Chapter 77: Punishment
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Near the training grounds of the Liangzhou Garrison, Zheng Xuan and two new recruits stood. When Xiao Jue approached, Shen Han quickly stepped forward and greeted, “Commander.”
“I heard that the person has been found?” Shen Han asked.
“Liang Ping is overseeing it.”
Shen Han breathed a sigh of relief. If He Yan, who was already under suspicion, had suddenly gone missing, it might have been intentional. Suspicious individuals are often safer when they are closely monitored.
But now that she had been found, it was time to address another matter.
“According to Zheng Xuan, He Yan went over the mountains on her own, while Shen Hong claims she went to save Zheng Xuan. What does the Commander think?” Shen Han asked.
“Zheng Xuan is lying,” Xiao Jue stated.
Shen Han was taken aback. “There are horse tracks along the mountain path, and I also found signs of a wolf cub being crushed.” Xiao Jue continued, “He Yan did indeed go to save someone.”
Shen Han’s expression turned somber. “So, in that case, Zheng Xuan’s group is acting unethically.” Soldiers like that, no matter how skilled, could potentially switch sides on the battlefield. Soldiers might fall to enemy blades, but they shouldn’t fall to the hidden arrows of their comrades.
“However,” Shen Han considered another matter, “if He Yan’s version is true, could it help clear her of suspicion?” If He Yan was the kind of person willing to risk her life for a comrade, perhaps she deserved a different evaluation.
“No,” Xiao Jue’s voice remained cold. “She killed a wolf barehanded in the pit on the mountain. This person shouldn’t be underestimated,” he raised an eyebrow, “there may be secrets hidden within her.”
Shen Han dared not say more. Though the Liangzhou Garrison was far from the capital, in the current complex situation, no one could afford to be complacent.
Shen Han glanced at Zheng Xuan’s group, sitting far away. Their expressions revealed anxiety as they frequently glanced in this direction. While Zheng Xuan tried to appear calm, he didn’t realize his lies had already been exposed.
“How does the Commander intend to handle these people?” Shen Han inquired.
“Leaving marching ranks, rush to the front and fall behind, wagging their tongues, indulging in slander and falsehoods,” Xiao Jue’s demeanor remained unchanged, his voice calm. “For the crime of slandering the army, they shall be executed.”
Shen Han’s heart trembled, and he lowered his head. “Yes!”
….
When He Yan woke up on the second day, the sun had already risen quite high, and there was no one in the room. She sat up and gazed at the sunlight streaming in through the window.
Someone pushed the door open and walked in. He Yan looked up and saw the same female physician from yesterday, Shen Muxue. He Yan asked in surprise, “Miss Shen?”
“Here’s today’s herbal soup for you to drink,” Shen Muxue placed the herbal bowl on the small table in He Yan’s room. “Yesterday, the Commander already gave you medicine for your external injuries. You should change it every three hours.”
He Yan picked up the herbal bowl on the table and drank it in one go. Then she casually asked, “Miss Shen, why is no one else around? Aren’t they looking for me?”
“I already told Instructor Liang that your body needs rest. It’s not suitable for you to practice at the training ground today,” Shen Muxue replied.
He Yan nodded in acknowledgment. She looked at Shen Muxue again, who seemed to be around sixteen or seventeen years old. Her skin was as delicate as jade, exceptionally beautiful, and what stood out the most was her tranquil and serene demeanor that radiated from within. It made people feel comfortable in their hearts. Perhaps feeling a bit uncomfortable under He Yan’s gaze, Shen Muxue slightly furrowed her brows, “Is there something wrong, young sir?”
“Nothing,” He Yan said, “I just feel like I’ve seen Miss Shen somewhere before.”
Shen Muxue was momentarily taken aback, then shook her head with a smile. “I’ve never met young sir before. You must have remembered wrongly.”
“Alright,” He Yan scratched her head. Seeing that Shen Muxue had taken away the medicine bowl after she drank it, she exited the room.
As the sudden tranquility enveloped her, He Yan wasn’t quite sure what to do. However, she didn’t stay lost in thought for long before a knocking sound came from outside her door.
“Who is it?” He Yan asked.
A cautious voice responded, “It’s me.”
He Yan blinked, and a head appeared at the door. Surprisingly, it was Shen Hong.
He Yan wasn’t sure where he had come from, but he looked very pale. His lips were even tinged with bluish-purple, far from his usual liveliness. Limping, he walked into the room, avoiding eye contact with He Yan. When he reached the edge of her bed, he stammered, “I’m sorry.”
Having learned the situation from Hong Shan, He Yan knew what had happened. She replied, “It’s fine. Didn’t you tell them the truth?”
“But I… almost…” Shen Hong’s face was full of guilt.
He Yan understood his feelings. Someone like Shen Hong, who hadn’t experienced much before, was naturally timid. Faced with the threats from Zheng Xuan, he panicked. She said, “I’m fine now, aren’t I?”
Shen Hong nodded silently.
“When you came in, you were walking strangely,” He Yan asked, “What happened?”
“I… I violated military regulations and received forty strokes of the rod,” Shen Hong said, “I’ll be assigned to be a support soldier now, and I can’t go to the front lines.”
He Yan fell silent. Forty strokes of the rod—it explained Shen Hong’s poor complexion. Considering the circumstances, surviving was already considered lucky.
“What about the others?”
“Zheng Xuan and the other two… were beheaded… in front of all the new recruits…” Shen Hong said with a pale face.
He Yan wasn’t surprised. When she served as Flying Phoenix General, she had heard of General Fengyun’s infamous reputation for strict discipline. There were instances of high-ranking officials’ sons joining the Nanfu Army to gain fame. However, when they violated military discipline, Xiao Jue ordered their execution. One of those instances had even reached the emperor’s ears, but it was ultimately left unresolved.
Others might criticize Xiao Jue for his cruelty, but without such measures, he wouldn’t have been able to maintain control over the Nanfu Army or bring it to its current state.
“In fact, being a support soldier isn’t bad,” He Yan patted his shoulder. “You’re gentle and kind-hearted, not someone who can easily take lives on the front lines.”
Shen Hong managed a faint smile. He took out a handful of things from his pocket and handed them to He Yan. Looking down, she saw it was a handful of pine nuts.
“You’re a good person,” Shen Hong stuttered. “I was too weak before, and I’m sorry for almost putting your life in danger. These pine nuts are for you. Take your time eating them.”
He stood up and limped out of the room. Just as he left, Hong Shan’s group walked in, accidentally bumping into him. Shen Hong’s face flushed, and he hurried away. After he was gone, Hong Shan asked, “What was that kid doing here?”
“He was probably apologizing,” Xiao Mai said. “Oh, Brother Ah He, where did you get those pine nuts?”
He Yan placed the pine nuts on the table. “You can eat them if you want. Why did you all come back so early?”
“Chief Instructor had some matters to discuss today,” Shitou spoke up. “We don’t have to do weighted runs for the next few days.”
“What’s the matter?” He Yan asked curiously.
“We’ve been at Liangzhou Garrison for a whole summer,” Hong Shan grabbed a few pine nuts and started peeling them. “Chief Instructor said we need to select promising recruits for the Vanguard Camp.”
He Yan raised an eyebrow. Timing-wise, it did seem about right.
“He said in about ten days, we’ll be competing on the mountain for something. The top spot?”
“For the flag,” Shitou continued his thought.
“Right, right, the flag. Whoever gets the most flags will be the first and might be chosen for the Vanguard Camp,” Hong Shan said while munching on pine nuts.
“Brother Ah He, you’ll surely be fine,” Xiao Mai rested his chin on his hand. “You’re so amazing, Brother Ah He, you’ll definitely get in.”
He Yan chuckled and shook her head. Just the Vanguard Camp wasn’t anything special. However, if she wanted to get into Xiao Jue’s Nine Banner Battalion, she might need to put in more effort.
This is quite the arena they’re setting up, where the best rises to the top.
Side Note:
While this book also has a rebirth theme, the writing style is a bit different from previous works, leaning more towards light-hearted and sweet themes (maybe?). There will be less intrigue and more emphasis on relationships (probably). Yan Yan is a cool little cutie, and as for uncle, he’s not really aloof; he’s just lazy and doesn’t want to talk to unfamiliar people. As the seal is gradually lifted, things will become more 【beep—— This year, I wanted to try a new style of story. If you don’t like this style, you’re welcome to skip it. Don’t waste your money. If you think it’s alright, I hope you enjoy it!
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I am loving their interactions so far! Thanks for translation. Glad HY got her name cleared pretty easily with minimal misunderstandings. Even more glad to see the the majority of the troop and leadership supporting her in their own ways.