Chapter 437

Chapter 437

Its amazing how quickly structures can be built without machinery to speed things along or silliness like bureaucracy and human rights to slow them down.

In the four months since Sinujis destruction, Colonel Hongji has been hard at work turning the area into a deathtrap for Defiled. Though not comparable to the miracle of engineering and logistics which is to become the new Western Wall, the transformation is still mind boggling to behold and it all started with my off-hand advice given on my first day here. The rubble of Sinuji has been cleared away and repurposed into a cobblestone walkway, and while Id hardly call it elegant or even complete, its serviceable enough for my chariots and supply wagons to roll over without cracking an axle or getting stuck in a rut. Five kilometres from north to south and a hundred and fifty metres across, the walkways main purpose isnt for travel or transportation. Instead, it serves as firebreak, deterrence to Wraiths or other sneaky bastards hoping to slip by, and an open killing ground where we slaughter all Defiled who dare approach.

To this end, an impressive array of earthwork fortifications stands behind the walkway, ones designed to funnel the Enemy into multiple choke-points where Imperial soldiers hold the advantage. Again, theyre nothing fancy, mostly dirt walls and deep trenches, but completely serviceable and a huge upgrade to fighting the Defiled man to man on open ground. Constructed using a technique Dastan calls hangtu or rammed earth, the compressed dirt walls are durable as stone and almost as smooth thanks to an outer layer of clay which keeps the whole thing from turning to mud in the rain. While a determined attacker could probably break through a meter thick section in a matter of minutes, the walls only stand about three-and-a-half meters high and most are under a hundred meters long, which means the Defiled who arent smart enough to run around the walls usually try to jump over, where Imperial soldiers stand ready to greet them with steel and fire.Read latest chapters at novelhall.com Only

Though it makes me giggle to say, holding the high ground is a significant advantage in battle. For starters, its much easier to hit an opponent's head when its literally at your feet, and also less tiring when youve got gravity working on your side. Battlements on the rammed earth walls protect the Imperial soldier, a raised lip they stand behind and lean over to stab, crush, or otherwise kill their Defiled opponents. Even the strongest warrior in the world is vulnerable while jumping over a three metre obstacle, and considering the Defiled arent big on constructing even basic siege equipment like ramps or ladders, then Id wager the wall will hold until garo or other such mounted warriors make an appearance.

Not an event I look forward to. Apparently, the Western Defiled ride things called gajashia, which were eloquently described as carnivorous, sharp-tusked, elephant-faced armoured lions of nightmares. The Southern Defiled have bhietkura, giant, hammer-headed dinosaurs with talons long as a mans arm. Strange how even the most docile animals from the Azure Empire will snap at Defiled, but outside, the wildlife have adapted to accept the murder-happy humans. Then again, like GangShu said, are Imperials and Defiled really all that different when seen through the eyes of an animal?

Im just glad there will always be ugly or angry animals which I can eat guilt free. Like geese, the feathery embodiment of hatred and loathing...

Fort Sinujis temporary nature only adds to how extraordinary its speedy construction was, though I use the term fort lightly. Its less of a building or enclosed area and more like a labyrinth of rectangular blocks, walls, and giant fucking trenches, all built so youre forced to zigzag through the fortifications to get to the other side or spend a day exposed in dangerous territory looking for a way around. Once past the first line of fortifications, you find yourself trapped inside a veritable maze with steel pikes and polearms thrusting down from above, Imperial soldiers lurking around every corner, shifting exits, hidden pitfalls, reinforced dead-ends, and barricaded choke-points to spice things up. Granted, the whole place will probably crumble to pieces the moment an organized Defiled army appears on the horizon, but until such a time as the Enemy gets their shit together, Sinujis defences will be the bane of wandering warbands of Defiled.

One strange thing to note is that since building these fortifications and flying flags which can been seen from kilometres away, Sinuji has encountered more Defiled attacks, not less, and its supposedly the same with the similar structures all across the front lines. Whereas my first instinct would be to go around an entrenched enemy, the Defiled see well-fortified positions the same way lemmings see cliffs, preferring to run headlong at them and die instead of finding a safer way around. Not to say theres no more fighting on the open fields, and some warbands still have enough sense to bypass Fort Sinuji, but the end result is more or less the same. Since heavy cavalry dont have much of a place in sieges, Colonel Hongji and the other commanders along the front lines have organized patrols between them, which means most Defiled who try to sneak past meet their end at the tip of a steel lance. Loose infantry dont do well against heavy cavalry, and even less so when presented with an organized charge from multiple directions. Should any Defiled be lucky enough to escape the front lines intact, there is still a second line of defences behind us waiting to greet them, not to mention the heavily patrolled border where the new Western Wall is being constructed.

All in all, after four months of fighting, there have been exactly zero confirmed Defiled to successfully cross the border into Central, which is the only good news I can think of while riding through Sinujis winding defences to report to Colonel Hongji. From atop the battlements, Imperial soldiers stare at my escort of quin riders and Death Corps in undisguised curiosity, wondering what couldve prompted the Number One Talent in the Empire to return from patrol early. Two and a half days early, in fact, since we booked it back to the front lines as soon as Tenjin was stable enough to travel. This marks the first time Ive returned in defeat, an event made all the more significant considering how well my first deployment went. While resting in SuiHua, there were tales of defeat and despair a plenty on everyones ears and tongues as the returning soldiers brought news of growing Defiled aggression, but more than once I heard my supporters boasting about how my retinue would handle it with ease.

Its funny how I never cared for public opinion until it turned in my favour. I can shrug off hatred, disgust, and hostility without breaking stride, but disappointment hits me like a kick in the balls.

About a quarter way through the maze, a voice sounds from atop the battlements. See how the savage scurries back after an ignoble defeat. Truly a disgrace to the Empire. Shielding my eyes from the afternoon sun, I glance up and see a typical arrogant noble popinjay standing on the battlements with his nose pointed towards the sky, mocking without deigning to even look in my general direction. Head high, shoulders square, chest out, and back arched, the nondescript young man carries himself with the standard pretentious posture of someone born into nobility, a milk-skinned brat whos probably never had to pour his own tea, much less fight for his life. His verdant silk robes flutter in the wind as he stands there with his lightly powdered face and nary a hair out of place, thanks to a pair of soldiers holding up a canopy to provide him with shade while a third soldier guards against the heat using a massively oversized fan.

I dont even know him and I already dont like him. I bet he even positioned himself there so the sun shines in my eyes while we talk, a literal play for power because standing on top of a wall wasnt enough. Theres probably a bunch of other stuff I havent noticed too, as nobles and their ilk love their little games of clever insults and calculated contempt, which I dont really get. From what I understand, hurling expletives and outright slander is vulgar and low brow, but a harmless remark which might be interpreted as offensive is the height of sophistication.

Take his comment for example. Were I to rise to the bait, he would simply laugh and claim it a part of a poem he was composing or the title for a painting or song. Worse, by taking offence at his seemingly innocuous statement, I not only lose face for being overly sensitive, but it also shows I equate myself with a scurrying savage and accept the criticism as true. Nobles sometimes have hours of dinner conversation where every line is laced with insults and disrespect, but the first one to lose their temper or leave is considered defeated, a bunch of high-brow nonsense I have no patience for.

Unfortunately for the popinjay, no one told him I dont play by their rules and his sky-turned gaze fails to notice I dont stop to chat. Im a good distance away before someone thinks to inform their cloud-gazing young master Ive ridden away, though Im still close enough to hear him screech, You dare ignore me?, along with the other customary questions and statements that follow. Even his tantrums sound rehearsed and commonplace, hitting all the regular notes like Do you know who I am?, Are you deaf?, and my favourite, I did not give you permission to leave!.

His incredulous statements soon turns to meaningless babble, ranting about how I must think myself clever and how things will soon change. I have no idea what hes going on about, so I continue riding on my merry way, moving at a nice, moderate quin walk. Sadly, the popinjay isnt very good at the game of subtle insults and has a poor temper to boot, for just as Im riding out of earshot, I hear him yell, Falling Rain, you coward! Come back and face me!

Who commands here, officer?

Uh oh. He seems mad. Snapping off a military salute, I model my answer after what I think Red One would say. Replying to Colonel, you do. Err... that is to say you, Colonel Hongji, is who holds command here. Whom holds command? Sir.

Covering his mouth to cough, Hongji recovers and says, So you did know. Which means these soldiers gathered here are mine to command, and mine to punish. Giving me his best glare, Hongji jabs me in the chest with a steel finger. So what gives you the right to punish my soldiers?

Replying to Colonel, I would not dare. I, not this one, since the Legates panties would twist in a bunch if I dared lower myself as such, and not Imperial Consort to show Im not treating this as a formal matter. Or at least, thats my intention and how he should read it. Im getting the hang of this politics thing, but its still hit or miss most of the time.

You dont dare? Hmph. Gesturing at the bloody box, he roars, Then explain this! Happy to share how clever Ive become, I keep a straight face while summarizing my encounter with Gulong. Quickly catching on, Hongji asks me to repeat our exchange word for word. Despite knowing Im in the clear, he confirms that Id be willing to swear an Oath to back my statements, though falls short of asking for one, and only then does he sigh in relief. Slumping into his armchair, he gestures for me to sit and dabs his brow while bellowing orders for someone to bring tea, utterly ruining his calm and stoic Tiger General appearance from earlier.

I dont understand why hes so stressed about one measly Situ brat losing a replaceable tongue but I know better than to ask. Flipping the tongue box closed, I hand him my reports before explaining my findings over hot tea and fresh pastries. ...so on the advice from my remaining Experts, I request permission to delay until replacements arrive before going back out on patrol. Abjiya and Jigari are great Healers, but theyre not even close to Taduks level, so theyll be taking Jochi and Tenjin along with the other injured back to SuiHua as soon as Hongji issues the proper papers.

An Awakened Demon so strong even your Experts could not kill it... Most unsettling. Shaking his head while writing out the travel passes, he adds, Fortunately, you escaped without incurring significant losses. I fear the plains west of Sinuji are littered with corpses of those who cannot say the same. Too many Demons being born these days, at least one a day so I hear. Feeling guilty for not telling him about GangShus intervention, I keep my mouth shut and nod along. The sexy rat daddy was adamant I leave his part out of the official reports, because he reports to whichever poor bastard the Emperor hated enough to put in charge of Divinities.

After settling where my retinue will camp and where I fit in the command structure, Hongji hands me the freshly stamped passes and Sends, Tread carefully, young hero. The Society of Heaven and Earth has friends in high places. The matter with Situ Ji Jing should have been plain and simple, for he built himself a grand funeral pyre and climbed inside, but rather than setting it alight as he should have, the Justicar ordered Ji Jing lashed and dishonourably discharged. Seven hundred soldiers left to die and the boy walks away with a light beating, an affront to career soldiers across the Empire, but my hands are tied. Now this matter with Gulong... Might I suggest you request permission to pay your family a visit? Or perhaps an audience with your benefactor, though if you do, I caution you to temper your expectations.

It takes a second to remember who Ji Jing is and what Hongji is talking about, but for the life of me, I cant figure out why hes telling me about Ji Yeons brother. I certainly had nothing to do with it, though I can see why Hongji isnt happy about how things went down, but why should I run away to Baatar and Akanai or ask the Legate for help with Gulong? Misreading my confusion as disbelief, Hongji Sends, Remember, the Justicars dispense justice, but it is the Emperor who decides what is just. I doubt he means the Emperor is backing the Situ Clan, but I suppose someone Imperial might be. Nodding despite not entirely understanding, I thank him for his hospitality and turn to leave, but Hongji isnt done. Clapping me on the shoulder, he personally sees me out of the tent, which is a big deal according to Luo-Luo, and Sends, I offer you my full support, but I fear if you are ever in a position to require it, then we are already doomed.

Well, thats not ominous or anything.

Still, I like Hongji. A soldier through and through, he does right by the people under his command, even if he doesnt like them. If I had laid a finger on Gulong, the good Colonel would have had me lashed or whatever the punishment is, not because hes afraid of the Society or whoever backs them, but because it wouldve been the right thing to do. The Empire needs more no nonsense soldiers like Hongji and Im proud to serve beneath him.

Oh, I remember Gulong now! I punched him unconscious before interrogating Ji Yeon during the Societys Contests. I wasnt great at it back then, so he lost a lot of teeth before passing out.

...

Am I the bad guy?

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