Chapter Thirty-Eight: A Great Victory-Rise of the Humble Family(Zhu Lang’s talents have been exhausted.)

“Brother, when the prisoners raided our camp that day, the barbarian army outside the valley also launched a sneak attack—it was no coincidence.”

Inside the military tent, Zhao Hengyi voiced his suspicions to Song Ying’an, who was still recovering from serious wounds. “Even before that, when I was commanding the Xuan Battalion, I vaguely sensed someone was passing information to the barbarians.”

“There must be quite a few spies hiding within Yonggu City.”

Song Ying’an, his face still pale, showed little surprise. “The court’s policies are unclear. We fight the barbarians, then make peace, and even trade with them. There’s no way to prevent spies from slipping in.”

At this, Song Ying’an let out a long sigh, and the two brothers fell silent.

The day after the barbarian prisoners raided the camp, the profligate young officer who had slaughtered innocent civilians was captured by Zhang Chaoyang and brought back to Yonggu City for custody. Yet, as Song Ying’an predicted, that man would likely only be docked some pay—he might even earn credit for defending the city!

After all, compared to those useless cowards huddling inside Yonggu City, too afraid to face the barbarians, this ruthless young officer at least had some nerve. Most importantly, his family wielded significant influence at court.

Such explanations and outcomes were unacceptable to Zhao Hengyi.

Had he only heard rumors, Zhao Hengyi might have cursed a few times and moved on. But everything had happened right under his own eyes; those innocent victims had been rescued by his own hands. That made his anger burn all the fiercer.

Sensing his brother’s dark mood, Song Ying’an deliberately changed the subject to something lighter.

“Grand Marshal Zhang has already dispatched a Red Plume courier to deliver news of our victory to the capital. Soon, the memorial for the celebration will reach the palace. You, my virtuous brother, are the main hero in repelling the barbarian army this time. The emperor and the court will surely reward you generously!”

A wide smile spread across Song Ying’an’s face at the mention of this. Zhao Hengyi receiving imperial honors brought him more joy than earning merits himself.

In Song Ying’an’s eyes, his brother was born a genius of war; as long as he remained in the army, his future would be boundless.

But Zhao Hengyi showed little interest. In his view, the Great Yan was a sinking ship. No matter how advanced his knowledge, joining the army at this moment would hardly let him achieve anything meaningful.

He even feared that one day, like those innocent civilians, he might escape the barbarians only to fall by the blade of his own countrymen.

Yet Zhao Hengyi kept these worries to himself. Born into the mighty Marquis Weiwu’s household, Song Ying’an could hardly be expected to understand.

Seeing his brother’s lack of enthusiasm, Song Ying’an assumed Zhao Hengyi was still mourning those massacred innocents. Though he too hated that profligate officer, his words held little weight and he could make no decisions.

In these times, could even Grand Marshal Zhang Chaoyang truly act as he pleased?

The military was riddled with tangled relationships; the sons of nobility and the civil service clique constantly vied for power. To accomplish anything required connections and favors. The incompetent held high positions, while the talented and ambitious found themselves stifled. Not even a brazen officer could be easily punished.

Even Zhang Chaoyang, with his grand reputation and standing in the army, had to play along with that scoundrel Chen Yongzhong just to avoid losing a tenth of his supplies. As for everyone else—better not to mention it.

But the Red Plume courier from Yonggu City created a sensation in the capital!

Outside the western gate, crowds of small merchants, hawkers, and laborers gathered, all waiting to enter the city for their livelihoods. They lived in the suburbs, coming in at dawn and leaving at dusk, injecting endless vitality into the vast capital of Great Yan.

The sound of galloping horses echoed down the road, and the gate guards instantly grew vigilant!

These were turbulent days. The borders of Great Yan were aflame, the barbarians from the grasslands raided constantly—could it be that barbarian cavalry were attacking?

The waiting crowd grew restless, until a junior officer stepped forward and shouted, restoring order.

“Clear the road! That’s a Red Plume courier. If you get trampled under their horses, it’s your own fault!”

Only then did the people realize the approaching riders were delivering urgent military news.

“Tch, probably another defeat somewhere, isn’t it?”

“Isn’t that the truth? Our Great Yan’s soldiers are really hopeless!”

“Every year we fight, every year we lose. Never once have they brought honor to our ancestors. And after every defeat, it’s more taxes—they’re squeezing us common folk dry!”

“Keep your voice down, don’t stir up trouble.”

“So they can lose, but I can’t even speak about it? How many times is this just this month? Even I’ve seen two Red Plume couriers—both times it was defeat and pleas for help!”

The crowd murmured their grievances. The gate guards ignored them; such complaints were nothing new. In fact, like everyone else, the guards themselves worried about more taxes from the court.

Wars required silver, and paying tribute after defeat required even more. Everywhere, money was needed—and only the people of the realm could foot the bill.

“Great victory at Yonggu City! The Xuan Battalion has repelled the barbarian army at Trumpet Pass, slaying four thousand!”

Even before reaching the gate, the triumphant cries of the Red Plume courier rang out!

Usually, these couriers brought only news of defeat. Meeting common folk, they barely dared to speak. But now, with a resounding victory, they shouted at the top of their lungs, wanting everyone to know the border troops of Yonggu City were true men!

“Hey, it’s a victory report!”

“Our Great Yan has finally won!”

“Yonggu City? That’s Grand Marshal Zhang Chaoyang’s stronghold—no wonder! Grand Marshal Zhang is mighty indeed!”

Though they’d complained before, though they’d long been disheartened with the court, the news of a great border victory still drew cheers from the people.

After so many defeats, so many losses, a rare victory sent waves of joy through everyone.

The Red Plume courier, proud and exuberant, galloped through the west gate, dust from his horse’s hooves coating the junior officer’s face. Yet the officer, far from angry, laughed and cursed, “You rascal, you’ve got some spirit! That’s how a victorious soldier should look—hahaha!”

With that, he laughed heartily to himself.

The courier’s cries faded into the city streets, and from within, the distant sounds of cheers echoed.

In the towering imperial palace, the emperor of Great Yan sat upon his throne. The young monarch, having received advance word, showed an unnatural flush upon his pale cheeks.

“Your Majesty, news from Yonggu City! Grand Marshal Zhang Chaoyang’s forces have slain four thousand and repelled thirty thousand barbarians. I congratulate Your Majesty, and I congratulate the Great Yan!”