The commanding general was momentarily stunned, not expecting Second Master Liang would actually present it.
Looking again, he saw Second Master Liang’s retainer already walking over quickly with the document.
Since this bookish Second Master Liang dared to hand it over, could he dare not accept it?
The commanding general reached out to take it and immediately opened it to look, saying with a laugh: “Scholars are still more impressive. You people can only shout chaotically, while others can actually write things down—”
One officer leaned back in his chair and laughed: “My lord, you’d better not be unable to understand what he’s written.”
Though they were superior and subordinate, they were all brothers who had faced death together, so speech could be quite casual. The commanding general took no offense and spat: “I’m an educated man—” He looked at Second Master Liang again. “If I can’t understand it, I’ll just ask directly. Liang Ji will certainly be able to explain it clearly to me.”
Laughter rang out in the command tent again. Second Master Liang sat in his position, neither pleased nor annoyed, and nodded: “This subordinate will of course explain.”
The commanding general laughed as he read. Gradually the smile faded, the teasing ceased, his gaze became focused, and his expression turned thoughtful.
The other joking officers noticed and also put away their mirth, exchanging glances—
Was this written well or poorly?
One officer couldn’t help but urge: “My lord, how is it really?”
The commanding general came back to himself and swept his gaze across everyone, finally settling on Second Master Liang.
“Scholars truly are scholars—to be able to play with military strategy in such a manner.” He said.
Was this—praise? Everyone couldn’t help but look toward Second Master Liang.
Second Master Liang sat upright and cupped his hands in salute: “My lord flatters me. I’m merely discussing warfare on paper. Whether it can succeed still depends on my lord implementing it in practice.”
The commanding general looked at him deeply, then withdrew his gaze to look at everyone and cleared his throat lightly.
“Gentlemen, I now have a new idea, ahem—” He said, then pointed at Second Master Liang at the end. “—Inspired by Liang Ji, everyone listen—”
……
……
Liang Qiang didn’t see his father again. With tasks now heavy, after that brief encounter in the military camp, he was assigned another mission—to serve as a lookout at another location.
Liang Qiang lay prone in a ravine with howling cold winds for three days. On the fourth day, when troops were finally recalled to camp, the camp was filled with wild celebration.
“Great victory, great victory!”
“Western Liang retreated a hundred li!”
Soldiers covered in bloodstains galloped on horseback, raising their weapons and shouting in jubilation.
Liang Qiang watched woodenly. What did this great victory have to do with him?
“Liang Qiang.” The officer who usually couldn’t be bothered to spare him a glance suddenly called his name after listening to several soldiers whisper in his ear.
Liang Qiang looked over.
“Liang Ji is your father?” The officer asked with a surprised expression.
Liang Qiang gripped the weapon in his hands tightly. For an instant his spine went cold. Though he hadn’t yet fought Western Liang soldiers or achieved any merit, he knew that a great victory was often built from the blood and flesh of many soldiers—
His father, wouldn’t have become a piece of blood and flesh for this great victory, would he?
“Yes.” He heard his hoarse voice say.
“Amazing!” The officer clapped his hands and said, “In this great victory, one of the battles was commanded excellently by your father. He turned the tides and made our army unstoppable—he achieved great merit!”
The cold feeling on his spine shot straight to the top of his head. Liang Qiang felt as if a fire was burning atop his head. Father—achieved merit!
Battle merit was the best identity card in the military.
Though it wasn’t his own merit, in an instant everyone knew who he was. Those companions who knew him before but never spared him a glance now all stared at him continuously.
“Scholars really are different—to think he can actually wage war.”
The discussions around him also turned to praise rather than the previous mockery.
To say Liang Qiang wasn’t happy would be false, but to say he was happy—it didn’t seem he was that happy either. The merit belonged to his father, not to him, just like before when Young Master Liang’s illustrious reputation came from his uncle’s family, not his own, and could be taken away at any time.
“Liang Qiang.” An officer standing to one side suddenly called out, “Do you dare come to my vanguard battalion?”
Liang Qiang raised his head without hesitation: “I’m willing.”
The officer laughed heartily and said to Liang Qiang’s commanding officer with a smile: “Give him to us. Let me see if it’s true that tigers don’t sire dogs.”
The commanding officer laughed and raised his hand: “Take him, take him. Polish him a bit—he might truly be a good blade.”
Things really were different now. Before, the commanding officer couldn’t be bothered with him and cared even less whether he was a good blade. Now he was so generous to let him go. Liang Qiang cupped his fists in salute: “Liang Qiang will not disappoint my lord’s expectations.”
Battle merit was just that powerful. He could finally have the opportunity to fight for glory.
……
……
When night fell deep, Second Master Liang returned to his quarters, still carrying the lingering scent of wine.
Though officers weren’t supposed to drink during wartime, this battle had dealt a severe blow to Western Liang, and Guard General Chu Ling had a deputy general personally deliver a cartload of wine and meat as reward.
This time, Second Master Liang didn’t sit in the last position but beside the commanding general, surrounded like the moon among stars, thoroughly enjoying himself.
“My lord, quickly wipe your face.” His retainer said with a smile, handing over a steaming hot towel.