Chapter 54: Nine Banners Battalion
He Yan didn't manage to become sworn brothers with Xiao Jue, but she ended up being pestered by Xiao Jue's nephew to do so instead.
Cheng Li Su dragged He Yan to his own room in the barracks. Naturally, it was different from the communal bunks the recruits slept in—it was a private room. Though not lavishly decorated, it was far better than where the new soldiers stayed.
Surprisingly, incense was even burning inside, placed in an exquisite fairy maiden figurine. Seeing He Yan stare at it, Cheng Li Su explained, "This is something good I brought from the capital. Uncle doesn’t allow me to burn it here, so I do it secretly. Don’t tell him."
He acted just like a child sneaking around behind his elders' backs.
He Yan thought to herself, forget Xiao Jue—even she wouldn’t allow it. It was already summer, and the weather was sweltering. What was the point of burning incense? It would just make the air stuffy.
Seeing her silence, Cheng Li Su misunderstood again and tentatively asked, "Do you really like this? If you do, I’ll give it to you!" He shoved the incense burner into He Yan’s hands. "It’s fine, our relationship can handle it!"
He Yan placed it back. "...Thanks, but I don’t have anywhere to put it."
That was true. Cheng Li Su thought for a moment, then nodded regretfully. "Later, I’ll ask Uncle to get you a room like mine."
He Yan: "..."
Xiao Jue would agree to that only in his dreams! If Cheng Li Su actually pulled this off, she’d call him "Big Brother Cheng" without hesitation!
"By the way, you don’t know who my uncle is, do you?" Cheng Li Su said in one breath, "My uncle is the current Right Army Commander, General Feng Yun, the second son of the Xiao family—your superior." He then studied He Yan’s expression, but when he saw her looking completely unfazed, he let out a puzzled, "Huh? Why aren’t you surprised at all?"
Was she supposed to act surprised? He Yan replied, "I observed that Young Master carries himself with extraordinary grace, unlike an ordinary person, so I assumed your uncle must be the same. Indeed, the nephew reflects the uncle."
This pleased Cheng Li Su. He gave a bashful smile, scratching his head sheepishly. "Well, not really. I’m nowhere near as good as Uncle. He lives next door to me, but he’s out right now. Otherwise, I’d take you to meet him."
He Yan thought to herself, that really wouldn’t be necessary.
"Come on, come on, I’ve poured the tea." Cheng Li Su bustled about, shoving a cup into He Yan’s hands. "After we drink this, we’ll be sworn brothers!"
He Yan looked at the tea in her hand, hesitated, then set it back on the table.
Cheng Li Su froze. "What’s wrong?"
"Young Master Cheng, I don’t think we should address each other as brothers. The generations don’t match," He Yan said.
She and Xiao Jue were of the same generation, but Cheng Li Su called Xiao Jue "Uncle." If she became sworn brothers with Cheng Li Su, wouldn’t she have to call Xiao Jue "Uncle" too in the future?
Let Xiao Jue take advantage of her like that? In his dreams!
"How do the generations not match?" Cheng Li Su was confused. "I’m fifteen this year, and I heard from Instructor Liang that you’re sixteen. There’s not much difference."
"You call Commander Xiao... 'Uncle,' but he’s not that old, is he?" He Yan said. Xiao Jue was only a year older than her past self, so he had just reached adulthood. She asked, "Is he your biological uncle?"
"Yes, we’re related by blood," Cheng Li Su explained very seriously.It turned out that Cheng Li Su's mother, Madam Cheng, the wife of the Right Secretary, was Xiao Jue's cousin. However, the age gap between Madam Cheng and Xiao Jue was so large that by the time Xiao Jue was born, Madam Cheng had already married, and the two siblings had very little interaction. But as Cheng Li Su grew up, he became very fond of clinging to this young uncle who was close to his own age.
He Yan recalled that during her time at Xianchang Academy, there had indeed been a plump, fair-skinned young master who often sought out Xiao Jue, though she couldn’t remember if he had called Xiao Jue "uncle."
"My uncle excels in everything—both literary and military arts are unmatched. Being around him brings me prestige, and no one dares to call me 'useless young master' anymore," Cheng Li Su said, unashamed of the nickname. "Now that I’ve befriended you, who are just as outstanding as my uncle, I must be truly remarkable!"
He Yan: "..." She wasn’t sure where this "remarkable" came from.
Speaking of He Yan, Cheng Li Su suddenly thought of something and asked, "By the way, you’re so talented, Brother He. What does your family do?"
They hadn’t even shared the oath-sworn tea, yet he was already calling her "Brother He." He Yan didn’t know whether to answer his question or correct him first. She replied, "My family is just ordinary."
Her reluctance to elaborate struck Cheng Li Su as meaningful. He nodded solemnly. "I understand. People like you, masters of your craft, prefer to keep your whereabouts secret."
He Yan thought to herself, Is this child’s brain functioning properly?
"You’re so capable—why come to Liang Province’s garrison?" Cheng Li Su asked. "With your skills, why enlist at all?"
He Yan repeated the same explanation she had given his uncle: "A real man should establish merit, earn rewards, build a house, marry, and have children—only then can he say he’s lived a worthy life."
Unlike his impulsive uncle, the fair-skinned, rosy-lipped youth studied her for a moment before nodding approvingly. "That’s a very... grounded aspiration. But Brother He, if you’re enlisting to make your mark, isn’t it a bit slow? There haven’t been any wars in recent years. They say heroes emerge in turbulent times, but in this era of peace, your martial prowess has no outlet. What a waste."
He Yan: "..." This kid thinks quite thoroughly.
"Let me point you to a brighter path," Cheng Li Su whispered, leaning closer. "Have you heard of the Southern Garrison Troops under my uncle’s command?"
He Yan nodded. "I’ve heard of them." The Southern Garrison Troops were founded by Old General Xiao and were renowned for their invincibility in battle.
"Within the Southern Garrison Troops, there’s a vanguard cavalry unit—the Nine Banners Battalion."
He Yan was also familiar with the Nine Banners Battalion. After Xiao Jue took over the Southern Garrison Troops, he personally trained this elite force, specializing in surprise attacks and unconventional tactics.
"This time, aside from other matters, my uncle came to Liang Province’s garrison to select new recruits to join the Nine Banners Battalion."
He Yan was startled. "I thought the Nine Banners Battalion wasn’t accepting new members?"
"That’s just what they say publicly. But what’s hardest to find in this world? Talent. Every member of the Nine Banners Battalion is exceptional. Last time, one of the brothers was injured and lost a hand, so he couldn’t fight anymore. Now he serves as an official in the court. So, if you want to achieve merit, rise in rank, and prosper, you need to find the right place. With your skills and our connection, you should join the Nine Banners Battalion." The youth spoke with deliberate calm.
He Yan’s smile faded. After a pause, she frowned and said coldly, "Have you told anyone else what you just told me?"Her gaze turned cold and sharp, startling Cheng Li Su, who stammered, "No..."
"Then remember, you must never speak of this to anyone else."
Cheng Li Su nodded instinctively. "...Alright."
He Yan was satisfied, then suddenly curved her eyes and lifted the corners of her lips. "But what you said earlier was very right."
"Eh?" Cheng Li Su was bewildered.
Rapid promotion was secondary. Fighting on the battlefield to earn merits was far too slow—even if she were promoted, she might not have the chance to interact with the He family. Being with Xiao Jue, however, was different. General Feng Yun and the Flying Goose General were sworn enemies, and that alone could be exploited in countless ways.
Moreover, staying by Xiao Jue's side would make it much easier to gather information about court affairs. In her past life, she had never imagined having any entanglement with Xiao Jue, yet now she was racking her brains to become his trusted confidant. It was truly unbelievable, yet fate had arranged it so conveniently.
He Yan drained the tea in her cup and stood up. "I'm joining the Nine Banners Battalion."
End of Volume One.
That's the end of Volume One. Any thoughts?
(End of Chapter)
OpenNovel