Address me by my professional title while on duty

Luoyan Ferry, the military camp.

Garrison Commander He Jin was already clad in armor. Sitting behind his desk, he carefully peeled a tangerine sent by Wang Haichao, the Garrison Commander of Qingfeng Relay Station.

He loved tangerines, but not the sweet and juicy ones. Instead, he preferred those with a hint of sourness, or even a touch of bitterness. Every time he ate one, he felt an unparalleled sense of refreshment. His spirits would instantly lift.

"To think Wang Haichao still remembered my fondness for tangerines and went out of his way to find my favorite kind. For this alone, I will not sit idly by and watch him be easily destroyed by Ren Tianye!"

He Jin's eyes were filled with determination.

However, this determination had nothing to do with the brother-in-law relationship Wang Haichao had mentioned.

The truth was...

Becoming brothers-in-law was merely a coincidence. He Jin did not harbor much affection for his current wife, Tang Zhitao.

His true motivation was to establish a glorious military career.

According to the customs of Yunjing, without a praiseworthy romance, it was nearly impossible to achieve rank and fame in the army. Left with no other choice, he abandoned his personal desires and accepted his family's arrangements.

He married Tang Zhitao.

And only by chance became brothers-in-law with Wang Haichao.

"Commander..."

At this moment, a trusted guard strode in. "My lord, as per your orders, the commands have been passed down to the army. The troops are now fully equipped and ready to march. Awaiting your word, we can immediately head out to reinforce Commander Wang Haichao."

"Excellent!"

Joy flickered in He Jin's eyes.

In this battle, he would not only save Wang Haichao but also show Ren Tianye what he was truly capable of. This would give him the leverage he needed to build his legacy and become a newly relied-upon pillar of the Yunjing empire!

"I'm coming now!"

He Jin reached out and grabbed his longsword, which he had already polished to a mirror shine. With a slight flex of his wrist, the blade trembled and gleamed, a clear testament to his extraordinary arm strength and formidable martial prowess.

Just as he stood up to head out, a figure suddenly stumbled through the doorway.

With picturesque features, she exuded a pure and gentle beauty mixed with a touch of innocent naivety, like a girl next door who naturally evoked pity.

This person was none other than He Jin's wife, the younger sister of Wang Haichao's wife Tang Zhiyou, Tang Zhitao!

"Husband..."

"Call me General!" He Jin snapped angrily. "I've told you over a hundred times, address me by my official title when I'm on duty!"

"Furthermore, there is no place for romantic sentiments in a military camp!"

"Yes, yes..." Tang Zhitao trembled in fear and whispered, "Commander, are... are you going to war?"

"Exactly."

"Is it very dangerous?"

"Yes!" He Jin answered curtly, his already impatient face growing even more irritated. "What exactly do you want? If you have nothing to say, get out of the way."

"The army is waiting for me outside."

"Commander Wang Haichao is waiting for me to save him."

"If you dare delay me any further, beware, for I will not hesitate to use military law!"

These words were sharp and piercing, carrying the weight of his authority. Tang Zhitao instantly turned pale with fright, looking utterly frail and pitiful. Yet, she still did not step aside. Instead, she asked the question she feared the most.

"M-my lord, they all say that the rebel Ren Tianye is exceptionally fierce. If you go, if you go... will I... will I never see you again?"

As she spoke, tears rolled down from the corners of Tang Zhitao's eyes uncontrollably. She looked so delicate and pitiful that it would make anyone's heart ache.

But He Jin just furrowed his brows and said coldly, "For a true man fighting on the battlefield, to return with his corpse wrapped in horsehide is the highest honor. If I die, I die. What is there to fear?"

"Get out of the way, stop blocking the path!"

Tang Zhitao continued to block the way, the tears on her face flowing even heavier. Her demeanor was entirely that of a wife sending her husband off to war. The reluctance, worry, and panic in her eyes were unmistakably clear.

Seeing this, He Jin's heart involuntarily softened a bit.

He had never held much affection for Tang Zhitao, so he hadn't treated her particularly well after their marriage. They merely maintained a superficial mutual respect. However, this Tang Zhitao had always followed behind him, quiet and unassuming, silently doing her duties.

She cared for him deeply.

Right now, she was terrified and worried.

Simply put, she was afraid that something would happen to him once he deployed his troops.

After all, everyone knew that blades and spears on the battlefield had no eyes.

Thinking of this, He Jin sighed and said to his guard, "Go and make the final preparations. I will be there in a moment."

"Yes, sir!"

After the guard left, He Jin took Tang Zhitao's hand, led her to a nearby chair, and sat down beside her.

Habitually peeling a tangerine, he comforted her, "Although Ren Tianye is strong, I, He Jin, am not someone to be trifled with either. Besides, your brother-in-law, Commander Wang Haichao, has called for help. I must go."

"However, you can rest assured."

"In this battle, I will only win; I will not lose!"

"Even if I were to lose, I will not die in battle!"

"The person capable of killing He Jin in this world has yet to appear!"

With He Jin's explanation, especially delivered in a rare tone of gentleness, Tang Zhitao calmed down significantly. Through tear-filled eyes, she asked, "R-really?"

"Of course it's true," He Jin said confidently. "So just set your mind at ease. The army is already assembled, and I cannot delay."

Handing the freshly peeled tangerine to Tang Zhitao, he continued, "I must go immediately. Just stay at home and wait for my good news."

Without any further hesitation, He Jin stood up.

This time, Tang Zhitao did not stop him. He Jin moved quickly and soon arrived at the martial training ground backing onto the great river. There, his two thousand assembled soldiers awaited. Having been trained under his own command, they were nothing short of elite.

At this moment, they stood in neat formations, exuding a majestic military aura, yet they did not make a single sound.

"Brothers..."

He Jin's voice rang out. "I won't waste your time with empty words; I'll give it to you straight. Ren Tianye's army has already arrived at the gates of Qingfeng Relay Station. Right now, Qingfeng Relay Station is facing a critical moment of life and death. If we can arrive in time to rescue them and firmly block Ren Tianye's forces, we will be great heroes."

"The rewards from Yunjing will be bountiful!"

"And I, He Jin, never keep the spoils for myself!"

"Therefore, this battle is for nothing else but the fame and fortune of yourselves and myself."

"Do you dare to join forces with me and slaughter the enemy?"

He Jin's words were remarkably honest and truly struck a chord in the hearts of the soldiers, instantly causing their morale to soar.

"We are willing!"

"Follow the Commander, gain promotions and noble titles!"

"I will achieve greatness, and no one can stop me!"

...

"Good!"

Having finished his rally, He Jin waved his large hand. "Move out!"

Just as the two thousand troops were about to march, a maid came sprinting from a distance. "M-my lord, this is bad, this is bad! Madam, Madam has fainted!"

Every word fell into He Jin's ears, instantly sending him into a furious rage. "Tang Zhitao, what is she trying to do?"

"I've already done my best to comfort her, and she still wants to stop my army's advance?"

"She never acted out like this before, but at such a crucial moment, she decides to pull a stunt like this?"

"Doesn't she like to faint?"

"Then let her faint to death right there, ignore her!"

After a bout of angry cursing, He Jin loudly issued his command. "All soldiers, march with me! Eradicate Ren Tianye, and we shall be crowned lords and generals!"

...