[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-unorthodox-sword-of-ming":3,"chapter-the-unorthodox-sword-of-ming-the-unorthodox-sword-of-ming-chapter-86":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","The Unorthodox Sword of Ming",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2337291,4570,"Chapter 86: Threat","the-unorthodox-sword-of-ming-chapter-86",86,"\u003Cp>Pan Hong stepped forward two paces and said coldly, “Wu Baizhang, I Pan Hong may have offended Wang Zhen, but are you even worthy of Wang Zhen? Trying to crush me to curry favor with him? Dream on. Trying to extort money from me? Even more of a dream!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve overturned Wang Zhen’s cases twice in Beijing—do you think I’m afraid of you, a lowly baizhang in Datong? Come at me if you dare. Next time, it’ll be me falling on hard times, or you getting reassigned to the outskirts for field labor!” Pan Hong said coldly, “I did it once—I can do it again!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Bei’s heart trembled; he stumbled back two steps. When he realized he’d been frightened by Pan Hong, his face darkened further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Hong, however, remained calm, merely gave him a heavy snort, then walked past him and left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Pan Hong returned home, Pan Yue was forcing Pan Yu to drink medicine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether or not the talisman had taken effect, Pan Yu’s complexion had improved significantly compared to the past few days.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of the eight men that day, another had also suffered internal injuries and died yesterday from his wounds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So Pan Yue now watches Pan Yu closely, giving him two doses of medicine daily, never letting the talismans of safety and health leave his person.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If their father hadn’t been so strict, he’d have burned the remaining health talismans and fed them to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Turning to see Pan Hong return, Pan Yue hurriedly asked, “Father, what did the lizheng want with you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve become baizhang.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yue and Pan Yu’s eyes lit up. “Really?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing their joy, Pan Hong couldn’t help smiling and nodded. “True. You two brothers earned one head’s merit—this time, Father benefits from your glory.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He told Pan Yue, “Both Qin Company Commander and Hu Company Commander have taken notice of you two and want you to join the military.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yue was astonished. “Both Baihus personally named us?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Hong nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a moment’s thought, Pan Yue said, “Qin Company Commander’s interest in us makes sense—we were there the day we returned, and it was because of him that the Datong army let us take the armor and greatswords. Without him, we wouldn’t have kept even that loot. But why does Hu Company Commander want us too?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Hong: “This time, when the Tartars invaded south, Hu Company Commander and the Western Third Garrison marched out together and only secured nine heads, with three casualties. Your group of eight, plus the dead Zong Siliang, secured three heads—combined, it’s barely enough to report to the court.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yue asked, “Father, who should we follow?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Qin Company Commander,” Pan Hong said. “I’ve inquired—he’s upright and broad-minded. Hu Company Commander is capable, but narrow-minded and obsessed with merit. So I’ve chosen Qin Company Commander for you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Hong paused, then continued, “I’ve declined on your brother’s behalf due to his condition. Once he recovers, we’ll find a way to get him into the military. You go first and pave the way—see whether the army suits you two.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yue: “We’re exiles. Joining the military and gaining official military status is already a great path. Does Father have another option?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Hong: “Wait for the right moment—I may yet be rehabilitated. Then other paths will open. So even if you enter the camp, don’t abandon your studies. The true path is still the imperial examination.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yu’s face twisted in bitterness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both Pan Hong and Pan Yue pretended not to notice. Pan Yue thought his father’s rehabilitation unlikely—unless Wang Zhen lost favor or died, they’d be stuck here forever.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Better to seek glory in the military than wait for a pardon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So Pan Yue was deeply concerned: “If we refuse Hu Company Commander like this, won’t we offend him?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes,” Pan Hong said. “But it’s an unavoidable choice.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you chose Hu Company Commander and rejected Qin Company Commander, you wouldn’t offend Qin. But under Hu Company Commander, today you won’t offend him, tomorrow you will—for this reason or that. To avoid offending him, you must become his tool, his yes-man, obeying every order.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then are you still yourself? Your goals and dreams will never be reached,” Pan Hong patted his shoulder. “So don’t fear offending petty men. A gentleman is open and unafraid.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yue clenched his lips. He admitted his father was right—but he didn’t want to offend Hu Company Commander either. Of course, he didn’t want to serve under him either.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As his father said, as long as he held his own views, he’d inevitably offend Hu Company Commander.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But how could he avoid offending Hu Company Commander and still serve under Qin Company Commander?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yue stole a glance at his father, thinking his father must not know—otherwise he wouldn’t have been exiled here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing they’d finished their serious talk, Pan Yu quickly interjected, “Father, when can I get out of bed?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Hong patted his head. “Don’t rush. The physician says your internal organs are still injured. Look—you’ve still been passing blood these past two days. Even if it’s little, you must be extra careful. Stay in bed, don’t move. Need anything? Tell me or your elder brother.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yu: “But Brother is leaving for the military tomorrow.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Hong: “Don’t you have me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yu grew despondent. “I want to go with Brother to the military.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No rush. Wait until you’re healed, then we’ll go together.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As they spoke, a knock came at the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yue opened it—it was the Jin brothers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jin Zhangli bowed immediately. “Baizhang.” Pan Hong smiled and returned the gesture. “Ah, the Jin brothers. Come in.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jin Zhangli entered, glanced at Pan Yu, then explained his purpose: “Both Qin Company Commander and Hu Company Commander want to transfer us into the military. Baizhang, who should we follow?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Hong smiled. “That’s up to you brothers. My son Yue chose Qin Company Commander.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jin Zhangli understood. “Then we’ll choose Qin Company Commander too. Pan brother, please look after us.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yue bowed quickly. “Jin Brother, you’re too kind. I’m the one who needs your and Jin Er’s protection.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m not being polite—I’m serious. That day, if not for you leading us into the woods and killing the Tartars, where would we be now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jin Zhangli sighed. “Father, you know our family—we were exiled here during Yongle’s reign. Our father, tainted by our grandfather’s crimes, spent his life as military personnel. So have we.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But we’re military personnel who never fight, never train in camp—we’re stuck here in this exile village doing menial labor. We’re called soldiers, but we’re slaves. Frankly, my brother and I have long wanted to fight on the battlefield—not for glory, but to get our family out of this exile village.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Hong understood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even among military personnel, there was a hierarchy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>!. Read\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The lowest of all were the exiled convicts and their families sent here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fixed-term exiles had some hope—sometimes, when the Emperor pardoned all, they might return home. But those without fixed terms, like Pan Hong, or the Jin ancestors, were doomed to stay forever.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their descendants would be doomed too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their status was low, so their children’s status was low.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>People always thought soldiers on the battlefield suffered—but they didn’t know how desperately men like Jin Zhangli longed to fight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Going to battle meant death—but also a chance to rise, to bring honor to one’s family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Stay off the battlefield, and you spend your life farming for the army, working for generals and captains.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You spend your life bent in the mud, subject to abuse from anyone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A lifetime, generation after generation, with no future—this crushing despair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those who are numb can endure it. But those who refuse numbness, who want to live better, cannot endure even one day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet they’re bound here, bent over for ten thousand days—worse than death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the moment the lizheng came, Jin Zhangli and Jin Zhongwu had decided—they would follow Pan Yue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was their lucky star.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After years of striving with no hope, they’d finally seen it—and caught it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both decided to follow Pan Yue to Qin Company Commander.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After seeing off the Jin brothers, Pan Hong told Pan Yue, “Alliance with these brothers will give you allies on the battlefield. But don’t slack off. Starting tomorrow, run and practice horse stance—build your lower body and strength. From now on, you’re a true soldier. Remember: a military man must not fear death, or you cannot guard the frontier, cannot guard the nation.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yue agreed. Once his father left, he turned to Pan Yu on the bed. “Don’t listen to Father. When you’re healed, join me in running and horse stance. Learn to climb trees, ride horses. When you’re on the battlefield and can’t win, run. If you run fast enough, the enemy won’t catch you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yu’s mouth dropped open. “Isn’t that desertion?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Desertion? Didn’t we run this time? Only by surviving can you strike back,” Pan Yue said. “Didn’t we run into the woods and then kill the Tartars?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yu nodded, then halfway through stopped, objecting: “But back then we were labor soldiers—no weapons, no armor, our job was harvesting rice. On the battlefield, our purpose is to fight. How can we run then?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yue: “No matter where, the goal is the same: win the battle, kill the enemy, right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yu couldn’t find fault and nodded hesitantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you’re dead, how do you kill enemies or win battles?” Pan Yue said. “Remember: all’s fair in war. Military men differ from civil officials. Civil officials don’t need cunning; military men must be deceitful, clever.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yu widened his eyes. “Brother, you’ve got it backward.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No,” Pan Yue said. “Military men fight outward—so the wiser, cleverer, more cunning, the better. Civil officials deal inward—with the people, with colleagues—so honesty and openness are best.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Think: if civil officials never schemed, if they truly governed the realm well, would Father have been wrongfully exiled?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pan Yu: “Brother, though I agree with you, the civil and military officials aren’t your puppets—you can’t make them act as you wish.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A promising lad,” Pan Yue patted his head. “You understand this, but Father doesn’t.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It took Pan Yu a moment to realize. “Hey! You’re saying Father isn’t even as wise as a child!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>See you at 8 a.m. Today’s lucky numbers are all those ending in 8—any screenshot of a chapter you’ve followed can be submitted to the Great Ming group for rewards.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1755,"2026-06-20T22:03:57.478Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","5e900697415c249982796425f14d899f4a0d948affbaec092d9d5917ba5186ab","the-unorthodox-sword-of-ming-chapter-87","the-unorthodox-sword-of-ming-chapter-85",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-unorthodox-sword-of-ming-cover.jpg"]