Ambushes Everywhere

"This man, Zhang Meng, was formerly a Captain of the Tiger Might Battalion. His so-called abandonment of duty was in fact to save comrades surrounded by a wolf pack. Though he was punished afterward, his circumstances were pitiable and his courage commendable!"

"This man, Sun Ji, was formerly a squad leader in the Assault Battalion. His so-called assault on a superior was because that superior had withheld the death benefits of brothers who fell in battle, and in his fury, he struck out. He was flogged afterward, and that superior was investigated as well!"

"This man, Liu Sandao—his supposed drunken brawling is even more utter nonsense. He discovered someone in the army was secretly selling military equipment, so he feigned drunkenness to investigate, only to be falsely accused instead!"

He handed the document to Li Yan. "If Censor Li does not believe me, you may investigate the North Suppression Army in the Northern Frontier yourself. I selected them precisely because their hot blood has not yet gone cold—they value loyalty and brotherhood, and dare to act and take responsibility! What the Demon Suppression Army needs are men who can fight, dare to fight, and are loyal to their comrades—not timid cowards who seek only to protect themselves!"

Li Yan accepted the document and scanned it quickly, his expression shifting. He had not investigated these matters closely before.

"Third, Lei Ba and the others indeed did not come under orders from the Ministry of War."

Lu Chen continued, "However, His Majesty's decree permits me to select soldiers from among the good sons of the realm. Though Lei Ba and the others were once army thugs, they are all of clean family background, good-born men without serious wrongdoing. They possess martial skill, are willing to turn over a new leaf, and serve