Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey
Chapter 49: Night Raid (Part 1)

Chapter 49: Chapter 49: Night Raid (Part 1)

The government officials were in groups of ten, holding weapons and trembling as they scouted the woods. Seeing that they were out of earshot of the personal soldiers, the officials began to complain with bitter expressions.

"It’s all Lord Cai’s fault for neglecting the Commandery Princess, which angered her, so she came directly with personal soldiers to hunt down the bandits. We’re just unlucky to suffer because of it."

"Exactly! While Lord Cai is safely hiding in the county government, we have to enter the woods to scout the path. The bandits in Black Pine Village are all vicious and ruthless. If we really confront them, we’ll be in trouble."

"I took this job to earn money to support my family, not to lose my life here."

The leader of this team of government officials was a man in his thirties, who glared at them with disdain and said, "Phew! Stop with these crow mouth nonsense! We’ll just wander around nearby and return at nightfall to report."

The officials were all experienced, understood immediately, and responded in agreement.

Idling and procrastinating to kill time and showing up but not putting effort, everyone knew how to do that.

Unfortunately, things didn’t go as planned. After walking a short distance, they encountered a group of bandits patroled from the village.

The leader’s heart tightened. Among the ten of them, three were incapable of wielding knives, and two were connections who joined the county government through backdoors. Only five were truly capable of using knives. The other party had around twenty people, and it was clear they couldn’t win.

Run!

These two words flashed through the leader’s mind as he blew the whistle hard and shouted, "Everyone retreat quickly!" The officials retreated in panic.

The bandits, as if energized, pursued aggressively. One official stumbled in a panic and was chased down by the bandits, who killed him with a single strike to the neck.

Ah!

The cry of agony startled a flock of birds.

Ah!

Another cry of agony pierced the ears along with the chilling sound of a knife cutting through flesh.

The leader felt the hair on his back stand up, dared not look back, and ran even faster while blowing the whistle even louder and hoping for reinforcements.

This group of bandits was ordered to patrol and kill, with knives already stained with blood, becoming more ferocious as they grinned and chased with their blades. Not all officials were cowardly, as one young official was rather courageous. After running a few steps, realizing he couldn’t escape, he turned back and fought fiercely, even killing one bandit.

Unfortunately, other officials didn’t stop to fight alongside him, fleeing even faster.

This twenty-something young official fought the bandits while furiously cursing, "You cowards, afraid to die!"

Despite his brave efforts, the young official soon had injuries on his left arm and back. Alone, he could hardly sustain the fight, facing imminent death at this rate.

In his moment of despair, a sharp arrow suddenly flew in, striking a bandit in the chest. Then, a dozen strong and vigorous elite soldiers charged in.

The soldiers from the Personal Guard Camp, well-fed and well-rested, trained daily, each highly skilled, wielding sharp weapons. They easily took down three bandits in a single encounter.

The bandits suddenly lost their formation, fleeing in all directions. The personal soldiers quickly pursued, capturing two alive and killing the rest.

The young official felt a wave of relief and almost cried.

The leader of the personal soldiers came over, strongly patted the young official’s shoulder, and said, "You’re impressive, come with me to see the Commandery Princess!"

The young official had several bleeding wounds and collapsed upon the strong pat.

Personnel: "..."

An hour later.

This team of personal soldiers dragged two bound bandits and brought out the bloody officials from the woods.

Jiang Shaohua, learning that two bandits were captured alive, relaxed her brows and said to Qin Zhan, "General Qin, go interrogate them personally and find out the location and terrain of Black Pine Village."

Such crude tasks like brutal interrogation didn’t concern the Commandery Princess. Qin Zhan readily accepted the duty.

Jiang Shaohua then instructed Sun Guangbai, who was accompanying, "Trouble Doctor Sun to treat the injured official."

Sun Guangbai immediately responded and hurried over with his large medical kit.

According to Doctor Sun’s idea, Sun Guangbai should have stayed in the study, diligently reading medical books for the July Imperial Hospital exams.

However, the Commandery Princess led the personal soldiers to Li County for bandit suppression and couldn’t leave without a physician. Doctor Sun had to fulfill the task of treating Xiao Tian’s mother with acupuncture and couldn’t break away, thus sending Sun Guangbai and Sun Zelan along.

Night quickly fell.

Most of the camp was constructed, with tall wooden fences blocking the direction facing the mountains and forests. The other side needed to be built the next day.

The personal soldiers who went hunting returned with abundant gains, capturing a nest of rabbits, six goats, four deer, and three elk, along with two wild boars.

Jiang Shaohua smiled and instructed, "Prepare these game meats, have the cooks quickly boil the meat and make soup, so everyone can enjoy a hot meal."

The cooks had already set up stoves, with twenty large pots lined up. Large chunks of meat were tossed into the pots to boil rapidly, soon filling the air with the aroma of meat.

The personal soldiers ate their fill and each found their camp tent to sleep.

Jiang Shaohua’s tent was in the center.

Yin Zhu Tu Bai carried hot water in, attending to the Commandery Princess’ wash and sleep. Marching on outings didn’t involve much formalities; the two maids shared the same bed with the Commandery Princess.

"Commandery Princess has suffered," Yin Zhu whispered sympathetically, "This camp is full of men, their snoring is like thunder."

Tu Bai agreed wholeheartedly, "Last night at the post house was manageable, but tonight with just this simple army tent, sound cannot be blocked."

Jiang Shaohua casually smiled, "It’s alright, you’ll gradually get used to it."

Yin Zhu Tu Bai: "..."

Listening to the Commandery Princess’ words, would she frequently lead the troops out in the future?

Jiang Shaohua looked at the two pairs of wide-eyed eyes and said calmly, "You’re both my closest aides, I don’t want to hide anything from you. You had better adapt sooner. If you can’t adapt, tell me early..."

Yin Zhu hurriedly interrupted the mistress, "Don’t say that, Commandery Princess. No matter where the Princess goes, the maids will go."

Tu Bai also straightened her chest and said, "Same goes for me."

The beef tallow candle was bright, illuminating two reddish faces. Their eyes sparkled bright.

Jiang Shaohua felt slightly warm in her heart, and held Yin Zhu Tu Bai’s hands seriously and said, "Alright, no matter when and where, no matter what we face, the three of us will be together."

Yin Zhu Tu Bai nodded firmly.

The master and maids leaned their heads close, chatted briefly. Yin Zhu yawned and drowsily fell asleep. Tu Bai tried to keep her eyes open.

Jiang Shaohua chuckled, "Sleep now! We have to get up early tomorrow."

Tu Bai replied with a hum and closed her eyes to sleep.

Night deepened, the camp thundered with snores. Jiang Shaohua listened quietly for a while, sleepiness gradually overtaking.

Just about to drift into sleep, there was suddenly a strange noise outside the camp.

Crackling!

The sharp whistle almost pierced eardrums.

"Fire! Enemy attack!"

Jiang Shaohua abruptly opened her eyes, jumped off the bed, grabbed the treasure sword from the table, and quickly walked out of the tent.