Shouldn't Your Soldiers Be Shared with Your Brother

The Northern Frontier!

An imperial envoy's procession approached from a distance.

Six outriders led the way, followed by four path-clearing foot soldiers. Behind them walked two ceremonial officials, one holding a bronze tally and the other bearing a gilded battle-axe, marching at a steady pace.

In the center, heavily guarded, was the envoy himself.

It was none other than Ren Tianchao. Clad in crimson official robes with a jade belt clasped around his waist, he rode a yellow roan. A banner depicting the sun and moon was slung diagonally across his back. He looked extraordinarily majestic and imposing.

Yet Ren Tianchao himself acted like a rat scurrying across the street.

Trembling with paranoia, he dared not ride forward boldly. He constantly pestered his attendants with questions.

"Are you certain the Northern Frontier is peaceful?"

"There won't be any war here, right?"

"My brother, Ren Tianye, truly has some power in the Northern Frontier, doesn't he?"

"If we keep going like this, no one will come and kidnap me, right?"

"How about we rest for a while? Once things calm down even more, we can go find my brother, Ren Tianye. What do you think?"

His guards were driven to the brink of a breakdown by Ren Tianchao.

They all hailed from the capital's Imperial Guard. Regardless of their individual combat prowess, their personal aura had never been weak, especially upon arriving in the Northern Frontier.

It was true that the Northern Frontier had many border troops, and these border troops might look tougher than them, but they were the Imperial Guard! As the central army arriving in this frontier land, shouldn't they be marching with their heads held high?

Psychologically, they should be able to firmly suppress these border troops.

But this envoy, Ren Tianchao...

Was just too damn cowardly!

Before even entering the Northern Frontier, he swayed with every step, too terrified to even travel. Now that they had finally reached the Northern Frontier, he was practically ready to squat down and refuse to move.

"Why did the imperial court send such a person?"

"Isn't this just a massive embarrassment for us brothers?"

"If word gets out, people will think our Imperial Guard is afraid of their border army."

"Heh, that implies there still is a border army. The Northern Frontier's border army was disbanded by His Majesty long ago. Even if there are troops left, they are nothing more than roving bandits. We travel by imperial decree, representing the Son of Heaven. What the hell is there to be afraid of?"

...

The soldiers had long been dissatisfied with Ren Tianchao.

This coward was too disgraceful!

But there was nothing they could do. Who asked Ren Tianchao to be the imperial envoy sent by the court? They were merely his retinue and could only reluctantly offer various words of persuasion, practically pushing Ren Tianchao forward step by step.

They had finally reached the borders of the Northern Frontier when they suddenly heard the clatter of horse hooves in the distance. It sounded like a group was rapidly approaching.

Such a situation wasn't strange.

The Northern Frontier wasn't the capital, with its strict etiquette and peaceful prosperity. It was perfectly normal for a group to appear in the Northern Frontier, not to mention it wasn't even certain if they were an army.

As a result...

Upon hearing the sound, Ren Tianchao acted like a startled little rooster. He violently scrambled into his carriage, screaming, "Protect me! Protect me! Hurry and protect me!"

The soldiers of the envoy's procession had no choice but to draw the sabers at their waists one by one, tightly surrounding Ren Tianchao's carriage.

However, they still didn't take it too seriously.

Instead, they leisurely watched the approaching group.

Just as they imagined, it wasn't an army.

It was...

A group made up of household servants.

Upon drawing near, the man in the lead, dressed in luxurious clothes, dismounted and approached with a face full of smiles.

"May I ask, is this the carriage of Young Master Ren Tianchao of the Duke Ren's estate?"

"This is indeed Lord Ren's carriage. Who goes there?"

The guards did not loosen their grip on their sabers, barking back the question with an utterly arrogant posture.

"Then this is it! Hahaha, we've finally found you." The man looked quite excited as he introduced himself. "I am the butler of the Wang family. On the orders of my family head, I have come to welcome the young master of the Duke Ren's estate."

Inside the carriage, Ren Tianchao heard this clearly.

He was instantly pleasantly surprised.

The Wang family?

He had no idea which Wang family this was, but he was very clear about his own identity—the son of the Duke Ren's estate!

Back in the capital, because of this identity, he was a top-tier aristocrat, flattered and fawned over by countless officials and noble families.

Now that he was in the Northern Frontier, wouldn't it be exactly the same?

This was the difference between Ren Tianchao and Ren Tianye.

One grew up in the Duke Ren's estate from a young age and had a clear understanding of its influence. The other had no idea that even if the Duke Ren's estate was no longer at its peak, it still had a massive following across the world.

And now, Ren Tianchao, who understood all this, instantly became smug. He stepped out of the carriage with an arrogant posture. "I am indeed the son of Duke Ren, Ren Tianchao."

"Who are you people?"

The butler quickly bowed low and said respectfully, "Reporting to the Young Master, I am the butler of the Wang family. On the orders of my family head, Wang Hai, I have come specifically to welcome the Young Master!"

"Young Master Ren, my family head has already gone ahead to Yunji City to pay his respects to General Ren Tianye and inform him of your arrival in the Northern Frontier."

"I was ordered to wait here for the Young Master!"

Ren Tianchao felt even more reassured. Sure enough, everything was exactly as he had imagined. He said, "Since that is the case, I shall travel together with you."

"Yes, yes, Young Master Ren!"

The butler looked as if he had been greatly honored.

"Right..." Ren Tianchao thought of something and asked, "Has my brother truly built up a massive faction in the Northern Frontier?"

"But of course!" The butler quickly smiled flatteringly. "General Ren, under the orders of Duke Ren, has maneuvered brilliantly throughout the Northern Frontier. Today, the entire Northern Frontier has fallen into General Ren's hands!"

Wild joy surged onto Ren Tianchao's face.

His brother had conquered the Northern Frontier, which meant their Duke Ren's estate had conquered the Northern Frontier. And if their Duke Ren's estate had conquered the Northern Frontier, didn't that mean he had conquered the Northern Frontier?

His expression instantly became incredibly arrogant.

"Since you know my brother has taken the Northern Frontier, why have you people been so negligent toward me?"

"You only send someone to pick me up now?"

"And empty-handed at that?"

"I traveled all this way, suffering so much hardship and enduring so much misery, just to look at your old face?"

The butler jumped in fright. He hadn't expected Ren Tianchao to directly demand things from him the moment they met. However, not daring to be careless, he hurriedly brought out all the gold, silver, and valuables Wang Hai had told him to bring.

He offered them up one by one.

Noble families like Wang Hai's highly revered the Duke Ren's estate. Even now, they supported the Duke Ren's estate, perhaps even more than they supported the Great Yu Dynasty. The items they offered were naturally of the highest quality.

Gold, silver, jade artifacts, and deeds to estates and wealth—everything was there!

Only then did Ren Tianchao nod in satisfaction.

As they continued onward with the butler, they soon reached a mountain pass. This was originally an imperial checkpoint, but now, facing them, the guards simply let them through without daring to obstruct them in the slightest.

The butler explained everything one by one.

"This pass is guarded by General Sun Xiang, a subordinate of General Ren. Under General Ren's orders, General Sun Xiang swept across the Northern Frontier with unstoppable momentum. He alone has conquered countless cities, big and small!"

"He's quite a fierce general!" Ren Tianchao praised, but then his expression suddenly changed. "He might be a fierce general, but doesn't he know to come and pay his respects to his master?"

"I have come here in person. Why did he only order his men to let us pass instead of coming to greet me?"

The butler quickly smiled apologetically, "I imagine General Sun Xiang is busy and it was simply inconvenient for him."

"Hmph, no matter what, he has no regard for his master. When I see my brother, I will definitely file a severe complaint against him and let him know exactly how formidable I am!"

Ren Tianchao was arrogant all the way, getting closer and closer to Yunji City!

...

Meanwhile, inside Yunji City.

Ren Tianye, however, had a look of utter shock on his face.

"Who did you say?"

"Who is here?"

"Your brother, Ren Tianchao!" Wang Hai was actually quite excited: "Your brother Ren Tianchao has come bearing an imperial decree, proving that the court has become more lenient towards the Duke Ren's mansion."

"Great General, this is a good thing!"

"In the future, the Duke Ren's mansion won't be supported by you alone."

"You have your brother to help you."

"Who knows, the court might even release Duke Ren, and then you'll have even more people to support you."

Wang Hai spoke with great enthusiasm, but Ren Tianye's expression remained calm. In reality, he was quite speechless inwardly.

No way, he had fought to such an extent in the Northern Frontier, and the court still hadn't killed Duke Ren and his brother Ren Tianchao?

Didn't this just leave a hidden danger for him?!

Fortunately...

Now that Ren Tianchao was coming, he could easily accomplish one of his two goals.

"Great General..." Wang Hai continued, "Young Master Ren Tianchao has already entered the Northern Frontier. I have sent people to receive him, and it is estimated that he will arrive at Yunji City in a few days."

"Do you think we should prepare in advance?"

"To welcome him?!"

"And also let the soldiers of the Northern Frontier see that you, Great General, are the descendant of Duke Ren, and that you started this uprising in the Northern Frontier under Duke Ren's orders."

Ren Tianye was very willing to accept the latter half of Wang Hai's suggestion. He had to unfurl the banner of the Duke Ren's mansion now; after all, this banner was simply too useful.

However, Ren Tianye was quite displeased with the first half of Wang Hai's suggestion.

Welcome Ren Tianchao?

What kind of thing was he?!

In his memories, Ren Tianchao was a pure scumbag. As an adopted child, he occupied the position of the young master of the Duke Ren's mansion. After the original owner of this body returned to the mansion, Ren Tianchao constantly played the victim and framed him.

He was a typical fake young master!

Welcoming this kind of person made Ren Tianye feel disgusted.

But...

Looking at Wang Hai's expectant look, Ren Tianye knew that there were still many subordinates like Wang Hai who recognized the Duke Ren's mansion.

So, he had to put on a disguise.

He smiled and said, "Wang Hai, your suggestion is excellent. Although Ren Tianchao is not my biological brother, we have always had a great relationship and deep affection for each other. Since he is coming in person and bringing an imperial decree, how could I not welcome him?"

Immediately, Ren Tianye gave the order to prepare a reception of the highest standard to await Ren Tianchao's arrival.

Wang Hai and the people from the prominent families also went to prepare. After all, Ren Tianchao's arrival meant someone from the Duke Ren's mansion in the capital had come. As people loyal to the Duke Ren's mansion, they naturally had to show their respect properly.

With such preparations, a dispatched army soon found Ren Tianchao in the Northern Frontier and escorted him all the way to Yunji City.

Upon his arrival, Ren Tianye personally led people ten miles out of Yunji City to welcome him on the main road. Beside Ren Tianye followed his most elite soldiers.

Surrounding Ren Tianye, many prominent families who believed in the Duke Ren's mansion had also arrived at the scene early. Those pushed to the back of the crowd didn't forget to stand on their tiptoes, trying to get a glimpse of this young master from the Duke Ren's mansion.

Many people clearly saw that Ren Tianchao and Ren Tianye's appearances were completely different. Although Ren Tianye's face was also handsome, after experiencing the wind and rain, his eyes were as deep as the sea. Holding a Sky Piercer Halberd and riding a Jade Lion that shone in the night, he looked extraordinarily heroic.

Ren Tianchao, however, was the exact opposite.

He was thin and dry, wearing a luxurious robe. At first glance, he seemed to have a bit of a scholarly aura, but upon closer inspection, he didn't. Instead, he looked like a second-generation dandy from the capital whose body had been hollowed out by wine and women.

Of course, it was wrong to judge a person by their appearance, not to mention the different status of the visitor?!

Thus, waves of cheers rang out.

Ren Tianye also had a smile on his face. Watching Ren Tianchao get closer and closer, his smile deepened. He urged his Jade Lion forward, its hooves clattering, and soon arrived in front of Ren Tianchao.

"Little brother, your older brother has missed you to death!"

Ren Tianye suddenly reached out and gave Ren Tianchao a big bear hug.

"Big brother, cough, cough, cough... I missed you to death too. We brothers haven't seen each other for a long time. Today, we must drink until we drop!"

"That's for sure!" Ren Tianye held Ren Tianchao's hand quite affectionately, displaying a scene of brotherly love in front of these prominent families.

Then he dismounted and helped Ren Tianchao down from his horse as well.

He asked, "Little brother, I wonder what the purpose of your trip here is?"

"Could it be that father has given me some new instructions?"

Saying this, Ren Tianye seemed to sigh with infinite emotion, "Father, the dignified Duke Ren, has the world in his heart. He would rather stay in Kyoto as a hostage himself to support my uprising."

"To be born in such a family, I, Ren Tianye, am fortunate for three lifetimes!"

If Ren Tianchao had heard these words a few days earlier, he would have definitely jumped with anger and cursed Ren Tianye.

After all, it was because Ren Tianye started an uprising in the Northern Frontier that it brought disaster to their Duke Ren's mansion, causing ten generations of their family to be exterminated. Only he and his father managed to survive because court officials pleaded for them.

But even if they survived, they were suffering in prison.

How could he not hate Ren Tianye in his heart?

But this time was completely different.

He had seen the imperial decree given to Ren Tianye by the court, and he clearly knew that it was to let Ren Tianye lead his troops to the capital to mediate. Since Ren Tianye had such a great use, how could their Duke Ren's mansion not benefit from it?

In addition, along the way, he had seen the army under Ren Tianye. He wouldn't dare say that everyone was a formidable fighter capable of taking on ten men, but the military prestige and discipline were quite extraordinary!

He could almost see a bright future!

He could already imagine what a pivotal position their Duke Ren's mansion would have in Kyoto, and even the entire Great Yu Dynasty, in the future!

"When it comes to scheming, it still has to be father!"

"To think he saw this far ahead so early on."

"It's just that father is too good at enduring and hiding things. No matter how many times I asked him, or how much grievance he suffered, he stubbornly refused to say that he was the one who orchestrated all this!"

"Father is truly worthy of being the famous Duke Ren!"

Thinking this, Ren Tianchao's heart was already boiling.

His older brother Ren Tianye was so obedient to their father's words, just exactly the same as before in the Duke Ren's mansion!

But the one father loved was him!

So...

Ren Tianchao thought, these soldiers of Yunji City, these soldiers of the Northern Frontier, and the great merit Ren Tianye was about to achieve in the capital, wouldn't they all belong to his father?!

Since they belonged to his father, they belonged to him!

With a single command from their father, on what grounds would Ren Tianye dare to compete with him?

Ren Tianchao's face smiled like a blooming flower.

He didn't answer Ren Tianye directly, but said, "Big brother, we can talk about this matter later after we enter the city."

"However, there is one thing right now."

"What is it?" Ren Tianye asked.

Ren Tianchao looked left and right, and said, "Big brother, we are brothers for life. What's mine is yours, and what's yours is mine..."

"Tell me, with so many soldiers, shouldn't you give your younger brother a share?"

...