First, the imperial envoy arrived, followed by Qin Fang and General Ao along with the other four guerrilla(Division) generals, who were called away by the envoy.

Everyone witnessed this and was curious as to why Qin Fang was called along.

After General Ao and the other four generals came out, Qin Fang did not return, which made the soldiers of District 18 anxious.

Han Zhen and the others were waiting at the gate of District 18, eager to know Qin Fang’s situation.

Now that Qin Fang had returned, he gathered ten centurions, and Han Zhen and the others were curious.

However, upon seeing Qin Fang’s expression, everyone knew that things should be good.

Even if Qin Fang tried to maintain his usual demeanor, he simply couldn’t hide his joy.

Because of his good relationship with Qin Fang, Han Zhen was the first to speak: “Good Brother Qin, if you have good news, just tell us directly. Don’t keep smiling like that; it makes everyone feel awkward.”

Qin Fang replied, “Get lost… Speaking of which, it really is good news for me. I have two things to announce: First, I’ve been promoted and will be transferred in half a month. Second, when I leave, I will take two hundred people with me and promote a captain.”

If Qin Fang’s promotion was good news for him personally, then his plan to promote a captain was good news for everyone.

However, although both pieces of news were good, some people were still self-aware.

Among them, Han Zhen had the best skills.

If they were to choose a captain based on martial arts, it would undoubtedly be him.

So after hearing this, their excitement dampened a bit.

Yang Bai, curious, asked, “You’ve been promoted, Captain? Congratulations! But may I ask where you will be transferred?”

The other centurions chimed in with questions:

“What position have you been promoted to?”

“Are you going to the capital?”

“Captain…”

Qin Fang could tell that they were genuinely happy for him, and he happily said, “I’ve been promoted to a fifth-rank Martial Virtue General, but I will be taking the allied barbarian tribes to other counties to become their garrison general.”

Although he didn’t know what kind of place it would be, Qin Fang was filled with anticipation and motivation for the life there.

From this moment on, he experienced the joy of promotion and success.

The title of fifth-rank Martial Virtue General was just the beginning for him.

In the past, when he first joined the army, it was for his family.

Later, he worked hard in the military to enrich himself.

After getting married, he aspired to rise to match his wife.

But at this moment, he suddenly felt a desire to work even harder, to climb further, not just for his wife, but for the deep-seated yearning that had long been dormant in his blood—an awareness of success and honor.

Hearing Qin Fang speak, some were moved to tears, their blood boiling.

Others were merely listening, feeling lost about the future, living each day as it came.

But regardless, Qin Fang was their superior, and his success was good for them.

To put it bluntly, having a connection with Qin Fang in the future would also be beneficial for them.

After chatting for a while, Qin Fang said, “Alright, you all go back to your tasks. Han Zhen, stay behind. Old Yang, Old Lu, you two wait outside.”

“Yes.”

Once the other seven centurions left, only Qin Fang and Han Zhen remained in the tent.

Yang Bai and Lu Zhen waited outside the tent.

Qin Fang said, “After I leave, I can recommend a captain, and I’m recommending you, Han Zhen.”

Han Zhen was stirred.

Although he had thought Qin Fang would recommend him, he knew it wasn’t just because they were friends; he knew that Qin Fang trusted him.

Hearing it directly from Qin Fang made him excited, inexplicably happy. “I won’t let you down,” Han Zhen said, looking at Qin Fang with determination.

Qin Fang also looked at Han Zhen with the same conviction: “I believe in you.”

They had walked this path together, so of course, he trusted him.

However, he added, “When I recommended you to Master Du Ke, he mentioned Wei Wu’s name. According to him, he prefers Wei Wu as the captain. But I voiced my opinion at that time, saying you were more suitable for the position, while Wei Wu could practice as a centurion, a hundred-man commander; with his abilities, he wasn’t quite ready to be a captain yet.”

Han Zhen is such a clever person.

As the male lead, he is naturally intelligent.

He immediately said, “I understand. I will take care of Wei Wu. Moreover, I will also strive to catch up with you, so you better not let me catch up.”

Since Du Ke is interested in promoting Wei Wu to the position of a thousand-man commander, it implies that Wei Wu won’t stay in the position of a hundred-man commander for long.

Therefore, Han Zhen must work hard.

Looking at his friend, Qin Fang suddenly asked another question: “If I asked you to accompany me to the county town as a city defense general, to be my partner, also as a seventh-rank cavalry officer, would you be willing?”

Han Zhen thought for a moment before shaking his head.

If there were no choices, he would be willing to make a living under Qin Fang.

However, given the choice, he would prefer to strive on his own.

They are the best of friends, brothers in life and death; he doesn’t want to be under Qin Fang’s wing.

If possible, he would rather work hard to pursue his own goals in a place where Qin Fang couldn’t see him than be beneath him.

This probably carries a hint of defiance and that damned pride.

But this does not harm their friendship.

Qin Fang was not surprised by his answer; he knew that Han Zhen was a proud person.

Therefore, when Du Ke said he could take 200 people and appoint two cavalry officers, he didn’t think of Han Zhen.

Just like him, Qin Fang also didn’t want to be under Han Zhen if given a choice.

After Han Zhen left the tent, he signaled to Centurion Yang and Centurion Lu: “The lord wants you to come in.”

Yang Baifu and Lu Baifu were a bit excited; they didn’t know why Han Zhen called them in.

Once inside, they awkwardly looked at Qin Fang.

Qin Fang didn’t want to keep them in suspense and said directly, “This time, I am bringing the defected barbarian tribe with me and will settle them down. After that, I will stay in the county town as the city defense general, so I need troops.”

Hearing Qin Fang say this, Centurion Yang and Centurion Lu were moved; they guessed Qin Fang’s intention.

Qin Fang didn’t let them down and continued, “The court allows me to take 200 people with me, and the city defense general can have a force of 1,000, with the remaining 800 soldiers selected locally. So, I want to take you and your 200 soldiers with me. Are you willing?”

Centurion Yang and Centurion Lu exchanged glances.

Staying here, given their age, they would be stuck as hundred-man commanders.

Even if there was hope for becoming thousand-man commanders, how many years would it take?

Moreover, although the frontier seemed peaceful, there were dangers lurking at any time.

As they grew older, they couldn’t just stay here forever.

If they became part of the city defense force, at least they would be able to oversee the city gates.

Furthermore, if they brought 200 people over, Lord Qin wouldn’t really send them to watch the city gates.

So, without much hesitation, Yang Baifu and Lu Baifu bowed and said, “We are willing.”

From this moment on, they were no longer soldiers of the barracks; they were subordinates of Qin Fang, directly under him.

Qin Fang looked at them and smiled for the first time: “Don’t be nervous. This time, I can promote two seventh-rank cavalry officers. I am thinking of you two. I hope in the future, we can work hard together to keep the city we protect peaceful and serene forever.”

Centurion Yang and Centurion Lu hadn’t considered such good fortune.

They had already agreed to follow Qin Fang, not expecting that after their agreement, they would also receive the title of seventh-rank cavalry officers.

But if they hadn’t agreed just now, wouldn’t that have been… a shock?

Fortunately, they had agreed.

It was at this moment that they realized Qin Fang was testing them from the start.

If they had known there was the position of seventh-rank cavalry officer from the beginning, they would have agreed without hesitation.

However, that was not what Qin Fang wanted.

He wanted to choose people he could trust, not those who were solely after a position.

Therefore, when he first talked to Yang and Lu, he did not mention the seventh-rank cavalry officer positions.

Centurion Yang and Centurion Lu replied in unison, “General, rest assured, we will not let you down.”

Their voices were loud and full of confidence for the future.

Qin Fang looked at them: “Do you have any questions?”

“No, none.”

Qin Fang: “If so, you can talk to the people below. Of course, if they are unwilling to follow, there’s no need to force them. Just select soldiers from other teams that you value.”

“Understood.”

After discussing this matter with Yang and Lu, Qin Fang let them arrange it on their own and went to find General Ao.

He needed to arrange personnel and promotions on his side, and General Ao needed to do the same.

When General Ao saw Qin Fang coming, he waved for his subordinates to leave.

Seeing Qin Fang, he couldn’t imagine that a person who was just promoted to thousand-man commander last year had become a fifth-rank general this year, holding the same rank as himself.

After all, he was already over thirty, almost forty, while Qin Fang was only twenty-two. “How is it, General?”

Qin Fang smiled, and his previously stern face softened: “Please don’t make fun of me.”

General Ao sighed, “I really didn’t expect this. We were just discussing whether to go to the capital, but in the blink of an eye, we don’t have to go anymore; the court has already arranged our paths.”

Qin Fang recalled that indeed, he had thought of a fallback plan.

If he left the military camp and didn’t go to the capital, he would open a convoy company, but fate had taken a turn. “General Ao, thank you for your care and promotion over the years. I remember your kindness.”

Qin Fang could be said to have grown up under General Ao’s watch, from a soldier at sixteen to a fifth-rank general at twenty-two.

General Ao had a good impression of him.

Moreover, Qin Fang had an advantage over many generals; he had a good wife, which was very important for brash military men like them.

General Ao patted his shoulder, and everything was understood without words.