Chapter 538: I Won’t Convict You
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
Qin Silong returned triumphantly with his army, and the initial contingent of 5,000 soldiers had suffered losses in the hundreds. However, the majority of the locally recruited temporary soldiers expressed their readiness to continue following Qin Silong.
In their eyes, Qin Silong had transformed into a war god, and aligning themselves with such a figure promised a brighter future. Many of these temporary recruits came from impoverished families, lacking alternative prospects. With no special skills, their options were limited to menial labor or agricultural work.
Learning a trade required a tuition fee, luck in finding a willing master, and possessing innate talent. Many couldn’t afford the fees or struggled to grasp the skills, rendering the investment futile.
Joining the military camp offered a different prospect: food, accommodation, and a monthly military stipend. Although the life might be arduous, they believed that enduring the hardships could lead to valuable skills. With some luck, they might even secure an official position, changing their fate and bringing honor to their ancestors.
The prospect of dying for the country didn’t deter them. If they had to die, they preferred it to be a meaningful sacrifice, ensuring their lives weren’t in vain. They held onto the belief that, eighteen years later, they would be remembered as honorable men.
As these sentiments echoed among the regular soldiers in the military camp, their hearts were burdened with the reality of sacrifice.
The soldiers’ decision to join the military camp was driven by a sense of having no other viable options. They saw this choice as a potential way out of their challenging circumstances.
Upon returning, Qin Silong promptly communicated the situation to the military camp and sought Old General Chen’s advice on whether to retain these recently recruited individuals. Old General Chen, in a swift response, granted Qin Silong the authority to make the decision himself.
Qin Silong, with no hesitation, initiated a meticulous selection process for the last-minute recruits, relying on his competent subordinates to identify those who met all the criteria. After this thorough evaluation, approximately 2,000 individuals were deemed qualified, adding to the original 4,000 soldiers.
Even though Qin Silong was still 3,000 soldiers short of becoming a full-fledged commander, the unity among these 7,000 soldiers was strong. Their devotion to Qin Silong and their belief that following him was superior to any other commander solidified after this battle. The cohesion forged on the battlefield played a pivotal role in their unity and confidence.
Upon returning to the military camp, Qin Silong, prioritizing humility, sought an audience with Old General Chen and offered a detailed explanation of Deputy General Lin’s death and the circumstances surrounding the decision to eliminate Chiliarch Yang.
Old General Chen’s face showed neither joy nor anger. Without intentionally making things difficult for Qin Silong or offering excessive praise, he delivered an indifferent statement, “You won the battle, so you’re right. Don’t worry, I won’t convict you.”
In essence, the matter wasn’t closed. The leniency stemmed from Qin Silong’s victory, emphasizing the military camp’s need for successful generals to boost morale.
Upon returning to his tent, Qin Silong breathed a sigh of relief. He recognized the difficulty Old General Chen faced in punishing him. News of his deeds had already reached the Imperial Court, and rewards were on the horizon. Promotion to a true commander was imminent, with future advancements to deputy general and, eventually, a general overseeing a region.
Yet, in the coming days, he had to contend with rivals from the Public House. Concealing his allegiance to his brother-in-law and maintaining the illusion of unwavering loyalty to the Public House became paramount. Qin Silong also aimed to convince Old General Chen that he was a consistently victorious general..