I'd Rather Be a Captain

Zhang Lu fell in despair, never understanding why he would die at Xiao Shaoyou's hands.

This scene was also unexpected by Luo Yu, who tightened his grip on the dagger, ready to deal with any sudden changes.

A strange atmosphere filled the tent, the firelight casting shadows of two young faces.

Their eyes met - one with a knife, one with a blade.

Xiao Shaoyou casually wiped the blood from his blade: "Don't you want to ask why I killed him?"

"Because he pointed at you?"

Luo Yu's response almost choked him. Xiao Shaoyou glared at him:

"No one understands him better than me. Zhang Lu and his brother were two of a kind, always embezzling military pay and skimming rations.

Hiding behind the lines during battles, but faster than anyone at grabbing silver. It's people like them who've made our border army corrupt!

He deserved to die!"

Luo Yu's brow raised slightly:

"If he was such a person, why did you tell him about me killing Zhang Gui?"

Xiao Shaoyou's lips curled into a playful smile:

"If I told you I knew Zhang Gui was his cousin, and that I deliberately told him about your killing Zhang Gui.

What would you think?"

Luo Yu's expression grew colder:

"Why?"

"Simple, I wanted to test if you really had the ability."

Xiao Shaoyou explained slowly:

"You fought brilliantly at Cockcrow Fort. Just from casual conversation, I could tell your strategic thinking far surpassed ordinary soldiers. I once suspected you weren't really a new recruit, but I checked your background - you really were a new recruit.

So I deliberately mentioned Zhang Gui's affair. Knowing Zhang Lu's character, he would definitely force you to defend Black Gorge Fort alone, pushing you to a dead end.

When people are pushed to the brink, they always show their true capabilities.

That battle was my test of you - whether you had real military talent or just got lucky. After one battle, it would be clear.

Fortunately, you won.

I didn't misjudge you."

Luo Yu remained silent, his cold eyes fixed on Xiao Shaoyou.

He continued:

"In fact, I knew about Zhang Lu taking those women tonight. I was wondering how you would react.

Would you hide like a coward and let the women be raped; or charge in recklessly with no regard for consequences.

What surprised me was that you first used your intelligence to trick Zhang Lu's guards; then used ruthless means to terrify him.

You're both ruthless and smart.

I like that."

Xiao Shaoyou's gaze grew more appreciative.

"Why would you bother testing me?"

Luo Yu was puzzled:

"My abilities, whether I can lead troops, and my character don't seem to have anything to do with you."

"Because I've been looking for capable assistants like you!"

Xiao Shaoyou's previously calm demeanor grew cold:

"I want to climb the ranks in the army, but I can't do it alone. I need people like you to help me.

Join me! Together we'll lead troops and fight enemies! I promise you'll rise quickly, becoming a rising star in the border army!"

Xiao Shaoyou's eyes burned with a desire for power, completely different from his previous personality.

"I heard you used to be a scholar, a young master from the inland of Quezhou, from a good family. Why did you choose to join the army? The path of war is much harder than studying, one misstep and you lose your head.

Desiring to buy osmanthus and take a boat ride, but it's not the same as youthful travels. You should have been a spirited young man."

This was Luo Yu's third "why" tonight - first why kill Zhang Lu, second why test him, third why join the army.

Because he was very curious about this Xiao Shaoyou.

"What's the use of studying? What good is being well-versed in literature and classics?"

Xiao Shaoyou's mood was slightly low, his fists clenched:

"I'm from Quezhou like you. My family was in the grain business, with good resources. My parents hired several tutors to teach me from a young age, living a carefree life that many commoners could only dream of.

But three years ago, Qiang cavalry invaded, and Quezhou was engulfed in war. They killed my entire family! So-called good life vanished in an instant.

When the curved blade rises, can poetry and songs save lives? When the world is in chaos, with seven warring states and people treated like dogs, can scholar's righteousness stabilize the world?

No!

Only after watching my parents die at the hands of Qiang soldiers did I realize the uselessness of studying!

So I joined the army, to kill enemies! To avenge my parents!

But when I got to the army, I realized that the Qian border army was rotten to the core. Wanting to take revenge with such a weak army was a pipe dream!

I could only climb up step by step, to change it, to build an iron-blooded army!"

Xiao Shaoyou raised his head, his gaze ice-cold:

"Desiring to buy osmanthus and take a boat ride, but it's not the same as youthful travels. Good poem, I like it.

But I prefer another line.

I'd rather be a captain than a scholar!"

"I'm not boasting, but among all the captains in Yunyang Pass, I'm the youngest. In the future, I'll be the youngest major, the youngest general!

Join me, and you'll be my most capable subordinate!

High office and wealth, everything you want!

What do you say?"

Luo Yu understood - this guy wanted to kill all the Qiang invaders to avenge his parents, but one person couldn't do it alone, so he needed trusted lieutenants.

"Have you thought it through?"

"No."

Luo Yu shook his head coldly:

"I admit, I sympathize with your past, and you do have ability and talent.

But to make me your subordinate, ha ha.

You're not worthy!"

These three words stung, but Xiao Shaoyou didn't fly into a rage. He just asked calmly:

"Why?"

"Whether it's testing or testing, it's all for your own sake."

Luo Yu's tone grew colder:

"Have you thought about it? If Black Gorge Fort's battle was lost, how many innocent soldiers would die? Including tonight, if something went wrong and Zhang Lu succeeded, wouldn't those women be raped in vain?

Everyone is just a pawn to you!

You use others as pawns, I can't stop you, but you shouldn't treat me as a pawn.

Selfish and self-serving!"

"True, I am selfish, but isn't there no gain without pain?"

Xiao Shaoyou's tone was cold:

"The world is in chaos, war rages, human life is cheap, countless border soldiers and refugees die every day. I genuinely don't want to see innocent people die. My father taught me from a young age that human nature is inherently good.

But three years in the army taught me one thing - without absolute strength, you don't deserve to talk about being good!

Either make others your pawns, or become someone else's pawn.

If it were you, which would you choose?"

The tent was deathly silent, the cold shout made the candlelight flicker.

"Even if what you say makes sense, what makes you think I should be your subordinate?"

Luo Yu's voice was mocking:

"Right, you're the youngest deputy captain, but I've been in the army for only a month and am already a headman, just one step away from you.

Who's stronger?"

"I didn't expect you to be so sharp with words."

Xiao Shaoyou wasn't angry, leaning back in his chair with a casual tone:

"I killed Zhang Lu, killing a captain is a capital offense. If you're not my subordinate, wouldn't this get out? Shouldn't I kill you to keep you quiet?

I know you're good at fighting, but you only caught Zhang Lu's guards. My eight guards are currently hiding outside the tent. They're all veterans who've seen battle, plus me.

Nine against one, do you have a chance?"

Xiao Shaoyou smiled, giving Luo Yu two options - death or becoming his subordinate.

Luo Yu was stunned. This way of recruiting was new to him.

"Is that so? Are you really that confident you can take me?"

Luo Yu's lips suddenly curled:

"If I said I already guessed it was you behind all this, would you believe me?"

"Impossible, I'm careful, never leaving any traces."

"Ha ha, don't believe me? Why don't you call your guards and see if they're still there?"

Luo Yu's confident expression made Xiao Shaoyou slightly uneasy, frowning and calling out:

"Guards!"

No response.

"How can that be!"

Xiao Shaoyou's expression changed, raising his voice: "Guards!"

Silence outside the tent, still no response.