Frontier Hero: From Receiving a Convicted Woman to Becoming an Emperor for All Time

Han Shi'an's face had completely darkened.

Seeing Shen Chuxiao's "what can you do about it?" attitude, Han Shi'an was furious. This Shen Chuxiao was just a scout captain, someone who wouldn't even be worthy of carrying his shoes under normal circumstances. Yet, this insignificant official dared to slap Han Shi'an across the face in front of the entire camp of generals in the main hall.

Han Shi'an took a deep breath, about to speak out—

"Report—!"

A scout strode in: "Reporting to General! Barbarian cavalry, numbering about thirty, have been spotted thirty li northeast of Liuhe Town, burning and looting passing caravans!"

The soldiers of Ling Shuang Pass, who had been watching the show with bated breath, were all taken aback.

Because the distance is neither too far nor too close. If light cavalry were to advance, they could reach Ling Shuang Pass in half an hour.

Lu Chenzhou asked in a deep voice, "Have you identified which tribe it is?"

The Black Stone tribe had only recently retreated, and Shen Chuxiao had burned several thousand bushels of grain, severely damaging their strength. It was impossible for them to make a comeback so quickly.

"It's the Red Wolf tribe, at least thirty riders. They robbed the caravan of supplies, and the caravan members... were all killed; their bodies were hung on trees by the roadside." The scout gritted his teeth, his eyes bloodshot. "They're moving rapidly north now."

Lu Chenzhou looked at the map on the wall, but his eyes subtly swept over Han Shi'an.

Why did they have to come at this exact moment?

Barbarian cavalry raiding and burning—how could the entire scout camp have been completely unaware of such a major incident? Moreover, this report came at a time when Han Shi'an was in an awkward position.

What a coincidence!

Noticing Lu Chenzhou's gaze, Han Shi'an said, "The barbarian cavalry have entered the country and are burning and looting. This is a serious matter and cannot be let off lightly."

Then his gaze fell on Shen Chuxiao, "Captain Shen, you are the commander of the scout battalion. These barbarians have already reached thirty miles away, and your men didn't even know—how could you be a scout captain? This is dereliction of duty, a serious dereliction of duty!"

Han Shi'an launched an attack immediately.

It was obvious that he was deliberately trying to disgust Shen Chuxiao: "Weren't you going to keep an eye on me? Now try it and see how I deal with you."

Shen Chuxiao showed no surprise, and clasped his hands in a fist and said, "This humble general has failed in his duty."

He recognized it so readily that everyone in the hall was stunned.

Logically, one should offer an explanation in this situation. But Shen Chuxiao didn't say a word, simply taking full responsibility for the crime.

Han Shi'an was slightly taken aback, seemingly not expecting him to admit it so readily.

"I know. But then again, since you're a scout by trade, when it comes to light cavalry scouts, you're second to none in the entire Ling Shuang Pass. Go and handle this matter—capture the murderers of the barbarian Red Wolf tribe. It'll also be a good opportunity for me to broaden my horizons and witness your abilities."

That was a perfectly watertight statement.

On the surface, it's trust, appreciation, and giving you a chance to prove yourself. But anyone with ears can tell that this is an attempt to put Shen Chuxiao in a very difficult position.

Thirty barbarian riders, ruthless by nature, came and went like the wind.

Ordinary scouts would be too busy hiding to even encounter a cavalry force of this size. Chase them? With what means would they chase them?

Shen Chuxiao remained unfazed and clasped his hands in a fist salute without hesitation: "This humble general requests permission to pursue them."

"Wait a minute."

Han Shi'an waved his hand, "Captain Shen, I know you've had a tough time. Since the scout battalion is still being reorganized, we can't take them all out. Reconnaissance is all about quality, not quantity. Speed ​​is of the essence, and too many people will only get in the way."

He held up three fingers.

"Take your three capable men—Tie Niu, Zhao Wu, and that Sun Er Gou. With you, four men will be enough."

Lin Shang, standing to the side, gasped and glared at Han Shi'an with murderous intent.

That old bastard wants Shen Chuxiao to go and die.

Lu Chenzhou slammed his hand on the table, showing no mercy whatsoever: "Han Shi'an, are you kidding me? Four men against thirty riders, isn't that sending them to their deaths?!"

"General Lu, do you not believe in Captain Shen's abilities?" Han Shi'an asked unhurriedly. "Captain Shen is a veteran of the scout battalion. He witnessed many major events during the Black Stone tribe's siege. You're making a fuss over this little thing?"

"Is this a trivial matter?" Lu Chenzhou's voice was already tinged with anger. "More than thirty barbarian riders entered the territory and looted. According to military regulations, we should send troops to suppress them. You sent four scouts to chase them down. What kind of behavior is this—using official power for personal revenge!"

"General Lu."

Han Shi'an's voice also turned cold. "Watch your words. I am an imperial envoy, acting on behalf of Heaven to inspect the realm and command all armies. If you have any objections to my arrangements, you may submit a memorial impeaching me. But before that—"

He paused, his gaze sharp as a knife.

"It is up to me."

Lu Chenzhou stared intently at him, her hand instinctively gripping the hilt of her knife. The air in the hall seemed to freeze. After a few breaths, she slowly released her grip, her knuckles white from clenching her fist.

It's not that they dare not, it's that they cannot. Continuing to resist will only bring Shen Chuxiao even greater trouble.

Seeing that she remained silent, Han Shi'an turned to Shen Chuxiao, a hint of coldness creeping into his smile: "Captain Shen, if you find it difficult, I won't force you. After all, you've just taken office, and your troops aren't fully trained yet, so being cautious is to be expected. However—this position of scout captain is for capable people. If someone can't even figure out how to locate the barbarians thirty miles away, and doesn't even have the courage to go out and scout, then I'm afraid… someone else will have to take it."

As soon as he finished speaking, everyone understood.

Han Shi'an dug a pit that Shen Chuxiao could not avoid.

If Shen Chuxiao refused, Han Shi'an could immediately accuse him of being a coward. The commander of the scout battalion—the barbarians were practically under his nose, and he didn't even dare to go out on reconnaissance? If word got out, Shen Chuxiao would never be able to establish himself in the army. Which general would dare employ such a coward?

But if he goes—it's a near-certain death.

Han Shi'an didn't care whether he lived or died. It would be best if he died, ending it all; if he didn't, that would be even better. He was just looking for an excuse to get rid of this troublesome captain. If he was charged with "letting the barbarians escape," even if Shen Chuxiao came back alive, he would be in serious trouble.

After saying that, Han Shi'an picked up his teacup, took a leisurely sip, and waited to see how Shen Chuxiao would choose.

Everyone was looking at Shen Chuxiao.

"As Lord Han says," Shen Chuxiao's voice resounded throughout the hall, crisp and decisive without the slightest hesitation. "This subordinate will take the three of them."

Han Shi'an sneered, but also glanced at Shen Chuxiao a couple more times. He had thought that Shen Chuxiao would at least struggle a little, but the other party didn't say a word.

"Is there anything else you need, Lord Han?"

Seeing his calm demeanor, Han Shi'an suddenly felt a sense of displeasure.

This person shouldn't be so calm.

He took a breath, suppressing his displeasure: "No. I'll be waiting for your good news at Ling Shuang Pass."

He emphasized the words "good news." "Didn't you just embarrass me, Han Shi'an, in court? Now I'll make you die, and I'll make you die laughing."

Shen Chuxiao didn't waste any more words and turned to leave.

Lin Shang rushed over, lowering his voice so only the two of them could hear: "Are you crazy? Four people chasing thirty riders? That's suicide!"

Shen Chuxiao turned her head and glanced at him.

There was something in that glance that Lin Shang couldn't understand—not the tragic grandeur of facing death, nor the anger of being forced into it, but a confident composure, like a chess player making a crucial move.

"Keep a close eye on the post station for me," Shen Chuxiao said softly. "Especially Han Shi'an's three hundred personal guards. If anyone heads north, write down their names."

Lin Shang was taken aback and wanted to ask more, but Shen Chuxiao had already broken free of his hand and turned to walk out the door.

Just as he stepped across the threshold, Han Shi'an's unhurried voice came from behind him.

"By the way, Lieutenant Shen, you don't need to keep an eye on my men. Take care of the matter at hand first; that's more important than anything else."

Shen Chuxiao paused slightly, but didn't even turn his head.

He simply turned his head slightly, and the setting sun shone obliquely in from outside the gate, bathing half of his face in a dark golden light, making the boundary between light and shadow look as if it had been carved by a knife and axe.

"Thank you for your concern, Lord Han. This humble general—"

His voice was neither too loud nor too soft, just enough for everyone in the hall to hear clearly.

"I've noted that down."

Han Shi'an's hand holding the teacup froze, and the smile on his face gradually faded, as if someone had scraped off a layer of skin with a knife.

He suddenly realized that this cup of tea—

It doesn’t smell good anymore.