This official is so weak

Ning Rushen slept straight through to the next morning.FqJGOYYvFcnIDKEETiiuiGbDXZraDk

dXUmgxKmzlOVptt

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

ZabOKzenyPmLdMP

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

rVLpBaxOWgUpAkO

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.guSKMABYKNNJMEKFjSuMxjIJyUGqoy

hxZyrnpwEOkRdnr

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

jfOlLWuhIasAusj

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?”THnxHtXQJoeJhogLHEahYDMTQdlafn

DZNgFVOkTfSbodc

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

SPqNYxtnraiEZZP

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

LPicaDjydUOriAt

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.kilekWerREJcnSvAVlYXsToKzwevTm

kRjrKWHBMNYhFDm

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

XtjKpblAZpLrIMB

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.”tdhsAaYyoQcSuWOqlFhUwSTKiRBqNl

BJHPZZfNxnlGMwg

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

xvYyLIKRteZLOUs

“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…”EvwMltSbXCoIjBPHShKHRahtAHkoKF

lnahAIgADXYZNRr

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

ciBzELOJLzOtOAT

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

jARzFzipszZaSgr

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.”mUGbnlnHakgCmPwuxsuwcaqYdqsUQY

aVlNhSrrxVkFhrG

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

gpiuUsPEyyXbXDw

…kKKHUKMqapaSRaIeDEKnlgmqhQnWOv

gwSfPWyyRZwcTRo

Outside the camp was a vast training ground.ljBLAcuUPVyeVYioMbZYyBxyJuLMqA

ZOLVKGIxXXjSWgt

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

xkjfJkJvwwBgbaj

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

OPdPolypuZkOoZw

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.PdijLtQReozXvVUzFxixxDCPCRgeCN

EwAZGZZfUeeVgRj

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

czBnMnwlysRsPHt

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

sBKNVLaAKnNWlbb

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

xzfzASvXLkZihKe

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

cCTAaRpneBvqkkN

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—YfAsuXHYnVyxxgNUOJytnsRIOQncZZ

zFPaARcdgvBlcQD

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

cuZklrbYwgVyEJd

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.ualpiaysIzOPbfAEAWtQEICbRIueuW

xmiyKcTpKreZAry

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

YVFFHzqFFRTtmjT

……uxtmGvXSXhZwoaDTFsFJDogFtZkwzg

oQsXfOsVXpKMbmv

The training below continued smoothly.gxphDFIUXvupcfxwybJDzlkcvPGGYW

VZjeoTtDdAtLhVu

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

uAzmUyrAbnjCfOQ

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

aPwSvipfIYDLzAK

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

PpWEadDCdFleRxk

Huo Mian nodded.jYFXQOzYFgCzeWvqddtQymhHCSQQjp

SDrKwlKChiFlGDf

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

dlXFbRxqqijqbYG

Just like Wei Qing and Huo Qubing did.jlXvdsTAwKxWdROrTRZPjQXHROZqha

svgTowUdwlwzffb

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

gBrTtjnGUDZoIZL

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

DdhMorLytVJFdym

“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?”GJvIohzVXTcwQUAlCeYMspqgGJyFBn

HstLkTVysIMNITM

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

gkZUhuuxtFvGfIx

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

TpVBeUVoPHezMDT

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

IMQEsqFUtTgWCmM

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

BSwwRqVYAWlrMjx

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

HWiRBxnibYGOVEo

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

CgQeUuJPFjvGfUa

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

cmjWqhXzxqOwldX

.HmCcrEeZWCOaGGrvGiymcChfpXAnwx

KYDIbrNTvrqPAor

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

VSLMZEBOHHAvSwA

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

TxETvaiQWkhHJpk

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.prwINVHhQUFmUXsACnkeSLDtzVPwpf

EuqpnKtrVDdQlpN

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

TCpENmhofeKnUGQ

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

dYrPvcFgIgCkqgp

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

DSePxewTylhmoZb

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

dTcckfqAjUvPLSv

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

NcrDLPBGMPjUpCx

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.SfRERJPQtcfXMExsoUuiSVWcOiiAGs

ZqeXpLYsHIgnlfz

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

bhUuUpiZSiAzyaH

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.HwzZarPeDOQBYeqiROWOCScrFxszzJ

uqWlfagNiPqBcZL

“……….”NvLOexOicGIOQyOGjzibzDBXghPFkV

CNDFXTXFUiaAaKI

Ning Rushen was completely stunned!HqZUBkXYolyQuEfGkXomgcAyvvXXEQ

xWXBMMxvENYtArq

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

cQryjyskUICjgCs

He felt a bit disoriented.RwifPIZSPVxEuesvqOhIqfYmMFiNsb

SfnweOekPZrrQFZ

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.TyeicpwpaqFDlurEEuEBrrUhLgYoxC

gtthKvZdipcgxUr

One bolder soldier shouted out:oSGmFFSVvQRbuilrHwcLFjMtFnmCRe

uoFlKivKTxatusW

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

fNzWLPLKYjnsQpA

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

jCPIwxwVcnveEXH

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

ewwPJPcDYTIVxHb

A few others immediately started playfully hitting him.ImAPRQbpxTlLiincuDPRxgTFsabyhk

CzNQGHgHGRsfMPs

Ning Rushen, “……”ffnMcEpgvoADHpNWdETwkZHtiTxwzm

cxpioXJBtoWxNak

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

LONseRHcpXUjZJH

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

HPzDrVParQaFVkp

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

ogokQMGHjPcyMYE

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.”sftGsrAPignVShWdrwmoudtcmDBVBJ

BVOWzDIyMRMSMyw

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

ewjGdiruQZhHrIK

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

jWhdVxhgtDbWuUN

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

LEcKJbXEyRNeLim

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

ObirTzizCtEDoVC

The conditions in the bathhouse were much better.POPlEitDSZZhuFEredTIFPoOWfvIjs

KOTydbvrwraeyBk

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

giVykwZdrFDeAtO

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.cGrIfJKFaDkeNTYSoAsJgPOKACwmWc

gpCNKVITtUxNmZe

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

gmIACwhEXpnaIMf

A group of people noisily entered the main tent.NIjkAmHsoMjSkWgBijUITZOejBLoGh

CaDnVajbSxNJzQD

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

ptrUVLCDjumEBht

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

TStyOLCkUWRXLjE

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.esDGrAFiuJAMUJPsgqEmWehDQxcili

qdPhUDfJQwcTnoq

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

rGfPtgZrDdleSTn

“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!”YcThpcbzzLcJAvTYSFbgcunXHSGaJJ

bThdnZfkXPnkkAz

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

HKGYrXJUQXYRLvW

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

dCEGGcnnHUGRdcc

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

fMvinsnlFUxEZuq

Huo Mian yanked out the cloth covering their mouths.JPPNmHdyWWWYLWEvNFDiYixzkKVsmr

sqJXNpKqrrdkCuo

Northern Di soldier, “Pah—”OWhnBlHFoYRtMSoyXwoykrviAQajJL

qLwubxgsVkZTplu

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!”fSOGRnXEbCDlzENVQZVKXHiTaQTcCS

NyfRjqTrGdtwMqA

The Northern Di soldiers immediately glared defiantly.WhFiuwuGDvzjAkJgDkHPXpIauhuxvg

BbFcpEFdgkAfcDo

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

sYndyKrEmiLJucv

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.azUkExxvfWxsAcYtUhqgfiUMwOzeVW

oDXQtHvFLOcUuJc

They immediately felt a glimmer of hope.BuumQbGeWsTXvTPzRxtazyDRPIxOgc

NgwNEwgUUpJPiRE

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

AjQgCuhGaaoWURF

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

XmJnhFhzBQZSbei

Northern Di soldiers: ?zvFtGsDOkavJoEuGwIYqgoewgrtFix

yWrknRUADmOALjT

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

YOodLtSTlLcPHWu

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

nhzDyfBwPJvevJi

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

HjhbrVFrMHGQSLy

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

qAzCMlrQtSeXOOV

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

lSuCicacegmMGqi

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.”GcdnYvuxvXAaToPoPfDXCQtQXiPHtC

bxhsrLuJzOqznKh

The two immediately glared with fierce intent.bIWKVIPAcBJgbbZXdqSYiAluxaavSR

GQOSheysGZIfGUC

The Dingyuan Army quickly took the prisoners away.yNsnqgmttKqzEHVIesMfyAdMFcFxpP

NLbjciQLDYOLEIe

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

rXywWQzMcmyUYaP

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.”PUdvltNTUDnAPRetNxFfobTcMDUiEy

kDiRKMMRPULavWF

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

FyQsxwaLHnzDzdo

“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…”dMaLzYiHAhQeDzzAdxnMvHzAcTWkcE

PnmZFeDOEASZPct

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

ozFVFzxaGkpAuTR

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

mozVrCcrYdxlRZc

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

ydZoQKKwImOQasr

“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.”PKcTZOeHeuOIcGjKigCxndZlDjCkuQ

VQtEhszgZSghAZb

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

aXZmqGLbJSkNpCf

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

PbgCHvDMEPQbiow

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

xzVEsHETJSaysyz

……lqrppuJFcxRcyWHOcTfknlfhfqABGk

kEnrpMQPKBJQFsb

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

EBSkvkFqondumee

In the palace, inside the Yangxin Hall.fKcKEfvUALqBOOEanUzuzQilAneHhc

RGjFtCRyNDOtcOp

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

srBWhKKWXbTitTM

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

vqNyULzIyuvxhNT

The voice seemed to snap him back to reality.mrJyMNmUmjLduWQxznjnKoqFVjKXwv

QZiAlBDKsHGPTZR

Li Wuting blinked, pressed his lips together.oFkpcHVpzjqNlHXQZiaYeSRKVdaeZz

BntxVwBSjBsEUNK

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

pRMuyTKkUalLbww

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

uTekHbnjRcKCbQJ

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

scJWHDKOOzFbcgR

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—”ZbNOAbimTkwlxtOxMLWCFFjWxGUWxL

NHGDzTbAoadoVGl

“Enough.” Li Wuting cut him off.btWgGcOpmBrctRKAMmSdrHALsGVTEf

UNSJLeihjYeVkCm

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.”neccJLjfNmmcLTbYqKTgxgZFkkwyjg

spfjgjgCmvkUSpU