The fiercest soldier of the border army

"Yes, no need for formalities."

Wang Jinda smiled broadly, "I have a general understanding of the situation. It is truly gratifying to have won such a victory."

"A mere few dozen remnants and a hundred local militia were able to build a city on the spot and withstand the main force of the Xiongnu's attack!"

"You all have rendered great service!"

No one answered from inside the tent.

He didn't seem to mind and continued:

"You have rendered meritorious service in defending the city, and the imperial court will surely reward you."

Who is Tang Shun?

Upon hearing this, Tang Shun looked up, cupped his hands, and said, "That's me!"

"Hmm, not bad." Wang Jinda stroked his beard and nodded repeatedly, saying, "He beheaded the Right Commander of the Xiongnu in one battle; he should be promoted immediately!"

"The capital has already decided on the rewards and honors. Captain Tang Shun, who killed the Xiongnu chieftain in battle, should be promoted to colonel and given two hundred soldiers."

His gaze swept past Tang Shun and landed on the four men who were half a step behind him. "You four are the squad leaders, right? Not bad, not bad at all."

"Cheng Feng, Liang Enyi, Wei Zong, and Zhu Hang were all promoted to squad leaders, each leading fifty men."

"You worked together to defend the city and were loyal to your commander; your contributions are invaluable."

Cheng Feng and his companions were overjoyed and quickly bowed, saying, "Thank you, Commander!"

For a moment, Tang Shun was unsure what Wang Jinda was up to.

He had considered a million possibilities, but never this one.

Just as he was about to express his gratitude, he saw Shi Hanshan standing to the side, his face turning extremely ugly.

Tang Shun's heart skipped a beat; he sensed something was wrong.

as predicted!

Commander Wang Jinda picked up a document and said loudly:

"In this battle, Wang Xianghong, the captain of the Bing School, led his troops to build a fortified pass, setting up a stronghold outside Xiushui Town, firmly pinning down the main force of the Xiongnu and laying a solid foundation."

"In the battle to defend the city, you led dozens of soldiers and mobilized the people to defend the city, resulting in the death or injury of thousands of the main force of the Xiongnu. Your merit is paramount, and you should be promoted to commander. This promotion will take effect immediately after the report is submitted to the Jiedushi's office."

The words fell.

The tent was as still as if it were frozen.

The words have been made so clear, how could they not understand Wang Jinda's meaning!

Cheng Feng suddenly looked up, his fists clenched, almost shouting.

Liang Enyi reached out and quietly grabbed his arm with great force.

Wei Zong stared down at the ground, his fingernails digging into his palms.

Tang Shun stood there, his face expressionless, only his eyes growing colder.

Wang Xianghong? Built the fortress? Made the greatest contribution?

The one who imprisoned his brothers in earthen cages, broke camp to offer sacrifices to the flag, and was played with by the Xiongnu outside the city, was Wang Xianghong.

Wang Xianghong, who wanted to kill them out of personal grudges but was ultimately captured by the Xiongnu.

He did nothing, yet he became the city's founder and a meritorious defender.

Tang Shun slowly raised his head, his gaze falling directly on the Commander's face.

The latter seemed to sense something, his smile faltered slightly, but he quickly recovered, picked up his teacup, blew on it, and took a sip.

A breeze blew in from outside the tent, rustling the pages of paper on the table.

No one expressed their gratitude.

No one knelt in worship.

There was no cheering.

Tang Shun still stood there, like an iron statue just dragged back from the battlefield.

The tent became even quieter.

Cheng Feng gritted his teeth, his fists clenched so tightly they cracked.

Tang Shun looked directly at the person in front of the table, took a deep breath, and said, "Commander Wang was captured alive by the Xiongnu and his whereabouts are still unknown."

Wang Jinda's brow twitched, he placed his hand on the corner of the table, and chuckled lightly, "Nonsense."

"Bring him in."

Footsteps were chaotic outside the tent, and the curtain was suddenly thrown open.

Two soldiers carried a staggering man inside. The man was hunched over, his armor was torn, his face was covered in blood and grime, and there were deep marks from ropes binding his hands and feet. He dragged his left leg as he walked, leaving muddy footprints with each step.

The hideous scars on his face now looked even more ferocious.

It was Wang Xianghong.

At that moment, the people in the tent seemed to have their throats choked, their eyes wide, wanting to say something but unable to utter a word!

Tang Shun sneered inwardly, realizing that Wang Jinda had already found Wang Xianghong first.

Wang Xianghong was helped to an open space inside the tent, where he knelt down with difficulty, his head hitting the ground with a dull thud.

He was panting heavily when he first bowed to the Commander-in-Chief, saying, "This humble general greets the Commander-in-Chief!"

Wang Jinda's expression remained warm. "Captain Wang, you've worked hard. Get up quickly."

"Some people say you were captured alive by the Xiongnu, is that true or false?"

Wang Xianghong remained prostrate on the ground, "half true, half false."

"My subordinate fought a bloody battle against the main force of the Xiongnu, fighting fiercely for two days, killing hundreds of enemies, but was finally captured after exhausting his strength!"

"As for why he was captured..."

Wang Xianghong suddenly pointed at Tang Shun, his voice rising abruptly, "It was him! Tang Shun closed the city gates, causing all my soldiers to perish outside the city! Yet he cowered inside the city, watching our army be annihilated!"

The air inside the tent instantly tensed up.

Cheng Feng's eyes were bloodshot, and he let out a low growl as he lunged forward.

It was clearly because the city gates were difficult to open and there wasn't enough time!

But when Wang Xianghong said it, it was as if they had become heinous criminals!

Liang Enyi grabbed his arm with great force, and the muscles in both of their arms tensed up at the same time.

Cheng Feng struggled for a moment, but didn't move. His chest heaved violently, and the veins on his forehead bulged like ropes.

Wang Xianghong, panting, continued, "After I was captured, the Xiongnu forced me to confess the truth about the pass, but I refused to speak. I was whipped for three days and branded with hot irons, but I kept my mouth shut."

"Only today, when our army has decisively defeated the Xiongnu, have I been saved. This was solely because I petitioned the Commander-in-Chief, but Tang Shun refused to listen, watching his superior fight to the death while holding back his troops. This is a grave crime!"

After he finished speaking, he collapsed and had to be supported by soldiers to keep from falling. His face was covered in blood and cold sweat, but his eyes were fixed on Tang Shun with burning hatred.

The commander, his face grim, looked at Tang Shun and asked, "Is this true? Are you really refusing to open the door?"

Tang Shun didn't look at him, nor did he look at Wang Xianghong.

He slowly scanned the withered face before him, from the sinister eyes to the mud- and blood-stained collar, and then to the trembling yet deliberately straightened fingers.

He remembered these hands that had once imprisoned his brother in an earthen cage, drawn their swords to consecrate the flag, and turned their horses to flee amidst a hail of arrows outside the city.

He still remembered Wang Jinda's enthusiastic smile just now, even after he knew Wang Xianghong's whereabouts.

Everything was so hypocritical.

For nearly a month, from leaving Xiushui Town to building the city and then defending it, not a single achievement was left.

I bitterly resent spending my years embroidering gold thread, only to make wedding gowns for others!

"Tang Shun! Answer me!" Wang Jinda shouted.

Tang Shun raised his head, his voice steady: "That day, outside the North Gate, the Xiongnu surrounded us, and arrows rained down from the sky."

"Wang, the Colonel, led his remaining troops to the city walls, but the stone gate was too heavy and could only be opened a foot wide."

"The situation was urgent. Lieutenant Wang turned his horse to head west, but after only a dozen or so steps, he was ambushed by enemy cavalry. He was dragged along by a rope around his neck, and none of his personal guards survived."

He spoke extremely slowly, each sentence like a nail driven into the ground.

"The city was built by us and the people day and night, and it was also defended by us and the people with our lives on the line."

"Commander Wang... from beginning to end, never entered the city, never gave any orders, and didn't even know what the city gate looked like!"

Tang Shun said no more, just stood quietly with his shoulders straight and his gaze calm.

What lies before us is a false accusation, but also a storm we had long anticipated.

Commander Wang Jinda, with a playful smile on his face, tapped his fingers lightly on the table.

The wind outside the tent swirled dust and rustled against the tent fabric...