The barracks of the navy looked like a small city. It was divided into five sections according to the number of ships. The main tent was where the commander was. A huge flag was hung high up in the sky. Below the flag, there were soldiers with swords at their waists.
Inside and outside the barracks, there were many soldiers patrolling the area. There were even sounds of drills.
Not far away, there was a pier. There were many ships docked at the pier. The word "Xu" was written on the ships, and was fluttering in the wind.
It had been raining and windy the day before. Some of the soldiers were cleaning the deck.
Within the barracks, there were sounds of sticks hitting flesh. Once, twice, thrice, all the way to the flesh. A man's buttocks were already a bloody mess.
The punishment squad had received the order from the commander. Every strike was strong and powerful. After three strikes, the flesh had been torn apart. Blood started to seep out and stain his pants red.
Cai Yuan Zhen was a tough man. He bit down on the wooden stick in his mouth until his veins were popping out. He held on without making a sound. Seeing this, the punishment squad remained expressionless. He held back for the next three strikes.
However, even ten strikes would not kill a man. After the beatings, Cai Yuan Zhen's pants were stained with blood. Two soldiers then dragged Cai Yuan Zhen towards the barracks, as though he was a dead dog. The ground was stained with blood, and the soldiers patrolling the area started to stir.
The two soldiers then whispered, "Captain Cai is really unlucky. He got beaten again. His wounds have just healed."
"Ai, I know. Actually, I've heard that Captain Cai's position has been targeted." The soldier whispered.
"Really?" One of the soldiers approached.
"It's true. The commander's brother-in-law is a Barracks Commander. He's thinking of a Captain Cai's position!" The two of them whispered.
Huge Tent
Chen Ping sat behind a table. Behind him was a screen with a tiger painted on it. A blade was hung on a shelf, and a killing aura emanated from it.
A token was thrown on the ground, and Chen Ping was reading a book. The tent was pushed open, and two soldiers dragged Cai Yuanzhen in. Behind them were spots of blood on the ground.
The two soldiers entered the tent and tossed Cai Yuan Zhen to the ground. Cai Yuan Zhen stretched out his hands to support himself, and thus did not fall.
Looking at Cai Yuanzhen, Chen Ping threw the book aside and stood up. He sneered, "If you do this again, I won't forgive you."
Hearing the general's words, Cai Yuan Zhen didn't dare to refute and replied, "Yes, general. I won't do it again."
As soon as he finished speaking, his head seemed to sink into the ground.
Chen Ping looked at Cai Yuanzhen, who was lying on the ground. A lot of blood was seeping out of his buttocks. He knew that the Disciplinary Squad had followed orders and dealt a heavy blow.
He then looked at the Qian Hu in disgust and said, "It's good that you know. This general is magnanimous and will forgive you this time."
"Since you've been punished, go and rest for a few days. Leave everything to Liu Yingzheng."
Hearing this, Cai Yuanzhen was slightly hesitant: "Liu Yingzheng is not under this lowly officer's command. It is fine to arrange for Zhengzhou Yingzheng to take care of it, but would it be inappropriate for Liu Yingzheng to take care of it?"
Hearing this, Chen Ping was enraged, "Are you the general or am I the general? I have my own plans for who will be in charge. Why are you asking?"
Hearing this, Cai Yuanzhen did not dare to refute, but his face turned red.
"Men, take Qian Hu to the military doctor for treatment, and let him rest." Chen Ping instructed. Cai Yuanzhen clenched the sand in his hands, as the veins on his forehead bulged. He didn't dare to show it, however. He lowered his head, as cold sweat dripped down from his forehead.
The tent was opened, and two soldiers looked at Cai Yuanzhen, who was lying on the ground. They then stretched out their hands and dragged Cai Yuanzhen out, all the way to the military doctor's tent.
Just as Cai Yuanzhen was being dragged out, a young man walked over. He had a skinny face. The soldier who was guarding the tent looked at the young man and whispered, "Liu Yingzheng, this way please. The general is waiting for you."
The young man nodded his head and walked into the tent. Chen Ping was reading a book. The young man walked up to the table and smiled, "Brother-in-law, when can you help me become a Qian Hu? I've already bragged about it."
When Chen Ping heard these words, he raised his hand and slapped the young man's head, "You little rascal, all you think about is getting promoted. A Qian Hu is in charge of ten boats. He's a Sixth Rank officer. How can it be so easy?"
"I, your father, promoted you to an Eighth Rank Battalion Officer, and expended a lot of effort. Can't you just do something practical and earn some merits? If that's the case, things will be much easier. " As he spoke up to this point, Chen Ping sighed, "I've already sent Cai Yuanzhen back. For the next few days, you shall replace Qian Hu. When the time comes, I shall find a reason to demote him to a Battalion Officer. You can then take over his position."
When the young man heard this, he rolled his eyes, "Brother-in-law, what merits are you talking about? Isn't it just that there are no vacancies for me to fill? Cai Yuanzhen used to be promoted because of his merits. Now, isn't he someone you can do whatever you want to him? "
Chen Ping slapped him again, "Bastard, Cai Yuanzhen is actually an honest man. Although he's not very smart, he resolutely carries out orders. He dares to fight and kill. I trust him."
"If it weren't for the fact that the world is at peace, I wouldn't need this kind of soldier. Although I have five Qian Hu under me, the other four have people backing them up. I can't do anything to them. Plus, without military merits, it's getting harder and harder to get promoted. I can't promote you even if I want to. Otherwise, I can't bear to demote him."
As he spoke, he sighed and shook his head, as if he was chewing on a bitter olive, "Actually, I can see it very clearly. If I do this, Cai Yuanzhen and I won't be the same anymore."
"I know brother-in-law is good to me." The young man smiled apologetically.
"Who asked your sister to give birth to a son for me?" Chen Ping smiled bitterly, "My family has always had a hard time having children. I've only had one son for three generations, and I've killed many people. My wife gave birth to three daughters, but she died during childbirth. Now that your sister has given birth to a son for my Chen family, I have to thank her!"
As he spoke, he looked at the young man, "You have to grow up a little. Only then will there be fewer people gossiping."
"Brother-in-law, didn't you say that there will be no more wars in the future? What's the point of having abilities? "The young man smiled nonchalantly," If anyone has abilities and refuses to submit, I'll beat him to death! "
As he spoke, he lowered his voice, "But I've heard that many people feel injustice for Cai Yuanzhen?"
Chen Ping frowned and spoke after a long time, "You mean …"
"Brother-in-law, I'm a man without abilities. But I know that Cai Yuanzhen is just a stickler for rules. He still has abilities and merits. With you around, he can definitely be suppressed. What if you're not around? What if he's transferred somewhere else?"
"Then I won't be able to suppress him."
"Then what do you want?" Chen Ping asked.
The young man smiled and said coldly, "If I don't kill him, I won't feel at ease. They say that a man must be ruthless. Why don't we just find an excuse to kill him?"
"Didn't you say that he has no backing? If he's killed, then so be it. Who would cry out for him?"
Chen Ping then raised his head and looked at his brother-in-law. His brother-in-law was still very young, but he had a vicious aura about him. He looked a little gloomy.
After some time, Chen Ping laughed. He was his brother-in-law, what was he afraid of?
Thinking this way, he said, "You little rascal, you say that you have no abilities. But I can see that you're very good at currying favor. You're ruthless too."
"In times of chaos, you'll be like an armchair strategist. You can control your subordinates, but you can't control your enemies. You'll be easily killed by your enemies. I've seen a few Zhao Kuos who died along with their subordinates."
"In times of peace, the world is yours. You're good at currying favor and using connections. After all, there's no war. But you're too young, too vicious, and too impatient. If you really find an excuse to kill a sixth ranked official, how do you think my subordinates would look at me? How would they look at me? We have to take things one step at a time. "
"Brother-in-law, you're right." The young man smiled cheekily.
Chen Ping then said, "You still have to learn something. At the very least, you have to look good on the surface. Only then will I be able to promote you."
"Let me give you a standard. Once you're a Thousand Officer, you have to practice your skills. At the very least, your superiors won't be able to see through your disguise."
"Brother-in-law, don't worry. I know what I'm doing. A thousand officers, I will manage them well." The young man poured a cup of wine for the general in front of him, "Brother-in-law, a toast to you. Bottoms up."
As he spoke, the young man gulped down the cup. Seeing this, Chen Ping raised his cup and drank as well. Finally, he patted him on the shoulder, "Liu Xiang, let me give you a piece of advice. Since you know that you're Zhao Kuo, you should know your place. Treat this army as if it's an official's office. Don't ever go to the frontlines."
"The enemy doesn't know how many connections you have. A spear or an arrow will kill you all the same!"
Liu Xiang nodded his head as he felt for a token hidden in his sleeves.
Military Medic's Tent
Many bandages were hung on bamboo poles to dry in front of the tent.
On the empty ground, there were several dustpans, filled with medicinal herbs. When the wind blew, one could smell the fragrance of the herbs.
Chen Ping dragged Liu Xiang into the tent. A military medic came in with a dustpan and smiled, "Captain Cai, what's wrong? Did you get beaten again today? "
Cai Yuanzhen didn't reply. He lay on the bed and scolded, "You old scoundrel. Every time I get beaten, you're so happy."
The military medic didn't seem to mind. He looked at his trousers and took a deep breath, "He beat me to death. My flesh and blood are all over the place. I won't be able to move for a few days."
As Doctor Hu spoke, he cut off his trousers and tore them apart.
"Hiss!" Cai Yuanzhen took a deep breath, "You scoundrel, it hurts so much."
Doctor Hu laughed coldly, "What happened this time? Why did the general get so angry, and beat you up like this?"
"Ai, I don't know what's going on. The general seems to be behaving strangely, and wants to enforce discipline. He said that I'm not behaving properly. Today, he called me over and dragged me out to be beaten. I was even reprimanded. He even handed my position to Commander Liu."
"He's going to make a move on you." Doctor Hu said.
Hearing these words, Cai Yuanzhen struggled, "Nonsense."
Looking at Cai Yuanzhen in front of him, Doctor Hu laughed coldly, "Tell me, you're an eighth ranked official. Why would you get beaten over such a small matter?"
"This is a blow to your reputation. Did you see the look in your subordinates' eyes?"
"The army values loyalty and friendship, but more importantly, strength. You can't even protect yourself, who would follow you?"
Doctor Hu spoke up to this point as he took some wine to clean his wounds. His buttocks had a few pieces of cloth stuck to it. Doctor Hu tore them off as he screamed in pain.
"Bastard, bastard, bastard!" Cai Yuanzhen cursed, but no one knew who he was cursing.
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