Border Soldier: My fiancée snatched credit and broke off the engagement, so I promptly became a marq

The moment the words "Black Tiger Battalion" were uttered, the atmosphere in the Hall of Merit changed instantly.

Those who had been staring at Zhao Hong just moments before all lowered their heads.

Even the registrar's hand holding the pen dared not move again.

The Black Tiger Camp are not from Black Stone Fortress.

It was the outer camp of the Jingbei Army.

Three hundred cavalrymen were responsible for patrolling the border, apprehending fugitives, and escorting grain.

Nominally under the command of the Jingbei Military Command, it was actually controlled by Han Zhao.

Who is Han Zhao?

The adopted son of Han Wenshan, the deputy general of Jingbei.

He was also Zhao Hong's backer.

The reason why Black Stone Fort was able to alter the military merit register to resemble the Zhao family's private account over the years was not because Zhao Hong, a mere centurion, was audacious, but because he had someone behind him who could cover for him.

Zhao Chenglie dared to steal Chen Mu's credit, not because he was stupid.

It's because no one could overturn the verdict before.

Even after it was overturned, no one dared to pick it up.

Lu Shuangyi dared to accept.

But with the arrival of the Black Tiger Battalion, whether she can continue the fight to the end is anyone's guess.

The panic on Zhao Hong's face had subsided.

He even slowly sat back down in his chair.

"General Lu, whether the Zhao family is at fault or not can be investigated."

"But Captain Han's men have already set off overnight and will enter the fort no later than noon tomorrow. He is acting on the patrol order of the Jingbei Military Command."

"By sealing off the fortress and preventing the Black Tiger Battalion from entering, are you defying the military orders of the Jingbei Military Command?"

Upon hearing this, the expressions of the several military officers in the hall changed.

To defy orders.

In the border army, disobeying orders is a serious crime.

Lu Shuangyi is indeed a deputy commander, but she is stationed at Black Stone Fortress as a temporary border supervisor.

If Han Zhao brings the Black Tiger Battalion here and they really have patrol documents, she can't stop him.

Chen Mu looked at Zhao Hong.

This old man has finally shown his teeth.

Zhao Hong was terrified when his residence was searched, when barbarian leather armor was found, and when his letters were seized.

But when he heard that the Black Tiger Camp was coming, he calmed down.

This shows that he trusts Han Zhao.

They trusted him even more than they trusted the Zhao family's personal guards.

Lu Shuangyi did not answer immediately.

She picked up the burnt letter and read it again.

The edges of the letter were charred black.

There are not many characters that can be recognized.

"South Gate..."

"The Zhao residence..."

"Black Tiger Camp..."

"Pick someone up at noon..."

There's still half a line left.

"The records of merit should be sealed first, and should not fall into the hands of outsiders."

After reading the letter, Lu Shuangyi put it back on the table.

"Chen Mu".

Chen Mu looked up.

"exist."

Lu Shuangyi asked, "What do you think?"

Zhao Hong sneered.

"General Lu is now asking a corporal how he interprets military orders?"

Zhao Chenglie also spoke up.

"What does he know?"

"A lowly soldier who used to tend the fire, by sheer luck, has twice performed meritorious service. Does he really think he can solve cases and lead troops?"

Chen Mu ignored them.

He walked to the desk and glanced at the tattered letter.

"The Black Tiger Battalion isn't here on patrol."

Zhao Hong's face darkened.

Chen Mu said, "If it were just a patrol, they wouldn't know in advance that the south gate wouldn't be open."

"If it's just about delivering grain, there won't be any record of merit."

"If it was just to pick someone up, it would be even more inappropriate to specify noon in the letter before the incident at the South Gate."

Lu Shuangyi's eyes flickered slightly.

Chen Mu reached out and pointed to the two characters "功册" (Merit Book).

"They didn't come to save the Zhao family."

"We've come to collect our military merit register."

The hall fell silent.

Chen Mu continued, "The credit for Wugudu should have gone to Zhao Chenglie last night."

"With the fall of the South Gate and the chaos at Black Stone Fortress, the Zhao family took advantage of the confusion to move the military merit register. Once the Black Tiger Battalion arrives, everything will be rewritten."

"At that time, Zhao Chenglie will be the one to kill Wugu, and the Zhao family will be the ones to guard the South Gate."

"The dead cooks were those who deserted in the face of battle."

"I, Chen Mu, was killed by mutinous soldiers for disrupting the morale of the army."

Su Wan stood by the door, her face growing paler with each passing moment.

She only knew Chen Muqiong before.

All I know is that the Zhao family is powerful.

But she never imagined that having power meant being able to write the living as the dead, the dead as deserters, and credit someone else for the merit earned at the cost of one's life.

Zhao Chenglie angrily retorted, "Stop talking nonsense!"

Chen Mu said, "Then why are you in such a hurry?"

Zhao Chenglie suddenly stood up.

"I--"

Lu Shuangyi didn't even look at him, and only said one sentence.

"sit down."

Zhao Chenglie was unwilling, but Zhao Hong still managed to subdue him with a single glance.

Zhao Hong said grimly, "Chen Mu, you make it sound so convincing. Then tell me, what should we do when the Black Tiger Camp arrives tomorrow?"

Chen Mu stared at him.

"The Register of Merit"

Zhao Hong frowned.

Chen Mu said, "From now on, all evidence, the number of corpses, the dominoes, and the list of the dead from the cases of Wugudu and Nanmen last night shall be made in triplicate."

"One copy will remain at Blackstone Fortress."

"One copy to Lieutenant General Lu's personal guard battalion."

"One of them was publicly posted on the military merit list."

The registrar was stunned.

"Post it out?"

Chen Mu nodded.

"Post it out."

Zhao Hong's expression changed.

"How can a post be made public before the military merits are officially recognized?"

Chen Mu said, "Therefore, it should be clearly stated that this is a temporary posting."

"Anyone who has objections may file a complaint today."

"Anyone who dares to tear down the list will be punished as if they were destroying the military merit register."

Many people in the hall began to breathe more lightly.

Once the list of military merits is posted, everyone in Blackrock Fortress will see it.

The cooks will see it.

The person guarding the south gate will see it.

The Lu family's personal guards will see it.

It will be difficult for the Zhao family to secretly change things again.

If the Black Tiger Camp wanted to enter and seize the register again, they couldn't do so quietly.

Because everyone knows that Chen Mu's achievements have already been recorded.

Zhao Hong sneered: "You're trying to incite morale among the troops."

Chen Mu said, "The morale of the army is not afraid of being incited."

"What the army fears most is that merit earned at the cost of lives can vanish in the middle of the night."

As soon as he finished speaking, the old cooks kneeling outside the door suddenly looked up.

Zhou Tie also looked at Chen Mu.

Lu Shuangyi remained silent for a moment.

Do as he says.

The registrar dared not disobey and could only pick up his pen.

Zhao Hong's face turned completely grim.

But Chen Mu wasn't finished yet.

"The second thing."

Lu Shuangyi looked at him.

Chen Mu said, "Zhao Chenglie cannot remain in the Hall of Military Merit."

Zhao Chenglie was so angry that he laughed instead.

"You still want to lock me up?"

Chen Mu shook his head.

"No."

"I want him to go to the South Gate."

Zhao Chenglie was taken aback.

Zhao Hong was also taken aback.

Chen Mu said, "Since General Zhao said that the South Gate can be defended, it is thanks to the Zhao family's usual well-trained personnel."

"Then today we will have General Zhao personally go to count the barbarian corpses at the South Gate, repair the door bolts, and bury the bodies."

Zhao Chenglie's face instantly turned ugly.

What is the South Gate now?

The ground was covered in cigarette ash, and the whole city reeked of burnt tobacco.

The spoils of last night haven't been cleared yet, and the door latch hasn't been repaired.

How could a young general from the Zhao family do such dirty work?

Chen Mu looked at him.

"General Zhao is unwilling to go?"

"Or are you saying you only want to wear the red fox fur cloak and claim credit, but not stand among the dead to receive it?"

Zhao Chenglie's face turned purple from being cornered.

Lu Shuangyi said, "Zhao Chenglie, go to the south gate."

Zhao Chenglie suddenly looked at her.

"General Lu!"

Lu Shuangyi's voice was even colder.

Do I need to say it a second time?

Zhao Chenglie gritted his teeth and could only lower his head in the end.

"Yes."

He turned and walked out.

As he passed by Chen Mu, he whispered, "Chen Mu, don't get cocky."

Chen Mu said, "I'm not pleased."

"I just have a good memory."

Zhao Chenglie paused.

Chen Mu continued, "You said last night that it was enough for me to buy a coffin for my mother."

"I remember that sentence too."

Zhao Chenglie suddenly turned around.

Chen Mu looked at him, his eyes showing neither anger nor laughter.

"Zhao Chenglie".

"You'd better live a long life."

"Don't let me die at the hands of barbarians before I even repay you."

Zhao Chenglie suddenly felt a chill down his spine.

He was clearly taller and stronger than Chen Mu, and also had a better family background.

But at this moment, he didn't dare to say anything more.

After Zhao Chenglie left, the Military Merit Hall resumed operation.

The registrar copied the list of military merits.

Zhou Tie led his men to seal up the evidence.

Lu Shuangyi ordered her personal guards to continue searching the cellar of the Zhao residence.

Chen Mu stood there, supporting himself with his spear, his face growing paler and paler.

Lu Shuangyi glanced at him.

"Your wound has reopened."

Chen Mu looked down.

The strips of cloth were soaked in blood.

He had been standing and talking the whole time, and blood was dripping down his nail plate, accumulating in a small dark red patch near his feet.

"fine."

Lu Shuangyi said coldly, "If you say it's nothing again, I'll have someone tie you up and take you to the medical tent."

Chen Mu shut up.

Lu Shuangyi took a small token from her waist and tossed it to him.

It wasn't the temporary personal guard order from before.

This one is smaller.

It is made of black iron with silver trim, and the character "frost" is engraved on it.

Zhou Tie's expression changed when he saw the token.

Chen Mu caught it.

"This is?"

Lu Shuangyi said, "Deputy Commander of the Personal Guard."

"From now on, you belong to my personal guard battalion."

"Without my order, the Zhao family cannot touch you."

Chen Mu tightened his grip.

The way many people looked at him inside the hall completely changed.

Just now, Lu Shuangyi only verbally asked him to join the Imperial Guard.

Giving an order now is a clear instruction.

Chen Mu, who started as a lowly cook, was officially marked as one of Lu Shuangyi's people.

Zhao Hong looked at the token, his face twitching slightly.

Su Wan saw it too.

She stood by the door and suddenly remembered what she had said the night before.

"If I give you this military merit, can you keep it?"

Now the answer is right in front of her.

Chen Mu held his ground.

It wasn't because of her.

It's not because of the Zhao family.

He crawled back from a pile of corpses on his own, and with a token, a south gate, and thirty-seven barbarian corpses, he managed to get Lu Shuangyi's personal guard order.

Lu Shuangyi walked up to Chen Mu.

She was taller and colder than Su Wan.

She reached out and hung the Deputy Commander of the Imperial Guard on Chen Mu's waist.

The movements were not heavy.

But it's very close.

Chen Mu was so close that he could smell the faint, cool fragrance emanating from her armor.

She whispered, "This isn't a reward for you."

Chen Mu looked at her.

Lu Shuangyi said, "It's to protect you."

"You cannot die before the Black Tiger Battalion arrives."

Chen Mu smiled.

"What happened after the Black Tiger Camp arrived?"

Lu Shuangyi looked up.

"After you come, I'll see if you're worth my continued protection."

The two were very close.

Su Wan stood outside the door, watching Lu Shuangyi personally hang the order for Chen Mu, her fingers clenching tighter and tighter.

In that instant, she felt as if something had stabbed her in the heart.

It hurts.

It hurt even more than when Chen Mu ripped off her red fox cloak last night.

Because that cloak originally belonged to Chen Mu.

She could still deceive herself into thinking that she had made the wrong choice.

But this token was given to him by Lu Shuangyi on her own initiative.

It's not a return.

It's for.

Lin Qinghe came over from the side carrying a medicine box. When she saw the blood on Chen Mu's waist, her eyes reddened with anger.

"Sergeant Chen, are you trying to make me sew for nothing?"

Chen Mu looked down at her.

"no."

Lin Qinghe gritted her teeth: "Then come with me to the medical tent."

Chen Mu glanced at Lu Shuangyi.

Lu Shuangyi said, "Go."

Chen Mu then walked out.

Su Wan subconsciously took a step forward.

"Chen Mu..."

Chen Mu stopped.

Su Wan's eyes were glistening with tears.

"Can I...?"

She wanted to say, "Can I come see you?"

I also wanted to ask if I could help you carry the medicine.

But the words stuck in her throat.

Because Lin Qinghe had already supported Chen Mu's arm.

very natural.

It was also very forceful.

It was as if she was the one who had the right to care for Chen Mu's wounds.

Chen Mu looked at Su Wan.

"Miss Su."

These three words made Su Wan's face turn pale.

He used to call her Wanwan.

Later she was called Su Wan.

Now, it's Miss Su.

Chen Mu said, "You should go to the South Gate."

Su Wan was stunned.

"I?"

"Last night you said that Zhao Chenglie saved you."

Chen Mu's voice was calm.

"Go to the south gate today and see clearly who let the barbarians in."

"And look carefully, who exactly saved you last night?"

After he finished speaking, he followed Lin Qinghe away.

Su Wan stood in the snow, the color draining from her face little by little.

Lu Shuangyi paused as she walked past her.

She didn't mock him.

There was no comfort offered.

He simply said:

"There's no shortage of women on the border who want to marry into high-ranking families."

"What's lacking are people who can recognize the military merits on the dead."

Su Wan's tears finally fell.

But nobody was looking at her.

Everyone is looking at the list of military merits.

When the notice was pasted up, the wind and snow made the paper rustle loudly.

The first line at the top reads:

Chen Mu, originally from the cookhouse, is now temporarily serving as a squad leader in the Army's personal guard battalion.

second line:

Slay Wugudu, awaiting verification.

The third row:

Guarding the South Gate and slaying the Black Wolf Guards is a great achievement.

The fourth line:

Seventeen soldiers of the cook battalion died in battle. They were posthumously awarded a minor merit and their silver-haired families were rewarded.

The cooks knelt on the ground.

Someone is crying.

Someone is kowtowing.

Some people watched the direction Chen Mu left in, gritting their teeth and remaining silent.

And less than half an hour after the list of military merits was posted.

The sound of horses' hooves could be heard on the northern road to Blackstone Fortress.

Three hundred black-armored riders arrived, trudging through the snow.

The leader was wearing a black cloak, with a long knife at his waist, and his eyes were gloomy.

Han Zhao, a captain in the Black Tiger Battalion.

He glanced up at the new notice posted on the walls of Blackrock Fortress and gave a cold smirk.

"We're late."

"The merit has already been posted."

The adjutant beside him asked in a low voice, "Captain, what should we do?"

Han Zhao tightened his grip on the horse's flanks and continued forward.

"Things that are pasted out can also be torn down."