The Splendor of the Five Dynasties

Chapter 75 I found a treasure
"Walk."

Having obtained important intelligence, Liu Tingyou suggested returning to camp.

Hai Jin suddenly looked up at the top of Chigang Hill and asked in surprise, "What's that?"

Xiao Yi followed his gaze and saw the midday sun shining on a huge blue silk dome-shaped carriage canopy, with golden light reflecting off it from below, making it exceptionally dazzling.

"Could it be that the Southern army is rewarding us with gold and silver?" Cui Yanjin exclaimed, clicking his tongue in amazement. "How much gold must have been piled up to make it shine like this?"

Xiao Yi noticed nine unusual large flags surrounding the blue silk canopy.

A huge banner embroidered with the sun, moon and stars is in the center, with the Azure Dragon, White Tiger, Vermilion Bird and Black Tortoise banners on the left and right corners respectively.

"Hou Yi's manners are so much more imposing than Murong Yanchao's?"

“That’s the Grand Master of Ceremonies’ and the military flag, symbolizing the emperor’s protection of the four directions.” Liu Tingrang murmured, “No, it’s not the reflection of gold and silver, it’s the gleaming armor of the Imperial Guards, and… the golden carriage!”

"Liu Chengyou." Xiao Yi had also made his judgment, and said, "He personally led the expedition?"

"Your Majesty... how dare this little emperor come to Chigang?" Liu Tingrang licked his lips, trying to hide the slight tremor in his voice.

Cui Yanjin gasped and said, "Damn it, if we capture him alive, what a great achievement that would be!"

"Why capture him alive?" Hai Jin was not surprised but delighted. He grinned, revealing a cruel smile, and said, "I killed him with an arrow. That should be enough to make me a military governor, right?"

"You are seeking death!"

Liu Tingrang immediately dispelled their delusions and scolded, "When the Emperor goes on tour, his hundred-plus guards are all elite and stay by his side. Five hundred guards are fully armored and stand guard every ten steps. No strangers are allowed to approach more than two hundred steps away. Besides, this is the Southern Army's camp. If you fire an arrow, you will not be able to escape."

"Now that we've stumbled upon it, how can we not try to find out something?" Cui Yanjin boldly retorted, "Having entered a treasure mountain, how can we return empty-handed?"

"Shut up, let me think."

“We can go.” Xiao Yi pondered. “The Southern Army’s original route was to set up defenses in Chanzhou, which shows that they are still unaware of the details of Chanzhou. My identity may not have been exposed yet. Although I cannot get close to the Emperor, it should not be difficult to go and take a look.”

Liu Tingrang was immediately intrigued, his eyes gleaming unconsciously. He wiped the sweat from his hands and said, "Let's go scout out that old man Hou Yi's camp and see what that brat emperor is up to?"

"it is good!"

"We're going, Commander Xiao. You go back to camp and deliver the intelligence first?"

"Since we came together, let's go back together."

"Okay, we'll live and die together."

The four decided to leave Yuan Yi's camp. Passing by the mess hall, they swaggered over and ate millet porridge, and even asked for a few pieces of boiled mutton that were meant for the generals. Although they had brought dry rations, nothing could compare to this hot and delicious food.

Leading the horse up the gentle slope of Chigang.

At Hou Yi's camp, the checkpoint at the gate still couldn't stop Xiao Yi, after all, the camp was newly established and the various imperial guards were mixed together.

Once inside the camp, getting close to the central command tent became nearly impossible.

The entire camp was laid out in a "回" shape, with three barricades outside. Inside, infantry patrolled, with a guard every five steps, and the core area was completely off-limits to unauthorized soldiers.

"As expected of a veteran of four dynasties, his camp is even more well-organized than Yuan Yi's."

"Yes, the defenses are much more meticulous."

The four had no choice but to hide in the shadow of an empty tent, where they stopped their horses and gazed into the distance.

Two hundred paces away, the banner of the Imperial Court fluttered in the wind, and hundreds of guards in gleaming armor stood in formation, their armor and the golden carriage in front of the tent shining brightly.

Although the golden chariot was impressive, it was pulled by four horses and was quite large, making it difficult to travel through the narrow passages of the military camp.

That's just how young people are; they lack experience.

"Damn it!" Liu Tingrang suddenly spat out, "Murong Yanchao is here too."

Although Xiao Yi had never met Murong Yanchao before, he recognized him at a glance.

This person is very easy to identify.

He truly lived up to his name, "Yan Kunlun Slave." He was very dark-skinned, with a robust physique, and wore a black lacquered iron armor with gilded edges, both shiny and black, making him both strange and eerie.

Beside him stood an old general clad in silver armor, his white beard reaching his chest. This must be Hou Yi, the commander-in-chief of the Southern Army. The contrast between the black and white armor was striking.

Murong Yanchao strode to the side of the golden carriage, spoke, his voice loud and urgent, and a sense of irritability could be felt from a distance.

"Please, Your Majesty, enter the tent!"

Xiao Yi's gaze sharpened.

The generals of the Southern Army rushed forward and helped a man out of the golden carriage.

He really is the emperor's son.

Liu Chengyou was young, thin, and pale. His golden armor was bright and shiny, decorated with animal heads. It was light and sturdy, making him look imposing. He wore a red cloak and a gold-trimmed turban.

Faced with Guo Wei's massive army pressing in, he showed no fear. On the contrary, standing on the golden carriage, he calmly glanced in this direction and raised his long sword high.

"My lords, you have all braved the wind and snow to fight for me and rid me of the traitors. You have all worked hard!"

"I am willing to die for Your Majesty!"

"reward!"

Beside the imperial carriage, a middle-aged official unfurled a silk scroll and loudly proclaimed his praise.

"The Emperor decrees that Guo Wei has plotted a rebellion and raised troops to attack the capital. Thanks to the generals and soldiers of your army who have garrisoned Chigang and protected the capital region, your loyalty and diligence are commendable. Now, rewards are hereby issued to comfort your hard work."

"Each member of the Imperial Guard will receive 300 cash and one foot of raw silk. The squad leader will be additionally given a pair of boots, and the captain will be additionally given a cooked sheep's shoulder. Each member of the reinforcements from the regional military governors will receive 200 copper coins and one peck of millet. The squad leader will be additionally given half a catty of salt, and the captain will be additionally given 200 copper coins. For those who die in battle, each household will be given 3 strings of cash and 10 mu of permanent land. Those who are seriously wounded and unable to fight will be given 2 strings of cash. After the rebels are quelled, the merits will be assessed. The one with the greatest merit will be appointed as a prefect or military commissioner, and the one with the second greatest merit will be promoted to commander of the Imperial Guard. Those who have served in the army for three years without any faults will have their descendants allowed to be appointed to the third rank of service. You should all strive to kill the rebels and jointly protect the dynasty!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your kindness!"

The messenger quickly relayed the order, winning cheers and shouts of "Long live the Emperor!" from the entire camp.

"Shout along."

"Long live! Long live!"

Liu Tingrang whispered a word of instruction, and the four men raised their swords and cheered.

Hai Jin asked, "We have Imperial Guard badges, can we also receive rewards?"

"You idiot," Liu Tingrang scolded, "Don't cause trouble."

Xiao Yi first felt that the reward was not as generous as Guo Wei's. Then he thought that Liu Chengyou was the emperor, and since he had come, he should reward the whole army. But the national treasury must be empty, so he could only focus on the core and save on expenses.

Suddenly, his pupils contracted, and he quickly lowered his head.

He saw someone next to Liu Chengyou turn their head and look in his direction.

"how?"

“Nie Wenjin, he recognizes me.”

"It's alright, we're too far away." Liu Tingrang spat and said, "Damn it, since we can't get close, let's go deliver a letter."

“I checked the west side; the defenses there are the most lax.” “Let’s go.”

The four quickly left and circled around to the west side of the camp.

This area was probably the tents of the lower-ranking officers of the Southern Army. It was likely heavily guarded at night, but now that no one was staying there, it was quite quiet.

Liu Tingrang pulled out a stack of letters from his boots again, turned to the one for Hou Yi, looked around, and said, "That tent is the most luxurious."

Xiao Yi also noticed that the tent was quite large, made of thick fabric, and had been raised two inches by wooden planks at the bottom. There was a canopy hanging outside the tent and a ground mat laid out, which was quite elaborate.

"Haijin, you stay here to watch the horses and keep watch."

"Here."

Xiao Yi slowly stepped forward, lifted the curtain, and glanced inside.

The tent was warm and cozy, with a brazier of charcoal burning and a faint scent of sandalwood filling the air.

Turning my gaze, I saw someone lying on the couch, one leg dangling on the other, holding a book in their hand, looking quite relaxed and content.

The man was about thirty-five years old, fair-skinned and plump, wearing a round-necked robe and covered with a felt blanket.

A cold wind seeped into the tent through the gaps. He glanced up and asked lazily.

"Who is it?"

Cui Yanjin immediately drew his sword and stepped forward, intending to kill the man with one blow.

Xiao Yi raised his hand to stop him, indicating that he could go in.

Three people entered one after another.

"You guys! Hey, why didn't you scrape the snow off your boots before you came in? You've stained my blanket. By the way, who are you? You look all high and mighty."

Xiao Yi, with a cold face, casually tossed the Imperial Guard token over.

"Inspecting military discipline."

"Ah? This... Captain of the Crane Control Guard, my apologies, I'm not a general, I'm here to take care of my grandfather."

Who is your father?

"Oh, my father is the Grand Secretary and Duke of Lu. I am Hou Renbao, the third son of the Hou family."

Hou Renbao stood up, put down the book in his hand, his gaze still fixed on the three men's boots, and muttered, "The blanket will get dirty when the snow melts."

"Hou Sanlang?" Xiao Yi asked, "Why don't you go to pay your respects?"

"Huh? I was only appointed as an eighth-rank retainer, I'm not qualified. I usually just hang around in my father's office... no, I mean, I get some experience and help manage some provisions and supplies, hehe."

Xiao Yi took the letter of surrender from Liu Tingrang, placed it on the table, and said indifferently, "Since you are in charge of the supplies, give this military intelligence to Marshal Hou later. Do not open it without permission, or you will be held accountable."

"Yes Yes."

"Damn it, the defenses are so lax."

Xiao Yi grumbled and prepared to leave.

Liu Tingrang refused to leave, still sizing up Hou Renbao with the look of someone picking out girls in a brothel.

After a moment, he pulled Xiao Yi out of the tent and whispered in his ear, "Hou Yi's son, if we can bring him back, he will be of great use. I'm just afraid that if he makes a fuss, he will stir up a hornet's nest."

Xiao Yi understood his intention, pondered for a moment, and said, "I will speak to him."

"it is good."

The two returned to the tent.

Hou Renbao was not welcoming to them, saying, "Three esteemed officials, if you're not leaving, why don't you scrape the soles of my boots first? Here's my blanket..."

"Heh, come with us."

"what?"

Xiao Yi said, "General Yuan Yi requests that you come to the camp to hand over the supplies and military affairs."

"Huh? But I..."

"Shut up, this is classified military information."

"Go!"

With a single glance from Liu Tingrang, Cui Yanjin understood and roughly pushed Hou Renbao out.

"What am I doing? I'm wrapping myself in a cloak... Ouch! It's so cold!"

"Don't make any noise."

The three of them left the tent, and Cui Yanjin pushed Hou Renbao onto the horse, then climbed on top of him and hugged him.

Xiao Yi and Liu Tingrang each mounted their horses.

"The matter is settled, let's return to camp." Liu Tingrang chuckled and whispered, "Renbao, Renbao, you've found a treasure, you're so lucky."

“Sir, you can’t recite that,” Hai Jin said. “Don’t let your luck get the better of you.”

"Go to hell, it's only a short distance away."

Five people on four horses headed towards the gate of the village.

Suddenly, a group of people cut in from the front, led by a man wearing bright armor, who was arrogant and haughty. It was Nie Wenjin.

Xiao Yi reacted quickly, pulling on the reins and turning the car around to the other side, saying, "I forgot something."

Liu Tingrang understood and said, "Let's go together."

They turned around immediately.

"stop!"

But shouts came from behind.

A soldier beside Nie Wenjin shouted, "Which military commander are you? Why don't you bow to your commander-in-chief?!"

Having run into the commander of the Imperial Guards, how could they possibly keep up the pretense?

They dared not answer, and kicked their horses and ran away.

Behind them, the shouts grew increasingly fierce.

"Stop right there!!"

"drive."

"No! Stop them!"

(End of this chapter)