MHNEB 29 (1/2)

Book 2: Generals die after a hundred battles; heroes return after ten years’ time.

Chapter 29: The First Companion <4> [Part 1 of 2]

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Hua Mulan's archery skills really shocked the recruits of the whole camp, and also successfully made several deputy generals pay heed to Hua Mulan's ability.

But Hua Mulan did not rise to the top because of this. Instead, she was tied up in the punishment camp because of her actions of being considered showing “disregard to her superiors” and was held there till her punishment was handed down.

In the right army camp, the deputy general in charge of checking military merits is earnestly persuading his fellow companion who had been “disregarded” to not do anything stupid. 

"I know Hua Mulan is not an easy soldier to command, but just because he disregarded you, conversely, you cannot punish him strictly." Deputy General Wang had always overseen the statistics of the military merits of the right army, and he’s one who cherishes talents the most. 

He knew that Tu Gui was only angry for a while, so he decided to continue to nag. "After all, you asked him to shoot his teammates first. His Majesty once ordered that soldiers of the same army should not fight with each other. If there are some people who are hard tempered over there, you may be accused of "abusing subordinates. " The person might even complain to General Xia about it.” 

"Me, abuse subordinates? For a recruit who doesn't even care about his military merits, if I don't force him into such a situation, can he show his ability? A coward like this should know how powerful he is! " The deputy general appeared wide-eyed and angry. His neck was red, "Lao Tzu took charge of soldiers 20 years, yet, I haven’t seen this sort of soldier which dared to shoot his superior!” 

"Didn't his arrows miss you…..." Deputy General Wang laughed.

“Nonsense, if his arrows were accurately shot, I would have died!” He shouted.

"It shows that he has self-control. A new recruit, who has not entered into his respective unit, that has the skills to shoot with great precision, cares about his fellow soldiers and doesn't care about his military merits. How many of the recruits have such personality? " Deputy General Wang touched the saliva on his face. "General Xia said that next year Your Majesty is likely to lead personally to go on a war with the Rourans. With Hua Mulan in your camp, at least you have more god-like archers who could obtain the first rank general. He would also be a part of your strength.” 

“I’m afraid that I wouldn’t find an aide, but instead he would have me……”

"Tu Gui, I heard you tied Hua Mulan?" A strong-looking middle-aged man raised the curtains and entered the army tent. When he entered the tent, he shouted. "I've heard that Hua Mulan is not an obedient guy. If you really don't like him, I’ll owe you a favour and get this Hua Mulan to my team. Right now, I'm short of good archers.” 

The old general, Man Gu, has constantly not been promoted because he is not smart. Although he is older than Deputy General Wang and Tu Gui, he has always been a side army general. 

"If you are agreeable, I'll bring the thorny lad away. Last time you requested from me for the forty good knives, I'll have those returned to you.”

Tu Gui wanted to teach Hua Mulan a good lesson, pull out his thorns in his thorn-filled body before discussing the next step. However, because of Man Gu’s sudden intrusion, he became nervous.  

"Who says I see him as an eyesore! If I see him as an eyesore now, would I still tie him up? I would have cut him down much earlier!" He bared his teeth. "Don't worry about the issues in my camp!” 

"Well, now the whole right army is saying that you should cut Hua Mulan down as an example. I also thought that although it's hard to lead such a child, he is still a very talented kid……"

"Who said I was going to cut him down! Who said I was going to cut! " Suddenly, Tu Gui jumped up. "Lao Tzu is going to see who's making such a rumour! It's Lao Tzu that found Hua Mulan, and now Lao Tzu still lacks good archers under me!”

Tu Gui went in and out of the tent and finally rushed out with big steps akin with speed akin to the stars in a cosmic shower. 

Tu Gui left the tent, and Deputy General Wang felt as if a heavy burden is lifted off him and heaved a long sigh. 

"Wang Meng, I acted the show for you. We agreed that…..." The words of Man Gu stopped, and Deputy General Wang pulled out a dagger. He passed the dagger to Man Gu. 

Man Gu excitedly took the pitch-black dagger. He couldn't help but pull it out and enjoy the sight of it. He gently shaved a wooden pillar in the tent. Immediately, a small piece of wood was cut from the pillar.

"It's worthy of being a masterpiece of a GaoChe blacksmith!"

Deputy General Wang saw Man Gu’s look of appreciation. Man Gu was twirling his beard and appraising it. 

"This item is useless to me. I think it’s only a real match for a valiant general that enjoys charging into the battlefield.”

Man Gu slapped Deputy General Wang on the shoulder and said, "I think so too." His words caused Deputy General Wang to be stunned for a moment. He later gave him a slight smile. 

Most of the Xianbei men are straightforward and simple in the army. So, even such a person like him can be promoted to the position of a side army general. 

"I say, Wang Meng, he is but a soldier that is better in archery. Why do you have to create so many issues? You gave me the pitch-black dagger and asked me to talk about the matter of Tu Gui killing the lad." Man Gu is just a thick-headed, not a fool. Wang Meng suddenly came to him to plan this. He thought that this Hua Mulan might be different from the rest.

"Why, you have some history with this kid? Aren't you a Han-ren? Oh yes, I heard that Hua Mulan's mother is a Han-ren."

There were 36 Xianbei tribes. In the early period of the Northern Wei Dynasty, almost all the regular troops came from these tribal soldiers, which means, hereditary conscription in military families. This made most people in the army close to each other. Sometimes, it’s normal to take care of others once or twice. 

Although Wang Meng is a Han-ren, he was originally a Han-ren who lived in the areas of outer Mongolia. Later, after the Great Khan of the previous generations sent his troops down south, he had the Hans and Xianbeis in the north of the country conscript together to form an army. 

"I am not acquainted with any one of Hua Mulan’s maternal family, you think too much." Deputy General Wang chuckled, "I simply just feel that it’s a pity. This kind of archer had been fallen onto the Right army’s hands. In the next competition between the armies, maybe our archery would not need to fall behind the left army.” 

"You have a point. No wonder General Xia always praises you for taking the overall situation into consideration. Ah, since it's for the good of the right army, I'd better return this pitch-black dagger to you. " Man Gu reluctantly looked at the pitch-black dagger in his hand and handed it back to Wang Meng.

Deputy General Wang is really impressed by Man Gu, this time. He probably knew why everyone liked to use such a side army general. But of course, he would not want to Man Gu to return his pitch-black dagger. Instead, he pushed forward and said seriously:

"As I said before, this dagger is only suitable for a strong general like you. This dagger is also cheap for me, and I’m in the rear battalion. I would not be in a dangerous position as you are. If you think highly of this one surnamed Wang, keep the dagger.” 

"Wang Meng, you really act without hesitation!" Man Gu almost started to dance and gesticulate for joy when he heard Deputy General Wang's words. "In the future, if you require me, please come and look for me. For the sake of this pitch-black dagger, even if you require my help for a few times, it is also fine!” 

He kissed the pitch-black dagger and went out happily.

When Tu Gui and Man Gu got out of the tent, Wang Meng kept his usual smile and sat on the ground at will.

The right army is not like the left army. The left army has many Xianbei nobles whose families have begun to decline. They came here to make a living. Their armour and equipment are complete, and even some will bring their families to conscript in the army together. Most of the right army consisted of people from the military families in the far north, and there were even two recruitment camps that drafted amongst the Hans. There was a complex range of people, and the Deputy generals of each battalion might not be of one mind. 

At this time, it is very important to select good talents. Good new talent will be enough to boost the morale of many new recruits. In places like the Northern Wei, the best place for a new recruit without any background to get ahead is the right army.

But it’s only if the new recruit manages to live on. The right army should also allow talents to show their personalities.

Otherwise, which recruit dare to fight for themselves?

Wang Meng really felt that he broke his heart due to worry for the big lads and the small lads, but he has yet to have gotten any benefits. 

If he had not been cultivated by the right army, he would not want to play with his bunch of companions that only had muscles in their brains. 

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Fleur's Corner:

**Also, please note that instead of left, right and central 'battalion', I would be using 'army' instead now for clarity. Chapters before this would be edited as well. 

Anyone else feels that Tu Gui is a tsundere?

Late night update! 

Next update: 18/4. 

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