Chapter Twenty-Four: Reorganizing the Formidable Tiger Battalion

In the courtyard, Jiang Hongluan and the others sat on the steps, their expressions grim. Xu Qing could not help but stand by the doorway, peering back and forth as if trying to confirm something. She stomped her feet, clenching her fists in agitation.

"Why hasn't the Captain returned yet? Could something have happened to him?"

Jiang Hongluan shook her head and exhaled. "Impossible! The Captain will surely be fine. Besides, if something has happened to him, we will broadcast his merits to the world. The Captain has made outstanding contributions to the Great Liang; if he were to die in such petty squabbles, it would chill the hearts of all people!"

"Exactly! We will let the world condemn them! We will turn public opinion into an unstoppable force!" Guan Qing stood up abruptly, speaking with great urgency.

Just as they were debating, Su Mu arrived at the courtyard entrance. Seeing their anxious faces, he shook his head. "Don't worry, I am fine. I just went to the dungeon to check on the Battalion Commander. He is still alive, though his situation is not very optimistic."

Seeing Su Mu, the group crowded around him. "Captain, what should we do next? If this charge of collaborating with the enemy is finalized, the consequences will be unimaginable, right?" Jiang Hongluan asked earnestly.

Su Mu looked at them and sighed. "For now, all we can do is improve our own strength. Training continues as usual! However, you have a task: take the contents of this book and spread them among the people in the form of folklore. This is the first step to saving the Battalion Commander—using public opinion to build momentum for him!"

Su Mu knew clearly that in terms of background, it was impossible for them to go head-to-head with Corporal Jiang. The best strategy was to use the pressure of public opinion to create resistance for the Inspector. As long as they could stall for time until the second barbarian invasion, the entire Great Liang would be at a life-or-death juncture. To win, the authorities would be forced to unleash all available strength. At that point, it was highly likely that "Fatty" Li would be released to redeem himself through meritorious service.

Su Mu pondered for a moment, then glanced at Guan Qing. "One more thing! While the Jiang family does hold an exalted position in the capital, they have long been seen as a thorn in the side of many. Spread the word that Corporal Jiang has framed a loyal officer; inevitably, someone in the capital will step forward to neutralize the threat posed by the Jiang family."

Hearing this, everyone suddenly realized the brilliance of the plan. Indeed, leveraging existing power structures was the best approach. A direct confrontation would only lead to their own destruction, but Su Mu’s method was entirely different.

"Captain, don't worry!" they said excitedly. "We will handle the task you've assigned and ensure we don't let you down!"

After they left, Su Mu stood alone in the courtyard. The events of the day had hit him hard. The Great Liang was corrupt, and treacherous officials held power. Without the barbarian invasion, the empire would likely have collapsed from within. To survive in such chaotic times, one had to possess their own strength. With only the five of them, protecting those around them was unrealistic. They needed more people.

With this in mind, Su Mu turned to Su Yi. "Su Yi, come with me to a place."

...

At the blacksmith shop, Old Zhang sat before his forge, hammer in hand, his eyes filled with sorrow. Su Mu walked up and tossed a flask of wine to him. "When you're feeling troubled, a flask of wine can ease the mind."

Old Zhang looked at Su Mu, his lips curling into a bitter smile. "Lad, I just feel so much resentment. Years ago, Brother Jiang was brilliant, breaking the barbarian offensives time and again and saving countless lives! We all believed that as long as we followed him, we could end the chaos and drive the barbarians out for good. But what happened? A single imperial decree summoned him back to the capital, and he ended up dying miserably in the dungeon!"

For veterans like them, those memories were a form of torture. The former Tiger Might Battalion had been filled with men of extraordinary skill—an invincible force wherever they went. But because of that incident, everyone had scattered, their hearts broken and cold.

"Senior, I know you have painful memories of the past," Su Mu said, his voice serious. "I will only say this: the past is gone and cannot be redone, but we can seize the future. The Battalion Commander is imprisoned now—do you want to see history repeat itself?"

Old Zhang looked at the wine flask, letting out a self-deprecating laugh. "And if I feel resentment, what of it? We are just soldiers. In the eyes of those in power, we are nothing. Our only purpose is to bleed for them and serve as their hounds."

Su Mu placed a hand on Old Zhang’s shoulder, his gaze unwavering. "Senior, I need your help! We are going to reform the Tiger Might Battalion! We will use our glorious deeds to build a name for ourselves, and then, no one will ever dare treat us like soft persimmons again! No one will ever dare provoke the Tiger Might Battalion again!"

Old Zhang fell silent, staring at his own hands for a long time. Su Mu turned and began to walk away. Seeing this, Old Zhang suddenly stood up, agitated.

"Wait!" His face flushed as he glared at Su Mu. "You brat! Give me a moment to think, why are you walking away so fast?"

Old Zhang caught up to Su Mu, his expression stern. "I understand what you mean. I am willing to help you reform the Tiger Might Battalion! It’s all just a game of chess, isn't it? Life and death cast aside—if they won't submit, we fight!"

Su Mu smiled. With Old Zhang’s commitment, he felt a surge of confidence. If the Tiger Might Battalion could be fully restored, leading three thousand elites would give them a real chance to achieve something great. If the ten thousand strong Tiger-Wolf Cavalry could throw the cities of Great Liang into disarray, then his three thousand "Tiger Might" warriors could surely sweep away all obstacles.

"However," Old Zhang added, his expression turning grave, "to gather the old subordinates, you need to see one more person. Only when you have her support can you truly succeed."

"Oh? Who?" Su Mu asked with curiosity.

Old Zhang took a deep breath, clenching his fists. "Song Hui of the Heavenly Fragrance Pavilion."