Chapter 10

Wangcai was very uncomfortable with the saddle on his back. He always wanted to get rid of that thing, but with a bit in his mouth and a headstall on his head, the full set of tack bound him tightly, preventing him from making his usual movements. He could only keep nudging Yun Ye, hoping his leader would show mercy and untie these things, restoring his freedom. At this moment, Yun Ye was also in a difficult situation. With a single order from the general, he had to get up and head to the Left Wuwei Camp. Cheng Chumu gave Yun Ye the armor he used to wear. Although it was a bit big, it was much better than the standard issue armor. Every step he took, the armor clanked, making him feel like a dog with a set of bells. It was extremely awkward, and the image was bad enough, but the armor, excluding the helmet, already weighed thirty pounds. With a saber at his waist and a bow and arrows on his back, Yun Ye felt like a mobile fortress. Yun Ye thought that in this armor, it would be a miracle if he didn't get killed, let alone kill anyone. Cheng Chumu kept apologizing, saying that making his brother wear old armor was a disgrace, but the army was simple, and they had to make do. Once they returned to Chang'an, he would definitely make Yun Ye a set of eighty-pound heavy armor. Zhang Cheng and others drooled with envy, thinking that such armor was fitting for a military secretary. After saying this, he tightened the leather straps on Yun Ye's armor, squeezing out the last bit of air from his lungs. Yun Ye's face turned red, and he struggled to untie the belt, saving his life. After finally catching his breath, he asked Cheng Chumu, "I am a civil official, why do I need to wear armor?"

"There's no such thing as a civil official in the army. Even if the emperor were here, he would have to wear armor. If you want to be beaten with a military stick, you can go see the general in your civilian clothes," Cheng Chumu said. Yun Ye had heard about the military stick from Cheng Chumu. Even a strong man like him would have to lie down for two days after ten hits. Looking at his own thin arms and legs, he knew he would break. It's better to listen to advice and eat well; this discomfort was better than being beaten with a military stick. After walking a few steps, it didn't feel so bad. It seemed that the road is made for walking, and people are forced to walk it.

After complaining to Wangcai for a while, he was lifted onto another gentle mare. Wangcai was not fully grown and couldn't be ridden, but he was made to get used to the tack to facilitate future riding.

Cheng Chumu also brought a chief clerk to take over the salt production from Yun Ye. General Cheng wouldn't rest until he had fully utilized the emperor's orders. Seeing that the sun had not yet passed noon, Cheng Chumu began to urge them to set off. Yun Ye borrowed ten strings of coins from Cheng Chumu and gave them to the two women as a thank you. Amidst the women's cries, he bid farewell to the logistics camp soldiers he had been with for over a month. Wangcai carried the backpack, and the fat mare carried Yun Ye, heading towards the Lanzhou camp.

Sixty miles was neither far nor close. Cheng Chumu could ride back and forth in an hour, but now they could only let the horses trot. Even so, Yun Ye felt like his internal organs were about to be shaken out. The damn saddle was too hard, rubbing his thighs like they were on fire. He carefully propped himself up to minimize contact with the saddle. Cheng Chumu, who was sometimes in front and sometimes behind, showed off his unparalleled riding skills. Yun Ye missed his second-hand Santana car.

Finally, the road came to an end, and the camp was in sight. Messengers and scouts galloped back and forth, and the deep, resonant sound of horns echoed from time to time. The thick crossbows on the watchtowers gleamed with a cold light. A huge banner with the character "Cheng" flew high, looking very aggressive.

Cheng Chumu reported his name and had his credentials verified before leading Yun Ye through the camp gate and straight to the general's tent.

Before meeting Old Cheng, various legends about the Demon King kept swirling in his mind. Was he as fierce as fire or as cunning and despicable as a fox? Which one was his true nature?

Before Yun Ye could figure it out, a hearty laugh came from the tent, and a man in his forties appeared at the tent door. His clear, deep gaze was already fixed on Yun Ye: "Good boy, you are young but have solved the crisis of our army. Your family's reputation is well-deserved!"

Yun Ye lowered his head to avoid the sharp gaze and bowed: "This subordinate, Yun Ye, pays respects to the general."

"Good, good, it's good that you're here. I didn't believe what Chumu said about your abilities, but now I see that you are indeed extraordinary. My army has gained a talented young man, which is a cause for celebration."

This made Yun Ye his "nephew," and he had to cover his nose and accept it.

"My nephew and Chumu have become good friends. I have long wanted to meet my uncle, but the salt production is crucial to the army's safety, so I couldn't afford to be negligent. I apologize for the delay, and I hope my uncle will forgive me."

"Haha, you have done well in salt production, and I cannot blame you. I am delighted to see the younger generation achieve great things. You and Chumu should encourage each other and improve together. Come, come, let me have a good look at this young talent."

Yun Ye got up from the ground and bowed beside Cheng Chumu, but Old Cheng grabbed him and led him into the tent. The guards had already set up a table, and the dishes were still steaming. There were only four dishes, three of which were meat and one soup. Was this a standard in the Tang Dynasty? Old Cheng, seeing Yun Ye look at the dishes, thought that young people get hungry quickly and didn't find it impolite. He felt that this young man was neither humble nor arrogant, showing his true character, and his killing aura didn't faze him, increasing his good impression.

"I know you have a good mouth. Try the army's dishes and see if they suit your taste."

"Uncle, you have given me food, how can I not show respect? I remember my teacher treating me the same way. Every mealtime, he would do the same. Thank you, Uncle."

Cheng Yujin gave Yun Ye a lot of pressure. The sharp gaze was hard to bear, and he didn't dare to argue with such a cunning person. Although Old Cheng didn't mention Yun Ye's background, his eyes were full of curiosity. Yun Ye decided to bring up the topic himself.

"Who is your teacher? I regret not having the chance to meet him."

"My teacher calls himself the Free Man. He never told me his name, saying that a name is just a symbol. What difference does it make whether you know it or not? He never interacted with outsiders, saying that people are foolish and that prolonged interaction would make them even more foolish. So, until my teacher passed away, I, being unfilial, never knew his name."

"The actions of a great man are so unpredictable. It seems that we, who live in the world, have been tainted by the filth of the world, losing our wisdom."

It was clear that Cheng Yujin was a bit sad. He came from an official family, married into a high-ranking family, and held military power. He had reached the pinnacle of worldly success, but he wasn't sure what he was pursuing.

Yun Ye's words seemed to make sense at first. The words of a great man are always vague and profound, criticizing many and highlighting his own transcendence. This kind of talk is particularly effective against geniuses with an IQ over 200. Smart people think too much and too deeply, and they can fill in the gaps in your words, making them perfect. When Yun Ye stayed at a rural home in Tianshui, he paid 1,000 yuan for 12 days, not including meals. The house was dilapidated, and rats ran around at night. The main dish was always noodles, but the price was exorbitant. After the moon rose, his stomach growled, but he didn't feel the hardship. He discussed history and politics with the white-haired landlord, and every time he heard a profound statement, he was amazed. He thought the landlord was a hidden sage in the wilderness and wanted to bow to him. The landlord examined Yun Ye's bones and predicted that he would shine within ten years. Yun Ye was moved to tears and gave all his money to the landlord, expressing his regret at not meeting him earlier. The next day, the villagers came together, wielding hoes and pitchforks, and threatened to beat the old fraud. Even rabbits don't eat the grass near their burrows, but this old scoundrel cheated everyone he knew. The landlord fled over the wall, and the villagers chased after him, leaving Yun Ye standing in the garden, stunned. The power of a role model is infinite, and from then on, Yun Ye talked to smart people in this way.

Old Cheng, being a cunning person, quickly regained his composure. A man who had survived countless battles had a mind as hard as stone. How could a few words shake him? His eyes turned, and he became angry. He took two steps to Yun Ye, lifted him onto his lap, and gave him a good beating with his huge hand, saying, "This slap is for not respecting your elders, this one for trying to deceive me, this one for being arrogant and disrespectful, and this one for what? I don't care, but seeing you makes me want to beat you." After a few slaps, Yun Ye felt like his butt wasn't his own and begged for mercy, "Uncle Cheng, spare me, I won't do it again."

"Hehe, boy, trying to outsmart me is asking for death," he said, glancing at Yun Ye with a sidelong look, and sat back down, eating heartily. Yun Ye, for some reason, had tears and snot streaming down his face. A man in his forties couldn't be so weak, but mental maturity doesn't mean physical maturity. Tears and snot are probably a protective mechanism of the body, not controlled by the brain. He rubbed his numb butt, feeling regretful. Why did he have to trick the old man? This was just making himself uncomfortable. He slowly moved to Old Cheng's side and obediently served him food. Cheng Yujin, being a straightforward man, ate whatever Yun Ye gave him. It seemed that the old man had forgiven him. Yun Ye stuttered, unable to speak. He wasn't the old fraud, who could lie with a straight face. Cheng Yujin looked at him disdainfully, "If you have something to say, say it. I'm waiting for you to try to trick me again."

"Uncle Cheng, please forgive me. That was part of my teacher's lessons. I was new to the battlefield and saw Uncle Cheng's imposing presence and fierce aura. I couldn't help but use Uncle Cheng as an experiment. Unfortunately, my skills were not good enough, and you saw through me. I deserved this beating, and it was my own fault. I hope Uncle Cheng won't be angry."

"Oh? Lessons?"

"Yes."

"What did your teacher teach you? How to deceive people and talk nonsense is a lesson?"

"Exactly. My teacher believed that everything in the world can be measured, including speech. What to say in different situations, what tone to use, what actions to take, how to persuade people, how to gain their trust, how to use words to create a sense of distance, and how to use expressions and actions to create a sense of authority, and so on. I have read 'The Actor's Training'."

{Piaotian Literature}