This official is so weak

Ning Rushen slept straight through to the next morning.AxmSRbSRzBObqIqtGUuEiaNOKlNDNA

LaOBloWYpQLtfNt

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

NcEbvyUwKvarHfS

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

FbQiquajxJLcVLX

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.OIlqaizpJBpkeKjhAamXroXDiabLYL

HHlORCVmfgQzLpc

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

BtPZgFlUOQQKjNo

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?”cUnYjUZLKgaOUORTmKqyXUDywVUrUC

KiMcbbDBcgHYUXh

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

UZWSZlEkdGJZIvi

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

dIjzQwDsEhMPrsu

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.dBqEwRjJFhMSqWJGoFombAoxnKpGIj

uhpIyEwffGNqGGK

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

QNAXnRnoyVveMXx

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.”NVgyxjdjpGuwsMlygtOMETvxCCCuGO

AiwovtZlRiOhjzK

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

ZcCZtqIeISSdxcY

“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…”rAltzJYXHYlsRpxKVXDKwGiaWxTBOx

YkorCkqliqvAKYD

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

vMULvtJmPcWWyXU

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

egKuLPXXoklsfKH

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.”LSRQZdfGuIWeeMfRoWuZcwrjIjvjSH

fOcyAfUIDBWjMZJ

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

XvgMiYVRJqHnQWP

…rIXPwcQWqpSBIavNVEAlUSOYwYKJYf

RTxekqxfcLHgrYZ

Outside the camp was a vast training ground.YEEmTELTkTcNAulbxRUVKtVTtPDuMm

QiKFDDZKKMpgucU

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

WMwiJFgYZlzXwoE

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

vqBgUbLXMtqrVcC

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.ELYsbYVicJqAEfBGXDMzsksNsXRhuH

tvhGKFSLYzbfbWK

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

FPErrjcxLIVjByp

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

RVstEKiulkbyWzb

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

AJDdyNfnCEHguWf

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

ppwlELvmWEFpYem

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—dYccmmeseSGBzCrQozrbZhCsymlthK

sxsvPzpXMSiJqar

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

JpLpOdaNNRABYSF

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.CEDMBZGUdWDDxOCDObrMzHXqOmXqiz

zoYjwHvJLuIihqM

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

WqsBYIBLdJYUyoU

……fYqdWqrUyOoHncSGPGalRtucZhgKBU

guhZlsBfgOneTPL

The training below continued smoothly.SzvTgOtvmdssYyYbaxiTaaJHHyuPet

pfMAKRyKKmphSpS

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

bymbVTphsoXPQhe

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

AvqxQNhwHAdDPPK

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

yrzhQSKhDvUeQqE

Huo Mian nodded.dUtKktSbDkLdgjrQfyZNafteUIljlA

shzFEgwwZbLpMOZ

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

OKiPGTltkdiAmlk

Just like Wei Qing and Huo Qubing did.GENjehNeubOaXTCtelwxvNtlfankTB

CKHrRCAwxTeIvcX

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

drBkjtgdlqHMEEQ

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

iiFXQdVWXvWFEXp

“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?”xBZlpYftsatrDBaQeImCMShrDQilWH

kPQUCdcaqWVlUYu

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

ufZeDxIatSBSGWA

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

MwilXkCplEZauFh

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

KPaaFVYRuwAvTky

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

ksGJCinaeJWAkqe

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

relSRmEePBNQeuq

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

pdfiUjzaTPLubOv

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

EcyghoZcfBArVQk

.OtEIMYCrBgglQJGiqskoiFBBxmFThb

LBrDAgAlVawSQGs

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

VfbSskqMTUsXnyA

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

SiVKGObDGtzQyIj

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.gPOJUQirymCBIOzdRsVuuBojlAOyhi

AStxNvmABtIYiyq

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

xZLaOGvMEjuwoNR

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

NJUeNoQhtCHvZXO

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

sRgQREpiQqkjALT

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

bttNaTrhteRJLTT

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

YDEGNpeOTbzxvSA

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.KCqBIcSpJyGLjMhIkyXJLdhSvuMwcE

BonlLWVLQlhxgKw

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

YULRwwiYJdWtPJF

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.iiBAKmuiaeCwwIiCJrPrhAAYTIVRVL

zXyIjdcsMnvPBfv

“……….”YhcQKgJNdVdEZKIedUwbsraWrBtIKg

NgIUYmNrnsgfDqb

Ning Rushen was completely stunned!pbUlSkZiFrbBzxirayFfuYyxwEnQDn

yDLDvTQQXhuYFDR

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

kDafZemWxqaIBKz

He felt a bit disoriented.jNbGakrOGaWLwhyKzOfwgKbCMGMddh

VQNnnshcxTEdMyb

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.nbjUsjmayVelOXsOQDeaNwjmWOOnbI

CjMuCJkwsCcbArq

One bolder soldier shouted out:aodvHTyQKmLQQQCHlnubrXnBuYGsnD

gkDMENWVCvUJrPF

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

YFLTQEczTcBIXgs

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

ChSDOBGtopZhNHS

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

CjelMmtVMxPFOnj

A few others immediately started playfully hitting him.grIXSYwTYAFnaDdOjZQdYtatxmKBkZ

UjCbTSrLxWwnRvZ

Ning Rushen, “……”UCQdJEKctipaLpcNciqwiZOKlBzbhR

rmHVVTnqtUyjTMV

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

VgyhyupLUXTSgQw

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

lDhoelYuavGKJbj

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

LJYGLxiyBxeUIzF

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.”ZpDpEPvgnwKsjrVYkwrGJOYjkMEZUt

HqVuOBNcKYoMwVZ

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

qFXZQBFaheBgfgS

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

AnsAPQOruwCUUgl

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

nRqMwWiPOGzZiGW

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

ZdoXfcwlefEiAnn

The conditions in the bathhouse were much better.txLFjtoAGnWvKAketnyqGxQVdfDYGz

BgDhZtXUAhMTxUP

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

BlxdktsXdhcWJfM

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.IBCumGWiiDzjWZLLGtOLDVJYEgDZLb

uyuVsZzAgfkaFpp

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

MkdIcZbtoEBgMtQ

A group of people noisily entered the main tent.gHMszOIXRfjTVkuAPbsqrxEGbBZMqc

BEGiPfFDynojYOP

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

QHHzYbOtSDBlPbw

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

BLkOPGVIhMhOoQr

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.EhcZQqlKdDdfSHhHkfNwBmlfbpwZfl

krPjZUzhApKAZWj

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

XhBSwBMzgTZCFgR

“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!”NHdNAQTLINZMiqgFPxrqxZWdURNsYw

xHrDfqocSMvHYOa

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

enwUeCKuWuIJCML

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

vOEITmwxMOfejVE

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

NhKCaXkfJxJTMcP

Huo Mian yanked out the cloth covering their mouths.ebEMbGSljwFqLSUfnCNVPVtTWBTALC

xoqTZTXIGoyHZjT

Northern Di soldier, “Pah—”ttNQKBgZrTYqGKurCzIEWdXDCffGGY

hitcGBboqzEfqer

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!”RGgktuUGtRTDrxqRIoXEJewGXXryGO

dZxFMOvsrFfXRxo

The Northern Di soldiers immediately glared defiantly.QTwQAsNZFnakZhRSqvysrEZdHuRHvH

BwAOalyZmPxasAI

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

nhNcyLXsujEgKYS

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.QFtAwYjYFTraruqdqNENWCmFKCfuRn

zuCAIvdFMArGAgL

They immediately felt a glimmer of hope.FWhiaSzFgnxNBpXJbMnYWEsQybUejd

qjoGFMXuWCgWkWz

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

IKsZzWydnzIjzbH

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

XsBniEonGWYMccZ

Northern Di soldiers: ?ixilSdPHQQanBWIRoMzBubGzylsNoV

xZTgYwsMgaQkpJv

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

gFSCYvWetZStxBG

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

YBOmaPJBvAgKxvQ

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

wyptglpVPAopskg

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

KrwwaAIvlnPsUZA

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

ykvIksJUGkolhTF

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.”wsFdFTmCjQJbFNLkqFEWiMPBiyKtvp

LIazqFNSuNwCfve

The two immediately glared with fierce intent.QNyWcZyMqvLiqaFqDbuyNCNCxqsPLf

CcpDGLFLzsymmWr

The Dingyuan Army quickly took the prisoners away.VeemsXkGekwsTyzafNgMbyAYFWBhNF

orRDvNFttIMTgKF

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

dSWOnEqTDyJevYs

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.”qjbGrDDfzqZnXyDKaVblOdbLjWuUgo

lTerjHYGAMJCnza

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

ifDkNmNIHDNYuQT

“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…”ouHUdRtOrXAZLGAPgnpMnTwLQGbksy

EWSEEwakmQNTMdf

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

ZnKfzNsjdWSQVKB

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

LRSjTTVzRwxYdnW

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

zBBlcDSYjNaDjou

“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.”nEXHvTmMspfMZfvkoSkMzVwjWXYURe

WwDsPUONGQHHEur

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

WlFEoDQfnwfvDCW

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

lKOOcpKgWZnGJvn

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

apbWFoylBHuaumM

……SpSwnthIKjqFpSDQDYsSSMoqlTgvTu

tMJCxmikmKcpZBd

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

dmeWCMxHRYSoLNL

In the palace, inside the Yangxin Hall.DZbATlPHORTvvYTVKkoCJCqCxtePec

hAKzHEZSuOcNGDy

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

JhcGLnbJfHweHrd

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

nwcaRhPiIetfGob

The voice seemed to snap him back to reality.hWMDWBNqNqgHAdGIcyzEIZjsXmJVFY

BATwblVfZgLVghG

Li Wuting blinked, pressed his lips together.bhSRPRlygbSZMeMToSUJExjrDailPu

guqoNLNRLDccwNa

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

JZSWeDTtNgMZSvd

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

OfxZTOhYXenJXqL

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

WnjhIWxaQLTjZdN

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—”UAMMdPUWNxpFPygANBvqgYAuZElRfs

QqmVilWOggTooGU

“Enough.” Li Wuting cut him off.jfgcRlFImZmWTswcdJnAjFeVPEdkOa

nBciftqKuCsAtNp

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.”tLpkIoOdxQkrpBLGXPAfYDIcLSHrNF

HkPKoAFcBEjVhYi