The man who had previously read out the transfer order and appointment document stepped forward, cupped his fists in both hands, bent slightly at the waist, and declared loudly, "Captain Yan, I am General Banner Officer Zhang Long. These are all brothers under my command. From now on, they are all soldiers under your hand, ready to be deployed as you see fit!"
The several Imperial Guards standing behind him were all dressed in Flying Fish Robes, Spring Embroidered Sabers hanging at their waists. At his words, they stepped forward in unison, their movements perfectly synchronized. As they cupped their fists, they said in deep voices, "Greetings, Captain Yan!"
One of them even bowed deeply, his tone earnest yet carrying a trace of deliberate respect.
"Under Captain Yan's leadership from this day forth, we shall exhaust our hearts and strength, bow and toil until death! We will never fail your trust, nor disappoint the expectations of the Imperial Court!"
Led by Zhang Long, this group of Imperial Guards then introduced themselves one by one. Their words dripped with flattery, as though they wished they could heap every possible compliment upon Yan Shuangfei.
They knew it as clearly as a mirror: the man before them was their new direct superior, holding their promotions and fortunes in his hands.
If they displeased him in the slightest, forget about being made to wear small shoes or having obstacles thrown in their path—even being casually dispatched to some bitterly cold wasteland would make life unbearable.
Listening to the waves of praise rising around him, Yan Shuangfei's expression did not change. He merely raised a hand lightly. "Enough. We are all brothers here. No need for such ceremony."
With that, he swung himself onto his horse. Turning his wrist, he gently tugged the reins with