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

"tractor."

Shen Chuxiao leaned against the pillow and called out towards the door.

Tie Niu immediately poked half his head out, grinning憨憨地, holding a bunch of flowers he'd picked from who-knows-where, swaying precariously, some petals missing, and mud clinging to the leaves.

This rough-around-the-edges guy has a surprisingly thoughtful mind.

"You bastard, I knew you'd been eavesdropping outside the door for ages!"

Tie Niu chuckled, placed the bouquet of flowers on the table, and rubbed his hands together: "Boss, I was just worried about disturbing you and your wife. Are you calling me because you're about to go mess around with someone again?"

Lin Shang was sitting on a stool drinking tea when he heard this and almost spat it out.

It really proves the saying that birds of a feather flock together. How come I never noticed this side of Tie Niu before?

He used to be a captain in the scout battalion, and Tie Niu and Sun Ergou were his old subordinates. Seeing him still there, Tie Niu straightened his back, clasped his hands in a military salute: "Tie Niu, captain of the scout battalion, greets Lieutenant General Lin!"

Lin Shang stood up, patted him on the shoulder, and said with a smile, "Work hard with Captain Shen, and hopefully you can bring down the sky."

Tie Niu was taken aback, not quite understanding.

Lin Shang laughed heartily and walked out.

Shen Chuxiao looked at Tie Niu and asked, "Tell me, who else dislikes me now?"

Tie Niu scratched his head.

He thought to himself that apart from his brothers in the scout camp, everyone at Ling Shuang Pass disliked him. But he didn't dare say it aloud and stammered for a long time.

Shen Chuxiao guessed what he was thinking and smirked: "Get ready, we're going to find someone to cause trouble for."

Tie Niu's eyes lit up: "Alright!"

The longer he spent with Shen Chuxiao, the more he liked this feeling.

Decisive and efficient, no dragging things out, you don't need to think before you act, just bring a knife.

That was awesome!

In the afternoon, Shen Qiao led the Jingnan Gang to Ling Shuang Pass, and they almost couldn't get in through the north gate.

The guards recognized them as members of the Jingnan Gang and were about to arrest them on the spot. Shen Qiao didn't waste any words, stuck his knife into the ground, and said, "We've come to pledge our allegiance to Captain Shen."

Then the twenty-odd people stood there at the city gate, refusing to let anyone pass.

In the end, it was Zhao Wu who intervened, and the gatekeeper reluctantly let them through, but his expression was very unpleasant.

Although everyone in the group was injured, they all stood up straight, exuding a fierce energy that came from fighting a tough battle.

"China ran away."

Shen Qiao felt ashamed: "We wiped out all his elite troops, but he still managed to find a loophole."

Shen Chuxiao didn't speak, but looked down at him.

Shen Qiao had a fresh wound on her back; the blood had already dried.

"If they ran away, so be it."

A glint flashed in Shen Chuxiao's eyes. "A living Chi Na is more valuable than a dead one. He's only going to cause trouble for the Jiedushi now that he's run away, which suits me perfectly."

Shen Qiao suddenly realized what was going on and couldn't help but secretly admire Shen Chuxiao's cunning.

"Tie Niu, take Brother Shen to the camp to report to Zhao Wu. We're still short two captains, so let Shen Qiao lead one team."

"From now on, you are not bandits, but border troops of Ling Shuang Pass. The scout battalion will be renamed the Jingnan Army."

Shen Qiao was stunned.

The twenty-odd brothers behind him knelt down in unison, their eyes red with tears.

There wasn't another person in the entire border army who dared to openly take them in.

Shen Chuxiao waited a while before speaking, "Alright, get up after you're done crying. I have things to do."

The next morning, Lu Chenzhou led Lin Shang and two hundred elite cavalry to Shuofang Road, just as dawn was breaking. Shen Chuxiao, sitting in his wheelchair, watched them depart from the city gate.

Tie Niu pushed from behind, with Zhao Wu and Sun Er Gou on either side.

It's called a wheelchair, but it's really just a grand master's chair strapped to a wooden board with two wheels underneath. Tie Niu had seen one once at the market and made it exactly like that.

It's a bit bumpy to sit on, but it's still better than being carried around.

Wang Yilu stood behind him, holding a food box containing freshly baked pancakes that were still warm.

"Eat on the way."

She handed the food box to Lu Chenzhou.

Lu Chenzhou hummed in agreement, looking at Wang Yilu with a hint of indulgence. His gaze lingered on Shen Chuxiao for a moment before he said nothing, spurred his horse, and led the group away into the morning mist.

Shen Chuxiao withdrew his gaze and patted the armrest of his wheelchair: "Let's go back to camp."

Tie Niu pushed him back, the cart creaking as he went, muttering, "Boss, the general's gone. Who's in charge of Ling Shuang Pass now?"

What do you think?

Tie Niu thought for a moment, then chuckled, "Of course, it's up to you, Boss."

Shen Chuxiao didn't reply, but looked up at the direction of the North Gate.

He was right.

No sooner had Lu Chenzhou left than Liu Wenzhao made his move.

Shen Chuxiao had just returned to camp when Zhao Wu rushed in from outside: "Captain, Liu Wenzhao has sent messengers to all the military camps, saying he wants to discuss military affairs and requests that all the camp leaders come to the North Camp tomorrow for a meeting."

Shen Chuxiao leaned back in his wheelchair, tapping his fingers twice on the armrest: "Discuss military affairs? What military affairs does a mere gatekeeper like him need to discuss with the six major military camps?"

Zhao Wu didn't speak, but his meaning was clear: Liu Wenzhao was trying to form cliques and seize control of Ling Shuang Pass's power while Lu Chenzhou was away.

"All six major military strongholds, have they all gone?"

"I reckon at least half of them will go. Those village chiefs have a close relationship with Liu Wenzhao; they usually stick together."

Shen Chuxiao nodded: "Tomorrow, right?"

"Yes."

"Then let's go too."

Tie Niu grinned from the side: "Boss, are you going to cause trouble?"

"What kind of trouble are you trying to cause?"

Shen Chuxiao rolled her eyes at him. "General Liu is discussing military affairs, and as the temporary commander of Ling Shuang Pass, it's perfectly reasonable for me to sit in and listen."

Tie Niu laughed even louder.

Wang Yilu walked in carrying a bowl of medicine and happened to hear their conversation, so he paused for a moment.

She handed the bowl of medicine to Shen Chuxiao, somewhat worried: "Liu Wenzhao has been operating in Ling Shuang Pass for many years and is deeply entrenched. You must be careful."

Shen Chuxiao smiled at him.

"I want to see just how strong his connections really are."

Wang Yilu smiled at him, said nothing more, and turned to get him a cloak.

Winters at Ling Shuang Pass are very cold.

the next day.

The six military strongholds did indeed come as invited, but only four of them actually showed up.

The other two were absent due to illness, but they sent their deputies, which was considered a courtesy.

"Gentlemen," Liu Wenzhao said, picking up his teacup and getting straight to the point, "I've invited you all here today because I have important matters to discuss."

The four chieftains looked at each other but didn't respond.

Liu Wenzhao put down his teacup, sighed, and said with a heavy heart, "With General Lu gone, Ling Shuang Pass is leaderless. Some people, relying on the general's trust, are running rampant within the pass, forcibly drawing troops and eliminating dissidents. If this continues, I'm afraid we old brothers won't even have a place to stand."

He spoke subtly, but everyone present understood who he was talking about.

The garrison commander of Tiemenpo Military Stronghold was a dark-faced man in his fifties. He took a sip of tea and said in a low voice, "General Liu, are you referring to Captain Shen of the scout battalion?"

"Who else could it be but him?"

Liu Wenzhao sneered, "Think about it, everyone. How long has he been at Ling Shuang Pass? How many people did he climb up from a deputy captain to a colonel, stepping on their shoulders? Now that the general has handed Ling Shuang Pass over to him, do you think he'll treat us like human beings?"

Qian Wanli, the garrison commander of Langhuotai military camp, frowned and said, "General Liu, aren't you going too far with your words? Captain Shen has rendered meritorious service in killing the barbarians, and it is only right that the general trusts him."

"Meritorious service?" Liu Wenzhao sneered. "Killing a few barbarians is considered meritorious service? We've been guarding the border for over a decade, and every one of us has killed barbarians. Why should some greenhorn like him ride roughshod over us?"

The garrison commander of Qing Shi Liang military stronghold was a lean middle-aged man who remained silent, slowly turning his teacup.

Liu Wenzhao looked at him: "Commander Sun, what do you think?"

Sun Demao put down his teacup and said slowly, "General Liu, let's not beat around the bush. If General Lu were still at Ling Shuang Pass, we wouldn't dare to leave our posts to come see you without her orders. Now that we're here, you might as well explain."

Liu Wenzhao silently made a throat-slitting gesture.