Chapter 65: Seeking a Military Position
Editor: Atlas Studios
“Brother, I want to patrol like Jiang Ze, too.” Qi Haoran shouted as he rushed into Qi Xiuyuan’s study.
Since this was a matter of secrecy, Qi Xiuyuan had never told Qi Haoran about the patrolling before. How did he find out?
Qi Xiuyuan asked, “Who said that Jiang Ze’s going there to patrol?”
Qi Haoran tilted his head. “Isn’t that so? But when I went to the 3rd Division today, I realized that half of the elites had been transferred away. There were scouts from the 1st and 2nd Divisions transferred under Jiang Ze. Isn’t there going to be a war?”
He looked at his eldest brother and said unhappily, “Brother, you can’t leave me behind while you fight alone. I want to follow you, too.”
Straightening his neck, he said with red eyes, “If you leave without me, I’ll snatch a horse and head to the battlefield myself.”
Furious, Qi Xiuyuan pressed Qi Haoran down and spanked his butt. “Why are you going to the battlefield? Are you courting death? You’re only 12 years old this year!” As he spoke, he smacked his butt.
As Qi Haoran struggled, he shouted, “Why can’t I fight? I can already withstand 120 moves from you. Didn’t you say that you don’t have enough commanders under you? So what if you let me lead a couple dozen men? With the heavy snow, those Hus will definitely go south to plunder.”
Qi Xiuyuan paused and pulled him up. With a solemn expression, he asked, “How did you know that the Hus would definitely go south to plunder?” Although Qi Xiuyuan had changed the defenses, it was only a precaution, for he was not sure if the Hus would go south. However, Qi Haoran seemed certain that they would do so.
Qi Haoran said matter-of-factly, “If I were a Hu, I’d definitely go south. Not only would I be able to obtain food for the winter, but I’d also be able to weaken the Great Zhou’s military power. Perhaps after winning a few battles, the Great Zhou might even compensate me with porcelain and silk. With so many benefits, why wouldn’t I go south? I’d also have a ready-made reason. Since the snow disaster results in a shortage of supplies, the Hu Imperial Court will definitely be willing to let the soldiers go south to try.”
Qi Xiuyuan looked at his brother in surprise. He was only 12 years old this year, right? Not only did he usually look dumb and adorable, he did quite terrible in his studies, and his teacher would complain to Qi Xiuyuan every time he checked his homework.
Qi Xiuyuan recalled that Rong Xuan had once praised Qi Haoran’s ability to train soldiers. In just a month, he had united the miscellaneous soldiers of the 4th Division.
He started seriously contemplating his brother’s future. Forget about letting him take the Imperial Examination. Even he could not bear to look at the essays that Qi Haoran had written, let alone those knowledgeable examiners.
In that case, he could only pursue the martial arts path. Looking at his young brother, Qi Xiuyuan felt a little bitter. Going to the battlefield was equivalent to handing half his life to the heavens. Qi Xiuyuan didn’t want his brother to live his days licking off blood from the edge of the knife like him.
But other than martial arts, what other path could Qi Haoran take?
Qi Xiuyuan immediately felt that he was too incompetent as an elder brother. His younger brother was already 12 years old, but he had yet to determine his future direction on his behalf.
Qi Xiuyuan asked him, “Have you ever thought about your future?”
Qi Haoran replied matter-of-factly, “Of course I’ll be a general by Big Brother’s side. Big Brother, when you become an emissary, I’ll be a general under you.”
Qi Xiuyuan laughed out loud and said loudly, “If I really become an emissary, I’ll definitely transfer you under my command.”
The emissary was a first-rank official. How many people in the world could reach this position?
Qi Xiuyuan only treated this as a joke, but Qi Haoran was serious. He admired his big brother the most and felt that he was simply the most capable person in the world. He was much better than their father, who only knew how to argue in the imperial court.
“Alright, you can go back first. I’ll transfer you to work under me after I become an emissary.”
Qi Haoran jumped up when he heard that. “Brother, you can’t change the topic. After you become an emissary, I want to be a general under you. For now, while you’re still a general, I’ll be a section commander under you. Just give me a few men and I’ll lead them to patrol. Brother, I’m begging you.”
Qi Haoran almost jumped onto Qi Xiuyuan and wheedled. Qi Xiuyuan said with a straight face, “You have no military merits or experience. How can you be qualified to be a section commander? Don’t mess around. If word gets out, I’ll be charged with favoritism.”
Qi Haoran rolled his eyes and said, “Brother, you’re lying to me. How many generals in the various armies don’t bring in their own people? Brother Rong Xuan couldn’t even withstand three punches from me. Isn’t it because of your shielding that he could become a Military Advisor?”
Qi Xiuyuan glared at him. “What nonsense are you talking about? Your Brother Rong Xuan is extremely smart and relies on his own ability.”
“The military isn’t just about intelligence. If you’re not skilled in martial arts, no matter how smart you are, you won’t be able to walk out of the battlefield alive. Brother, you can’t just be biased towards your good friends and not your younger brother.” Qi Haoran hugged Qi Xiuyuan while crying dramatically.
Qi Xiuyuan said helplessly, “You’re too young. The soldiers won’t be convinced.”
“Then Big Brother, let me lead the miscellaneous soldiers of the 4th Division. They won’t have any objections, right?” Qi Haoran looked at Big Brother with tears in his eyes.
After a moment of silence, Qi Xiuyuan said, “The casualty rate of the miscellaneous soldiers in the 4th Division has always been very high. You’ll be in danger if you lead them…”
Qi Haoran patted his chest and said, “Brother, don’t worry. I’ll definitely be able to stay alive. Just let me be a platoon commander of the 4th Division.”
Qi Xiuyuan raised his eyebrows slightly. “Didn’t you say you only wanted to be a section commander just now?”
“But that’s only if it’s the 1st Division, 2nd Division, or 3rd Division. If it’s the 4th Division, you’ve got to let me be a platoon commander.” Qi Haoran chuckled.
The 4th Division consisted of the old, weak, sick, and disabled who had been eliminated by the various divisions, or the cowardly recruits who had failed their training. There was a division in every army that specially contained these people, and they were used as cannon fodder.
Not hard-hearted enough to push those who would definitely die on the battlefield into the battlefield, Qi Xiuyuan only let them be in charge of logistics and some messy work. Of course, the 4th Division also received the worst treatment.
However, no matter how soft-hearted Qi Xiuyuan was, in the event of a huge battle, they had to be sent to the battlefield. It was only right that a warrior should die on the battlefield.
The following war might not happen, and even if it did, the men from the 4th Division might not be needed. Hence, Qi Xiuyuan agreed after some thought. It was good to let his brother temper himself there. If the 4th Division was really required on the battlefield, he could just drag him out.
Having gotten what he wanted, Qi Haoran left happily.
Fan Zijin was squatting outside the courtyard, waiting for him. When Qi Haoran saw him, he jumped over and asked, “Why are you here?”
“I was waiting for you.” Fan Zijin stood up and patted his clothes. “Based on your happy expression, did Cousin agree to let you lead the troops to patrol?”
“That’s right.” Qi Haoran patted his shoulder proudly and said, “I’m a person with a job now. I’m a platoon commander now.”
Fan Zijin sneered and immediately restrained his expression. Bowing seriously, he said, “Cousin, in that case, I, your Military Advisor, greet you.” Fan Zijin emphasized the word “Cousin” hard.
Qi Haoran was dumbfounded. “What Military Advisor?”
Fan Zijin glanced at him from the corner of his eyes and said, “Every general has a like-minded Military Advisor by his side. General Yuan has Shen Mu by his side, and Cousin has Brother Rong Xuan by his side. Who do you have by your side? In order for you to have a smoother path in the future, I’ll reluctantly be your Military Advisor.”
Qi Haoran’s eyes widened. “Is this how you use the term ‘like-minded’?”