The Demon Lords

Chapter 794 175: Strong Wind_1

Yesterday, Ran Min and a few of his men went to the most famous Quande Building roast duck restaurant in the capital and had roast duck.

Such an expensive duck, one for each person, left their mouths dripping with oil.

Next, Ran Min treated everyone to a jaunt at the "red tents" in the capital.

Actually, they hadn't planned on going to the red tents initially. Since they were already in the capital, they figured they should have some fun in more respectable establishments to make it truly satisfying.

However, the issue arose when they arrived at a particular pavilion. Ran Min was well-traveled and had seen his share of the world, but his men's legs practically started cramping up. They begged Ran Min to find another place without even glancing at the girls.

The truth was, the place was too pristine and opulent. These men, all of humble, rustic origins, felt that even if they were to embrace the courtesans inside, they'd be too uptight to relax and enjoy themselves. It would be a real joke if the tension in their minds caused a... lack of tension elsewhere.

So, after arriving at Juchun Terrace full of anticipation, the group eagerly redirected themselves to Joy Alley in the northern part of the city.

"Red tents" was actually a colloquial term for such establishments. In many places, a red curtain hung at the entrance of a tent signified that the women inside were in the flesh trade. It was similar to how, in later times, some establishments might display a "hair salon" sign but lack even a single pair of scissors inside; they exuded an air of simplicity, genuineness, friendliness, and tranquility.

Because he had killed a chieftain of the wild people, Ran Min not only received a handsome reward in silver but, upon being inducted into the Jingnan Army, was also directly appointed as a Squad Leader, commanding a dozen or so men.

His current trip to Yanjing was because the war had reached a temporary lull. During this time, there was a constant need to ferry messages and documents back and forth between the front lines and the capital. Ran Min's unit was tasked with escorting an official from the Ministry of War, who had participated in frontline negotiations, back to the capital to report. Their return journey was scheduled to begin in three days, which afforded them a few days of leisure.

The people of Yanjing loved to put on airs and be boisterous. To put it bluntly, they possessed an inherent pride, which was a microcosm of the prevailing mindset of the entire Yan State populace at the time.

When Ran Min and his soldiers, clad in Jingnan Army armor, were eating, other diners would invariably pay their bill in advance, then clasp their hands in a salute and say, "Brothers, eat and drink your fill! I, Old De, didn't make it to the battlefield, but I can at least treat you fighting men to a meal. I hope you'll all do me this honor."

Regardless of whether their wives would scold them upon their return, today, they had to put on this grand display!

The funniest thing was when Ran Min and his men went to the "red tents." They initially had to queue, presumably for tea or tokens. However, when the mix of older and younger men already waiting in line with their tokens saw their armor, they immediately insisted that the soldiers go first. Even the madam of the establishment gave them a twenty percent discount. Furthermore, one of the younger lads in their group, who was particularly quick, was allowed a second round at no extra charge.

After a few days of merrymaking, they had spent a considerable amount of silver, but no one felt any regret. After all, it was money earned by risking their lives, so it was only natural to spend it with abandon.

Most of Ran Min's men hailed from other commanderies within the Yan State. Two were Jin people who had been incorporated into their ranks. Only Ran Min himself was a native of Tiancheng Commandery. These days, his men were utterly smitten with Yanjing. They all dreamed that after achieving higher ranks and earning more silver in the wars, they could buy a small courtyard house in Yanjing and retire there. The dreams of a soldier were often just that simple and unpretentious.

Of course, this was also because the city itself, and the prevailing atmosphere in the Yan State, afforded these soldiers a great deal of respect.

In the Qian State, the common folk had initially referred to soldiers as "bastards." Consequently, in the war between Yan and Qian, the Qian army often collapsed at the first sign of conflict. Now, the emperor of the Qian State was attempting to suppress the scholar-bureaucrats and elevate the status of military officials. What he truly desired was to foster an atmosphere similar to that in the Yan State, where people "rejoiced at the news of war."

Ran Min had also intentionally sent someone to Nan'an County with some silver for the constable he had once considered his little brother. It wasn't much silver. Ran Min knew that a constable's position wouldn't lead to great wealth, but it certainly wasn't without its own benefits. He sent the silver merely as a token of his regard. I've already been promoted from a prisoner soldier to a regular in the Jingnan Army, he thought. In another two or three years, when my position is a bit higher, I'll truly be able to look out for you.

Nan'an County wasn't far from the capital, and the messenger Ran Min had dispatched did his best, riding swiftly there and back. On the eve of their scheduled departure for Ying Capital City the next morning, Ran Min met with the messenger again. The man reported that the constable in Nan'an County was no longer there. He had apparently married a butcher's daughter from the county town and taken the young woman back to his hometown.

Upon hearing the news, Ran Min didn't say anything else. He was leaving Yanjing the next day and had no time to search for his young friend for now. All he could do was sigh. If fate wills it, we'll meet again someday, he thought.

「Early the next morning,」 Ran Min led his men out of the capital to the training grounds outside the city for muster.

Unbeknownst to them, as they were leaving the inn, Ji Chengjue was sitting on the second floor of the teahouse across the street, watching them depart.

Master Zhang, sitting opposite Ji Chengjue and pouring him tea, said with a smile, "Master, this fellow seems quite decent."

Ji Chengjue mused with a small smile. This Ran Min even remembered to send me some spending money. He truly values fellowship.

Master Zhang continued, "It hasn't been long at all. After just one campaign, he's gone from a prisoner soldier to a Squad Leader in the regular army. Given time, he might just become another Lord Pingye."

Ji Chengjue shook his head and said,