At this time, Xue Yuanchu, who was in the border military camp, had completely integrated into the life in the camp.
In the morning in the stable of the military camp, Xue Yuanchu was carrying a bucket and brushing the hair of a white colt with great concentration.
His movements were neat and skillful. The sunlight shone on him through the cracks in the stable, reflecting the simplicity and competence of his cloth clothes. He had completely lost the luxury and arrogance of the princes and nobles of the past.
Centurion Yu Heng, carrying a carriage loaded with food and fodder, slowly approached. Seeing Xue Yuanchu busy at work, he said, "Secretary Xue, let us brothers do the rough work..."
Xue Yuanchu raised his head and smiled calmly, "It's okay, Brother Yu. I'm also a member of the military camp, and we should share these tasks. Besides, getting closer to horses will help me better understand their habits, which may come in handy on the battlefield in the future."
Upon hearing this, Yu Heng couldn't help but look at Xue Yuanchu with admiration.
He knew very well that it was truly commendable that this young man of prominent family could humble himself and share the hardships with the soldiers, so he immediately joined the ranks of grooming the horses and worked side by side with Xue Yuanchu.
Ever since Xue Yuanchu arrived at the barracks, his identity had drawn the attention of the soldiers. As the eldest son of the late Xingyuan Marquis Xue Yonghuai, he not only refused all preferential treatment, but instead treated everyone in the barracks with humility.
After the soldiers learned of his identity, they originally thought that this young man from a prominent family would have a unique air. However, Xue Yuanchu completely broke their idea, which made everyone look at him with admiration.
At this moment, an urgent bugle call suddenly sounded in the military camp, breaking the morning tranquility. Soldiers ran out of their tents and stables and gathered on the parade ground.
I saw a group of soldiers walking in dejectedly. They were the team that went out of the city to receive food and supplies, but now they returned empty-handed, with guilt and fear written all over their faces.
"Report—" The messenger rushed to the center of the parade ground, knelt on one knee, and presented a battle report with both hands. "Sir, the supply team has returned, but... but all the food and supplies have been lost. Please make a decision, sir!"
Wang Zishan frowned, took the battle report, glanced at it, and then coldly stared at the dejected soldiers before him, especially the captain in the lead. He shouted angrily, "You bunch of useless people! You actually threw away all the food and fodder! What a dereliction of duty!"
The leading grain transport captain raised his head, his eyes filled with guilt and helplessness. "Sir, Lieutenant General, we were ambushed by the enemy and are truly powerless. Please give us a chance and allow us to redeem ourselves for our crimes!"
"Apparently meritorious service?" Wang Zishan sneered. "Do you think this is child's play? Losing food and fodder is a serious crime and must be severely punished! Come, drag this captain out and behead him as a warning to others!"
"No! Lieutenant General, please think twice!" The captains and centurions came forward to plead for mercy.
One of the centurions pleaded, "Sir, Captain Li has always been loyal, and this mistake was made out of necessity. Please, Lieutenant General Wang, show some mercy and give him a chance to mend his ways."
"Yes, Lieutenant General, beheading is too severe. It would be better to change it to forty military sticks to let them remember this lesson." Another captain also echoed.
"Military law is no joke!" Wang Zishan glared and said sternly, "Losing food and fodder is a serious crime. I must enforce the original sentence and show no leniency!"
"Sir Lieutenant General, please listen to me." The captain tried to persuade him again.
At this moment, Xue Yuanchu stepped out of the crowd and bowed deeply to Wang Zishan. "Deputy General, I know that military law is as strong as a mountain, but there are also sympathies outside the law. These soldiers have shed blood and sweat for the Great Zhou. They made mistakes and should be punished. But is beheading the grain transport captain too harsh?"
Wang Zishan frowned and looked at Xue Yuanchu. The corners of his mouth curled up slightly, and he said in a playful tone, "Secretary Xue, you come from a prominent family and have lived a comfortable life. You may not be very familiar with the strict laws and regulations in our army. Without strict military discipline, how can we have a strong army?"
Although there was a smile in his words, one could sense a kind of contempt that could not be ignored. There was a slight sarcasm in his tone, as if he was implying that Xue Yuanchu, a young man from an aristocratic family, did not understand the real rules of the military camp.
Xue Yuanchu nodded, not angered by the other party's words. Instead, he met Wang Zishan's gaze firmly and said, "I understand what you mean, Deputy General. Military discipline is indeed important, but sometimes, if you give soldiers a chance, they will cherish it more and be willing to make greater contributions to the Great Zhou."
"Oh? Then what do you think we should do?" Wang Zishan asked with raised eyebrows.
Xue Yuanchu pondered for a moment, then said solemnly, "Let's follow everyone's suggestion and punish the grain transport captain with a military stick. As for the loss of grain and fodder, I am willing to waive my salary for three months as compensation."
As soon as he finished speaking, a murmur broke out around him. The soldiers whispered to each other, expressing their admiration for Xue Yuanchu's generosity and responsibility. However, Wang Zishan's expression did not soften.
He stared at Xue Yuanchu coldly, feeling disgusted that Xue Yuanchu had stolen his limelight. He was silent for a moment, then slowly spoke: "Secretary Xue, I appreciate your kindness. But military law is not a joke, and it cannot be easily changed because of personal generosity."
He paused and continued, "The death penalty can be pardoned, but the living crime cannot be forgiven. Captain Li, you lost the food and fodder, and you cannot escape the blame. I will first give you forty blows of the military stick as a warning to others. I will give you three days. If you can recover the food, I will pardon your death penalty. Otherwise, you will still be beheaded in public!"
Wang Zishan's voice was cold and firm, brooking no room for doubt. Upon hearing this, Captain Li, the grain transport captain, had a flicker of gratitude and determination in his eyes. He knew he had committed a grave crime and had initially believed he would die, but now he had a glimmer of hope.
"Thank you, Lieutenant General! I will do my best to recover the food and make amends!" Captain Li gritted his teeth and struggled to kneel down and kowtow.
Wang Zishan nodded and waved his hand to signal the execution. Several soldiers stepped forward and pinned Captain Li, the grain transport captain, to the ground. Several others stood by, baton-wielding, awaiting orders.
At Wang Zishan's command, the military club came down hard on Captain Li's back. Each blow was accompanied by a painful groan from Captain Li, and the soldiers present all looked reluctant.
However, military law is as strong as a mountain, and no one can change this cruel reality.
Xue Yuanchu stood aside, watching the scene with a frown.
After forty blows of the military club, Captain Li was in so much pain that he could hardly move. However, he still struggled to his feet and bowed deeply to Wang Zishan: "Thank you, Lieutenant General, for not killing me! I will definitely recover the food and fodder to atone for my sins!"
Wang Zishan looked at him coldly without saying anything.
Xue Yuanchu stepped forward, helped Captain Li up, and said softly, "Brother Li, you've suffered."
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