Top-notch Little Horseman

Upon hearing the sound of horses' hooves, everyone's expressions became tense.

Ye Chen frowned slightly, waved for the troops to stop, and turned to look over.

A lone rider came galloping in, and the newcomer was none other than Hong Chengye, the deputy herdsman of the horse camp.

"Wait here for me. Lord Hong shouldn't make things difficult for us; he probably has something to say to me!"

Ye Chen put Qin Mengyao down and rode his horse to meet her.

When Hong Chengye saw Ye Chen approaching, he immediately dismounted and looked at him with great surprise.

He truly hadn't expected Ye Chen to be so bold as to directly lead away 10 warhorses.

Upon learning of this, he immediately and secretly followed after them.

He took a deep breath and said, "Ye Chen, you're incredibly audacious. You actually led away a warhorse without warning. Aren't you afraid of being punished by your superiors...?"

Before he could finish speaking, Ye Chen interrupted him.

"Hey, don't talk nonsense. I got the shepherd's permission."

"We agreed that if you agreed to three conditions, I could take away 10 warhorses in 7 days."

Hearing Ye Chen say this, Hong Chengye stopped talking about the topic.

"Brother Ye Chen, time is of the essence. I'm a few years older than you, so I'll just call you 'brother'," Hong Chengye said with the expression of someone looking at a junior.

"I'm sorry to trouble you to stay in the Desolate Dust Pass for a while. I'll find a way to bring him back. It could be as short as a month or as long as three months."

"A capable person like you shouldn't have died in that godforsaken place."

His voice was filled with undisguised regret, and he said sincerely, "Our camp needs you, at least while I still have the authority to make decisions."

He spoke very bluntly, and Ye Chen naturally understood what he meant.

Ye Chen remained silent for two breaths before speaking, "My lord, you want to get rid of Liang Kun and take the position of shepherd yourself, right?"

Hong Chengye's pupils contracted sharply, and he opened his mouth as if to deny it, but when he met Ye Chen's calm eyes, he swallowed his words back.

After a brief silence, he became frank.

"When did you figure that out?"

Ye Chen smiled and said, "Is that still important? I still have to get going. Let's get straight to the point."

Hong Chengye has already caught up, and that sinister Liang Kun will surely discover the problem soon, and he probably won't be able to catch up for long.

"Alright. Liang Kun is greedy and lustful, and he embezzles money and supplies for himself. I remember how much he has cut off from our brothers' money and food." Hong Chengye nodded and said frankly.

"I don't want to be the shepherd, I just can't stand seeing everyone being bullied by Liang Kun like this."

"I've been holding back, waiting for an opportunity, and your conflict with Liang Kun has shown me that opportunity."

"I admire your courage for daring to stand up to Liang Kun, and for being so intelligent!"

"If Ma Ying had more people like you, they could definitely take down Liang Kun!"

"You help me, I help you!"

Ye Chen nodded slightly. He understood Hong Chengye's meaning. If he wanted to get rid of Liang Kun, he did need a helper.

Hong Chengye's ability to secure his position as deputy shepherd suggests he is no ordinary person and must have powerful backing.

"good!"

The two readily formed an alliance, which pleased Hong Chengye greatly.

He thought for a moment, then instructed, "Be careful on your trip to Desolate Dust Pass; survival is paramount!"

"Don't worry, Chief Hong, we will definitely survive and thrive. We will establish our own base," Ye Chen said confidently with a smile.

"As for Huima Camp, we'll see how things go then. I'll stay at Huangchen Pass and guard it!"

"Now that I've gone to Desolate Dust Pass, I'll definitely show those barbarians the might of our Great Qin!"

Ye Chen thought for a moment, then continued, "Now that you're here, Chief Hong, I also have something I'd like to say to you!"

Hong Chengye was slightly taken aback upon hearing this, then smiled and said, "Uh? Please speak freely!"

"I think you shouldn't put all your energy into the position of shepherd."

"The Northern Barbarian cavalry will circle around the border and will soon break through the pass. With the current strength of the border army, I'm afraid they won't be able to withstand it."

Ye Chen said with a serious expression, "With the court corrupt, is Yanmen Pass going to fall? Ma Ying will definitely be destroyed."

Ye Chen didn't say it aloud, but the higher-ups had already given their approval that the border troops were colluding with the Northern Barbarians, and it was only a matter of time before Yanmen Pass was breached.

Unless someone steps forward and removes the poisonous thorn in Gou Qianhu's side, if the Northern Barbarians launch an attack on Yanmen Pass, countless people will die.

Hong Chengye frowned upon hearing this; Ye Chen's revelation was truly shocking.

There are some things that Hong Chengye can see clearly, and his desire to become a shepherd is not so simple.

However, there are some things he cannot discuss in detail with Ye Chen; he can only touch upon them briefly.

"I understand, I know what I'm doing."

Ye Chen, who has come back to life, is not only courageous, capable, and resourceful, but is he still just an ordinary horse herder?

"Since that's the case, I won't say any more. Chief Hong, please go back! We've lingered here too long. If Liang Kun catches up, it will not only cause me trouble, but it will also affect Chief Hong's plans!"

Hong Chengye nodded slightly, thought for a moment and said, "Fifty miles north of Huangchen Pass is Zhenbeibao, where a thousand border soldiers are stationed. Among them is a centurion named Zhao Chen, who is my brother."

"If the refugees cause too much trouble, or if the Northern Barbarian cavalry arrives, don't try to fight back. Go to Zhenbeibao and tell them my name, and they will protect you."

Hong Chengye's arrangement showed his sincerity; he genuinely wanted to win over Ye Chen.

Ye Chen saw Hong Chengye's sincerity and nodded slightly, saying, "Thank you for your trouble, Chief Hong!"

"That's settled then." Hong Chengye nodded and said no more.

"Brother Ye Chen, as long as you're alive, that's enough!"

With a spur of his horse, Hong Chengye galloped away, kicking up a trail of yellow dust.

Ye Chen rode back and helped Qin Mengyao onto the horse.

"Let's go! Destination: Desolate Dust Pass!"

We've wasted a lot of time here, so we need to leave as soon as possible.

"Captain, what did Chief Hong say to you?" Monkey rode over and asked curiously.

"It's nothing, let's hurry! Liang Kun might catch up!"

......

Horse Camp, Inner Hall.

Liang Kun sat in the chair, looking at the tea on the table.

Just then, hurried footsteps sounded outside the door, and Zhang Dahu lifted the curtain and walked in.

"Sir, Ye Chen and the others have left!"

Liang Kun suddenly looked up at Zhang Dahu, but did not say anything.

"They, they rode away on horseback!"

Upon hearing this, Liang Kun slammed his hand on the table and stood up abruptly, exclaiming, "What did you say! They rode away on horseback?"

"I didn't approve it, how dare they transfer horses without permission! Who, who dared to give them warhorses without authorization!"

Zhang Dahu was so frightened that he backed away and leaned against the wall behind him.

"This...it's Old Gentou. It was Old Gentou who secretly gave them the warhorses. It was Old Gentou..."