Chapter 49

Chapter 51: The Fierce Soldiers of Caizhou

Luo Hou’s gaze was weary and helpless, even tinged with a subtle plea.

Duan Mingyu found himself puzzled by what this young man of barely thirty had endured before and even more baffled as to why he chose to become the instructor for over two hundred spear and staff soldiers.

After a long pause, Duan Mingyu sighed deeply. “Luo Hou, setting aside whether or not you should be the instructor, let me ask you this: Does skill in battle formation and combat necessarily have anything to do with lifting a thousand pounds?”

Luo Hou was momentarily stunned, then shook his head.

Duan Mingyu drew a breath and said, “Since there’s no connection, although the stone you lifted was heavy and impressive, isn’t it rather unnecessary to use that to prove you excel in combat?”

Luo Hou was speechless.

At these words, countless men on the ground rolled around laughing uproariously.

White smoke seemed to rise from Luo Hou’s head, his sun-kissed cheeks slowly turning purple, then a faintly darkening blackish hue.

Duan Mingyu thought of Xie Xiande and the miserable fate of Xu Zuye, who, after teasing Xie, couldn’t get out of bed for half a month. Cold sweat poured down his back.

Decisively, Duan Mingyu declared, “This matter is settled. You shall be the spear and staff instructor.”

Luo Hou had not expected such a sudden change and blinked in surprise. “Really?”

Duan Mingyu patted his chest. “As the top scholar, my word is law—once spoken, it must be fulfilled. A dead horse can’t be chased, and I never lie—except for the previous sentence. What, you don’t believe me?”

Luo Hou nervously replied, “I dare not doubt, I believe you!”

Duan Mingyu nodded. “Good. Now come with me to my room.”

The man rolling on the ground suddenly stood up, looking at Duan Mingyu with a strange expression, as if realizing the young lord had a penchant for men.

Luo Hou panicked, “My lord, I absolutely refuse.”

Duan Mingyu frowned. “Why refuse?”

Luo Hou steeled himself and stepped forward. “I have no such inclination and would rather die than betray my years of chastity. You must find another for the instructor position!”

Duan Mingyu immediately smacked Luo Hou’s head. “Damn it! Am I that kind of man? Go, hurry to Bianhu Lake and purify that filthy mind of yours!”

Seeing Duan Mingyu’s normal expression, Luo Hou finally breathed a sigh of relief. “I acknowledge my fault!”

Satisfied with his sincerity, Duan Mingyu’s anger subsided considerably. “Come to my room at once… to discuss training matters!” Then, sensing something amiss, he added, without looking back, and strode towards his quarters.

Luo Hou followed anxiously, already feeling something was wrong and preparing to flee at any moment.

Once inside, Duan Mingyu’s face hardened. “Speak. Who are you, and what are your intentions?”

Luo Hou was startled, then composed himself. His eyes darkened with a profound melancholy, as if drowning in endless sorrow.

“I am asking you, scholar!” Duan Mingyu reminded sharply.

Luo Hou’s hoarse voice, whether from emotion or nerves, trembled. “I am a descendant of Luo Cheng, Duke of Yue, a founding hero of the Tang Dynasty. But my family has fallen into decline, our fortunes faded. By my generation, we are destitute, barely scraping by.”

Duan Mingyu’s eyes lit up. He’d always said no one around him was ordinary. Look here—another descendant of Luo Cheng from the tales of the Sui and Tang heroes. Truly, fate has not been unkind to me.

Luo Hou, lost in thought, continued, “Driven by hardship, I abandoned farming to join the army. Relying on ancestral spear techniques and tactics, I fought several fierce battles and rose to the rank of Ninth Grade Officer.”

Duan Mingyu’s expression grew serious. “If you’ve been a commanding officer, how did you end up here starving, nearly losing your life?”

Luo Hou said, “It’s a long story, but it involves your old enemy, the Qin family.”

Duan Mingyu never hid anything from his men. Everyone knew his ties to the Yangwei Escort Agency and the Qin family. He believed this clarity helped his troops recognize their true enemies. He wanted followers with minds and opinions, not soulless killing machines.

Unaware of Duan Mingyu’s expression, Luo Hou muttered, “After Huang Chao’s rebel forces captured Chang’an, Qin Zongquan, the governor of Caizhou, surrendered and expanded his army to pillage and burn everywhere.”

Duan Mingyu nodded; this matched the history he knew.

Luo Hou went on, “During a patrol, my men and I finally encountered the fierce soldiers of Caizhou.”

Duan Mingyu quickly asked the question on his mind: “How formidable were the Caizhou soldiers?”

“Like wolves and tigers—none finer in the realm!” Though brief, Luo Hou’s description gave a vivid glimpse of the unbeatable force led by Qin Zongquan.

Duan Mingyu asked, “And your troops?”

Tears welled in Luo Hou’s fierce eyes. “Annihilated. I alone killed 131 enemies to escape. None of my brothers survived, not even a body was left behind. Later, I learned those beasts used human flesh as rations.”

Duan Mingyu patted Luo Hou’s shoulder. “The past is past; no need to dwell on it. I carry the promise to those fallen brothers. Now I entrust you with these two hundred men—you must train them well. One day, I will topple the Qin family and avenge them.”

Looking up at the lonely sky, Duan Mingyu sighed, “We may endure hardship, but we should live brilliantly. I believe that one day, people will live in peace and prosperity, free from war’s chaos; children will have their parents’ love, parents their children’s care—safe and joyful.”

Luo Hou asked, “Is that your lifelong goal, my lord?”

Duan Mingyu, full of ambition, said, “Yes, indeed. I will change history starting with myself. Ha! You wouldn’t understand even if I told you.”

Wiping away tears, Luo Hou said, “Though I do not understand, I believe you will succeed. That day will surely come.”

They shared a smile.

“Master, Mr. Xu has brought the things you requested,” Wang Aiqing announced outside the door.

Duan Mingyu’s eyes brightened. “Wang Aiqing, speak in the hall.”

Wang Aiqing silently pushed the door open. “Master, what shall we do with the items outside the camp?”

A barely concealed gleam of joy crossed Duan Mingyu’s face. “What are you waiting for? Bring them inside immediately! Luo Hou, come help me!”

Watching box after box carried into his room, Duan Mingyu’s face blossomed like a chrysanthemum.

His sly smile aroused the curiosity of the nearby soldiers, all eager to stay and see what was unfolding.

Since you’re already here, why not take a moment to bookmark this story?

Allow me to recommend a fantasy novel: “Tears of the Eye.” A youth descended from the Demon Mountain, bearing his master’s hopes, begins an extraordinary journey of cultivation. You are a lotus yet to bloom; I cannot bear to see you wither away. I only wish for less evil and fewer demons in this world.

Also, “Time-Traveling Detective in the Qing Dynasty” has surpassed 500,000 words—quite the hefty read. Feel free to dive in!