Chapter Nineteen: The Enraged Zhao Yutu

Inside the command tent of the Archer Battalion, a middle-aged man with a fair complexion and a neatly trimmed mustache sat behind a low table. Sitting opposite him was Li Shuheng of the Archer Battalion.

“Chief Li,” Zhao Yutu spoke with a nasal tone, “Captain Shi has summoned you and Liu Heng to the central camp for a meeting. Do you know where Liu Heng is?”

Li Shuheng smiled and replied, “Master Zhao, please wait a moment. I’ve already sent someone to fetch him. I believe he’ll be here soon.”

“Please urge him to hurry. Captain Shi is quite anxious to see you,” Zhao Yutu said with a stern face.

At that moment, several figures stepped into the tent.

Liu Heng led the way, followed closely by Chen Xunping and Yang Yuan on either side.

Seeing Liu Heng enter, Li Shuheng stood up and said to Zhao Yutu, “Speak of the devil, and he appears. Here he is.”

Zhao Yutu glanced sideways but remained seated behind the low table, only humming in acknowledgment.

Noticing this, Liu Heng narrowed his eyes slightly.

Li Shuheng approached Liu Heng and said, “Master Zhao has come on behalf of Captain Shi to summon us to the central camp for a meeting.”

“Alright, since everyone is here, let’s go!” Zhao Yutu stood up from behind the table.

“Wait,” Liu Heng interrupted, “Please relay to Captain Shi that Liu Heng and Brother Shuheng were both exhausted and frightened yesterday, resulting in catching a cold. We are bedridden and unable to go to the central camp.”

“Do you realize what you’re saying?” Zhao Yutu’s expression darkened.

He hadn’t expected Liu Heng to be so bold as to lie right in front of him.

Liu Heng smiled lightly, “I think my meaning is clear enough; there’s no need for me to repeat it.”

“Fine, fine, fine,” Zhao Yutu said angrily, repeating the word thrice, then turned to Li Shuheng, “Could it be that Chief Li shares the same view?”

Li Shuheng hesitated but forced a nod, “Please inform Captain Shi that we will personally apologize at the central camp once we recover.”

“Li Shuheng, do you understand the consequences of defying Captain Shi’s orders?” Zhao Yutu demanded.

Liu Heng laughed, “No need to trouble Master Zhao further; just deliver our message.”

“Seems you’re determined not to go to the central camp. Don’t blame me for being impolite. Guards!” Zhao Yutu shouted outside the tent, “Seize them and escort them to the central camp.”

---

Long moments passed without any movement outside. Zhao Yutu frowned and called out loudly again, “Guards!”

Liu Heng chuckled, “Looks like the men Master Zhao left outside aren’t very obedient!”

Yang Yuan and Chen Xunping stepped forward simultaneously, blocking Zhao Yutu’s path to the tent entrance.

Seeing this, Zhao Yutu’s face suddenly drained of color, fear creeping into his eyes. He stammered, “W-what are you doing? I am Master Zhao, Captain Shi’s advisor.”

Witnessing Zhao Yutu’s bluster masking his inner fear, Liu Heng smiled.

“Master Zhao, you’re overthinking,” Liu Heng said. “Those men outside are safe. Once you leave, they will follow you willingly.”

Zhao Yutu’s lips trembled as he glanced between Liu Heng and Li Shuheng. “Fine, I will convey your illness to Captain Shi. Can I leave now?”

He emphasized the word “illness” deliberately.

“Master Zhao is free to leave at any time,” Liu Heng gestured, and Yang Yuan and Chen Xunping stepped aside.

As they cleared the way, Zhao Yutu hurried out of the tent.

Once outside, he saw his men crouched on the ground, their heads in their hands, surrounded by dozens of bandits wielding wooden spears. His expression darkened ominously.

Liu Heng stepped out, followed by Li Shuheng and the others.

Standing at the tent entrance, Liu Heng commanded the spear-wielding bandits, “Release them.”

Then he turned to Zhao Yutu, “Please tell Captain Shi that we will handle affairs in the rear camp. There’s no need for him to worry any longer. From now on, I will take charge.”

Zhao Yutu faced Liu Heng with a sullen look, “I can’t decide that. It requires Captain Shi’s word. If you want the position of rear camp commander, perhaps you should come with me to the central camp. I doubt Captain Shi would refuse such a request.”

Liu Heng shook his head slightly, “Master Zhao, haven’t you forgotten? I am bedridden with a cold.”

Seeing Liu Heng’s flushed face and vibrant energy, Zhao Yutu’s face darkened with fury—there was no sign of illness.

“In that case, farewell,” Zhao Yutu cupped his hands and bowed.

Liu Heng smiled, “A slight cold keeps me off my feet. I won’t see you out.”

“No need,” Zhao Yutu replied stiffly, then turned and left the Archer Battalion with his bedraggled men without looking back.

---

Once Zhao Yutu and his group were gone, Li Shuheng voiced his concern, “Do you think this will provoke Captain Shi’s retaliation?”

Liu Heng smiled, “Even without today’s events, Captain Shi wouldn’t spare us. Don’t forget he sent men to ambush us last night.”

“Ah, you’re right. I was thinking too simply,” Li Shuheng sighed.

Liu Heng nodded but said no more. He was pleased with the outcome of this meeting—not only had he clarified their relationship with Captain Shi, but he also saw that Li Shuheng remained loyal and cautious, never acting on his own but always deferential to him as leader.

What he feared most was Li Shuheng claiming to be his subordinate yet making decisions independently. For now, that didn’t seem to be the case.

Yang Yuan said, “Chief Liu, the men are assembled. When shall we move to the rear camp?”

“Now,” Liu Heng said. “The longer we wait, the greater the risk. We must seize the rear camp before Captain Shi reacts.”

“I’ll go with you,” Chen Xunping stepped forward.

Liu Heng waved him off, “Second Brother, you have more important tasks. You need to select three hundred men from among the refugees. I need to strengthen the new recruits.”

“That’s easy. I’ll take people to the refugees now to pick them out,” Chen Xunping replied.

Li Shuheng asked, “Is there anything I should do?”

“Brother Shuheng, your duties are the hardest,” Liu Heng said. “Based on each battalion’s numbers, prepare three days’ rations. Keep the rest under strict guard. No one is to take a single grain without my order.”

Chen Xunping frowned, “We worked hard to get the food. Why share it with other battalions?”

Seeing his genuine confusion, Liu Heng explained, “All battalions are short on supplies. If we don’t share some, Captain Shi could easily turn them against us. But if we distribute some food, Captain Shi will think twice, giving us more time to grow stronger.”

Li Shuheng said, “Understood. I’ll arrange it immediately and assign a team of refugee recruits and archers to guard the supplies day and night.”

After organizing everything, the three men went about their tasks. Liu Heng, accompanied by Yang Yuan, headed to the rear camp.