave!”

Luo Yu walked out cheerfully, feeling like he had gained a massive advantage. In reality, whether it was twenty jars or fifty jars made no difference to him. Shen Li was the one brewing it anyway; it was just a matter of time.

Just as he reached the door, Han Shuo said something out of the blue.

“The idea of sending wine, Xiao Shaoyou told you to do that, didn’t he?”

Luo Yu froze, unsure of how to answer for a moment.

A slight smile played on Han Shuo’s lips.

“He probably didn’t tell you that I already intended to give those twenty warhorses to you.”

* * *

“That damn Xiao Shaoyou, he actually dared to pit me! He made me go through all that trouble for nothing!”

“Hahaha!”

Xiao Shaoyou laughed so hard he doubled over.

“Who told you to be so smart all the time? There aren’t many chances to mess with you.”

“I think your skin is itching for a beating!”

Luo Yu flipped his palm, and Breaking Dawn appeared.

“Today, let me experience Centurion Xiao’s swordsmanship!”

“Hey, hey, it was just a joke. You didn’t lose anything.”

Xiao Shaoyou waved his hands repeatedly and then made a grand gesture.

“Let’s go, mutton soup. My treat today!”

“That’s more like it. Let’s go! Today I’m definitely going to eat until you’re broke!”

It was late at night, and the sky was already dark. The two of them strolled out of the military camp toward Old Li’s stall. Without realizing it, they walked into a quiet, deserted alleyway, which was the only way to get to the mutton soup stall.

The night was pitch-black, with only faint moonlight spilling onto the walls, lending the area a slightly eerie feel.

Xiao Shaoyou switched to a serious tone.

“General Kong has already arranged for people to monitor the city gates secretly. If anyone has crooked intentions, they will be discovered immediately. All we have to do next is wait patiently. But are you really sure the traitor will jump out on his own?”

“No matter who the traitor is, it’s impossible for him to control all the defending soldiers in the city.”

Luo Yu sneered.

“If he really wants to open the city gates and collude with the Qiang without any risk, the best way is to control the other military officers in the city, even the various commandants. Therefore, he will most likely wait for a suitable opportunity to strike, and that opportunity must be when everyone is gathered together. We just need to wait patiently.”

“Fine, since you’re confident, we’ll do it your way.”

Psshew!

A sharp sound of breaking wind suddenly echoed in their ears. The hair on Luo Yu’s body stood on end. He violently pushed Xiao Shaoyou away, and both of them collapsed toward the corner of the wall.

A short arrow grazed past the space between them, sinking straight into the mud. The fletching outside was still vibrating at high speed.

A chill settled over the quiet alley.

Luo Yu’s eyes were ice-cold as he gripped his dagger tightly.

“Which coward is hiding there? Get out here!”