After being jilted, the entire neighboring village was filled with deep regret.

Chapter 282 Pan Wanli's Care
As Liu Jianzhang listed the items one by one, a hint of disappointment appeared on his face. After reading the last item, Liu Jianzhang went to check other people's lists, and Zhu Yixuan came to Shen Yi and asked expectantly, "Brother Shen, is there anything she prepared for me, or any news?"

Shen Yi shook his head. "You heard it too. All my wife prepared for me were clothes, food, money, and some trinkets for the children. She couldn't bring letters or anything like that because the box was too small. I'm afraid she didn't want to trouble my wife."

Young Master Zhu should have received gifts from his hometown as well; how could he not know about their situation?

Zhu Yixuan gave Shen Yi a deep look and smiled, "That's true. I was too impatient. No matter what, I'm at ease with them on Brother Shen's side. I came here today not only to ask about their situation, but also to apologize to Brother Shen."

I know that Brother Shen and Xiong Kai have a past grudge, but Xiong Kai is now working under me. He is physically disabled, so the brothers naturally take care of him. As the centurion, I can't neglect him.

Before, with Bai Feng around, I had an excuse. Now that Bai Feng is gone, I'm all alone. If I don't protect Xiong Kai, the brothers will inevitably turn against me. I hope you can understand.

Shen Yi twitched the corner of his mouth, finding it amusing. "Young Master Zhu, you don't need to say so much to me. You just did what you were supposed to do. As long as you have a clear conscience, that's enough."

"Well said, 'I have a clear conscience,' I'll be going now." Zhu Yixuan laughed and left.

Once outside the tent, his face darkened. As clever as he was, how could he not sense the distance and wariness that Shen Yi and his group were showing towards him? But in order to climb the ranks, he didn't care about such things anymore. He was willing to use anyone who could help him rise to prominence.

As soon as Zhu Yixuan left, everyone's expressions immediately eased considerably.

Shen Yi opened the money bag and found that it contained five hundred taels of silver, and the small box still contained a box of high-quality jade.

After thinking for a moment, he picked out the two best pieces and took them to the camp of his deputy, Pan Wanli.

Pan Wanli was clearly pleased to see him arrive. He waved for the others to leave, saying, "Shen Yi, you actually came to see me privately. Is there something you need?"

He admired Shen Yi and often promoted him. He also knew Shen Yi's personality; apart from discussing serious matters, this guy almost never approached him.

Shen Yi placed the two jade stones directly on the table. Seeing Pan Wanli's confusion, he said, "Deputy General, this is something my wife sent me. I just received it. I don't need it, so I'm giving it to you, Deputy General."

"Hiss!" Pan Wanli gasped. "Shen Yi! What exactly does your family do? You just give away jade like this! The box of treasures you gave me before was enough. You can take these two, but I can't accept them."

Shen Yi insisted, "Deputy General, there's no reason to take back what's been given away. If you feel bad about it, give me some information: how long will this war last? When can we go home?"

Pan Wanli was both amused and exasperated. "Shen Yi, Shen Yi, people are eager for another war to earn merit, but you've already been promoted to Junior Commander, instead of thinking about climbing higher, you're only thinking about going back? You're truly hopeless!"

Pan Wanli cursed angrily.

Shen Yi wasn't angry at all. Instead, he said, "My lord, you know my temperament. I'm not the kind of person who can be an official. If it weren't for the merits I've made and your appreciation, I wouldn't be sitting in this position of junior commander."

I know my own limitations. The highest I can rise is Grand Commander, so why bother? A ceasefire sooner would allow everyone to return home and live in peace, wouldn't it?

Pan Wanli was speechless after hearing what he said. After thinking for a moment, he leaned closer to Shen Yi and lowered his voice, saying, "A distinguished guest has come to the military camp this time. She is General Cen's newly widowed daughter. Judging from the situation, General Cen wants to choose a husband for his daughter in the military camp. All of you young talents have a chance." "Deputy General, what does this have to do with me?" Shen Yi frowned.

Pan Wanli was relieved but also a little disappointed when he saw that he really had no ideas. He shook his head and smiled, "If you have ideas, then it's your business. If you don't have any ideas, then stay away from General Cen's camp for a while. That pampered guest will probably stay in the camp until the second day of the new year."

As for when the ceasefire will occur, to be honest, I don't know either, but the fact that Longxia Kingdom voluntarily withdrew from the Five Mile Pass this year is good news. Let's wait and see.

"Thank you, Vice General!" Shen Yi clasped his hands in a deep fist salute, then turned and slipped away.

Pan Wanli looked at the jade on the table and chuckled, then solemnly put it away.

Shen Yi was indifferent to fame and fortune, but he was different; he still had ambitions for an official career, but unfortunately, his family was too poor to help him. These jade stones could indeed be of great use to him.

Back in his tent, Shen Yi called Song Yongnian and the others to his side and secretly told them what had happened.

Shen Dagou panicked, "Brother Shen, we lowly soldiers are definitely not suitable for the general, but it's different for young talents above the rank of centurion, especially you. You are the youngest junior commander, and I guess General Cen has already included you in his list of potential sons-in-law. You can't agree to this! Otherwise, what will happen to Sister Su Tai?"

"That's right! Shen Yi, you must withstand the pressure. Xiao Tai is waiting for you to come back!" Su Sheng said nervously.

Su Tai is the younger sister he has watched grow up, just like a real sister to him, and he doesn't want Su Tai to be abandoned.

Shen Yi was both amused and exasperated. "I know what you're saying. If this kind of thing isn't handled properly, it's easy to offend people. So I want to find Deputy General Pan and volunteer to patrol the border."

This was the most suitable method he had thought of all along. Patrolling the border was a tough job, taking ten or twenty days at a time, and it was fraught with danger. Generally, no one went; those who did were soldiers who had previously committed offenses.

Everyone's expressions were solemn as they weighed the pros and cons and ultimately respected Shen Yi's decision.

Shen Yi breathed a sigh of relief and went to Pan Wanli again to make his request.

Pan Wanli was completely baffled by Shen Yi. He had seen people who slack off and enjoy life, but he had never seen anyone like Shen Yi who deliberately sought out torture.

I had no choice but to agree.

To avoid any unforeseen complications, Pan Wanli sent a message to the marshal's tent and then set off with his men, including Shen Yi.

At this moment, Cen Yingfan was unaware that the son-in-law he valued had run away. He was earnestly advising his willful daughter, "No one here knows about what you did in the capital, and no one will investigate your past. I have already told everyone that you are a widow after your marriage. You can choose a good man in the army to marry. With me here, you don't have to worry about anything."

This Shen Yi is quite good. He's young, yet already a junior commander. If he achieves another merit, he can be promoted to senior commander. Working by my side, becoming a deputy general won't be difficult. My father has high hopes for him.”

Putting everything else aside, Shen Yi is indeed a promising talent, but he is a bit dull and doesn't know how to please his superiors, which makes him somewhat disliked. However, his daughter's marriage is more important, so this minor issue can be completely ignored.