The fiercest soldier of the border army

"Good! Well done, military orders are absolute!"

"What a terrible thought, I don't know why I should think that!"

"He's got brains."

Shi Hanshan, his face full of admiration, patted Tang Shun on the shoulder and asked, "What's your name?"

"Tang Shun".

"Excellent, excellent! Courageous, intelligent, and sensible!" Shi Hanshan nodded as he surveyed the battlefield.

"I've been a soldier for twenty years, and I've never seen anyone survive an attack by a hundred Xiongnu cavalry, let alone kill more than twenty of them!"

"It wasn't easy, it wasn't easy at all!"

"Tang Shun, I will remember you."

"Tonight, the Xiongnu dare not come again."

He pointed to the beacon tower and said, "This place is ruined. The walls have collapsed, the wells have dried up, and it can't be defended."

"Listen to my command, abandon this defense. Tang Shun, take your men and return to Datong immediately to rest and regroup."

"Have Wang Xianghong report your military achievements later, and I will reward you accordingly!"

Stone Mountain came quickly and went quickly.

The sound of horses' hooves faded into the distance.

"Did you hear that? We survived! We don't have to guard anymore! We'll even get credit for it!"

"This time, they must have really survived, right?"

Liang Enyi plopped down on the ground, as if he had used up all his strength. "Squad leader, thank goodness you're our squad leader!"

"If it were me, I'd leave us here to die, and I'd call the hell out of it."

"Who knew the commander said that on purpose? Was this the order he gave?"

"My goodness, these officials are so cunning!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Liang Enyi was already lying on the ground, looking up at the sky.

This time, they didn't have the energy to cheer loudly; all they had was endless exhaustion.

The horse meat was cooked through and slightly cool, but they had no appetite for it.

Liang Enyi lay on the ground, Wei Zong leaned against the earthen platform, and Cheng Feng cushioned the corpse.

They treated their wounds simply, then fell into a deep sleep, clutching their broadswords.

……

Early the next morning.

"Come on, let's connect."

Tang Shun woke up early and, after leading them to bury the bodies of their companions, began to cut off the heads of the Xiongnu people.

A total of twenty-one.

Thirty-four Xiongnu scimitars were seized.

Six ponies and two military horses.

Thirteen bows and two sets of light armor.

As dawn broke, the fire had burned down to ashes.

They put the heads into sacks and hung them on the saddles.

A morning breeze swept across the scorched earth, bringing a touch of coolness.

Four people, eight horses, moving at great speed.

The official road winds ahead, leading to the city gate of Datong.

They were only halfway there when the sun was high in the sky.

Cheng Feng kept repeating, "Twenty-one heads, two hundred and ten taels of silver. Even if half is deducted, it's still more than one hundred taels."

"As for the horses, let's divide them according to the rule of three horses for the spoils: two to be handed over, two to be used in the army, and we'll keep the remaining three. Is that too much to ask?"

"We're rich! We're rich! I've never fought such a lucrative battle!"

Wei Zong scoffed, "If it weren't for the platoon leader's skill, how would you have had the opportunity to fight such a crucial battle?"

Liang Enyi interjected in a muffled voice: "If it weren't for the sergeant, they probably would have all run away yesterday afternoon. They're all deserters now."

The three of them looked at Tang Shun at the same time.

Tang Shun chuckled, "Hurry up, let's get back to Datong City as soon as possible."

Half an hour later, the gates of Datong City were visible.

Patrol soldiers were walking around the city gate.

Tang Shun walked at the front.

The soldiers at the city gate looked at their "spoils of war" with particularly burning eyes.

Tang Shun did not stop walking.

They passed through the gate and headed straight for Wang Xianghong's barracks.

The four men stood before the main tent, their bodies charred black and their armor tattered.

Tang Shun stepped forward and said, "Please inform us that Tang Shun led a counterattack, killing 21 enemies, capturing 8 warhorses, and losing 7 men."

The messenger glanced at them and went to the main tent to report.

Cheng Feng said in a low voice, "Shall we change into some clean clothes first?"

Wei Zong shook his head. "Wait for the order."

Liang Enyi squatted down and placed the sack at his feet.

Tang Shun stood still, his eyes fixed on the tent flap.

The sound of bowls and plates clinking could be heard from inside.

Before long, soldiers dressed in the uniforms of a captain's personal guard came out.

"Is it Squad Leader Tang Shun?"

Tang Shun nodded.

The man forced a smile. "Captain Wang knows you're back. He said you've all worked hard. Quickly change your clothes and go to the drill ground to wait."

Wei Zong's eyes lit up. "Waiting at the drill ground? Is it to announce the battle achievements?"

The messenger nodded. "Of course, such a great achievement will surely boost the morale of the entire battalion."

"However, it will take some time to verify, so please wait a moment."

Liang Enyi slapped his thigh excitedly, "We've finally made it through!"

Tang Shun remained silent.

He stared at the messenger's smiling face, but something felt off.

But there is no turning back now.

He said in a low voice, "Come on, change your clothes, and go to the drill ground."

The three followed the messenger toward the side tent.

Outside the side tent, a messenger waved his hand, "Put the weapons inside, leave the head behind, put on civilian clothes and wait at the drill ground until the captain gives the order."

The four of them exchanged glances.

Tang Shun slowly drew the knife from his waist and placed it on the ground.

Cheng Feng also put down the knife.

Wei Zong untied the quiver.

Liang Enyi took off his blood-stained leather armor, revealing his tattered undergarment underneath.

They changed into the coarse cloth clothes issued by the camp and stood together in the center of the drill ground.

A gust of wind blew from behind, making me feel cold.

Cheng Feng rubbed his hands together. "How much silver should we pay later? One hundred taels?"

Wei Zong whispered, "There's also money for bows, arrows, and horses."

Liang Enyi took a breath. "That's enough to buy several acres of top-quality paddy fields."

dong dong dong-

Before long, the war drums sounded urgently, signaling the mobilization!

The quiet camp instantly became noisy.

One by one, the soldiers emerged from the earthen building and quickly assembled.

"Hahaha, damn it, they're all out!"

Cheng Feng laughed heartily, "After serving in the army for so many years, it's finally my turn to shine!"

"So they'll know that we stayed behind to cover their retreat, and not only did we kill more than twenty barbarians, but we also met the commander! And we even ate his flesh."

Wei Zong suddenly kicked Cheng Feng in the leg, "Don't mention eating meat! Are you out of your mind?"

"Oh right, right, right." Cheng Feng smiled sheepishly, but the corners of his mouth curled up, and he couldn't suppress the smugness.

Tang Shun's expression turned serious.

They assembled, but they carried spears and bows and arrows.

What does this mean?!

Buzzing sounds—

Soon, groups of soldiers, under the command of their captain, approached the drill ground.

Cheng Feng laughed loudly, raised his uninjured right arm, and waved to his comrades.

"Brothers, I, Old Cheng, am back."

"I just went out for a stroll and killed seven Xiongnu barbarians, not many."

"Incidentally, we also encountered a hundred Xiongnu cavalrymen, but we didn't die."

No one in the queue responded.

One by one, they remained silent.

Many people who were familiar with Cheng Feng and his group looked reluctant and kept exchanging glances.

Something's not right, something's not right.

Wei Zong clenched his fists. "Squad leader, what are they doing?"

"How did they manage to surround us?!"

"This doesn't sound like announcing a reward!"

Tang Shun took a deep breath, but hadn't had a chance to respond yet.

Then a mocking voice came:

"The school gave you three days to guard the area. Today should be the first day, right? Why are you back already?"

The soldiers dispersed, and a scarred man wearing military cotton-padded clothes appeared.

It was none other than Captain Wang Xianghong!

He stood with his hands behind his back, pointed lightly, and said, "Men, kill these disobedient soldiers on the spot!"

"The fact that all two hundred people are here today is to tell you this."

"Disobeying military orders—this is the consequence!"