Chapter 29: Trying to Run?

"What did you say? He actually rejected me?!"

The old village head, who had been brimming with smug satisfaction while awaiting good news, nearly spat blood upon receiving Hong'er's message. He knew the young man was unconventional, but he never expected him to be this outrageous.

"Yes, Master." Hong'er kept her head low, equally bewildered. "The benefactor said that compared to entering the central government, he would rather shine and make a contribution at the local level... He also said he would remember the Wang family's support and asked you not to worry."

"Shine... and make a contribution?" The old village head paused, then stomped his feet. "Nonsense! Does he not know that no matter how well one does in the provinces, they remain nothing more than a regular soldier in a garrison—a soldier without status? Only by entering the central government can one be promoted to a commandant or even a general, becoming a true officer capable of commanding regional forces."

The old village head's words were not wrong, but having lived in the countryside for so long, he could not account for the urgency of the times, nor could he foresee the changes the world would soon undergo. Had this been a few years ago, when the Later Han court still maintained strict control over military power, his perspective would have been sound. However, the Qiang rebellion in the northwest a few years back had already birthed the Xiliang army, a force capable of rivaling the center. Following the Yellow Turban Rebellion, the court's delegation of power to local authorities would eventually render the once-glorious rank of commandant as common as dirt.

As for Su Yao, he truly did not care for such things. Most importantly, who could have guessed that Su Yao simply wanted to challenge himself? The old village head did not know, and Hong'er and the others knew even less, so they continued further and further down the wrong path.

"Is he merely being humble? Or is he trying to play hard to get?"

That must be it. With such ability and proven battle achievements, his recommendation was not the only or necessary path; there would surely be plenty of people in the future eager to be his patron. The old village head knew this, which was why he wanted to get ahead of the others and be the first benefactor and recommender. Thinking of this, he secretly decided to increase his efforts.

Putting his thoughts aside, shortly after, Su Yao arrived at the bustling construction site outside and noticed that Zhang Yang and Lu Bu were looking at him with strange expressions—expressions that were, well, somewhat indescribable.

"My virtuous brother, I heard you rejected the village head's recommendation?"

The Wang family's fortress was not large, but it was packed with people. News spread like the wind, especially regarding such sensational gossip; it did not even take half a day for everyone to know. This was an opportunity to ascend to the heavens, personally guaranteed by the three elders of the county! Zhang and Lu were killing themselves and racking up military merits just to earn a good word from the new inspector and keep their posts, yet now that such a massive opportunity had fallen into his lap, this kid actually didn't want it?

Su Yao did not care about the thoughts of these NPCs. As the saying goes, a bold life needs no explanation. He was more curious about the current situation: "What are you all busy with here? Are there any missions for me to take on?"

They had clearly already finished the event boss, so why were these two still leading soldiers and captives to reinforce the defenses? They had even set up a new camp not far from the fortress, the two positions providing mutual support. Could there be a new event?

"Yesterday, the captives confessed that Tataro had requested a thousand-cavalry detachment before coming to besiege the city. If they move at the fastest pace, they will arrive this afternoon." Zhang Yang looked quite relieved as he spoke. If they hadn't defeated Tataro's forces last night, they would be facing the pressure of over 1,500 men today. Therefore, they had to reorganize and prepare for battle.

However, compared to the grim, battle-ready attitude of Zhang and Lu, Su Yao’s stance remained consistent: "Allow me to go and meet them first—for an armed reconnaissance!"

Lu Bu grabbed the eager Su Yao, and after much persuasion, they managed to talk the god of slaughter out of it. Good heavens, if they let him go on an "armed reconnaissance," and something went wrong, the enemy would be spooked and run away again. That would mean all their efforts had been for nothing, and they wouldn't earn any credit at all.

Yet, they did not realize at the time what the result of this persuasion would be.

...

"You won't be waiting for anyone."

The next day, Jin Fangyan—who had been acquitted by the public trial—provided new intelligence: "Huyan Jun is cautious by nature, cowardly, and suspicious. He is a slippery character who bullies the weak and fears the strong. Since the Xitu King already gave the order to retreat, it was already doubtful whether he would come. Now that you have destroyed Tataro, once he hears the news, he definitely won't show up. He is likely already at Fenyang and will be leaving Taiyuan soon."

Su Yao was stunned and quickly asked, "Wait, never mind the Huyan-whatever, what about that... what's-his-name? The one who died?"

"Yes, isn't that who you killed, General? Do you not remember?"

Jin Fangyan resisted the urge to roll his eyes. Although he had been imprisoned and hadn't seen it with his own eyes, he had heard plenty of exaggerated stories from the centurions in the jail all day.

"No way, that's the boss? The event is over? What about the baggage and supplies? What about the captured villagers? How is it that this thousand-cavalry detachment dropped less loot than those hundred-cavalry units? Does he even deserve his rank?"

Jin Fangyan listened for a long time, unable to tell if his command of the Han language had declined or if Luoyang had developed some new slang over the years. After struggling to understand, he managed a rough reply: "Before Tataro attacked, he had already sent the plunder and slaves away with his trusted aides. Naturally, there weren't many supplies left in the camp."

"That old fox is so cautious. Assistant Zhang, this isn't over yet!"

Zhang Yang helplessly watched Su Yao, whose face was practically screaming "let me attack." He patted his shoulder and urged, "Virtuous brother, going west to Fenyang leads to the Lüliang Mountains, and once you cross them, you reach Xihe Commandery. That is the only path for the Hu to leave our territory; beyond that lies the world of the Hu. It is not that I don't want you to go—I want to save those fellow villagers too—but if you go, not only will you likely fail to catch a transport party that has been traveling for two days, but if you are careless and run straight into the main army of the Hu thieves returning home, everything will be lost."

The only path?

Su Yao filtered out Zhang Yang's long-winded talk in his mind, extracted the keywords, and pulled up the system map. He switched to the area where Fenyang County met the Xihe Commandery and the Lüliang Mountains. A key marked location caught his eye: Huanglu Ridge.

This area was the gateway to the Yangyang Road, a vital passage from Taiyuan to Xihe. Since ancient times, it had been a place of strategic importance. The terrain was rugged, requiring one to traverse stone gorges and mountain ridges. The road was treacherous, but once one crossed this ridge, one could reach Xihe Commandery the next day. The Lishi County seat, the administrative center of Xihe that had been destroyed by the Xituge tribes, was less than a hundred miles west of this ridge.

It stood to reason that the Hu had crossed this Huanglu Ridge to enter Taiyuan territory.

Looking at the map, Su Yao had a bold idea: "As long as we can occupy Huanglu Ridge and blockade the Yangyang Road, not a single one of them will be able to escape!"

"What?!"

Zhang Yang, Lu Bu, and Jin Fangyan were all dumbfounded. Did this man know what he was saying? Yes, blockading the Yangyang Road would indeed allow them to close the gate and beat the dogs, but first, you actually had to be capable of doing it.