Chapter 85: Merits Exchanged for Iron Cavalry

This is no act of contrition; it’s a bid for recognition.

Several deputy generals sighed in disbelief. The young lord of the Chu family, not yet ten years old, was already aspiring to command a thousand men?

“Hanyi, don’t be reckless,” Xi Feng’s face was dark as iron, her heart pounding with fear. She truly dreaded that her child, still naive and impulsive, would let his blood rush to his head and ultimately lose his life.

Chu Xiong shared Xi Feng’s concern, his tone stern and cold. “The military camp is a place of utmost seriousness. It’s not for your childish games.”

“Father, I’m not being reckless.” The child bit his thin lips, his eyes filled with pleading.

Tang Chen glanced sideways, gritted his teeth, and stepped forward on his knees. “General, I am willing to exchange all my merits for a thousand cavalry.”

“You’re being reckless as well!” The veins bulged on Chu Xiong’s face as he swept his sleeve, turning away from the two.

…

In the end, Tang Chen used all his accumulated merits to secure a thousand cavalry for Chu Junhan.

Standing before the thousand riders, Chu Junhan frowned slightly, as if pondering why the young man had helped her. After a moment, she suddenly asked, “Brother Ziyun, why are you helping me like this?”

Tang Chen was silent for a while, then smiled faintly and shook his head. He himself did not know why he was so compelled to aid a child. He simply felt that Chu Junhan was different from others, though he couldn’t quite say how.

“Because there are stars in your eyes, Junhan.”

What kind of reason was that? I have the sea in mine, too.

Chu Junhan curled her lips and asked no further questions. Looking at the thousand cavalry, she gave a cruel smile. Soon, she would make Afugan Tamon sleepless and restless.

“Brother Tang Chen, as deputy general, the camp cannot do without you. You should return. I can manage alone.” Chu Junhan, with her thousand cavalry, was preparing to slip out of Pingkou Pass at midnight.

Tang Chen refused to leave, determined to follow. He had traded his merits for these thousand riders; he could not stand idly by. He had to ensure the young lord’s safety.

Chu Junhan smiled and shook her head, letting out a mocking laugh. “Is the deputy general insistent on following me, the commander of a thousand? Are you sure? What I am about to do may not befit someone of your rank.”

Tang Chen frowned, uncertain. “Junhan, what are you planning?”

“To seize their supplies. If I can’t take them, I’ll set them ablaze.” Chu Junhan’s tone was calm, her childish voice almost playful.

As expected, Tang Chen shouted in anger, “Nonsense! The supply camp is the lifeblood of the army. It’s not something you can simply rob or burn.”

Chu Junhan gave a wicked smile, swinging her bundle. “That’s why I said what I am about to do goes against the way of gentlemen.”

Tang Chen was taken aback, but continued to follow her, accompanying her out of Pingkou Pass. “What is your plan, Junhan?”

“Naturally, we sneak in. If we can’t steal, we’ll find a way to seize it. If that fails, we’ll sneak in and set it on fire. In any case, that old Tamon will not enjoy a peaceful day.”

“How is this any different from banditry?”

Chu Junhan glanced at Tang Chen and sneered, “This is called cunning in warfare. In battle, one must use every trick. Why talk of virtue and honor with the enemy?”

Yes, what virtue or honor is there to speak of? If virtue and honor were observed, the Chu family would not have suffered such losses. If virtue and honor were observed, the general would not have fallen for the enemy’s schemes and been wounded...

War is war—no trick is too much!

The young man was silent for a moment, then fell in step with the child, asking uncertainly, “Junhan, do you know the exact location of the supplies in Ye City?”

Looking at the road ahead, the youth surmised it was the route to Liao’s Ye City, the only way to reach the Liao capital.

Chu Junhan shrugged. “I don’t.”

“Then how do we steal them?”

The child swung her bundle. “We disguise ourselves, enter the city, ask around, and take our time to plan.”