Chapter 110: They Certainly Have a Big Appetite

The person speaking had not yet finished his sentence when he stepped inside and froze upon seeing Shen Zhao.

Shen Zhao remembered this man clearly. When she had proposed docking one month’s salary from the soldiers of the Capital Battalion, he was the first to stand up and object. It seemed he wasn't worried about the soldiers going hungry, but rather that he wouldn't eat well himself.

"Subordinate... subordinate greets the General." Why was the one surnamed Chu not at the Grand General’s residence? Why was he still in the barracks at this hour?

"No wonder the Vice General was so adamant about preventing me from docking the soldiers' pay. I assumed you were thinking of the soldiers, but it turns out you were busy stewing lamb," Shen Zhao said, her tone light as she watched him dodge her gaze.

"Subordinate... the late autumn nights are cold, and I suffer from a chill. The physician advised me to consume nourishing foods during late autumn, especially lamb, to build up my health." He hurriedly explained, "This is the first time I have stewed lamb. I paid for the ingredients out of my own pocket. It is a one-time occurrence; I shall not dare to do it again."

"So, someone with a chill finds lamb most beneficial. And yet, you, Vice General, are so concerned for the soldiers that you were willing to defy me for their sake. It just so happens that many in the Northwest Army are suffering from cold-related illnesses. Why don't you send this clay pot of lamb to them? I am sure you would be willing, as the soldiers mean more to you than anything else."

Liu Zhong, a loyal follower of Chu Mu, chimed in: "The General is asking you a question, you one surnamed Han. Are you going to answer, or just stand there?"

So, it was Vice General Han. He was actually one of the Crown Prince’s men. It was truly a coincidence that everyone she had crossed paths with today was a subordinate of her enemy.

How could Vice General Han dare to refuse? He immediately replied, "Subordinate will send this pot of lamb to the Northwest Army right away... no, no, I will deliver it personally."

Watching Vice General Han scramble to escape, Shen Zhao felt deeply puzzled. How could the Crown Prince have chosen such an incompetent man for the Capital Battalion? Could this man ever achieve anything of substance? Clearly, he could not.

"There is no need to trouble yourself, Vice General Han. Since you are here, there is no need for me to pass down further orders. Since I have stated that from now on everyone shall manage their own troops, the daily meals should also be kept separate. My men and the Northwest Army account for half of the Capital Battalion. From now on, half of the grain and military provisions issued by the imperial court will go to my side, and the other half to you Vice Generals. As for how you distribute it to your subordinates, that is entirely up to you."

She then ordered her men, "According to the official ration per person in the camp, move enough ingredients for the Northwest Army and our own."

With a wave of Shen Zhao’s hand, soldiers stepped forward to begin moving the supplies. Vice General Han was left completely stunned.

This... this would not do!

In the past, they had always sold the Northwest Army’s rations to line their own pockets, and the meals they provided to the Northwest Army were merely the scraps left over by their own men. Now that the General was taking away the rations for the Northwest Army and her own troops, the remaining ingredients would barely be enough for them. It was all because those few were too greedy this time; not only did they sell off the Northwest Army’s grain, but they also embezzled a portion of the Capital Battalion’s own rations. They were in deep trouble now.

"Ge... General, I am afraid this is inappropriate. Wouldn't doing this split the Capital Battalion in two? If the other two armies find out, who knows how they will mock the Capital Battalion and the General."

Shen Zhao scoffed. "Vice General Han, your logic is truly novel. When I was dispersing the power in my hands to you, I didn't see you standing up to say it was inappropriate. Compared to eating separately, that division of power is far more laughable. Does my action here interfere with your ability to pay for your own lamb? Or does it delay your efforts to line your pockets in the Capital Battalion?" Shen Zhao’s expression turned icy.

Vice General Han fell to his knees with a thud. "General, you wrong me! I did not. I only spoke out of concern for the soldiers of the Capital Battalion and for the General's reputation. I hope the General will not hold it against me."

"Ha! 'Concern for the soldiers'—what a fine excuse. You are truly one of the Crown Prince’s people, just like the other dog under him—birds of a feather. You use the names of scholars and soldiers as a cover to line your own pockets and live in luxury. If you were truly concerned for the soldiers of the Capital Battalion, you would not be standing here asking about your stewed lamb; you would be in the tents of the wounded soldiers."

Shen Zhao spoke loudly, ensuring that not only the kitchen staff but also those stationed outside would hear her.

Seeing that the soldiers had moved most of the supplies and that the kitchen was nearly empty, Shen Zhao cast a cold look at Vice General Han. These parasites were truly bold to dare sell off the Capital Battalion's rations.

Shen Zhao turned and exited the kitchen, ordering her men, "Liu Zhong, take some men to the grain warehouse and collect our half of this month’s rations according to the standard military quota." She wanted to see how much was left in the warehouse after she took her share.

Shen Zhao headed straight toward the northwest section, drawing many eyes along the way. Many were curious: where were the soldiers behind the General moving the grain to? But it didn't matter; it was almost time for dinner, and they would rather wait to fill their bellies. They had exerted great effort today and needed a good meal tonight.

The Northwest Army had already begun working upon receiving the order. By the time Shen Zhao and her men arrived, they had already set up the stoves. Everyone was working with great enthusiasm, feeling no fatigue.

When they saw Shen Zhao arrive, they all set aside their tasks to salute her. "Subordinate greets General Chu."

Especially when they saw the ingredients in the hands of the soldiers behind Shen Zhao, they couldn't help but swallow their saliva. Today, they would finally have a full meal.

After the salute, men from the Northwest Army stepped forward to take the supplies, thanking them sincerely: "Thank you all for your hard work. You rest now, we will start cooking immediately."

The soldiers following Chu Mu were not arrogant or pretentious; they joined the Northwest Army in the tasks. "Don't say that. From now on, we are all the General's soldiers. We share in the hardships and the blessings, and we contribute our strength together. We couldn't just stand by and watch you work. Our brothers were not diligent in the past, and we hope our brothers from the Northwest will not hold a grudge."

Many in the Northwest Army were older, and hearing the soldiers under Chu Mu speak this way moved many of them. Before long, the two groups had merged into one, calling each other brothers.

Shen Zhao looked on with satisfaction; neither the Northwest Army nor the Chu family soldiers had disappointed her. By the time those who went to fetch the grain returned, the meal was nearly ready.

Liu Zhong returned with a dark expression. Seeing his demeanor, Shen Zhao guessed that these parasites had not only tampered with the Northwest Army's rations, but their greed had been even greater than she imagined.

Liu Zhong stepped forward to report: "Reporting to the General, I took our half of the rations, but there is almost nothing left in the grain warehouse. It is not enough to sustain the other half of the Capital Battalion for the coming half-month. At most, in five days, the other half will run out of food."

Shen Zhao had not expected them to be so brazen as to embezzle so much grain. Just then, a commotion broke out not far away.