Rebirth of a Star General 109
The Prison
“I didn’t kill him.” He Yan stood up and faced them.
The recruit who found He Yan pointed at her fearfully and shouted, “Then who else did it?”
“I went to the martial arts field at night to practice crossbow and overheard someone going up Bai Yue Mountain. The situation was critical so I followed. After that I had a fight with him, he escaped and threw this brother down. When I came down to save the man, he was already dead.”
“This scimitar of yours, where did it come from?” Shen Han asked in a deep voice.
“It was owned by the other party, and he threw it along with the person.”
“Is he crazy? Giving away his weapon… Can you think before you lie?” Du Mao didn’t believe it.
“No, I think he’s smart,” He Yan said calmly, “Now, with this scimitar here, I’m the one under suspicion.”
The murder weapon was put in her hands, wouldn’t it be easy to put the blame on her head making her the murderer of the recruit?
Shen Han stared at He Yan, “When you went to the mountain, did you bring a weapon?”
“I brought an iron-headed stick.” He Yan said, “I lost it when I rolled down with this dead brother. The Chief Instructor should send someone to look for it, maybe they can find it.”
Shen Han instructed Liang Ping, “Bring someone to look for it. Be careful and send a signal.”
Liang Ping nodded his head and said yes.
He Yan felt a little tired and sat down on a rock. She was not fully healed, after experiencing a lot of tossing and turning today, her old wound on her waist was aching, so she really wanted to rest for a moment.
After a while, Liang Ping came back with the new soldiers and said to Shen Han, “Chief Instructor, no iron-headed stick was found.”
“I think he is lying,” Du Mao frowned, “He only brought this scimitar when he went up the mountain.”
He Yan sighed in her heart, thinking the other party was aiming at her, so obviously they wouldn’t leave a handle. Presumably, they must have picked up the iron-headed stick when she went to save the recruits.
However, she had also calculated to leave an advantage.
“I suspect this person is Hu Yuanzhong,” He Yan said, “When I fought with him, the iron-headed stick struck his right shoulder. Let’s just go back to the guardhouse to check whether he went out at night and whether he has a wound on his right shoulder.”
“Aren’t you just plotting something?” One of the recruits looked at her suspiciously.
He Yan shrugged, “I am unarmed and there are so many of you. Yet you are still afraid of me. I’m being falsely accused, making it easy for the wolf to mix in. If the actual murderer is mixed in the Liangzhou Guard, maybe you will be the next one to be assassinated.”
She did not speak too fast, but her tone was so cold that the recruit who spoke shook and did not dare to continue.
Ma Damei looked at Shen Han, “Chief instructor, this…” In all fairness, he still liked He Yan, such a young boy, so outstanding in all aspects, which was really rare. He was also cheerful and easy-going without any pretense, a likable person. But it was a matter of life and couldn’t be taken rashly.
“Let’s bring him back first and see if what he said is true.” Shen Han turned around and said, “Listen to my order, go down the mountain immediately.”
He Yan secretly breathed a sigh of relief. It was good that Shen Han was still a reasonable person and did not beat her to death.
When going down the mountain, probably because of the death of a comrade, the atmosphere was a bit dull. He Yan asked Ma Damei, “Instructor Ma, why did you go up to the mountain?”
Ma Damei, who was kind and friendly, has always been kind to her, and even at this time, he still answered He Yan’s question patiently.
“A new recruit got up in the middle of the night to go to the toilet and saw someone riding a horse to Baiyue Mountain. So he told the Chief Instructor, who told us to come up the mountain to check. Before coming, we did not know that this person was you.”
Wasn’t this situation exactly the same as her chasing the masked man? He Yan heart vaguely perceived something wrong, but she did not speak.
“Since you said you had fought with the other side,” Ma Damei asked, “How was the opponent’s skill?”
“Very good. If I had not been wounded, and delayed for a moment, I could have caught him. But this person was cunning and brutal, using the corpse of a comrade soldier to lure me away and escape by himself.” He Yan spoke of this matter and became angry, “Today’s scene was all arranged by him.”
Ma Damei smiled and asked in an unclear tone, “Young man, although I have always admired you, I have to ask, what is so special about you? Why would the other party put such big efforts just to slander you?”
What is so special?
She had no conflicts with the recruits of the Liangzhou Guard, except only having a “fight” with Hu Yuanzhong a few days ago.
Hu Yuanzhong should be the only person in the Liangzhou Guard who had any animosity towards her.
But what did she do? She has never directly asked Hu Yuanzhong where he came from, at most she just asked him a few questions, and even though she suspected him of being a Qiang, she never showed a hint of it. If this was the reason for his scheme to frame He Yan, wouldn’t it be like exposing himself?
While thinking about all this, they finally went back down the mountain to Liangzhou Guard.
In the middle of the night, Liangzhou Guard was bustling.
There were coaches watching He Yan as they went to Hu Yuanzhong’s room. Everyone in the room was asleep, and when the Chief Instructor told them to get up, they were a little confused. Mak called out in a daze, “Why is it so early today? It is not yet the hour.”
When he saw the person clearly, he was so shocked that he almost wore his shoes upside down.
He Yan did not hesitate to look towards the end of the wall. With only a glance, her heart sank.
There was a person curled up on the bed, sleeping soundly, and after being woken up, he sat up slowly, sleepy-eyed – it was Hu Yuanzhong.
He was actually in the room.
Shen Han asked the people in the room, “Did any of you see Hu Yuanzhong go out tonight?”
“No, no.”
“Elder brother Hu’s leg is injured, so he sleeps earlier than us every day. I haven’t seen him go out.”
He Yan looked at Hong Shan, who shook his head gently at her.
Did he really not go out?
Shen Han stepped forward with no change in expression, “Untie your clothes.”
Hu Yuanzhong was confused, but when he saw Shen Han’s face was sullen and did not speak, it looked a bit scary. He hesitantly went to untie his own clothes, the outer garment off to the arm, only to reveal the right shoulder beside a few minor cuts by the shrub before. There were no other problems.
That kind of iron-headed stick striking down would at least cause a large piece of flesh to become black and blue. But there was nothing on his right shoulder.
It wasn’t him!
He Yan’s eyes widened. Not only did she feel breathless, but her face also became more unpleasant. This was a trap. What role Hu Yuanzhong played in it was unknown, but since he was fine, it could only mean one thing – there was not just one person.
There was a traitor in the Liangzhou Guard. The outsider and the insider had worked together to arrange this play in perfection!
“Instructor Shen,” she said coldly, “I’m afraid that person is in the Liangzhou Guard right now, hurry up and bring someone to check it out!”
“I think the most suspicious person is you.” One instructor stared at her and said, “You said earlier that Hu Yuanzhong killed him and told us to come back to see how he was injured.”
“I’m not lying,” He Yan frowned, “Just check the whole Liangzhou Guard and you will know that what I said is true.”
“Shut up!” Shen Han shouted.
The argument stopped and He Yan looked at Shen Han, “Instructor Shen, do you not believe what I said?”
“I only believe in my own eyes.” Shen Han said, “Someone, escort her into the prison!”
He Yan, “You can lock me up, but you must also check the facts! Otherwise, Liangzhou Guard may face a great disaster.”
“After all this, you’re still cursing people,” an instructor said angrily, “You’re too arrogant!”
He Yan was pressed and escorted away. The rest of the people in the room wanted to ask but did not dare to ask. Mak and others had a cold look on their face, as Hu Yuanzhong asked in a puzzled manner, “Instructor Shen, what happened? Is… someone dead?”
Shen Han said nothing, turned around, and went out of the room, followed by several instructors with gloomy faces. Liang Ping hesitated and asked Shen Han, “Chief Instructor, how do you plan to deal with He Yan?”
After all, she was a soldier under his own command, and Liang Ping did not want to believe that He Yan was a malicious person, but the evidence was all there, and even if he wanted to excuse him, he could not find a reason.
“This is a matter of great importance, and He Yan’s identity is not ordinary,” Shen Han said in a deep voice, “Lock him up first, and wait until the General returns.”
“Yes.”
……
The prison of Liangzhou Guard was not big, but it was dark and damp. In winter, people could feel the chill to their bones inside. There was no bed, one could only sleep on the straw-paved floor. The quilt was also a thin layer of cloth with several torn holes, not knowing whether it was because of rat bites or something else.
He Yan sat on the ground and looked around.
In this prison, except for her, there was no one else. The lock of the prison was specially made, no longer a simple “one” shaped like the door between her and Xiao Jue’s room. With just one look, He Yan knew she could not open it.
Even after rebirth, before she could have the time to show her talents, she actually sent herself to prison. She should have sobbed, but He Yan at the moment was really not in the mood.
She was now sure that the Liangzhou Guard had long been invaded by a traitor and that traitor might have been eyeing her for a long time to even know that she always goes to the martial arena every three days at night. This was precisely why they arranged for someone to wait on the horse trail and lead her up to the Baiyue Mountain.
From going up to the mountain to killing the recruit, it was just to give her an idea of some “conspiracy”. As to what Ma Damei said, why would they go to such lengths to slander and calculate herself, it might be because He Yan has found out the identity of the traitor’s clan.
She was suspicious of the red rash on Hu Yuanzhong’s hand, and his inconsistent behavior, and later when she met the masked man on the Baiyue Mountain with a scimitar, which was the usual Qiang soldier’s weapon, she was 80% sure of their identity.
Now that He Yan was in prison, there were still Qiang people mixed in Liangzhou Guard, which was dangerous. Xiao Jue was not in Liangzhou Guard and the tens of thousands of the recruits have never really been in battle. If this time they encounter Qiangs, just as she had encountered them in the desert county, she was afraid that the whole army would be wiped out. The other side was so cautious and must have a lot of plans. If harassment by the Utohs in Zhangtai was false and was meant to lure Xiao Jue away, then at this moment, Liangzhou Guard is like a fish on the chopping board, only waiting to be slaughtered.
Xiao Jue had been there for twenty days, and according to his arrival at Zhangtai, he might have found out that the information was false and rushed back overnight. But then also it would be ten days before he could reach Liangzhou Guard. So the other side would choose to make their move within these ten days. There was not much time left, and now He Yan was being locked up in the prison with no one believing what she said.
When Shen Han had people escort her to the prison, it wasn’t that she didn’t want to fight them directly to break free from control. But rather, this would make the false accusation seem to be true. It was not her wish to live with the charge of murder. The recruits of the Liangzhou Guard were all her partners, after staying in one place day after day, she did not want to live alone and see them die for nothing.
She didn’t know when this situation had come to a deadlock.
But the West Qiang rebellion had been put down by her and the Qiang soldiers were also greatly wounded in that battle. They wouldn’t have been able to make a comeback even in 10 years, how dare they take such a dangerous step?
He Yan also could not understand.
At this moment, she suddenly heard a noisy voice from outside, “Let me in! I just want to go in and say a word! My father is Lord Song, Minister of Internal Affairs. If anything happens, I will take care of it!”
It was Song Taotao’s voice.
He Yan was stunned. Song Taotao usually, every now and then, would send her some cakes, sweets, and so on. But she didn’t expect her to know about today’s incident.
The soldier guarding the door outside said something, and He Yan heard Song Taotao argue unreasonably, “You try to stop me again? If you stop me again, I will tell Second Young Master Xiao when he comes back that you molested me!”
With a “clang” something fell to the ground, the next moment, He Yan saw a pink dress flew in.
Song Taotao said, “Brother He!”
“Miss Song.” He Yan smiled.
Song Taotao pounced to the front, through the fence, hastily stuffed into two steamed buns in the hands of He Yan, “It’s too late. I took the leftovers from Doctor Shen to give you, I used to hear my father say that people who were imprisoned did not eat every day. I’m afraid I can’t come day by day, so I handed you two. You can save them to eat.”
Now everyone in the Liangzhou Guard was taking her as a murderous demon, but this little girl was not only unafraid of her at all but instead was afraid that she might be hungry. In her heart, He Yan was touched by a surge of emotion. She said in a warm voice, “Miss Song, you shouldn’t have come.”
“Why shouldn’t I come? I heard them say that you killed someone?”
“The person was not killed by me.”
Song Taotao nodded, “I guessed so. You have such a good heart. You usually pull out your sword to help when you see injustice. How could you kill someone? It must have been planned by someone. Don’t worry, I will definitely save you.”
He Yan couldn’t laugh or cry, “Miss Song, you’d better not get involved in this matter.”
The girl was very stubborn, “You are my life-saving benefactor. My father said that the grace of a drop of water should be repaid by a spring. Now the instructors of the Liangzhou Guard are being stubborn, not even listening to my words. When Second Young Master Xiao returns, I will talk to him and see if I can help.”
He Yan thought to herself, “I’m afraid that by the time Xiao Jue comes back, it will be too late.”
She raised her eyes to look at Song Taotao, the little girl had a solemn face, her little face was serious. He Yan wanted to laugh a little, then she thought of the situation at hand, and couldn’t laugh.
If the Qiangs really came and Song Taotao fell into their hands, what would happen? He Yan shuddered.
“Miss Song,” she said a moment later, “Since you want to help me, I’ll ask you one thing now.”
“What is it?” Song Taotao looked at her.
He Yan sighed softly, “It’s like trying to cure an irremediable horse.”[1]
……
In Shen Han’s house, Cheng Lisu was facing off with Shen Han.
“Young Master Cheng, please go back. Without the order of the General, I do not dare to release He Yan out.” Shen Han said helplessly.
Cheng Liu sat at his door, blocking the door to prevent him from going out, and only said, “Instructor Shen, believe me, Brother He really can’t be the murderer.”
Du Mao stood on the side, could not help but speak, “Young Master, we all know that your friendship with He Yan is not shallow, but we went to the mountain and all the evidence was there. How could we deny this? Even if the General was here, we have to act according to the rules. Besides, we are not saying that we will convict He Yan immediately. We have to wait for the General to come back to make a decision.”
“But now uncle is not even in Liangzhou Guard!” Cheng Lisu yelled, “You guys are taking it lightly, but do you know how cold and dark it is in that prison! How scared would Brother He be all alone in there!”
Du Mao, “…”
Cheng Lisu said this as if he was the one in prison. Besides, it was not necessarily true on how frightened would He Yan be in the prison? With his temperament, he might not have taken this matter to his heart at all
There was really no need for Cheng Lisu to worry blindly.
Seeing Shen Han’s resolute attitude, Cheng Lisu had no choice but to take a step back and said, “It’s okay if you don’t let him out, then I have a condition.”
Shen Han asked, “What do you want, young master?”
“The food in prison is too shabby. My big brother can’t stand such hardship. I’m not asking for much, just what my big brother usually eats should be served as usual in the prison. There are also at least two weeks left and it’s too cold in winter. Give him two more quilts, and hot water should also be available every day…”
“Young Master Cheng,” Shen Han interrupted him, “this is not in accordance with the rules.”
“Neither this nor that, so what exactly do you want?” At this point, Cheng Lisu also became angry, stood up, and said loudly, “If you can’t, I will go by myself. I’m telling you, you will regret it if you treat my big brother like this!”
After saying that, he turned and ran away.
The door was thrown shut with a clang, and Shen Han couldn’t help but feel a headache. Children of this age, especially those spoiled by the family, are really unbearable. But Xiao Jue, who usually looks cold and harsh, has been able to spend so much time with Cheng Lisu day in and day out, so he can be regarded as very patient.
The remaining instructors in the room all looked at Shen Han.
Liang Ping asked, “Chief Instructor, what should we do now?”
A person died in the barracks. Although He Yan was now locked up, He Yan’s words did cause a ripple in the hearts of the people in the end. If there was really a traitor in Liangzhou Guard, up to now, that person was still hiding among the recruits, and killing a fellow soldier without their notice was certainly not for fun.
Who was this person? Who was the mastermind behind all this? What was the purpose of his plan? When will he reveal his feet? Everything was unknown. This person could be He Yan, or perhaps someone else. If it was He Yan, it would be easy to handle. But if it was someone else, it was not good.
“Find someone to keep an eye on Hu Yuanzhong,” Shen Han mused, “If what He Yan said is true, this person will definitely make a move.”
Ma Damei asked, “Has the commander sent any letters in the past few days?”
Shen Han shook his head, and his eyes were covered with a layer of worry.
There was no news from Zhangtai, which was really rare in the past…
Shen Han hoped nothing bad would happen.
…..
Cheng Lisu ran out and bumped into a person head-on. He held his forehead and with an “ouch” he uttered a rebuke, “Don’t you have eyes?”
Cheng Lisu fixed his eyes and saw that it was Song Taotao.
He had just held his anger from Shen Han’s side, and now when he saw Song Taotao, he was furious, “Who told you to bump into me?”
Song Taotao gave him a blank look, “I’m too lazy to care about you,” and left walking straight ahead.
“Stop!”
Song Taotao turned her head and asked, “What for?”
“Are you going to find Old Shen?” Cheng Lisu pointed in the direction of Shen Han’s house.
Song Taotao simply turned around and said, “Why?”
Now Cheng Lisu was energized, he took a few steps forward and said, “Are you going to plead for big brother?”
Song Taotao gave him a look. Although she disliked Cheng Lisu’s unmotivated look, she had to admit that this kid was quite devoted to He Yan. Every now and then, he would send food to He Yan, and He Yan also has a good relationship with him. Then she said, “Yes, so what?”
“There’s no need to,” Cheng Lisu waved his hand, a look of frustration, “I just came out of the old Shen’s room. This person is stubborn as hell. I have said a lot of things but they do not believe that brother He did not kill. They also refused to let people send food and quilts to Brother He.”
“You’re stupid,” Song Taotao hated that iron could not become steel, “If they do not agree, can’t you go by yourself?” And after a glance at Cheng Lisu’s downcast look, she said, “I’ve just been there and sent steamed buns to Brother He, so you don’t have to worry about it!”
“Really?” Cheng Lisu’s eyes lit up as he looked at Song Taotao, “I didn’t expect you to be quite righteous.”
Song Taotao sneered, “Thank you, Mr. Cheng, for your praises.”
After she said that, she lifted her feet and continued to walk forward.
“Hey, hey,” Cheng Lisu stopped her: “Why do you still want to go to Old Shen? I’ve said this person can’t be relied on, so it’s better to rely on the two of us.”
Because of He Yan, these two people now even called themselves “us two”. If He Yan was here, she would not believe her ears.
“I also think so. Too bad Brother He trusts him.” Song Taotao was helpless, “I was asked to have confidence in others. It was Brother He who asked me to go to find Instructor Shen.”
“Big brother asked you to go?” Cheng Lisu froze.
“Yes.” Song Taotao bypassed him, “So don’t disturb my business. I’ll go find him first.” After saying that, she no longer cared about Cheng Lisu and went straight ahead.
After taking two steps, she turned back and walked back to Cheng Lisu who was dazing. She lowered her voice and whispered in his ear, “Brother He also said, do not move around in Liangzhou Guard these days. If there are new recruits looking for you, do not go. It is best to follow Instructor Shen at all times.”
“Old Shen?” Cheng Lisu frowned, “Why should I follow him? It’s too late for me to bother him!”
“This is what Brother He said!” Song Taotao said with a deep look, “You’d better listen.”
She remembered the teenager standing in the dark prison, shoving something in her hand as he said worriedly, “I’m afraid that there are traitors mixed in the Liangzhou Guard. I am not around, so follow Shen Han and let him protect you.”
“Be sure to always be careful.”
[1] literally means: we regard a dead horse as an alive horse to treat it. It means we know very clearly that things are impossible; incurable; in a very bad situation; there’s no hope about it, but we still do our best to try it.
