"I have a girl I like, she's not here, she's somewhere far away. After I finish things here, I'll go be with her," Su Fan told Qi Ling.
Qi Ling nodded in understanding. She had already conjured a beautiful love story in her mind. Su Fan grew up in a remote mountain village, with a childhood sweetheart he had known since they were little. Su Fan left for a distant land in pursuit of his dreams, while the girl steadfastly waited at the village entrance for his return.
Of course, Su Fan didn't mean any of that. Su Fan meant that when it got dark, he would return to reality to be with Su Yutong. As for the scene Qi Ling had imagined, it had nothing to do with him.
"You rest, I'll go talk to Commander Li about something," Su Fan said, glancing at the sky, and bid farewell to Qi Ling to find Li Changmin. He wanted to inform Li Changmin about the arrival of the Xianzhen Camp the next day, so he would be prepared.
When Li Changmin learned that Su Fan had taken command of the Xianzhen Camp, his heart pounded. As the former commander of the Xianzhen Camp, Li Changmin naturally had feelings for his men. Hearing that his brothers from the Xianzhen Camp were coming made him quite emotional.
"Don't get too excited yet. The Xianzhen Camp now is completely different from the one you commanded before. Don't have too many expectations," Su Fan told Li Changmin, revealing the truth he had learned from Qi Ling.
"Framed... framed?" Li Changmin's legs buckled, finding it hard to accept. He couldn't accept that he had been framed by his subordinates back then, nor could he accept that his brothers from the Xianzhen Camp would collude with the enemy for money.
"That Qi Ling must be lying to you! Don't be deceived!" Li Changmin couldn't believe Su Fan's words were true, and could only find an excuse in his heart, directing his suspicion towards Qi Ling.
"I advise you to watch what you say. Even if you don't believe Qi Ling and me, do you believe Lord Ping Nan? Lord Ping Nan suspected the Xianzhen Camp, which is why he handed it over to me," Su Fan didn't dare tell Li Changmin everything in his current state. He concealed the truth from him, only mentioning the Xianzhen Camp's past crimes, not its true purpose.
Li Changmin almost collapsed to the ground. He certainly believed in Lord Ping Nan. If even Lord Ping Nan had doubts, then this matter was most likely true.
"Prepare well, as if nothing has happened. Tomorrow, we will welcome the Xianzhen Camp. Although they won't be living with us, as hosts, we must greet them politely," Su Fan said to Li Changmin, then turned and left, giving Li Changmin ample time to recover.
The next day.
Li Changmin, his spirit restored, along with Su Fan, led all the soldiers of the Bandit Suppression Camp to line up ten miles outside Beiling City to welcome the arrival of the Xianzhen Camp.
Soon, a neat and orderly infantry formation entered Su Fan's sight. The soldiers marched in unison, their synchronized footsteps causing the pebbles on the ground to tremble as they drew closer.
"Commander Xu Tian of the Xianzhen Camp, leading all soldiers of the Xianzhen Camp, reports to the Commander!" Xu Tian, riding a horse with a righteous demeanor, said as he approached Su Fan.
Anyone unaware of the truth would never imagine these were traitors who colluded with the enemy and sold out their country.
"Commander Su Fan of the Bandit Suppression Camp, along with Commander Li Changmin and all our officers and soldiers, welcome the arrival of the Xianzhen Camp!" Su Fan returned the military salute to Xu Tian.
Xu Tian's gaze flickered towards Li Changmin. Li Changmin was his former superior, and they knew each other. However, Xu Tian only glanced at him and showed no intention of greeting Li Changmin. Seeing this, Li Changmin became even more certain of Su Fan's words from yesterday. The former Xu Tian used to call him "Brother Chang" all the time, but now that he had been promoted to commander, he couldn't even be bothered to speak to him.
Afterward, the Xianzhen Camp set up camp nearby, just outside Beiling City.
In the City Lord's mansion, Fang Shijie paced back and forth in his room, looking anxious. Yesterday, he had sent Xu Wei to the military camp with a letter, and he hadn't returned yet. Fang Shijie suspected something had happened, and that he might have encountered trouble.
"Bastard!" Fang Shijie angrily grabbed a nearby porcelain vase and smashed it on the ground. He had been incredibly unlucky lately, with everything going wrong.
"My Lord City Lord! An army has arrived from the direction of the north gate of Beiling City!" A subordinate from the City Lord's mansion rushed in to report to Fang Shijie.
"What? How many? Which unit?" Fang Shijie was startled and quickly questioned his subordinate. Xu Wei hadn't returned, and now another army had arrived. He didn't know if they were friend or foe.
"I don't know how many, but it's a vast number, at least a thousand. Judging by the banners, it seems to be the Xianzhen Camp."
"Xianzhen Camp?" Fang Shijie's heart leaped with joy. The Xianzhen Camp was his people! Could it be that after Xu Wei delivered the letter, Xu Tian brought his men over directly?
He had to get this letter delivered to the opposing camp. Since Xu Wei wasn't here, Fang Shijie could only send the subordinate in front of him.
"Yes!" After the subordinate left, Fang Shijie's mind began to churn. With the Xianzhen Camp now in Beiling City, this was his opportunity, an opportunity to eliminate Su Fan!
...
On the other side, after setting up camp, the Xianzhen Camp was discussing how to deal with the bandits with Su Fan and Li Changmin.
"With so many of us, I think we should just charge in. There's no need to discuss it," Li Changmin surprisingly suggested. Li Changmin usually considered casualties and efficiency, striving for victory with minimal losses. This time, however, his suggestion was unexpected.
"What does Commander Xu think?" Su Fan asked Xu Tian without any objection.
"I will follow the Commander's arrangements," Xu Tian replied, also without objection. However, Xu Tian inwardly sneered. He hadn't expected Li Changmin, after being away from the battlefield for so long, to have regressed to such an extent, failing to consider the optimal battlefield solution. He wondered if Li Changmin was truly the former commander of the Xianzhen Camp.
"Then it's decided. We depart tomorrow. We'll gather here," Su Fan said, pointing to a spot on the map. Xu Tian nodded without comment.
"Report! Someone has delivered a letter from outside, addressed to the Commander!" a soldier suddenly reported, presenting a letter with both hands. Su Fan's heart stirred. He stared intently at the envelope in the soldier's hand. This might very well be the letter sent by Fang Shijie!
Xu Tian's heart also stirred. He guessed that it might be from Fang Shijie.
"Does Commander Xu have acquaintances in Beiling City?" Su Fan asked Xu Tian with feigned surprise.
"Heh, just a distant relative," Xu Tian chuckled dryly.
"A distant relative? May I know who this distant relative of Commander Xu is? Perhaps you could tell me, so I can look after them when Commander Xu is away," Su Fan asked with a smile.
"Just a distant relative, not very familiar. Perhaps they want to curry favor with me. Commander, you don't need to worry about it," Xu Tian said sheepishly.