He doesn't even treat me as a human being—what can I offer in return for loyalty

The wounded soldiers gritted their teeth and retreated one after another.

But one wounded soldier with two broken legs was completely dumbfounded.

Others could barely make it out, and even those who couldn't move had brothers-in-arms to help them. But today, his brothers had died on the battlefield. There was no one to help him, and with both legs broken...

He really couldn't move!

He could only plead with the Postmaster. My Lord, I... my legs are broken. They were just set by the military doctor. I really cannot move right now.

And if I move, I'm afraid...

I will be crippled for life.

The Postmaster's eyes were cold as he lowered his voice. What, are you blind? Can't you see the Garrison Commander is busy? How dare you delay the Commander's important business?

His gaze was like a knife, piercing the wounded soldier's heart.

Under such pressure, the soldier dared not say another word. He just turned his head and glanced over. Wang Haichao and Tang Zhiyou were kissing passionately, oblivious to the world around them.

Being on the sidelines, he was...

An eyesore!

Gritting his teeth, he rolled off the stretcher.

With his legs broken, he couldn't use them.

So he used his hands.

Like a maggot, he dragged himself outward, inch by inch...

Finally, he made it out of the medical camp.

He felt the howling cold wind rushing from outside the camp.

The Postmaster was the last to leave the medical tent. To prevent anyone from disturbing Wang Haichao and Tang Zhiyou, he even deliberately stood at the entrance, standing guard for the Commander.

His face...

Had long since broken into a fond, doting smile!

The smile only grew wider!

Clack, clack, clack...

Footsteps rang out as an armored soldier hurried over.

Lord Postmaster, the Garrison Commander is here, right?

Yes, he is!

Receiving an affirmative answer, the soldier was about to rush inside, but the Postmaster immediately reached out and stopped him.

Lord Postmaster, what are you doing?

I am here to report the ammunition count to the Commander. Ren Tianye's army will surely make a comeback soon. Our ammunition dictates whether we can hold Qingfeng Station, and I dare not delay.

Besides, the Commander has always been strict in running the army. If I delay the report, I'm afraid he will have me flogged.

The doting smile on the Postmaster's face did not fade; it grew even more intense as he said, If you go in now, that is when you will be flogged.

Huh?

Listen to me. Wait half an hour before you go in. Otherwise, the Commander will give you at least a hundred strokes.

Huh?

The soldier was dumbfounded.

A hundred strokes? Although military floggings usually weren't meant to kill, if he really took a hundred strokes, he could forget about ever standing up again.

I have partnered with the Commander for many years, and it wouldn't be an exaggeration to call me his trusted advisor. Would I lie to you?

If I tell you to report in half an hour, then report in half an hour.

Helpless, the soldier dared not refuse.

Alright, fine.

He could only wait outside the tent. The cold wind blew, and the chilling air crept in. As the hot sweat on his body gradually turned freezing cold, he found it unbearable. Seeing the many wounded soldiers sitting in a circle outside, he went over with the intention of huddling together for warmth.

Upon asking, he found out that the Garrison Commander, Wang Haichao, and his wife, Tang Zhiyou, were inside the medical tent being all lovey-dovey, staring deeply into each other's eyes, and passionately kissing.

He was momentarily stunned.

Wait, the Commander kicked you all out just so he and his wife could... do that? And he won't let me report? Is this what a human being does?

Someone immediately replied.

It wasn't the Commander's doing; it was the Postmaster.

This was instantly refuted.

Cut the crap. Is the Commander blind or deaf? It's obvious the Postmaster knew what he wanted and did it, and the Commander tacitly approved.

My body is still aching, yet I was thrown out of the medical camp.

You have it easy. Look at that guy over there. He's unconscious with a high fever. Blasted by this cold wind, it's uncertain if he'll even live to see tomorrow.

The Commander really doesn't treat us like human beings.

He's usually pretty normal. How come he loses his mind the moment he sees his wife?

Hmph, just a moment ago I felt I should pledge my life to the Commander. But he doesn't even treat me like a person. Why should I give him my loyalty?

The more they talked, the more agitated they became.

Gradually, the topic shifted to Ren Tianye.

I heard that in Ren Tianye's army, such things are absolutely forbidden. Whoever dares to bring female family members is violating military law and will be beheaded as a public warning.

Hmph, how can the Lord Duke be like us? For him, military law is supreme. For us, love is supreme. And the worst part is, damn it, it's not even my love that's supreme.

I heard the Lord Duke is never burdened by women? If that's the case, then the foot soldiers serving under him are truly blessed!

More than just blessed, they get full pay!

Envy, jealousy, hatred... why am I not a soldier under the Lord Duke?

Sigh, I'm envious too. I heard the Lord Duke treats his soldiers incredibly well. Ever since he raised his army, he was willing to risk everything to storm Sifang City just for the sake of his soldiers' families.

How about...

Finally, someone whispered a strategic proposal.

Let's surrender to the Lord Duke!

Besides, our fathers-in-law aren't in Yunjing, so we don't have any worries holding us back!

A single stone stirred up a thousand ripples!

The crowd instantly fell silent.

Traces of panic subconsciously surfaced on their faces, but this fear did not last long. Soon, their eyes filled with eager anticipation.

It seems, probably, maybe, perhaps... we could!

Let's do it. Surrendering to the Lord Duke is better than freezing to death as wounded soldiers.

Damn it, I'm surrendering first. If I don't, these two legs of mine won't be mine anymore.

I'm in! I'm in! Whoever the hell doesn't surrender, I'll kill him myself.

Yes, let's surrender!

...

A single spark can start a prairie fire.

On the matter of surrendering, everyone quickly reached a consensus.

Surrender!

We must surrender!

And just as the plan was settled, the Postmaster's voice rang out: Commander, you've come out?

Hearing this, everyone's eyes snapped toward the sound.

They saw Garrison Commander Wang Haichao and his wife Tang Zhiyou standing hand in hand at the entrance of the medical tent. One was handsome, the other beautiful, looking just like a pair of immortal lovers. Unfortunately, serving as their backdrop were these wounded soldiers who had fought half to death for their country, only to be left shivering in the freezing wind.

Mmh! Commander Wang Haichao nodded, then spoke softly to his wife, Tang Zhiyou: My lady, return to your tent first. Your husband must...

I will come find you tonight.

For now, your husband must first deal with the matters at hand.

Tang Zhiyou nodded gracefully, her eyes still filled with bottomless affection. Standing on her tiptoes, she placed a gentle kiss on Wang Haichao's cheek, leaving a red print, before gracefully floating away.

...