8: transporting grain

Lu Xingchen returned to his tent to rest.

The battles of the past few days had indeed been arduous; he had been walking a tightrope.

Meanwhile, in a camp at the Dayan Kingdom's front line, General Lu Chaoyang was discussing military affairs with seven Division Commanders.

Lin Wanqing entered and reported Lu Xingchen's achievements to everyone.

Lu Chaoyang immediately applauded vigorously.

"Excellent! That kid, Lu Dazhuang, is truly something! With a hundred men, he killed thousands of enemies and even captured the Third Prince of Fengming Kingdom."

"I was wondering why Fengming Kingdom had been avoiding battle lately; it turns out Lu Dazhuang hit them where it hurts!"

The other seven Division Commanders were also extremely shocked.

Killing over a thousand enemies was rare in the many years of war between Dayan Kingdom and Fengming Kingdom.

Moreover, the person who accomplished this feat was just a new recruit.

Lin Wanqing smiled and said, "General, what reward do you plan to give Lu Dazhuang?"

Lu Chaoyang pondered for a moment, then said, "Grant him a hundred taels of silver, a hundred bolts of cloth, and promote him to Battalion Commander."

Upon hearing this, everyone present was somewhat shocked.

Immediately, one person jumped out to object.

"General Lu, this might not be reasonable."

"A Battalion Commander needs to command a thousand-man team, but this Lu Dazhuang joined the army less than two months ago. Does he have combat experience? Does he have command ability? This rich harvest of achievements was merely a stroke of luck."

Lu Chaoyang snorted coldly.

"If I let you lead a team, could you achieve the same abundant results as Lu Dazhuang? It would probably be difficult even to return alive, wouldn't it?"

"I, Lu Chaoyang, have always judged people by their ability, not their seniority. This matter is settled; Li Bai, you go make the arrangements! It's just a pity that I have to command the central army, otherwise, I would definitely want to see this brave warrior with my own eyes."

The objector gritted his teeth and said in a deep voice, "Understood! Everything according to General Lu's command."

Lu Chaoyang held absolute authority in Dayan Kingdom; no one dared to defy his will.

But regarding this so-called Lu Dazhuang, he was still very unconvinced in his heart.

The next day, Lu Xingchen was practicing Archery Skill at the shooting range when a soldier came to relay an order for him to go to the Division Commander's tent.

Lu Xingchen did not delay; he immediately packed his things and headed to Li Bai's tent.

It was not difficult to guess that Li Bai must be giving him a reward.

He just wondered what good things there would be?

Lu Xingchen felt a little anticipation in his heart.

A quarter of an hour later, he arrived at Li Bai's tent.

"You're Lu Dazhuang, right? The General said he's promoting you to Battalion Commander. From now on, that new recruit battalion will be under your command."

Upon hearing this, Lu Xingchen's heart skipped a beat.

His father truly thought highly of him, actually promoting him directly to Battalion Commander.

Such rapid promotion was simply unheard of.

However, it was a pity it was a new recruit battalion.

The combat effectiveness of a new recruit battalion was relatively weak, and they generally had no opportunity to participate in important battles.

Lu Xingchen was afraid he wouldn't find opportunities to kill enemies and gain experience.

He immediately asked the question he cared about most: "Then, Division Commander Li, what combat mission has been assigned to me?"

Li Bai began indifferently: "Go transport grain to Zigui City."

Zigui City was an important town on the border between Dayan Kingdom and Fengming Kingdom. Most of Dayan Kingdom's grain was stored in Zigui City, and then transported from Zigui City to the front line.

But this had nothing to do with Lu Xingchen.

He only knew that if he only transported grain in the rear, he would have no chance to gain experience points.

Lu Xingchen frowned and said in a deep voice, "Division Commander Li, transporting grain is important, but I would rather kill enemies on the front line and contribute to Dayan Kingdom."

Upon hearing this, Li Bai sneered: "You're a new recruit, you've already gotten such great credit and you're still not satisfied? You still want to go to the front line to snatch military achievements? You're not worthy!"

Upon hearing this, Lu Xingchen's brows furrowed tightly.

Listening to this, it seemed Li Bai was somewhat unconvinced.

But Lu Xingchen also didn't want to offend Li Bai, so he reluctantly accepted the mission.

"The General has always appointed people based on their merit, never their seniority. Yet you are so pedantic, truly somewhat annoying. It won't be long before my military achievements far surpass yours. I look forward to the day you apologize to me."

Li Bai snorted coldly: "So young, yet such a big mouth! I'll wait for that day, but before then, you still have to follow my orders. Now get out!"

Lu Xingchen said no more, turned, and left the tent.

As soon as he stepped out, he saw a familiar face.

"Battalion Commander, why are you here?"

Lin Wanqing chuckled: "Now we are of the same rank, you can just call me by my name. I came specifically to find you."

Lu Xingchen: "Alright, Miss Wanqing, do you need something?"

Lin Wanqing: "More than half of the soldiers in your new recruit battalion are new recruits, and their combat effectiveness is insufficient. How about I give you the Horse Bow Squadron to boost your combat power. Those brothers also really want to fight under you."

Lu Xingchen shook his head slightly: "Although I am very envious of the Horse Bow Squadron, they are your soldiers after all. You are fighting on the front line, and having this combat power can maximize its effectiveness. What danger could I, a grain transporter, face?"

Upon hearing this, Lin Wanqing was slightly taken aback.

He didn't even want a free unit; Lu Xingchen had a grand vision!

"In that case, we shall part ways here. I wish you all the best!"

"Miss Wanqing, farewell!"

After bidding farewell to Lin Wanqing, Lu Xingchen went to the new recruit battalion for the handover, busy for a whole day.

Early the next morning, Lu Xingchen led his subordinates towards Zigui City.

The army's marching speed was not fast, and Lu Xingchen could even enjoy the scenery along the way, savoring a rare moment of peace.

However, Lu Xingchen's System had already decided that he could not live a peaceful life for long.

Only by constantly fighting could he become stronger!

As the sun set, the evening glow and a solitary wild goose flew together, and the autumn water merged with the vast sky in one color.

Lu Xingchen had already arrived at Zigui City, and his subordinates were tallying the grain.

Just then, an ordinary soldier came to report: "Battalion Commander, there's a Dayan Kingdom cavalry squadron at the city gate, led by a beautiful girl. Should we let them into the city?"

Upon hearing this, Lu Xingchen was slightly taken aback.

It had only been two days since they parted, and she was already thinking of him so much?

No, there must be something very important!

Lu Xingchen immediately went to the city gate to personally welcome her.

Lin Wanqing's pretty face was flushed, and she was breathing heavily, clearly having traveled a long distance.

Lu Xingchen's heart tightened; it seemed something big had indeed happened.

"Miss Wanqing, what exactly happened?"

Lin Wanqing let out a sigh of relief and said in a deep voice, "Lu Dazhuang, things are not good. The scouts I sent out have sent back a message that a Fengming Kingdom unit is rapidly marching towards Zigui City, estimated to be over ten thousand strong."

Upon hearing this, Lu Xingchen was greatly startled.

"What?! What did you say? Over ten thousand? How did such a large enemy force get through our defenses?"

Lin Wanqing continued: "I don't know, but their objective is very clear: to capture Zigui City. Time is limited, so I could only bring this troop of Horse Bowmen to support you."