Changning's Imperial Army Chapter 25

When Shen Leng returned to the barracks, the sky was starting to get dark. Shen Leng was not elated at all about the fact that he broke all the records of both segments, including more than ten items in total. In his eyes, it was not because he was that strong, but rather…the records were set at a standard that was too low.

What made him happy however, was his black cord sword. Naturally, his scabbard was still his treasured object, but the black cord sword was his first official military weapon. It was probably going to accompany him on the battlefield for a long time.

Yang Qibao ran over to congratulate him. He looked so excited to the point it seemed as though he was the one who broke the records instead. Shen Leng truly wanted to take Yang Qibao out for drinks and food but the discipline in the military was very strict. Without any special reasons, they were not allowed to leave the camp as they wished.

Because of Shen Leng's impressive and shocking performance today, it caused a commotion amongst everyone. When Shen Leng and Yang Qibao walked side by side out of the new recruits' camp towards the river bank, several people had a strange look in their eyes as they stared at Shen Leng.

Everything that happened was so intense to the point that another matter was completely overlooked… today, in the afternoon, another batch of recruits entered the camp. In the past, it would attract a lot of attention from the people within the camp, who would go over and take a look. However, they did not attract a single person's attention today.

“Brother.”

There were a couple of times where Yang Qibao wanted to say something but hesitated. Ultimately, he could no longer hold himself back and asked Shen Leng, “I heard that the general offered you to join the garrison, but you did not accept it…I know what your goal is – I was once in the same position. However, more often than not, people with our background will encounter various kinds of challenges.”

Shen Leng knew what Yang Qibao was driving at. He had already heard Yang Qibao's life story before. When Yang Qibao was working under Mu Xiaofeng, he was brave, valiant and not afraid of death. However, his military accomplishments were seized from him by Mu Xiaofeng. The decree declaring Mu Xiaofeng's promotion was estimated to reach the Navy's camp soon.

“I know that, Brother Bao.”

Shen Leng smiled and patted Yang Qibao on the shoulder. “However, the sir who mentored told me before that we were born into a life where social hierarchies, but we must not throw in the towel because of our unfavorable circ.u.mstances. I think that if that fella was born into a life with unfavorable circ.u.mstances, he would definitely not cower.”

When he thought about this, Shen Leng's heart tightened a little. That fella, who was in Changan city, was about to join the military. Based on his character, the likelihood of him getting into trouble was high.

“Who?” asked Yang Qibao.

Shen Leng answered while looking distracted, “A very obstinate person named Meng Changan.”

Just at this moment, all of a sudden, someone called out. “Leng?”

There were not many people who could call him 'Leng'. Hence, Shen Leng immediately turned around. He saw a fatty who was not as small as before…Chen Ran.

Chen Ran, who was wearing the new recruits' uniform, heard the name 'Meng Changan' and looked over to that side. He noticed the rear view of the tall and lanky figure was similar to Shen Leng's, and subconsciously called out to him. When Shen Leng turned his head around, he recognized him immediately. He could not help but cheered, “It's really you!”

Shen Leng did not expect that he would reunite with Chen Ran in the Navy's camp.

“Chen Ran, hahahaha!”

Shen Leng rushed over and gave him a huge hug, making Chen Ran feel a little embarra.s.sed.

“You decided to join the Navy too, huh.”

Shen Leng took two steps back and took a closer look at Chen Ran. He was a lot taller than the last time they met when he was leaving Yulin town. Even though he was still somewhat plump, he was not obese. His face was still fair and tender – causing people to feel an urge to pinch it.

“Yeah, my father said that a good man has to go into the military. Hence, I wanted to give it a shot.”

Chen Ran looked very happy too. He looked at Shen Leng with eyes that were filled with joy. “I just entered the military camp not long ago and heard a lot of things about you. They said that you broke all records in the evaluation. At that time, I was wondering if the Shen Leng they were talking about was you. As it turns out, it's really you.”

Shen Leng asked, “What about uncle? He's doing ok, right?”

“Not…not too good.”

Chen Ran's face fell. The joy in his eyes started to disappear. “This was also one of the reasons why I wanted to join the Navy. If I'm lucky enough to join the combat military, we will not need to pay taxes. Two years ago, when my father was loading the goods onto the s.h.i.+p, he hurt his back and has not fully recovered ever since. However, he was also unwilling to rest properly, straining his back time and time again. This year, his body started deteriorating.

Shen Leng's heart sank. Chen Ran's father had spent several years pulling the cart and carrying heavy things. It was a high intensity physical labor, and since he refused to rest despite hurting his back, his condition would only get more and more serious.

“I'll think of something.”

Shen Leng comforted him, “We are not children anymore. In the future, the burden of our elders should fall upon our shoulders instead.”

Chen Ran rubbed his nose. “Yeah, we should be the one carrying the burden.”

At a distance away, one of General Zhuang's soldiers was running over to them as he called out, “Shen Leng, is that you over there? The general wants you to go over for a chat.”

Shen Leng patted Chen Ran's shoulder. “You must pa.s.s the evaluation next month. I will wait for you in the combat military camp. The general has agreed to give me a ten-man squadron. I will leave an opening for you.”

Chen Ran was immediately overjoyed. “Really? You must wait for me then!”

Shen Leng grunted and hurriedly walked over to that soldier.

Chen Ran looked at Shen Leng's back view and waved his fist. He felt that he was extremely lucky, and that in the future when he was with Leng, he would not be lonely anymore.

That soldier did not bring Shen Leng to Zhuang Yong's tent or the study. Instead, he brought him out of the Navy's camp. They walked on the main street for about ten minutes and arrived at a restaurant. The soldier pointed upstairs and said, “The general is waiting for you upstairs.”

Shen Leng had a bad feeling about this. Hence, he asked, “Apart from the general, is there anyone else there?”

The soldier answered, “You will find out once you go upstairs.”

In a private room on the second floor of the restaurant, Mu Xiaofeng lightly stroke the gauze on his face. He sat there with half a smile on his face. It seemed as though he was not pressured by Zhuang Yong, who was sitting across from him, at all.

“The report that I made to His Majesty about your military achievements should have already reached Changan. If nothing happens, the decree containing your reward will arrive ten days from now.”

Zhuang Yong sipped his tea and looked to his side, intentionally or not. It was a wall, naturally, there was nothing to see.

However, the two people in the next room were listening to their exchange attentively. The walls separating the rooms in the restaurant were not thick. The people in the next room could hear their entire conversation clearly.

Mr. Shen pressed his hand down on hers, signalling to Shen Chayan to not be anxious. Since they had already pa.s.sed the matter to Zhuang Yong to handle, they should not ruin it. Based on Shen Cha Yan's personality, if Mr. Shen did not do that, she would have barged in to beat him up.

Zhuang Yong looked at Mu Xiaofeng's reaction. Contrary to what he expected, he was indifferent.

He said, “You are the only son of the Great Scholar.”

Mu Xiaofeng hated hearing that the most. He glared at him and asked, “And so?”

“So, I feel that you think things through a lot more carefully than peers your age, and that you have more knowledge about things too. You are also more outstanding than them. If there are some things you have not considered, let's have a talk before Shen Leng gets here.”

”Zhuang Yong stood up and poured a cup of tea personally for Mu Xiaofeng. “A lot of things are interlinked with one another. For example, the conflict between you and Shen Leng. It seems simple on the surface and you'd think that it will not implicate a third party. But is that really the case?”

“Because you're the only son of the Great Scholar, so I took responsibility for your offense from before. If nothing bad happens, His Majesty will not punish me and you. In fact, he will probably reward you even more.”

“Oh? General, you do know me well.” Mu Xiaofeng smiled coldly as he said it.

“The Great Scholar. That's huge.” Zhuang Yong abruptly welled up with emotions.

Thereafter, his tone changed. “I'm different. I was only a mere servant of His Majesty.”

Mu Xiaofeng was completely taken aback. He suddenly understood what Zhuang Yong meant.

The Great Scholar was indeed a huge deal. Even then, he was not as close to His Majesty compared to his counselor. As for Zhuang Yong, he was His Majesty's counselor.

“General, what you are trying to say is…”

Mu Xiaofeng, who was trying to understand his point, changed his att.i.tude immediately. For the most part, he was simply too lazy to reflect, but he had a huge edge over other people. Since he was a child, Mu Zhaotong had personally taught him all kinds of trickery and tactics. How could he be stupid?

Seeing that Mu Xiaofeng's att.i.tude has changed, Zhuang Yong's mood was somewhat better. “He wanted to send you to the Navy instead of Garrison B, right? I heard that Garrison B's general, Bai Shangnian is a good friend of the Great Scholar. Have you thought about this before?”

Of course, Mu Xiaofeng had thought about it before. That was because His Majesty viewed the Navy in high regard; His Majesty cared a lot about the coastal border region!

Because his father knew this very well, hence he sent him to the Navy.

Zhuang Yong smiled and said, “The Great Scholar has great foresight. He considers things a lot deeper than me. I'm guessing…the Great Scholar definitely does not want to see the matter pertaining to the Navy heading to the south to be shelved. Because if that were to happen, His Majesty would be very unhappy. By sending you to the Navy, the Great Scholar had already made his choice. Isn't that so?”

Mu Xiaofeng realized that he was indeed too stupid. The facts were plain and obvious; he questioned himself: Why didn't I use my brain more? Ever since the first day father sent me to the Navy, he had already decided not to thwart the plans for the Navy to head to the south.

“Naturally, His Majesty knows the Great Scholar's stance on this, hence he's generous in rewarding you. In the future, I will have to rely more on you.”

Zhuang Yong had a very kind smile on his face, but Mu Xiaofeng only felt more embarra.s.sed.

“I'm very appreciative and grateful for what you said to me, general.”

“Let's not talk about vague things like these. I might as well be more direct…Shen Leng is the child of an old friend of mine. I'm sure you already know. However, for the sake of the Navy and His Majesty, I know how to make the right choice. Shen Leng is definitely not the only person who's affected by this. Most importantly, your future is on the line too. I am not ambitious. If His Majesty is furious and takes it out on me, all I can do is go back to being his counselor…you are different. You cannot leave a stain on your record. You have a bright future.”

Zhuang Yong had a more tactful way to say those words, but he did not beat about the bush. He could tell that Mu Xiaofeng had already loosened up.”

“Thank you, general, for the reminder. I know what to do now.”

Mu Xiaofeng got up. “If there's nothing else, I will take my leave. I have not changed the dressing of my wound today.”

“Go ahead.”

Zhuang Yong smiled as he stood up. “Recuperate well.”

He repeated 'His Majesty's counselor' twice. There was no way Mu Xiaofeng did not know its significance.

Not long after Mu Xiaofeng left, Shen Leng walked into the same private room. He stood respectfully and saluted. Thereafter, he took a step forward and asked, “Where's the other person?”

Zhuang Yong coughed a few times before answering, “Only you, smart aleck…sit down and eat!

Shen Leng laughed. “So you just want to have a meal. That's great. Are you sure it's just a meal?”

“I'm sure.”

“In that case, can I invite someone over? I want to treat Yang Qibao to a meal, but you know that my pay is too little. I cannot afford to buy him a good meal. I see that the dishes on this table are untouched. Why don't you let me use this opportunity to treat him?”

Zhuang Yong was speechless.

On the other side, the moment Mu Xiaofeng got back into his room, he kicked the table hard. “Dammit, he used the four words, 'counselor of His Majesty', to pressure me? Pressure me? Pressure me?”

He continued yelling every single time he kicked the table. His eyes were bloodshot.

Mu Jiu, his trusted aide, turned pale. “What's the matter, young master? Please calm down.”

He was one of his men back home, hence he kept addressing Mu Xiaofeng as 'young master'.

“Sooner or later I will crush Zhuang Yong to death. I will crush him to death hard!”

“Because of Shen Leng's matter?”

“Yeah!”

“It seemed as though Zhuang Yong had shed all pretense of cordiality? So are we following through on the plan or not?”

“Go according to plan!”

Mu Xiaofeng scoffed. “Du Weiming is a stupid fool. He provoked Shen Leng ahead of time and it seems like it's benefiting us now. The conflict between them has nothing to do with me. What we planned for tomorrow, will remain unchanged. After Shen Leng dies, kill Du Weiming immediately. Immediately!”

Mu Jiu looked at the three stone bow that was hung on the wall and nodded. “Don't worry, young master. I have never missed before. And n.o.body here knows that I have this ability.”