Chapter Ten: The Whole Army Mobilizes

  When the knife cut halfway through, I couldn't bear to cut any further. Looking at Qi Guo Zhong lying on the ground, I really didn't have the heart to do it. I picked up a bed sheet and tore off several strips to tie him up, then found a piece of cloth to stuff into his mouth. Next, I covered him with the bed sheet, picked up the half sheep leg from the ground, put back on his clothes, and walked out of the tent.

  Made a few laps in the camp, making sure no one noticed me, came to the temporary horse shed, cut off all the reins of other horses, and led Zheng Xiong's horse out of the camp secretly.

  After leading the horse for a short distance, I got on and ran. Just running out of ten or so zhang, I heard a loud whistle from behind, this horse immediately turned around and ran back, which scared me to death, using all my strength to hold the reins, while heavily slapping the horse's buttocks with my hand, this horse didn't care about my struggles on its back at all, and happily ran back to the big camp.

  When I arrived at the big camp, I found that all of them had gotten up and were standing in two neat rows, smiling at me as I ran back myself. Qi Guozhong was staring at me with a huff. When I reached Zheng Xiong's side, the horse stopped. Without waiting for them to pull me, I got off the horse by myself and smiled at them, saying: "None of you slept? I just went for a ride." Then I said to Zheng Xiong: "This horse is really good, really good!" After that, I walked towards my own tent.

  These people followed me into the room and pressed me down, then took out a pair of handcuffs from somewhere, cuffed my hands and feet, threw me onto the bed, said "You continue to struggle", and they all left.

  My heart is suffocating, I moved my hands and feet, the sound of rustling in the night can be heard far away, now it's really helpless, I fell on the bed and cursed that damn horse, took out the lamb leg from my arms and gnawed at it fiercely.

  After it got light, I was taken to a vehicle by them. As I boarded the vehicle, I asked: "Where are we going?" The person escorting me replied: "You'll know when you get there."

  It's been three days and I was actually brought back to the old camp. I got off the car with a confused expression and stood under the familiar flagpole of the big camp, feeling dazed.

  Soon, Officer Shang arrived and came before me with a smile, saying: "What you've done this time is truly outstanding, I'm very satisfied. From now on, you're promoted to be the leader of a squad in the army, and awarded 100 taels of silver."

  I hastily said: "Sir, Zheng Xiong and others are spies, they robbed me many times on the road in order to grab the letter."

  The superior officer smiled and said: "I know about this matter, I also participated in it." After finishing speaking, he took off his helmet.

  I was shocked to find that he had several strips of white cloth wrapped around his head, and seeing my strange expression, he said: "From the moment you entered the camp, I felt that you had a clever spirit, after listening to Zheng Xiong and others finish your story, I wanted to try you out, this time sending you to deliver the message was just to see your reaction in an emergency".

  I hastily asked: "Is the one whose chin I chopped off also one of our own people?"

  Magistrate said: "That's not it, he's really a thief of the calamity path, we've already rescued and sent him to the government office."

  I asked again: "Does this mean I can enter Qinglong Camp now?"

  Magistrate said: "It's still not enough, you need more experience to join the Green Dragon Camp, don't rush, I think you will definitely make it in the future."

  Looking at the back of Officer Shang who was walking away, Zheng Xiong said: "You're in such a hurry to get in? Alright, I'll set up a tent for you outside the wall of Qinglong Camp, so you can be closer."

  I glared at him fiercely, and Zheng Xiong continued: "This matter is entirely fake from start to finish, but don't be angry, I'm telling the truth about giving you the horse, and your kid's promotion and wealth are also true. What do you plan to use those 100 taels of silver for? Why not call everyone over to have a meal together?" After finishing speaking, his two cow-like eyes looked at me with a hint of moisture.

  I expressionlessly told him: "I have a use for this money, you can invite me next time, I don't want your horse, I can rob one that's even better than yours."

  The silver was handed over to me and I entrusted it all to Old Wei's family. After resting in the camp for a day, my super-intense training began. A year and a half of training changed me completely, and I'm no longer that sly-looking kid. Now I'm a whole head taller than before, with not an ounce of excess fat on my body. My two eyes shine brightly like polished oil lamps, and my entire being is as sharp as a sword out of its scabbard. Yet, upon closer inspection, I still exude a strong scholarly aura. What delights me the most is that my cooking skills have also become exceptionally impressive.

  That morning, I was intently practicing my sword when the war drums in the camp sounded, and not only the drums but also the bronze bells that were usually not used were rung, I stopped my sword in surprise and rushed to the drill ground.

  The drums and bells rang out in unison, I had only heard it once before, more than half a year ago, after the sound stopped, the whole army set off, leaving only me and 19 others to guard the camp. A month later, the whole army returned, with several more wounded soldiers, but morale was significantly higher. I asked Zheng Xiong, he said they went to attack the remnants of Liu Hei's troops, killing them all without leaving a single piece of armor behind. However, Liu Hei's concubine took his supposed son and escaped to an island called Fusang. After investigating, they found that the one who escaped was actually the son of Liu Hei's horse groom, while the true heir's whereabouts were unknown. Then he bragged about his bravery for another half day.

  I heard him say that the misty mountains are making me itch inside, and this time it's a big celebration, saying anything can't be left behind to watch the house again.

  The military law states that for a minor offense, one will not be punished more than once; for a moderate offense, one will not receive more than 30 strokes of the cane; and for a serious offense, one will not escape execution by beheading. These few articles of military law were written on a large wooden board at the edge of the commander's tent, and every time I saw them, my heart would skip a beat.

  They stood in their positions on the open ground outside the main tent and saw that all military officers above the rank of lieutenant had entered the main tent. After a while, a thunderous voice came from inside the tent, and then these people came out of the main tent.

  At this time, the official came out and stood on the high platform in front of the camp, saying loudly: "Today I am following the emperor's order to send troops to conquer the rebel general Xie Zihui. Now the enemy is stationed at Jinling with 700,000 people. Our army does not easily come out, but when we do, we must win. This time the emperor has ordered 500,000 soldiers from various places to march with us. Although the enemy has 700,000 people, it is not enough to be feared. The soldiers of the Great Tang Dynasty are the most powerful, and now you will all follow me into battle, I will not let your precious swords return lightly."

  After hearing the words of General Shang, all the soldiers drew their swords and shouted in unison: "The brave warriors know how to win without being arrogant, meet defeat without being chaotic, hear the drums and forget death, encounter strength and become even stronger, fall into desperate situations without being surprised, know they will die but not be humiliated." Amidst this thunderous shouting, we set off.

  With a large black pot on my back, I followed behind the team like a lackey, staring at Zheng Xiong riding high on his horse, patrolling back and forth, my lungs were about to burst. I thought that this time when we went into battle, I would be like the brothers in front, charging forward, cutting down generals, capturing flags, and getting some credit. But unexpectedly, as soon as we left camp, I was assigned to the fire unit.

  I asked Zheng Xiong who came up with this despicable idea, but unexpectedly, Officer Shang himself came to me and said it was his order. I had no choice but to ask why, and Officer Shang said: "You lack experience in battle, so this time you'll stay behind and learn a thing or two. Next time, I'll let you lead the charge." After saying that, he patted my shoulder and ran off.

  Zheng Xiong walked over and said: "The boss is afraid that you'll get too close to the front line for the first time and wet your pants, so this time he's arranged for you to be in the back. Got it?"

  I grumbled and asked, "Alright, I'll carry it in the back, but you have to give me a knife too, just for carrying this big pot"; Zheng Xiong laughed and said, "Good kid, you've got spirit". Then he shouted to the front, "Give that pot of yours to Little Nine to carry", and then rode off on his horse.

  Looking at these two brothers walking towards me with big smiles on their faces and pots in hand, for the first time I truly felt that this is what they mean by "military orders are like mountains".