Chapter Forty-Eight: Astonishment

“From this day forth, this land belongs to you!”
Erik handed the land grant to the soldier before him. Seeing the man’s beaming face, he felt a certain disdain within, yet he had to feign appreciation. There was no other way—his team’s abilities only allowed them to complete such trivial tasks.

He glanced toward Gariville in the distance. The captain wore a broad smile, busy with the same work as himself.

The task was simple, but each grant only awarded three contribution points! Their entire team had barely scraped together over two thousand points from the group of refugees they’d found earlier. At this rate, when would they ever amass the ten thousand needed to make the exchange?

After issuing grants to another fifty or so soldiers, the members of the Shadow Team gathered together.
“Boss, if we keep going like this, we won’t have enough even when the scenario ends.”
“Yeah, maybe we should search for more refugees nearby.”
“How would we even find them?” Gariville looked helpless. “Last time was pure luck—we were hunting for contract holders to recruit and stumbled on those refugees by accident. The main force was still in training and hadn’t moved out!”

“Now all four divisions are sweeping the area for Han forces. If they encounter refugees, do you think they’ll let them go? Such coincidences won’t happen again, you understand?”
Gariville picked up the mission briefing. “This new task—measuring land—may offer a good reward, but it requires going outside. Yang Wentian’s scouts just suffered heavy losses; it’s not safe out there for us. Recruitment also means leaving camp. As for donating supplies, what do we have to offer?”

“I heard Charles donated a team formation scroll,” Moronov said.
“What good does that do us? We don’t have one.”
“Give him the team itself.” Moronov looked at his partner. “This is a good opportunity. Merging teams grants substantial experience—he won’t have to start from scratch, saving a lot of effort.”

“And what about us? Join his team and be swallowed up?” Gariville retorted.
“Just form a new team after the scenario ends. What’s so difficult about that? Skills and perks will need to be rebuilt, but so what? Do you really think those skills matter?”

“If we can sell the team’s experience for a good price and exchange it for equipment and goods we actually need, then the team can finally escape its current plight and have a shot at real growth.” Moronov looked at his old friend earnestly. “This may be our last chance.”

----

“How were they captured?”

“They rushed straight into our camp and were caught instantly.”

This conversation took place in Zhang Xiong’s camp, between Yang Wentian and Zhang Xiong.

After the attack on the scouts, Wang Luo had refused the suggestion to pull them back, instead deciding to send more men.

“The dangers of poor reconnaissance have already been demonstrated to us by Huangfu Song. I don’t want my troops ambushed. The scout units must spread out—if there’s danger, they move in groups. If I don’t have enough men, I’ll provide more!”

Thus, Yang Wentian, following Wang Luo’s orders, made the rounds of the various field units. Along the way, he received further reports of scouts killed, souring his mood. But when he reached Zhang Xiong, he heard unexpected good news: Zhang Xiong had just captured a group of contract holder prisoners.

“None of you are from Wuzhou? What’s going on?” Yang Wentian knew that Charles and Gariville had tried to recruit Han contract holders outside the Wuzhou teams. Were these men attempting to defect by such means?

After questioning several people, he learned that they’d mistaken the camp for a small force and charged in, only to—
“Couldn’t you see how many men were here? This isn’t a camp for a small detachment, is it?”

“The intel said this was originally a base for a large force, but they’d left, leaving only a handful of Yellow Turban soldiers behind.” The prisoner’s face was mournful. “No one in our group has the scouting talent anymore.”

They’d all been burned alive, Yang Wentian recalled, thinking of the great fire in the valley.
Too bad he hadn’t been there. According to Wang Luo, he hadn’t bothered to thoroughly search the battlefield, rushing straight to the main camp. If only he’d been there… but then again, he wouldn’t have braved the flames for loot.

Wait, they said their intel was that this was a small force. What was really going on?

“So, was this information given to you by someone from Wuzhou?”
The prisoner glanced at a burly, dejected Han. “Yes.”

“Looks like you were betrayed. Are you willing to surrender?” Yang Wentian asked.
“If our captain agrees.”

Yang Wentian turned, about to ask the captain, when another possibility struck him.

----

“Could the Wuzhou people have done this deliberately? Used these men to draw our attention, while striking another target?”

----

“No, I can’t let you lead troops out.”

In the main camp, Wang Luo denied Zhou Yingxiong’s request to lead an expedition. Zhou Yingxiong didn’t leave nor speak; he merely gazed at his friend.

“There are plenty of other tasks for you,” Wang Luo explained.
“Building the team must respect objective reality. I’ve drafted an action plan: the next step is distributing land to poor soldiers and peasants. I’ve also outlined a spiritual pursuit—denying inheritance rights and attempting to establish a new regime. Material progress must be matched by spiritual change, working in tandem. There are many tasks that need you; I can’t let you go.”

So Zhou Yingxiong sat down, his expression relaxing. “What do you need me to do?”

“Supervise the soldiers’ regular training, grievance sessions, and educational activities.” Wang Luo looked at him candidly. “It’s not much more than you’re already doing. I’ve given you the curriculum: analysis of Han social classes, ‘A spark can start a prairie fire,’ and The Art of War. They don’t need to fully understand it; just recite it regularly.”

“I don’t trust Charles,” Zhou Yingxiong said slowly. “He might be two-faced.”

“Oh? Why?”

“My men saw Han contract holders entering his tent. That woman beside you, Zhou Suyan, she’s also visited him.”

“I see.” Wang Luo smiled. “Still, they know nothing important. Thank you for the warning.”

Zhou Yingxiong stood up slowly, keeping his eyes fixed on Wang Luo throughout. “You’re smarter than all of us. Since you’re aware, I’ll say no more. As you wish, I’ll train the soldiers well.”

“Good. I’ll also need you to strengthen the camp’s defenses. By the way, what’s your view on the team?”

“You’re the leader—you decide. I’ll carry out your orders.”