You Mean You Want Me to Thank You?

Xiao Bingwen shook his head helplessly and said, "A bunch of useless trash. How many soldiers did you bring this time?"

Xiao Bang thought for a moment and said, "More than thirty thousand..."

Xiao Bingwen rolled his eyes and said:

"Over 30,000? You were captured by Black Wind Stronghold on the very first day?"

You're really something else. Enough said, you better behave yourself.

If you anger His Majesty, I'll treat you to a terrible beating.

Xiao Bang was raised by Xiao Bingwen, who also taught him Xiao Bingwen arts.

He's being as obedient as a grandson now.

He stepped forward and knelt down immediately. "I surrender, Your Majesty. I am willing to offer the Xiao Family Army to you."

Zhou Wanwan laughed and said, "Xiao Bang, you don't actually want to hand over the Xiao Family Army to me, you just want to curry favor with a powerful patron, don't you!"

Xiao Bang sighed helplessly:

"Then I'll tell you the truth, but please don't laugh at me. Our Xiao Family Army, at most, only has a little over 30,000 men."

For so many years, they have been guarding the border, enduring wind and sun, and fighting countless battles.

But the imperial court has long forgotten about us.

Not only were they not valued or treated well, but their food supplies were constantly running out, their weapons and armor were so worn they couldn't be repaired, and no one was willing to provide them with new ones.

Which of those people at the border isn't secretly laughing at us?

Everyone felt that Xiao Family Army was useless, had fallen on hard times, and would collapse sooner or later.

We are the people who risk our lives on the border to defend our country.

In the end, with no food, no equipment, and no one to rely on, their lives were harder than anyone else's.

Zhou Wanwan smiled faintly and said, "So what are your plans now?"

Xiao Bang looked at her and said, "If you're willing to take me in, I'll fight my way to Bianjing for you. My Xiao Family Army consists of warriors who can take on a hundred men each."

Xiao Bingshan slammed his fist hard on the head and said:

"Stop talking nonsense. A piece of trash like you, who faints the moment you see someone, still wants to fight your way to Bianjing?"

I've taught you so much military strategy, but you can't use any of it.

Xiao Bang wiped away his tears, feeling wronged.

"Second Uncle, I haven't eaten or drunk anything for three days. You have no idea how difficult the situation is outside right now."

I still listen to you. Even in such difficult circumstances, I haven't robbed any ordinary people.

Xiao Bingshan scoffed coldly, "So you mean I should thank you?"

Xiao Bang looked at him and said, "Then you may begin to thank me."

"Bang..." Xiao Bingshan punched him directly.

Zhou Wanwan looked at him and said, "What do you guys think? Should we keep this guy or not?"

Xiao Bingshan cupped his hands in greeting and said:

"Your Majesty, the Xiao Family Army has more than 30,000 men. They are all soldiers who have been trained and personally trained since childhood. They are all capable of fighting and have strict military discipline."

Most of the soldiers in the army were loyal, decisive, and extremely obedient to orders.

Although a very small number of people harbor resentment and slight dissatisfaction due to the constant hardship and neglect of the court, I am fully confident that I can personally persuade them.

As long as this humble general steps forward, explains the greater good and the advantages and disadvantages,

They will surely be willing to put aside their personal grudges and wholeheartedly assist us, serving His Majesty!

Zhou Wanwan looked at him and said, "Then I'll leave this matter to General Xiao. Next, we'll address the economic issues of our Black Wind Mountain Stronghold."

She said casually, "I'm planning to start a food delivery business..."

The officials of the entire court stared at each other blankly, then someone asked in a low voice, "What's 'takeout'?"

Hey! Do you think we understand?

"Anyway, whatever His Majesty says goes, we have no objections."

Zhou Wanwan said, "Then it's decided. That's enough, let's adjourn the court!"

Xiao Bang Xiao Bingshan dragged out by Xiao Bingshan looked at him and said, "Where are your soldiers?"

Xiao Bang shook his head and said:

"How would I know? I haven't known anything since I drank that wine."

Wow! Black Wind Stronghold is so big!

Xiao Bingshan looked at him and said, "You'd better keep your mouth shut, or your head will be rolling on the ground."

Xiao Bang quickly covered his mouth and said, "Second Uncle, you know I'm very good with my mouth. When you took me to steal food when I was little, I never told anyone at home."

Xiao Bingshan rolled his eyes and said, "Let's go, I'll have Shu take us down."

Xiao Bang followed Xiao Bingshan to a tree, and then saw that the tree simply lifted them up.

Xiao Bang screamed in terror, "Second Uncle... help me! This tree is alive!"

Xiao Bingshan glared at him and said, "Shut up! You've made me lose all face today. This is our mountain stronghold's tree man, what are you afraid of?"

Xiao Bang looked at the tree curiously and said:

"Isn't this the first time I've seen a tree that can walk?"

My God! How did they do that?!

Xiao Bingshan sneered, "Didn't you still want to attack the mountain stronghold? With your pathetic skills, you won't even be able to get up there."

Xiao Bang explained:

"What can I do? I don't know what to do! It's an imperial decree from above!"

Our Xiao Family ancestors said, "Loyalty and filial piety are the foundation of character; loyalty to the emperor and lord is paramount; and utmost loyalty to the country is essential until death!"

Xiao Bingshan sneered:

"Serving the country with utmost loyalty? That depends on which country you're serving and which ruler you're supporting! A ruler chooses his ministers, and a minister chooses his lord."

"That pleasure-seeking, incompetent good-for-nothing in the capital, does he deserve the lifelong loyalty of my Xiao Family? Does he deserve your blind devotion?"

Xiao Bang remained silent for a long while before muttering:

"It's better than you playing house here. The master you chose is quite formidable."

A six-year-old child, probably still drinking milk?

Uncle, you're so foolish!

Before he could finish speaking, the tree threw him off the mountain.

Xiao Bang tumbled down the mountain into the trap, yelling, "What is this thing? Why did it throw me down the mountain? Uncle, save me!"

Xiao Bingshan sneered and said, "I think you should stay here and calm down. You can just stay in the trap!"

Xiao Bang was on the verge of tears. "Second Uncle, please save me! Second Uncle, I'm still your nephew!"

Xiao Bingshan ignored him and went straight down the mountain.

When the Xiao Family Army saw Xiao Bingshan, they were all dumbfounded and stood frozen in place.

Everyone had the same thought in their minds: Hadn't it been rumored long ago that General Xiao had died in battle and heroically sacrificed his life? How could he be standing here alive?

Someone rubbed their eyes, took another look, and it was indeed their commander Xiao Bingshan.

"He's alive! It's General Xiao! It really is General Xiao!"

All of the Xiao Family Army knelt down in unison, shouting, "Your subordinates pay their respects to the General!"

Xiao Bingshan looked at the group of old subordinates who had followed him through thick and thin, and said in a deep voice:

I'm not going to lecture you with those grand principles.

I am no longer in the imperial court, but have taken refuge in the Black Wind Stronghold of Black Mountain.

I only have one question for you: are you willing to come up the mountain with me and start over?

Everyone roared in unison, "Your subordinates are willing to follow the general to the death! We will never betray you!"

Xiao Bingshan looked at the group of the Xiao Family Army and said, "Alright, let's go up the mountain."

Vice General Xiao couldn't help but ask, "May I ask, General Xiao, where has Young General Xiao gone?"