First Battlefield Commander! - Chapter 245
Chapter 245: Extra 14: General Lian Has No Weak Soldiers
"Who was on guard duty last night? Just step forward now." Old Meng looked at them and said, "Don't tell me she was the only one at the city gates who killed several of my brothers?"
No one spoke.
A skinny monkey-like man stepped forward from the side, stroking the stubble on his chin as he sneered: "I've heard there's a saying in the Central Plains—people won't shed tears until they see their own coffin. Our brothers can't have died in vain. Six lives—how can you lowly commoners compare? Don't think handing over just her will quench our anger!"
He shouldered a long spear and advanced toward the ranks of soldiers: "Then I'll just pick a few at random to accompany my brothers in the afterlife, so he won't be lonely down there."
As he spoke, he casually grabbed a young recruit, twisted his right arm behind his back, and pinned him in front of himself.
The nearby soldiers recoiled in fear, one shouting: "Don't push us too far!"
The skinny monkey gave him a dismissive glance, and someone behind him immediately stepped forward, yanking the speaker out and tossing him beside the platoon leader: "This one's not bad either. Should be fun to kill."
The group erupted into arrogant laughter, while the soldiers clenched their teeth in silent fury. They turned their heads, looking hopefully toward the centurion standing off to the side, calling out: "Centurion! Centurion!"
At first, it was just one voice, then several others joined in, hoping he would step forward to help.
The centurion himself was at a loss, shrinking under the pressure. He shot a fierce glare at the soldiers behind him, then whispered: "Has anyone notified the commandant yet?"
Someone nearby replied in a trembling voice: "Someone went earlier... but..."
But since he hadn't arrived yet, it was clear the commandant had no intention of wading into this mess. Better to let the barbarians vent their anger first, resolve the matter, and then come out to smooth things over—that way, he wouldn't offend either side.
A fine plan, but who couldn't see through it?
The centurion bit his lip, the color draining from his face. When it came down to it, if something went wrong, responsibility would cascade down the ranks, and the most expendable casualties would be low-ranking officers like them.
Lian Sheng watched her brothers having fun but had no desire to continue spectating.
She shook her head and sighed, unable to say whether it was disappointment or regret, then said: "Do you know who can save you? Only yourselves. If you're all as timid as mice, unwilling to resist, how can you expect others to risk their lives for you? And even if such people existed, what about you would be worth saving? What would they gain? A word or two of thanks? A heroic death in exchange for a spineless coward?"
Her mocking words struck like daggers, tearing open old wounds and stabbing precisely where it hurt most—which was why they found it so unbearable.
A soldier on the left glared at her, his neck stiff as he retorted: "You're the hero, but if it weren't for you, would any of this have happened? You acted on impulse, leaving behind a reputation for bravery, but how many have to pay for your fame? Look at them—right in front of you!"
The soldier had barely lowered his head when he felt his collar yanked up violently. Lian Sheng had already closed the distance between them.
In his daze, he met her gaze—cold with killing intent and simmering fury, her aura unrestrained. A single glance triggered his instincts, making her seem even more terrifying than the barbarians.
Lian Sheng let out a cold laugh: "What do you mean, 'wouldn't have happened'? Things like this happen every single day here! How many have died from poverty and starvation because of the barbarians' oppression and plundering? How many have fallen to their blades in skirmishes? Just because it hasn't happened to you yet, you turn a blind eye? Or do you secretly believe they deserved it? The saying goes, 'Hares mourn the death of their kin'—yet you don't even understand that much. All you do is pray you're lucky enough not to be next. I pity you."
Lian Sheng clenched her fist and punched him in the face without holding back.
The soldier collapsed to the ground, dazed. His vision swam, and the metallic tang of blood filled his mouth. He coughed twice, covering his split lip, then spat out a tooth. When he looked up at Lian Sheng again, his face was full of fear.
The surrounding soldiers were horrified, their faces pale: "What are you doing?! Have you lost your mind?!"
"If you're so tough, why don't you fight the barbarians instead? What's the point of bullying your own?"
"If you're so capable, then solve this mess!"
"Enough arguing."
Lian Sheng exhaled sharply and stomped her right foot: "Where is this? This is the borderlands of Great Liang, not some place for barbarians to come and loot as they please! Who are you? You are soldiers tasked with defending the frontier and protecting the homeland! I don't care how your former general trained you, but from now on, shed that servile attitude! There are no easy days ahead, and don't you dare disgrace the people while wearing that uniform!"
A murmur rippled through the crowd. Only now did they realize something was off about the situation. Someone asked quietly: "...Who are you?"
Lian Sheng stepped forward, stopping in front of the platoon leader.
The surrounding clamor died down as everyone watched her in silence.
The platoon leader's face was pressed into the dirt. He felt a shadow fall over him, his Adam's apple bobbing as he rolled his eyes upward to look at her: "What do you want?"
Lian Sheng held out her hand in a silent demand. Old Meng grinned and handed her his blade. She flipped it around, testing its weight, then lined it up with the platoon leader's shoulder.
The platoon leader panicked, shrieking: "Hey! What are you doing?!"
He struggled desperately, trying to break free, but the force pinning him down felt like a boulder—all he could do was writhe like a worm.
"You're not barbarians! Who are you?" The platoon leader was drenched in cold sweat, his face twisted in terror. "Where did you come from? Why are you impersonating barbarians, trespassing into Great Liang's military camp, and assaulting an imperial official? You're rebels! Yes, you must be rebels! Seize them! Seize them now!"
The soldiers, unsure of what was happening, shifted into defensive stances, inching forward cautiously.
Lian Sheng angled the blade downward and drove it into the earth with a forceful thrust.
The platoon leader screamed, squeezing his eyes shut. A sharp pain shot through his arm—he thought it was over and frantically wiggled his fingers.
But the blade had only grazed his flesh, leaving his arm intact. Blood gushed out, quickly soaking his sleeve.
Lian Sheng turned around, clasping her hands behind her back as she addressed the soldiers: "By law, anyone involved in colluding with barbarians to raid the city should be executed under Great Liang's statutes. For more severe cases—such as military officers involved—the punishment extends to their families. What you've done is no different from treason. If I cut you down right now and submitted a memorial to the throne, His Majesty wouldn't fault me for it. Understand?"
The platoon leader groaned in pain, while the soldiers' faces turned deathly pale.
"However, the borderlands are short on soldiers, so I'll spare you for now. Every soldier here will receive thirty lashes as punishment. From now on, for every barbarian you kill, you earn a merit. Once your crimes are redeemed, you may leave the army." Lian Sheng continued, "I don't want to be harsh—today's events aren't the fault of any one person. The court also bears blame for its failings. But let me make this clear: that was the past. Now that I'm here, the same mistakes will not be tolerated!"
"You... just who are you?"
Though they already had an inkling. The only person newly appointed by the court who would dare interfere in military affairs, punish a centurion, and had never been seen before—could only be the newly assigned lieutenant general.
"Who am I?" Lian Sheng lifted her chin and declared firmly: "I'm here to teach you how to turn over a new leaf and become proper men."
The soldiers stood frozen under her imposing presence. Old Meng and the others finally released the platoon leader, stepping aside with amused smiles.
Lian Sheng paced a few steps before announcing: "I'll make this clear today. The court has entrusted me with this post to defend the border and restore our nation's dignity. There will be no more collusion with barbarians—anyone who violates this will be executed without mercy. As long as you abide by discipline, I will protect you. Even if you die in battle, your families will receive compensation and honors as deserved. I will stand with you on the walls. Military ranks and merits will be awarded strictly according to regulations. All soldiers will be reorganized. In this army, only strength and contribution matter. As for those who abuse their power—report them. If verified, even past offenses will be punished."
The soldiers were stunned again, whispering among themselves.
Lian Sheng didn't stop them, but from their tones and expressions, she could see their distrust.
One asked: "Do you have the authority to decide this?"
"Of course I do. Spread the word." Lian Sheng scoffed. "Or should we wait for that superior officer who's always late and nowhere to be found?"
A soldier came running in from outside, shouting: "The commandant! The commandant is here! And—General Ji is with him!"
The soldiers' expressions shifted.
Speak of the devil—even the rear general had come. This didn't bode well for Lian Sheng.
Before anyone arrived, a booming voice rang out:
"Outrageous! To impersonate barbarians and trespass into a military camp—who dares act so brazenly? Seize them at once!"
The soldiers remained rooted in place.
A group of men marched in with troops in tow. The leader was burly but disheveled. He scanned the crowd and bellowed: "Why aren't you moving?!"
Lian Sheng's icy glare kept the soldiers paralyzed.
General Ji, furious, gestured to the dozen men behind him.
Lian Sheng took in his attire and smiled: "General, there's no need for anger. Just a training exercise. This humble official is the newly appointed lieutenant general, Lian Sheng. My apologies for the offense—please don't take it to heart."
The men poised to attack hesitated, while the other soldiers watched silently.
The general snorted, pointing at the platoon leader on the ground: "Training? Is this what you call training? You're just venting your anger on my men. You're nothing but a lowly lieutenant general. When you arrived in Changjun, why didn't you report to me first?"
Lian Sheng asked: "What exactly have I done wrong? Last night, barbarians attacked, yet coincidentally, no one was on guard. This is a borderland military camp, yet my men impersonated barbarians and strolled in unimpeded, all the way here. The evidence of collusion with barbarians is irrefutable—a crime of treason. I came by imperial decree. Is a mere platoon leader beyond my authority to punish?"
"Don't you dare hide behind His Majesty! This is Changjun—the borderlands! I was appointed to oversee this place, and I won't tolerate you stirring up trouble here!" General Ji snorted, glaring at her. "Where are your appointment documents? You haven't received my permission to assume office—what right do you have to discipline officers?"
"General, you're mistaken again! This humble official hasn't disciplined anyone yet. And if I were to do so, General, I did say everyone." Lian Sheng met his gaze sidelong. "The higher the rank, the greater the punishment. Because those in high positions who neglect their duties and knowingly break the law deserve worse, don't you agree?"
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