Chapter 100

The order at the settlement point had just stabilized.

The soldiers and civilians of Jiao Tu Zhen had just caught their breath, but another undercurrent was already quietly stirring in the Chen Prefecture army.

That day at noon

The quartermaster in charge of logistics and supply allocation, accompanied by a few auxiliary soldiers,

escorting several carts of today's rations and a batch of freshly slaughtered pigs and sheep, intended for distribution to the various units to improve their meals.

They arrived at the junction between the eastern settlement area and the Chen Prefecture army camp.

According to the order of the military governor's office.

Before the soldiers and civilians who had migrated from Jiao Tu Zhen were formally registered in the household registers and allocated land,

their rations were uniformly supplied by the prefecture, with the standard referencing that of the auxiliary soldiers in the army.

The quartermaster proceeded according to the roster.

He was about to allocate the portion of supplies belonging to Jiao Tu Zhen to Zhang Cheng's men, who were waiting there.

A detachment of about ten or so soldiers, dressed in the uniform of the Chen Prefecture regular army,

under the leadership of a squad leader with a full beard and a fierce gaze, swaggered over.

"Squad Leader Wang?"

The quartermaster recognized the newcomer as a fierce subordinate under the command of Han Tong, the Commander of the Cavalry.

His surname was Wang; due to his explosive temper and bravery in battle, he was nicknamed "Wang the Bearded."

Wang the Bearded didn't even glance at Zhang Cheng's men, striding straight to the cart of freshly slaughtered pigs and sheep.

He slapped the still-steaming meat with his sword scabbard and said in a rough voice:

"Quartermaster Li, this batch of meat, the brothers of the scouting corps under Commander Han have been working hard on patrol lately."

"Let us first pick out a portion for ourselves—no problem, right?"

Although his tone was inquiring, his action carried an indisputable implication.

The soldiers behind him also subtly formed a half-circle, their looks unfriendly.

The officer responsible for receiving the supplies was Zhao Tiezhu, a squad leader of the Elite Soldiers Corps of Jiao Tu Zhen.

He was also a straightforward, protective type.

Seeing this, his brows immediately knit together and he stepped forward.

He stood in front of the supply cart and cupped his fists at the quartermaster, saying:

"Quartermaster Li, the governor has ordered that this batch of supplies be allocated to our Jiao Tu Zhen settlement corps."

"The roster is here, the numbers are clear."

"If Commander Han's men need meat, they should follow military regulations and request an allocation separately."

Wang the Bearded gave Zhao Tiezhu a sideways glance and snorted:

"Where did this country bumpkin come from? He dares lecture me about rules?"

"When we were shedding blood and risking our lives in Chen Prefecture, you didn't even know which mountain ravine to scrounge for food in!"

"Now look, you show up and immediately take our grain and eat our meat?"

"Know your place, get lost!"

One of the soldiers behind him also chimed in:

"Exactly! A bunch of beggars—just having enough to eat is already good enough, yet you want meat? Dream on!"

These words were like lighting a powder keg.

These people from Jiao Tu Zhen had endured a hardship-filled journey and barely managed to arrive.

They already harbored a pent-up anger, wanting to prove they were not a burden.

At this moment they were openly insulted as "beggars."

Zhao Tiezhu and the few Elite Soldiers behind him instantly had their eyes turn red.

"Who the hell are you calling a beggar!"

Zhao Tiezhu clenched his fists tightly, veins bulging on his forehead.

"I'm talking about you! What's the problem?"

The soldiers Wang the Bearded brought also showed no weakness, clanging a few times, their sabers half-drawn.

"Looking for death!"

"Afraid of you? Not a chance!"

Instantly the situation became tense, with both sides shoving and cursing nonstop.

The quartermaster turned pale with fright, repeatedly trying to intervene, but no one paid him any heed.

The scene descended into chaos, on the verge of escalating from a verbal spat into a brawl.

"Everyone, stop!"

A thunderous shout exploded like a clap of thunder, carrying an indisputable authority.

Two riders came galloping up, one after the other; the first wore a green robe and light armor, his expression stern—it was Chen Wen.

The second wore a shining helmet and bright armor, his beard bristling—it was Han Tong, who had rushed over upon hearing the news!

Both reined in their horses almost simultaneously in the middle of the field, their gazes sweeping over the chaotic scene, their faces extremely grim.

Chen Wen dismounted and quickly walked up to Zhao Tiezhu and the others.

His eyes were sharp as a blade:

"What's going on? Who let you cause trouble here?!"

Upon seeing Chen Wen, Zhao Tiezhu's momentum faltered.

He held his neck stiff, pointing at Wang the Bearded and the others, feeling wronged and angry:

Chief! They… they insulted us as beggars, and even tried to seize the meat rations allocated to us!

On the other side, Han Tong also walked over to Wang Huzi with a grim face.

Without a word, he lifted his leg and kicked, sending Wang Huzi staggering.

You scoundrel! Who gave you the guts to run wild here?

You've made me lose all face!

Wang Huzi, kicked, dared not utter a sound, merely lowered his head, yet his face still bore unwillingness.

Han Tong then turned to Chen Wen, clasped his fists, his tone stiff but still restrained:

Assistant Officer Chen, your troops are rude and unruly, they've bumped into your unit; I, Han, hereby apologize.

His words were aimed more at Chen Wen's current status and Chai Rong's favor.

Not because he truly thought Wang Huzi was in the wrong.

In his heart, he felt these battle-hardened veterans of his own.

It's only right they should get something better to eat.

These newly arrived 'outsiders' indeed ought to step aside.

Chen Wen drew a deep breath, suppressing the anger in his chest.

He knew this wasn't merely a personal dispute.

But an inevitable clash between two forces of different backgrounds and mindsets.

He returned the salute, his tone calm yet weighty:

"Commander Han, you overstate it."

"A few petty quarrels need not come to this."

"It's only that the Envoy himself ordered that the supplies for the soldiers and civilians of Jiao Tu Zhen be distributed according to regulation."

"If not for my men blocking them, had this supplies been forcibly taken, wouldn't that be an open defiance of the Envoy's order?"

"By then, General Han's face would probably not look good either."

He pointed out the crux of the problem

——It's not about fighting over a piece of meat, but about the authority of Chai Rong and the solemnity of military orders.

Han Tong's expression shifted slightly; he naturally understood this reasoning as well.

Yet the resentment in his heart toward the newcomers enjoying better treatment was hard to quell.

He glared at Wang Huzi: "Hurry up and apologize to Assistant Officer Chen's men!"

Wang Huzi stiffened his neck, extremely unwilling, and gave a vague salute toward Zhao Tie Zhu's direction.

Seeing this, Zhao Tie Zhu and the others were still indignant.

But under Chen Wen's gaze, they could only force themselves to return the salute with clasped fists.

Chen Wen looked at Han Tong and spoke in a low voice:

"General Han, these brothers of mine come from the frontier; they are straightforward in nature."

"They have also fought in bloody battles against the Khitan and bandits; they are certainly not cowardly incompetents."

"Today's clash, both sides bear responsibility."

"Yet we are all one army, serving the Envoy."

"If we view each other as enemies due to different origins, internal strife will never cease—would that not bring pain to kin and joy to foes?"

"I hope the general will give this careful thought."

Han Tong looked at Chen Wen's composed, unassuming demeanor.

He also glanced at Zhao Tie Zhu and the others, who, though silent, still had a defiant gaze.

He felt irritated inside, yet also knew Chen Wen's words were reasonable.

He let out a snort:

"Assistant Officer Chen is eloquent. Let's drop this matter!"

"Wang Huzi, take your men and get lost—receive ten military strokes!"

Having said that, he said no more, turned his horse, and led his people away in resentment.

Chen Wen watched Han Tong's retreating back, knowing this matter would not be settled so easily.

He turned around and sternly said to Zhao Tie Zhu and the others:

"Today's affair, you too were impulsive!"

"Remember, this is Chan Prefecture, not Jiao Tu Zhen!"

"In all things, one must endure, putting the greater good first!"

"If there is a next time, severe punishment will not be spared!"

"Yes, chief!" Zhao Tie Zhu and the others responded solemnly.

Chen Wen then comforted the quartermaster with a few words, letting him distribute supplies according to the original plan.

Watching the Jiao Tu Zhen folk silently depart after receiving their supplies.

Chen Wen clearly understood in his heart that this first friction was merely a beginning.

To truly let Jiao Tu Zhen's strength merge into the Chan Prefecture army, to be accepted and recognized.

It still needed an opportunity!

An opportunity that could make these proud Chan Prefecture veterans utterly convinced.

He lifted his gaze toward the direction of the Chan Prefecture army camp, his eyes deep.

Internal integration, far more than facing outward enemies, tests wisdom and capability.