Chapter 1206: Liu Laosi

North of Luoyang, beside Mang Mountain, lies Heqing County, nestled between mountains and rivers. Though its seat and name have changed several times over the years, this is the traditional site of Mengjin, one of the Eight Passes of Luoyang.

To this day, it remains a key point guarding the Western Capital, a major ferry crossing on the Yellow River, and an important thoroughfare linking Heyang and Heyin. After the court moved west to Luoyang, its status rose further, and military defenses were given greater attention.

According to the deployment of the Bureau of Military Affairs, an additional two thousand imperial army troops were stationed in Heqing County, subordinate to the Imperial Guard Command, including five hundred Longjie Army cavalry stationed at Baipo Town on the southern bank.

And the place where Duke Zhao, Liu Fang, served was precisely here—some thirty-odd li from Luoyang, close at hand, yet in a semi-sealed management state. Since Emperor Liu stepped up the retraining of the army, the lax atmosphere that had once crept into the imperial army was swept clean, as if returning to the past.

Under the Great Han's military system, an imperial army cavalry squad leader held the seventh rank—not what it once was. In the imperial army, a nineteen-year-old squad leader was already a rarity. Thus, when Liu Fang descended upon the post, it stirred some ripples, though confined to his own camp and squad, insignificant as they were.

Keeping Liu Fang outside the capital was not without the intention of reducing some of the attention on him. And as his experience grew and his abilities were honed, handling the problems of a small squad was no difficulty for him.

First, his innate commanding presence; second, the civil and martial skills trained since childhood; third, he had suppressed bandits and seen blood—he was no "parachuted officer" relying purely on family background.

Therefore, in less than half a year of military service, Liu Fang had already brought his squad of men completely in line, commanding and training them as easily as moving his own arms. Upon receiving reports of Liu Fang's performance in the army, Emperor Liu could not help but remark that the lad truly had the makings of a troop commander, nothing like a greenhorn.

In the second month of spring, when grass grows and orioles fly, Liu Fang led his small squad of men, galloping out from Mang Mountain, completing their patrol training mission and returning to the military camp outside Baipo Town.

Baipo Town was also a new Great Han market town that had risen in recent years. Nestled against mountains and water, situated on the official road, and facing the ferry directly, it was extremely prosperous. The population inside and outside the town numbered over seven hundred households, accounting for nearly one-fifth of Heqing County's population.

The town had walls and moats, rammed from lime-clay-earth mixture, with some sections of brick-and-stone construction. In terms of sturdiness, it was no less than the county seat on the northern bank; in terms of environment, it was even more superior. In fact, Heqing County had already petitioned Luoyang, hoping to move its seat southward, but approval had never come.

It was just then the noon meal hour; wisps of cooking smoke rose from the town, full of the breath of life. Even from a distance, one could feel the bustling liveliness within, and the faint aroma of food wafting through the air only whetted the appetite further.

"What, all hungry?" The field training had evidently been too grueling—everyone was famished. Seeing the riders beside him, Liu Fang asked.

One of the squad leaders, who kept gazing toward the town, chuckled and replied: "My belly does feel hungry—it's growled several times already. Squad Leader, won't you show some generosity?"

Liu Fang had won the hearts of this squad precisely through his usual magnanimous bearing; previously he had dug into his own pocket to treat the entire squad to a good meal.

"My military pay isn't nearly enough!" Having spent time with them, he knew his subordinates' temperaments well, and knew the speaker was joking, so Liu Fang shook his head repeatedly: "I'm not like you lot—most of you are married! I still need to save up money to marry a young lady!"

"With a Squad Leader of such bearing, a young man of outstanding talent—how are you like us common fellows, worrying about finding a wife?" The squad leader said at once, and as he spoke, he winked at Liu Fang: "If you're feeling pent up, I know a place. When leave comes, shall your subordinate arrange something? Guaranteed satisfaction..."

At these words, the surrounding officers and men immediately raised a ruckus. In the army, apart from daily training, patrol missions, and necessary recreational activities, nothing resonated more easily than the two words: wine and women.

Moreover, everyone knew that Liu Fang was still a virgin. On this matter, Liu Fang was in truth a theorist of the highest order—in the palace, he had learned about everything, only never putting it into practice.

Among the veterans of his squad, of course, they could tell truth from falsehood. Thus, they would occasionally tease him about it—it was only thanks to Liu Fang's magnanimity.

However, he glared at that squad leader and rebuked: "I think you're still lacking in training. Since you have so much energy with nowhere to vent, I'll give you an opportunity—after returning to camp, go help wash and feed the war horses!"

Hearing this, the squad leader hastily said: "Squad Leader, you can't punish me out of personal spite!"

"This is a military order—do you dare disobey?" Liu Fang raised an eyebrow, his gaze suddenly turning razor-sharp.

"Your subordinate obeys!" The squad leader shuddered involuntarily, then immediately straightened his back and accepted the order.

"Aren't your bellies all hungry?" Seeing him sensible, Liu Fang's tone softened, and his face returned to normal.

Under the expectant gazes of the group, Liu Fang spurred his horse to the front and took the lead: "Back to camp to eat! We are currently on duty—how dare you let your minds wander, leave your posts without authorization, and sneak into town to slack off? Do the military rods and whips not hurt when they strike your bodies?"

The military camp and Baipo Town were less than three li apart, and they quickly returned to camp. The camp's layout followed the standard Han army practice—strict and orderly. As it was a cavalry unit, the space was ample, enough for the men to gallop their horses freely.

All facilities were also fully equipped: armory, drill ground, grain depot, stables, and barracks, all complete. As for personnel, besides the regular Longjie soldiers, there were clerks, comfort officers, grooms, military doctors, veterinarians, cooks, and hired servant women from the surrounding area.

This was a military base—the most basic and simplest configuration of the Great Han army. Uniform regulations applied throughout the country, with only increases or decreases according to scale. Of course, the imperial army enjoyed the best treatment; border troops endured harsher conditions, and ordinary local forces had lower requirements.

Liu Fang was something of a celebrity in camp, highly well-known. Young and spirited, skilled in martial arts, excellent at both riding and archery, and well-versed in the art of war—such a man was a protagonist wherever he went.

"Liu Laosi!"

Returning to camp to report, then to the barracks, he washed his face and joined his men in the camp meal. The food in the military camp had also grown increasingly abundant—though not meat every day, for those who had just finished training, there was always enough to eat one's fill.

Midway through the meal, someone came looking for him. It was the camp's deputy commander, a man in his thirties with very small eyes that were always narrowed, giving one the impression of a smiling tiger.

Liu Fang's name in the army was Liu Si. Because he was young, he was first called Little Liu Si, which displeased Liu Fang—he disliked being looked down upon. Later, the nickname "Liu Laosi" caught on.

Going out, he saw the deputy commander, gave a military salute, and asked what the matter was. The deputy commander looked Liu Fang up and down several times, his smile growing even more genial, and said: "I said as much—how could a man like you be called Liu Si?"

At these words, Liu Fang's brow furrowed slightly. Staring at him, he asked directly: "Why do you say that? What has happened?"

The deputy commander said: "Someone is looking for you—asking for you by name!"

"Who?" Liu Fang asked again.

The deputy commander shook his head: "Very effeminate—likely a palace eunuch. Camp Commander Zhou is dealing with him and sent me to fetch you!"

A look of realization crossed Liu Fang's face. He casually wiped his mouth and made to leave at once. The deputy commander grabbed him, and with some anticipation, asked: "I knew your origins were extraordinary, but I never imagined you had connections to the palace. Could you let me in on a little?"

At the question, Liu Fang chuckled lightly and said freely: "I really am called Liu Si—it's just that at home, my family calls me Fourth Son! But you know, 'Liu Laosi' sounds fine to me too..."

Having said this, Liu Fang strode off ahead. Seeing this, the camp commander hurried to follow, gazing at his figure, lost in thought. As he pondered deeply, his expression suddenly changed drastically.

Then came chagrin—he stamped his foot hard. He had never dared to guess in that direction before. Had he known it was so, he should have drawn closer and curried favor. Who knew whether there would still be a chance in the future...