Told You I Can Turn Back Time
Chapter 66 - 66 66 Splitting Forces into Four Paths Continuing 5 more updates please subscribe and ask for monthly passes

66: Chapter 66 Splitting Forces into Four Paths (Continuing 5 more updates, please subscribe and ask for monthly passes) 66: Chapter 66 Splitting Forces into Four Paths (Continuing 5 more updates, please subscribe and ask for monthly passes) Lin Xing followed Zhao Yuan back to Commander Mansion, and along the way, Zhao Yuan also inquired about the identity of the Puppet Girl beside them.

Lin Xing explained that he had found her after suppressing the evil spirits, and because she lacked the ability to take care of herself and had lost all her relatives, he had taken her under his wing to look after her.

Zhao Yuan simply assumed the Puppet Girl was a new servant girl Lin Xing had taken in, noting that although she was excessively beautiful, she was ultimately not the focus of his quest to find Lin Xing.

“Lin Xing, a great battle is imminent.

You and I have both earned our military achievements with spear and sword, and we should support each other even more in the future…”

In his conversation, Zhao Yuan clearly intended to win Lin Xing over to his side.

Upon entering the hall of Commander Mansion, Lin Xing discovered that Commander Zhang, Zhu Fen, Song Yi, and many other officers were already present.

Commander Zhang was at that moment arranging troops on a map of East Cliff Prefecture.

Upon seeing Lin Xing arrive, Commander Zhang laughed loudly, “Lin Xing, you’ve returned at just the right time.

I thought your trip to Wang Family Town would take four or five days at least, but you’ve come back so quickly.”

“Tell us, what exactly is this ghostly affair all about?”

Lin Xing spoke, “It was the Zhou family’s tutor who secretly worshiped an evil land, nurturing evil spirits…”

Listening to Lin Xing’s detailed account, the people at the scene showed reactions of surprise, reflection, and some of disbelief.

In the end, Commander Zhang sighed, “I used to regard the talk of evil spirits as nothing more than rural gossip not to be believed, but it turns out they really do exist in this world.”

“However, it seems that the danger of these evil spirits is, after all, no match for human hearts.”

He then said, “Now that the evil spirits have been suppressed, join us in sweeping away the wicked cults.”

In Commander Zhang’s plan, the troops were to be split into four groups to sweep through several strongholds of malign forces within Dongya Prefecture, ultimately converging in Upper River County.

Commander Zhang himself would personally lead one group, with Zhao Yuan and Song Yi each leading another.

Lin Xing would lead another group, with Zhu Fen serving as his deputy.

Upon hearing this assignment, Zhu Fen exclaimed in surprise, “Brother-in-law!”

Commander Zhang frowned and glanced at him with a gaze sharp as a knife.

Zhu Fen’s body trembled, and swallowing hard he said, “Commander, the soldiers under me have been spoiled by my leniency; they are all unruly and may be difficult to command under Mr.

Lin.”

Commander Zhang replied indifferently, “That’s why I’m assigning you as Lin Xing’s aide, to help him command, isn’t it?”

Zhu Fen’s face flushed red, and he somewhat annoyedly pointed to himself and then to Lin Xing, “Me, his assistant?”

Commander Zhang tilted his head to look at him, his eyes showing a hint of impatience, “What?

Do you intend to disobey my military orders?”

Feeling the razor-sharp gaze sweep over him, Zhu Fen recoiled and hurriedly claimed he wouldn’t dare.

Next, Commander Zhang went on to discuss the arrangements for each group in detail.

While he was speaking, a trusted aide rushed in.

“Commander, a letter has arrived from the administrative office of Dongjiang Province.”

Hearing this, the room went silent instantly, everyone quietly watching Commander Zhang take the letter.

Commander Zhang read the content of the letter with no change in expression, and after a moment, he set aside the missive as if nothing had happened and continued to talk about the battle plan.

Curiosity flickered in Lin Xing’s eyes as he asked Zhao Yuan in a low voice, “This administrative office of Dongjiang Province…”

Zhao Yuan snorted, “That gang of scholars at the provincial administrative office can’t fight a battle to save their lives; all they know is to demand ceaselessly.

If we listen to them, it’ll be the end of us…”

Commander Zhang shot a glance at the two men, “Both of you, pay attention to what I’m saying.”

In the blink of an eye, the meeting concluded, and after understanding their individual tasks, everyone dispersed.

Lin Xing, however, volunteered to stay behind.

Although Commander Zhang initially thought Lin Xing stayed for some important matter, he soon realized Lin Xing was actually persuading him to stop burning people alive and to discipline his troops, strengthening public security instead…

Looking at Lin Xing’s earnest and straightforward demeanor, Commander Zhang couldn’t help scratching his head, just feeling troubled.

The great battle was imminent, and he had no intention to deal with these matters right now.

But since Lin Xing was one of his top generals, at this critical juncture he didn’t want to argue either, and so he casually agreed to a few things and let Lin Xing leave.

Afterwards, only Zhu Fen and the Commander remained in the hall.

Watching Lin Xing’s retreating figure, Commander Zhang, massaging his temples, said, “The boy is all right in every other aspect, it’s just that he’s too young and has too much of a woman’s kindness.

With all the stubborn and unruly citizens in Dongya Prefecture, if we don’t administer harsh measures, how can we command respect?”

Zhu Fen whispered, “Exactly, brother-in-law, I’m just afraid that Lin Xing is too young and inexperienced, plus his ambiguous dealings with that Evil Woman from the heretical sect; if he goes soft on the battlefield, it could ruin your grand plans…”

Not giving him a chance to continue, Commander Zhang coldly interrupted, “You did quite well quelling the rebellious citizens on your mission.”

Zhu Fen had just begun to reveal a slight smile, but upon hearing Commander Zhang’s following words, he felt as though a chilling wind had swept over him, sending a cold sweat down his back.

Commander Zhang then said, “You’ve made a tidy sum, haven’t you?

I’ve heard you even accused several big households of heresy in order to seize their lands and deeds, selling off their wives, daughters, and servants.

Quite the money-maker.”

Zhu Fen hurriedly explained, “Brother-in-law, let me tell you…”

A massive, bloodbath-like aura burst forth from Commander Zhang, as if blades against Zhu Fen’s throat, stopping him from saying any more.

Commander Zhang looked at him coolly and said, “You don’t need to explain.

Why explain?

A little money is nothing to fuss over; we’re all brothers here.

You could make even more, and I could still turn a blind eye.”

“But there’s one fatal mistake you just should not have made while under my command.”

With murderous intent enveloping the room, Zhu Fen fell to his knees, terrified, “Brother, brother-in-law, I didn’t…”

Commander Zhang sternly declared, “I, Zhang Tiande, have neither the backing of a powerful family nor the tutelage of any of the nine major factions.

What can I rely on?”

Pointing in the direction of the barracks outside the hall, he continued, “These years, I’ve relied on the loyalty of my men, on the soldiers risking their lives, on the territory we’ve fought for inch by inch together.”

“To drink their blood is to drink my blood.”

“I am giving you one day.

Before the army sets out, settle all the unpaid soldiers’ wages in full.”

After Zhu Fen left, a faint flush crossed Commander Zhang’s cheeks as if his internal injuries had been agitated, but he quickly suppressed it.

He glanced at where everyone had been sitting or standing just a moment before and instructed one of the servants standing by, “Clean everything up.”

…

Not long after, in a courtyard of the Commander Mansion,

Zhu Fen knelt on the ground, crying to a woman, “Sister, how old am I?

How many years have I fought alongside Zhang Tiande?

And now he wants me to assist that little brat Lin Xing?

He’s clearly planning to strip me of my military power!”

The woman sitting in front of Zhu Fen, a plump and stately middle-aged lady, was none other than Ms.

Zhu, Commander Zhang’s lawful wife.

Hearing her brother’s complaints, Ms.

Zhu laughed and said, “You know what kind of person Tiande is.

He’s never been one to shortchange his own people.

You do this job well for him, and afterward, I will speak to him on your behalf.”

“Big sister!

Why must we always beg him?” Zhu Fen retorted indignantly, “With Zhang Tiande coming from a three-generation family of peasants, if it wasn’t for our Zhu family scraping together money to buy him guns and recruit people, even bribery for an official title on his behalf, would he have his status today?”

“And now, after marrying eight concubines over the years, he wants to take away my military power.

Isn’t that ingratitude after crossing the river?”

As she listened to her brother, Ms.

Zhu’s expression also began to darken.

Watching her brother, whom she had cherished since he was little, Ms.

Zhu reprimanded, “Stop badmouthing your brother-in-law in front of me.

He’s told me all about your misdeeds.

Knowing what he hates most, why did you still do such things?”

“You need to do your job well this time, strive for merit, then I can speak for you.”

After being chastised, Zhu Fen left the courtyard with a look of anger, his eyes carrying traces of deep resentment.