Chapter 36 Scholars, their hearts are truly black.
"Then I just can't figure it out, Old Liu. Why would the Duke kill the commander? There's no motive."
Old Liu said irritably, "You're asking me? Who am I supposed to ask? I don't know either."
As the two were talking, a voice suddenly called out, "Chief Lin? Chief Lin? Are you here? Old Liu?"
The two hurriedly got up upon hearing the sound, and Lin Changning waved his hand, saying, "Here, here."
Upon hearing the sound, a soldier turned around and walked over.
"Commander Lin, the commander is looking for you."
Lin Changning patted the dust off his backside: "Coming, coming right away."
After saying that, he followed the others towards the outer tent.
Lin Changning guessed that she might be looking for her about the blueprints, or perhaps the rubbings of the sword technique had been completed.
As the group arrived at the tent entrance, the soldier reported to the inside and then led his men inside.
Lin Changning entered the tent and quietly looked around.
In the very center of the tent was a simple wooden table, on which lay a detailed military map showing the various locations of the frontier. The map was held firmly in place by several bronze paperweights.
The map is marked with cinnabar and ink lines, indicating mountains, passes, and the positions of enemies and allies, with lines of varying density.
Beside the table was a slightly worn armchair, with a robe embroidered with cloud patterns draped over its back.
On the other side of the tent were various types of weapons.
On the other side, a simple cot was covered with a plain-colored cotton quilt, which, though of ordinary quality, was folded neatly.
Commander Qi was not wearing armor today, but a plain white robe. He stood tall and elegant by the table, which made him appear even more outstanding, with delicate features.
Lin Changning glanced at her and thought to himself, "I used to say she looked like a sissy, but she looks more like a refined and elegant beauty."
"You're here? Please have a seat."
After bowing respectfully, Lin Changning confirmed that the commander was speaking to her, and then sat down in a seat to the side without any hesitation.
"Thank you for your service, Commander."
Qi Rong sat down as well: "I admire you, Lin Changping."
Lin Changning pretended to be flattered and stood up abruptly, bowing again: "Your Excellency, Your Excellency, thank you for your kindness, Commander. I will do my utmost to help you through fire and water."
Qi Rong waved his hand and said in a deep, magnetic voice, "Sit down and talk. I have something to ask you."
Lin Changning hesitated for a moment but then sat down.
Do you know why I've come to see you?
Lin Changning shook his head: "I don't know the details."
Qi Rong fiddled with the ring on his thumb, his beautiful eyes staring straight at Lin Changning: "I admire you, and I've investigated you."
Lin Changning's heart skipped a beat.
Could it be that my identity has been exposed?
Probably not. She and her younger brother look exactly alike; even their own mother would need to check their genders to recognize them.
Lin Changning feigned composure: "Command? What are you doing?"
Looking at the man's calm and composed demeanor, Qi Rong was once again convinced that this person possessed extraordinary character.
"I'm surrounded by all sorts of people. Before coming to Daxingwei, nearly half of them came to kill me."
"Your martial arts skills are excellent, and you're quick-witted. I have high hopes for you, but I have a few questions for you to answer."
Lin Changning cupped his hands in greeting: "I will definitely answer all your questions without reservation."
After speaking, he raised his head and looked directly at Qi Rong, his gaze earnest and eager to pledge allegiance.
Qi Rong stared intently at Lin Changning: "From what I've heard, you're among the top students in the academy. Next year, you'll definitely be a scholar."
I'm very curious why you suddenly joined the army, and why you moved to your uncle's house so soon after leaving your family home. The students at the academy said you were weak and not skilled in martial arts, so why are you so good with your sword?"
So they suspected her background. Well, she had already thought about how to explain it before she came.
Lin Changning sighed, his expression somewhat gloomy:
"To be honest, Commander, I had no choice but to join the army. Last year, when they were recruiting soldiers, my second uncle, Lin Erniu, used a scheme to get my father, eldest brother, and second brother to take their family's place in the military."
My father and two brothers all died on the frontier. After their deaths, my second uncle, taking advantage of my young age and the widowed status of my mother and sister-in-law, conspired with other clansmen to seize my family's fertile land.
I refused, so my second uncle sabotaged me again by putting my name on the conscription list. Helpless, I had no choice but to abandon my studies and join the military in the name of avenging my father and brothers.
My real intention was to keep my second uncle's family in check and prevent the family fortune from falling into his hands. However, once I left, my widowed mother and sister-in-law would inevitably be targeted by others.
Therefore, I rented out the fertile land to a reliable person in the clan, and sent my widowed mother and the whole family to my uncle's house for refuge. Since it was too far away for me to intervene, I could only let my mother stay as far away as possible while I was away.”
Qi Rong sighed as well: "So that's how it is. And what about your strength? And your swordsmanship?"
Lin Changning scratched his head, feigning embarrassment:
"I was born with this much strength, but when I was little, there were many children in my family, and I was often hungry. If I exerted myself even slightly, I would feel dizzy. My parents thought I was weak, so they made me choose to go to school."
It was only after I ate two full meals when I came here this year that I discovered I wouldn't feel dizzy when I exerted myself, and that's how I gradually got better.
My father had me practice swordsmanship when I was a child to improve my physical fitness. Back then, we used sticks, but now that I've started using a sword, I realize how useful it is.
The academy has a strong emphasis on academics over martial arts, so I didn't practice much; I only recently picked it up again.
Qi Rong tapped his fingers on the table. Lin Changning boldly looked up and saw the commander's lowered eyes, who seemed lost in thought. His long eyelashes completely obscured the thoughts in Qi Rong's eyes.
Lin Changning was stunned for a moment, taken aback by the natural beauty. To be honest, the commander in the new clothes was truly handsome and exuded an air of nobility.
After a long silence, Commander Qi finally spoke.
"I understand. Are you willing to join my ranks?"
Lin Changning snapped out of his daze, knelt down, and bowed: "Thank you for your appreciation, Commander!"
Qi Rong stretched out his calloused hands to help the person up.
After grabbing Lin Changning's wrist and pulling him up, Qi Rong muttered to himself, "Such a thin wrist, yet so strong."
His appearance is so gentle and weak that you wouldn't guess he's a military general. If those who fight him in the future judge him solely by his looks, they'll likely suffer a great loss.
"I see you have nothing to do right now, so why don't you draw up the blueprints for the pier today?"
Tsk, so you're already trying to get people to work?
Qi Bapi, I thought we'd have to be polite for a while.
"Yes, Commander."
"Perfect timing, since you're here, I have a few questions I need to ask you."
"Commander, please speak."
"This is the platform you built. I heard that there are more than a dozen ditches of varying sizes before you can climb it. What is it for?"
Qi Rong and Lin Changning stood together in front of the table, pointing to the platform on the sand table and asking questions.
Lin Changning thought to himself that this commander was truly approachable and even humble enough to ask questions, while replying:
"This watchtower has been in disrepair for many years. It's fine for early warning, but it wouldn't withstand a single charge from the Tartar cavalry."
If the watchtower cannot withstand the impact, then the brothers on it will die. This place is relatively remote, and in the midst of a major battle, it is generally difficult for the main army to cover it.
However, if a ditch is set up in front of the watchtower, even if the warhorses can cross it, there will be traps beyond the ditch, which can greatly reduce the impact.
This would also buy more time for the brothers on the watchtower to prepare for battle. If they could buy time, reinforcements could be sent in time, and the lives of the dozens of brothers on that watchtower could be saved.
Qi Rong nodded in agreement: "That's right, but with more than a dozen ditches around this beacon tower, how do you identify which ones are traps and which ones are for walking?"
Lin Changning smiled and said, "This is not difficult. There are only three ditches that are passable, and they have been marked. Our own brothers won't mistake them."
The remaining ditches were filled with wooden and bamboo splinters coated with tung oil; anyone, whether human or horse, who fell in would be instantly impaled.
As expected of a scholar, he was indeed ruthless, but he was quite satisfied, after all, it was a Tartar who had been pierced through. Thinking of this, Qi Rong praised him.
"That's excellent. Do you think the other watchtowers are feasible? If so, dig some ditches and traps for them..."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com