Tang Dynasty Bandits

Chapter 44 Return to camp
At that time they were all very young, ignorant of the immensity of the world, and did not understand the complexity of the world, but they were full of dreams for the future.

Zhu Wen was unfamiliar with the term "alliance for a lifetime" and simply made his request casually. The other party's mention of "a lifetime" seemed to him to be childish and thoughtless.

However, many great contracts are established in ordinary scenes, and then loyalty and friendship last throughout the life.

Just like Emperor Gaozu of Han Liu Bang and Marquis of Liu Zhang Liang, Emperor Guangwu of Han Liu Xiu and Marquis of Gaomi Deng Yu. And as Zhu Wen mentioned, Emperor Taizong of Han Li Shimin and Duke of Zheng Wei Zheng.

The fallen leaves on the ground made a rustling sound as they were trampled by horse hooves, reed catkins floated in the boundless blue sky, and autumn water flowed gently along the river bank.

Before the birth of mankind, the earth had experienced autumns like this countless times. But after the emergence of human civilization, there have been many great moments left for the sky, the earth, and the four seasons to witness.

After returning to his own tent, Zhu Wen lit a burner of agarwood in the tent to dilute the masculine scent.

Then he hung a thick black felt curtain in the middle of the tent.

"What should I call you? Su Ting?" Zhu Wen asked.

"Zhizhen. This is my nickname." Lan Suting looked at the furnishings in the tent, her eyes a little vague, and then fixed on Zhu Wen's face.

"Zhizhen, you'll be staying here from now on." Zhu Wen said leisurely, "It's cleaner, and the conditions are better than the average soldier's tent."

"Okay." Lan Suting nodded calmly, not surprised at all.

This tent is obviously too big for one person to live in.

Many generals in the Cao army who were at the same level as Zhu Wen had women in their tents.

But to Zhu Wen, it didn't matter whether Lan Suting was a man or a woman.

He is not a particularly talkative person. When he is with his senior brother Meng Kai and junior sister Duan Hongyan, he is often the one who listens.

But Lan Suting was obviously a quieter person than him, so he hoped that the other party could listen to him and chat before he went to bed.

"Aren't you afraid that I will attack you?" Zhu Wen showed a playful smile.

Lan Suting met the man's clear gaze without a trace of desire and said seriously, "You are prettier than me, so you must not like me."

It was a very honest answer, which was quite consistent with Zhu Wen's impression of the girl.

He walked over, patted Lan Suting on the shoulder, and said lazily: "Be my little brother."

Lan Suting tilted his head: "Little brother? Don't you want me to be your military advisor?"

"Look how cute you are." Zhu Wen couldn't help but touch her delicate nose - compared to the aggressive beauty of his junior sister Duan Hongyan, Lan Suting was a typical petite and cute style.

This kind of nerdy and foolish behavior had previously annoyed Zhu Wen, but he soon discovered the cute side of this little girl: "If you don't become my little brother, I'm afraid I won't be able to resist and attack you one day."

"If that happens, you'll feel like you'll just be a concubine in charge of the harem. I want to keep you in my stead."

"Can't we become sworn brothers and sisters?" Lan Suting asked.

"You're really stupid." Zhu Wen said helplessly, "How many sworn brothers can resist attacking their lovely sister? She's not their biological daughter."

"Oh." Lan Suting nodded, not quite understanding.

Zhu Wen suddenly remembered that when he was a teenager, he met a girl who called him "Big Brother".

They had maintained a very close relationship for several years and exchanged many gifts.

Later he also found out that the girl's seemingly strict father actually admired him very much.

But he still didn't say those words. He wanted to make a name for himself, but if he relied on the help of any girl in the process, Zhu Wen would think it was a kind of charity that would be very embarrassing for him.

Zhu Wen was very fond of the motto left by Emperor Guangwu Liu Xiu, "If you want to be an official, you should be the Prefect of the Guards; if you want to marry, you should marry Yin Lihua." However, he also knew that Liu Xiu proposed to his beloved Yin Lihua only after he had surpassed the Yin family in status.

Unfortunately, this kind of pride often comes at the cost of missing out forever. For example, right now, he doesn't know where that girl is.

He couldn't help but sigh secretly.

"If I become your younger brother, will you never kill me no matter how angry you are in the future?" Lan Suting asked.

"You want to be the governor, so you think you can win, and that Alliance Leader Wang or your master can replace the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty."

"You rose up in arms, claiming to oppose the injustices of the world, but even if you succeeded, you didn't intend to fully implement 'obey the law like a sword', nor could you achieve 'a prince who breaks the law is punished just like a commoner.'"

"Of course I can't do that. I can only say it will definitely be better than now." Zhu Wen answered quite frankly: "Even I want to stand out because I feel that the rules of the world cause me a lot of trouble. If I can reach a high position like Jiedushi, I can live a much more comfortable life than now."

"But I will still ask you to follow the teachings of the ancient sages," Lan Suting said. "At that time, it will be inevitable that I will say some harsh words to you."

"I hired you just to hear these words," Zhu Wen said. "Emperor Taizong didn't kill Wei Zheng, so even if you don't become my younger brother, I won't kill you either."

Zhu Wen felt clear conscience about his answer.

Everyone says that Emperor Taizong is an emperor of all ages, but Emperor Taizong could not do the "princes who break the law are punished the same as common people."

Otherwise, Li Shimin should have chopped off the heads of his naughty children when they behaved recklessly.

"So, there is no obvious benefit in being your younger brother." Lan Suting said.

"That's right." Zhu Wen confirmed.

"But there's no harm in that. Besides, I've taken your money now, so I should accept your orders within a normal range." Lan Suting concluded, "Then I'll listen to you."

This answer, as well as the girl's slightly tilted head, made Zhu Wen feel as obedient as a rabbit.

Zhu Wen suddenly remembered a line from the Northern Dynasty folk song "The Ballad of Mulan" - "The male rabbit's feet are confused, the female rabbit's eyes are blurred, how can you tell whether I am a male or a female?"

Isn't this little girl in men's clothes a little rabbit as gentle as white jade?
Zhu Wen liked rabbits very much.

When he's around people with strong emotions, he feels like a hedgehog: seemingly straightforward and frank, but in reality, he has to carefully consider his words. Just like hedgehogs in winter, they huddle together for warmth, but if they get too close, they'll prick each other.

Rabbits can get very close to each other when they are keeping each other warm.

Lan Suting is both a subordinate and a younger brother. Her innocent and calm nature also allows him to say things to her that he cannot usually say to others.

"I will announce to the soldiers tomorrow that we will be recruiting a new military advisor." Zhu Wen asked, "Do you want to change back into your girlish attire?"

"No need." Lan Suting shook her head and said, "My grandfather failed the imperial examinations many times, so he likes to see me dressed like this."

Just like his dead father and his teacher Huang Chao. Zhu Wen thought to himself that if one was not born into an aristocratic family, it would not make any difference whether one was talented or not, or whether one's family was rich or not.

The imperial examination system, which was said to be "Emperor Taizong's long-term strategy, which made all the heroes grow old", was ultimately just a formality for the children of aristocratic families to go through.

"The brothers in the camp will like you. I sent someone to prepare bedding, a toothbrush, and a bathing pot for you." Zhu Wen said, lifting the curtain and going to the other side of the tent. The curtain made of wool felt was obviously thick enough to ensure that the other side could not see anything while the girl was bathing.

A maid with a proper appearance and a clever look in her eyes opened the tent door and walked in.

Lan Suting was about to say something when Zhu Wen's voice came from behind the curtain again: "As a scholar, you always need personal care. Of course, it's official business. Her monthly salary is 800 wen, which will be deducted from your salary."

(End of this chapter)