Chapter 6, Murder, Male Residence, Testing the Edge

Lu Gang was already sweating profusely; he hurriedly bowed deeply to Xu Jing and said anxiously, "What should I do? I kindly ask you to teach me, sir."

Amai, upon hearing this, was not angry; she simply replied very politely, "Thank you, sir, Amai is fine."

Lu Gang was taken aback, not expecting A Mai to say such a thing

A-Mai let out a startled cry, nearly jumping out of bed, and turned her head to glare at Zhang Sheng with red eyes

Amai understood that this was a critical moment, and her life and death rested on Lu Gang's thoughts. Therefore, she smiled slightly and looked at Lu Gang with a hint of provocation, saying: "My lord, I indeed have important matters to report. Please dismiss others. If my lord still has concerns about me, then please bind me a few more times."

Lu Gang smacked his lips and said, "Amai has killed one of my subordinates."

Watching He Yong lead the cavalry northward into the night, Shang Yizhi sneered and said, "Chen Qi, I will repay them in their own way." Before mounting his horse to depart, Shang Yizhi called Amayi from the ranks of his personal guard and, with a cold expression, asked, "Amayi, it is not too late to have regrets now. If you wish to save your life, I will allow you to leave on your own."

Shang Yizhi was troubled by the loud arguments of these generals, and could not help but frown. He rubbed his temples and then looked towards Xu Jing

Xu Jing smiled enigmatically and said, "There is no need for the school captain to worry about this; I have my own methods."

Upon hearing these words, Ah Mai felt a great sense of relief in her heart, knowing that Lu Gang had believed her account. She feared that as soon as dawn broke, he would go in search of Xu Jing. Now, she could only hope that Xu Jing would remember their past affection and save her life.

Amai took the sword and remained silent for a moment

Wang Qi glanced at A Mai's attire, and while the officer was not paying attention, he enviously touched A Mai's horse and said, "You lucky fellow, I told you having a lieutenant as an adoptive brother means you don't have to mingle with us in the infantry battalion. Now it's great, you have a horse to ride. When you become successful, don't forget your brothers."

Xu Jing set down her chopsticks, her expression turning serious as she no longer smiled. She fixed her gaze on Shang Yizhi and asked, "What does the general think of A Mai's strategy?"

Xu Jing looked at Lu Gang, feeling troubled. She thought to herself: "Since you have sought me out, I assume Ah Mai has already told you about our connection. We have come this far together, and others have long regarded us as a faction. If I do not save this kid, how will others view me in the future? Alas, Ah Mai, why are you so intent on killing the team leader! Killing a small soldier is much easier to justify than taking out a team leader!" Alas, Ah Mai, why are you so intent on killing the team leader! Killing a small soldier is much easier to justify than taking out a team leader!

A-Mai limped behind Zhang Sheng as they walked out. Just after taking a couple of steps, he heard Shang Yizhi's cold voice coming from behind, "I think twenty military sticks are still too few; if you add another twenty, you will be able to walk more smoothly."

Seeing A Mai in such a state, Shang Yizhi found it difficult to maintain his stern demeanor. Although his tone was cold, his words involuntarily softened. He said, "Regardless of the reasons, you have killed an officer, and according to military law, you must be executed by decapitation in public."

In the hall, senior generals from the provinces of Yu and Qing are convening a military meeting. According to reports from scouts, after a brief rest in Jingyang, the Northern Desert troops are once again aiming directly for the province of Yu

A-Mai smiled upon hearing this and quickly bowed, saying: "Lord Lu, what are you saying? That day, it was A-Mai who violated military law, and you were merely acting in accordance with the law. How could A-Mai dare to harbor resentment? The general has already punished A-Mai, leaving A-Mai with half a life to atone for the crime. Today, A-Mai is able to have this half life, firstly out of gratitude for the general's mercy in not executing me, and secondly to express my thanks to you, my lord. Thank you for showing mercy and allowing A-Mai to escape this time." A-Mai is able to have this half life today, firstly out of gratitude for the general's mercy in not executing me, and secondly to express my thanks to you, my lord. Thank you for showing mercy and allowing A-Mai to escape this time.

"Impudent!" Shang Yi's expression changed dramatically, and he fixed a stern gaze on A Mai, reprimanding, "What place is this, that allows you to speak recklessly? Someone, take him away and give him twenty strokes!"

Lu Gang looked at Xu Jing, silently asking with his eyes: "What should we do? Is A Mai really the general's favorite? If I deal with this kid according to military law, will the general be upset? Will that upset be directed at me? But if I don't kill this kid, everyone is watching, how can I uphold military law in the future?"

Tang Shaoyi furrowed his brows slightly and turned to look at Amai in surprise. He scrutinized Amai until she felt somewhat uncomfortable, and then he said: "Amai, that day when I heard you speak eloquently in front of the generals, I truly admired you. I thought you were a military genius, but who would have thought you would say such unprofessional words."

Shang Yi said softly: "It is feasible"

Amai felt somewhat puzzled and could not help but ask again: "The general said that General Shi will soon send a supply convoy to deliver provisions to us, but given our marching speed, will the supply convoy be able to catch up with us?"

Amai was momentarily taken aback, but he quickly understood the implication of Lu Gang's words; he was clearly trying to guide him to attack Tang Shaoyi. Amai sneered inwardly, yet maintained a composed smile on his face as he said: "My lord, I understand that since a person has been killed, there must be an explanation. However, this matter is quite complex, so I kindly request that you summon the strategist Xu Jing. Upon meeting me, he will naturally comprehend the underlying reasons."

Xu Jing said: "The school lieutenant is confused"

Seeing A Mai still bowing to him, Wu Zhang was taken aback and hurriedly said: "A Mai, I cannot accept your greeting. I have offended you in many ways before, so please do not take it to heart"

Even so, Tang Shaoyi was still very surprised. It was already a great fortune that the twenty military clubs did not cause any serious injury, let alone the fact that she now appeared no different from an ordinary person. Although Tang Shaoyi had a straightforward personality, he was not foolish. He noticed A-Mai's somewhat evasive expression and realized that the soldiers enforcing the punishment had shown leniency. He did not know that this was secretly arranged by Shang Yizhi; he thought it was because of the deep friendship between Zhang Sheng and A-Mai that he had been merciful. After pondering for a moment, he said, "A-Mai, no matter how effective that medicine is, twenty military clubs are not easy to endure. You should take good care of your health to avoid leaving any lasting ailments in the future. Moreover, Zhang the guard has good intentions, so you must not cause him any trouble."

Amai remained silent, clutching her waist belt, her face flushed red.

Xu Jing remained silent. Ever since the debate between the two factions began, he had been quiet, merely watching the two sides argue back and forth with a faint smile, without expressing his own opinion

Lu Gang noticed that A Mai was silent and quickly explained: "Guard Mai, that day I had no choice, please do not take it to heart"

Shang Yi called Zhang Sheng from outside the house and instructed, "Take A Mai downstairs." He glanced at A Mai again, his brows slightly furrowed, and said with some disdain, "Remember to change out of those dirty clothes first."

Both individuals are deeply contemplative, yet neither has managed to connect with the other.

"But even so, according to military law, Ah Mai would still be executed!" Lu Gang said

The soldier dragged Amei to the back of the house and pressed her down on a long bench. Then someone came up wanting to pull down her pants. Terrified, Amei struggled desperately, but her hands and feet were firmly held down, leaving her unable to move at all. The person's hand had already reached her belt, and Amei felt a sense of impending doom. In the midst of the chaos, she heard Zhang Sheng, who had followed behind, say: "Forget it, after all, he was once a brother. Just hit her directly, no need to take off her pants."

The intermittent screams of A Mai echoed into the military conference hall, causing Tang Shaoyi to feel somewhat unsettled, his hands instinctively clenching into fists, while Shang Yizhi listened with a furrowed brow.

Amai asked: "Do you really want to know, my lord?"

Tang Shaoyi turned his head to glance at Amai and said with a serious expression: "Amai, what time is it now? After delivering the message, you should return quickly to report. How can you be there reminiscing with others? Moreover, now that the Qing and Yu armies are allied, if someone sees you, others will not just say you are arrogant and presumptuous, but will only say that the general's command is lax."

Although the bruise on Amai's buttocks has mostly healed, riding a horse is still inconvenient. After just half a day, it already hurts to the point of numbness. However, this is actually better, as it at least prevents him from constantly thinking about his butt. Amai has passed by Xu Jing's mule cart several times, and Xu Jing would lift the small curtain on the cart, asking with a half-smile, "Amai, can you still ride a horse? If not, come over and keep me company in the cart."

Tang Shaoyi, seeing Amai's dejected demeanor, refrained from further admonishment and simply turned his head to gaze silently at the distant Wulan Mountain

Since the northern nomads launched a surprise attack on Jingyang and Shi Dachun's failed suicide attempt, he gradually transferred the military power in his hands to Shang Yizhi. Therefore, it was Shang Yizhi who presided over every meeting. The debate over whether to defend or retreat has been ongoing for several days. Some insisted on holding Yu Province at all costs, while others argued that given the current strength of the northern nomads, Yu Province would only become an isolated city. The combined forces of Yu and Qing, numbering over 40,000, would only be trapped within the walls of Yu Province. It would be better to withdraw from Yu Province and seek opportunities elsewhere. Some insisted on holding Yu Province at all costs, while others argued that given the current strength of the northern nomads, Yu Province would only become an isolated city. The combined forces of Yu and Qing, numbering over 40,000, would only be trapped within the walls of Yu Province. It would be better to withdraw from Yu Province and seek opportunities elsewhere.

Xu Jing had already guessed the meaning behind Shang Yizhi's words upon hearing this, but seeing that he had paused, she still cooperatively asked, "What happened next?"

Is it feasible

Lu Gang felt somewhat troubled, unsure of how to inquire about this matter. He certainly could not directly ask whether A Mai was the male favorite of Shang Yizhi. After pondering for a while, he cautiously asked, "May I ask if you are acquainted with A Mai?"

Amai noticed that Tang Shaoyi no longer reprimanded her, so she casually said to him: "Elder brother, this march is indeed much faster! Last time I accompanied the general to Yuzhou, it took the army nearly half a month to cover the several hundred miles to Yuzhou."

Since arriving in Yuzhou, A Mai has consistently referred to Tang Shaoyi as "Big Brother". Although the two of them did not formally swear brotherhood as A Mai mentioned, Tang Shaoyi has taken great care of A Mai, and A Mai is truly grateful to him, sincerely calling him "Big Brother".

Shang Yi smiled and asked, "What is so good?"

He raised his eyes to look at the young soldier being escorted into the tent by the soldiers, feeling a sense of familiarity. Suddenly, he recalled that this was the same young soldier who had received half a whip from him today. The soldier's name was Amai, and he was quite handsome; he remembered him after just a glance.

Upon seeing this, Amai hurriedly said: "It's nothing, big brother, I was just asking casually. I've noticed that General Shang has been gathering some generals these past few days, so I was a bit curious."

Xu Jing also wore a silent expression, her gaze casually glancing towards the door. It is time, Ah Mai, if you wish to survive, then showcase your wisdom before everyone.

Lu Gang coldly stared at A Mai and scoffed, "A Mai, do not think that you can deceive others with your tricks. If you speak, there may still be a chance for survival; if you remain silent, I will have someone take you out and execute you immediately. Do not think that knowing Tang Shaoyi will allow you to escape military law"

Tang Shaoyi looked at Amai in silence. Amai felt a stir in her heart and suddenly understood, unable to restrain her astonishment as she asked: "Could it be that there is no grain army sent? But we only brought the food we had when we left; what will we do on the way back?"

A-Mai also realized that she had been too casual just now, and hurriedly said, "Elder brother, it was A-Mai's fault, I will not do it again in the future"

Amai's expression was slightly awkward, but she soon regained her composure and said generously: "Elder brother, Amai only knows some theoretical concepts and is not familiar with the details of military affairs. Moreover, the strategy discussed that day was actually informed to Amai in advance by Mr. Xu in order to save Amai's life, and it was not conceived by Amai herself"

When she was almost insulted, she did not cry; when she was beaten by those soldiers, she did not cry. Yet now, when the danger has clearly passed, she is about to cry.

Hearing his question, Xu Jing suddenly remembered that A Mai had been sent to the infantry battalion to serve. It seemed that this person was under his command. Xu Jing stroked his beard and nodded, saying: "I know him; A Mai is under the command of the school lieutenant. I wonder how he is doing there"

A-Mai choked on a bun for a moment, coughing for quite a while before calming down. She turned her head to glance at Zhang Sheng but did not say a word

Xu Jing shook her head, "No."

Lu Gang was indeed provoked by her, and with a cold laugh, he said, "Am I really afraid of you?" After saying this, he drove all his subordinates out, then turned back to look at A Mai and asked ominously, "Tell me, who instructed you to kill him? What did Tang Shaoyi want from you today?"

Lu Gang is a lieutenant officer in the 7th Infantry Battalion of the Qingzhou Army. When his personal guard woke him from his slumber and informed him that a newly enlisted soldier had killed the squad leader of his second team, he was initially taken aback. Then, he leaped out of bed and shouted angrily: "Damn it, who did this? Get that bastard for me, damn it, how dare he kill the squad leader, this is outrageous!"

Amai jumped off the horse and led it alongside Wang Qi and the others, smiling and saying, "It is I." As she spoke, she took two steps to catch up to Captain Wu and respectfully said, "Hello, Captain Wu."

Amai disregarded the gazes of the crowd, calmly stepping into the room and approaching Shang Yizhi. She pointed at the map behind him and said: "General, after the Northern Desert people opened the border at Jingyang, their subsequent attack will only be a gradual advance. If that is the case, the Northern Desert army will undoubtedly carry a large amount of supplies when they march south from Jingyang this time, which will significantly slow down their pace. Excluding the time they rested in Jingyang, they have only just left Jingyang and may not have even reached this location yet." She pointed to a certain spot beneath Jingyang City, then continued as her finger traced the route between Jingyang and Yuzhou downwards, stopping at a certain point before saying, "If we set an ambush here, which is the place where Chang Yuqing launched a surprise attack on our reinforcements in Jingyang, we may achieve unexpected results."

Tang Shaoyi nodded

Tang Shaoyi smiled faintly, remaining silent

Once, when Amai was delivering a message to the back of the line and passed by the infantry camp, she suddenly heard someone calling her name. She pulled on the reins and looked, only to find it was Wang Qi from the infantry camp. Seeing Amai sitting high on her horse in her black clothing and soft armor, he felt quite envious. Ignoring Zhang Erdan, who was secretly tugging at him beside him, he said: "Amai, is that really you? I just saw you pass by, and when Erdan said it was you, I didn't believe it."

Is it done well? Of course it is! Lu Gang thought to himself, this kid has already taken out an entire team of mine, how could I say it wasn't done well?

A-Mai was bound tightly and kneeling on the ground, her body covered in bloodstains. The swelling on her face had not subsided, and there were several new bruises, along with specks of blood, indicating that she had endured quite a beating when she was captured by the soldiers. She looked up at Lu Gang, the panic from earlier when she had killed someone had calmed down, and she said calmly: "I did not want to kill him; he was the one who sought to humiliate me, and I only resisted, accidentally injuring him with my sword."

Zhang Sheng took a steamed bun from the kitchen and returned, only to find the medicine bottle empty while there was not a trace of ointment on A Mai's face. He wondered, "Where is the ointment?"

Very good! Xu Jing replied

The tip of the sword was cold against her skin, and a glint of determination flashed in Amai's eyes as she gritted her teeth and said in a low voice: "Indeed, my lord, I have other reasons for wanting to kill him, but this matter is of great importance, so I ask you—" Her words came to a halt as her gaze swept over the others in the tent.

Lu Gang looked at Xu Jing and thought to himself, of course I know that A Mai cannot be killed

According to rank, Tang Shaoyi was merely a school lieutenant and was not qualified to attend a meeting of this level. However, he was highly regarded by Shang Yizhi and was permitted to attend such meetings despite the lack of qualification. It was precisely for this reason that he attracted even more jealousy from others

The meeting continued until after noon before the attendees finally dispersed. Before leaving, Tang Shaoyi glanced back at the backyard with considerable concern, but unfortunately, he saw nothing.

Lu Gang took the sword that belonged to Tang Shaoyi from behind and handed it to A Mai, saying apologetically: "The sword that Colonel Tang sent you, I have brought it to you"

Although Tang Shaoyi's complexion was slightly flushed, the confidence reflected in his eyes was unmistakable as he spoke loudly: "Currently, Taixing is besieged, and Zhou Zhiren's army of 100,000 remains encamped around Taixing. They have come with a light force, and their supplies are unlikely to be sufficient. The fact that they have been able to besiege Taixing for such an extended period indicates that they must have other sources of provisions. As long as we can locate their supplies and send someone to burn them, Zhou Zhiren's army of 100,000 will collapse without a fight"

Lu Gang thought to himself, how could I not know, that kid has already told me. Lu Gang asked, "Then shall I send A Mai over for the general to deal with?"

Tang Shaoyi felt somewhat relieved upon hearing her words. He pulled her away from the group and quietly said, "Do you know that this time we have deployed troops, our soldiers only carry ten days' worth of rations?"

As dawn broke, Lu Gang could not wait to have breakfast and went to look for Xu Jing

Amai resolutely declared: "Amai vows to follow the general to the death, unafraid of a thousand dangers, and unwilling to decline a myriad of deaths"

General Shi!" Shang Yizhi interrupted Shi Dachun's words, smiled, and said, "How can we change generals in the midst of battle? Moreover, the general has been managing Yuzhou for many years, and is certainly more familiar with Yuzhou than I am. With so few troops left, all of whom are old and weak, only the general can defend Yuzhou!

"No! This is too risky! Our combined forces amount to only 40,000 troops; how can we ambush the Northern Desert army?" a middle-aged general suddenly spoke up.

Through her analysis, nearly half of the generals in the room were moved. They all understood that although this path was fraught with danger, if successful, it would be an unprecedented achievement. More importantly, it would serve to avenge the disgrace of the surprise attack on Jingyang in the northern desert.

Lu Gang's expression changed drastically upon hearing this. It was common knowledge in the army that Shang Yizhi had taken the handsome young man as his personal guard. If what A Mai said was true, this would indeed be troublesome. It was evident to everyone that the team leader had been killed; if she were not killed, the public outrage would be difficult to quell; if she were killed, what should be done when Shang Yizhi came to ask for someone from me again

Lu Gang thought to himself, am I not just seeking Mr. Xu? Can I directly go to the general and say that your little sweetheart has committed an offense in my hands, what do you think I should do? Am I tired of my official position? He waved his hand at the bodyguards, signaling them to take A Mai away, and instructed, "Do not hit her, just keep a good watch on her."

Some people have already recognized that this young man was once a personal guard beside Shang Yi, and they looked at A Mai with a hint of astonishment, not understanding where her attire came from. Only Tang Shaoyi knew that A Mai had gone to the infantry camp. At this moment, seeing A Mai appear here covered in blood and dirt, with her face more bruised than when he saw her yesterday, he felt puzzled and wanted to ask but held back.

When Amai put on the black armored uniform of the personal guard again, she felt a surge of emotions. She intended to smile, but what welled up instead was sorrow, and her eyes inexplicably turned red. She lowered her head, burying it in the crook of her arm, murmuring softly: "Amai is fine, Amai is very strong, very strong, very strong..."

Xu Jing had been discussing military matters in the army all night, and only lay down to rest when dawn was approaching. Just as he was dozing off, he heard that someone was looking for him. Upon getting up, he saw it was a captain from the Qingzhou army, whom he had met a few days ago but was not well acquainted with. What could he want so early in the morning? Xu Jing was secretly surprised but did not show it on his face; he simply asked, "May I ask what brings Captain Lu to see me?"

What does the gentleman think of Amai's strategy?" Shang Yizhi suddenly asked.

"Look at me?" Amai was even more surprised and asked, "May I ask what business you have with me, my lord?"

A tree that stands out in the forest is bound to be blown down by the wind, Xu Jing asked

Amai sheathed the dagger and said, "Today is not my duty. If you are looking for the general, you need to find Zhang Sheng."

The nod of agreement from Shang Yi, "It is indeed feasible"

This sword was taken by the patrolling soldiers after it was used to kill that team of righteous men. Later, Lu Gang sent her over but forgot to bring the sword along, so it remained in Lu Gang's military camp. When Lu Gang saw that A-Mai was fine, he thought that A-Mai was indeed the beloved of Shang Yi, fearing that A-Mai would retaliate against him again, and hurriedly brought the sword over.

In a moment, two opinions were in contention with each other

It is neither possible to kill nor to release, this has truly become a hot potato! Lu Gang felt quite troubled in his heart, and looking at A Mai, he was momentarily at a loss for ideas. After a moment, Lu Gang suddenly shouted loudly: "Come in!" The personal guards outside the tent responded and entered. Lu Gang glanced at A Mai and instructed: "Take him down first, we will interrogate him again at dawn."

A-Maichi said: "Lord Lu? What are you doing here?"

This statement greatly surprised Lu Gang, who looked at A Mai with a thoughtful expression.

Shang Yi looked at A Mai in silence. If Tang Shaoyi's idea was risky, then A Mai's strategy was nothing short of madness, using the forty thousand troops currently in Yuzhou City to ambush the formidable Northern Desert army was akin to striking a stone with an egg. Yet, it was precisely this mad scheme that made his heart race violently.

Lu Gang glanced at the blood-stained saber on the ground, knowing that it belonged to the lieutenant surnamed Tang. That person had come to see A Mai today, presenting this saber. At that time, he had even spared A Mai a few lashes out of consideration for this sword.

Amai looked at Xu Jing for help, but seeing that he showed no reaction, she could only timidly reply: "I accidentally killed someone"

Lu Gang looked at A Mai with cold eyes. Although her face was bruised, her features still revealed a certain elegance, and one could even say she was beautiful. He glanced at A Mai's figure again and realized that she was not lying; a youth like her was indeed vulnerable to assault in the military. Yet, even so, did she really dare to kill a squad leader?

Xu Jing was taken aback, his grip faltering, and as he stroked his beard, several more strands came off. He couldn't help but click his tongue like Lu Gang, looking at Lu Gang speechless.

Lu Gang was so angry that his face turned pale. This team member was one of his fierce generals, who had single-handedly killed five bandits. He never expected to die in such a mysterious manner, and moreover, at the hands of a mere soldier

Two bodyguards dragged Amai out, and Amai, fearing that Lu Gang would directly seek out Shang Yizhi, hurriedly said to him: "My lord, this matter still requires consultation with Mr. Xu, as he has his own proper methods."

Amai was transferred to the military law office by Lu Gang. Upon arrival, before she could be tried, she was summoned by Xu Jing's men and made to kneel outside the council chamber of the city guard. In her hand was a note written by Xu Jing, which contained only the character "North".

A-Mai calmly looked at Lu Gang and said softly: "My lord, not knowing certain things is not necessarily a bad thing, wouldn't you agree? Please invite Mr. Xu, and some matters will become clear."

Amai's heart finally returned to its original place, and the next thought was to curse Shang Yizhi with a "Damn it". The word "I" was almost rolling off her tongue but was forcefully swallowed back down. She just stood there with her head bowed and eyes downcast, cursing Shang Yizhi in her heart, wondering if there was such a way to speak while gasping for breath.

Amai smiled faintly and said, "You may not often see General Shang, otherwise you should have met Amai. If you do not believe me, you can ask Deputy Commander Li. Amai did not come to the infantry camp on her own; it was General Shang who sent someone to bring Amai here, and it was arranged by Deputy Commander Li." Amai looked at Lu Gang and, with a smile that was neither here nor there, asked, "Although I have only followed General Shang for a short time, I have always been favored by the general. Do you know why the general suddenly sent Amai here?"

Zhang Sheng looked utterly astonished and asked, "Is it all wiped on the butt?"

Zhang Sheng noticed that A Mai's eyes were red and found it somewhat strange. He said, "Have you been crying, you little rascal? Ha! You really have some nerve. Others may not know, but I certainly do keep track of my own hits. If you can cry like this, how would you manage if you actually received twenty military lashes?"

Shang Yi chuckled self-deprecatingly and said, "Later, a strong wind blew, and in the entire forest, only the tree I planted fell down."

"Why kill the officer?" Lu Gang asked

Shang Yizhi announced the deployment of troops to aid Taixing, selecting strong soldiers from the Yuzhou army to join the Qingzhou army, leaving only a few thousand old and weak soldiers to defend the city under Shi Dachun. Shi Dachun had no objections and cooperatively handed over all his elite troops to Shang Yizhi. On the day of departure, Shi Dachun escorted Shang Yizhi out of the city, his expression somewhat heavy. When there was no one around, he urged Shang Yizhi, saying: "Yizhi, it would be better if I led the troops instead. General Shang has served the country all his life, and now he has only you as his son. How can you take this risk? What will become of the old general?"

Xu Jing smiled and said, "Laughing, Ah Mai is tough and resilient; after being hit with twenty military sticks, he can still run so nimbly."

Shang Yizhi coldly said, "That should not justify killing."

Xu Jing glanced outside again and lowered her voice, saying: "The lieutenant may not be aware that A Mai was once a personal guard by the general's side. The general holds A Mai in high regard, and it was only due to an unfortunate incident that A Mai was sent to the military camp. If you were to kill A Mai, even if the general does not say anything, he is likely to harbor resentment towards the lieutenant."

Xu Jing nodded, glanced at Shang Yizhi, pushed aside the dishes on the table, then took out a map from her bosom and spread it out, saying: "This is the topographic map of Wolf Valley, General, please take a look"

She does not want to die yet, so she must now come up with a way, a way to preserve her life

Please tell General to ask Amai, is it true that if a man is handsome, he deserves to be bullied? Is it reasonable for him to be looked down upon?

"Adult, do not listen to him—" his subordinate officer shouted hastily

Tang Shaoyi learned that Amai had returned to the city guard's office, so he found an opportunity to visit her. He noticed that although her face was bruised, she could move without any issues, which puzzled him. He then asked Amai how her health was. Amai could not tell him the truth, but she did not want to lie to him either, so she simply said that Zhang Sheng had procured some good medicine for her, which was very effective, and that she was now mostly fine, though she still needed to sleep on her stomach.

After sending Tang Shaoyi away, A Mai had just returned to the courtyard where the guards were stationed when he saw a short man peering into the doorway. A Mai carefully drew his dagger from his waist and stealthily approached. When he was about five or six steps away from the man, the man suddenly turned around, and to his surprise, it was Lu Gang, the company officer of the 7th Battalion of the Qingzhou Army's infantry regiment.

Shang Yi asked again: "What is the gentleman laughing at?"

Zhang Sheng's facial expression was somewhat distorted, and in the end, he gave a thumbs up to A Mai, with a crooked smile he praised: "High, truly high, I have finally witnessed what it means for the buttocks to be more precious than the face"

Xu Jing smiled slyly and said softly, "This is a matter of the general's discretion, how can it be known to others? Moreover, if you send Amai to the general, how will he handle it? Bound by military law, he can only execute Amai, but what will he think of you, Lieutenant? How will you continue to serve under the general after this?"

Lu Gang widened his eyes, looking at Xu Jing with confusion, not understanding how he had become muddled again

A-Mai noticed the change in Lu Gang's expression and understood that he was in a difficult position. She then said, "Just now, A-Mai asked the gentleman to invite Mr. Xu, precisely to prevent you from falling into a dilemma. These matters, it is not necessarily a good thing for you to know them."

This statement has greatly shaken the various generals present in the room. In recent days, everyone has been discussing how to confront the Northern Desert people, yet no one has considered taking the initiative to strike first

Amai gritted her teeth and said, "It was he who sought to humiliate me, and that is why I accidentally killed him. General, what wrong have I committed? Is it because I am good-looking that I deserve to be bullied? Amai joined the army to fight against the enemy and protect the country, not to be a plaything for certain individuals"

In the eyes of Shang Yi, brilliance flickered as he silently observed Tang Shaoyi, clearly contemplating the feasibility of his suggestion

Shang Yi looked at the door where A Mai stood, his brows slightly furrowed. It had been a few days since they last met, and how had A Mai ended up like this again? With a bruised face and covered in blood.

This is the end; even if twenty military clubs do not kill her, her identity can no longer be concealed. A-Mai felt her mind go blank, unable to remember anything. Shang Yizhi was still shouting from behind, but A-Mai could hardly hear him clearly, as if he was instructing the guard named Zhang Sheng to oversee the punishment, to prevent those familiar soldiers from going easy on her.

The subtle stiffness of the commerce eased, and turning my head to look at Amai, I saw her swollen brows and eyes, the corners of her tightly pursed lips still bearing traces of blood, as she looked at me with a stubborn expression.

Shang Yi, who rarely spoke, was exceptionally handsome. Although he attracted considerable attention from women, this also led to some older generals looking down on him. He was aware that a strikingly handsome young man would face bullying in the military, which is why he selected some of these handsome youths to be part of his personal guard, merely to protect them from such mistreatment. Furthermore, when he placed A Mai in the infantry camp, it must be said that he had the intention of letting this person endure some hardship. However, now seeing A Mai, who had suffered and stood before him in a disheveled state, he felt a twinge of compassion. Moreover, he admired A Mai's talent. Not to mention the brilliance he had just displayed, even from the moment he first saw A Mai on the road from Qingzhou, despite A Mai's numerous attempts to conceal it, he still recognized his intelligence and agility, which is why he chose to keep A Mai by his side.

Upon hearing this, Shi Dachun could only sigh. Shang Yizhi let out a hearty laugh, spurring his horse forward, with his personal guard closely following behind, and further back was an army that seemed endless.

Lu Gang replied, "Not yet, so I specifically came to seek your advice on what to do."

Amai lowered his head and fell silent for a moment, then suddenly asked him before Lu Gang could get angry: "My lord, do you know that I was once a personal guard by the side of General Shang?"

The two stared at each other in silence for a moment

Lu Gang remained silent, merely gazing at A Mai, yet within his heart, a tempest was raging.

Amai smiled slightly and was about to speak when Tang Shaoyi rode up from behind, glanced at her, and said coldly, "Get on the horse." Seeing Tang Shaoyi's serious expression, Amai quickly smiled apologetically at Wang Qi and the others, hurriedly mounted her horse, and followed Tang Shaoyi. Not long after, she caught up with Tang Shaoyi, pulled on the reins, and rode alongside him, calling out, "Elder brother."

Xu Jing chuckled softly behind him. Shang Yizhi turned around to look at him and asked, "Is there something that makes you happy, sir?"

A glint of resolute determination flashed in Tang Shaoyi's eyes as he spoke softly: "In Yuzhou City, there are only a few thousand elderly, weak, sick, and disabled. What can General Shi use to supply us with provisions? Moreover, if we win, provisions will naturally be available; if we lose, what use is there for the provisions we brought back?"

Zhang Sheng looked at her expression and thought she was complaining about using the same ointment on both places. He glared and said: "What? Are you being picky? Why don't you apply it on your face first and then on your bottom."

Tang Shaoyi merely stated this, and Amai understood his meaning. She quickly composed herself and bowed to him, expressing her gratitude: "Thank you, elder brother, for your guidance. Amai understands now"

Amai glanced at the man and coldly said, "Surely the people of the Northern Desert would think the same. They must believe that after they killed 300,000 border troops of the Southern Xia, we have long been terrified and would only defend the city without daring to launch an attack. They would never imagine that we have the courage to ambush the Northern Desert army."

Then why does the general still punish Amai with a staff? Xu Jing asked again, her small eyes unconsciously narrowing.

Shang Yi was still hesitating when he suddenly heard the main door being pushed open. A Mai stood outside the door and shouted, "General, A Mai has another plan."

Amai was taken aback, looking at Shang Yizhi in fear

Shang Yi withdrew his gaze from Xu Jing and cast a cold glance at the various generals, saying: "Is there really only these two options? Do any of you have other ideas?"

Amai stared directly at Lu Gang, remaining silent, for she knew that no matter how she explained, she had effectively eliminated that squad, which was a grave offense in the military. Regardless of her reasons, her life would not be spared

A-Mai spoke and then solemnly bowed in greeting, which startled Lu Gang, who hurriedly supported her and said: "What are you talking about? This is not the fault of Guard Mai; it is that fellow seeking his own death. How can the blame fall on Guard Mai? Fortunately, the general is wise, allowing for justice to be served for Guard Mai."

Amai's face was slightly flushed, she nodded, and then lowered her head to focus on eating the steamed bun

Xu Jing originally intended to tease A Mai, but upon seeing her calm expression, he felt a sense of boredom and decided not to make fun of her any longer

The squad leader of the Second Platoon of the Seventh Battalion was carried in; he had long since died, his throat slit, and he had not even had the chance to utter a sound before he perished. Had it not been for the patrolling soldiers passing by who happened to hear the commotion, it is likely that the one who killed him would have long since escaped.

"Sir!" Amai interrupted him and said softly, "Some things are better understood by the adults. Why must we expose them?" She glanced at the astonished Lu Gang and continued, "Amai has killed someone and knows she cannot escape the consequences. But have you considered what General would think if Amai were to be dealt with by military law? He sent me here just to test my character, but you, sir, have allowed me to be bullied here and then beheaded by military law. What would General think?" "Amai has killed someone and knows she cannot escape the consequences. But have you considered what General would think if Amai were to be dealt with by military law? He sent me here just to test my character, but you, sir, have allowed me to be bullied here and then beheaded by military law. What would General think?"

Shang Yi smiled without speaking, picked up his chopsticks, pointed at the dishes on the table, and said to Xu Jing, "Sir, please try this dish; I heard it was prepared by a chef from Kyoto"

This sentence, heard by Amai, was no less than the sound of heaven. Amai felt that she had never been so grateful to anyone before; her eyes grew warm, and tears began to swirl within them. She gritted her teeth and forced her eyes wide open to prevent the tears from flowing. In her heart, she cursed Shang Yizhi and Xu Jing, sending greetings to all her ancestors for eight generations and all her descendants for three generations. Lu Gang did not hit her, yet here she was, about to receive a beating.

"Who did you kill?" Shang Yizhi asked again

Zhang Sheng, upon seeing this, curled his lips in disdain, let out a scoff, and tossed a small celadon bottle in front of A Mai's face, saying: "Fine, I can't be bothered to serve you, you can apply it yourself. Once you're done tidying up, go to the kitchen and find something to eat; I've left some steamed buns for you there. Forget it, given your demeanor, I might as well bring it to you myself."

Lu Gang felt a chill in his heart when he suddenly heard A Mai mention wanting to meet Xu Jing. He coldly laughed and said: "What kind of person is Mr. Xu? He is not someone you can just meet at will. Be honest and tell me who instructed you to kill the officer, or do not blame me for being merciless."

That night, Shang Yizhi's troops split into two routes, assigning one thousand cavalry to Deputy General He Yong to launch a surprise attack on the military supplies located in the eastern route of the Northern Desert. The remaining forces turned west from the south, proceeding north along the eastern foothills of the Wulan Mountain Range.

Shang Yizhi smiled but did not directly answer Xu Jing's question. Instead, he casually prepared some dishes for Xu Jing and said, "When I was a child, I spent a few years hanging around a village outside of Kyoto. One year, when the village was planting trees, I found it interesting and decided to plant a sapling along with the servants. In order to show off that I could grow it better than others, I diligently watered and fertilized that sapling. As a result, it indeed grew better than the surrounding trees, shooting up high in just one summer, so much so that it could be seen from a distance towering over the others. I was very proud and even told my mother about it. However, my mother did not praise me; she simply sighed while stroking the top of my head."

Amai was not surprised to hear this. She saw that Shang Yizhi had summoned the military supply officer from Yuzhou City, and she had already guessed that Shang Yizhi was about to mobilize troops, though she did not know whether he intended to move north or south. If he were to adopt her strategy and head north, he should have called her to inquire in detail, yet Shang Yizhi did not summon her. Instead, he repeatedly invited Tang Shaoyi to participate in the core military meetings of Qing and Yu provinces. Given this, it seemed that Shang Yizhi planned to launch a surprise attack on Zhou Zhiren's supplies. Thinking of this, Amai could not help but feel a bit disappointed, believing that Shang Yizhi's resolve was still insufficient.

Lu Gang waved his hand busily, his dark red face smiling somewhat unnaturally, and said: "No, I am not looking for the general; I am here to find you."

Shang Yi's expression suddenly turned cold, and anger surged in his eyes as he coldly said: "Amai, you certainly have a lot of nerve, daring to kill even the team leader."

Seeing Zhang Sheng getting a bit angry, A Mai forced a smile and said: "Thank you, Brother Zhang. You can just put the medicine down; I can apply it myself. I don't want to trouble you, Brother Zhang."

Amai said with a serious expression, "Amai is willing to follow the general"

Lu Gang's complexion grew darker, and his hand gripping the sword relaxed and tightened again, clearly indicating his difficulty in making a decision. He cast a sidelong glance at A Mai, and the more he looked, the more he found this young man handsome. Although his face was bruised from being struck, it could not conceal his delicate features. Such a youth had a certain charm that was even more appealing than that of a frail woman, indeed possessing the qualities that could attract some men.

Amai nodded, her rations were being carried on the horse. It is said that this method of eating was invented by Prince Jingguo; it consists of fried dry rice, which can be eaten raw or soaked in water. Amai asked, "Elder brother, is it true that we did not bring any provisions or tents? Can the speed of our march really be affected this much?"

Amai busily said where to go, then greeted Sergeant Wu, and returned to Wang Qi and the others, leading the horse and walking alongside them.

Lu Gang suddenly saw A Mai and felt a bit flustered. He quickly turned around to stand up straight and awkwardly said, "It's nothing, it's nothing."

Shang Yizhi glanced at Tang Shaoyi and said, "Captain Tang, please speak."

"It has all been spread on," replied A-Mai, taking a bite of the steamed bun.

The Qingzhou army, consisting of 15,000 troops, along with an additional 25,000 elite soldiers drawn from the Yuzhou army, and the Southern Xia army led by Shang Yi, totaling 40,000, departed from Yuzhou on October 26 to provide assistance to Taixing

A-Mai repeatedly expressed her gratitude, while Zhang Sheng waved his hand and leaned in to take a closer look at A-Mai's swollen face. He couldn't help but shiver and instinctively touched his own face, saying: "You really know how to get into trouble, look at this swollen face, what a suffering. You used to look quite good, but now, it's almost as swollen as a pig's head."

Seeing A-Mai's awkwardness, Zhang Sheng instead laughed, took out the ointment he had obtained from his pocket, waved it in front of A-Mai, and said with a smile: "Hurry up, I went through a lot to get this from the doctor, quickly pull down your pants, I'll help you apply it on your backside, you can apply it on your face yourself, the general is still waiting for me to attend to him."

Amai was momentarily stunned into silence. She glanced at the large flag of Shang Yizhi's army not far away and finally understood that he had indeed made such a ruthless decision, using less than 40,000 infantry to ambush the northern desert's army, yet he had not even prepared provisions for the return journey. It was hard to believe that someone with the appearance of a dashing young man harbored such a determination to succeed or perish.

Shang Yi raised the corner of his mouth, said nothing further, and turned to ride forward on his horse. Behind him, A Mai and the guard team closely followed. Xu Jing was still sitting in his mule cart, but this time the driver was not the old coachman Zhang, but a soldier from the Qingzhou army.

Lu Gang gently stroked the blade with his hand and nodded, saying, "Less talk, get to the point!"

Lu Gang wiped the sweat from his forehead and quickly took his orders

In the autumn of the second year of the Shengyuan era, the Grand Ancestor led 40,000 troops to attack the Northern Desert, advancing over 1,000 li from Yuzhou. He engaged in battle with Chen Qi, and the summer troops captured over 20,000 enemy heads. Chen Qi was defeated and fled to Jingyang

Seeing Ah Mai like this, Shang Yi couldn't help but smile slightly at the corners of his mouth. He turned his face away and said, "However, considering that you just endured twenty military lashes, I will spare you half your life for now. You can atone for your sins in the future."

Seeing Shang Yi's silence, Shi Dachun continued, "I have heard that Her Royal Highness, the Eldest Princess, has always been in frail health. If she were to receive the news, she might..."

Zhang Sheng personally wielded the staff, swinging his arm in a wide arc and bringing it down onto A Mai's backside. A Mai, initially anxious and waiting, suddenly realized that the impact of the staff on her rear was not as painful as she had imagined. She couldn't help but turn her head to look at Zhang Sheng. Zhang Sheng was also looking at her, narrowing his eyes. A Mai suddenly understood and quickly let out a painful scream. The corner of Zhang Sheng's mouth twitched slightly, and then he continued to strike with vigor. Zhang Sheng was also looking at her, narrowing his eyes. A Mai suddenly understood and quickly let out a painful scream. The corner of Zhang Sheng's mouth twitched slightly, and then he continued to strike with vigor

Standing at the back, Tang Shaoyi hesitated for a moment, then spoke in a loud voice: "I have an immature idea."

After being beaten, A Mai was taken by Zhang Sheng to Shang Yizhi. The personal guard brought food to Shang Yizhi, who first invited Xu Jing to sit at the table and eat together, and only then did he take his own seat, completely ignoring A Mai who was standing beside them

Tang Shaoyi did not expect Amai to suddenly ask this question, and he felt somewhat embarrassed. After a brief pause, he said solemnly: "Amai, these matters are military secrets, and I cannot disclose them to you"

Amai was greatly shocked, and in a panic, she looked towards Xu Jing, only to see a hint of a smile in his eyes as he stroked his beard while looking at her. Soldiers outside the door came in and dragged Amai away. In her confusion, she even forgot to plead for mercy, merely staring blankly at Shang Yizhi as the soldier pulled her out.

Amai hesitated for a moment and then asked, "Elder brother, what have you been busy with these past two days? I saw General Shang, General Shi, and Military Advisor Xu discussing for quite a while, but I still do not know what we are going to do next—whether we will defend Yuzhou or go to rescue Taixing"

If it were not for the life-and-death situation, A Mai would not have concocted these words. She is well aware that if Shang Yizhi were to find out that she is currently impersonating his male lover, she would likely meet a more gruesome end. However, at this point, she can no longer afford to worry about so much.

Shang Yizhi also chuckled softly and nodded, saying: "Well, this kid is quite resilient and sturdy; it seems he will be a good seedling."

Xu Jing watched Lu Gang's hurried figure and murmured to herself, "Ah Mai, whether you live or die depends on yourself."

Lu Gang looked at A Mai with a face full of doubt, "Are you saying that ... ... "

Amai paused for a moment before saying: "It is a proper team."

After a while, Xu Jing composed herself and quietly asked Lu Gang, "Have you dealt with A Mai?"

This was the idea she had pondered for several nights. After hearing the arguments among the people in the room and carefully considering the character "北" that Xu Jing had given her, she suddenly understood Xu Jing's hint. It was evident that Xu Jing's line of thought was similar to hers, and by providing her with the character "北", it could be said that he was saving her life by passing this strategy on to her. At the same time, he was also testing her; if she could not grasp these implications, the strategy would remain his, and what awaited her would only be execution. It was clear that Xu Jing's line of thought was similar to hers, and by giving her the character "北", it could be said that he was saving her life by passing this strategy on to her. At the same time, he was also testing her; if she could not grasp these implications, the strategy would remain his, and what awaited her would only be execution.

For a moment, the room was enveloped in silence

Amai had not eaten for several meals, and upon catching the aroma of food, her stomach uncontrollably growled. She hurriedly pressed her stomach with force, standing silently.

Xu Jing stroked his beard and paced a few steps in the room, suddenly turning around and saying: "You do not need to specifically report this matter to the general, it is merely a squad leader, there is no need to trouble the general with it. You should go back and send A Mai directly to the military law office, just say that he was joking with that squad leader and accidentally injured him."

Lu Gang sneered coldly, kicking Tang Shaoyi's sword to A Mai's side, and asked in a chilling voice: "Do you think that because Colonel Tang gave you a sword, you can kill the commander at will?"

Zhang Sheng was somewhat annoyed and said: "It's not that I'm criticizing you, Ah Mai, but why do you have to make such a fuss? If it weren't for the general asking me to fetch the ointment for you, do you think you could apply medicine after being beaten with a military baton? Just burn yourself!"

Amai was greatly alarmed, her complexion alternating between red and pale, as she looked at Zhang Sheng in panic, her mouth agape and unable to speak

Amai's eyes were slightly red as she said, "I didn't want to kill him either, but at that moment there was simply no other way."

Lu Gang raised his hand to stop the officer's words, merely examining A Mai with a scrutinizing gaze

A-Mai forced a smile. After Zhang Sheng left, she opened the porcelain jar and applied some ointment to her face. After just a couple of strokes, she paused, thought for a moment, and then wiped off the ointment from her face. She used her fingers to scoop out some ointment from the jar and applied it to her already bruised backside. She used the entire jar of ointment, applying a thick layer that emitted a strong medicinal scent. Instantly, a cool sensation spread across her backside, alleviating the earlier burning feeling.

Amber just knelt outside the door and listened carefully, understanding the current situation. To save herself, she can only rely on herself. She must make Shang Yizhi see her value, only in this way can she save her life.

Ami remained silent, her face slightly flushed. She turned her head away, ignoring Zhang Sheng. Despite Zhang Sheng going easy on her, the punishment was still twenty military beatings. Although he didn't beat her to a pulp, her skin was red and swollen. How could a slap from Zhang Sheng not hurt? Moreover, her scream just now was not only because of the pain, but also because Zhang Sheng suddenly hit her buttocks.

Lu Gang saw that A Mai was silent, and his anger surged even more. He suddenly drew his sword and pressed it against A Mai's throat, angrily saying: "Speak! Who gave you the courage to dare to kill even the officer?"

Tang Shaoyi lowered his eyelids and said, "Hmm, that's good. But you should quickly take care of your health and prepare for the expedition, otherwise you won't be able to ride a horse."

Shangyi glanced at Amai, put down the steamed bun in his hand, and asked calmly, "What trouble have you caused in the army again?"

Amay secretly observed Shang Yizhi's expression and said, "General, the people of Beimo will become arrogant after their great victory, especially since there are still 100,000 troops in Taixing. Chen Qi only has less than 200,000 soldiers and horses. Chang Yuxing attacked the Jingyang reinforcements, and Chen Qi captured Jingyang and Lishui. His troops will surely suffer losses. At most, he has less than 150,000 troops left in his hands. He still needs to leave troops to guard the Jingyang and Lishui lines. How many troops can the so-called southern army have? At most, it's only 100,000!" Chang Yuxing attacked the Jingyang reinforcements, and Chen Qi captured Jingyang and Lishui. His troops will surely suffer losses. At most, he has less than 150,000 troops left in his hands. He still needs to leave troops to guard the Jingyang and Lishui lines. How many troops can the so-called southern army have? At most, it's only 100,000!"

Amay laughed and said, "It's because Amay's willfulness annoyed the general, so the general sent Amay to this military camp to temper his character. To be honest, Amay knows that his appearance is feminine and too girly. If it weren't for that, the general wouldn't have looked at Amay differently, and that person tonight wouldn't have suddenly had evil intentions to bully Amay."

Xu Jing stroked his beard and said, "This person cannot be killed"

Xu Jing finally revealed a smile on her face, gently stroking her beard and nodding slowly

Xu Jing rolled her eyes secretly, thinking to herself that your skill in changing the subject is quite lacking. You are afraid that A Mai's brilliance might overshadow you, but why are you not worried about me being envied? Xu Jing glanced at Shang Yizhi, feeling somewhat puzzled. It was evident that Shang Yizhi greatly admired A Mai, so why was he deliberately suppressing A Mai now? Xu Jing found it hard to understand. Logically, this should be a time for utilizing talent, so why did she feel that Shang Yizhi had the intention of hiding a treasured sword in its sheath? For what reason? Was it merely because he valued talent?

Shang Yizhi controlled the mount and coldly asked, "Is it true?"

Zhang Sheng went to the military doctor to obtain ointment for treating bruises and injuries. Upon pushing the door open, he saw A-Mai lying on the bed and laughed, "You little rascal, still lying there? How delicate you are." Saying this, he walked to the front of the bed and gave A-Mai's bottom a hard slap.

Zhang Sheng went back and told this incident as a joke to Shang Yizhi. At first, Shang Yizhi laughed, but as the laughter continued, his expression darkened. While it might just be a joke in others' mouths, for A Mai, it became a tragedy. Shang Yizhi understood why A Mai did not deal with the bruises on his face; that was the face that brought trouble. If possible, he thought A Mai would rather not have such a face. Suddenly, a feeling of shared suffering arose in Shang Yizhi's heart. His appearance also belonged to the overly handsome type. Such looks, among other noble youths in the capital, might be a source of pride, but for him, it became a burden. His looks resembled his mother too much, with few similarities to his father. Sometimes he would think that if he looked more like his father, perhaps he wouldn't be ridiculed by some military bigwigs. Shang Yizhi smiled bitterly and shook his head; if he really looked like his father, how could he have survived until now!

Amai smiled and complimented Lu Gang a few more times. Seeing that Amai did not harbor any resentment towards him, Lu Gang felt relieved and casually chatted with Amai for a while before preparing to take his leave. Amai smiled as she escorted him out of the courtyard, and once she saw him walk far away, the smile on her face faded, but a hint of ruthlessness appeared in her eyes

Amai was startled and quickly withdrew her hand from her lap, then hurriedly ran out.

Excerpt from "Summer History: Annals of Emperor Chengzu"