16

Just as Gou Liang and Han Zhan had expected, after the end of the year, the Emperor issued a decree for Han Zhan to return to the pass and prepare for war.

Before the year, the Marquis Of Shuyang had submitted a request for an heir change, but the old Emperor didn't issue it. Instead, he promoted the Marquis Of Shuyang's second legitimate son, Han Yi, to a fourth-ranked general and set out with the army. His intentions were self-evident.

The spring chill was chilly, and the withered grass crawled on the yellow and black soil. The feeling of spring was still dormant in the darkness. Along the way, no new life could be seen.

It wasn't until they entered Shuyang City and heard the hubbub of voices that there was a trace of liveliness.

There were no ordinary people in Shuyang City. Even if the people living in the city weren't part of the army, they were auxiliary soldiers who raised and washed the soldiers, or their fathers were auxiliary soldiers. The atmosphere of the year at the border was rather dull, but with the beginning of spring, even if the weather was still cold, the people in the city had already resumed their activities inside and outside the city.

Today was their spring hunting day. Hundreds of young and strong men had attacked a pack of wolves and reaped a bountiful harvest.

The warriors who had killed the alpha wolf were holding their spoils of war high up in the air. They were bare-chested as they ran through the streets surrounded by people. Excited shouts came from their mouths, and the crowd clamored to respond and cheer. It was very lively!

It was the first time Han Yi had seen such a scene. He couldn't help but smile when he saw many people setting up fires to roast meat and distributing it to their neighbors. Everyone's faces were brimming with smiles.

"Big brother, it's really lively here."

Gou Liang saw his happy expression and laughed at his naivety. "How can you not be happy after holding it in for two months? Don't look at it for now. If you have the mood, leave it to see what kind of greeting gift your good second uncle has prepared for you. "

Han Yi responded obediently and retracted his gaze. However, he didn't look at Gou Liang's face.

Facing Gou Liang's big beard and pockmarked face, he was still afraid even now.

Just yesterday, when Gou Liang had left to relieve himself, a boorish man carrying a large knife suddenly charged out and wanted to collect a toll from them. He was a greenhorn, so when he saw the situation, he rushed to the front and did not notice Han Zhan and Mu Hang's interested gazes. Then, as expected, Han Yi was dragged off the horse by the "bearded robber" like a chick. He had no ability to resist at all.

That person wretchedly touched his face and laughed, "Where did this pretty boy come from? Let me have a good look."

"Let him go."

Han Zhan, who was sitting high on the horse, said coldly.

Only then did the robber notice him. His eyes suddenly widened, and his gaze was filled with amazement.

He threw Han Yi aside and grabbed the reins of Han Zhan's horse. His powerful hands pulled the reins of Han Zhan's horse and forced it to kneel down.

Han Yi, who had fallen to the ground and raised his head, only saw the perverted bandit approach Han Zhan and lift his chin with his finger. With a hoarse voice, the bandit laughed loudly and said, "What a handsome Langjun. I didn't come here in vain today. What do you think, little Langjun? Why don't you follow me back to the stockade and be my wife? I promise that I will take good care of you. "

As he spoke, the ugly and vulgar man kissed Han Zhan on the mouth.

Han Yi's mind exploded. He screamed at the top of his lungs —

"Pervert! Let go of my big brother!!! "

A night had passed. When he thought about how he had rushed forward to fight Gou Liang with his sword, he could still hear Gou Liang laughing as he fell on Han Zhan's body and said, "Little brother is too cute. I've had enough jokes for a year, hahaha!" Han Yi hated that he could not find a hole to hide in.

Thinking about it later, he was not confused because he was too concerned. He was just brainless.

What kind of person was his big brother?

He was known as the God of War. His title as the number one martial artist in Tianyang Empire was not false. At that time, he did not even notice that something was wrong. Han Zhan did not resist, and Mu Hang did not make a move. In fact, that was the biggest hint to him. He had no choice but to jump into Gou Liang's trap.

Sigh … He could only blame himself for being too sweet.

Gou Liang saw that Han Yi was still embarrassed and could not help but smile. He winked at Han Zhan.

Han Zhan gave him a "don't play with other people's children" look. Gou Liang pretended to be serious and nodded his head. He raised his whip and urged his horse forward. He shouted to the bare-chested strong man who was still showing off his wolf, "Chen Ba, everyone who saw this has a share. Later send a leg to my place, quick!"

Before he finished speaking, he was already more than a hundred feet away.

The noisy crowd fell silent. Then, they shouted even louder, "Official Chang is back! Everyone, Official Chang is back!! "

The man called Chen Ba hurriedly chased after him and shouted, "Lieutenant Chang, I'll give you a leg. Take me as your disciple. If you don't take me, I won't give it to you!" Seeing that Gou Liang had already disappeared, he shouted at the top of his lungs, "Take me as your disciple. I can even give you the whole leg, Master!!"

Han Yi urged his horse to follow closely behind Han Zhan and Mu Hang. He saw that the crowd had fallen into a different kind of excitement from before. They were rushing to tell each other that Lieutenant Chang was back. They were overflowing with joy. He could not help but wonder, 'My big brother is here, alive and well. Why don't the people of Shiyang City have any reaction?'

Mu Hang leaned over and said to him with a smile, "The general is very low-key. He doesn't move around on the streets often. When he's not wearing his armor, these people can't recognize him. "

Han Yi was still confused, "Then Big Brother Wei … Uh, what did Lieutenant Chang do? Why do the people here look like … they've seen their own father when they see him? "

Mu Hang was amused by his description. He spurred his horse forward and said loudly to him while eating the cold wind, "Before Lieutenant Chang came, the people here did not have much livelihood. Their days were bitter and cold. They couldn't even afford to eat their fill. It was Lieutenant Chang who taught them how to make a living. Now, even the fur from Shiyang City has been sold far away to Jiangnan. Everyone's days have suddenly become more prosperous. Tell me, how could they not cherish Lieutenant Chang? "

Han Yi sighed in admiration, "As expected of Big Brother Wei … Big Brother Chang."

The four of them left the inner city and arrived at the Shiyang Military Camp located in the northern outskirts of Shiyang City.

Unlike the liveliness in the city, the military camp, which should have been filled with deafening sounds of training, was unexpectedly quiet. It was so quiet that Han Yi's heart could not help but tighten.

In the distance, he could see that the gates of the military camp were tightly shut. The sharp wooden thorns on the fence shone with a cold light under the sunlight, giving an invisible deterrent effect to outsiders. The people standing guard stood ramrod straight and did not communicate at all. A deathly stillness and solemnity was oppressive to the point that it was hard to breathe.

"This …" Could it be that there was an enemy attack?

Han Yi subconsciously tightened his grip on the reins.

Gou Liang snorted and looked at Han Zhan, saying, "I overestimated that Second Uncle of yours. This kind of initial show of strength is something he can actually do. Today, I will let him experience what it means to subdue an enemy without a fight."

After receiving their message, the one who was most worried was not the Western Mang King, who hated Han Zhan for acting on his own initiative and becoming enemies with Tianyang. Instead, it was Han Zhan's Second Uncle, Han Rong.

The cold winter was a time for rest and recuperation. The three fires of Han Rong's new appointment had not yet been ignited. He was looking forward to enduring these difficult three months so that he could carry out his grand plan and grasp the true power of the Shiyang Military Camp in one fell swoop. For this, he had been thinking about it day and night. He had long planned it thoroughly and had a card up his sleeve.

Unexpectedly, before he could display his skills, the old Emperor changed his mind at the last moment and sent Han Zhan, that killing god, back to Shiyang City.

This was great. He was so angry that he stomped his feet, but it was to no avail. The only thing he could do now was compete with Han Zhan to see whose methods were tougher. In any case, the Emperor did not order him to return to his old place. If he stubbornly refused to leave, even if Han Zhan came, he would not be able to chase him away.

Gou Liang and Han Zhan knew what he was thinking. Even if they used their toes to think, they would know that this scene in front of them was the doing of Han Rong, who was acting as the General.

Han Zhan saw that he was in a playful mood and said, "Up to you. However, you are not allowed to hurt yourself."

"As you command, Sir ~"

Gou Liang raised the hand holding the whip and saluted Han Zhan inappropriately.

Then, he squeezed the horse's belly and urged it forward. The horse continued to accelerate, and the sound of the horse's hooves attracted the attention of the soldiers standing guard. They raised their spears and berated, "Who is it? Stop your horse! Otherwise, you will be punished for trespassing on important military grounds! "

Gou Liang pulled the reins and shouted, "Jia!"

The horse raised its hooves and jumped, majestically crossing the tall three-layered wooden fence and the heads of the soldiers standing guard. It stopped a few meters away.

Gou Liang reined in the horse and laughed loudly, "Boys, I'm back. Quickly come out to welcome me!"

Hearing his voice, the soldiers standing guard cried out in surprise, "Colonel Chang, you're back!"

They put away their spears and ran forward one after another.

Gou Liang was about to dismount when he saw that the military camp was still deathly silent. He could not help but sit cross-legged on the horse's back and said unhappily, "Why is it only the few of you? Where are the others? Hiding in their rooms to embroider? "

His voice was loud and clear, and it spread throughout the quiet camp.

The soldiers' surprised expressions dimmed. They looked around and one of them came forward to explain, "Colonel Chang, you're finally back. You don't know, but ever since that General Dai came, we — "

"Who's making noise?"

Before he could finish speaking, a stern voice rang out. Although the guard was dissatisfied with the person who had come, he was still afraid. He gave Gou Liang a look that said, "It's him. Please be careful." Then, he shut his mouth.

Han Rong, who was leading a group of people, was much smaller than his voice. Gou Liang was sitting on the horse's back and was much taller than him. Han Rong, who was about to continue reprimanding Han Rong, had no choice but to raise his head to look at him. His face immediately became ugly, "Who are you? This general is asking you a question. You dare not salute and answer!"

"Oh, you're so impressive." Gou Liang lowered his head to look at him and asked the soldiers beside him, "Who is this short winter melon? How come I've never seen him before?"

Just as the soldiers were about to answer, Gou Liang waved his hand and said uninterestedly, "Forget it. With such an ugly face, I know he's not a good person. I'm too lazy to ask."

Everyone in the Shuyang Army knew that Colonel Chang's mouth was always unforgiving. Hearing this, they almost laughed out loud.

Han Rong was unable to restrain his anger. With a gloomy face, he said, "How dare you! Come, take him down! "

"Yes!"

Han Rong's lackeys immediately moved.

Gou Liang leisurely raised his hand, "Wait."

As he spoke, he fished out a rabbit from his bosom and said, "No, this is not it." Then he stuffed it back. He fished out a bunch of wildflowers. Still not it. He took out several things in succession. Not to mention the Shuyang Army soldiers who had seen him perform magic to pursue General Han, even Han Rong and the others who didn't know the inside story knew that Gou Liang was playing with them.

Han Rong was furious, "Why aren't you moving?"

The lackeys who were stunned by Gou Liang's magic tricks hurriedly pulled at Gou Liang, only to hear him shout again, "Hey, found it!"

As his voice fell, he casually threw a bright yellow object into Han Rong's bosom.

Han Rong subconsciously caught it and almost cried out in fright when he saw it.

It was an imperial edict!

Gou Liang sat on the horse and leaned over to look at him, "Do you know how to read? Read it for me."

Han Rong was bewildered, but the imperial edict was in his hands. He didn't dare to neglect it even if he had a hundred times the courage. Trembling with fear, he opened the imperial edict and read,

"Year 37 of Yuyang, December 12 of the winter season, Emperor Tianyang Zhengyu decrees: We have heard of the virtues and rewarded the most talented person. Shuyang Military Academy Captain Chang Xuanning is loyal and righteous. His meritorious service is outstanding. We have praised him and promoted him to a third-rank Zhonglang General."

Han Rong's voice became lower and lower. His hand holding the imperial edict tightened and began to tremble uncontrollably.

Only then did Gou Liang dismount and leisurely walk over to Han Rong, "What rank is this officer? Can he command this general? " Without waiting for Han Rong to reply, Gou Liang stroked his beard and laughed as if he had just remembered. "Look at my memory. Grand General Han Rong is a dignified secondary third rank Brigadier General. How could I forget?"

He emphasized the words "third-rank Brigadier General." Seeing Han Rong's expression change greatly, he took the imperial edict back from Han Rong's hand with satisfaction, patted the creases on the edict, and casually stuffed it back into his chest.

"General Han, you should take it easy. Breaking the imperial edict is a crime punishable by death. Look at how considerate I am of you."

Han Rong was angry and shocked. For a moment, he couldn't say anything.

He originally wanted to compete with Han Zhan, but he didn't expect that before Han Zhan came, the famous genius of the Shuyang Army would come back. Originally, Han Rong didn't put him, a mere fifth-rank lieutenant, in his eyes. Didn't he see those veteran fourth-rank generals in the Shuyang Army obediently listen to his orders?

This was the advantage of being one rank higher than the other.

But he never would have thought that after disappearing for a few months, this fellow would become a third-rank Brigadier General. Han Rong was so angry that he felt dizzy when the rules that had never failed him were used on him.

Gou Liang said, "Can you tell me now? Is the entire army resting today or is the entire army looking for wives? Where are they fooling around if they're not training? General Han, these wolf cubs are itching for a beating if you don't discipline them. It's not good for you to indulge them like this. This general knows that you're worried about their daily hardships, but if the emperor knew that you've let down the imperial grace, I'm afraid he'll hold you accountable. "

Han Rong was flustered and exasperated, but Gou Liang was smiling and persuading him, so he couldn't not answer.

He could only sullenly say, "General Chang misunderstands. The army is training in the wilderness today. The soldiers who aren't participating in the training are resting in their barracks."

Gou Liang was surprised, "The weather is so good, but these brats are actually sleeping in their beds? This old man has been eating cold wind and cold water all this time. I'm not even willing to close my eyes, but they really know how to enjoy themselves. Go, wake them up for this old man. If this old man doesn't beat them up today, they won't know the rules. "

"Yes, general!"

The four guards responded especially loudly.

Gou Liang didn't give Han Rong a chance to speak. He put his hand on Han Rong's shoulder and pushed the short man inside, "General Han, you can't be like this."

"These wolf cubs are all climbing up a pole. If you still spoil them like this, who knows when they'll climb over your head. I know that you used to be in charge of the soldiers stationed in the inner province. That place is filled with oily heads. They don't need to fight and only think about how to have fun every day. You just drink a little wine and listen to a little song every day. You just need to show off your status in front of your subordinates and that group of soft-footed shrimps will be obedient. But that method doesn't work in our Shuyang Army … "

Gou Liang rambled on endlessly, as if he was a benevolent senior who had patiently taught him.

Little did he know that Han Rong, who was a combination of oily heads and soft-footed shrimps, had already vomited three basins of blood in his heart.

When they walked into the camp, the soldiers who stayed behind had already gathered.

Gou Liang looked at them holding their heads high in the cold wind and nodded his head in satisfaction. He threw Han Rong to his lackeys and clapped his hands. "Brothers, I'm back. Did you miss your big brother?" he said with a smile.

He opened his arms and revealed a charming smile that was covered by his big beard.

The soldiers looked at each other. No one knew who shouted first, "We missed you so much, Lieutenant Chang!" All of a sudden, it ignited the suppressed emotions of the soldiers. Thousands of people shouted and laughed. More than ten people standing at the front rushed forward and lifted Gou Liang up and threw him into the crowd of soldiers.

Gou Liang's name was passed around all the way. The soldiers threw and shouted, laughing and jeering. The depression and dissatisfaction that Han Rong had been suppressing for three months were suddenly vented at this time and disappeared.

Han Zhan and the other two watched this scene from the high slope. The atmosphere in the camp was completely different from the dead silence just now.

Mu Hang laughed and said, "Lao Chang has a way. I thought that when we go back, we would hear their crying and complaining."

Han Zhan laughed, his face full of undisguised pride.

When Gou Liang finally landed on the ground, his hair was messy.

He scolded, "My hair can be broken, but my hair can't be messed up. How many times have I told you? Those who touched my hair just now, wait for me!"

As he spoke, he neatly straightened his hair again. He elegantly wiped his hair with both hands and said with a smile, "Entertainment time is over. I'll give you three to the count of three. Quickly stand up for me."

He said in a joking tone, but the soldiers here, whether they had personally experienced his means or witnessed it, did not dare to be negligent. They immediately lined up at the fastest speed, stopped smiling, and straightened their backs.

"Very good."

Gou Liang snapped his fingers and said loudly, "Next, let us welcome our greatest, most handsome, and most beloved General Han Zhan back to camp with the warmest cheers!"

The soldiers' eyes burst with joy. Gou Liang raised his hand and took the lead to shout, "General!"

The soldiers raised their weapons and shouted in unison, "General!"

Gou Liang shouted, "General is mighty, invincible in Shiyang!"

"General is mighty, invincible in Shiyang!"

"General is mighty, invincible in Shiyang!"

The soldiers kept shouting slogans. Han Zhan smiled and said to his left and right, "Let's go."