Can I Become Emperor by Being This Lazy? - Chapter 38

Chapter 38

The melodious singing drifted into the soldiers’ ears phrase by phrase. They moved stealthily as ordered, their footsteps falling lightly, with only the faint rustle of armor friction in the air. The quiet environment made the singing appear even more distinct.

The soldiers were already highly tense, their ears perked up, allowing the lyrics from the opposite side to flow clearly into their minds, word for word.

Return home when victory is celebrated…

As they listened, their steps gradually slowed until they came to a complete standstill, as if their feet had taken root deep in the ground. Every movement felt weighed down by a thousand pounds, making it impossible to budge even an inch.

Return home when victory is celebrated?

It had been ten years since they last returned home. They wondered how their families were faring—whether their parents were still alive, how their wives were managing, if they were living well.

After so many years without communication, they didn’t know what their loved ones looked like now. Did anyone still remember them? Perhaps their relatives and friends had long forgotten their existence, or mistakenly believed they were dead, completely erasing them from memory!

A sour ache swelled in the soldiers’ chests, as countless emotions churned within them.

Over time, they had come to understand clearly that achievements and glory would never be allotted to ordinary soldiers like them. Even if they sought no fame, merely wishing to return home for a reunion was nothing but a futile dream.

Their remaining years would inevitably be spent on the battlefield; dying in a foreign land was their ultimate fate. The idea of fallen leaves returning to their roots—having their coffins transported back home—was already exceedingly difficult, let alone returning alive.

A pipe dream.

They could never go home again.

Yet, they had so many grievances they longed to confide in their mothers.

As the song ended and they lifted their faces, their eyes were red and swollen, tears streaming down like rain. Their faces glistened with wet trails, shoulders trembling uncontrollably under suppressed sobs, crying until their noses ran and their faces were drenched.

Soft, mournful weeping rose faintly, merging into a meandering stream that silently flowed over the sandy soil. The sound was subtle but particularly piercing in the quiet surroundings.

Just then, a middle-aged man snarled viciously, What are you crying for? What’s there to cry about? Are you halted by the enemy’s petty tricks? Worthless scum, hurry to your assigned positions! If you delay the Prefect’s important affairs, you’ll face severe consequences back at camp—beware of military punishment!

This man was a captain. His threats jolted the soldiers awake from the song’s spell. Their faces turned pale, and they gripped their weapons anxiously, quickly composing themselves and resuming their advance.

Bunch of worthless hides—you won’t learn without a beating. Can’t you see what situation we’re in? the captain grumbled angrily, displeased that the soldiers had disobeyed orders earlier and fearing that their lapse might implicate him.

Right now is the critical moment to exterminate the Enchantress and quell the civil unrest. Halting without orders midway—to put it bluntly, you’re attempting desertion! A crowd of cowardly insects afraid to die!

The captain dreaded that this incident might reach the Prefect, who would charge him with lax discipline. If the soldiers had reacted like this at a crucial juncture and caused a mishap during battle, he would surely lose his head upon return. Hence, his fury knew no bounds.

You few—report for ten strokes of the cane when we return! The captain singled out those who had stopped first, punishing them separately to make an example and warn the others not to repeat the offense.

Among those named was a burly, stout man named Lu Dalang. Impulsive and hot-tempered by nature, he had long been at odds with the captain, their grievances festering over time.

He had only stopped because he saw others halting first, yet the captain pointed at him, including him among those to be punished. Lu Dalang suspected the captain was deliberately taking revenge out of personal spite.

Suddenly sentenced to ten strokes of the cane, Lu Dalang flared up in rage. He leaped forward, rushed to the captain, grabbed him by the shoulders, and lifted him into the air, demanding, Who’s going back to take ten strokes? Open your damned eyes and see clearly—I was the last one to stop!

The captain dangled mid-air, legs flailing helplessly. Crimson spread rapidly from his neck to his entire face, his eyes and brows twisted with intense disgust. Gnashing his teeth, he roared furiously, How dare you! Do you think this is a place where you can run wild? When I return, I will report everything that happened here truthfully to the Prefect. Let’s see if ten strokes are unfair or not!

Put me down—now—

The captain, dizzy with rage and trembling all over, kicked Lu Dalang hard. Stung by the pain, Lu Dalang released his grip, and the captain crashed to the ground, his mouth full of dirt.

Worthless farmhand! the captain spat, enraged. He slapped Lu Dalang across the face—a sharp, heavy crack. For what you just did, ten strokes are too light. Thirty would be more fitting—better yet, beaten to death!

Your mother raised a criminal who disobeys military discipline. Your wife married a coward who dares not own up to his actions—a deserter! Don’t think she’ll ever hold her head high again. And those good-for-nothing girls in your family…

Lu Dalang’s fury surged to his head. His eyes shot wide, bloodshot and terrifying. An inexplicable surge of strength flooded his body. He flipped over, pinned the captain down, and clamped his hands around the captain’s vulnerable neck, descending into madness.

Who are you calling good-for-nothing?!

Lu Dalang’s eyes nearly burst from their sockets, his voice hoarse and bestial, revealing a savage, primal ferocity. He fought with every ounce of his strength, as if his life depended on it.

He slapped the captain twice across the face. Caught off guard and unable to resist the frenzied Lu Dalang, the captain took the blows head-on, his vision swimming with stars.

Withholding our pay, leaving us hungry and poorly clothed, cursing and beating us at will, threatening us with military law at every turn—don’t think I don’t know your dirty secrets! You’ve embezzled all the funds and grain. You call Xu Mao an Enchantress who deludes the people, but when it comes to greed and cruelty, you and the court officials are worse than demons! Lu Dalang shouted recklessly, venting his rage without restraint and exposing all the captain’s hidden misdeeds and corruption.

Hearing this, all the soldiers fell silent, holding their breath. Their lowered heads lifted boldly, and they turned to glare at the captain, who had been tossed twice in the dust. Their gazes turned hostile, tinged with danger.

Embezzling our pay… Didn’t they say natural disasters emptied the treasury? If it’s been withheld this long, has it ended up in someone else’s pockets? The soldiers murmured among themselves, stepping forward to confront him.

The captain’s face turned deathly pale. Trembling, he scrambled to his feet.

Surrounded by the soldiers, he shook uncontrollably but stubbornly insisted, Nonsense! Lu Dalang has lost his mind. His ravings can’t be trusted…

He repeated these weak denials over and over, but the soldiers, consumed by rage, had lost all reason.

Military orders meant nothing now—they fell on deaf ears.

All they knew was that the pay rightfully theirs had been stolen by those with ill intentions. Their minds were fixated on one thing: where had their pay gone?

What had they slaved for all these years? Beyond fulfilling their military service, wasn’t it for a stable life and a better future for their families?

Now suddenly being told that their blood and sweat supported the luxurious lives of high-ranking officials above them—that their superiors lived comfortably while they toiled all year with nothing to show for it—who could accept this?

The raiding force fell into internal strife even before entering the city. The bitterly disappointed soldiers, though resentful, harbored no thoughts of rebellion, as fear of the imperial court remained ingrained in their bones.

Furious yet helpless, the soldiers knew that protests would not secure their pay. No one would speak for them. They could only swallow this bitter outcome in sorrow.

As the singing continued, thick waves of nostalgia filled their chests.

Weighing the options, deserting and returning home was clearly the best choice.

Discarding their armor and weapons, ignoring their captain’s threats and bribes, the soldiers fled heartbroken toward their hometowns.

As the farce concluded, Xu Mao waited and waited, only to receive news that the imperial troops, poised to enter the city, had abruptly mutinied and scattered in flight.

Xu Mao stood stunned, unable to process the situation for a long time.

Why? Why now?

They were right at the doorstep—how could they flee at this critical moment?

Did we find out why they deserted? Refusing to believe it, Xu Mao pressed for answers.

Tang Zhegui and several other squad leaders looked equally baffled, shaking their heads. Marshal, some overheard arguing from a distance, but it was unclear. We don’t yet know the full story.

Anxiously clasping his hands behind his back, Xu Mao paced the room.

Without a single real engagement, how long before wild rumors spread again? Would garrison troops elsewhere grow terrified and desert before battle, creating a vicious cycle?

No. They had to fight a battle—to establish the enemy’s proper understanding of them.

Prepare to pursue them outside the city, Xu Mao decided.

Tang Zhegui stared in astonishment, his expression dazed.

This unit wasn’t even the enemy’s main force. Catching them would achieve little, and with deserters scattering in all directions, rounding them up would be arduous. What was the point of chasing them?

After a long pause, Tang Zhegui hesitantly craned his neck and ventured, We’re going after the deserters?

Clenching his fist, Xu Mao replied without hesitation, Yes. We pursue the deserters, take prisoners, and intimidate the court.

Understanding dawned on the group.

Yes, Marshal! they affirmed in unison.

Prefect, it’s terrible! Lu Dalang has defied military orders, openly caused trouble, injured his subordinates, and spread rumors that you embezzled their pay! He incited the others to desert! The captain, his face swollen and bruised, blood trickling from his nose, stumbled in to report.

The Prefect, who had been awaiting good news, spat out his tea in shock. What?!

Wiping his mouth with a handkerchief, the Prefect frowned in displeasure. How did Lu Dalang find out? Explain everything clearly, and quickly!

Not daring to admit his own blunder, the captain pinned all the blame on Lu Dalang, fabricating and exaggerating the story to fuel the Prefect’s anger.

…And that Enchantress, Prefect—she’s truly formidable. Cunning as the deep sea, her schemes venomous as a viper’s. She deliberately had songs sung to stir the soldiers’ homesickness. You must be extremely careful dealing with her! Recalling the eerie scene, the captain’s heart raced uncontrollably, a cold sweat drenching his back as shivers ran down his spine.

The Prefect’s pupils slightly contracted. Xu Mao’s methods were actually so despicable. He silently cursed his misfortune, staring coldly at the captain as he commanded, Today’s events must never be revealed. Otherwise, you need not remain among the living. Dispose of the account books and those who escaped as quickly as possible—do not let them go out and spread rumors.

The captain prostrated on the ground, sweat dripping into the stone crevices and vanishing without a trace. He repeatedly affirmed, Prefect, rest assured. Regarding this matter, I guarantee not a single word will be spoken outside.

After giving his instructions, the Prefect narrowed his eyes slightly. Go and urge the Lu family and Zhou Feiren to join forces in besieging the Xu Enchantress, to restore peace to the world.