Xuzhou army’s soldiers fired a volley of yellow crossbow bolts, stopping Xu Chu’s militia two hundred paces in front of the camp gate.
Xu Chu had sharp eyesight and saw the gap in equipment between the two sides from the arrows stuck in the ground.
He temporarily regained his composure and ordered his men not to act rashly.
Once Xu Chu’s people stopped charging, Tao Shang’s mood also relaxed somewhat.
Honestly, Tao Shang really did not want to clash with the other party.
As the saying goes, weapons are ominous tools.
It is best not to fight if possible.
After all, life is not easy…
war is something that kills people!
Every life has its own value.
Even if they really had to fight and make sacrifices, Tao Shang hoped there would be a reason weighty enough to bear those lives.
The reason for stealing pigs was clearly not sufficient.
“Warrior Xu, some matters cannot be explained clearly in a short time.
Why don’t we cease hostilities for now?
Within a day or two, I, Tao, will give you a proper explanation.
How about that?” Xu Chu’s bull-like eyes the size of copper bells swept across the cold, sharp crossbow bolts stuck in the ground.
He remained silent for a moment before slowly speaking: “Who are you?
Can you make the decision?” Tao Shang nodded and said, “I am Tao Shang, the eldest son of Tao Qian, the Inspector of Xuzhou.
This time, by imperial decree, I am joining the various feudal lords to march on Luoyang and campaign against the rebel Dong Zhuo.
I hold the position of Supervisor of the Xuzhou Western Expedition Army.
I did not expect to have a misunderstanding with the warrior here.
I hope you will be magnanimous.” Looking at Tao Shang’s clean and refined face and his modest, calm words, Xu Chu couldn’t help but be stunned: “You are…
Tao Qian’s son?” “Indeed.” After a moment of astonished pause, Xu Chu asked again to confirm: “No mistake?
The Tao Qian who serves as Inspector of Xuzhou?” “Exactly.” Tao Shang did not understand why Xu Chu kept confirming this matter with him.
In everyone’s mind, Tao Qian came from a scholarly background, possessed a straightforward character combined with refined elegance, and within Xuzhou and Yuzhou territories, there had always circulated praises of his lenient governance in his two years in office, strict self-discipline, and upright atmosphere.
Although Tao Qian was somewhat rigid and at times inclined to flatter powerful families and notable figures, his reputation as an upright Inspector of a province had long been renowned in the eastern regions.
Although Xu Chu was in Qiao, he had also long heard of Tao Qian’s reputation.
He never expected that such an Inspector, celebrated and gentlemanly in the eastern territories of the Han dynasty…
would have his troops stealing pigs while on the western expedition.
This fact was truly hard for Xu Chu to accept.
“Xuzhou’s Tao Qian’s son…
actually committing theft!” Xu Chu snorted, muttering to himself.
How worrisome.
In this broken world, officials in power are all wolves and dogs.
After much difficulty finding one or two with good reputations, they turn out to be unworthy of their names…
In such a world full of evil people…
how can one live in the days ahead?
Living is tiring; one simply doesn’t want to be human anymore!
“Very well!” Xu Chu waved his hand listlessly and said, “Having long heard of Inspector Tao’s great reputation, I will trust you this once!
Young Master Tao, I will temporarily return, but within three days, your Xuzhou army must deliver money and grain to my estate as compensation, and hand over the thief leader to me for disposal!
Only then will this matter be settled…
If not, my entire clan and kinsmen will never let this go with you lot.” After Xu Chu finished speaking, the officers and soldiers of the Xuzhou army all flushed red with anger!
Whether there was reason or not aside, just from that earlier volley of yellow crossbow bolts, could Xu Chu not see that the Xuzhou army’s equipment far surpassed that of these militia?
Moreover, the Xuzhou army held a massive numerical advantage…
This fellow had no chance of victory at all.
Even so, he still demanded that their side pay compensation and hand over people?
It was clearly not wanting a peaceful resolution.
Did this guy think his life was too long?!
The commoners these days are truly hard to deal with; are their tempers so extreme?
Only Tao Shang understood that Xu Chu was probably just naturally straightforward and honest; the situation was not actually that complicated.
Tao Shang neither agreed nor refused, simply replying, “Warrior Xu, please return.
Await news.” Xu Chu cupped his hands on horseback, then gave a few instructions to a follower before turning his troops from a rear to a front formation and slowly withdrawing from the battlefield.
Tao Shang watched the departing figures of Xu Chu and his group, falling into brief thought…
Shortly after, he waved his hand, summoned a commandant, and ordered: “Withdraw the troops back to camp.
Strengthen patrols and be on guard in case Xu Chu’s group returns.” “Understood!” The commandant immediately accepted the order and left.
Although Tao Shang believed Xu Chu’s promise, precautions were still necessary…
After all, times were hard, and no one was entirely trustworthy.
Inside the Xuzhou main camp, within the commander’s tent.
Mi Fang stood on the left side of the commander’s tent, looking at the displeased-faced Tao Shang in the center, cold sweat beading on his forehead.
No matter how approachable Young Master Tao usually was, Mi Fang knew that what he had done today was truly excessive.
“Brother Mi.” After a long silence, Tao Shang finally spoke slowly: “Do you know what my duty is on this western expedition with the army?” Mi Fang grimaced, trying to force a smile, but his stiff lips looked no better than crying; the smile was like a dog having its tail stepped on, extremely rigid and somewhat comical…
yet it contained no element to ease the awkward atmosphere.
“Young Master, you are the Supervisor!” Mi Fang murmured in reply.
Tao Shang looked calmly at Mi Fang and said slowly, “Then trouble Brother Mi to tell me: what are the main responsibilities of a Supervisor?” “This…” Mi Fang’s beady little eyes darted around, and he said in a low voice, “The duty of a Supervisor is to oversee the conduct and troop deployments of the commanding generals, ensuring they follow regulations…
If there are improprieties, one may directly memorialize…” Tao Shang sneered: “In that case, Brother Mi, as the main general, your splendid performance of turning your horse and fleeing during today’s confrontation between the two sides, can I ‘directly memorialize’ that?” “Young Master!” Upon hearing this, Mi Fang broke into a cold sweat all over, immediately dropping to one knee and shouting loudly: “Young Master, see clearly!
This general…
has been wronged!!!” As soon as his voice fell, he immediately burst into loud wailing.
Mi Fang’s shout was exceptionally flamboyant, not only earth-shaking and extremely loud, but the short ten characters contained multiple emotions: pain, grievance, sadness, indignation, helplessness…
Though his on-the-spot acting was slightly raw, otherwise it could surely move listeners to sorrow and onlookers to tears.
However, the wailing that followed was the finishing touch; anyone who heard that bawling would feel he had suffered immense injustice.
This shout plus the crying spread out, causing even the guards and soldiers outside the tent to unconsciously turn their heads and sneak glances at the situation inside the commander’s tent…
They didn’t know what heaven-and-earth, ghost-weeping methods the Supervisor had used to make a commander of the three armies emit such a pig-slaughtering scream.
At this moment, Tao Shang felt very embarrassed, embarrassed beyond words…
Mi Fang had fled on horseback right in front of both armies, under the watchful eyes of thousands.
Yet now he came crying about being wronged?
Tao Shang really didn’t know how Mi Fang had cultivated such thick skin…
Clearly he was the one who had done wrong, yet he made it seem as if Tao Shang was the unreasonable one.
Being forced to take the blame to this extent was truly a bit beneath a transmigrator’s dignity.
“Shut your mouth…!” Tao Shang’s face darkened as he ordered in a low voice.
As soon as the words fell, Mi Fang instantly stopped crying.
He raised his head, his face still covered in tear streaks and tear stains, showing just how miserably he had cried moments ago…
Yet now he looked completely at ease, without the slightest trace of distress.
“How do you do that?” Tao Shang raised an eyebrow slightly, looking curiously at Mi Fang’s face.
Mi Fang looked puzzled: “Do what?” “Cry when you want to cry, stop when you don’t…
so freely controlled.” Mi Fang met Tao Shang’s interested gaze, his face rarely flushing as he smiled wryly: “Natural talent.” Tao Shang laughed angrily: “Is that so?
You truly have exceptional gifts…
Tell me, how exactly have you been wronged?” As soon as Mi Fang heard Tao Shang ask this, his spirits lifted: “Young Master just said I fled before battle, but this general feels greatly wronged.
Those mountain villagers were merely common folk causing a disturbance, not a proper army at all.
How can one speak of fleeing before battle…” The further he spoke, the quieter Mi Fang’s voice became, because Tao Shang’s expression grew increasingly unpleasant.
This was understandable.
Such sophistry and quibbling, if it were anyone else, they would have slapped him long ago.
How could they allow him to continue yapping here?
Tao Shang also wanted to slap him…
but Mi Fang had just finished crying, his face covered in snot and tears.
Slapping him would be too dirty…
Tao Shang found it distasteful.
Perhaps sensing Tao Shang’s urge to get physical, Mi Fang quickly added: “Young Master, today’s matter really cannot be blamed on this general.
This general has never led troops before.
Although I have read some military strategies, it was only armchair theory!
This general is originally a merchant by trade.
Last night I was frightened by that fellow, and for a moment I lost my composure.
I hope Young Master will not hold it against me…” Tao Shang sighed deeply: “The reasoning is sound, but today’s situation was obvious to anyone with eyes that our army’s strength far exceeded the opponent’s, yet you still showed such cowardice.
If we reach the alliance site, won’t the various feudal lords laugh their teeth off?” Mi Fang said urgently, “Young Master, this general has learned his lesson and will never commit the same mistake again!” “The problem is, your performance has already been seen by all the officers and soldiers of our army.
You may convince me alone, but can you convince the entire army?” Mi Fang hurriedly added: “Young Master, as the saying goes, knowing shame is close to courage.
This general is willing to sign a military pledge!” Tao Shang picked up a bowl from the desk, took a sip of water to moisten his throat, then showed a conflicted expression and said: “General Mi, to be honest, previously in Xuzhou, your brother and I already reached an understanding.
My Tao family and your Mi family are now in the same boat…
I should give you this face, but my duty and the military law are here.
Military law knows no personal feelings!
Our Tao clan has always prided itself on being gentlemen.
If I show favoritism, I fear it will give others cause for gossip…
In this situation, you put me in a very difficult position.” Mi Fang gritted his teeth and probed undeterred: “Young Master, this general has an estate in the southern suburbs of Pengcheng, with a hundred mu of farmland attached.
If Young Master does not disdain it, you may take it entirely for future needs.” “……” After a long silence, Tao Shang slowly spoke: “Is that estate of yours…
new?” Mi Fang extended a hand, showing his thumb and forefinger: “Eighty percent new estate, with three courtyards inside and out!
There are also farmlands irrigated by channels from the Si River; the harvests are excellent!
This general goes there to escape the summer heat when free.
It is truly a rare fine place!” Another long silence.
Tao Shang looked at Mi Fang and said solemnly, “Everyone makes mistakes, Brother Mi.
Today’s error is tomorrow’s lesson.
Do not commit it again…
If you do it again, beware that I will slap you.”