Cui Rong could not help recalling the day Chen Ye had humiliated him in public.
A commoner retainer who had wormed his way in through the Martial Examination had actually dared to embarrass him before everyone.
Today was the perfect chance to collect part of that debt.
"Aren't you quite the fighter? What does that count for? I have a thousand ways to toy with you at my leisure. Since you've entered the service of the Cui Family, you ought to know your place."
Cui Rong considered for a moment, then summoned his steward and instructed him in a low voice, "We brought over two hundred Servant Soldiers from the Capital City. Divide them into three units.
"Form the strong, sturdy ones into two units, and place them under Yan Zhang and Cai Shangping of the Black Guard, respectively.
"Let that retainer Chen Ye command the remaining unit of men with ordinary physiques.
"All three will serve provisionally as Military Sima and answer directly to me."
Doesn't that bastard Chen Ye want to steal the limelight?
Fine, I'll grant his wish.
I'll give him a post as Military Sima and put him in charge of those seventy or eighty ragtag troops transferred from Jingkou. That should give him a proper taste of 'seasoning.'
The steward was taken aback. He said hesitantly, "Young master, those Servant Soldiers are all tenant farmers conscripted from Jingkou, hardly fit for serious service. Retainer Chen is young and has never established any prestige. If we send him there, I fear he won't command their respect or keep them in line."
"What is there to fear?" Cui Rong sneered. "Since he placed first in the Martial Examination, surely he has that much ability. Just deliver the order."
The steward dared say no more. He bowed in