Chapter 65 Prey

Chapter 65 Prey

Chapter 65 Prey
Above the vast land, there were bursts of sounds of drums and horns, and flags covering the sky, creating a spectacular sight.

One phalanx after another, wearing armor and holding weapons, stood solemnly.

The sun gradually rises.

After standing for a long time, the soldiers were a little tired. Gradually, noises arose, and the formation became a little chaotic.

Suddenly, the sound of crisp horse hooves was heard.

Some bored people looked in the direction of the sound, but were stunned: a knight in golden armor was riding a horse towards them.

This man was tall and the warhorse he rode was also quite majestic.

The golden armor sparkled in the sun and was very dazzling.

In his hand he held a thick lance, the blade of which flashed with a cold light.

"Is this guy a fool..." a Hebei soldier murmured.

"Maybe it was the Crown Prince's personal general sent here for inspection?" someone asked doubtfully.

"Maybe he came to boost morale. I've been standing in armor for a long time, and my back and waist are sore. I have no strength left."

"Which general is this?"

The soldiers talked at once and asked each other questions.

The knight did not stop. Instead, his horse sped up and his lance was slowly lowered. From a distance, one could actually feel a strong murderous intent.

"No, he is not one of ours!" someone exclaimed.

"If it's not one of ours, then who is it? Are you looking for death by charging into the battle alone?"

"Look again."

The horse still didn't stop, but ran faster.

"Raise the gun! Raise the gun!"

"Raise your gun!"

The owner of the building, Tang Jian, noticed something was wrong and yelled in panic.

The Hebei soldiers seemed to have just woken up from a dream, and hurriedly raised their spears that were leaning on the ground, trying to stop the invaders.

But it was too late...

"Die!" Shao Xun rushed to the front of the formation, roared, and swept his horse lance across with great force, instantly knocking away several spears.

Tang Jian was facing Shao Xun. When the thick lance swept over him, he subconsciously ducked his body, lowered his head, and took a half step back.

But he soon felt something was wrong and blushed. How could he retreat when the bandits invaded his formation?
I am the leader of the building. If I retreat, the soldiers will have to retreat with me. Isn’t that the end of me?

He mustered up his courage, gripped his spear tightly, and prepared to call on his men to come forward and stab the enemy off his horse.

At this moment, a shocking scene appeared: after Shao Xun swung away the spear, he rode his horse straight forward, directly knocking away a sword and shield man, then swung his lance a second time, swinging away five or six spears.

The soldiers could not hold the spears and were frightened by its power, so they retreated one after another. For a moment, people were crowded together, which caused even greater chaos.

"Come up!" Shao Xun held the spear in his left hand and reached out with his right hand. Before Tang Jian could react, he was thrown onto the horse's back and was knocked unconscious.

"Nothing special, haha!" Shao Xun turned his horse around and left with a big laugh.

The scene fell silent for a moment, and everyone watched it all in amazement.

Suddenly, thunderous cheers rang out from the opposite formation. It was a part of the Luoyang Central Army.

Shao Xun charged into the battle line alone and captured one man alive. His heroic and bravery made the old soldiers who had fought on the battlefield for half their lives sincerely admire him.

The crisp sound of horse hooves faded away to the north.

Wherever the golden-armored knight went, there were earth-shaking cheers.

The soldiers in the front row of the Luoyang Central Army saw it clearly and excitedly knocked their shields with their swords. The people behind them didn't understand why, so they also cheered.

The waves surged like a tide towards the Qili River in the north, where Sima Ying was stationed.

He didn't see clearly what happened, and turned his horse's head in confusion, put his hands on the awning, and looked to the south, only to see the knight in golden armor right in front of him.

"Bang!" Shao Xun reined in his horse and threw the captive to the ground, saying, "Brother, what do you think of this prey? Do you think it's pleasing to the eye?"

The place was so quiet that you could hear a pin drop.

Sima Ying opened his mouth wide, obviously still not recovered from the shock.

This military uniform - it seems like they are our own soldiers. Looks like they are from a military academy. How could they be captured alive?

Thinking of this, my face suddenly turned red.

His lips trembled, he wanted to say something but didn't know where to start.

Meng Jiu was also a little dumbfounded, and then he became furious: Whose soldier is this? He is so inexperienced, the chief officer should quit his job!
The old man in brocade robe looked at Shao Xun in surprise and laughed.

He was over 50 years old and had experienced the cruel war years. In those days of war, there were not many people who could charge into the battlefield alone and capture the enemy.

This knight in golden armor might have used some tricks, but his skills were amazing enough to make people astonished. Even decades ago, he would have been treated as a guest of honor.

In this age of declining martial virtues, he stands out like a crane among chickens.

So brave!

The old man in brocade robe was attracted by Shao Xun's talent. He looked at him carefully for a long time, memorized his appearance, and planned to contact him in the future.

"Brother, Shao Xun returned empty-handed without getting any prey. He was teasing you, which is a crime of disrespect. I beg--" Meng Jiu urged her horse forward and said.

"Shut up!" Sima Ying interrupted Meng Jiu and said angrily, "You eunuch are shameless, but I still have some shame!"

After saying that, he glanced at Shao Xun again, snorted coldly, and said: "The prey you caught belongs to you."

After saying this, he rode away.

The followers followed closely.

The old man in brocade robe took a last look and thought to himself that his name was “Shao Xun” and he had to find out more about him.

When he was about to leave, he suddenly turned his horse back and handed a beautifully crafted horse bow to Shao Xun, saying with a smile: "A good bow is only worthy of being given to a warrior. Xinxing Liu Yuan is very polite, and we will meet again later."

After saying this, without waiting for Shao Xun to refuse, he rode away.

Shao Xun was stunned.

So this is Liu Yuan? He subconsciously touched the saddle and found that he had no arrows.

When he looked up again, Liu Yuan had blended into the crowd and gradually disappeared in the distance.

Forget it. He gave me a good bow. It would be too absurd for me to chase him and kill him. Besides, others would think that I chased him to kill Meng Jiu or Sima Ying...

A groan was heard at the feet. It turned out that the prisoner Tang Jian stood up in a daze.

"Bang!" Chen Yougen stepped forward and gave a flying kick, knocking the man down again.

"Haha, you are Sima Shao's servant. Just lie there obediently until you are told to get up." Chen Yougen said proudly as he stood beside Tang Jian.

Tang Jian was a little confused.

How can I, a master of a building, become a slave? What happened?

No one answered him.

As soon as Sima Ying left, the soldiers of the training team immediately gathered around Shao Xun and shouted in unison: "Sima is mighty!"

Shao Xun smiled brightly, plunged the heavy lance into the soft grass, and looked into the distance in the direction where Sima Ying left.

The golden armor reflected dazzling light in the sun, and from a distance it looked like a divine general.

******
"Walk with me." On the grass, Concubine Pei said softly with a bright smile on her face.

"Yes." Shao Xun didn't say much. He stroked the hilt of the sword and walked half a step behind Concubine Pei, looking loyal.

Concubine Pei covered her mouth and chuckled.

In fact, how could someone as smart as her not see the little thoughts in Shao Xun's mind that he couldn't tell anyone?
This young man looked at her with admiration. Perhaps, in the dead of night, he had fantasized about some dirty things?

Concubine Pei knows everything.

But so what?
At least he is willing to show his loyalty, to make me happy, and to protect me at critical moments.

When you wear luxurious and beautiful clothes, you can always receive his astonishing gaze. Isn't it better than admiring yourself alone?

"You should wear the dress given by the emperor, so that you can have less trouble." Concubine Pei turned around, looked at the river that was like a jade belt, and strolled along it.

Two years ago, a flood occurred in Hebei Province. The Xianbei leader Murong Wei (wěi) had led the people to engage in both farming and animal husbandry early on, so he had surplus grain. He sent a batch of grain to Youzhou to help the court with disaster relief, and the emperor specially awarded him ceremonial robes as a reward.

This kind of formal dress or official dress has special meaning, representing the improvement of political status. It is definitely beneficial to wear it more often in formal occasions.

Shao Xun was a "meritorious official who protected the emperor" as the emperor spoke highly of, and the court had awarded him a set of ceremonial robes, a set of golden armor, and two swords as a reward.

Strictly speaking, this is a kind of amulet. Although its effectiveness may not be very great, it can at least make others hesitate when they want to harm you.

"How are dress uniforms different from military uniforms?" Shao Xun shook his head and said seriously, "I am a soldier, and I am only suitable to wear military uniforms—"

At this point, he looked at the princess and said, "A warrior must not forget his roots."

Concubine Pei nodded lightly, the smile on her face remained unchanged, and her steps became even brisker.

"Last month, the emperor held a banquet in Hualin Garden, and the queen asked me about you." Concubine Pei said again.

Shao Xun was silent.

What state was I in at that time? I felt a little perverted, and when I was excited, I wanted to kill someone.

This is the top! It is easy to be mean at that time.

If it were now, he would never say the words "Don't be afraid". How could he say that to the Queen? Do you still have any sense of propriety? Do you have any sense of urgency?

But Queen Yang has already gone to Jinyong City...

"The Queen mentioned that the King of Chengdu left a thousand soldiers to guard the palace, and wanted to instigate the Emperor to promote you to be the commander of the imperial guard." Concubine Pei stopped and looked at the gurgling water, feeling eager to try.

She actually understood Yang Xianrong very well.

When I lived in Sikong Mansion, I tossed and turned at night, unable to sleep, and I felt like it was a cage.

The queen lives in the palace, and all her guards are people who may kill her at any time. She must be in an even worse mood.

With the precedent of Jia Nanfeng, one day you might get a cup of gold-dust wine and die quietly.

Concubine Pei even admires the Queen a little.

How did he survive such a difficult situation? One or two days would be fine, but if it continued for years, even a normal person would go crazy.

"I won't be a guard." Shao Xun said.

"Why?" Concubine Pei didn't expect to get any answer, but just asked casually.

"I am only seventeen years old and have little experience. I often cannot see the way forward, make mistakes, and offend people." Shao Xun said, "If it weren't for the princess's supervision and correction, I would have taken countless wrong steps. What's more, the princess is always kind and generous, which makes me... makes me..."

"What do you want to say?" Concubine Pei regretted asking this question. She was afraid that this somewhat "immature" boy would suddenly say something that would make her feel at a loss.

"It makes me... dare not slack off." Shao Xun replied.

Concubine Pei chuckled.

When the smile blooms, even the flowers on the riverside pale in comparison.

After laughing, Concubine Pei glanced at Shao Xun secretly and slowly put away her smile.

In fact, the conversation between the two has become a bit distorted, and it seems to blur the line between master and servant.

This made her feel very complicated.

She had only wanted to maintain a comfortable life and live a peaceful life, but now she seemed to want something extra. Was she too lonely?
It turns out that people do change.

She sighed lightly, collected her thoughts, and changed the subject inconspicuously: "You really can't slack off. After what happened today, Sima Ying won't bother you openly. He still has his dignity. But you have to be on guard against the villain Meng Jiu's dirty tricks in secret."

"Dirty trick? Assassination?" Shao Xun sneered. This was the only trick he had.

"For the next period of time..." Concubine Pei paused and said, "You'd better stay in the military camp and don't go anywhere. If anything happens, I will send Pei Shiliu to find you."

"Yes." Shao Xun agreed.

He had no plans to go anywhere, and training the troops was his top priority.

"Today - you are doing well." Concubine Pei said softly and left quickly.

Shao Xun quietly raised his right hand and sniffed gently. It seemed that the princess' body fragrance still remained.

(End of this chapter)