RWNEFE -Chapter 148 Entering the Baihe Garrison

At first, Shen Congwen and his three brothers were only worried about their sons. Hearing Shen Yuanjing speak so confidently, they began worrying about themselves as well.

Impossible, right? If the court really acted this way, wouldn’t it wipe out the family line?

Madam Tian, afraid her son would be sent to the army, immediately threw a tantrum. “I don’t care! Whoever wants to go can go, but I won’t let my son go!”

“Now, even if you all achieve great success in the future, our four branches won’t benefit a bit. Don’t even think about pushing my son forward for your own careers!”

Shen Congyi shot Shen Congwen a dark look, then glanced at Shen Yuanjing, and turned his head away, saying nothing.

Old Master Shen sighed deeply.

“When children grow up, they each must pursue their own paths. If we elders interfere recklessly, we’d only ruin your futures!”

Though he didn’t state it outright, his attitude was clear.

Old Madam Shen didn’t agree.

“Yuanjing, aside from asking you to consult us, what else did your eldest sister say?”

Shen Yuanjing blinked twice and shook his head. “Nothing else, eldest sister didn’t say anything else.”

Madam Liu and Madam Miao also didn’t want their sons to go. If Yuanjing went, they would follow themselves—but they didn’t want their own sons dragged into it.

“Yuanjing, as the eldest legitimate grandson of the family, the Shen household will rely on you in the future!” Madam Miao said sarcastically.

Old Madam Shen shot her a glare and scolded harshly, “Shut your filthy mouth! If you don’t speak, nobody would think you’re mute!”

Hearing his grandmother’s words, Shen Yuanjing felt his heart sink.

“Yuanjing, your grandmother doesn’t want you to go and risk your life. Every one of you children is the apple of my eye. I don’t want to bury my own children before my time!” Old Madam Shen wiped away her tears.

“Outside, the snow hasn’t stopped yet. With so much snow, even if they are recruiting soldiers, it shouldn’t happen so quickly. Shall we wait a bit longer?” she asked with concern.

“Mother, if Yuanjing wants to pursue his path, let him go. If he can achieve merit…” Madam Tian hadn’t finished, when Old Madam Shen slapped her across the face.

“Go home and reflect in private. Don’t come here for meals before the new year!”

Madam Tian covered her face, furious, and scuttled behind Shen Congyi.

Shen Yuanjing sighed. “Grandmother, I will reply to eldest sister immediately.”

Madam Shen responded thoughtfully with a soft “hm.”

…

“Lord Zhang, these brothers of mine want to enlist!” Liu Yanhui handed the list to Zhang Liao.

Zhang Liao had been fretting—he had a five-day deadline from above to deliver recruits. Where on earth could he get them?

“Mr. Liu, you…” Zhang Liao felt a mix of relief and awkwardness.

Liu Yanhui smiled. “All these brothers are volunteering. I heard that each recruit now gets twenty taels as settlement money.”

Zhang Liao’s expression stiffened. Hesitating, he explained, “The court says so, but it may not actually be given. I’m only telling you because I consider you brothers!”

Liu Yanhui: “Understood. Thanks, Brother Zhang. If you can’t recruit, you can’t answer to above anyway, right?”

Zhang Liao sighed and didn’t speak further.

“If you are truly willing to enlist, I will submit the list.”

Shen Lanxi and the others nodded.

“All right. Pack up and follow me!” Zhang Liao bit his lip and decided immediately.

Shen Lanxi packed light, and fifteen minutes later, they met at Zhang Liao’s door.

“The snow is too deep. We’ll have to walk there!”

Shen Lanxi: “No matter. I wonder why the court is mobilizing troops now?”

Zhang Liao sighed. “Prince Cheng has raised a rebellion. The garrison soldiers from the village were mobilized yesterday. I guess this recruitment is just to expand local forces, only operating locally. Once we reach the garrison, I’ll make inquiries. I don’t know if anyone I know is still there!”

The Baihe County garrison was west of the county town. According to Zhang Liao, it was under Centurion Cao Lianwang. The soldiers were said to number five hundred, but in reality fewer than two hundred.

“Cao Lianwang is ruthless. Once you arrive, don’t show yourself or mention knowing me. Otherwise, he’ll make things difficult for you!”

Shen Lanxi nodded. Along the way, Zhang Liao explained more about the garrison. After walking over two hours, they arrived just before nightfall.

“I’m the squad leader from Hongliu Village. Here’s my token. I’m here by order of the centurion to deliver soldiers!” Zhang Liao knocked on the garrison gate, and seeing no one around, slipped two taels of silver to the guard.

On the way back, he had already gathered information.

“The Hongliu Village military households left with the main force yesterday!”

He wanted to check on the others, but unfortunately, he was too late.

“I asked earlier—they aren’t sending you to the front lines to fight!” Zhang Liao lowered his voice.

Shen Lanxi nodded. “Thank you for letting us know, Lord Zhang.”

Zhang Liao waved his hand. “Thank you? I should be thanking you. If you hadn’t stepped forward, I couldn’t have reported to above!”

Someone came out to meet them.

“My name’s Niu Zhuang, a decurion. You all are big, strong people…” His gaze fell on Shen Lanxi.

“Except for a few, everyone else is fine. You’re lucky to come early. Only a few people remain at the garrison. Tomorrow, after a little training, the new recruits will be under your command.”

“This is where you’ll stay tonight. It’s late and snowing. Nothing much to do, so stay here. Tomorrow I’ll assign your duties.”

After showing them to their rooms, Niu Zhuang left.

Being in a room full of men would be fine, but with Shen Lanxi present, it felt awkward.

They didn’t stay uncomfortable long—Shen Lanxi began giving orders.

“Find out how many people are left at the garrison!”

“Yes!”

The group immediately dispersed in all directions.

An hour later, people returned one by one.

“Including the decurion, there are ten of them!”

“All ten are injured!”

“No one is on night watch. The storehouse has limited coal and food—enough for 25–30 people for five or six days!”

Shen Lanxi summarized: “They want us to guard the garrison for them!”

Xiao Fang was disappointed. “I thought we’d go fight in battles.”

Shen Lanxi sneered. “Fight what enemy? Our own people or outsiders?”

The previous detachment had been for pacification—strictly speaking, they were fighting their own people.

“With so many troops, they might as well send them all to the northwest to reclaim the city!” Xiao Fang grumbled.

Shen Lanxi: “Rest tonight. We’ll see tomorrow.”

“Yes!”

During rest, everyone moved to other rooms—they didn’t dare share a room with Shen Lanxi.

By morning, Niu Zhuang came to inform them that at noon, Cao Lianwang would arrive, and they would be assigned to stand guard with weapons.