CHAPTER 57: CHAPTER 57: NIGHT RAID (PART 2)

Yin Zhu’s face turned pale, instinctively trying to rush out of the military tent, but Tu Bai held her tightly: "There is still fighting outside, with our skills, going out would only cause more chaos."

The boiling blood of Yin Zhu cooled down a bit, and she ceased to move.

In the midst of battle frenzy, Meng Sanbao’s eyes were fierce, unable to pay heed to the wounds on his left arm, as he fiercely swung his long knife with his right hand.

Qin Hu was also bleeding, fortunately only lightly injured, as he too continued to brandish his knife and fight bravely.

Jiang Shaohua stood motionless, still holding a long spear. Zhu Yidao’s corpse hung from the spearhead, almost drained of blood, a scene of overwhelming impact.

After about the time it takes for incense to burn, all the bandits were thoroughly eradicated.

The personal soldiers, still uneasy, checked diligently, beheading each of them. They dragged a dozen corpses away, hanging them outside the Wooden Village.

Jiang Shaohua retracted her spear, its red tassel dyed with blood extremely vivid.

Zhu Yidao’s corpse finally collapsed, also beheaded, his body hung in the most conspicuous place. Severed arms and legs, and the like, were also completely cleared away.

Only the blood spilt could not be tidied up, already seeping into the ground. The dense and pungent smell of blood permeated the air.

The personal soldiers also had casualties, with one dead and five injured. Compared to the utterly annihilated bandits, the damage was actually not severe.

How could there be a battle with no deaths or injuries?

Jiang Shaohua saw it all, yet her heart was still filled with unbearable pain.

"Carry the fallen personal soldiers to the rear military tent, to be transported back to Nanyang County for burial later," Jiang Shaohua’s voice was slightly obscure: "Those injured, immediately to the wound care military tent, those unable to move, carry them over, treat their wounds now."

Only then did Qin Huma and Meng Sanbao feel the pain, both grimacing in agreement. Meng Sanbao, with a dejected face, came to apologize: "Commandery Princess, it was us who are incompetent, unable to stop Zhu Yidao. Fortunately, the Commandery Princess killed Zhu Yidao with one shot. Otherwise, if the Commandery Princess were harmed in any unforeseen way, we would deserve death as an apology..."

Jiang Shaohua glared over, her voice tinged with anger: "Is this the time to talk about this? Quickly go to the military tent to heal your wounds!"

Meng Sanbao, having been scolded, was instead somewhat invigorated, responding with an acknowledgment, and with Qin Hu supporting each other, they went to the wounded soldier’s military tent.

Two military doctors were already busy tending to the wounded soldiers’ injuries.

Sun Guangbai and Sun Zelan were both present.

Sun Guangbai, seeing Meng Sanbao’s left arm stained with blood, frowned and immediately came over, stuffing a piece of cork into Meng Sanbao’s mouth: "Bite it if it hurts, so as not to hurt your tongue." Then he took out needle and thread to stitch up Meng Sanbao’s wound. Meng Sanbao was sweating profusely, almost fainting from the pain.

Qin Hu’s injuries were much lighter, requiring no stitches. Sun Zelan inspected for a moment, applied some ointment on Qin Hu’s wounds, and bandaged them neatly with clean gauze.

Qin Hu, being tall, sat on the bed just at eye level with Sun Zelan, his gaze fixed on Sun Zelan’s face.

Sun Zelan seemed oblivious, after treating Qin Hu’s wound, she moved on to care for the next one.

Qin Hu: "..."

...

Jiang Shaohua returned to the military tent.

Yin Zhu held hot tea and brought it over. Jiang Shaohua accepted the teacup, took a sip, and looked up to see two maids watching her nervously.

Jiang Shaohua chuckled: "Rest assured, I’m fine, I won’t throw up."

Killing feels routine to her now, even she found it surprising at how adept she had become.

Only then did Yin Zhutu Bai breathe a sigh of relief.

Yin Zhu was full of praise for her Commandery Princess’s bravery, while Tu Bai’s simple and honest face was full of worry. Would the Commandery Princess frequently lead troops to suppress bandits in the future?

By nightfall, news arrived from those who went into the mountains to suppress the bandits.

"Commandery Princess, the bandit’s camp has been taken down, over two hundred who escaped through the tunnel have mostly been killed, with a few dozen left alive. How shall they be dealt with, please instruct, Commandery Princess."

Jiang Shaohua said lightly: "Kill them all. Hang all the corpses outside the camp, exposed for ten days."

The personal soldier who delivered the message cupped his hands in salute and left to carry out the order.

Two hours later, all the personnel of the Personal Guard Camp came down from the mountain.

Tens of bonfires were lit around the camp, visible from afar. Killing for an entire day, Qin Zhan glanced at them and smiled: "The Commandery Princess is truly considerate, already prepared food for us, celebrating our victory."

They had climbed the mountain and conquered the camp today, later pursuing and annihilating the fleeing bandits, busy the entire day, even drinking water was scarce.

Now the bandit’s camp was cleared, leaving a hundred people to guard Black Pine Village, while the rest came down the mountain to rest.

Liu Hengchang rarely eased his brow and smiled: "Today’s campaign against the bandits was indeed satisfying. Hopefully, the Commandery Princess orders us often in the future, to let the Personal Guard Camp venture out and see some blood."

Song Yuan’s eyes swept over and frowned.

The corpses hanging outside the camp seemed to have increased in number.

Once down the mountain and into the camp, upon learning Zhu Yidao led a charge into the camp, Song Yuan was furious. The anger wasn’t directed at others, but at himself.

"From now on, I vow to never leave the Commandery Princess’s side," Song Yuan gritted his teeth and said.

Jiang Shaohua looked at Song Yuan with self-reproach and said softly: "Uncle, you know very well my abilities. I can protect myself, and I can kill."

"Sending you to the mountains to eliminate the bandits was my order. There’s no need for you to feel guilty or blame yourself for it."

"You are in your prime, staying by my side all the time truly wastes all you’ve learned. I will send you to lead troops in the future."

Song Yuan was startled, looked up at the Commandery Princess.

The light of the bonfire turning the face of the Commandery Princess red. That somewhat youthful and beautiful face, shining with dazzling brilliance, eyes reflecting ambition: "Uncle, I want you to become my first great general!"

Song Yuan’s heart skipped heavily, reflexively answering, even though his mind was already a blur.

Jiang Shaohua smiled slightly, inviting Song Yuan to sit by the bonfire, and summoned Qin Zhan and Liu Hengchang over.

A young lamb was roasted over the bonfire, tender lamb sprinkled with salt and spices, with an aromatic crispness.

Jiang Shaohua took up a slender silver knife, personally cutting three pieces of roast lamb and placing them one by one into the hands of the three men.

Even knowing it was to win their hearts, the three still felt flattered.

"Eat while it’s hot," Jiang Shaohua smiled, "Everyone worked hard today, eat well and sleep soundly; tomorrow we’ll head into the mountains again together."

...

The next morning, Jiang Shaohua personally led troops into the mountains.

As usual, fifty personal soldiers remained on guard in the camp, with the total injured personal soldiers reaching more than forty, spread across six military tents to barely have enough room to lie down.

With the path opened the previous day, it was much smoother today. One hour later, Jiang Shaohua entered the Black Pine Village.

Over two hundred bodies were individually dragged onto carts, transported down the mountain, and hung up to dry according to the Commandery Princess’s instructions.

The vast Black Pine Village bore traces of slaughter everywhere. The smell of blood was stifling.

Jiang Shaohua didn’t even frown, surveyed around, then went to see the rescued people first.

Over thirty women, and a dozen men.

The men, sallow and emaciated, barely steady on their knees, indicative of enduring long-term abuse. The women had another aspect of being ravaged.