Chapter 144: The Army Marches


    Han Ruzi always carried a box of history books with him, flipping through them whenever he had time, and asionally consulting them when he felt lost.


    During the early stages of founding the dynasty, the Founding Emperor Han Fu also encountered betrayals, quite a number of them, but the historical records were not detailed. The Founding Emperor seemed very magnanimous, never harboring resentment towards the traitors. Some individuals betrayed him multiple times, yet he continued to employ them until he firmly established his rule over the realm. Only then did he begin to eliminate all those who had traitorous intents.


    Han Ruzi was far from sess. His perplexityy in how to deal with Zhang Yanghao, who was almost certain to betray him again. Should he eliminate the threat preemptively or wait until he had fully made use of him?


    Han Ruzi decided to wait a little longer. After all, he currentlycked the authority to arbitrarily execute people.


    Before setting out with his troops, Han Ruzi released Cui Teng, who had two days left on his sentence. He went with Prince Donghai to release him and to impart some wisdom to him.


    The prison was a small tent with nothing but a bed and a chamber pot. For Cui Teng, it was as harsh as it could get. However, when Han Ruzi and Prince Donghai entered the tent, they saw Cui Teng sitting on the bed, gnawing on a roasted chicken, with a tray of wine in front of him.


    Seeing the two, Cui Teng paused, holding up the chicken bone. This is all thats left.


    The guards outside the tent were Han Ruzis personal troops, yet prohibited items still made their way into the prison. Han Ruzi felt somewhat embarrassed but pretended not to notice, saying, You can go now, but theres one condition


    Cui Teng tossed the chicken onto the tray and leaned back, enthusiastically counting his fingers. Go out? Im not going out. Its quite nice here, no one bothers me. In the quiet of the night, I can focus on missing my family back in the Capital: my mothers not well, I hope my affairs wont trouble her; Elder Laojun has a bad temper, hoping she wont make things difficult for sister Xiaojun


    Prince Donghai stepped forward with a smile. Stop pretending. Elder Laojun and Auntie always say youre the most troublesome among the Cui family descendants. Its time you went out to gain some experience and bear some hardships. If they hear that you were imprisoned, they would only be grateful to the Weary Marquis. Perhaps theyll even send a token of gratitude through cousin Xiaojun.


    Cui Teng suddenly sat up, gritting his teeth. Traitor.


    Prince Donghai sat beside him, putting an arm around Cui Tengs shoulder. If I were a traitor, I wouldnt havee here. Id let you deal with the Weary Marquis alone. When he drags you out for another fortyshes, Ille watch the show.


    Cui Tengs heart trembled. He looked at the Weary Marquis in disbelief, not entirely convinced. He wouldnt dare


    Youve seen it yourself. He dares to assault the city gate; wouldnt he dare to give you a beating? Fortyshes are nothing. Ive seen him execute someone in a g ritual.


    Han Ruzi did indeed hold a g ritual back at the Riverside Vige, but there was no execution. However, facts tend to be exaggerated in rumors. Cui Teng shivered, his arrogance diminishing a bit. You want me to go out, fine, but I must return home first.


    Han Ruzi shook his head. No.


    Why not? Cui Tengs anger red up again. I know what youre up to, targeting your own family to intimidate others, arent you? Ive cooperated with you. Look at all these noble scions in camp, theyre all behaving. They think the Cui family will support you in reiming the throne.


    Another person vying for credit for the rumors emerged. Han Ruzi still shook his head. No, and


    Cui Teng pushed away Prince Donghai and jumped to the ground, shouting, Enough with your games! Dont go too far. Without the Cui family, you wouldntst long even as the Weary Marquis, let alone dreaming of being emperor! Dream on!


    Cui Teng spoke unrestrainedly, pointing at Prince Donghai. If the Cui n doesnt support you, theres him. If worsees to worst, we Cui n might as well im the throne ourselves


    Prince Donghai gave Cui Teng a kick on the butt, scolding, Do you want to die? What did Uncle tell you?


    Cui Teng jumped, rubbing his buttocks, and muttered, Theres no one else here


    How do you know that the walls do not have ears?


    What ears? Ive cut them off, Cui Teng chuckled, dropping the topic of the emperor. Alright, Ill give the Weary Marquis some face, lets go.


    Wait, letting you outes with conditions, Han Ruzi said.


    Cui Teng turned to Prince Donghai, his face cold. What did the Cui family do to wrong him? Why does he have to be so harsh on me?


    You brought it upon yourself, Prince Donghaizily replied. He knew Cui Tengs temper too well, so he deliberately dampened his spirits.


    Cui Teng turned to face Han Ruzi, staring at him. One moment, youre plotting against each other, the next, youre teaming up to bully me. Fine, youre brothers, Im an outsider. Spit it out, what are the conditions?


    You have to redeem yourself by killing at least one Xiongnu in Shattered Iron City, Han Ruzi said.


    Do I really have to go? Cui Teng grimaced.


    We leave early tomorrow morning.


    What if the Xiongnu donte to Shattered Iron City?


    Then consider yourself lucky.


    Cui Teng grinned. They say the Xiongnu hibernate in winter and avoid battles. How about this, if we start the war before winter, Ill bring back a head for you. If we dont start the war before winter, you let me go home. Next year, Ill bring you two heads. Deal?


    Cui Teng was a rascal, and for now, Han Ruzi had no way to deal with him. With a snort, Han Ruzi turned and left.


    Prince Donghai stood up, pushing Cui Teng out. Dont say I didnt warn you: be careful, the Weary Marquis is in a tight spot now. Push him too hard, and hell really kill someone.


    Who made him get into this mess? Cui Teng seemed rebellious on the surface but felt somewhat uneasy inside. I never expected my sister to like such a guy. Why is it that when I behave ruthlessly, nobody likes it, and everyone criticizes me?


    Han Ruzi led four thousand soldiers on their journey. Many hade to bid farewell the previous night. Unable to persuade Grand General Han Xing to change his mind, the other officers sought to appease Han Ruzi instead. Their only aim was to ask him to take care of their rtives and not let them risk their lives on the battlefield.


    As usual, Han Ruzi epted all requests and distributed the gifts he received among his soldiers, including the two thousand men assigned to him by the Grand General.


    They had breakfast before dawn, and as soon as the sun rose, the army set out.


    Mayi City was over 250 miles from Shattered Iron City, but that was the distance on the map. In betweeny rugged mountains and deste deserts. With forced marches, bringing extra horses and provisions, and skirting around the border, one could arrive in three to four days.


    Normal marches took the route through the interior, with detailed ns for each days journey. Campsites and provisions were arranged by the counties along the way. Though slower, it was more reliable.


    Having traveled from the Capital to the Northern Frontier before, Han Ruzi and his thousand-strong retinue had been almost swept along by therger army, experiencing little. It wasnt until now, leading troops for the first time, that he truly learned a lot along the way.


    Like most people, Han Ruzi used to look down on the military clerks, thinking they couldnt fight and were always nitpicking the soldiers, each one a crafty viin.


    After this march, Han Ruzi changed his mind. In fact, during the march, he spent most of his time with the military clerks, discussing countless details such as estimated time, weather, provisions, and campsite locations. Almost every day brought unexpected incidents  someone fell ill, someones horse died, a sudden rainstorm dyed the march, and they even encountered a rebellion once. All this required the military clerks to solve.


    It was the fifth day of the march, halfway through the journey. Just as the four thousand soldiers had settled into camp and hadnt even had time to rx, the local county magistrate hurriedly came seeking help. He said a group of rebels would attack the county town the next morning. The magistrate had no soldiers to defend the city, but the Northern Protection General happened to be nearby, so he sent the county marshal to ask for assistance.


    The chief clerk reminded the Weary Marquis that without orders from the Grand General, they couldnt enter any city during the march, only camp outside. Moreover, they couldnt easily lend out troops; they had to wait for orders from the Grand General or the local prefect.


    The county marshal was in a panic, kneeling down and begging for help. With nightfall approaching, the county magistrate arrived in person, swearing on his life and offering to take full responsibility.


    Han Ruzi was ready to send troops, but Chai Yue quietly advised him: continue the march, leave a small number of soldiers behind to disperse into the viges, iming to gather provisions for the uing army, thereby intimidating the rebels. Then, the magistrate could formally request assistance from his superiors.


    Han Ruzi agreed. With no other options, the county magistrate and marshal had to ept. They dispatched a few men to the countryside to make the bluff, then nervously awaited reinforcements from the prefect.


    Early the next morning, Han Ruzi led his troops on the road, leaving only a hundred soldiers and a few military officials behind.


    He kept thinking about the matter. Three dayster, news arrived that the group of rebels, originally nning to attack the county town, had heard of the approaching army and immediately disbanded. The leaders fled, and they were caught before leaving the county.


    Han Ruzi increasingly felt that Chai Yue was talented, but he couldnt help but wonder how much he could trust him.


    On the ninth day, the hundred soldiers left behind caught up, and the entire army arrived at Divine Hero Pass on time. They still camped outside the city, preparing to pass through the gate early the next morning.


    Here, Han Ruzi weed some familiar faces.


    he first person was the chubby eunuch Cai Xinghai. He had arrived at Divine Hero Pass earlier as the Northern Armys supervisor but had been idle. Han Ruzi summoned him to his side.


    Cai Xinghai was formerly a border army captain. He was punished and sent to the pce for falsely reporting his kills. After returning to the frontier, he was not well-received. No one regarded him as a soldier; they all thought of him as a eunuch who went around snooping for information.


    Seeing the Weary Marquis again, Cai Xinghai was extremely excited and knelt on the ground for a long time before getting up.


    Han Ruzi immediately appointed him as the cavalry captain, finally having someone trustworthy by his side.


    The second familiar face was Du Chuanyun, who brought several letters from the Capital. He had no intention of returning and wanted to apany Weary Marquis to Shattered Iron City. A real man seeks opportunities in all directions. I told Grandfather. Hes retired in the Capital, and I want to see the battlefield. If its interesting, Ill stay longer. If not, Ill leave.


    So he stayed as a guard for Weary Marquis, swearing not to drink again until the end of the war. But I also have one request for the Weary Marquis: dont leave me behind and run off again. Protecting you is not easy, and watching over you is even harder.


    Cui Xiaojun wrote a brief letter, expressing hope for Weary Marquiss sess and stating that everything was fine at home.


    There were also two letters from the Cui family. Cui Tengs mother thanked Weary Marquis for disciplining her son, very politely, without a hint ofint. However, Elder Laojuns tone was different. She had someone write a harsh letter, reprimanding the Weary Marquis severely and ordering him to return Cui Teng intact to the Capital after the war ended.


    Prince Donghai also read this letter and said to Han Ruzi, Congrattions. Elder Laojun didnt immediately demand you send Cui Teng back, which means she still understands a bit of reason.


    The arrival of the third familiar person was unexpected for Han Ruzi. Yang Feng, the Adjutant of the Northern Army, came on behalf of the Grand Marshal of the Northern Army to meet the Northern Protection General.


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