Can I Become Emperor by Being This Lazy? - Chapter 42

Chapter 42

Xu Mao personally inspected Tang Zhegui and the others, checking their wounds. After confirming there were no serious injuries, he felt relieved. He granted the kitchen squad several days off to recuperate peacefully, temporarily assigning others to handle cooking duties.

Tang Zhegui suddenly remembered something important. She tilted her body slightly, squinted, and swiftly scanned the dust-covered prisoners. After looking around, her gaze finally settled on a face that matched her memory. Raising her hand to point at the lieutenant among them, she reported: Marshal, when I captured him, he claimed to know about the Prefect’s schemes.

Should we keep him separately for interrogation to extract the court’s military strategies? Tang Zhegui kept her eyes fixed on the man as she whispered to Xu Mao.

After some thought, Xu Mao shook his head. No need. His attire suggests he’s not an important figure. Even if he’s encountered military secrets, his knowledge is likely incomplete. Having partial information is worse than knowing nothing at all—it could mislead our decisions.

Send him away quickly. Don’t delay. Worried about potential complications, Xu Mao didn’t want to keep the prisoners any longer and urged immediate action.

Understanding Xu Mao’s stance, Tang Zhegui didn’t dwell on it further, focusing entirely on escorting the prisoners.

The next day, Tang Zhegui rose early and set off for Fengcheng with the recently captured prisoners and deserters.

The lieutenant, now a prisoner, had witnessed Xu Mao’s care for his soldiers and was deeply moved, his thoughts swirling with conflict.

However, he was ultimately nurtured by the court. Even if he wished to join the Loyal Army, Xu Mao might not trust him, and his parents and family were waiting at home, hoping he would achieve glory and honor his ancestors.

If he truly defected and the Prefect found out, his relatives back home would suffer.

The lieutenant gritted his teeth, firm in his resolve.

If he could escape to deliver information to the Prefect, he would; otherwise, staying longer meant certain death.

Having clarified his course of action, and since Xu Mao showed no intention of killing them, the lieutenant felt temporarily secure.

He closed his eyes, relieved, and quietly followed the procession, ready to seize any chance to escape with all his might.

Unfortunately, luck wasn’t on his side. Tang Zhegui kept a tight watch, patrolling back and forth. The ropes binding him were wrapped over a dozen times and tied in tight knots, requiring a blade or sharp object to cut. There was no opportunity to escape along the way.

Suppressing his anxiety, the lieutenant arrived in Fengcheng, where curious citizens cast sidelong glances and whispered among themselves.

The Loyal Army is invincible. I heard these are captured officers sent to help us repair roads.

Someone nearby expressed astonishment, clapping with satisfaction. In the past, it was always the officers whipping us, forcing us to cut wood and haul stones. Who would have thought they’d be repairing roads for us one day? How remarkable.

Exactly, thanks to Marshal Xu. Look how arrogant they used to be—now we get to see them brought low. So satisfying.

Various looks—amazement, disdain—flashed around him. The lieutenant clenched his clothes, his knuckles turning white. Unable to lift his head in front of the crowd, his face flushed red, and he buried it in his chest to avoid their gazes.

Xu Bihe, having received advance notice, came to greet Tang Zhegui. She took charge of the prisoners, arranging for them to eat and rest in rooms, with work scheduled to begin the next day.

After completing her task, Tang Zhegui pulled Xu Bihe aside, her eyes filled with vigilance. She whispered, There are several junior officers here, like captains. You need to be careful—they’re restless. Keep a close watch so none of the prisoners the Marshal worked hard to capture escape.

She pointed them out one by one to Xu Bihe, who responded gravely, I understand. Don’t worry, I’ll assign extra guards to monitor them.

Tang Zhegui nodded. Good, you know what to do. I’ll leave this to you and return to deliver the Marshal’s meal.

Xu Bihe chuckled. The Marshal clearly recalled you to recuperate from your injuries. How come you can’t stay idle for even a moment?

Just some flesh wounds—nothing serious. They healed during the journey here. This is a critical moment for capturing Jin Province. I can’t just stand by and do nothing. Tang Zhegui waved dismissively. Her injuries weren’t severe, having not reached vital organs, and she paid them little mind, her focus entirely on the war.

As she spoke those last two sentences, a fierce light ignited in Tang Zhegui’s eyes—unyielding and immovable.

Xu Bihe knew her friend wasn’t cut out for kitchen duties but born for the frontlines. Her eyes darting thoughtfully, she suddenly had an idea.

Grabbing Tang Zhegui’s arm, she guided her toward the wall and advised, The Marshal placed you in the kitchen unit to temper your disposition. Kitchen work is messy and demands meticulous attention—it teaches steadiness and thorough planning. Remember this, and returning to the battlefield isn’t impossible.

Tang Zhegui fretted, But I can’t wait that long. I want to fight for the Marshal and storm cities as soon as possible.

Why dwell on that? Didn’t you handle the ambush by government troops excellently? Xu Bihe smiled faintly, analyzing for her: The Prefect’s decision to attack our Loyal Army’s kitchen unit proves its importance. And before that, during the Marshal’s arranged tests, top performers were assigned to the kitchen unit. Do you really think that’s a coincidence? Her implication was clear without further elaboration.

Tang Zhegui stared blankly. Are you saying… the kitchen unit was the Marshal’s deliberate design?

Exactly, Xu Bihe confirmed. The court is cunning, always resorting to underhanded tricks. This move aimed to cut off our supply lines and starve the Marshal out. But the Marshal anticipated this—establishing the kitchen unit, appointing you as lead, and deceiving everyone. In truth, it’s full of elite troops, making the Prefect lower his guard and giving us an opening for victory. She sighed in admiration. The Marshal’s strategy is truly masterful.

Tang Zhegui slapped her forehead. Then wasn’t I the vanguard?

Not exactly. This time, the kitchen unit acted as the vanguard and crushed the enemy. We can all return to the front lines. Tang Zhegui ecstatically jumped three feet high, her words tumbling out in disjointed excitement.

Xu Bihe pressed her shoulders down. Don’t celebrate too soon—it’s not over. Think again: why did the Marshal specifically assign you to escort the prisoners here?

Tang Zhegui’s smile froze. She hadn’t pondered this deeply, mumbling, Wasn’t it to let me rest?

Unexpected incidents often occur on the road. If reinforcements attacked, would you pursue them or not? Xu Bihe questioned.

Tang Zhegui hesitated slightly, wrestling with the decision before finally saying, Without the Marshal’s orders, we naturally won’t pursue.

Xu Bihe sighed, With such a choice, the perfect opportunity is lost, and regret will come too late. The Marshal recalled you, so something is bound to happen here. It’s just that we lack the Marshal’s foresight and don’t know what it is yet.

Tang Zhegui let out a soft ah, half-believing and half-doubting. She looked up at Xu Bihe’s face, seeing her serious expression that held no hint of jest, and asked skeptically, Is that so?

Don’t believe me? Xu Bihe raised an eyebrow. I’ll help you write a letter to the Marshal right now, saying you wish to recuperate from your injuries in Fengcheng and request to stay here. Let’s see if the Marshal approves.

Tang Zhegui frowned deeply and quickly shook her head. Before I left, the Marshal inspected my wound and said it wouldn’t hinder daily tasks. There’s no way she’d allow me to recuperate in Fengcheng!

Xu Bihe, full of conviction, replied, Whether she approves or not, whether it’s true or not, we’ll know once we try.

She took Tang Zhegui to the study to fetch paper and brush, casually writing a few brief lines. The content was simple: Tang Zhegui had successfully escorted the prisoners to Fengcheng and wished to stay to recuperate from her injuries.

Tang Zhegui took the letter, and as Xu Bihe read it aloud beside her, it became clear that the injuries were being used as an excuse. Tang Zhegui flushed red with embarrassment. Isn’t this inappropriate?

Xu Bihe said, We’re merely speculating about the Marshal’s intentions. Even if we’ve misunderstood, the Marshal is kind-hearted and won’t hold it against us.

Tang Zhegui was swayed and convinced by Xu Bihe’s words.

Perhaps, as Xu Bihe had said, everything was under the Marshal’s control. It was possible that before the letter even reached the Marshal, an unexpected situation would arise in Fengcheng, forcing her to stay and handle the anomaly.

After sending the letter, Tang Zhegui was in no hurry to leave. She joined Xu Bihe and Lü Feiyan in repairing roads. Since she had delivered the prisoners and was familiar with them, she had experience in overseeing them, so Tang Zhegui took charge of monitoring the captives.

Lü Feiyan, concerned that Tang Zhegui might not be fully aware of the situation, took her around Fengcheng and even brought her to the quarry to see it firsthand, explaining every detail meticulously.

The Marshal is benevolent and kind. As officers and soldiers under her command, our every word and action reflect on how outsiders judge the Marshal. We must not act recklessly, tarnish the Marshal’s reputation, or burden the entire Loyal Army.

With the help of Xu Bihe and Song Yanfang, Lü Feiyan had quickly adapted, learning the intricacies of interpersonal relations, as well as the unspoken rules of handling documents and public sentiment.

As they say, the smallest details reveal the bigger picture, and success or failure hinges on them. The common people perceive the overall image of the Loyal Army through everyday trivial matters. The more trivial the matter, the more careful one must be.

Although they are prisoners, we must not treat them too harshly. Interact with them normally, Lü Feiyan said softly. For those who surrender sincerely, we should accept them. More people mean more strength. Accumulate small gains to achieve great things. I believe our Loyal Army will secure a place in Huaining, Yanlin, and Fengcheng, and in the future, we will even secure a place in Jin Province and across the entire land!

Tang Zhegui felt her blood surge with excitement, marveling at the profound principles embedded in interpersonal interactions. Subduing enemies wasn’t limited to fighting and killing; it could also be achieved without bloodshed, winning without a battle.

It occurred to her that surrendered enemy troops could be converted into allies, used for their own purposes. The more people they had, the greater their chances of victory, right?

Tang Zhegui began to scheme about the prisoners, her gaze growing increasingly fervent as she looked at them. However, she held little regard for these defeated foes and found it impossible to fawn over them with solicitous care.

She could only keep her thoughts bottled up inside, awkwardly keeping a close watch on the prisoners. Refraining from humiliating or bullying them was already the utmost kindness she could offer.

The captain grew uneasy, unnerved by Tang Zhegui’s piercing gaze. Her stern face resembled that of a wrathful deity, and he couldn’t shake the feeling that she had already seen through his intention to escape and was deliberately following him.

Tang Zhegui drifted around like a ghost, making the captain feel as if needles were pricking his back. Finding no opportunity to flee, he was forced to abandon the idea. After finishing quarrying stones and on his way to eat, he leisurely thought to himself, The food here is plentiful, no one beats or bullies me, and I don’t have to exhaust myself with worry day and night. Staying here doesn’t seem so bad after all.