History of Women in the Wei Dynasty

Chapter 88 Slap Yaksha
Then, as they passed each other, they only dared to utter a curse when the other could no longer hear them.

"These days, it seems like everyone is qualified to go to school."

"Serves you right for being lame; why isn't the other one lame too!"

Returning to Wuchuan Town, the fiery sun dipped below the horizon, casting its last rays over the vast grasslands. As darkness fell, the governor's camp dispatched soldiers to inform the various tribal settlements that all leaders and their deputies were to immediately proceed to the main camp to discuss the distribution of hunting grounds.

Zhao Zhi and the twenty soldiers also had to go. She nodded to her daughter from a distance, and Wei Yao, knowing her mother had good eyesight, quietly replied, "Don't worry."

The wind in the wilderness soon turned cool. Wei Yao and Guo Yun lay down hand in hand in the oxcart, gazing up at the sky, discussing what they had seen and experienced on their journey that day.

As soon as Zhao Zhi entered the main army camp with the Cui clan leaders, she immediately sensed something was amiss. Sure enough, just as she had predicted, soldiers carrying spears rushed out from several tents. They were clad in fish-scale armor and helmets, and their steps were orderly. They surrounded the large area, forming a human fence around the main army camp.

“They are the garrison soldiers of Wuchuan Town,” Zhao Zhi told Confucius.

Several military officers shouted in unison: "Everyone, extinguish your torches and go to the nearest tent. No matter what noise you hear later, you must not leave the main military area!"

What do you mean?
What kind of commotion will occur?
Among the imperial family and meritorious officials, someone demanded, "Have your highest-ranking official speak to us!"

"Won't Governor Yuan show up?"

"Are you the garrison commander? Who gave you the audacity to imprison us?"

The military officer pretended not to hear the noise and continued shouting at an even louder voice: "Now, the leaders of each tribe, please follow us to the governor's camp."

Director Cui has passed away.

Zhao Zhi gestured for Confucius to follow her into the tent next door. She didn't care about anyone else, but her daughter's mentor must never leave her sight.

More than ten members of the Cui clan followed Confucius. None of them had ever seen such a scene before, and they all asked, "What's going on?"

Zhao Zhi reassured everyone: "They are soldiers from Wuchuan Town. It seems they only want to temporarily trap us here. It's not a military uprising, so please don't worry."

The main military camp was quite far from the ordinary ethnic minority camps, so the changes that had just occurred were completely inaudible and unseen by the ordinary ethnic minority communities.

Holding a torch, with an extra torch on his back, Wei Mao hurried through the groups of people sitting around, searching for Wei Yao.

Xi Jiao and Yuan Zizhi, along with their companions Zhou Tai, Yuan Gong, and Hu Yi'ao, were also inquiring about the location of the Cui clan that night. They were certain that all the Cui clan leaders had left, and the five teenagers planned to threaten a member of the Cui clan to extract information about the background of the soldier who had stolen the bracelet.

The wind rustled the grass, making the area around the camp resemble waves on the sea. Look closely! The rhythmic ripples were broken layer by layer, and countless people in felt clothing crept in from the waist-high grass, encircling the ordinary camp area.

Judging from their clothing, they were Rouran soldiers!
In Zhao Zhi's tent, she secretly calculated the time; almost three quarters of an hour had passed since they entered.

There's movement outside the tent!

A soldier first clasped his hands in salute, then asked, "Which one of you is Confucius? Please follow me to Governor Yuan's camp."

Zhao Zhi stood up first. Confucius gave her a deep look and walked to the soldiers in front of him: "Lead the way."

The garrison soldier frowned and stopped Zhao Zhi: "You're a garrison soldier? You can't go."

"Snapped!"

A swift slap sent the soldier sprawling to his knees beneath the tent flap.

Confucius was greatly startled.

Zhao Zhi asked, "Can I go?"

The poor soldier couldn't reply at all; half of his head felt heavy and painful, as if he were carrying a hammer.

Whoever has the stronger hand gets to decide!

Zhao Zhi followed Confucius into the camp of the Yuan governor.

Everything here seems ordinary at first glance, but a closer look reveals shards of porcelain and broken pottery underfoot. The tribal leaders who were summoned here earlier are no longer here; there are currently four people in the tent: the Yuan governor, a pair of men who appear to be father and son, and a fierce-looking military general.

The town soldier leading the way had a swollen face and could only mumble, "The paper clerk is here." There was also a plague demon.

Governor Yuan: "Go down."

Military officer: "Wait, how did you get your face injured?"

Governor Yuan scratched his head, this wounded face was something he had experienced more than ten years ago.

The soldier first moved two steps to the side towards his superior before daring to point at Zhao Zhi.

The military officer coldly ordered, "Go, fight them back." He then grinned at Governor Yuan, "I forgot to consult the governor first."

"Pfft—" The laughter came from the children inside the tent... Erzhu Rong. Only he saw the soldier's eyes darting around. He pointed at the soldier and said, "Forget it, your soldiers don't dare to fight back at all."

"Huh?" The military officer was furious.

Governor Yuan walked in front of Zhao Zhi, blocking the military officer's view, and gestured to the garrison soldiers, who quickly fled.

Yuan Zhi smoothed things over: "General Zhendu, rest assured, I will definitely give you an explanation later. Let's get down to business first. Master Kong, this is General Pingbei Erzhu Xinxing, who is also the chief of the first people of Beixiurong. Chief Erzhu has come all the way here with warhorses, camels, and grain, just wanting his son Erzhu Rong to pay his respects to you."

Erzhu Xinxing gave the boy two quick glances, and Erzhu Rong had no choice but to bow with a straight face: "My name is Erzhu Rong, I pay my respects to Confucius."

Kong Wenzhong certainly understood the significance of the "horses, camels, and grain" mentioned by the governor. "This child is clever and teachable."

"Haha, very good."

Reassured, Erzhu Xinxing bowed to Confucius and said, "I am deeply grateful."

The young boy was very unhappy. Erzhu Rong did not want to leave the beautiful scenery of his hometown, nor did he want to leave his father and mother. However, his father was so happy that he could not bear to cause trouble or act out. He could only run out of the tent to wipe away his tears.

Zhao Zhi, still hoarse, asked, "Prefect, may I return to the camp?"

Governor Yuan shook his head and explained, "Tonight, the prefectural and garrison troops will conduct combat drills. It's a good opportunity to let the people of all ethnic groups experience what war is like."

He then whispered reassurances, "Don't worry, there won't be any casualties. It's good for the children to be frightened; it's part of their growth."

"Yuan Zhi!!" The garrison commander of Wuchuan Town was also a member of the Yuan clan, so he wasn't afraid of any prefectural governor. Ah, he'd figured it out! No wonder this garrison soldier dared to attack his own soldiers; he must be a confidant of Yuan Zhi!

Yuan Zhen strode over and roared, "Yuan Zhi, I think you've not only injured your eyes, but also your brain! How dare you leak information about the exercise?!"

“This is not a leak. I guarantee that she will stay by my side from now on.”

Zhao Zhi first invited Confucius to the seat where Erzhu Rong had just been sitting, then walked back to the original spot and asked Yuan Zhi, her tone already impolite: "Prefect Yuan, I request to bring three children over. They will arrive soon and will not affect the drill."

Oh no, I've really angered her. Yuan Zhi pretended to hesitate.

Yuan Zhen laughed angrily, "You son of a bitch..."

"Snapped!"

Zhao Zhi slapped the other person so hard that it wiped away all the chapped skin on their face.

Outside the tent, Erzhu Rong heard the sound of the tableware breaking and hurriedly stood back at the tent entrance. He saw Yuan Zhen scramble to his feet from the ground and swing the table with one hand, smashing it down on the soldier wearing a hood and a veil.

"Ouch—" Governor Yuan and Erzhu Xinxing both protected Confucius and moved aside. Before the former could say the next sentence, Zhao Zhi had already kicked the food table. Yuan Zhen was caught in the force and, clutching the food table to his stomach, stumbled back three steps and sat down on Governor Yuan's food table.

Zhao Zhi turned around and looked at Governor Yuan with the same icy gaze: "I request... to bring three children with me."

(End of this chapter)