351: The Stranger (Part 3)

Half a month later,

During this period, Lin Yue had been reading the yongle encyclopedia, and both his Intelligence and Politics had increased by one point.

And the Generals also returned to the Encampment one after another, their faces all filled with joy.

After this battle, the Xiongnu people dared not move south to graze their horses, and the Soldier dared not draw their bows in complaint. From then on, Touman completely lost his ambition to face Great Qin, and could only turn his gaze in other directions.

Great Qin, on the other hand, completely reclaimed the lost territory in one battle. The Ordos Loop, which was only a three-day journey from Xianyang City, had now become Great Qin's pasture, with no further threat.

The once fierce Xiongnu Cavalry Soldier near the border had now become more docile than the yellow sheep on the prairie. The millions of Xiongnu people who remained in this place dared not harbor any disloyalty.

And in places Lin Yue could not see, the Xiongnu people's national fortune was slowly declining, while Great Qin's national fortune was becoming even more prosperous!

Today, General Meng Tian's Encampment was also quite lively!

Lin Yue had been able to walk freely a few days ago, and today he also brought the Generals who had just returned to the camp to General Meng Tian's Encampment!

"General Zhao!" Lin Yue said, cupping his hands in greeting with the Generals.

"Brother Lin, come quickly, come quickly." Zhao Ben's smile widened when he saw Lin Yue. He walked over directly, put his arm around Lin Yue's shoulder, and laughed, "Brother Lin, are your injuries better?"

"Thank you for your concern, General Zhao. My minor injuries have fully recovered," Lin Yue said with a smile.

"That was truly dangerous. When I, your elder brother, learned you had fallen into the water, I was extremely anxious. That great river is a tributary of the Yellow River, and the current is swift. Brother Lin, you truly have great fortune and a long life," Zhao Ben said, giving a thumbs-up.

"The main thing is that the Golden Silk Armor blocked an attack for me. Otherwise, just from blood loss, you wouldn't have seen me," Lin Yue said with a wry smile.

The matter of the Golden Silk Armor had to be widely publicized. Otherwise, the fact that he was impaled through the chest, disappeared for three days, and was then washed ashore would be too incredible and inevitably arouse suspicion.

"The most important thing is that Brother Lin, a good person, is blessed by heaven," Zhao Ben said with a smile, then put his arm around Lin Yue's shoulder and walked forward: "Come, Brother Lin, you go in first. Now we're just waiting for General Yang Wengzi's people, and it will start soon."

"They haven't already started fighting in there, have they?" Lin Yue joked.

"Haha, don't worry. General Dong Zhuo went on an expedition to Yuezhi and hasn't returned this time. Inside the great tent are only the Great General, the Young Master, and General Wang Li, among others," Zhao Ben said with a laugh. Dong Zhuo not returning this time also put him at ease. Otherwise, this joyful day would not be without some troubles.

"That's good. This humble general will go ahead then." Lin Yue cupped his hands and stepped into the great tent.

Only high-ranking officers of Colonel rank and above were qualified to enter the great tent today, while the rest of the Generals could only wait outside.

So only Wang Zhi, Pan Feng, Xing Daorong, and Wei Liang followed Lin Yue in. Even so, the great tent was filled with armor, a dense crowd.

Lin Yue scanned the area, then walked behind Wang Li and found a place to sit beside She Jian.

"Better?" She Jian asked, squinting.

"More or less," Lin Yue smiled.

"If you don't have the diamond, don't take on the porcelain work. This time you had the Golden Silk Armor to save your life, but what about next time?" She Jian said in a deep voice.

"What? Brother Lin saved my life, and you're not happy?" Wang Da Tou leaned forward and said, displeased.

"You're such an old man, yet you're still as impulsive as a young one," She Jian said with a disdainful expression.

"Hey, I'm going to! Who are you talking about? I haven't even brought up you leading us astray before, and you're already talking about me?" Wang Da Tou whispered.

"Talk about it when your injuries are better!" She Jian also mocked in a low voice.

Just as Wang Da Tou was about to retort, he heard a Soldier outside the tent shout:

"General Yang Wengzi has arrived!"

Wang Da Tou could only glare at She Jian, then rose with the others.

Yang Wengzi was seen stepping into the great tent first, followed by a dense crowd of people. Then the Generals greeted each other and were guided by Luo Xi to their positions.

"Gentlemen, sit!" General Meng Tian waved his hand forcefully.

"Understood!"

The Generals in the great tent took their seats in order.

Then General Meng Tian said in a deep voice, "As the saying goes, 'train Soldiers for a thousand days, use them for an hour.' This battle, you all fought beautifully! You did not disappoint His Majesty!"

Immediately after, Fusu also smiled and said, "This battle relied on the concerted efforts of all the Generals, who decisively defeated Touman, drove the Xiongnu people seven thousand li north, preventing them from encroaching on the border again, thus ensuring the peace of Great Qin's border for ten years!

I hereby extend my congratulations to all the Generals!"

The Generals showed joy upon hearing this, but General Meng Tian poured a basin of cold water on them:

"His Majesty's decree is already on its way, but before that, let's discuss other matters," General Meng Tian said in a deep voice.

Fusu smiled upon hearing this, "Generals, there's no need to be nervous, it's just some minor issues."

"As you all know, in the past few days, the Supervisors of each unit have arrested some Soldiers.

His Majesty once ordered that 'outsiders' are strictly forbidden from joining the army. I just didn't expect that there would be 'outsiders' coming to join my Great Wall Legion.

In just three days, we actually found ninety-one 'outsiders' mixed into my Great Wall Legion, which truly surprised me.

Not only Soldiers, but also high-ranking Generals.

Whoever it is, let's save some face for each other; step forward yourself." General Meng Tian's voice was low, making the great tent suddenly feel oppressive.

The Generals all looked around, whispering.

They couldn't understand how, in today's great tent, the lowest rank was Colonel, commanding a hundred thousand troops, and there could still be 'outsiders'?

"What's wrong with you?" She Jian asked, seeing Lin Yue's face turn pale.

"General, are your injuries not fully healed yet?" Wang Zhi asked with a hint of concern.

"It's nothing," Lin Yue shook his head, trying hard to control the trembling of his legs.

But his expression had completely betrayed him.

"No one is stepping forward?" General Meng Tian asked again. Some of the people in the great tent were all surprised, and at the same time, they all looked around.

"Damn it, why are you looking at me, you brat!" a martial General under Zhao Ben's command suddenly cursed.

"I'm seeing if you're an 'outsider'," another martial General laughed.

"Damn it, I think you, Wu Laocu, look more like an 'outsider'! Are you still holding a grudge because I beat you up when I was a Squad Leader!"

"Shen Fuzi, what are you saying? I was young then, but if you're not convinced, let's go out and spar now!" Wu Laocu said angrily.

"Spar! Whoever loses is the obedient grandson!" Shen Fu also said, sticking out his neck.

"Shut up! Don't embarrass me here!" Zhao Ben said, rubbing his forehead, somewhat helplessly.

"General, I think Wu Laocu looks like an 'outsider'," Shen Fu said with a low laugh.

"Get back! Stop fighting like dogs!" Zhao Ben just wanted some peace and quiet and didn't want the two of them to continue.

"Really, This humble general isn't saying this because he said This humble general is an 'outsider'.

This humble general really has made a discovery," Shen Fu said.

"What discovery? Colonel Shen, please tell us. It doesn't matter if you're wrong; everyone can just listen for fun," Fusu suddenly said with a smile.

Shen Fu was a little excited when he heard this. He stood up and saluted respectfully:

"If the Young Master wishes to hear, then This humble general will speak.

Actually, This humble general noticed a long time ago that Wu Laocu was a bit off, and suspected that he had been possessed by an 'outsider'!"

"Shen Fuzi, you're spouting nonsense! In front of the Great General and the Young Master, don't wrongly accuse good people!" Wu Laocu said anxiously, his face flushed red.

"I know you're anxious, but don't be anxious yet. I have evidence," Shen Fu said confidently:

"This humble general and Wu Laocu have known each other for fifteen years. Many people present here know both of us. Haven't you noticed that Wu Laocu has been very unusual lately?"

The Generals were puzzled for a moment, then someone suddenly realized, "Reading!"

"Exactly!" Shen Fu laughed, "He's a big brute, yet now he likes to read, practically inseparable from books. He gets anxious if others even glance at them. Isn't that strange?"

"You're slandering me! Shen Fu, you're retaliating because I wouldn't lend them to you!" Wu Laocu's face was flushed with urgency!

"Now that Great Qin is peaceful and prosperous, and thriving, what's wrong with reading some books?" Fusu said, somewhat puzzled.

"Young Master, you don't know!" Shen Fu's face held a hint of amusement:

"This Wu Laocu, he's illiterate!"