Can I Become Emperor by Being This Lazy? - Chapter 43

Chapter 43

The captain stayed for a day or two and quickly sensed something unusual about this place.

First, they actually served three meals a day, with an additional meal at noon. While this wouldn’t be remarkable for nobility, it was extraordinary for commoners, soldiers, and even prisoners—especially during times when having one meal a day was considered fortunate. How generous Xu Mao was.

Second, the soldiers’ daily training appeared quite peculiar. They would stand motionless testing endurance, then run around in formation, and even compete to see who could climb trees the fastest. It was all rather baffling.

The captain couldn’t make sense of it. While observing, he tried to remain inconspicuous, quietly looking for an opportunity to escape.

When Tang Zhegui’s request letter reached Xu Mao, she opened it and beamed with delight. She’d prefer Tang Zhegui to stay in Fengcheng and not return, lest she give her an unexpected surprise.

Xu Mao stroked her chin in thought for a moment, then picked up her brush to reply: External injuries are easily seen, internal ones harder to detect. Since you’re unwell, find a reputable physician to examine your pulse. Rest and recover peacefully in Fengcheng—there’s no need to hurry back.

Fearing Tang Zhegui might insist on returning, she additionally instructed Xu Bihe and Lü Feiyan to keep close watch on Tang Zhegui and the mess squad soldiers returning with her. They were to have physicians check everyone’s pulses for internal injuries, ensuring they returned to their cooking duties in full health.

With Tang Zhegui and her fiercely combatant soldiers withdrawn to Fengcheng, Xu Mao figured there should be no more capable fighters around her. The obstacles had suddenly vanished, the endgame was approaching, and she could soon exit the game. Xu Mao breathed a sigh of relief, looking forward to the Jin Province Prefect’s next assault.

While Xu Mao felt completely at ease, the Jin Province Prefect was having a much harder time. Restless and anxious, he found sitting or lying down unbearable. Their repeated attacks had failed to capture Xu Mao, and the mounting pressure weighed heavily on him.

Those outside didn’t understand Xu Mao. Hearing she was a woman, they underestimated her—just as they initially had—thinking sending a few men could easily quell the Huaining rebellion. Little did they know that facing this woman revealed how difficult she was to kill.

Yet other officials, unaware of the truth, made it seem like the Jin Province officers were incompetent for failing to suppress the rebellion. They cast disdainful looks, surely sneering behind their backs about mobilizing so many troops yet failing to capture a mere woman.

Just imagining it filled his mind with mocking faces. The Jin Province Prefect felt utterly humiliated, anxiously pulling out clumps of his hair.

He fretted helplessly beside Prefect Xiao, feeling as if he were being roasted over fire. Finally unable to bear it, he approached Prefect Xiao and asked, Sir Xiao, our strategies of ambushing the mess squad and besieging Xu Mao have failed. What should we do next?

Prefect Xiao wasn’t the only one burning with anxiety—his own days were equally difficult.

He now deeply regretted agreeing to come to Jin Province and taking on this hot potato.

If they couldn’t even defeat the young women who cooked for Xu Mao’s forces, one could imagine how formidable her elite combat troops must be.

Now everyone was counting on him, leaving him in an untenable position. Prefect Xiao’s back was soaked with cold sweat. Though he maintained a calm facade, internally he was pacing in circles, his lips blistering with stress.

Prefect Xiao pondered for a long time, a resolute glint flashing in his eyes. Since the siege tactic failed, we have no choice but to confront them head-on. We have superior numbers—if a thousand soldiers couldn’t capture her, I refuse to believe ten thousand can’t kill her. We must not allow the Loyal Army to grow stronger and become a calamity the court cannot eradicate!

Lord Xiao speaks wisely.

After speaking, the Prefect of Jin Province sighed helplessly. The current strategy of relying on numerical superiority only proved how troublesome eliminating Xu Mao had become. The threat had already materialized; why would they need special warnings?

He could only blame himself for his earlier negligence in not taking the matter seriously enough, giving Xu Mao time to capture Yanlin and Fengcheng and expand his forces.

The Prefect of Jin Province regretted it deeply but it was too late. Clasping his hands in acknowledgment, he went to muster the troops and prepare for a final stand.

*

Tang Zhegui received Xu Mao’s reply. Clutching the corner of the envelope, she paced back and forth, her heart pounding, body feverish, and mind dizzy with anxiety.

Nervously wringing her hands and swallowing hard, she finally mustered the courage to thrust the letter into Xu Bihe’s hands, whispering timidly, Bihe Niangzi, please read it for me. Whatever punishment the Marshal decides, I’ll accept it.

Xu Bihe opened the letter, extracted the thin paper, unfolded it, and upon reading it, a slight smile touched her lips.

With amused eyes, she looked at Tang Zhegui’s anxious face and reassured her, Tang Niangzi, you worried for nothing. The Marshal isn’t angry. He specifically instructed me to have a physician examine you and asked you to rest peacefully in Fengcheng to recover from your injuries.

Really?Tang Zhegui’s eyes lit up with surprise, her fear dissipating slightly. In one swift motion, she rushed to Xu Bihe’s side, craning her neck to peer at the letter, her body trembling slightly.

Now can you set your mind at ease? Xu Bihe handed back the letter, allowing Tang Zhegui to clutch it to her chest like a treasure, her laughter teasing.

Tang Zhegui’s cheeks flushed pink as she nodded gently. Just as Bihe Niangzi predicted. It seems the Marshal sending me back to Fengcheng indeed had other plans.

Xu Bihe said, From now on, we must wait and observe, responding flexibly to changes. Be patient and wait.

I won’t disappoint the Marshal’s expectations!

Tang Zhegui nodded excitedly, carefully refolding the letter to its original state and pressing it tightly against her chest.

Her hanging heart finally settled, but excitement over this secret mission kept her awake all night, staring until dawn. The next day, she rose exhausted and was less vigilant than usual while supervising the prisoners at work.

Mealtime!

The gong sounded, announcing the arrival of lunch.

Tang Zhegui walked over upon hearing the noise, her expression somewhat dazed.

The perceptive Captain noticed her unusual mood today—she seemed to have encountered some good news, moving about with restless energy, unable to hide the smile in her eyes and brows.

As Tang Zhegui turned her back to leave, the Captain saw it as a perfect opportunity to escape. After a brief hesitation, he gritted his teeth—this rare chance couldn’t be wasted any longer.

Even if it was a trap, he had to take the leap!

The Captain’s eyes grew determined. Clenching his fists, he bent slightly at the waist, gathering all his strength. Seizing the moment, he blended into the crowd, concealing his figure, and crept quietly toward the perimeter.

Alert! Someone’s escaping! You there, quickly inform Tang Niangzi! Pursue him at once!

A sharp-eyed soldier noticed the Captain’s suspicious movements and immediately shouted a warning, directing his companions to summon Tang Zhegui while he drew his blade and gave chase.

The captain, realizing he had been discovered, turned deathly pale. Terror unleashed a surge of adrenaline, and he immediately bolted like a cheetah across the grasslands, vanishing in an instant.

Tang Zhegui heard the shouts and turned to look. The other captives seized the opportunity to
flee in the chaos. Their guards scrambled to apprehend them, using force to suppress the disorder, creating a scene of utter pandemonium.
Tang Zhegui, horrified, hurriedly joined the pursuit team rushing outside.

The captain gasped for air, the cold wind stinging his throat with a metallic taste like swallowing knives. His neck burned with unbearable pain, yet he ran desperately, his legs numb, driven solely by willpower and instinct.

After running endlessly for what felt like days, the captain and a few others finally glimpsed the city gate, their dull eyes suddenly blazing with hope.

One of the men beside the captain danced forward ecstatically, shouting, Open the gates! I am—

Before he could finish, a sharp arrow pierced his throat with a sickening tear. Blood sprayed out instantly.

The man collapsed stiffly, clutching his neck as crimson seeped through his fingers. His eyes remained wide, fixed on the city gate as he dragged himself forward, dying with unresolved resentment.

Not far away, another lay in a pool of blood, his gruesome death repeatedly assaulting the captain’s sanity.

Terrified, the captain stumbled back two steps and fell to the ground.

A cold voice echoed from the gate tower: By order of the Prefect, no one is to be admitted for fear of spies infiltrating. Anyone who dares approach will be executed without mercy!

After a brief silence, perhaps out of pity, the same soldier added reluctantly, Don’t waste your efforts. Warrants for your parents’ arrest have already been stamped and sent to their hometowns.

The Prefect has declared that those who surrendered to the rebel Xu Mao and returned alive are deemed disloyal and suspected of collusion. You should be beheaded on sight, but out of respect for our past camaraderie, leave now!

Upon hearing about his parents’ arrest, the captain’s face turned ashen, his eyes wide with horror, ears ringing.

He had endured immense hardship to return, fearing his family would be implicated, only to be met not with solace for his narrow escape but with a cold arrow and an arrest warrant.

The moment he fell into enemy hands, he had become a discarded pawn.

How laughable!

Sitting on the ground, the captain wept bitterly, tears streaming like tides. Moments later, he covered his face and laughed maniacally, nearly driven insane.

Now jackals hold power! The court imposes exorbitant taxes, embezzles military pay, enforces excessively harsh laws, and rules with cold indifference, leading to this collapse. The loyal Marshal Xu Mao cares for the people, treats soldiers like his own children, and treats prisoners of war with kindness. Under his command, we ate three meals a day, free from hunger and cold. His rise is justified and inevitable—Jin Province will surely fall to Xu Mao! The captain gnashed his teeth, his eyes blazing with hatred as he shouted.

An official who had rushed to the gate tower upon hearing the commotion noticed the soldiers’ uneasy expressions. Enraged, he pointed a trembling finger at the captain and urgently commanded, Nonsense!.. Spreading lies to deceive the masses—he’s clearly a spy sent by the rebels! All troops, open fire on the spies! Let no one escape!

The soldiers, obliged to obey, drew their bows and released a volley of arrows.

Unlike the others who panicked and fled, the captain stood fearless and upright, striding forward to meet the arrows. Our fate today will be yours tomorrow…

An arrow pierced the captain’s chest, abdomen, and thigh. He spat blood and shouted those words with his last breath, his voice hoarse and desperate. The wind howled mournfully, casting a grim atmosphere over the scene.

The soldiers gazed at the corpses strewn haphazardly below the city walls, recognizing familiar faces among them. They shivered involuntarily, the captain’s words still echoing in their ears.

The captain was right. If they, too, were defeated by the Loyal Army, their families and friends would surely be captured and imprisoned.

To avoid sharing the captain’s fate, they had two choices: die in battle or defeat the Loyal Army.

But… could they truly overcome the Loyal Army?

The soldiers were lost in doubt.