Chapter 20: Showboating! Lurking!

"Brothers, I've come to see you!" Zhao Ergou laughed, his white teeth gleaming. He seemed desperate for the whole world to know he had received a promotion.

"You brat, you're just here to show off, aren't you?" Qian Dashan teased, his tone laced with mockery.

"Show off? Does a guy like me need to show off? I'm just sharing my joy with my brothers!" Zhao Ergou beamed.

"Give it a rest. You've been promoted to squad leader and your tail is already wagging in the clouds," Sun Liu said sourly, his tone like an overturned vinegar jar.

"Sour, so sour! Brother, keep working hard, and I'll look after you later!" Zhao Ergou roared with laughter, completely unfazed by Sun Liu’s bitterness.

"You brat..." Sun Liu was grinding his teeth in frustration, yet he could do nothing about it.

"Alright, that’s enough out of both of you," the corporal interrupted. "Ergou, since the higher-ups have promoted you to squad leader, you must lead your men well. This position isn't easy."

"Don't worry, Uncle! I may not have other talents, but when it comes to leading men into battle, I’m a natural! Follow me, and I guarantee you'll be eating and drinking the best, with plenty of military honors to go around!" Zhao Ergou patted his chest, brimming with confidence.

"Alright, for now, go back and get some sleep," the corporal added.

"Sleep? Why sleep when there's a war on? Is there a mission? Corporal, just give the order. I'll go through fire and water without hesitation!" Zhao Ergou was visibly excited, waiting for the corporal to assign him some crucial task.

"If he tells you to sleep, then sleep. Why so much chatter?" Zheng Qian remarked from the side, a flicker of unreadable depth in his eyes.

The corporal’s unit finally had its roster filled.

Looking over the six new recruits, Zhao Ergou had already made his calculations: "Train them well. If they survive, I’ll take them on as my right-hand men!"

"Get lost already. Don't hover in front of me; I'm sick of looking at you," Sun Liu waved him off irritably.

"Hey, brother, that’s not right. How can you talk to a future general like that?" Zhao Ergou deliberately flashed the squad leader’s token at his waist, its golden luster shining, afraid someone might miss it.

"Careful, or I'll beat you!" Sun Liu threatened.

"Come on then, who’s afraid of who?" Zhao Ergou rolled up his sleeves, eager for a scuffle.

However, it was nothing more than playful banter; there wasn't much time for idle chatter. After the horseplay, Zhao Ergou turned and left. Although he didn't understand why the corporal insisted he rest, he knew he had to obey.

Back in his own quarters, Zhao Ergou thought happily: "From now on, this is my territory!"

Outside the city, the Rondi army launched a fierce assault. On the walls, the sounds of battle roared to the heavens. Today, the Rondi had sent over ten thousand men to attack the city, a fiercer offensive than ever before.

But what did ten thousand men matter? They couldn't stop Zhao Ergou from sleeping like the dead! He slept from noon until dusk. When he woke up and stretched, the Rondi assault had just ended.

"Survived another day! Tomorrow, I lead my own men into battle!" Zhao Ergou was filled with grand ambition. He had immense confidence in leading his troops. If he could earn merit and capture some horses, he could turn this unit into cavalry. The thought of a "Snow Dragon Cavalry" striking fear into the hearts of the weak made him giddy with anticipation.

As the sun set, Zhao Ergou felt invincible. "I will be world-renowned!" He looked at his hands, as if seeing a future where he commanded thousands.

"Is this Squad Leader Zhao Ergou?" a messenger’s voice called out.

"It is I! Whatever the military order, just say it!" Zhao Ergou straightened up, ready for duty.

"The colonel has ordered your presence," the messenger said, then hurried away.

"The colonel wants me? It seems I'm being entrusted with a heavy responsibility!" Zhao Ergou didn't dare delay and headed straight for Colonel Yang's tent.

Inside, a dozen other squad leaders were already waiting. Colonel Yang sat at the head, flanked by the two gate-generals of their battalion. Zhao Ergou looked around and chose the most conspicuous seat, acting as if he were the protagonist of the gathering.

Everyone was silent, the atmosphere heavy. Clearly, today's Rondi offensive had put immense pressure on them. *Hmph, a bunch of weaklings, can't even beat the Rondi,* Zhao Ergou thought to himself.

Soon, all twenty squad leaders of the Yanmen Pass assault battalion were present. Colonel Yang said slowly, "Brothers, you all know why you're here, right?"

"General Polu has given a death order: raid the camp! This life-or-death mission falls to our assault battalion!"

A raid? Exciting! Zhao Ergou’s eyes lit up; he loved these high-stakes gambles. He muttered to himself, "Those Rondi bastards, I'll kill as many as show up! That old fox of a corporal was sharp to make me save my strength, heh!"

Colonel Yang looked at the men and continued, "Listen up. We'll head out from the south gate and circle behind the Rondi lair. Burn, kill, and pillage! Give them no energy to attack the city tomorrow!" His voice boomed like thunder. "Do you understand?"

"Understood!" A chorus of shaky, timid voices responded.

"Then go prepare! I am going with you!" Colonel Yang didn't care what they thought; military orders were like mountains, and no one dared to disobey.

Returning to his quarters, Zhao Ergou bellowed, "Assemble! Orders are here!" The men of the Tenth Squad fell in immediately, their movements quite sharp.

"Squad leader, what's happening?" a green recruit dared to ask.

"Don't ask what you shouldn't! Just follow me!" Zhao Ergou couldn't be bothered to explain.

Leading his unit to Colonel Yang's position, the other squads had arrived as well—a vast, impressive sea of soldiers. Seeing everyone assembled, Colonel Yang waved his hand: "Move out!"

Under the cover of night, they slipped out of the southern gate. The new recruits were clearly terrified, their faces full of uncertainty. The veterans, however, were calm, having long since come to terms with life and death. As for Zhao Ergou, he was thrilled; the thought of killing the enemy and growing stronger fueled his every step.

After trekking over mountains and through water for more than an hour, they finally arrived behind the Rondi camp.

"Han, take five hundred men and attack the left flank!"

"Liu, take five hundred men and attack the right flank!"

"I'll lead a thousand in a breakthrough through the center!" Colonel Yang’s deployment was simple and brutal. "Start at midnight, finish the battle by the hour of the tiger! Do you all understand?"

"Understood!" The response was weak, like the buzzing of mosquitoes.

"Move out!"

Zhao Ergou followed General Liu, along with four other squads, creeping toward the Rondi right flank. They lay flat in the tall grass, staring ahead at the enemy.