Chapter 75: Found A Treasure
“Let’s go.”
Having obtained crucial intelligence, Liu Tingrang suggested returning to camp.
Hai Jin suddenly looked up towards the sky above Chigang, asking in surprise, “What is that?”
Xiao Yi followed his gaze. The midday sun reflected off a large, green silk circular canopy, with a golden light emanating from beneath, making it exceptionally striking.
“Could it be that the Southern Army is offering rewards of gold and silver?” Cui Yanjin marveled, “How much gold would it take to be this bright?”
Xiao Yi, however, noticed nine unusual large banners surrounding the green silk canopy.
A massive banner embroidered with the sun, moon, and stars was in the center, with large banners of the Azure Dragon, White Tiger, Vermilion Bird, and Black Tortoise at the four corners.
“Is Hou Yi’s display so much grander than Murong Yanchao’s?”
“Those are the Grand Master of Ceremonies and Army Leading Banners, symbolizing the Son of Heaven’s protection over the four directions,” Liu Tingrang murmured. “No, that’s not the reflection of gold and silver, it’s the Bright Light Armor of the Imperial Guards, and… a Golden Chariot!”
“Liu Chengyou,” Xiao Yi also reached a conclusion. “Has he personally led the army?”
“The Emperor… the little Emperor dares to come to Chigang?” Liu Tingrang licked his lips, concealing the slight tremble in his voice.
Cui Yanjin gasped, “Damn it, if we capture him alive, how much merit would that be?”
“Why bother capturing him alive?” Hai Jin, instead of being alarmed, was delighted. He grinned, revealing a cruel smile, “If I shoot him dead with one arrow, would that be enough to be appointed Military Governor?”
“You are courting death!”
Liu Tingrang immediately dispelled their fantasies, reprimanding, “When the Emperor travels, over a hundred of the imperial procession guards are all elites, never leaving his side. Five hundred Imperial Guards are in full armor, with a post every ten paces. No one is allowed within two hundred paces, and this is the Southern Army’s main camp. If you loose an arrow, you won’t escape even with wings.”
“Since we’ve encountered this, shouldn’t we gather some information?” Cui Yanjin was also bold. “Entering a mountain of treasure, how can we leave empty-handed?”
“Be quiet, let me think.”
“We can go,” Xiao Yi pondered. “The Southern Army’s original route was to set up defenses in Chan Prefecture, which indicates they don’t know the details about Chan Prefecture yet. My identity is likely not exposed. Although I cannot approach the Emperor’s chariot, it should not be difficult to go and observe.”
Liu Tingrang’s eyes lit up involuntarily, and he wiped the sweat from his hands. “Let’s scout Old Man Hou Yi’s camp? See what the little Emperor is here for?”
“Good!”
“We’ll go. Commander Xiao, will you return to camp first to deliver the intelligence?”
“Since we came together, we’ll return together.”
“Agreed, together in life and death.”
The four of them decided, left Yuan Xi’s camp, passed by the mess tent, and brazenly ate millet porridge, even getting a few pieces of boiled mutton reserved for the generals. Although they had brought provisions, none were as delicious as this hot meal.
They led their horses and ascended the gentle slope of Chigang.
At Hou Yi’s camp, the inspection at the camp gate did not stop Xiao Yi. After all, the camp had just been established, and the Imperial Guards from various armies were mixed.
However, once inside the camp, getting close to the main camp tent was highly unlikely.
The entire camp was laid out in a recessed or square shape, with three caltrop arrays outside. Inside, infantry patrolled, with a guard every five paces. The core area was simply not accessible to idle soldiers.
“As expected of an old general who has served four dynasties, his camp is even more orderly than Yuan Xi’s.”
“Yes, and the defenses are much more meticulous.”
The four of them had no choice but to hide in the shadow of an empty tent, their horses tethered, and gaze afar.
From over two hundred paces away, the Grand Master of Ceremonies flag fluttered in the wind. Hundreds of Imperial Guards in Bright Light Armor were arrayed and guarding. The armor and the Golden Chariot in front of the tent emitted a dazzling radiance.
Although the Golden Chariot was imposing, it was pulled by four horses and was quite large, making it difficult to navigate the narrow passages within the military camp.
This is youth, inexperienced.
“Damn it!” Liu Tingrang suddenly spat. “Murong Yanchao has also arrived.”
Although Xiao Yi had never seen Murong Yanchao before, he recognized him at a glance.
This person was very easy to identify.
He truly lived up to the name “Yan Kunlunnu”; he was very dark-skinned, pitch black, powerfully built, and wore a black lacquered iron armor with gilded edges. It was both bright and dark, bizarre and terrifying.
Beside him stood an old general in silver armor, his white beard reaching his chest. This must be the Southern Army’s commander, Hou Yi, a striking contrast of black and white.
Murong Yanchao strode to the side of the Golden Chariot and spoke, his voice loud and rapid, radiating an irritable aura even from a distance.
“Please escort His Majesty into the tent!”
Xiao Yi’s gaze sharpened.
He saw the Southern Army’s generals surround and help someone out of the Golden Chariot.
It was indeed the little Emperor.
Liu Chengyou was young, thin, and pale. His golden armor was resplendent, adorned with beast heads, lightweight yet sturdy, and impressively decorated. He wore a red cloak over it, and on his head, a folded cloth cap inlaid with gold.
Facing Guo Wei’s advancing army, he showed no fear. On the contrary, he stood on the Golden Chariot and calmly looked towards them, raising the long sword in his hand high.
“All of you have braved wind and snow to fight rebels for me; you have all worked hard!”
“We are willing to die for Your Majesty!”
“Reward!”
Beside the Golden Chariot, a middle-aged official unfurled silk and loudly announced the rewards.
“By imperial decree, Guo Wei has rebelled and raised an army against the capital. Relying on you officers and soldiers, who have garrisoned Chigang and guarded the Capital Region, your loyalty is commendable. We now bestow rewards to console your hardships.”
“For every soldier in the Imperial Guard camps, three hundred copper coins and one foot of raw silk; captains will be granted an additional pair of boots, and sergeants an additional portion of cooked mutton shoulder; for each soldier of the feudatory reinforcement troops, two hundred copper coins and one peck of millet; captains will be granted an additional half catty of salt and money, and sergeants an additional two hundred copper coins; for any who died in battle, each household will be granted three strings of coins and ten mu of hereditary land; for those seriously wounded and unable to fight, two strings of coins will be granted. Once the rebels are suppressed, further merits will be assessed. The foremost meritorious will be appointed Prefect and Pacification Commissioner, and those of secondary merit will be promoted to Imperial Guard Commander. Those who have served in the army for three years without fault will have their descendants permitted to serve in the three departments. You should all strive to kill the rebels and protect the imperial lineage together!”
“Thank Your Majesty for your great grace!”
The orderlies quickly conveyed the decree, earning cheers throughout the camp and shouts of “Long live the Emperor!”
“Follow along and shout.”
“Long live! Long live!”
Liu Tingrang whispered the instruction, and the four of them, raising their sabres, joined the cheers.
Hai Jin asked, “We have Imperial Guard talismans, can we also receive rewards?”
“Foolish bird,” Liu Tingrang reprimanded. “Don’t cause trouble.”
Xiao Yi first felt that these rewards were not as generous as Guo Wei’s. Then he considered that Liu Chengyou was the Emperor, and since he had come, he had to reward the entire army. However, the national treasury was likely depleted, so he had to prioritize the core and economize on expenses.
Suddenly, his pupils contracted, and he quickly lowered his head.
He saw someone next to Liu Chengyou turn their head and look in their direction.
“What is it?”
“Nie Wenjin, he recognizes me.”
“It’s nothing, it’s far away,” Liu Tingrang spat. “Damn it, since we can’t get close, let’s go deliver a letter.”
“To the west, I saw that the defenses there are the most lax.”
“Let’s go.”
The four quickly left and circled around to the west side of the camp.
This area seemed to be where the Southern Army’s low-ranking officers had their tents. Although it might have been heavily guarded at night, no one was staying there at the moment, and it appeared quite quiet.
Liu Tingrang again took out a stack of letters from his boot, found the one for Hou Yi, looked around, and said, “That tent is the most luxurious.”
Xiao Yi had also noticed it. The tent was quite large, made of thick material, and raised two inches off the ground with wooden boards. There was a cover hung outside the tent, and a floor mat was laid out, showing great attention to detail.
“Hai Jin, you stay here to watch the horses and keep watch.”
“Yes.”
Xiao Yi walked forward slowly, lifted the tent curtain, and glanced inside.
The tent was warm and cozy, with a brazier of charcoal fire, emitting a faint scent of sandalwood.
His gaze shifted, and he saw someone reclining on a couch, one foot resting on the other leg and swinging, holding a book and reading with great leisure and contentment.
This person was about thirty-five years old, fair-skinned and plump, wearing a round-necked robe and covered with a felt blanket.
A cold wind snuck through the gaps into the tent. He raised his eyes, glanced over, and asked lazily.
“Who is it?”
Cui Yanjin immediately drew his saber, intending to kill the person with one blow.
Xiao Yi raised his hand to stop him, signaling that they could enter.
The three filed in.
“You! Hey, why didn’t you scrape the snow off your boots when you came in? You’ve gotten my blanket all dirty. By the way, who are you guys? You look like people.”
Xiao Yi’s face was cold as he casually tossed a Imperial Guard talisman over.
“Inspecting military discipline.”
“Ah? This… this Captain of the Control Crane Guard, I apologize! I’m not an officer, I’m here to take care of my father.”
“Who is your father?”
“Oh, oh, my father is the current Chancellor of the Imperial Secretariat and the Duke of Lu. I am Hou’s third son, Hou Renbao.”
Hou Renbao stood up, put down the book in his hand, and his eyes remained fixed on the three’s boots, muttering, “The blanket will be dirty once the snow melts.”
“Third Son Hou?” Xiao Yi asked. “Why aren’t you attending the audience?”
“Ah? I was only granted an eighth-rank honorary position, I’m not qualified. I usually just muddle along at my father’s command post… I mean, hone my skills, helping to manage provisions and supplies, hehe.”
Xiao Yi took the surrender letter from Liu Tingrang, placed it on the table, and said calmly, “Since you are in charge of supplies, hand this military intelligence to Marshal Hou later. Do not open it without authorization, or you will be held accountable.”
“Yes, yes.”
“Damn, the defenses are so lax.”
Xiao Yi cursed, preparing to leave.
Liu Tingrang, however, refused to leave, still appraising Hou Renbao with a look like he was choosing a prostitute in a brothel.
After a moment, he pulled Xiao Yi out of the tent and whispered in his ear, “Hou Yi’s son. If we can take him back, he’ll be of great use. I’m just afraid he’ll start shouting and stir up a hornet’s nest.”
Xiao Yi understood his intention and pondered for a moment. “I’ll talk to him.”
“Alright.”
The two re-entered the tent.
Hou Renbao was not pleased to see them. “Esteemed officials, if you’re not leaving, could you scrape your boots first? My blanket…”
“Heh, come along with us.”
“What?”
Xiao Yi said, “General Yuan Xi has invited you to the camp to hand over provisions and military affairs.”
“Ah? But I…”
“Shut up, this is classified military intelligence.”
“Let’s go!”
Liu Tingrang gave a look, and Cui Yanjin understood. He roughly pushed Hou Renbao outwards.
“What are you doing? I’m just putting on my cloak… hiss! So cold!”
“Stop making noise.”
The three exited the tent. Cui Yanjin shoved Hou Renbao onto a horse and then climbed on himself, holding him.
Xiao Yi and Liu Tingrang mounted their horses respectively.
“It’s done, back to camp,” Liu Tingrang chuckled and whispered, “Renbao, Renbao, picked up a treasure, really lucky.”
“Sergeant, you shouldn’t say that,” Hai Jin said. “Don’t let your luck run away.”
“Get lost, you bastard, it’s just this much further.”
Five people and four horses headed towards the camp gate.
Suddenly, a group of riders ahead cut across their path. The leader, clad in Bright Light Armor, was arrogant and none other than Nie Wenjin.
Xiao Yi reacted quickly, tugged on the reins, and turned in another direction, saying, “I forgot something.”
Liu Tingrang understood and said, “Let’s go together.”
They immediately turned back.
“Stop!”
However, a shout came from behind.
A guard next to Nie Wenjin shouted, “Which unit are you from? Why don’t you bow to the commander?!”
They had run into the Imperial Guard commander. How could they possibly get away with it?
They dared not answer and kicked their horses to flee.
Behind them, the shouting became more urgent.
“Stop right there?!”
“Giddy up.”
“No! Stop them!”
