Chapter 1780: Tough as Nails
Chapter 1780: Chapter 1780: Tough as Nails
"Beast, beast! How dare they do this? How dare they!"
A girl not yet grown, still a daughter of a Scholar’s Family, was so brutally killed by a group of beasts!
Qiu Troop Commander recalled when he led the troops to fight the Rong people a few months ago, thinking that as long as they repelled the Rong people, the people of the Northwest could live a good life.
But looking at the rotting corpse lying in the coffin, and then at the young child kneeling by the coffin, their desperate battle against the enemy had become a joke.
They failed to protect these unfortunate people, who escaped the chaos of war and avoided poisonous insects, yet they were harmed by their own people.
And the leader of these villains was his trusted sworn brother... Second Brother Tang dared act so recklessly, there must be a reason.
"Where is Tang Zhongzhou? I must see him!" Qiu Troop Commander asked angrily, eyes red with rage, eager to see County Captain Tang, to ask his good brother why he did such a thing?!
Company Commander Jia hurriedly said, "Lord Troop Commander is right, we should first see County Captain Tang... This case cannot be judged based on one side’s story, we must hear what County Captain Tang has to say."
Niu Dabao sneered, "You really know how to distort the truth. Our San Lang has already presented the evidence to Qiu Troop Commander, how can you then say this is merely one side’s story? What are your intentions with such words?!"
Company Commander Jia was startled, regretting what he had just said, and quickly bowed his head to apologize, "My apologies, Uncle, I was being overly talkative."
In his heart, he was thinking of how to remind County Captain Tang not to implicate him and Company Commander Qian when Qiu Troop Commander met with him.
"Peh, what uncle? I’m not even forty, and you look well over thirty, how dare you call me uncle?" Niu Dabao disdainfully rebuked Company Commander Jia. Each Company Commander who called him uncle was a heroic youth with great military achievements, handsome in appearance, unlike this old and ugly Jia!
Company Commander Jia’s face turned dark, almost distorted... Damn Niu, just wait till I make a comeback, I’ll have your life!
"Company Commander Jia, mind your words." Qiu Troop Commander warned him, then turned to Qin San Lang, saying, "Take me to see Tang Zhongzhou."
He must see Tang Zhongzhou, to ask him in person why he did this?
"Mm." Qin San Lang led Qiu Troop Commander to a large tent behind the Punishment Room courtyard: "The old house hasn’t been repaired for years, fearing any accidents, a tent was specially set aside for County Captain Tang."
In reality, it was to prevent Tang from committing suicide by hitting the wall, hence a collapsible tent that wouldn’t cause injury was used to detain him.
The entire tent was guarded by a team of Section Leaders, and inside, two soldiers watched without blinking, ensuring the safety of Tang.
If Tang died, many issues would be hard to clarify.
"Please, Qiu Troop Commander." Qin San Lang did not enter, just stood outside the tent waiting.
Company Commander Jia followed Qiu Troop Commander inside.
Qiu Troop Commander frowned but said nothing, striding into the tent.
The two soldiers inside, having heard Qin San Lang’s conversation with Qiu Troop Commander, knew it was Qiu Troop Commander who had arrived, stood up and respectfully saluted him with clasped hands, but did not leave.
As a joke, if they left and Tang died inside, it would be catastrophic.
Company Commander Jia rebuked them, "Lord Troop Commander wants to question, you two leave."
The two soldiers did not move, continuing to hold their swords and stand guard.
Company Commander Jia, enraged, wanted to rush over to drive the soldiers away, but was stopped by Qiu Troop Commander: "Stop, this is their duty. Besides, you are not their Company Commander, do you intend to overstep your authority?"
This remark carried a hint of rebuke for Company Commander Jia, indirectly accusing him of overstepping his authority in secret.
But Company Commander Jia didn’t understand, as County Captain Tang moved.
He hurried over, grabbing County Captain Tang’s arm, but at the same time, his own arm was grabbed by Qiu Troop Commander, who pulled him away from County Captain Tang.
Company Commander Jia was shocked, turned to look at Qiu Troop Commander, fearing that Qiu Troop Commander would notice his emotions and small actions, quickly smiled and said, "Sir, I saw County Captain Tang was badly injured and wanted to give him some medicine."
Qiu Troop Commander sneered, medicine for Tang Zhongzhou? What medicine, poison perhaps? Do you think that once Tang Zhongzhou is dead, your collusion with him can be concealed?
But Qiu Troop Commander didn’t say this, only ordering, "Stand in the back."
"... Yes." No matter how reluctantly, Company Commander Jia could only step back.
County Captain Tang had already awakened, he wasn’t actually injured, but Qin San Lang, fearing he might take his own life, had been administering him a small amount of sedative continuously.
When he saw Qiu Troop Commander, his eyes brightened, he started mumbling.
Qiu Troop Commander removed the coarse cloth from his mouth, looked at him and called out, "Second Brother Tang."
County Captain Tang, originally anxious, heard this call and immediately tears fell, choking with sobs, he said, "Fifth Brother, Second Brother is innocent... This life, Second Brother hasn’t been able to go to battle to achieve his ambitions, but Second Brother has lived honorably, he cannot be wronged by a group of ambitious youths seeking merit!"
Unable to go to battle and realize his ambitions?
Is this a reminder of the time he blocked a sword for him?
Due to that sword strike, injuring the tendons, Tang Zhongzhou’s arm could no longer exert great force, and ultimately, they collectively helped him obtain the position of County Captain, ensuring his life was secure.
But was that not enough? He still chose to harm others!
Qiu Troop Commander squatted down, looking at County Captain Tang, after a full moment, he smiled and asked, "In Second Brother’s eyes, have I always been this foolish?"
County Captain Tang was frightened: "Fifth Brother, why do you say this? Second Brother has always regarded you as a real brother, even Tang Si once argued with me over this."
This Tang Si was County Captain Tang’s own brother.
These words in the past would have touched Qiu Troop Commander deeply, but now... Tang Si is just a useless person living off Tang Zhongzhou, while he, Chou Manwu, is a Troop Commander, someone who could assist Tang Zhongzhou.
So, does Tang Zhongzhou treat him better than Tang Si because of sentiment? More likely, it’s for benefit.
Qiu Troop Commander felt pained, but still held County Captain Tang’s arm, looking at him and asking, "Second Brother, I have always remembered your kindness, but can you tell me a single truth?"
County Captain Tang was startled, "Fifth Brother, what do you mean? Don’t you trust Second Brother?"
Still not admitting?
After hearing this, Qiu Troop Commander felt not just disappointment, "Second Brother, do you know your actions could ruin me, ruin my entire family!"
Qiu Troop Commander suppressed his anger, asking for the last time, "Second Brother, you’ve dragged my entire family into this, yet you’re unwilling to give me a single truth?"
County Captain Tang, skilled in these dealings, not only refused to speak the truth but also questioned Qiu Troop Commander, "Fifth Brother, are you still my Fifth Brother? Second Brother has been falsely accused and detained, instead of thinking to seek justice for Second Brother, you force Second Brother to confess, do you want to kill Second Brother?!"
"I want to kill you? Clearly, it’s you who wants to kill me!" Qiu Troop Commander, utterly furious, glared at County Captain Tang, pointing outside the tent, "Do you realize others have long since investigated your misdeeds, holding evidence, a large number of witnesses, and a corpse as testimony!"