CHAPTER 126: CHAPTER 37: THE SLACKER PRINCESS REFUSES TO BE CANNON FODDER

Seeing Jiang Ling leave, the exhausted Jiang Lai lay back down to catch up on sleep and only got up after a while, tied her hair, and sneaked out through the back gate of the courtyard.

With Little Buding around, she skillfully outwitted all the Hidden Guards arranged by Jiang Ling, stepped out of the courtyard, and headed straight to the main street to buy a set of men’s clothing. She also stuck a fake mustache on her face, smeared some ocher on her face, thickened her eyebrows, and made her eyes look smaller. Upon seeing herself, she was almost an inconspicuous man in a crowd.

Jiang Lai arrived at the gathering field, which was already packed with a dense crowd. The furthest point had the Commander and Vice-Commander counting soldiers, the middle was occupied by regular cavalry, behind them were infantry, and at the very end were irregular troops without even uniforms, just boosting the numbers. Each person carried a weapon brought from home, joining the army heading to the battlefield.

After all, the country is strong and prosperous now, and although wars are frequent, under the leadership of Jiang Xiong and his father, almost every war is a victory, considered mythical. Many men now want to join the army to protect the country and earn military merits, hoping to gain rewards of silver and land from a war. Although the army couldn’t take in everyone, they still offered them a chance.

Just like now, after verifying their identity, they weren’t given weapons or armor. Once on the battlefield, they would rely on fate and luck. If they could seize a head of the enemy, they could then exchange it for a position in the regular army.

Jiang Lai blended in this way, holding a kitchen knife in her hand. Regardless, having a weapon was enough.

The army set off mightily and grandly.

Jiang Ling, at the forefront, rode a particularly majestic and tall black steed, while Jiang Xiong glanced back twice at home, before giving the command to set off.

Jiang Lai mingled with the irregular troops, following the corps. The kitchen knife in her hand seemed particularly cold. Without alternatives, she stashed the knife at her waist and continued walking resignedly.

The big guy next to her was carrying various bundles like a small mountain, yet he didn’t seem tired at all. Instead, he was energetic and exceptionally excited, talkatively engaging people around him, not at all like going to war but rather as though going on a spring outing like children.

"Hey, how old are you? So skinny and still coming to fight. Surely there’s no chance for advancement. One of our Young General’s criteria for choosing elite soldiers from irregulars is a stout physique, like mine. Look at you, barely any flesh. Came only to waste your time, perhaps might lose your life in vain."

Jiang Lai looked at him.

Indeed, he was robust like a bear. Not like Jiang Ling’s imposing, muscular build, just purely solid, sturdy with thick limbs, appearing very powerful.

"Are you familiar with the Young General?"

"Of course! I’ve already followed the Young General for three battles! On the battlefield, the Young General is incredibly fierce like sweeping through thousands of troops!"

"Do you know that the Young General promotes elite soldiers not only by physical build but also brains? Ever wonder why after three battles, you’re still an irregular?"

The man seriously asked.

"Why?"

"Because you lack a strategist like me beside you, offering advice! You have strength, and I have smarts. On the battlefield, you handle the fighting, and I handle collecting trophies. Together, we can report our military merits and surely get into the Elite Soldier Camp!"

The man’s eyes lit up at the mention of the Elite Soldier Camp. Although something seemed off, he didn’t hesitate to nod in agreement.

"Alright! Little brother, aren’t you tired carrying all those things? Let me help you!"

"Big brother, you are indeed powerful and brave, my humble admiration!"

Saying this, Jiang Lai piled all her carried items onto him. Surely, it became much easier to walk onwards.

"Brother, I don’t know your name yet. I’m Zhao Hu, and you?"

"I’m Jia Ming."

"Brother Jia."

"Brother Zhao!"

On the battlefield, Zhao Hu indeed was fierce, wielding two large axes and slaying anyone in sight. Jiang Lai managed to dodge quickly; otherwise, she too might have been cut down like vegetables.

After cutting down, he never looked back, he kept fighting on, leveraging his strength and ferocity to push forward. Jiang Lai followed behind, collecting trophies, their hands almost full when someone beside even tried to share the spoils. Jiang Lai hastily shouted.

"Brother!! Someone is grabbing at the spoils!"

Hearing this, Zhao Hu swung his axe and turned back to fight, startling those around into scurrying away.

Midway, Jiang Lai found a cart and simply started loading the collection of trophies onto it, following behind Zhao Hu. Whenever an enemy approached, she would sprinkle some poison.

Thus, after the first round, all soldiers began reporting their merits. With Zhao Hu, Jiang Lai ascended into the Elite Soldier Camp, splitting armor and weapons among them. Their tent was much closer to the Commander’s. At night, when having meals by the fire, Jiang Lai was finally able to see Jiang Ling and Jiang Xiong.

Zhao Hu polished his armor excitedly and showed greater trust in Jiang Lai.

"Before, I joined the army many times without entering, but once you came, I became an elite soldier! All thanks to you, brother!"

Jiang Lai nodded and quietly moved the meat from his bowl.

"Aren’t we partners? No need for thanks, it’s all that I should do."

"For the next battle, let’s cooperate again! Let’s strive to earn more silver and land to marry a wife!"

"Yeah, earn money to marry a wife!"

This Zhao Hu, simple-minded and brave yet lacking strategic foresight, only knows to kill and not to claim credit. With so many trailing with him for the spoils, he remained clueless.

Jiang Lai even felt a little guilty deceiving him and quietly returned the half-eaten, unappetizing meat to his bowl.

At night, Jiang Lai and Zhao Hu were assigned to guard and patrol as new soldiers. Jiang Lai openly followed the patrol team up to the front of the Commander’s tent on guard.

It seemed that Jiang Xiong was injured; someone inside brought out a basin of bloody water with an arrowhead in it.

The weather was so cold, Jiang Lai could even hear Jiang Xiong coughing outside, she quietly approached closer and took a peek inside when the army doctor entered and exited.

Jiang Ling was also inside, discussing something with Jiang Xiong.

"In the next engagement, we shall approach near Chu Country to help quell their internal strife. Since our relations with Chu Country are good, this time the Monarch of Chu Country offered us three cities in exchange. Your Majesty highly values this campaign; we must not fail."

"However, father, the root of Chu Country’s internal strife should be remnants from the previous dynasty. Now that these remnants are almost besieging the city, won’t intervening now be too risky?"

Jiang Xiong’s tone was resolute.

"These are orders from Your Majesty. All we need to do is follow instructions and send reinforcements to Chu Country. Let’s quickly wrap up the battle. Maybe we can still return for the New Year."

Jiang Ling remained silent for a while before speaking.

"Yes, quick engagement, then back home for New Year."

Jiang Lai was outside, sighing deeply upon hearing it.

Going to support Chu Country? Isn’t that equivalent to venturing into Jiang Ling’s turf?

How could Jiang Xiong possibly know that the true culprit behind Chu Country’s internal chaos is none other than Jiang Ling, intent on reclaiming Chu Country and ascending the throne once more.