Patrol Captain

On that day, a figure dressed in red rode straight into the Ninth Mountain, attracting a lot of attention.

Not long after, in the side hall of the Ninth Mountain Zhonglang Hall, the sound of armor clashing with footsteps echoed outside the hall.

Then a voice came: "General, Commandant Lian has arrived from Qingshan County!"

"Please let her in!" Chen Yuan's gentle voice rang out from inside the door.

"Yes!"

Then, the sound of doors turning rang out, and the door to the side hall opened.

"Captain Lian, please!"

Soon, as the door opened, Lian Ni Chang, dressed in red and wearing a waist-cinching soft armor, stepped in.

Upon entering, one could see Chen Yuan with one hand behind his back, a large sand table placed in the center of the side hall, and a small blue flag twirling between his fingers.

"Brother!"

Lian Ni Chang quickly stepped forward and softly offered her hand.

Chen Yuan casually placed the small flag in his hand onto the sand table, turned around, looked at Lian Ni Chang, and said gently, "Ni Chang is here."

"You must be tired after such a long journey."

"Come, sit down."

As he spoke, he walked forward and sat down on a chair on the side of the hall, behaving casually.

Lian Ni Chang sat down beside him as instructed. Normally, she would feel a bit restrained in such a solemn place as the Zhonglang Palace, since this was not the Qingzhu Courtyard in Qingshan County, where familiar surroundings would ease her mind. However, her brother's few words greatly dispelled her sense of restraint.

Summoned by her brother's letter, she had traveled day and night without knowing what had happened. So she straightened her posture and got straight to the point.

"I wonder what has happened that prompted you to send Ni Chang here, brother?"

At that moment, Chen Yuan was bending down to pour tea from the teapot on the table. Hearing this, he smiled and shook his head, "You still have that impulsive and impulsive nature."

"Have a cup of tea first." With that, he extended two fingers and pushed the teacup toward Lian Ni Chang.

Lian Ni Chang lowered her head when she was laughed at, took the teacup with both hands, and thanked him softly, "Thank you, brother."

As he spoke, he picked up the teacup and took a sip.

During this brief interval, Chen Yuan revealed the purpose of his summons: "The twelve mountain-climbing armies are currently recruiting soldiers. Six of the mountain-climbing armies that were destroyed are being rebuilt, and the positions of the lieutenant generals are yet to be determined. The candidates for the lieutenant generals of the five mountains have already been finalized and they have taken office. The fifth mountain is still short of a lieutenant general."

At this point, Chen Yuan's eyes, filled with a smile, fell on Lian Ni Chang's face.

"I intend to appoint you as the Fifth Mountain General!"

Lian Ni Chang was listening intently, but when she heard the last sentence, she got so excited that she choked on the tea she had drunk and couldn't help but cough twice.

She put the teacup aside, turned her body to the side in the chair, and tried to speak, but the choking sensation in her throat prevented her from saying a word.

Chen Yuan smiled and said, "I know what you want to say. Now that I am about to raise an army to march south, I hope that I can be surrounded by trustworthy people. You and I have always seen that you are capable of this position."

Lian Ni Chang caught her breath, her beautiful eyes widening in surprise. She stood up, bowed, and said, "What virtue or ability do I possess to be a mountain warrior? The overall situation of the war is far-reaching, and I have never led troops before. I fear I will not be able to command the troops. I beg my brother to reconsider his decision." Chen Yuan understood that Lian Ni Chang was considering the possibility of not being able to command the troops, mostly out of fear of criticism for her actions. He remained unconcerned and said:

"Who dares to say you've never led troops? Two years ago, you led 20,000 soldiers to aid Zhennan Prefecture. Thousands of troops marched out to help me escape from danger. Do you still remember that, brother? Many others do too."

"If you have the ability and qualifications, who will take your place?"

"Don't refuse, or I'll get angry!"

"If anyone disagrees, you beat them until they submit." At this, Chen Yuan couldn't help but chuckle.

“A female general is about to emerge from the Twelve Mountains, it will surely be quite a spectacle, you must not disappoint your brother.”

Caught off guard by Chen Yuan's words, Lian Ni Chang hesitated for a moment, a hint of doubt flashing across her sharp features. However, she was never one to waver. Faced with her brother's request, she didn't hesitate for a second, finally making her decision, bowing deeply, and solemnly...
"I will certainly live up to my brother's expectations!"

"That's more like it. Alright, make yourself at home and sit down to talk." Chen Yuan was also pleased and told her to sit down.

"Then, brother, what about Qingshan County?" Lian Ni Chang sat down again, but she was still worried about Qingshan County. Although the spies from Beiliang had ceased their activities after the defeat of the 100,000 iron cavalry, no one could guarantee that those guys would not make a comeback or lie in wait for an opportunity to create chaos. She was really worried.

"Don't worry, since I've asked you to take over the Fifth Mountain, there are naturally arrangements in Qingshan County. With Elder Dong overseeing things there, you're guaranteed to be safe." Chen Yuan told her not to worry about these things, as he had his own plans.

Lian Ni Chang nodded, gathered her thoughts, took a deep breath, and asked earnestly, "Brother, when will I take office?"

Chen Yuan raised an eyebrow. "Right now!"

"Today is the day the first batch of new recruits of the Fusi are issued armor. Except for the Ninth Mountain, the other mountains will receive two thousand sets. Considering that you have no foundation in the Fusi, I will give an extra thousand sets of armor to your Fifth Mountain to win over the hearts of your men. As for the rest, that depends on your own abilities. Let your men see the skills of Lian Ni Chang."

Chen Yuan's extra thousand sets were indeed for Lian Ni Chang's sake. Unlike other generals, she had no connections in the Fusi, so as her brother, he naturally had to help her. As for whether Lian Ni Chang could subdue the recruited troops, he couldn't help her with that; she had to build her own prestige.

"Thank you, brother!" Lian Ni Chang naturally understood the good intentions behind this and was grateful.

"I will send someone to escort you to your new post at the Fifth Mountain shortly. Someone will be there to take over your duties."

Just as Lian Ni Chang was arriving at the Fifth Mountain, a secret report was urgently delivered to the desk of Xiao Zhongtian, the King of Northern Liang, who was stationed there and commanding the front-line battle, tens of thousands of miles away in Guanzhong Dasanguan.

The chief clerk, Yan Sun, was in charge of receiving and forwarding the secret reports. He strode into a hall in the military council building.

When Yan Sun entered, Xiao Zhongtian was discussing the situation at the front with his generals.

"Your Highness, I have a confidential report to present."

Yan Sun bowed and spoke.

Xiao Zhongtian frowned, lowered his hand, and then waved his hand. Seeing this, the several military advisors wisely left temporarily.

"What is it?" After everyone left, Xiao Zhongtian's slanted eyes fell on Yan Sun.

The other person quickly approached, took out a folded document from his sleeve, and handed it to the King of Liang.

Xiao Zhongtian took the folded document, opened it, and immediately his slanted eyes gleamed.

"Where did this news come from?" He turned his gaze to Yan Sun, his tone pressing.

"Your Highness, our people came from the palace," Yan Sun said, bowing slightly and glancing up to meet Xiao Zhongtian's eyes. (End of Chapter)