CHAPTER 90: CHAPTER 90: "BANDITS

The Zuo Family’s personal soldiers delivering the message were both shocked and furious.

They were shocked because there were only three of them while the opponents numbered thirty. It was impossible for them to win while being outnumbered ten to one. They were furious because these masked bandits had been lying in ambush for a long time, and attacked without a word, clearly targeting them.

The Zuo Family is a top military family in Da Liang, and as Zuo Family personal soldiers, they could act with impunity wherever they went. Who could have expected that they’d be ambushed just thirty miles out of the military camp?

"Who are you?"

"Do you know who we are?"

No one paid any heed to the blustering anger of the Zuo Family’s personal soldiers. Ten bandits surrounded one, and after a few quick exchanges, they had captured the three personal soldiers.

They stuffed rags into their mouths and tied their hands and feet tightly. The three personal soldiers were carried into the nearby forest like dead fish.

It’s over; they’re going to be silenced.

The three Zuo Family personal soldiers looked ashen and felt a chill in their hearts.

The following actions were entirely out of their expectations. Once the black-clothed bandits carried them into the forest, they threw them to the ground and ignored them. Neither knives nor swords were drawn, no pits were dug for burying them alive, and there was not even any intent to search them.

Who are these people, and what do they intend to do?

Finally, one of the Zuo Family personal soldiers realized something, struggled fiercely, and made muffled sounds with his mouth.

They were supposed to deliver letters and memorials to the Capital City! Now trapped here, both the letter and the memorial couldn’t be delivered.

These black-clothed bandits were clearly sent by the Commandery Princess!

But even realizing this was useless, the black-clothed bandits were extremely cautious; no one spoke a word from start to finish, nor did they complacently remove their masks.

They endured an entire night, lasting until dawn. The black-clothed bandits showed no intention of releasing them.

They endured yet another day and night. The black-clothed bandits seemed quite leisurely, leaving a few people to watch over the three of them, while the rest went hunting, catching a heap of wild chickens and rabbits, plus two mountain goats.

The three personal soldiers, numb from anger, had no energy left to glare, so they simply resigned themselves to their fate and fell asleep.

When day broke again, three of the black-clothed bandits came forward, cut the ropes from their hands and feet, and considerately brought over their horses. Then, they pointed in the direction of the Capital City, indicating that they could leave.

Starved and weakened after being bound for two days and nights without food or water, the personal soldiers were too weak to curse, too deflated to be angry, and too feeble to fight. They had no choice but to mount their horses with heads hung low.

"What do we do now? Do we return to the military camp to report to the General, or continue to the Capital City to deliver the letter?"

Hungry and weak, with their stomachs sticking to their backs, as soon as they mounted their horses, they immediately searched for some dried food and cold water, gorging themselves before they had the strength to discuss their next move.

"We’ve already been delayed for a day and two nights; if we return to the military camp, it would waste another half day." One personal soldier gritted his teeth and said, "The Commandery Princess dispatched people to intercept us, simply to delay time so that the letters and memorials reach the court first."

"We can’t return to the military camp! To the Capital City! Once we reach the Prince Mansion and see Prime Minister Wang, we’ll report everything to him truthfully. The Prime Minister will surely stand up for our General!"

Most importantly, if they returned to the military camp in disgrace, Zuo Zhen would likely be furious enough to execute them. It’s better to finish delivering the letters and memorials before going back!

...

After the three personal soldiers left in disarray, the thirty "black-clothed bandits" quickly removed their masks and black outfits, revealing their true faces.

The leader, a trusted aide who appeared about sixteen or seventeen years old, had bushy eyebrows and bright eyes full of spirit. He grinned, revealing a row of white teeth. "We’ve completed our task, now let’s return to the military camp."

It was Qin Hu.

The other trusted aides enthusiastically agreed.

The thirty of them, carrying the game hunted yesterday, openly rode back to the military camp. The soldiers guarding the military camp were particularly friendly upon seeing this group of the Commandery Princess’s trusted aides returning from hunting, and they hastily opened the gates.

The Commandery Princess had been there for two days, had first distributed the military pay so they could eat their fill, and had even handed out the clothes piled up in the warehouse. Everyone had a set of new clothes and new shoes. She also promised to gradually make up for the previously delayed military uniforms. For the ordinary soldiers, their gratitude was beyond words.

They were particularly close to the Commandery Princess’s personal soldiers.

Qin Hu and his group swaggered into the military camp, delivering the game to the kitchen, providing the soldiers with an extra serving of meat. Then, Qin Hu went to report back to the Commandery Princess.

Jiang Shaohua smiled leisurely, "After being delayed a day and two nights, there’s no way those three can catch up with our envoy."

Complaining such matters are best addressed as early and as swiftly as possible. That way, they can seize the initiative and occupy the moral and public opinion high ground.

Qin Hu grinned, "Indeed! The Commandery Princess devised an excellent plan!"

Those three Zuo Family personal soldiers, after being starved for a day and two nights, were none the worse for wear after a filling meal, without a single injury on them. Even if faced with confrontation later, there would be nothing to fear from them.

Jiang Shaohua praised Qin Hu with a smile, "You did a good job on this assignment. Remember to collect your reward when you get back, as well as your fellow trusted aides who accompanied you; everyone is to be rewarded."

Qin Hu’s spirits lifted, and he thanked the Commandery Princess for her generosity with a bow.

To serve and carry out tasks for the Commandery Princess was their duty. The Commandery Princess’s generosity and magnanimity made it all the better.

...

Jiang Shaohua cheerfully went to the Martial Arts Training Ground.

Previously, the military camp had insufficient rations, and morale was low, and the training was performed lacklusterly. Jiang Shaohua had been there for two days, having issued military pay and clothing, ensuring the soldiers were well-fed and quenched. Consequently, the training naturally became more rigorous.

The Left General, "having caught cold and feeling unwell," was confined to his quarters for recuperation. The task of training soldiers fell upon Yu Chong and Li Tie.

By rank, Yu Chong and Li Tie were equal. Before, Li Tie had allied with Zuo Zhen, basking in success and overshadowing Yu Chong. Now, fortune had turned, and with the Commandery Princess on his side, Yu Chong was brimming with energy, displaying exceptional prestige.

Li Tie, an opportunist, wavered internally, seeking to bide his time. Naturally, he tactically retreated and let Yu Chong lead the training without a word.

Jiang Shaohua watched the soldiers train from the commanding platform, her brows slightly furrowing.

Song Yuan said quietly, "The Nanyang Army has slackened in their training over the past few years, and the formation and morale are not what they used to be. With daily exercises, they will gradually improve."

Jiang Shaohua acknowledged with a hum.

In her eyes, this Nanyang Army was hers. She could not tolerate the soldiers being slothful; she had to find ways to boost morale and train them into an elite force.

In the blink of an eye, half a day passed.

The game brought back by Qin Hu and his group, through the kitchen’s hard work, became the meat in the soldiers’ bowls. At noon, the troops ate eagerly, glistening with satisfaction, once again grateful for the Commandery Princess’s generosity.

After a one-hour noon break, the soldiers in the camp soon received the latest military orders.

In the afternoon, a military drill would be held at the Martial Arts Training Ground. All soldiers could register to participate, and those who performed excellently would receive great rewards from the Commandery Princess.

In an instant, all soldiers were enthusiastic and eager.