Chapter Eighteen

  In fact, the situation was not as the lady said. The third infantry battalion was short of only one chiliarch. When they went out to battle, five of the ten chiliarchs had already died in battle, and two others were seriously injured. Only three people could still lead the troops into battle. Otherwise, even if she wanted to promote Tang Yin, it would not have been possible for her to give him such a high position all at once, especially since he did not have any noble title.

  After a brief conversation with Tang Yin, Wu Yi hastily left. Only after she was gone did Tang Yin suddenly realize that he still didn't know who the charming woman was. He asked Qiu Zhen beside him: "Do you know who that woman is?"

  "A woman?"

  "It was the one who gave me the title of Qian Fu Zhang."

  Qiu Zhen blinked her eyes and stared at Tang Yin as if she was looking at a monster, incredulously saying: "You... you don't even know the two sisters from the dance troupe?"

  Tang Yin shrugged his shoulders, indicating that he really didn't know.

  Qiu Zhen sighed: "The one on the left just now was the eldest daughter of the dance family, Wu Mei. The one on the right was the second daughter of the dance family, Wu Ying."

  "The one on the right is also a woman." Due to Wu Yingpei wearing a helmet, her hair was not exposed, and with an icy face, she didn't say a word from start to finish. Tang Yin really couldn't tell that she was a woman.

  Qiu Zhen weakly rolled his eyes and looked around, seeing no one nearby, he whispered: "Those who smile at you with a flower-like face may not necessarily be gentle, while those with an icy cold face may not necessarily be really inhumane..."

  Tang Yin knew that Qiu Zhen's words were hinting at something else, but he didn't take it to heart. However, the facts soon proved that what Qiu Zhen said was true.

  Tang Yin and Qiu Zhen's hundred or so men were all received by Wu Mei, temporarily incorporated into the Third Infantry Regiment, still under Tang Yin's command.

  That night, when the troops were stationed and resting, Wu Yi came to find Tang Yin again, bringing military tokens and uniforms, as well as a fine steel sword.

  After Tang Yin thanked and took over one by one, he picked up the military token and took a look. It was written: The Third Infantry Regiment, the Second Thousand Households, Tang Yin.

  This Miss Mei is really a woman of her word, and has indeed given herself the position of Qian Fu Zhang.

  Tang Yin did not ignore Qiu Zhen's fervent gaze, and took the opportunity to suggest to Wu Yi that he make Qiu Zhen his deputy. Wu Yi smiled and said: "You decide this matter yourself. In extraordinary times, everything is simplified, no procedures are needed. Right, the general is looking for you, there is an important matter to discuss, hurry over!"

  Tang Yin asked: "Brother Wu, do you know what this is about?"

  Wu Yi's expression turned gloomy, the corners of his mouth moved slightly, wanting to speak but ultimately didn't say a word, only softly saying: "When you see the general, you will naturally know."

  Wu Mei and Wu Ying, the two sisters, were the main generals of the army. Unfortunately, the army was now defeated and no longer existed as a cohesive unit. There was no military camp to speak of, only a simple makeshift enclosure made of canvas that served as their temporary quarters.

  Tang Yin followed Wu Yi into the tent, where he saw two sisters of the Wu family sitting on the ground, with a map spread out in front of them. Several generals were seated or standing around them, each with a solemn expression, and the atmosphere was gloomy.

  With a premonition that something was going to happen, Tang Yin secretly furrowed his brow and walked forward, bowing to the dancing sisters.

  Seeing Tang Yin, the charming face revealed a charming smile, enthusiastically waving at Tang Yin and pointing to her side, laughing: "General Tang, come and sit down." Her tone was very polite, according to the imperial military system, only battalion commanders and above could be called generals.

  Tang Yin didn't say much and quietly walked over to an empty space beside Wu Mei, slowly sitting down.

  Seeing Tang Yan holding the new sword, Wu Mei smiled and said: "This new sword, is it still handy for General Tang?"

  Tang Yin had just received the sword and hadn't even had a chance to use it, let alone see if it suited him. Originally, his weapon of choice was a pair of knives, so other weapons didn't matter to him. But he couldn't say that out loud, so with a hint of a smile, he said, "It's fine."

  She gazed at Tang Yin with a charming and straightforward look, her soft and charming eyes that could melt steel into silk. She said softly: "This sword was given to me by my father as a birthday gift when I was 18 years old. I hope General Tang can carry it with him."

  This remark, no matter who heard it, would feel ambiguous enough, but Tang Yin was an exception. From childhood to adulthood, Tang Yin had neither relatives nor friends, and he was both sensitive and numb to the emotions between people. He also never thought or said that he had never hoped that any woman would like him.

  It is said that those who are overly flattering must be either treacherous or thieving. You're giving me a sword out of the blue, aren't you plotting something against me?! He flashed a charming smile at Wu Mei and said with a light tone, yet still polite: "Thank you for your kindness, General Wu."

  Unexpectedly, her words only got a response from Tang Yan, and Wu Mei was somewhat surprised. Wu Ying, who was beside her, couldn't help but take a few more glances at Tang Yan. In her impression, her sister was the 'public enemy' of all men, and almost no man could resist her temptation, yet this Tang Yan seemed to have immunity, unmoved.

  Her face slightly flushed, she coughed awkwardly and then lowered her head to look at the map. With a slender finger as white as jade, she gently pointed and said seriously: "We are here now, while Tongmen is over there."

  Tang Yin followed her finger, nodding as he looked, waiting for her to continue.

  She raised an eyebrow, pointed to the map and said: "Just received accurate intelligence, Ning Guo has temporarily set up a checkpoint on the only way to Tongmen, blocking the soldiers of Feng Guo from escaping back to Tongmen. The number is over 8,000, that is to say, if we want to withdraw back to Tongmen, we must break through this checkpoint and break through the enemy's 8,000 troops!"

  Can breaking through the enemy army of over 8,000 be possible? Tang Yin secretly smiled wryly. The soldiers in the hands of the dancing sisters were at most 500, plus the more than 100 he brought with him, totaling only about 600 people. Even if the soldiers were again elite and their combat strength was strong, using 600 men to charge against over 8,000 enemies would be like hitting a wall with tofu, seeking death on one's own.

  "Is there really no other way?"

  Wu Mei shook her head and said: "The Ning people's blockade line is very long, cutting off all routes."

  Tang Yin murmured: "In that case, things are going to be troublesome."

  "It's a bit of trouble, but there's no way around it." Mei looked at Tang Yin with sparkling eyes.

  Under the charming and fiery gaze, Tang Yin suddenly had a feeling of being calculated by someone. He originally wanted to ask what method, but immediately cleverly swallowed back the question that had reached his mouth, not making a sound.

  He didn't ask, but Mei herself took the initiative to explain. Her crimson lips slightly parted, and she said in a soft and gentle tone: "Although the enemy's numbers are many, their battle line is too long, and their forces are scattered. As long as we split off an elite team to launch a surprise attack on the enemy's central region, it will inevitably attract the enemies from both wings to concentrate towards the center. At that time, whether our main force attacks from the left wing or the right wing, we can easily break through."

  The plan is good, but this woman won't be used as bait to attack the enemy's central area, will she? Tang Yin has already sensed that Yuemei is up to something.

  As expected. Without giving Tang Yan a chance to speak, Wu Mei continued: "General Tang is the talent I value, and he is also a dragon among men. The task of attacking the enemy's central territory has been entrusted to you and your subordinates, and I am very reassured."

  Pfft! Tang Yin was so furious that he almost spat blood. There's no such thing as a free lunch in this world. No wonder this woman not only promoted herself to be the commander of a thousand men, but also gave away her treasured sword, it turns out she wanted to do it herself...