Chapter Seven: A Pearl Cast into Darkness, Tarnished by Slander

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Harsh curses echoed from the patrol camp. Although the words were unclear, it was obvious from the scene: Zhang Xiaojing was kicked out, and Wu Ergou looked utterly submissive. Chen Anxin immediately sensed that this was no good news.

“Useless!” Zhao Qingshan suddenly slammed his hand on the table, pointing at the three of them with fury. “You let the enemy sneak into the watchtower during your guard duty, and now you dare come here demanding rewards? I think you deserve military punishment!”

Zhao Qingshan’s hoarse voice boomed sharply, and a few of his trusted men stood behind him, exuding an intimidating aura.

“Squad leader, what’s going on?” Chen Anxin hurried over and helped Zhang Xiaojing to his feet. He quickly ran through the situation in his mind. The border cavalry had entered, and the supplies were raided—these were offenses punishable by death or exile. Clearly, everyone at the Zishu Watchtower was being made scapegoats.

“Again you!” Zhao Qingshan sneered, pointing at Chen Anxin. “Ever since the last incident, I suspected this kid was causing trouble. He just joined the army and already got into fights with his comrades! This time, he must have secretly released the border cavalry. Such a crime is unforgivable! Arrest him!”

Several soldiers surged forward with the intent to bind Chen Anxin.

“Captain Zhao, what are you doing?” Zhang Xiaojing suddenly stood up. “None of what you’re accusing us of has anything to do with the Zishu Watchtower. Most importantly, if not for Chen Anxin’s sacrifice, how could the border cavalry have retreated?”

“So you’re saying Chen Anxin deserves credit?” Zhao Qingshan said coldly. “When the enemy approaches, there are always traitors colluding with the eighteen border tribes! Today, one must be executed as a warning!”

“Captain Zhao, military regulations clearly state that the watchtower’s duty is to light the beacon fires; as for secretly releasing border cavalry, there is no need for bloodshed,” Zhang Xiaojing retorted. “We killed thirty-seven enemy soldiers and held the watchtower without losing it. According to military law, we should be rewarded. As for you, the reinforcements that were supposed to arrive last night never showed up. What’s the reason for that?”

Zhao Qingshan was momentarily speechless, then his anger flared. “Impudent! I see you’re trying to shield your comrades! This failure is due to your poor defense, and now you dare blame others!”

“How dare you! Chen Anxin, are you plotting rebellion?”

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Zhao Qingshan’s eyes blazed with fury. “A mere soldier dares to defy his superior and argue with me? Who’s in charge of discipline here is not for you to decide!”

Already feeling slighted, Zhao Qingshan drew his sword. Chen Anxin squared his chest and refused to back down, with Zhang Xiaojing standing firmly behind him, equally incensed.

Their shouting grew louder, attracting curious glances from many in the training ground. Surviving an encounter with the border cavalry was rare; surviving and openly arguing with one’s superior was even rarer.

Life in the camp was a survival of the fittest. Chen Anxin was standing alone, defying the odds. Adding to that was the military merit of six confirmed enemy kills and the scout camp leader Qiao Dàfāng’s offer of support. Chen Anxin was gaining some reputation.

“Enough! I’ve heard your shouting from afar. What’s all this noise about?” Just as tensions reached their peak, Wu Ping, the commander of Huyang Pass, hurried in. His brows furrowed as he shouted angrily, “Stop this at once! What are you trying to do—kill each other? The border forces haven’t retreated yet, and you’re making such a scene? This is disgraceful!”

“Commander, we didn’t expect even this trivial matter to reach you!” Zhao Qingshan first smiled ingratiatingly, then accused, “The soldier Chen Anxin at Zishu Watchtower is cowardly and fled from battle. Squad leader Zhang Xiaojing has exaggerated the matter. We were about to enforce military law.”

Wu Ping’s gaze shifted to Chen Anxin, who met his eyes steadily and said in a firm voice, “Commander, we are willing to swear an oath to prove this is not true.”

Even Wu Ergou, who had been meek all these years, began to argue his case. “The purpose of Zishu Watchtower is to warn, not to fight the enemy!”

Wu Ping, who understood the whole story, was reluctant to let this escalate. Hearing both sides, he frowned and waved his hand. “Enough, stop arguing.”

He weighed the situation carefully. “This matter cannot be clarified immediately. With the enemy at our doorstep, we cannot afford chaos. This issue will be set aside for now.”

“Commander, if this were a minor dispute, I might let it pass. But now with the enemy so close, as the training camp captain, I cannot relax.”

As he spoke, a sharp intake of breath was heard around them. “We won a battle—and yet want to execute them? How can that be right?”

“Exactly!”

“This is the time to make use of every man; such harsh laws make no sense.” Wu Ping pondered for a moment. “Very well, expel Chen Anxin from the army, keep his records, and forbid him from ever enlisting again.”

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Silence fell across the camp. Chen Anxin clenched his fists tightly. Being barred from the army was like being sentenced to death.

“What? Zhang Xiaojing, do you dare look at me like that? I think you don’t want your squad leader post anymore. Wu Ergou! From now on, you’ll replace him.”

Wu Ping intended to sow discord among the three, but it backfired.

“Commander, if Chen Anxin quits, I won’t stay either.”

“You!” Wu Ping said coldly.

“Talents like Chen Anxin are wasted in the patrol camp. I’d rather have him join my scout unit!” Qiao Dàfāng strode in with purpose.

“Qiao Dàfāng, what do you mean by that?” Zhao Qingshan retorted.

“You heard me clearly,” Qiao Dàfāng said disdainfully, glancing at Zhao Qingshan.

“Commander, one of the eighteen border tribes, the Jiuli tribe, has been frequently moving troops. I fear trouble and want to recruit capable men.”

Wu Ping, unwilling to escalate the matter, saw a chance to deescalate.

“Alright, alright, handle this matter yourselves.”

Zhao Qingshan hurried on, “The scout unit shoulders heavy responsibilities. Even if Chen Anxin isn’t a traitor, how can we trust his abilities?”

“I will take full responsibility for my scouts,” Qiao Dàfāng said. “But if Captain Zhao has doubts, I’m willing to test it myself!”

“Bring those border prisoners here!” Qiao Dàfāng ordered, and three shackled border cavalry prisoners were pushed forward.

“Barbarians from the Central Plains! If you want to kill, do it quickly!”

“You Central Plains weaklings, one day we will trample this place flat!”

The prisoners’ defiant words turned everyone’s faces ashen with fury.

“Chen Anxin, these are three border cavalry prisoners captured by my scout unit. If you can defeat them, you have the right to join us.”

“If you chicken out, I suggest you leave now!”

Some soldiers, unaware of the full story and intimidated by Zhao Qingshan’s usual authority, began murmuring amongst themselves.

Chen Anxin sneered inwardly, knowing Zhao Qingshan was setting a trap. But he showed no fear, standing tall with a resolute gaze as he declared, “Very well, I accept.”