This official is so weak

A few days later, Lu Wu and Shi Yi brought back the intelligence to the main tent. It covered everything from military maps to royal gossip:XvVaSyZQWaXZLgBHqMjRkIEIApbeSM

sDBqtTzDCAygljf

“I heard that King He and the North Di Crown Prince are cousins, but King He looks more like the North Di King.”jJzNirIghZDoIFHpAYfLoNpNJRKJnz

VqvbHsLWlePdQTS

“The North Di King is not in good shape… Oh, in terms of internal matters.”VgLheeCdlNQNBaKLsuYcNVOQXPfZCi

yehWGHHBMmQVorr

“Military power is in King He’s hands. He believes in shamans and has a great shaman performing rituals in the camp every day.”QNEXoUiLLLUCSHaixcyZmnxJgigGzi

BVRxWyzjYRoMiEf

Accompanied by a dramatic gossip session, it was full of ups and downs and was incredibly engaging.qWlHDoMmYQeKBiYiLRgtsMnoHpqSYk

rnpxVGcMOOPQjzC

Ning Rushen sighed lightly, “Such level of gossip is truly worthy of being called royal secrets…”YeLiieINAhIWDAqaBXcceLQbrGpXWg

OtgybRpWGuZJIPb

“Nothing much.” Ning Rushen asked again, “Is that all?”qfHPvlGOSsJipEVcsQckKXLBmAWOPg

izQnyvGmeLXZjER

“Yes,” Shi Yi replied regretfully. “It’s a pity the military camp is not like the prison, with limited conditions. Otherwise, we could have interrogated them faster.”iXyouqZJBPkOSHkpXklgwUgOQaJWts

yDhUBasEQCfjQqk

Huo Mian sighed, “That will do. Thank you for your hard work.”nOiXhtZEbDwaaGovIRcrzUwakQyTmf

DqpueOyvAZgJcVh

Lu Wu and Shi Yi nodded and left.PjpvDekNAKbncywBzNZbXdAoYbWItM

gBDHnlyzcueEBOY

The North Di spies who had been interrogated were still detained in the camp, while the randomly selected lucky ones were released.xUBXDOBkaxYjgTJvcwVydOtJCXPXrF

RDERTmbFOoLnNVD

Ning Rushen watched the disheveled fleeing figures from the gate and said leisurely with his hands in his sleeves:lmoDTaEyjitszxLWHgBgFMHqNACHxl

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“Next, there will be some excitement.”HlppsmeOrwWLsROQPeTVdYsJqQaMZG

JPjyDtMgKkPbXeq

…SyPvKhPKRQKdWwNioWDufCqHfYkeye

BvpekRtaJLimAZd

As expected, North Di’s activities increased.hssouVUvlYcfDBlMOHlyfNLDqSQvIz

vOIkvDXsSGliENC

North Di scouts frequently appeared outside the pass, either secretly scouting from high slopes or continuing to harass nearby villages.hBcVOyAtbVajpbDGmRRpIGFDqzTBhS

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The Dingyuan army sent cavalry to intercept and block them.atJCGzoKbAtrBintrWRBjvgytqkdcf

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A small-scale conflict erupted every two or three days.jJoiaejbtCIXfBilPTrSSNxCwogJfr

nfjytEnVRPCfJyD

In the main tent, Ning Rushen was listening to Sun Wu report on the military situation.fBAspyyuJCQBZtOtDatAPguFaOtZYs

bFtdUkpyWWMEGOX

After Sun Wu finished, Huo Mian chuckled, “They’re here to probe our strengths and weaknesses. Don’t worry about it; continue to confuse them.”pPuymaDtyNJwjINsQjUATtfhgpntNj

jcgwiLJBHUOdxPo

Sun Wu nodded, then looked at Ning Rushen and cheerfully praised, “Your few moves in the consecutive attacks were excellent! We quickly turned from a passive position to an active one. You definitely deserve a few drinks!”BTNIFNcJtWAkCmrNPubazUgGFBgfEG

tmJEGWEICyjWlZj

“…” Ning Rushen looked at him with emotion.YFOYAYeZmynpxQJQucivKIgVyfuZHQ

JXNdkePwARblrQI

The ways to persuade someone to drink were becoming increasingly diverse.TruXjMAGhXLFYWCogJqwvHtDtywhBD

leLWKhrufzViuBy

Huo Mian suddenly kicked his leg, “Go! The last reception was already an exception. Get cleaned up and go on patrol.”sazPuYuMDOuQAijiQDqervEXWlLoSF

rgyHbhJzpCYRiOs

Sun Wu was kicked out of the tent, “Ouch.”ZwVKsJxZagWJQnDeTSfVYYGsPPLBYV

ucDaNORQekeslaf

After he left, Ning Rushen commented, “Sun’s military advisor has a carefree spirit.”GWBHTaLrUekslgJqhFWxXjlTnAQfsz

dNOiJTjmDbLCohL

“Ahem, mainly because there’s not much entertainment in the army.”YAwBwZlMrusSttlzIGniKPgnmchHXT

FnbqpYLJnlJaUgL

Huo Mian suddenly slapped his head, “Right! The cuju game you mentioned last time, let’s just hold one tomorrow, while the war hasn’t started yet.”zYfOiXzgSElCrAtOuRYAcHHhKSBijk

smxpKlBAAlqaMUR

Hmm? Ning Rushen immediately became excited, his eyes lighting up.ZZgUFjiFxYNrOjLYEnGcWaEVcfJteF

ErtnAYernwgFuzB

A bunch of North Border Hounds playing desert soccer…OAetguiiBSAGgcQVBQgAKfqaiPXkCz

rXvkOJWhAcHgMZG

He eagerly rubbed his hands, “Agreed!”eNQeVnpcxeqSvKlHermqqFhetiTsMD

LFVxFrGthdFSpFj

The news of the cuju game spread quickly, and the entire army became excited.FDyxcDRvvRdMpUPpqXTHBqnXqykQYp

fxylFJYRlDMNtXO

Early the next morning, Ning Rushen woke up to the noisy sounds of “huo huo” and “ha hei.”MmBTVFNYemxEYTQShmblzzcdywDNix

TVthRXqIvSBqtxN

He groggily sat up, feeling dazed:pdAMTGQivGvthYWYclwqtBzBJUlsaw

BckZzRLkKDHtYgb

…Who is using nunchucks again?yyHmiAScuJbRocdLejVqkevlEwETrO

hiNTgAmSrALMMga

After a while, Ning Rushen gradually woke up, got dressed, and went outside.jqNrJWBCcXCmNNqjinhknJQabUKBSL

jsslHmqdMrsxtXQ

As soon as he stepped out, the Dingyuan troops passing by greeted him cheerfully:YdBezKwIshfOwMRupCJwmSjRmHmDAB

hnzIVekhjGaeEbG

“Master Ning is awake! Come and have breakfast!”HylavfQBjyTfvIhCMjrWPKSGKGRSYy

RnXanXKmIsqOgXa

“Remember to watch our game after breakfast!”NwxUngyHirTHKoQvcoQfTObFGARoYn

eilIKFRHggZPIlC

“After watching, give us your opinion on who played the best.”PjXlnJfKhyWZdBCxAroFreWusYvraI

jsDyguUaTefxqkq

“…”FcabbFzmkuiiuAAdQLjzyfigJgHUqd

JSmAPIVbERGKDgU

Ning Rushen was immediately overwhelmed with arrangements as soon as he opened his eyes. He nodded in response, “Oh, oh… okay.”YabOTrHkpyhdbHswNotYWrVTZqIZrT

doIOpzxpeOxtXlN

The cuju game was held on the training field.SUIMFRRyuwuYPjhYdVJHiHscMaMXrN

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The area was divided into six sections, separated by simple wooden barriers.rsMtyPhyhlyefGBlkfnaqWANuYOWED

ylZQOeDaLvOueld

When Ning Rushen finished breakfast and went over, the game had just started.CXUNcsSaNMFUyVGhmRTkKHqQxgwadd

xZhhUbSAgdkhKup

In the middle of the field, yellow sand was flying everywhere. The battle-hardened Dingyuan troops moved like a pack of wolves and tigers, charging after the ball like hungry tigers pouncing on prey. The bodies hitting the ground made loud thuds, and a ball flew out, crashing through the wooden barriers.KTmVTTxrjMrqFmZfrWmDENfzIfzCKB

sUZgViUooLDxYcC

“………”ystyWfefbBxuOEkIGiAkUAzBsQpQYd

fJSUAISFCFsfDhk

Ning Rushen wandered around the edge of the field towards Huo Mian.RwGcptZfmPnxcQiyRhdLCicgTetUHT

IdFDiKzftzgezxA

Huo Mian, who was not participating in the game, saw him coming and pointed with a wave of his hand, “How is it?”DgDVdlMOkQOOzsOVcjcuKhQHbTbhQD

tzZvfWGcXqJqrCH

Ning Rushen replied with a complex and honest expression, “Very… intense.”rtUYKSihXuYpjxWatnzgnWNJJdwyoQ

THMnjlBcjHOPvND

Huo Mian was pleased, “Our great Sheng soldiers are just like this!”PQIbxShehYLXQjoMmQodsdAFWSszrD

HAXxsHihZtIIucO

Ning Rushen: It doesn’t have to be this way for everything.vmmTFGNPFexOCZOOApDzXhIUyKNvFO

IfTcDzParfdvNaB

He simply sat next to Huo Mian to watch the game.ViMmvlZAngUMxKvFznFaHGULMjHFrs

ZonNnrOZGMxwdzP

The daytime in the Northern Border was exceptionally scorching.ZevfNDmZxxBZuIvYIgOctfCyIiZboD

CPyYnpSavoAoIyB

Ning Rushen wore a thin shirt over his riding outfit, the snow-white shirt subtly revealing his slender and flexible figure, with a fair wrist extending from his sleeve.XbGsvsxjqljtRMlHqIteHnmRCQVero

TwFcCQCMjAvFxos

He rested his chin on his hand, peering at the field.NKzXLTngTnXbkgkOnASDwzNyECDhvs

kyPBWJYXgMmjtpo

After a while, Sun Wu brought over a piece of chilled watermelon, breaking it in half with his bare hands, “Master Ning, here!”CLpEiiHeOETfozxKrKbGfhiZlwEYgk

otHITxPNGnhgodE

Is there such a good thing?tIhdmTGPEHMlVNBMUhQXidFyapoyzx

alRizERwoSdVKgY

Ning Rushen immediately took it and started munching on it.onnENTDlreafQaJVSFYupjrlalcscx

JcaUEwWDhLcfuHI

The watermelon, chilled with well water, was cool and sweet, with plenty of juice. As he devoured it, he heard Huo Mian beside him say:KVZiwgcooUakFWIycYcEpjRZtrWlQp

iFIHXbuumkaHpuA

“This batch of freshly ripened watermelon is the sweetest. The governor of Chang Sui must have selected some to send to the capital for the Emperor.”QYJLnAbCXLnIiEfefJqjsAMPbcHPhV

wnflDMFJtcHdROw

Huo Mian mentioning Li Wuting suddenly caught Ning Rushen’s attention.mRjhNXRjdruzLwoGMJQQwwuYShUeXT

TLIZUWOKPtlcKvH

Ning Rushen instinctively paused, looked up, and said, “Hmm?”vkXLhQCoactfxKuDDGfynLruwuWVzM

HNkAzZyXOixIdXz

Huo Mian glanced at him, “What’s with the ‘hmm’? The best local specialties are naturally presented to the Emperor. Since you served at the palace for so long, haven’t you seen it?”UJiOuEnDwndSYYDMMSSfOEMCRyknxD

aVKfcxvqUrpaytH

“…”AjkewJWfhGPCBbjfGAdTaDwKGMBDAJ

amgmNukUNLPfkQR

Ning Rushen thought to himself that not only had he seen them, but he had also enjoyed them.WJKDQIWfAAygRjhbrHiKzTDBBAEaDP

bvCDxEnPtsmQOQR

However, his fingertips tightened slightly as he suddenly realized: the items Li Wuting had given him were indeed the best from all over the country.hBajucrjsYbVXqdnNxeXetzgiGPirP

muzskBwJzWJVKCw

It seemed true; he had been considered in everything.JJVxHTHausmHGXjOKLpajHiHFNdenj

lHcGXnVzgoCIWPL

Ning Rushen was momentarily lost in thought, holding the watermelon.PvzEYHiqqMNGsOgvsYiTwwIXXNKCtt

xNRHGOhqaVbLzlt

The light red juice dripped from his fingertips. Thinking about Li Wuting, he unconsciously raised his hand to his lips, where his rosy lips brushed against the sweet juice.qZRfcJyOtbngdmCSTifUslDfQOFWCi

EUSOTfOgFzVnBms

His cheeks and ears flushed with a faint rosy hue, and his gaze seemed to become misty.JkVZshyRmMvrKUSZWwqUxiIfRzyhDd

XUzonjnVFbLZsvy

Amidst the loud shouting and yellow dust, he appeared strikingly bright.JYNdnDIZRonbRKboAsmEoIXyOqKSdJ

TpQkhSNnFlNtcqB

As he was lost in thought, the thin shirt on his shoulder was suddenly pulled—AqKJtwuxRVafZrPdycijXbIMKGsGsd

wXkVEeecagvVECH

Huo Mian lifted the back collar and draped it over his head, surveying him, “Your face is getting sunburned. Cover up quickly.”SjLKEkvKRVikXyKjztDgcjRWytHpfB

XMDWKCdsbTYwLHd

Ning Rushen was suddenly framed by the shirt: BcXDpcoBjKnivzuWyYZNDjiAKJZfkS

gbQoNGLlHpIsPur

………ooNkFCnCZefyCRraeNrKRDrDupjypE

hZDBXrRfswsnVvS

He pulled himself out of his thoughts and looked at Huo Mian, “Do you think this is an appropriate way to cover up?”rkrFXkrjUiYxAQshvgHDXTHAisVBYN

SoQrsEiJqygKkfw

Huo Mian glanced at him twice and laughed heartily, “Hahaha!”LnSNeZxSEeLkvWmadAiHWqjKvStllK

haQxmvGvbenKnpo

It was halftime.yboxMfzPCExRyhQLchCnikgovFDOdV

LhUSyrSUGYBBDrl

His impolite laughter traveled far and wide, attracting the attention of the personal guards on the field, who then saw the “dominated” Master Ning:nWPUlTOHZyWmXZbebHmmKrOLEaqgvt

FdcqRPbzYrgkYae

“General! Why are you teasing Master Ning?”uZAMxTMLivVdkYMvcBZNoRYekdLCTe

BildvUWoDRCGQEB

“Master Ning, don’t mind him!”ZfNxwaFWIWfxxCbuXMwvFLIiBqRltg

xrwFewEoDjXECVh

Ning Rushen, “…”bBFeMHMhSoRxZgUgaUZanvZWSZESGU

eBLedfDPZgyGihF

Indeed, the soldiers were like one big family.ETpbBFQWjloRWEzMoTHrMBfOhAjPOD

bNuwrYiSEGcQynv

One of the personal guards looked around, then eagerly invited, “Master Ning, do you want to join in the game?”ykXcBYgnhVrKHKXEIRBNZhrJqlsOmJ

JGVngFGfeQKtQJc

“?” Ning Rushen was taken aback:HtAFKdPeDjWzorvTfehSlbEInSFUBy

WWcOSMyvLfAeBXg

He went up, making sure he wasn’t being kicked.IDeQzzeWMXqMWcnuRpdEHKWktMkKfH

uhoyEFsktNcdUxE

After a moment of hesitation, he couldn’t resist the crowd’s encouragement and stepped onto the field. Ning Rushen glanced at the fierce Dingyuan troops around him and focused on the guard with the ball: “…let’s go.”yFUMcJyOYsiAKjtOaotBMkSDsnoDEd

MmvnLdeAHeJSlpc

The guard flashed him a grin and then kicked—KRNGPrzyJurODgkkJDKYuqflZEjDPJ

nQombLsBzCVeKvk

Ning Rushen widened his eyes, feeling a slight jolt on his shoulder!usEiEfEPTvdKannGxSnblMJZwYAhZO

xtqLTHPTLhbaegR

Then he saw the foot stop just before the ball, gently tapping it: thud.YsLfIPLBVPFdwHLotHhYvOKcqRWeUI

LIypQhovQcsPmvf

A small ball, covered in yellow sand, rolled slowly and stopped in front of him.TtwBoCOKQGcQYMUjyDwYsAEarnwUGq

pnpGozikfrpxEGt

Ning Rushen, “…”iRHkoOkvWKqfYOmRNZXgsGCieOiTXk

PyWUpbNpoIAhEGP

Facing the encouraging gazes around him, he hesitated for several seconds before swallowing his words and kicked the ball towards the goal—splash! It went in smoothly.zoVbpCyFUApTNvmDHHMAgxZbzxfpYv

RFcZxMjtZlcbVVd

The guards cheered excitedly, “Wow!!!”YaEfegWWhXekBGZKNfkMqvyBbarBGF

TEUHOQXgRnaSkAP

Ning Rushen, “………”PRcSnllHalBrvLeadDJkQmNBvkiIvp

qwQQQcMxNJCUtEs

He felt a mix of emotions: the cheers made it seem like he was a bedridden patient with rehabilitation.TSyDWUGBLBIBiGSipikbgOUHmYCQUn

zprMjLixmIhhlXR

After the overly empathetic cuju game, the Dingyuan soldiers, still in high spirits, went to the river to wash up.wGfHeBerIYofZPIFVpjksFLgQmBNHG

bJngONbKQpkysXG

Ning Rushen took his clothes to the bathhouse. Since arriving in the Northern Border, he had continued to wear the white jade hairpin given to him by Li Wuting on his coming-of-age ceremony. When he went to bathe, he removed the hairpin and placed it among his clothes.AwSFZIJPoxVOoctydLRvPnvKUTGxGG

ylFbscTGLXJuIya

After bathing, he returned to the tent with his clothes.jnurKaEChWhjggFOTnIjkcjdWhQtNr

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Next to his bed was a low stool, which was small and used specifically for placing clothes.hynflZBFucMzoEyKKjydnLzBaWhVdl

NpkLzSfOLRmPrXn

Ning Rushen put his clothes on the stool. As soon as he turned his head, the neatly folded garments spread out along the edge of the stool—revealing the white jade hairpin, which fell to the ground with a clink!UKCAnylljdXfISQutSSSXbwBuwRVIn

MapTubFMtLvrkKZ

The pinhead struck the floor and broke into two pieces.TGmEtxzTMPNTfoZYfXOliwZRWhkqiu

MptqmBlJHZHsJvU

Ning Rushen was immediately startled, holding his breath: Did it break!?wbekoqqLBbVcLiLiGIImdhZbSZyrdb

EkEpQCBYnjLmADp

He quickly crouched down to check. Before he could even feel any sorrow, he saw that the “break” was clean and smooth, revealing several uneven carvings on the pinhead.veEXanXLUbvlKHTCiFiLFiBiqfGMUv

UCTtqjGsbjylIZN

Ning Rushen felt a sudden jolt and picked it up.KMEMLsAmuAflWZXbdEBvQvDVsVvHtK

EGWsuByyUmltwpF

As the light fell, he saw familiar characters engraved on it: 朝君 (Chao Jun).eRBpECMmfgHVtUxxAvZvefaUNVZPyT

cyfCKjUCbsAwpxA

His heart raced…!ucwqchLdLCUKlpZcMVrZpFuBnWJHtA

MbPgsSXCTxoGNNL

Ning Rushen’s thoughts went blank for a few moments.MYkBMmIOVAaZWFyMMATAEjswhkOMMc

GMIrfkNgzzdpOTW

In the midst of his rapid, irregular heartbeat, he stared at the carved characters on the hairpin, feeling a bit dizzy and breathless:HMAKdrdArWvfDLwxxfFmyaUxsDoQfp

pviQvTyhdpNQGRK

Li Wuting’s handwriting, why…NjNafogNPdgYmuRAweFNicGdWSeRYd

MBLZtRzzQZfjuMP

Did he carve it himself?HgJvhmcQbXgyuyzCpzmAJInsxHebys

cZjLqOAUmDemVVo

The scene of the coming-of-age ceremony flashed through his mind again. Ning Rushen, holding the hairpin, felt a wave of heat, and he remained stunned for a while.qnFhmKgFfCMncPDscNunbnUVadFICm

hlNwaMRAMyXtCnZ

Before he could fully recover, he was suddenly called from outside.zDCfDTLHeJxnXSMlCRwVIDbeHCGblN

kROxaVrYwVaDnsM

Lu Wu: “Master.”yjapOPOJyOBmvbWATfFdVTZiwCASWf

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Ning Rushen responded, and the curtain was quickly lifted.kfBiTzvoNubDsbFqDqYrzeCAPzVttF

rpJmhELRDWkSuIf

Lu Wu entered with a pigeon and noticed Ning Rushen’s expression, pausing for a moment, “What’s wrong?”yhCHGtwJGvLSnpPfkHFRAlUUcQrZwZ

qrztvnDJGIsceFJ

Ning Rushen forced himself to calm down, “Nothing. I… was ambushed.”wHVNSgAXTPcwzgetOIogoPQKzvOcCP

HPFJresCPjBMEyL

“?” Lu Wu glanced around cautiously.hcGyalZGnXNbbZjNbayShvztPzLgGO

SYWEMSvSPQwyLrT

“…” Never mind. Ning Rushen asked, “What’s the matter?”mxKaBmKoUmvQKPKZxzimMkLHKSgEPa

NOwpwDwQQPNTfSP

“Oh.” Lu Wu handed over the pigeon and reported, “A letter from the Emperor.”dpLhEcNNgQAGcDgGtiVvLnyZkANNJP

EUqNpyVtUTohgPn