The only remaining Silver Armored Guard was the Emperor’s personal army in the imperial capital. Their role was similar to that of the Spy Bureau in Yan State, closely resembling the Imperial Guards of the world Zheng Fan was familiar with.
"Captain, with the great merit we’ve earned this time, should there be some reward from above?"
Chu Fengjiu picked up a piece of cloud cake, placed it in his mouth, took a sip of cold tea from the teapot, and glanced irritably at the young man standing next to him, saying, "I say, your father is the Commander of the Silver Armored Guard. Why does he care more about merit than us low-born soldiers?"
"It can’t be helped. My father is my father, and I’m also under a lot of pressure, with so many eyes on me. Knowing that you have real skills, Captain, I specifically arranged to be under your command to gain some merit." New ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄhapters are published on 𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙡•𝙛𝙞𝙧𝙚•𝙣𝙚𝙩
"Tsk, you’re quite honest, but you may be disappointed this time. The Silver Armored Guard has been stationed in Yan State’s Yinlang County for twenty years, and we’ve just reached an understanding with the military governor and the prefect of Nanwang City, as well as a series of noble families. This doesn’t mean they’ll rise in rebellion and side with us against Yan State, but at least they can serve as a barrier for us. Noble families always care more about their own survival than the fate of a country."
"Alas." Upon hearing this, the young man also sighed.
"But who could have predicted that Lord Jingnan would go mad, daring to lead troops to massacre in Yinlang County, and even spread word that the military governor and prefect of Nanwang City were killed by spies from our Qian State, hehe."
"Captain, does this mean Yan State really intends to wage war against our Qian State?"
Shaking his head, Chu Fengjiu said, "The Earl of North Border’s faction has now become a powerful vassal, and the Yan Emperor has fallen out with them. Lord Jingnan’s actions are probably a result of the Yan Emperor’s fear that our Qian will launch a northern expedition in the event of a civil war in Yan State."
"The Captain is wise."
"Wise, my ass!" Chu Fengjiu angrily threw the cloud cake in his hand to the ground, cursing, "A few hundred Yan cavalry could break through the gates of Mianzhou City, flaunt themselves for two days in the northern territory of our Qian, and our Qian’s border troops were powerless to stop them. Little Ding, tell me, if you were the Yan Emperor, how would you feel upon learning of this?"
"I..." Ding Xiang didn’t dare to speak.
"Can’t speak, can you? I say, you’re considered one of those pampered sons of officials in the imperial capital, yet why are you so timid? Don’t always be so hesitant and worried. Be bolder!"
"The Captain is right."
"We must not let this Yan Army return. Once they get back to Yan State and report their actions over the past few days... let me put it this way: if I were that Yan Emperor, I’d think that instead of worrying whether our Qian will launch a northern expedition, he might as well harden his heart and launch a southern campaign first!"
"What wouldn’t he dare? Respect is earned. If you’re useless, don’t blame others for bullying you!"
Chu Fengjiu let out a long sigh and said, "Therefore, for the sake of our Qian’s borders, this Yan Army absolutely must not leave our Qian’s territory alive. This is also why this Captain specifically stayed behind to assist the border troops in encircling and annihilating them. Otherwise, given the quality of our border troops, this Yan cavalry might actually fight their way back to their country!"
"Captain, I’ve always wondered, how did you determine their location?"
"That Yan cavalry unit abducted the wife and daughter of Meng Changqi, the governor of Liang Town."
"I know. Governor Meng has gone mad, dispatching all his Liang Town cavalry to search for them."
"Governor Meng’s wife is one of our Silver Armored Guard."
"......" Ding Xiang was silent.
"Within the court, the wives of many important civil and military officials are members of the Silver Armored Guard. Some of them know but pretend not to. Others are genuinely unaware."
"Don’t worry, your mother isn’t one."
"..." Ding Xiang was silent again.
"Your mother really isn’t one of our people. Your father was promoted from a low-ranking officer all the way to Commander. Your mother married him back then. No matter how many women the Silver Armored Guard has, we wouldn’t be so extravagant as to gift a woman to a mere officer for his wedding, would we? Of course, if your father were to take a concubine or re... marry..." Chu Fengjiu thought for a moment, but decided not to say the word "remarry."
"So, your father never takes concubines. He is, after all, the Commander of our Silver Armored Guard. Do you really think he’s not interested in women?"
"Hehe. So, along the way, we were actually able to find the marks she left. We just followed them here. It’s just that we’re too short-handed, so we can only keep an eye on them for now. We still have to wait for the border troops to arrive, close the net, and then devour them in one go."
Saying this, Chu Fengjiu stood up with the teapot and began to walk forward, muttering, "This northern winter is truly uncomfortable. I hear it’s even colder in Yan State, especially in Beifeng Prefecture near the desert. It’s so cold it’s hardly a place fit for humans."
"I’ve heard the same from the merchant caravans," Ding Xiang echoed.
"Yes. So, you should consider just how much the Yan people must love this Huahua Jiangshan of our Qian, hehe."
"Captain, I believe that if our Qian’s border troops continue , they will..."
"Stop! Don’t you dare say such things to me. Go tell your father."
Chu Fengjiu walked up to Ding Xiang, patted him on the shoulder, and said, "Little Ding, you’re a good lad. Young people should have such concerns. I’m old now; I don’t have those ambitions anymore. Muddling through is enough for me. If the ministers in the court aren’t anxious, and our Emperor isn’t anxious, why should we be?"
"Don’t worry. I’m glad you have these thoughts. Even if not for your father’s sake, I would do my best for our Qian to protect a young man like you. I’ll watch over you for a while, ensure you’re well-protected, and then help push you up. In the future, our Qian might still have some hope."
"Subordinate thanks the Captain for his mentorship!"
"You’re too kind. This is what I should..."
Suddenly, a figure shot out from the woods beside them. A terrifying killing intent, like boiling oil, rushed towards them! Chu Fengjiu’s heart leaped. The hand on Ding Xiang’s shoulder immediately exerted force, pushing the unprepared Ding Xiang directly towards the shadowy figure, while he himself kicked off the ground and retreated rapidly!
The last two words of his sentence, "...do," still hung faintly in the air.