Occasionally, they could go to the brothel for free food, drinks, and girls, or sometimes raid the County South King’s Landowner’s Home for some grain!

In short.

In that distant small county town.

They were notorious for ’committing all sorts of evil’.

Later, their big brother went to the Capital City to become an official.

They followed him there.

Of course, without official positions, they continued in their lowly ways.

The only thing different from before was.

They no longer needed to engage in their previous unruly acts to have enough to eat.

Big brother was nostalgic.

They lived a life without want of food or clothing.

However, in essence, they were still the same as before, no different at all.

Merely beggars cloaked in luxurious garments.

Watching their big brother win the Emperor’s trust.

Watching the Tiger, with his martial skills, seize the title of Martial Champion and become an official.

They were not without envy.

But... what could they do themselves?

They were neither scholars nor warriors, had no achievements or other skills! What position could they aspire to?!

They had lowly skills aplenty, yet no one respected them.

Their status was awkward, neither slaves nor masters.

They couldn’t return to the streets to perform, nor could they be perpetual parasites dependent on others.

But did they have any other way?

Every day they thought about what path to take!

But alas, so many years passed.

Time was squandered in vain, not for lack of searching, but for no path found.

Just when he was about to give up.

It was General Yang who showed him hope.

Military advisor!

It was something he never even dreamed of!

He never imagined one day he could have a place in the Imperial Court, using his meager talents to serve it.

He never imagined one day the questionable things in his head could be of use on such a grand battlefield!

He never imagined one day he could live on this land like a legitimate man, relying on his own strength.

But now, he truly achieved it.

Yang He, akin to a reborn parent, deserved kneeling worship!

Yang He, deeply shocked, hurriedly helped him up.

"Young talents should have the chance to serve the court, truly no need for such grand ceremony!"

The Rat rose, expressing gratitude once more.

Yang Chenyi, standing by, was overjoyed.

They often drank together, considered good brothers.

Seeing him achieve his dream, he was happy for him and said.

"Father!"

"Since you think the name Rat is unpleasant, why don’t you give him a new one?"

"Brother Rat has no surname, why not bestow him one too?"

Yang He immediately refused without thinking.

"Ah! Names aren’t given casually! Surnames even less so!"

"Don’t speak carelessly!"

The Rat also clasped his hands towards Yang Chenyi.

"Thank you, Brother Yang, for your kindness, I understand!"

"The Great General’s favor to Rat is immensely appreciated!"

"I dare not trouble the General with matters of names!"

Seeing his words, Yang Chenyi did not insist further.

Yang He also did not say more, only reminding.

"Matters of names concern ancestry, never to be treated lightly!"

The implication being: if you can seek out your ancestry back home, it’s best! What others give is not true.

The Rat bowed again.

Yang He smiled, patted his shoulder in encouragement.

Everyone returned to the main topic.

After confirming the fire attack tactics, the Great Chu Dynasty’s army quickly organized.

They secretly transported hundreds of barrels of oil from Yanguan City at the fastest speed.

Taking advantage of a dark, windy night, they spread all the oil over the mountainside.

They even chose areas with the most dry grass and withered branches.

The Rat even calculated the wind direction based on the terrain.

He spread more oil in the upwind direction to ensure that once ignited, the fire could spread as quickly as possible.

Yang He praised the Rat increasingly.

Even with other decisions, he would ask for his opinion.

He did not exclude or envy him for having more ideas.

This capacity to encompass all, greatly enhanced General Yang’s prestige in the camp.

...

Just as the Great Chu Dynasty was ready.

The Western Xia was simultaneously arranging defenses while sorting through the plunder from the massacre.

The crude soldiers laughed heartily while tidying up.

"Hahaha..."

"So few people here, I hadn’t killed enough before they were gone!"

"Exactly, who knows when there’ll be another good opportunity like this!"

"My dagger hasn’t even drunk enough blood yet!"

"You should be content!"

"If our king wins, all is well, if he loses... ptooey! How could we possibly lose?!"

"Then we’ll just wait, until we win this battle!"

"Let the brothers have a good time!"

The group laughed and joked.

Hai Xiangjin was at that moment discussing tactics with a few trusted lieutenants and his nephew.

They studied maps and terrain for a long time.

Ultimately arranging their troops in the most perfect strategy and manner!

Hai Xiangjin looked at the flawless troop formation in the sand table, laughing arrogantly.

"Hahaha..."

"This time, no matter which direction the Great Chu Dynasty attacks from, we can ensure they will come and never return!"

"The Emperor is wise!"

The generals and nephew knelt to the ground.

Hai Xiangjin felt rejuvenated, as if he had become twenty years younger, returning to that youthful age.

Meanwhile, in the Crown Prince’s tent.

To avoid arousing suspicion, she could only drink strong alcohol continuously to keep her voice gruff enough.

However...

Half drunk, half awake, she was terribly anxious.

She had also fought wars.

She knew the terrain here was treacherous, one careless move could lead to ambush.

But no matter how anxious she was, there was nothing she could do.

She didn’t know what Hai Situ said to Prince Jin last time.

Now she couldn’t even enter Prince Jin’s large tent. 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

Couldn’t steal the troop formation map.

Couldn’t send messages out.

Faced with a pile of empty wine bottles.

Hai Tang was utterly helpless.

Yearned for the Monster.

Wasn’t that guy known for getting everywhere?

What on earth was going on now?!

Why hadn’t there been any sign of him?!

...

One night.

A dark and windy night, the surrounding hills wailed eerily with the wind.

The sudden cold wind set the leafless trees swaying and rustling.

In the small valley area.

Besides the sound of soldiers patrolling, there were all sorts of eerie wind sounds.

The Western Xia, besides prairie, was mostly desert.

They were far too familiar with these wind sounds, not concerned at all.

Yet for some reason, Hai Xiangjin felt uneasy.

It was as if there was a foreign scent in the air.

He felt.

Something unexpected was about to happen.

But what could it possibly be?!

Hai Xiangjin couldn’t fathom, only ordered increased patrols.

In the dead of night.

Aside from patrolling soldiers, everyone else was in a deep sleep.

Suddenly, a small team emerged from a back path.

The air was thick with a fierce killing intent.

Hai Xiangjin immediately jumped up from his bed, shouting.

"Men, prepare to meet the enemy!"