I Want Horses

"You killed a group of Xiqiang spies? With enemy troops at the city gates and the city under martial law, how could spies even get in?

Absolutely ridiculous! What are the guards at the city gates doing!"

Hearing the news, Kong Xian's face darkened, angrily slamming his fist on the table:

"Search! Send people to search immediately. See how many Xiqiang spies are hiding in the city. Kill every one you catch.

No survivors!"

He ranted on, spittle flying everywhere.

This General Kong did indeed have a heart for protecting the people, but his temper was a bit quick. Plus, based on Luo Yu's recent observations, he agreed with Xiao Shaoyou's assessment - this man's abilities were indeed average.

"Please calm down, General. I don't think that's appropriate!"

Xiao Shaoyou knew Kong's personality well and hurried to advise:

"The people of the city are terrified of Xiqiang soldiers. If they knew spies had infiltrated, it would cause chaos. Wouldn't that be self-sabotage?

I've already ordered strict secrecy. We can only investigate the spies secretly to avoid alerting them."

"You're right."

Kong Xian finally calmed down:

"You think of things more carefully. Let's do it your way."

Xiao Shaoyou's expression grew even more serious:

"General, I have something more important to report, concerning the safety of Yunyang Pass!"

"Really?"

Kong Xian's brows furrowed: "So serious? What is it?"

Luo Yu stepped forward, handing over a secret letter:

"In the battle at Black Gorge Fort, I found this letter on the Xiqiang centurion Valig. The writer appears to be a general in the city who has agreed with the Xiqiang to open the gates and surrender on New Year's Eve!"

"What!"

Kong Xian's face changed dramatically, jumping up and quickly walking to Luo Yu to snatch the letter, reading it hastily. The more he read, the tighter his brows furrowed, until finally he was green with anger:

"Who? Who is it!

With the enemy at our gates, instead of defending our homeland, they want to betray us. Unforgivable! These years of repeated defeats on the border are because of cowards and traitors like them!

Do they care about the people of the border? Do they care about our country?"

After ranting for a while, Kong Xian finally stopped, gripping the letter tightly:

"Who else knows about this besides you two?"

Luo Yu answered solemnly:

"This is a serious matter. We didn't dare leak any information. No one else knows."

"Very good, thinking carefully. I haven't misjudged you."

Kong Xian frowned, pacing back and forth:

"But just from this letter without any leads, we can't determine who the traitor is. Do you two have any clues?"

"Currently no leads, but we can infer that this person's rank isn't low. To open the gates and coordinate with the enemy, they must have command authority!"

Xiao Shaoyou and Luo Yu exchanged glances but didn't directly point to Jun Yi or Li Chengxiao as suspects. Without solid evidence, they couldn't say such things.

"Trouble."

Kong Xian's face was full of worry: "There's only half a month until New Year's Eve. If we can't catch the traitor, Yunyang Pass is in danger!

You two are quick-witted. Any good ideas?"

Xiao Shaoyou bowed: "Before we catch the traitor, we can only prepare for the worst. Alert the entire city and control all four gates.

The West and East gates are guarded by your troops, so they're safe. But the South and North gates are defended by the Jun and Li families. We should station loyal troops nearby to monitor them closely, just in case."

"Good! I'll handle that."

Kong Xian immediately agreed:

"What about this traitor? Not investigating?"

"I think we don't need to investigate. He might come out on his own."

Luo Yu's words confused Kong Xian: "Come out on his own? Is this traitor so stupid?"

Luo Yu sneered:

"General, look at the letter. The writer mentions killing other generals in the city before opening the gates to surrender, trying to gain control of the city's troops.

There are so many officers in the city. To catch them all at once, he needs to create a situation where most people are together.

Once that situation appears, the person in charge is the most suspicious!

We just need to wait and see what happens."

"Makes sense!"

Kong Xian's eyes lit up, much more excited:

"You two are young, but quick-witted and promising! Work hard, and I'll definitely promote you.

This investigation of the traitor is up to you. Report any developments immediately!

The safety of Yunyang Pass's five thousand defenders and ten thousand civilians rests on our shoulders. We can't afford any mistakes!"

"Understood!"

Leaving the general's mansion, Xiao Shaoyou and Luo Yu finally breathed a sigh of relief. With Kong's support, they felt more confident.

They chatted casually, and Luo Yu suddenly asked:

"Ask you something. Why do other centurions mostly have infantry, rarely any horses, while your hundred men are all cavalry?

Does General Kong treat you so well, giving you all the horses?"

"How could that be? These horses are all earned through military merit!"

Mentioning this, Xiao Shaoyou's face was full of pride:

"After every victory, I don't want money, just horses. I accumulated them bit by bit. It took two or three years to get over a hundred horses.

Wasn't easy for me."

"Really?"

"How about you?"

"Want them? Of course I want them!"

Luo Yu stared at Xiao Shaoyou, a sinister smile curling his lips:

"You tried to recruit me as your subordinate before. How about this - you give me a hundred horses now, and I'll work for you."

That day on the city walls, when four thousand Xiqiang cavalry appeared, Luo Yu understood the importance of cavalry. In the face of absolute strength, any strategy was insignificant.

"Ha! What would I use then?"

Xiao Shaoyou saw right through Luo Yu's thoughts and sneered:

"Horses are rare in the city. I'd never give them to you. Working for me? I don't believe you for a second!"

"Then tell me how to get horses. Otherwise, I'll have to steal them from your camp."

"You're being unreasonable."

Xiao Shaoyou was annoyed but suddenly thought of something:

"But you know what? There really is a way.

A few days ago, the general's mansion assigned twenty horses to Captain Han. He hasn't decided which centurion to get them to. You could try asking him."

"Han has horses? Great! I'll go now!"

"Wait, you're going empty-handed?"

Xiao Shaoyou grabbed him, looking disdainful: "If you go like that, you won't get horses and will probably get scolded."

Luo Yu finally realized. Captain Han wasn't bad, but getting money, people, or horses from him without reason was impossible. The last time he had said:

This is the army, not a market. If you want something, you need to earn it with military merit!

"Hard to get."

Luo Yu frowned: "The Xiqiang aren't attacking, so where would I get military merit to trade for horses?"

"Stuck in your ways. Must you only fight?"

Xiao Shaoyou gave him a hint:

"Try catering to his interests. Give gifts. Make your superior happy, and the horses will be yours."

"Gifts?"

Luo Yu's eyes lit up:

"Captain Han takes gifts? If he takes them, this is easy! What does he like? Money?"

"Really?"

Xiao Shaoyou looked strangely at him: "I thought you were too high-minded to stoop to this."

"High-minded? What good is high-mindedness? Something thrown in the gutter - can it get food or grain?"

Luo Yu sneered:

"The border army is rotten to the core. Does my being high-minded alone help?"

No official is clean! A timeless truth.

"Perceptive."

Xiao Shaoyou smiled:

"But don't think about money. Your salary is too small for a captain. But I can tell you, Captain Han is a drunkard. If you can get him some good wine..."

"Drunkard?"

Luo Yu thoughtfully raised his head:

"Easy to fix!"