No Longer a Youthful Journey

"Wang Shuang conspired with the Qiang soldiers and betrayed the country, and fought with Zhang Gui? In the end, Wang Shuang was killed by Zhang Gui, who was then killed by you?"

"That's right, everything I said is true."

While reporting the battle, Luo Yu recounted the deaths of both commanders in detail. After all, he needed to explain how he, a squad leader, became the leader of Jiming Fort. Xiao Shaoyou was stunned by the story.

He had a rough idea of Xiao Shaoyou's background. Every fort outside the border had a company of soldiers guarding it, with no direct superior in peacetime. They all reported to the general's office at Yunyang Pass.

But now with the Qiang soldiers advancing, the situation was tense. The general's office at Yunyang Pass was too busy to handle everything, so they sent several hundred-man commanders to command the forts. Above Xiao Shaoyou was a hundred-man commander named Zhang Lu, who was responsible for Jiming Fort and five or six other forts.

"Truly absurd! A commander betrays the country and a deputy commander embezzles military funds, both crimes deserving death!"

Xiao Shaoyou looked angry but then smiled at Luo Yu:

"Your nerve is impressive. You killed a deputy commander without a word? Do you know what the punishment is for killing a deputy commander without authorization?"

"I had no choice. If I didn't, I would have died at Zhang Gui's hands. Besides, I believe Zhang Gui deserved death for embezzling military funds."

While Luo Yu remained calm, he was slightly nervous. No one knew he had a dagger hidden in his sleeve.

Zhang Gui was his direct superior, and if investigated, he would be guilty too. But before meeting Xiao Shaoyou, Luo Yu had asked Dong Chuan about him. He learned that this Xiao deputy hundred-man commander was fair and just, so he decided to tell the truth.

But if Xiao Shaoyou was unfair and wanted to punish him severely, he couldn't blame Luo Yu for being ruthless.

"Hundred-man commander, please show mercy. That Zhang Gui used to bully the soldiers and withhold our food and pay. He was a great sinner."

"If not for Brother Luo leading us to defeat the Qiang soldiers, all our brothers in Jiming Fort would have died."

Fortunately, Luo Yu had won the hearts of his men. Dong Chuan and the other two squad leaders spoke up for him, proving that Luo Yu had killed Zhang Gui out of necessity.

"Don't worry, I'm not going to punish him." Xiao Shaoyou waved his hand with a cold smile: "A traitor and a scoundrel, both deserved death."

Luo Yu finally relaxed his clenched fist, feeling more respect for this Xiao hundred-man commander. It was rare to meet a reasonable superior in the army.

"But I have a question."

Xiao Shaoyou crossed his arms, curious:

"You've been in the army longer than him, with higher rank. Why did you choose a new recruit as your leader?"

"Brother Luo has ability, we all respect him."

Dong Chuan was a straightforward person, saluting:

"Brother Luo has read books and can write, his mind is much sharper than ours. Plus, he's skilled and has many military achievements. With him as our leader, we have a chance to survive."

"Oh, you can read? That's quite rare."

Xiao Shaoyou walked to the wall: "Come, walk with me."

Luo Yu finally relaxed, realizing from his tone that the matter was settled.

The fort wasn't large, and the wall wasn't wide. The interior had been burned to ruins, and Xiao Shaoyou marveled:

"Wang Shuang's betrayal put Jiming Fort in a dire situation, one wrong move and everyone would have died. But you turned the tables, luring nearly a hundred Qiang soldiers into the fort and ambushing them.

Such courage is rare in the army. Even if I led troops, I couldn't have done better."

The cavalrymen following Xiao Shaoyou were surprised. They had never heard him praise anyone so much.

"Hundred-man commander flatters me."

Luo Yu wasn't impressed, saying seriously:

"Brothers' lives are on my shoulders. I can't betray their trust. I can only do my best."

"Good, brave and responsible, a promising young man."

Xiao Shaoyou was about to praise him more when one of his soldiers pointed to the distance:

"Look, Qiang soldiers!"

Indeed, three or four black dots appeared to the west, circling Jiming Fort but not daring to approach.

"Don't worry, just scouts. They can't cause any trouble."

Xiao Shaoyou sneered:

"They probably discovered their troops were wiped out and are here to gather intelligence."

Xiao Shaoyou turned to Luo Yu:

"Killing nearly a hundred Qiang soldiers is a great achievement, but now isn't the time to celebrate.

Since the Qiang scouts have appeared, their main cavalry force will arrive at Jiming Fort soon. What do you think we should do to defend Jiming Fort?"

Xiao Shaoyou's expression was like he was testing Luo Yu.

Luo Yu said calmly:

"In my opinion, Jiming Fort shouldn't be defended anymore. We should abandon it."

The Dong Chuan and others standing behind were stunned. The hundred-man commander asked how to defend Jiming Fort, and you say not to defend it? Aren't you afraid of upsetting Xiao Shaoyou?

But Xiao Shaoyou didn't get angry. Instead, he smiled:

"Reason?"

"Simple."

Luo Yu explained methodically:

"Jiming Fort has no supplies and its weapons are damaged. To defend it, we'd need to transport food and weapons, which would take time and effort. Plus, the forts on both flanks have been captured by the Qiang soldiers, leaving Jiming Fort isolated. Defending it would be meaningless. Even if reinforcements came from behind, it would be like adding fuel to the fire, futile and just wasting our brothers' lives.

In my opinion, the best strategy is to retreat south and concentrate the soldiers from various forts in one place to resist the Qiang soldiers."

"You're right, your mind is indeed sharp!"

The admiration in Xiao Shaoyou's eyes grew stronger:

"To be honest, the Qiang soldiers are advancing, and most of the forward forts have been completely destroyed. Jiming Fort is an exception, actually wiping out the Qiang soldiers.

I came out this time for two reasons: one, to gather intelligence on the Qiang soldiers, and two, to withdraw all the soldiers from the forts to Black Gully Fort forty miles east. We'll gather there to fight."

Dong Chuan and others were even more stunned. Luo Yu had guessed the higher command's plan!

"Tomorrow morning, take everyone to Black Gully Fort. Don't stay here too long."

Xiao Shaoyou didn't linger, chatting casually before mounting his horse:

"Remember to move quickly. If you run into a large force of Qiang soldiers, even the Heavenly King can't save you."

"Understood!"

Luo Yu asked curiously: "Where are you going, Hundred-man commander?"

"Me? I still need to gather the scattered soldiers."

Xiao Shaoyou casually drew his saber and rode forward:

"Also, I'll kill those scouts. A few riders dare to wander around me!"

"Ride!"

A dozen cavalrymen galloped away without looking back. They came and went quickly. The soldiers inside were stunned. Usually, Qian army soldiers would run at the sight of Qiang cavalry, but these men actually went looking for them.

Watching the departing figures, Luo Yu asked curiously:

"Brother Dong, what's Xiao Shaoyou's background?"

Dong Chuan whispered:

"Allegedly, he's smart and capable, having won many military achievements. An eighteen-year-old deputy hundred-man commander is unique in Yunyang Pass. Also, he seems to be from a wealthy family, having read many books. His family fell on hard times, and he somehow abandoned literature for military service."

"That explains the scholarly air about him."

"But this Xiao hundred-man commander isn't at all scholarly when it comes to killing."

They all looked at Xiao Shaoyou leading his cavalrymen charging past, having cut off the heads of the scouts.

"Perhaps he's also a tragic figure, but he has the sharpness of youth."

Luo Yu leaned against the wall, murmuring softly:

"Wanting to buy osmanthus and take wine on a boat ride, it's no longer like a youthful journey."