Вдовствующая императрица Сяосюань

Глава 118

Nanshan smiled and said, "No, it's just that everyone says you're so handsome you don't seem like an ordinary person." Nanshan looked at her senior brother. Compared to before he joined the army, his appearance had hardly changed, but he had become more composed and dignified. He spoke calmly and without haste, showing the demeanor of a great general. His eyes no longer had the clear, darting eyes of the past, but instead were as deep as a pool, making it impossible to discern his emotions.

Perhaps this is the price of transformation? Nanshan thought to himself, feeling quite sorry for his senior brother's change, but as a man, and perhaps even a future general and marshal, his senior brother's change was a good thing.

Ru Feng simply laughed after hearing it; she no longer cared about such things.

Ru Feng and Nan Shan walked to the prison where the prisoners were held. The prison was built underground and was a very dark cell. There was no pungent smell inside, and it was relatively clean, but the light was dim.

The prison cell was heavily guarded, with many people trying to rescue him or kill him in the past few days. So, to ensure the prisoner's safety, Ru Feng even secretly dispatched Fu Qiangzhen. At the same time, Ru Feng also learned that on the night his grandfather was assassinated, Fu Qiangzhen was sent by his grandfather to do something else, which is why his grandfather was so easily injured.

As soon as Ru Feng approached the prison entrance, someone prepared to question him. Ru Feng quickly took out Gao Wei's token, flashed it, and then went inside.

"Haven't you gotten anything out yet?" As soon as they entered, Zhong Ying greeted them, and Ru Feng quickly asked. Zhong Ying was in charge of interrogating prisoners, a decision Gao Wei had made against all odds. Currently, there was a traitor within the military camp. To avoid panic among the ordinary soldiers, only high-ranking officers knew, but finding a trustworthy person wasn't easy. That's why Ru Feng and Gao Wei had sent Zhong Ying here, with his grandfather sending elite troops to protect her.

In fact, many people did not believe that Zuiyue could revive Yuchi Huaiyang, Rufeng thought sadly.

Zhong Ying shook her head with difficulty: "He's very stubborn, he won't listen to reason or force, and torture doesn't work either. He's a tough nut to crack. If it weren't for the drugs, he probably would have committed suicide long ago."

In the dim candlelight, Ru Feng slowly walked to the prisoner's side. Looking at his bloodied body, a result of torture, Ru Feng might have felt pity in the past, but now, he was even tempted to kill him. However, perhaps the prisoner knew about his grandfather's assassination attempt? Therefore, he couldn't be killed!

Ru Feng glanced at him; he was unconscious. After thinking for a while, Ru Feng suddenly had a flash of inspiration and said, "I'll tell you a method; see if it works."

Ru Feng offered two methods. One was "standing for long periods of time," where prisoners were forced to stand for more than 40 hours while wearing handcuffs and leg irons. This method seemed simple, but it was considered one of the most effective methods because of the dual torture it inflicted on the prisoners' mental and physical well-being.

Secondly, there is the "insomnia punishment," which involves using strong light to prevent prisoners from falling asleep for extended periods, while repeatedly asking them the same question. Unable to sleep, the prisoners become agitated and eventually blurt out the answer. It is said that a person can survive for more than 72 hours without water, but very few people can endure 72 hours without sleep.

When Ru Feng said this, Zhong Ying looked at Ru Feng with a strange gaze for a long time, but still nodded in agreement.

Sure enough, a few days later, the prisoner confessed. When Ru Feng heard the result, he almost gritted his teeth. Nan Shan quickly comforted him, "Senior brother, bear with it. We can't defeat him now, and this result is still open to discussion and may not be accurate. That person is just a pawn. But the truth will come out one day."

Upon hearing this, Ru Feng finally suppressed his impulse. "Revenge is never too late!" he thought.

That day, Gao Wei found Ru Feng and said with a heavy expression, "Ru Feng, according to the information I received, the Emperor intends to appoint Leng Weitian as marshal. Although it has not been officially confirmed yet, the Emperor has this intention."

Gao Wei sighed, "There's nothing we can do. The Leng family is very powerful, and the Crown Prince strongly recommends him. Although the Second and Third Princes also recommended you, the Crown Prince is still one step ahead. However, that was news from a couple of days ago. Perhaps the Emperor will change his mind after learning about your performance in the battle. I've already informed the Emperor of the details, and we'll have news in a few days, so don't be too nervous. The final result isn't decided yet." As he spoke, Gao Wei's expression became somewhat optimistic.

Ru Feng nodded silently. Yu Jue and Yu Xuan recommended her? Those two…sigh…how long has it been since we last met? She wondered how they were doing? And how their struggle with the Crown Prince was going? Though she was thinking these things, her face showed no emotion whatsoever regarding the news. Ru Feng simply asked, “Vice Commander, who did you say tried to assassinate my grandfather?”

Gao Wei's face was full of helplessness as he said, "Didn't Zhong Ying say that the prisoner died before they could get any information out of him? So I'm completely confused now, but I feel that this is somehow related to Li Ming."

Ru Feng nodded, without saying that it was because of his own will. After a while, he said, "Vice Marshal, don't you want to be the marshal? You've been my deputy for so long, and you're still one rank below my grandfather. Actually, you have a great chance of becoming the marshal this time. Why do you insist on recommending me for the position?" Ru Feng knew that Gao Wei's report implied that he was recommended for the position of marshal.

Gao Wei laughed heartily and said, "Ru Feng, you should still call me Uncle Gao. I served as your grandfather's deputy for over thirty years, and we have a deep friendship. Your grandfather once asked me the same question, with the exact same expression you have now. But I said that although I am a rough man and haven't read many books, I am still self-aware. I can do a good job as a deputy and share your grandfather's burdens, which is suitable for cooperation. However, if you ask me to be a marshal or a leader, I might not be able to do it well. You see, this is the situation this time. You come up with the ideas, and I follow up with the arrangements, so I have done a good job. But if you ask me to come up with these strategies myself, I can't think of any."

Ru Feng smiled slightly and said, "That's what Grandpa said too. He said you are an outstanding general and a very good subordinate."

"Alas, it's a pity your grandfather is currently in a coma." Gao Wei shook his head regretfully, looking worried.

Ru Feng comforted him instead, saying, "My grandpa will be alright."

Gao Wei responded and sighed, "I hope so. Marshal is a lucky man and will surely overcome this difficulty."

The atmosphere instantly somber. Ru Feng sat to one side, gazing at the furnishings inside the large tent, lost in thought. Grandpa had spent the prime of his life here, but now that he was gone, how many would try to take his place?

Moreover, what if Gao Wei or I become the marshal? How would Leng Weitian or Wang Wei treat me? Would I still be a captain? How angry would my grandfather be if he woke up?

Ru Feng recalled a major battle a few days ago. Gao Wei and another general were sent to Qingzao Town, where they held their ground. Upon their return, Gao Wei was promoted to deputy captain of the Tiger Wing Battalion and now works under Ru Feng. Rong Yiying, on the other hand, was sent to raid the enemy camp and also made great contributions. He has now been promoted from deputy to captain. If he hadn't lacked connections, he might have been promoted even higher.

But once Leng Weitian becomes marshal, can these people continue to develop? Will Leng Weitian replace them? After all, everyone knows that these two are in cahoots with him and Gao Wei.

This also shows that while military service primarily relies on merit, family background can sometimes be very important. For example, if it weren't for his grandfather protecting him and arranging everything for him, he might not even be a captain now. And if it weren't for Yu Jue and Yu Xuan in the court, he might not have been considered by the emperor as one of the candidates for marshal.

Ru Feng thought of Ma Qingqiu, who was originally a fourth-rank Zhuangwu General. However, a few days before Ru Feng came to the military camp, he was punished by the marshal to train new recruits. He was only reinstated to his original position now. Now that he thought about it, his grandfather had indeed painstakingly arranged a lot of things.

There are also Bai Shaojun and Yang Wei, who, although they have backgrounds, are not outstanding enough, so they only entered the Tiger Wing Battalion. Now, everyone can see each other almost every day. Bai Shaojun has also changed a lot. He used to always mock Ru Feng, but after the baptism of war, he has become much calmer. When he sees Ru Feng, he ignores him and no longer deliberately provokes him as before.

Everyone seems to have changed. War is indeed one of the fastest ways to grow. Ru Feng sighed, not bothering to delve into why Bai Shaojun would give up his comfortable life as a young master to join the army, and even be willing to join the Tiger Wing Battalion, known for its grueling training. Everyone has their own troubles; they're too busy worrying about their own to have so much energy worrying about others.

The next day, Ru Feng heard the news that the second prince of the Spring Vine Kingdom had arrived at their country's military camp as a military supervisor, preparing to oversee the battle from the sidelines.

Military supervisors were all temporarily appointed to represent the court in managing military affairs and supervising generals. Among the four kingdoms, some appointed imperial censors to supervise military affairs, while others appointed eunuchs as military supervisors, such as Wang Wei, the military supervisor of the Kingdom of Zi Luo.

This time, the Spring Vine Kingdom actually sent a prince to supervise the army, so it is unpredictable that Yun Tianze's power is enough to rival that of the commander-in-chief.

Before Ru Feng could recover from the news, a soldier told him that someone from Luoyan City had come to visit relatives, and that the deputy commander had approved his visit.

Visiting relatives? Ru Feng's first thought was of his parents, but his father had always been a frail scholar. How could he suddenly come to this frontier region? And so quickly?

But apart from his parents, Ru Feng didn't know who else would come to visit him.

Nanshan was also puzzled: "Could it be Hanshan? It's impossible that it's Master."

Ru Feng suddenly realized, "Probably, but I don't know what's going on with him." Ru Feng muttered. In fact, she had always maintained contact with Han Shan, and the meat that the Tiger Wing Battalion ate during training was funded by Han Shan.

Ru Feng casually walked out of the military camp, took a few personal guards, and rode back to Luoyan City. People visiting relatives could not come to the military camp, so they could only wait in Luoyan City.

Ru Feng galloped along, currently riding her own horse, Jing Feng. However, she rode a different horse to the battlefield because her grandfather had said that Jing Feng hadn't received battlefield training and wasn't yet qualified as a "warhorse," so Ru Feng had to reluctantly give it up. Now, seeing how much more robust Jing Feng had become, she figured it must have received training. She just wondered if anyone had ever ridden it into battle.

Upon arriving at her grandfather's residence in Luoyan City, Rufeng saw two people standing at the door.

Ru Feng was stunned, frozen on his horse, not moving for a long time.

With a face as handsome as jade, perfect features, and a simple white robe, he stood tall and slender with his hands behind his back. On the bustling street, he appeared otherworldly and stood out from the crowd, exuding an aloofness that kept people at a distance, so passersby dared not look at him for long.

The attendant behind him was dressed in black, carrying a bundle on his back. Compared to his master's clean and noble appearance, he looked more travel-worn and tired, but he kept a straight face and remained silent.

Mu Wenchen looked at Ru Feng and softly called out, "Ru Feng!"

Ru Feng covered her mouth, glanced at the gatekeeper of the Yuchi residence, and nodded slightly.