The Red Mansion in its bustling glory

When Jia Jue first met Zhu Shang, he didn't pay much attention to him.

Because there were so many soldiers in the camp, and Zhu Shang was only dressed in the clothes of an ordinary soldier, wearing only a leather armor, he was naturally invisible in the sea of ​​people.

However, when they met for the second time, Jia Jue noticed that something was wrong with him.

Feng Tang then invited them into the military camp, to the commander's tent.

Contrary to Jia Jue's expectations, the command tent was not filled with maps, sand tables, hooks, spears, swords, and halberds. Instead, several young men dressed in fine clothes and wearing magnificent armor sat in a group; several beautiful women danced and played music, with golden goblets of fine wine and jade platters of delicacies in front of them.

Feng Tang had already introduced the two men to the other young men.

These people were all descendants of noble families in the capital, though only from collateral branches, they still received excellent care in the army. Jia Jue and Liu Xianglian greeted them one by one before sitting down again.

As soon as they sat down, several young men surrounded them and started talking.

Both of them were handsome and beautiful, and these young men who were used to hanging out in the capital began to have different thoughts about them.

However, they were reluctant to force the issue—firstly, they feared disturbing the beauty, and secondly, both of them were not simple individuals, especially Jia Jue, a direct descendant of the Rongguo Mansion. If they angered him before they succeeded, how could they continue to serve in the army?

So he started saying ambiguous things to them in different ways.

Little did they know that Jia Jue and Liu Xianglian were not such fools; they were serious people who deeply loathed this kind of thing.

However, with General Feng Tang present, he couldn't lash out and had to suppress his anger.

However, the more one endured it, the more nauseating the atmosphere in the tent became.

Several young men were already drunk, pulling the dancers' hands and begging them to sit on their laps, while using their other hands to grope the dancers' bodies.

How licentious!

How utterly despicable!

Jia Jue looked at Feng Tang, but saw that he seemed not to have seen him and still had a happy look on his face.

The two could no longer bear it. Jia Jue stood up first and said to Feng Tang, "Uncle, please forgive my rudeness. I need to go to the restroom first. My apologies."

With that, he left the military tent.

After Jia Jue left, Liu Xianglian also stood up a short while later and said, "General, please forgive my rudeness. I have drunk too much wine and need to use the restroom. I will go now."

With that, Liu Xianglian also left.

The two met outside the tent.

Having left the decadent and licentious atmosphere of the tent, the two felt an overwhelming sense of freshness in the air.

The two walked together in the military camp in silence.

What is most common in military camps?

Soldiers, of course.

Therefore, Jia Jue and his companion naturally encountered many soldiers.

People of different heights sat together around a clay stove, eating their meal.

Something was cooking in the pot on the stove—something Jia Jue had never seen before, even in his two lifetimes.

There was some oil in the pot, but only a small amount; there was only a thin layer of oil floating on top.

"What kind of logic is that!"

Liu Xianglian suddenly spoke, drawing Jia Jue's sidelong glance.

"I wonder if they came to suppress bandits or to enjoy themselves! Away from home and the capital, they've become even more reckless and lawless! It's just a pity for these soldiers!"

Jia Jue sighed, "Since the reign of the retired emperor, the country has rarely been at war, except for two instances of Japanese pirate raids in the Jiangnan region. With the northern barbarians not coming, the country is at peace, so naturally, we take a more relaxed view of military affairs. Several meritorious and capable generals have now retired and returned home. Those who remain in the court are all those who came here because of the legacy of their ancestors. There's nothing we can do about it."

As they talked, the two walked behind a tent.

Here, Jia Jue met Zhu Shang for the second time.

At this moment, Zhu Shang was sitting on a log, huffing and puffing as he sharpened a sharp knife.

"Brother, why are you just sitting here sharpening your knife instead of eating?"

Seeing that he was all alone, Jia Jue asked him.

Zhu Shang looked up and saw two young men in brocade robes. A hint of displeasure flashed in his eyes. Although the displeasure disappeared quickly, it was still caught by Jia Jue.

Zhu Shang stood up and bowed respectfully. "Greetings, gentlemen. I have a large appetite, and if you eat with me, some of my brothers will surely go hungry. I can survive even when I'm hungry, but the others may not."

"Oh?"

Upon hearing Zhu Shang's answer, Liu Xianglian remarked, "So, you're saying your martial arts skills are quite good?"

Zhu Shangdao said, "I dare not call it 'good,' it's just passable."

At this moment, Liu Xianglian and Jia Jue began to carefully examine Zhu Shang.

He was tall and imposing, with broad shoulders and a thick waist, leopard eyes and a bull's nose, looking every bit the fierce general. His hands were covered in calluses, and his steps were steady and powerful. His breathing was like that of a whale swallowing its prey. He was indeed a skilled martial artist!

The two of them were looking at Zhu Shang, and Zhu Shang was naturally looking at them as well.

The two young men, though fair-skinned and handsome, were also strong and capable, with slender waists and powerful backs. They seemed to be skilled in martial arts, at least stronger than the young men in the army whose bodies had long been ruined by wine and women.

Jia Jue clicked his tongue in admiration, saying, "I never expected you to have such awareness."

Zhu Shang then said, "Although I am crude, I know the words 'benevolence' and 'righteousness.' If someone goes hungry or even dies on the battlefield because of me, then I am unbenevolent and unrighteous; if someone survives on the battlefield because of me, then I am benevolent and righteous."

Upon hearing this, Jia Jue couldn't help but say, "What you say, brother, is reasonable and well-founded, not the talk of an uneducated person. Surely you have some education?"

Zhu Shangdao said: "I am not talented. I have studied for two years and have read through the Analects and Mencius once, but I did not understand them in depth. I have also read a few articles on military strategy."

Jia Jue then said, "Since that's the case, why don't you go and take the military examination? That would be better than staying here."

Zhu Shang sneered, saying, "To succeed in the martial arts examination? That's certainly good. If one could obtain an official title, who would want to fight to the death here? However, to pass the martial arts examination, one needs a recommendation from someone with an official title—I don't know anyone with an official title for the martial arts examination, and those with official titles for the civil service examination look down on me when they hear I want to take the martial arts path, refusing to vouch for me. How am I supposed to take the exam? How am I supposed to fight for that title?"

Jia Jue sighed upon hearing this and said, "If someone were willing to vouch for you now, would you be willing to take the test?"

Zhu Shang said, "If someone is willing to vouch for me, I would certainly be willing. It just so happens that the martial arts examination will be held next year. If I have a benefactor to help me at this time, I will definitely pass."

"Alright." Jia Jue nodded. "To be honest, although I'm not very talented, I've still managed to obtain the title of Xiucai (a scholar who passed the lowest level of the imperial examinations). For the military examination recommendation, only those with this title are required; there are no other restrictions. I can help you with that. Would you be willing?"