Chapter 38

A clerk from the governor's office appeared at the gate, slightly bowing to Shuchang and Jiandao who were waiting anxiously, showing a formal respect, but his face and eyes revealed no trace of respect, instead, they carried a look of pity as if he were looking at a couple of dead men. He said, "I am very sorry, but Lord Cheng is currently discussing the defense strategy of Anyang City with Commander Yang. He really has no time to receive the two of you. Please return."

Jiandao's face immediately darkened. Shuchang held back his anger, "We can wait, it's fine."

"The two of you should still go back. The two lords do not know when their discussion will end, and they will likely have to meet with other officials afterward," the clerk remained unmoved.

"Are you saying that Lord Cheng does not intend to let our Death Corps into the city?" Jiandao could no longer hold back his anger.

Perhaps Jiandao's expression frightened the clerk a bit, his voice became softer, and his demeanor more respectful: "Sir, Lord Cheng said that the Death Corps is a border army and cannot enter the city. He has no authority over the border army, so he suggests that the Death Corps be stationed outside the city."

Heh, ha! Jiandao suddenly burst into a loud laugh, "Stationed outside the city? Does Lord Cheng mean for us two thousand men to resist the tens of thousands of Xiqin troops outside the city? Does he know that this is outright murder!"

"Sir, I am just a lowly clerk, I truly do not know what is going on between the lords. Please do not make things difficult for me," the clerk showed a face even uglier than crying.

"Go tell your lord that I, Shuchang, have also come and wish to see him," Shuchang stepped forward and said.

The clerk bowed, "Doctor Shu, Lord Cheng knows you have also come. He said that since Doctor Shu is not part of the border army and does not have a border army status, you can enter the city. Lord Cheng also invites Doctor Shu to stay at his house. But the border army cannot enter the city."

Hearing this, Shuchang shook his head, grabbed Jiandao, who was on the verge of losing control, and turned to leave.

"Doctor Shu, is this it?" Jiandao sneered, "It seems they won't change their minds unless they see a coffin. We'll have to fight. I don't believe those weak county troops would dare to fight us. I'll lead the troops back and attack."

"Shut up, what time is it now? Can you still do that? Even if you manage to enter the city and hold it, the court will surely tear you apart after the war," Shuchang snorted, "We'll go find Zhang Xiaozheng first."

"Zhang Xiaomao, what can he do, he's just a lone captain now," Jiandao said disdainfully.

"Xiaomao has been out of the Death Corps for a long time. He bought a house in Anyang and has many connections with the city's big shots. Let him try to help us again!" Shuchang sighed, "If that doesn't work, we'll have to make other plans. Jiandao, don't think about fighting. If it really comes to a fight, do you think those over ten thousand county troops are just paper and mud? In the end, the Xiqin people will benefit. If Anyang City is destroyed, the people will suffer. Those over ten thousand county troops on the city walls can still scare people."

Jiandao fell silent. When Qin Feng left, he had instructed them to follow Shuchang's lead on all major matters, fearing that they might cause trouble.

Zhang Xiaomao bought a small courtyard in Anyang County. Usually, only a woman lived there, but she was not his wife. She was a woman he had redeemed from a brothel. As Zhang Xiaomao put it, a man like him might die at any moment, so it was better not to have a family. He would come here to enjoy a bit of peace and comfort when he had time, but most of the time, he stayed in the camp. This unexpected injury kept him from participating in the main attack, but it also saved his life.

When Shuchang and Jiandao arrived at the courtyard and called out, they saw Zhang Xiaomao in mourning clothes, with incense burning and newly made memorial tablets on the table.

Among them were familiar names like Langya and Baozi, as well as others they did not recognize, likely Zhang Xiaomao's comrades and friends from the Chasing Wind Corps.

With red, swollen eyes, Zhang Xiaomao welcomed them in, and a woman in white came in to serve them tea.

"Prepare some dishes, I want to drink a few cups with my brothers," Zhang Xiaomao said softly.

The woman nodded and went out.

"None of them came back?" Looking at the two, Zhang Xiaomao's voice carried a hint of hope.

"They are all gone," Jiandao shook his head, "We didn't see a single straggler on our way back. You know the Xiqin border army."

Zhang Xiaomao painfully leaned on the table, his hands tightly gripping his head: "Tens of thousands, tens of thousands, just like that. What kind of war is this!"

"Higher-ups make a decision, and the lower ones have to change their plans. It's no wonder we lost this war. They said it was a sure thing, but this time it's like throwing meat to the dogs, no return," Jiandao said angrily.

"What's the point of talking about this now? Xiaomao, Cheng Pingzhi won't let us into the city. I and Jiandao came here to see if you can help us. With tens of thousands of Xiqin troops coming, what can two thousand men of the Death Corps do? Staying outside the city is a death sentence," Shuchang said.

"Is that true?" Zhang Xiaomao stood up suddenly, "Wait here, I'll go find Lord Cheng."

Without waiting for their response, Zhang Xiaomao rushed out like the wind.

"He's still as impulsive as before," Shuchang sighed, watching his back, "It's a pity about Langya and Baozi, we won't see them again."

Jiandao also fell silent. Although Langya and Baozi had bullied him a lot, the bond formed through fighting was hard to forget.

"Xiaomao is doing well now. That woman looks nice," Jiandao changed the subject, not wanting to bring up these sad memories.

"She is nice. I've heard Qin Feng curse many times, but Zhang Xiaomao refuses to marry her!" Shuchang said.

"Because she's from a brothel?" Jiandao asked.

"Bullshit, how many in the Death Corps have clean pasts? It's because Zhang Xiaomao feels he might die in battle and doesn't want to burden her with widowhood. See this house? The money is from Xiaomao, but the owner is the woman. Xiaomao's income is also managed by her," Shuchang said calmly.

"Life of a soldier!" Jiandao smiled bitterly. "I didn't expect Xiaomao, who came from a bandit background, to be so kind. The woman isn't beautiful, but she's decent. The key is that she doesn't have the coquettishness of a brothel girl. She speaks softly, no wonder Xiaomao cares for her."

The two fell silent, listening to the sounds of pots and pans from the kitchen. It was rare for someone from the Death Corps to live as comfortably as Zhang Xiaomao.

After a short while, Zhang Xiaomao returned. The two glanced at his dark face and knew the outcome.

"Let it be, let's drink a few cups, Xiaomao." The woman had already set a large table with food and drink. It was impressive how she managed to prepare it so quickly. "After this, who knows if we'll have another chance to drink?"

Zhang Xiaomao picked up a cup and drank it in one gulp, "I found out it was Zhang Yi's idea. He said the Death Corps has a blood feud with the Xiqin. If we let the Death Corps into the city, the Xiqin would definitely attack Anyang with all their might. So, they left you outside. If the Xiqin wipe you out, they'll be satisfied and might just raid and retreat, like before."

"Damn it." Jiandao was furious. "I'll go and cut that bastard down."

"Forget it, can you beat Zhang Yi in a one-on-one fight?" Shuchang said disdainfully.

"What about the boss? Why are you two here? If the boss came, it might be different," Zhang Xiaomao said dejectedly. "Or maybe the boss should come and talk to them. His knife is sharper."

"If the boss were here, why would we be running around?" Jiandao said. "The boss said he wants to see what's happening on the main battlefield. Maybe he can save some people. You know, he has a good relationship with Commander Zuo. Li Zhi is also there, and he's worried about Commander Zuo."

"If Li Zhi and Commander Zuo really fight, it's a battle of gods. We are just shrimp. The boss is at most a wild wolf. What can he do?" Zhang Xiaomao shook his head.

"Peace of mind!" Shuchang raised his cup, "Seeking peace of mind is the boss's principle. Forget it, let's drink to our heart's content."

They ate and drank like a whirlwind, quickly finishing the table of food. Shuchang and Jiandao put down their chopsticks and stood up, "Let's go!" Shuchang didn't waste words.

"Wait!" Zhang Xiaomao called out, turned and ran into the inner room, and returned a moment later in military attire.

"What are you doing?" Shuchang asked.

Zhang Xiaomao took down an iron saber from the wall, plucked it, and it rang, "I am also from the Death Corps. If you are outside the city, I will go with you."

"Xiaomao, you are no longer part of the Death Corps. Are you looking for death?" Jiandao's eyes showed gratitude, but he scolded.

"When I was in the Death Corps, you, Xiaomao, were still a small vendor in a small town. Get lost," Zhang Xiaomao laughed and scolded, and walked out.

Shuchang and Jiandao followed without a word. Between men, many things don't need to be said.

"Xiaomao!" A sobbing voice called out from behind. The three turned to see the woman leaning against the door frame, crying.

"Hong'er, don't cry. If I come back alive this time, I will marry you openly. If I die, this house and the silver will be enough for you to live on, if you save it," Zhang Xiaomao said loudly and walked away. The woman covered her face and squatted in front of the door, sobbing uncontrollably.

(Brother, no need for grandiose words, no need for passionate speeches!)