This official is so weak

Ning Rushen slept straight through to the next morning.qkRcrInBcNUyioDttymEOtZXvaJqBx

opMBdOUdXNxuUmE

Early in the morning, he woke up to the shouts of soldiers outside and the faint sunlight filtering into the tent.elRVXeXawbHBROucJaDwSzplLocbGg

wedyiRRGhAMgtCo

He stared at the tent roof and came to his senses, only to realize:nmsoBHcJidyjgEylYBAXcsjkfZNSaI

AIRvIjJMHuDcDCp

Last night, he had shown off the roast lamb, drank the milk wine, and then wrapped himself in a blanket and went straight to sleep.rYpAKURdXufCRwVquZHKuQHIXdaWoI

xCcAmwpvoiBWxJH

Ning Rushen rubbed his head: Did he forget something?gkfOtZXBdSThBtmKusrAsmJJKYWeGs

jpPGRXqQkfpTQqH

While he was still puzzling over it, the tent flap was suddenly lifted. Lu Wu poked his head in, “You’re awake. Do you want some water?”zMSYnzXIDSpxiVhKvzkiLQfnyPGOnY

wenyhKlxpBttReI

“Sent it,” Lu Wu said, “and also explained the reason for the proxy writing. It’s because you can’t handle alcohol.”yehCGpCeEerkwntPhEUyuqhgzRApWF

VNCIvELbQriQUDJ

After saying that, he went to wash up, changed clothes, and left the tent.xvqUYkTSueIkYHklGEEwIKwUziEXJy

pSnkIupJLmEkVJo

In front of the tent, a table was set up with a pot. On it were freshly baked shepherd’s purse pancakes and hot soup made from lamb shanks.dKjnLgSRfnOtNIivGHABDjTiVETEnP

oWJtUebgSPNDqrq

Huo Mian and He Liang were sitting not far away, eating the pancakes. Ning Rushen grabbed a bowl of soup and joined them:zQHnikBxqNVBQsGxmSgnwMSAQpZeWf

zHbLBhzFRgXQWgy

Huo Mian sipped the soup, “He’s planning to take a group of men to guard outside the village. Based on the pattern of those Northern Di soldiers coming to harass every two or three days, they’re likely to come today as well.”ejtxtoCDORBCPYNynFWJbmBtLkiWpb

cAGIlqMzZKtHPDP

Seeing him drink smoothly, Ning Rushen followed suit, tearing pieces of pancake and tossing them into the soup:WrCxwflKbBrjZdhoNkoiGteKpUUeBY

bYPqhvTKHLBvewV

“Then we’ll keep the villagers in the village today. Dig a few more traps outside the village, and the roasted lamb will be just right to catch them in the act. Slurp…”gYJSVEXhHkWJLUdzVSdWgENEAkKfSB

pTGbMKbtkcDlWik

He Liang suddenly slapped his leg, “That’s right! I’ll go remind Old Sun a few more times.”AkcdSRFuaTFmRwxPjUxfnIPeeRqwGE

IkmYBOSZYYjxRUM

He Liang hurried off, shouting, “Kill, kill, kill!”gHzdjuvkHNeWkRjagYRTFardoggQoD

liSiZpbEHtAOlDt

Huo Mian cheerfully turned to him, “I knew you were suited for our Northern Border! Eat up, and after you’re done, I’ll take you to see the might of our Dingyuan Army.”faraXMJKQMGoGFluPTFqPJXbkzRzGZ

CfnGGUJngryDufd

“? Okay.” Ning Rushen buried his head and ate voraciously.fMGiqIoUamxCudQsbYeAmBjrVKVtiZ

hFPLXJSUlMKkMNd

…rdDUYjTVrGerRIUMSZhdyIDQsACvQF

JCptIGXDVXociMy

Outside the camp was a vast training ground.CyReyLIKSimBhvadobosmwKKzaTtTL

ylLBOwevyfCtyKv

When Ning Rushen and Huo Mian arrived, the soldiers from each regiment had already completed twenty laps and were now standing in formation, ready.fLWXiagNkBYHzcGOAVrvWXALXlCluo

enMObaUwjVDoWfJ

Climbing up to the high platform, the entire field came into view.gbCpbHrkvmzdZsdyXzbkpyjYPyguvp

vPjTkWKROARfCeO

Under the vast sky, the barren land and yellow sands stretched endlessly. The three armies were lined up neatly in front, their heavy helmets and iron armor reflecting a blinding, chilling light.ufJlJwXCHbqvHGQfJgKvBaXpvmbgaC

rYYQSLcMmaxxZgR

The yellow dust was thick, and the army was solemn and quiet.QOieuazxLrUjDGuzoQSXzLeEvjAaOe

ZNgBgnsRoFFxYKK

Only the Great Cheng army flag fluttered in the wind, commanding the three armies.esZCkHxTUQjgskcbNcXYnziJLkxPLq

djKDZQhRucFNOFV

Ning Rushen was struck by this scene, feeling a chill all over:CHPytHmGYsOoEGvSFLYmbeKIomRBPq

exuHYoaboleMpLF

The Dingyuan Army guarding the Northern Border was truly a fearsome force.KjwgsZJZglFBNyOztiiOlPjUAjVZEV

POKPAtVJlrzyvzW

As he caught his breath, Huo Mian beside him had already composed himself, his gaze sharp and authoritative. He raised a flag and issued the training orders—lHtRUclFXiiMUGENBLxkdmPNOraSrn

WFriGIlrSDtrBCM

With his command, the formation on the field abruptly shifted.mwQJyCblANvBAQTtUXRgnGyyxcKWNK

gYjSzGgWCaIhpfF

Ning Rushen leaned on the railing and watched as a cloud of dust was stirred up. The entire army, clad in armor and ready for battle, changed formation and launched their first charge.MgOAgTRyncyvfOVVmsHVcZHwkZqcet

rpfCwUvZqWGCOLG

In an instant, the sounds of battle and clashing metal hit his eardrums.CwZyGibjHLVQJQdZncfuQxpZFaALMb

NHtfIrAfANcCQiQ

……sfSQxpUzrKfAmxXuDkwrvzZXHcEIGc

CRGytQwFBSAzAJK

The training below continued smoothly.rZdYVsnPWgdlGWucsbUBvRwrFfLzlP

OVnMevIiFEFzfXo

Huo Mian turned to show him, “How is it?”axMdPoMvQEUpIManOdNgmihRcMQAOk

dckWWFpUtvItFUl

Ning Rushen took a moment, clapped his hands, and said, “……Very impressive.”LlafZpURDCEdYyBnbYJRNJbjByqXlc

mpGfJQsftRVrerA

He then asked, “Do you train like this every day?”dBuKkTglOpbKszBPmpWLToEPUWwTMj

YfzmJHIOQTUuZgq

Huo Mian nodded.sssgAgHmMuTnsTBsQeBGhrnBbWTSPF

uqbAVweyWLPHCcy

Ning Rushen was dusted with yellow sand, waved it off, and suggested, “Actually, you could try something else, like sand volleyball or cuju.”YoRXrVZcyrsJEVRSEOVxptOrfVAOEW

jQWQTRLPWvcVRFG

Just like Wei Qing and Huo Qubing did.PKSacmOFXTNtfjQWryGipjPPUOufVQ

qGWcYCifcxgnams

Huo Mian’s eyes lit up, “Cuju? Hmm… that’s worth considering.”PzuXkulMCUYtyBKcjagkGbuXHzTaNq

apARcZhNGnqfGSC

After the exercise ended, he slammed the railing, cleared his throat, and announced loudly:EWfuvNWKhRPcdpmjHUCpbbamYpbEKB

FSlMwcCnAhpbjaI

“Lord Ning just made a suggestion. If we train well, we’ll hold a few cuju matches in the future—what do you all think?”sqxfuDYhaEkUCWrMwiSGrSaXaBUmsZ

xuUBcHhzliuKRXi

The moment the words were out, the scene erupted in excitement!eTfrUgkKbETajHILYxHNBltdLvmNGu

gxluZXECdMYEwwn

The soldiers responded eagerly, “Yes—!!!”bcePIEZnimencUCysYXXeNgMmetOWZ

GhGqKvpZbsulWiG

The deafening roar surged up, causing Ning Rushen to shiver.PKcqpCiCIjnVsNcQRyyUGmWEGFjOsU

eKjJqlTKjLYdLTV

Huo Mian noticed the visible reaction and asked quietly, “Are you okay?”MRjcHBOdhdCKnxwmZtWcGplJdhVBdO

ddveEGNJBARoGLP

Ning Rushen calmed down and praised, “You all have such great spirit.”lSJdcpVvxvEueiUXPBVkCrcDMtzezj

WFOWRghPghwAGqz

Huo Mian smiled, his gaze falling on the land guarded by the three armies, his eyes proud and bright:XXxgXBvEZPPGuSzVSftcNtjGuqNIZf

ISypIGQsyXhnWAD

“Our Great Cheng soldiers should be this way.”DobYghFvOxiPoxZbNewUOsEZFruOPI

WFduhXXVVSzTIqg

.SqtbchtJlVUgyLeFrjDilHWRIETynr

zxupmVlKEGzSyzb

The training continued all day, and by evening it was already dusk.vsGbMpgIUbnfasyGKNvhBmqlKuhVta

FuSNArLBiqqvWQa

The temperature dropped significantly after sunset. The soldiers were all preparing their clothes to head to the river for a bath.vCFdyvpFHfILiSmJTJlFXCmBjcnOSy

vkeuAfDqIanjtFz

Ning Rushen, having been on the move for days and only having wiped himself down yesterday, was eager to wash off the day’s dust.PeyDAsOXzhsmUnEURDchhBpeGzGOpq

MrGrwNsoyXbtxCP

He grabbed his clothes and stepped out of the tent, only to run into Huo Mian.GoHjYEqMGrKDLsLEhuOjLYyoJEICtJ

UyTUBqGfDhXvGTd

Huo Mian initially walked past him but then stopped and turned back to look at the clothes in his arms:YZmsbZkfLsPoedrecdWcDQSOUyrdfp

eQfukskLYXvvfPb

“You… going to the river to bathe?”vkIXJyZqxdLcRcwkxwtqszZoJiIQsT

dUNPYalRFtzRcjT

Ning Rushen, not having experienced such large-scale scenes before, hesitated for a moment and tentatively said, “I was thinking of checking it out?”PbhoOsrbeqjPOSsvhiKUJYjCSWYiaV

tIquitRMupPXuSH

Huo Mian opened his mouth, then led him over, “Sure.”QDMBuFiurCnpVHqxzpPptDsmaFYCUR

ZEbAKrVpxZCOqEh

Ning Rushen followed him all the way to the river. Before they reached the riverbank, he could already see a mass of bare-chested men splashing water from a distance.PjDmUxvHPsFrrMiJDODWvbVegdDFeZ

FytmAuYRvFafJMS

As they got closer, the scene became even more overwhelming.CNLGRYMFbaccYWGiXVHrFelAgGysQm

xOUAcuDIaUWBcUI

The soldiers in the army numbered in the thousands. Though only a small portion were there at the moment, they still filled a large area of the river. All of them were shirtless, with well-defined muscles, standing openly in the river and splashing water onto their tanned backs.CbFfqkARUDJXTnOxuYfzNITGXgudUQ

NnEexJzPPUSqVgy

“……….”NWdvSMGaORaWWPwFnFdqZwVxcVHhJp

XZeRPHUhsymfwtx

Ning Rushen was completely stunned!tCfzhRkPmYpiHUGHPeTAnhXOrNXnJJ

KqFxqmvHsLTVVwY

It was like a scene from a crowded outdoor bathhouse.WgBbrppLDDyaiIenbnWuWsebbnxyFp

scQtoeHqAClxlSt

He felt a bit disoriented.vsVyIcVLEvrczIROQHmkfJwfDaTjmN

hwPxgfvpFXgRLzG

As he stood there for a few moments, the Dingyuan Army soldiers in the river noticed him. A few looked embarrassed, touching their noses as if they felt too rough.mpNiQmmotqQBsnfFIyabiygTgVgGhm

qNEulelKqjZYJKI

One bolder soldier shouted out:DQWZwPEETcFcXPFvWnkxeGIMwpaZeI

iiZMbEVMYjXPhtC

“Lord Ning, come down and scrub our backs!”UUbEpeAZwixSbuiLXTOMYfXwfWulwE

bpJkfbaqHGnMLdL

Ning Rushen glanced at his hand, which was as big as a fan: That’s more like scraping.TihoVJkJIiecucvUuYkCsbmynzaBjM

zMyFitiDbgVNdce

Before he could respond, another soldier slapped the first one, “Looking for Lord Ning to scrub your back? Dream on!”OaaUxmIOHxrVWRqlQoYTtkaPbeWCTv

RbpKBjebrbKAjay

A few others immediately started playfully hitting him.RRSMUTGgdfVsHwZlwEwFuWuEbniJXU

fLaclOGZiOPpmVt

Ning Rushen, “……”jJhjofjFpnBiLrhPfzoxEycJvgbdzq

DqnbBidmoIdRbDr

Huo Mian couldn’t stand it anymore, “Let’s just go.”IjuZcXvecReOvKhiifSKhxqhTAPMfw

KgzqVJUUZDtQPic

The camp also had private bathing rooms, though the process was slower there.svNTeaPkZVUYIPBAkDFWFKKqVLmysj

mLjNHqkoGohghcf

Ning Rushen followed Huo Mian and remarked, “Will I seem out of place like this?”kVweMmPFIbZyMEsIkJAOemmfaBFymq

OpwSMuwhTsIVvjG

Huo Mian glanced at him and then called over He Liang, who was coming toward them. He pointed and said, “Lord Ning is trying to bathe in the river.”LMlgOxKPOaljWXLgLhAuzvOMUjkOSs

bLQhnIfKFVzFxke

He Liang was immediately shocked, “That’s not right! Those rough men are covered in mud. You’ll get dirty just being there!”szLPLCxYpaaqBxiBdfRTFAifTieMfM

mJQKTQsxmuKlULZ

He ushered Ning Rushen toward the bathhouse, “Go to the bathhouse!”qZyOOvnhOSHupkyWaSYEuiHGVFUFos

pzkzForAipCOQKb

Ning Rushen was practically pushed into the bathhouse:……hzQaLGEvijIWuCokOUqlrbKZScscKb

HHCQRbCZyRRdGMy

The Dingyuan Army really is like a close-knit family.BlApBAesEsoWEWdvwPMvQlXbanHGfw

bpKukpDymvjaKPR

The conditions in the bathhouse were much better.RVxANRJuBiZpgRoDdiExCdEjRXQqeo

qCwAXzXdUugemSR

Not only was there hardly anyone around, but there was also warm water available.vMsTlvzsQWpuwkkUeJUlTRSPyZBkqC

jNRodrSfiglxLkQ

Ning Rushen finished his bath, threw on an outer garment, and let his half-dry long hair fall loosely behind him as he headed back.bCQXmASpCobyZGOosoKcDuQYhJOFoP

FOuHCoYAdafdSvY

Halfway there, a sudden commotion came from the front.MYCtqzVxSypILkBVsNnrCGvnwGUIkZ

VAdxRiFaXXUxISh

A group of people noisily entered the main tent.lGVFceZoayiwmKPyXDjTbCphIKiRrt

mCAIpCFYgQSPmlR

…Noisily? Ning Rushen tucked his sleeves and peeked over.oOuQZlKtHKbzegdmGCuuqJUWAcSLqZ

riMJvJnfCyrLsGZ

As he entered the tent, he saw Huo Mian standing at the front.nfMVXbkoAGCMoSIaJbKvveMxYegRED

WyprPrvZYmqwLyQ

Sun Wu, who had disappeared for a day, had returned, binding five or six Northern Di cavalrymen. The woolen padded jackets were all rubbed with static electricity from the squeezing.kbHvCivblpWJGAWxbHTvWuiknuKSuG

exsFzCzUPkJrGJX

Ning Rushen: So that’s what the noise was about.FwoEBTlStYLpKRRSvWtYYHEwczeqxh

npOeugzyhwDsbUn

“General, we’ve captured them!” Sun Wu pointed out. “They’ve been harassing the border civilians every day, and today they even burned, killed, and looted!”qjyUhdQApzWznFxWyLONwQwvDQWYZY

dQKRVbUFICwNkZM

The Northern Di cavalrymen had their mouths covered: mmm mmm mmm!!ormLTJvGWKeAoCQoGlcZevQgqWkUqG

GxQQvZBtFDgUPfO

Huo Mian was silent for a moment before stepping forward, drawing his sword, and pointing it. “Tell me, what’s your scheme?”ttDuTkzPPKWGCmgpfAyVvSOaPMLQSg

dZkOjZBlOVowCBG

Northern Di soldier, “Mmmph!” Let us speak!DqoexTXRJnorVowwRvRwKshNfsmzlF

thaLLTzvUNfjKgL

Huo Mian yanked out the cloth covering their mouths.vohdAmZiXKfojURTUPGXCUTgLuOdCj

vkWZfmsqnhgXJAi

Northern Di soldier, “Pah—”AGbSsmxnVMOfSWNSbrUYToGzZmrYXa

VBNeFEIzHWpDMqX

Huo Mian shoved the cloth back in, rising, “Oh, they say they were sent to provoke our army and gather intelligence. Bring them out for severe interrogation!”nTEydemrhpPDwocXstfLNunmTsqswM

wAaMCYAlmAZEcGy

The Northern Di soldiers immediately glared defiantly.zqHozcYDRAZrxXhEeAOpPSwErlucJK

EzeBXTdcZtAQOse

As they were about to be dragged away, a gentle and soft voice suddenly said, “Hold on.”AuCnFxgElsYHOuUylzouWsGXceQPHg

BdpJivFkUpXGvbZ

The Northern Di soldiers turned to see a slender white wrist raised. The speaker, draped in a thin garment with black hair and bright eyes, looked like a frail scholar.ggLBFftIuHpENqMlqbAiMTItlXNMQg

JTSEOPayXcpqEXO

They immediately felt a glimmer of hope.uoUzTuyUuXGftOppuXFtHeEgoNkTxj

ujSsfGWYxAvMpVW

At the same time, there was some contempt: indecisive scholars of the Great Cheng.FwnrWJGutvuCtQzbiCfXqYJthROJaG

SnztTKYwqZQbexq

The next moment, the person said, “If you want to interrogate them, I have a professional.”RcineoVSxgqYVcvuTaEFZCzNvxUjzo

vfQJWhLrUeQVnpW

Northern Di soldiers: ?FGISIXbgGrDsoYdACRwievHcCnNDpw

SXtROIRFUWSIIXb

Huo Mian, curious, asked, “A professional?”HeLaTeCipHmgSywPjmTlDCPeBfdNVE

IzfMVMQDNZzTSIq

Ning Rushen nodded, “I’ve brought the Jinyiwei.”fPvRiIaCBvYYQZHsBWuYHiNyXfhgis

vnofuiKwHKftZmV

The Jinyiwei had a notorious reputation, causing the Northern Di soldiers’ pupils to tremble!gjSzSEHdkvejszTjDXNbdVeZsmmNMP

inrDFriYxIvRrbr

“……” Huo Mian was greatly impressed, “Excellent!”vIOqQOWNVdFsMzsUDyjMTDeilxjKPG

ZqEllRcdsRaBLMp

With the enemy at the gates, military affairs were crucial.mgjTEAWvCAcrzzLfvkohofnHMHgrDR

XBmMmCiHNADBvVo

Seeing that Huo Mian didn’t mind, Ning Rushen turned to call Lu Wu and Shi Yi, pointing to the woolen masses on the ground. “Examine everything, from military maps to imperial secrets.”asfAuAgsmjYGsoStlVbyHDOuRHzQuA

SAYWvWVaBErFrxx

The two immediately glared with fierce intent.bbZMbZEIGhefmVrCDbLzevCUftDwfb

ZuFPQfxZzfzFydp

The Dingyuan Army quickly took the prisoners away.GXAuWGwQFdAUdMqzDraJWMbQFyJcWf

jDpRAnJCwPHNuGi

Just as Lu Wu and Shi Yi were about to leave, Ning Rushen called them back.bGtyFeedeylYwmUlCuHsNUoZmHqtCX

RimchZXStrpYjrO

By this time, they were all seated in the tent. Ning Rushen said to Huo Mian, “I want to keep one of them for now, and let him enjoy good food and drink.”TCqpTZznWTSMAvagEujKjkpkIgHIKk

jcqaERrCdFBkWaY

Huo Mian seemed to understand, “You mean?”rRuetRkhhWVCZizeuoBykseLLDZbVR

ZFsHkRKOPuGMKEs

“Send someone to leak some military information.” Ning Rushen casually proposed, “…For example, that our Great Cheng has 300,000 troops stationed at the border, and that there’s discord between the general and the prefect, with no supplies coming for the rear…”LeSGKhRnjlwJuXtKqkgnPLsLveKTTc

UXVMlXLVlZccxfJ

“Won’t that be too deliberate?” Huo Mian considered.ZncwYYOtnjgjzUmzxrRaJhMVMaCSjg

OGzOWcaMslvQGez

“It needs to be deliberate to be effective, making it hard to distinguish between truth and falsehood.”ymsotEJRGkMDMCixMZUVubcWPOftWR

UfPcovhiulnENIr

Ning Rushen leaned back in his chair, recalling that he had used this tactic before, and remembered it worked quite well…llpIlRztatIQPGbSspHLYepDUoXAji

fAyDbQfWnczdDrb

“Several people were captured together, and in the end, only he returns intact. Regardless of whether the information is true or false, he cannot avoid reporting it. An ambiguous spy with unclear intelligence.”iLozQGRZkZSvXIAFsNyIhmwBTRvjQz

sWNyZItXoMpcscD

He thought about the Northern Di King’s mentality and sighed softly, “It must be bewildering.”yWwkXynrQmkULUQXDqpyONkdjjyEGC

pHoqYIHGnDRLlQt

There was a touch of emotion in the silence of the group.GoTDXTssCMiHCYjNryJxZdvVrVvBLP

mJRyxqFONZTRlYy

Then Huo Mian gave the order, “Let’s do it this way.”FzxGjkeNPuwjvcREphdGZAkoakQKAv

CQGiBuZNxkdpKpZ

……eGtDptnSaKtAXyyjVssAcJCSJcyKex

pefjKGzrzloJlJx

Meanwhile, a pigeon flew into the royal palace in the capital.xxWgIyeMecgcABPQeeimCkqcWDItOk

ipvrKbiQDmZBXGB

In the palace, inside the Yangxin Hall.EPQSdCVQZRdKeLebqfsroKgADgwIxX

eVEDEyAjvTXaZEP

Li Wuting finished reading the letter and sat at the desk, his fingers trembling slightly. He remained silent for a long while.AnCwBTbtzCvKjvmtFVIGHuHrSYNIlO

hsTauIiOJGcbkeS

Dequan, puzzled, asked, “Your Majesty?”xqGnFPYqyBrpevWtuXfDgOrSFNiCRy

oolnZUOPValKrMv

The voice seemed to snap him back to reality.cRAHgVATqJzNNewpziJwrgleYKeTqt

VtcGRovglZGeiBV

Li Wuting blinked, pressed his lips together.KERPciWHEpwyrGOyyzXipYaNyhyplq

XVCAqjVKzaPkXmM

Suppressing the heat in his ears, he spoke hoarsely, “He really… still can’t restrain himself out there.”GYjSureSBdTYNbzdimCiQrocsicTaa

kQwFzawCeBycjWo

Dequan’s ears perked up, “Oh?”OzekkAXJCCRZABUrIfWNVpMSxokxaL

tOqQiOtLLTiapuK

Li Wuting frowned and glared, “What do you mean, ‘oh’?”ksZMHbnQGPBxGtskZhNxmZXliGdlYN

bUtErEdpDDbrRVZ

Dequan immediately slapped his own face, smacking down the corner of his mouth, “Ah, I spoke out of turn! How dare I ask such a question? I really should—”ShqCSFcnkMyJQBIFWLgzhArKXpxkJE

xJHBBsVPcpmdxRW

“Enough.” Li Wuting cut him off.gCDKmfvgJlCxDvxQlaawXUhRbULYFK

kgQQDwpiztUQZUa

With his long fingers pressing the edge of the letter, he remained silent for a few moments before finally speaking, “Bring me paper and ink.”kzlEEbKKQxszGFtcctHzBQYrgTjYei

fvuqrboxHXwhkOO