"The Xiongnu personal guard camp is just ahead. I'm personally leading the team this time. The vanguard battalion's banner must be at the forefront. Anyone who backs down again will be dealt with according to military law when we get back!"
Huo Shuwen looked up at the sky
Huo Xiaocheng scratched his head
Erhei didn't understand who they were talking about.
They didn't retreat, they just hovered around at the back each time.
"How many are you talking about?" the man next to Huo Xiaocheng nudged him.
"No, when have we ever backed down? We can't possibly disgrace the people of the border town!"
The three of them never intended to come to the vanguard camp. They were forced into it by the eldest of the Night Scouts and Xiao Lanyi. Huo Xiaocheng had already planned it out for the three of them. In his dream, this day in his previous life was the day they captured the Xiongnu personal guard camp.
They had a secret report from the imperial advisor in their tent; this was the key to gaining merit, and it was carried by the enemy's commander.
As long as we get that, promotions and titles are guaranteed; they'll at least give the father and his two sons some minor leadership positions.
"Sell me a few pieces of dried meat when you come back this time; there's hardly any meat in the communal rice."
The one speaking was a new recruit who came to the vanguard camp with Huo Xiaocheng and the others. His name was Sanzhuang, and he was the youngest in his family. How should I put it? His family had plenty of land in the countryside, which allowed him to grow up to be all muscle.
He's a bit of a glutton, but luckily he's got plenty of money. Ever since he found out that the Huo family has good food, he often goes over there to treat himself to a special meal.
The three men are now quite well-known in the military camp, not because they got in through connections, but because there's so much good food in the tent.
My family is so thoughtful; the food they make keeps well and tastes delicious. Everyone is so envious.
"I don't have many pieces left either. My sister made them for me, just enough for three months."
"You're kidding me, who eats a truckload of food a month?"
"Erhei can eat even more than you!"
"We're all buddies, give me some more."
San Zhuang didn't believe Huo Xiaocheng. He thought the kid was more cunning than a weasel and that Huo Xiaocheng must still have some in reserve.
—Attention! Let's go!
"Wait until you get back! I'll get you something."
"become!"
Ten miles is not far; at a gallop, it would only take half an hour. This time, the border army's main objective was to catch them off guard.
This group of Xiongnu guards is said to be from the Fourth Prince of the Grasslands. Recently, there has been fierce infighting within their royal court, and this group came here mainly to meet up with the spies returning from Pingyang County.
Logically speaking, someone doing such shady things should stay quiet and not make a sound. But this gang leader, I don't know if he's out of his mind or what, keeps going to the surrounding villages to rob grain and people.
Such a thing, where lives are lost in the blink of an eye, is called a minor friction, a minor friction between two countries.
But for the families of the victims, this is a matter of personal and national hatred.
Xiao Lanyi didn't have time to ask for permission. He just killed him and that was it. At worst, he could just say they were bandits who came to steal grain. What could they do? The person was already dead, so why should he pay with his life?
Besides, by the time the higher-ups issue the decree, the surrounding villages will probably be wiped out. Let's not wait any longer and take action today.
As luck would have it, whether the vanguard commander wanted to make things difficult for the father and his two sons or what, Erhei was chosen as the flag bearer today. The centurion had initially thought highly of the young man.
After his one display of bravery, he started to coast along with his brothers, which displeased the centurion.
You have no ambition, yet you try to drag my promising future down with you, don't you?
Today, Erhei is carrying the flag. Let's see how you manage to drag him along from behind.
Huo Xiaocheng drew his sword and cleared a path beside Erhei, fighting his way to create a clear area for the Great Banner.
"Insert it here!" the young man said to Erhei.
"Walk"
Where are you going?
"You've done a meritorious service!"
Erhei was completely baffled, but since he had planted his flag on the mountaintop, he should be fine.
The burly, dark-skinned boy pulled over the centurion who was carrying the flag behind him and said...
"Boss, the flag's here."
"ah?"
The border army was advancing with unstoppable momentum, and the Xiongnu guards had already begun their retreat. Now was not the time to fight to the death, the centurion said, looking at the burly young man before him.
What are you planning to do?
His voice was drowned out by the fighting and disappeared, leaving him only with the silhouettes of two boys walking away.
Looking at Huo Shuwen guarding the commander's flag, the centurion's flag left afterimages as he waved it.
There's no way to punish them. You're saying they deserted in the face of battle? They went after the enemy.
You're punishing someone for failing to protect the flag? The flag is standing tall and proud in the wind, with their own father guarding it.
At most, you can punish him for disobeying orders, but you can say that the flag wasn't planted in the right place.
"What's gotten into our boss this time? We've changed formations four times already, with just a few of us."
"That's right, I've heard that some men also have their 'days'; maybe he's in a bad mood when he gets his period."
"What? Which days?"
"You don't know what I mean because you don't have a wife, you little brat, get out of here!"
"Hey, what's wrong with listening? We'll find out if we talk."
The sunlight fell softly, golden rays filtering through the newly sprouted willow branches. The clatter of horseshoes against pebbles was the only sound on this quiet path leading to the grassland.
Erhei's horse was strong and powerful, its hooves pounding the snow like lightning. The boy's eyes gleamed with determination, and his tightly pursed lips revealed a serious expression. Huo Xiaocheng's horse, on the other hand, was light and agile, rising and falling like waves along the path.
The enemy's figure was already visible. The boy gave his brother a look, signaling him to surround them from above.
"Kill them"
The Xiongnu general didn't take the two boys seriously, especially since they were only wearing the most ordinary armor of the guards.
A breeze swept across the grassland, carrying the fresh scent of newly sprouted grass. Occasionally, a few birds would take flight, breaking the calm before the storm. Spring was just around the corner; in a few days, this meadow would be covered in lush green leaves.
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