Chapter Thirty-Two: Turmoil

  Earthquakes are natural disasters that leave people helpless. Seeing the harm caused is still heartbreaking, and I secretly feel lucky to not be there, but then I feel a bit ashamed. So I donated 100 yuan, but my heart still feels uncomfortable. During the Tangshan earthquake, I was just a kid, but according to my parents, they didn't dare sleep soundly that night, holding me tight. There was always a basin in the house with a bottle inside, and when the ground shook, everyone rushed out of the house. Thinking about it still sends chills down my spine. There are still many survivors of the Tangshan earthquake where I live, including one of my classmates whose brother and father died in the disaster... Ah, I don't know what to say, so I just wish everyone peace and safety.

  The atmosphere in the big tent was extremely quiet, and everyone's worst assumption was that Qingyang had already been breached by the Xia people, so they could pack up and leave quickly. However, after Du Shantiger spoke, although Qingyang hadn't fallen into the hands of the Xia people, the situation wasn't much better either. The twists and turns inside were incredibly bizarre. Although Du Shantiger didn't say much, the scenes of the civilian uprising in Qingyang and the brutal journey of the Xianfeng army seemed to vividly appear before everyone's eyes. And how could Chen Heng, the commander of Qingyang, be so bold as to privately buy and sell military rations and equipment? Did they have a few heads to spare for chopping?

  Thinking of this, the big account was actually as quiet as a crow and sparrow, and even the sound of everyone's heartbeat could be heard. Everyone who listened to Du Shantiger's words had one thought: Qingyang is finished.

  It wasn't until much later that Li Jinhua finally answered Du Shantiger's question in a hoarse voice: "We encountered the Western Xia cavalry here, and after a battle, we suffered more than half casualties, but also defeated them. As General Qingyang said, we will immediately burn the grain and grass, withdraw our troops, and let you rest well tonight. We'll leave tomorrow..."

  At this time, it was not the time to show off their military achievements, so Li Jinhua just slightly mentioned the outcome of that battle and passed it over. Du Shantiger didn't think much of it either, thinking that the defeated army was just a small cavalry squad. After hearing Li Jinhua's words, he shook his head, stiffened his neck and said: "General, there are still many scattered brothers from our Xianfeng Army behind us. I won't stop you from retreating, but can I borrow some men and grain from you to bring them back?"

  "Alas..." Li Jinhua was moved by his righteousness, but in her heart, she was worried. How many soldiers had died and how much effort had been spent to defeat the enemy in front of them, and yet they still had to go back and do this suicidal business? Who would be willing to follow him again?

  "General Xiaoyi, considering that we are all comrades in the military, please save our brothers from Xianfeng Army. Du Shantiger is begging you... We, the Xianfeng Army, will be forever grateful for your kindness." With that, Du Shantiger's eyes widened and he fell to his knees with a thud.

  "How can this be? General, please get up quickly... Otherwise, why don't you rest for a night and let's discuss it?"

  "Even if we don't go, I hope the adults won't burn the grain and grass. I am willing to bring my subordinates and brothers to watch over the grain and grass here, and absolutely not let the Xia people get it... I also hope that the adults will fulfill this."

  After Du Shantiger was arranged to rest, Li Jinhua swept a circle of people in the account and said, "Everyone has heard what's going on. Now let's talk about it. Where should our grain-protecting army go?"

  "It's better to withdraw the troops immediately, the Western Xia people are right in front of us, and Qingyang is so chaotic. The lives of the Xifeng army are precious, but the lives of our brothers in the Hu grain army are worthless? It's clearly a mission to send us to death."

  "Grain and fodder cannot be left to them, if the grain and fodder are obtained by the Western Xia people, it will be a disaster. Moreover, we are the Grain Protection Army, how can we retreat arbitrarily with the grain and fodder here? Even if we retreat, when the matter is investigated from above, only the Xuanfeng Army will be praised for their loyalty to the imperial court, fighting bravely without fatigue. What falls on our heads can only be accused of retreating in battle, abandoning friendly troops and grain and fodder, it's not worth doing such a thing with good intentions but no reward."

  "Our grain-protecting troops have already suffered heavy losses, where can we find extra manpower to send to them?"

  "I think that Du Shantiger's words may not be entirely true, such a defeated general would certainly want to find some excuses to absolve himself of blame. Do you think we should wait and see?"

  "What's with the wait? The Western Xia people have all come to a place as far away from Qingyang, and you're still waiting? If you run into another Iron Hawk again, do you want your head or not?"

  "It can't be said that way, if Du Shantiger is telling the truth, then Xizhe and Xianfeng Army must have gone through several fierce battles, how many men and horses would they have left? Do you think Tie Juanzi is someone you can meet anywhere? We'll just stay here, and who knows, we might even be able to chop off some heads and accumulate some merits. I've calculated it, this time down, I estimate that I'll at least become a Youxiao Colonel..."

  "You must be out of your mind wanting to be an official! You'll lose your life, what kind of official will you be then? Are you thinking of going to the underworld and becoming a ghost soldier?"

  "Everyone stop arguing, the final decision still has to be made by Officer Xiao. What you all say doesn't count, let's just listen to what Officer Xiao says and do it that way."

  Everyone in the big account expressed their opinions, arguing endlessly. Li Jin Hua's head seemed to have grown bigger, her eyes darting back and forth, thinking a hundred thoughts, but still couldn't come up with any ideas. She felt that everyone was more inclined to retreat, just as she was about to speak, she saw Zhao Shi staring at her, her face turned red, her heart was in a mess for a moment, then thought of this young man's decisive actions and numerous ideas, far surpassing herself, why not ask him what he thinks?

  "Tell them all to leave, I have something to say." At this time, Zhao Shi leaned over and whispered a sentence in her ear...

  Li Jinhua was taken aback, what did he want to say to himself alone? Then she remembered the scene in the big tent last night, her heart skipped a beat, and her body moved uncomfortably. After hesitating for half a day, she finally composed herself, "You all go out, Ben Xiaowei wants to think carefully, Li Shu guards the door, don't come in to disturb unless it's necessary." Although her mind was in disarray, her arrangements were still meticulous.

  Everyone felt that it was no good to continue making a racket, and in the end they still had to let Prefect He make the decision. So with a loud murmur of assent, they filed out in an orderly manner.

  Li Shu walked at the end, turned his head and saw Zhao Shi still standing behind Li Jinhua with a expressionless face, his mouth moved as if he was about to speak, but Li Jinhua blocked all his words, "Third Uncle, you go out first, I have something to discuss with Zhao... ... Team leader, just don't let anyone come in."

  Li Shu was puzzled in his heart, but he didn't think much about it. Although he knew that Li Jinhua had made a fool of herself in front of Zhao Shi last night, he couldn't have imagined that the young man in front of him would be so bold as to be disrespectful to the commander-in-chief in the army. Such an unthinkable and shocking thing was something he probably couldn't even dream of. So he responded with a "yes" and walked out, standing guard at the door.

  "What... what were you going to say?" Li Jinhua felt a sudden surge of tension, and in front of this apathetic young man, she felt like she had never been so weak before.

  A hand rested on her shoulder, stroking back and forth a few times. Although separated by armor, Li Jin Hua still felt a surge of heat from the palm to the depths of her heart, a strange feeling arose, her body stiffened, and a flush spread across her cheeks, all the way to the base of her ears. In her mind, she thought, could it be that they had unfinished business from their past lives? Otherwise, how could she have lost her composure at just one glance? This scoundrel was also bold, daring to be so presumptuous in the army; if this were a normal day, she would not have stood for it.

  Zhao Shi, however, didn't have such wild thoughts like her; this was just an unconscious action. After experiencing two fierce battles, the feeling of going from unfamiliarity to familiarity was like a traveler returning home. After the tension and excitement, his whole body felt extremely comfortable. The peaceful life he had been yearning for over the years now seemed inexplicably dull. He struggled with himself every moment, trying hard to break free from the precarious life he used to live, but couldn't adapt to another way of living. If one were to compare life to a series of battlefields, this was undoubtedly a disheartening war.

  He is a killing machine trained to the bone, with life as its framework, war as its driving force, blood as its lubricant, and slaughter as its purpose. More than 20 years of time has made all this an integral part of his life, penetrating deep into his bones and permeating his soul.

  To be honest, he likes all of this, but can't help resisting it, because it's all imposed on him by others.

  When he was reborn as a human, heaven gave him a new body but didn't give him a new soul. Everything seemed to be starting anew, yet it felt like a continuation of the previous life. Since that's the case, let him kill to his heart's content. This world isn't lacking in enemies - Western Xia people, Jurchen people, Mongolians, and even Han people. Maybe after killing enough, he can finally take a break?

  At this moment, Zhao Shi's heart had no answer, and amidst the confusion, his body seemed to have a flame burning within him. The faint scent of the woman beside him made him restless, but the cold feeling transmitted from the armor made his interest wane, and he gradually calmed down...