Chapter 65: News from the Military Camp

"Tch, really losing face for this young master."

A snicker full of contempt rang out.

This cold laugh, even in the noisy family council hall, remained extremely grating.

It caused the entire council hall to fall silent.

Gu Si and the others looked coldly over, only to discover that the speaker was actually the close grandson of the Gu family's third elder.

Gu Han!

Gu Han sat with his legs crossed, perched high on the chair, his gaze full of disdain.

"Gu Han took my place, yet went to the front lines and ended up as a mere logistics soldier—how unambitious!"

Since only Gu family members are present, Gu Han speaks without restraint.

He doesn't worry at all that his unwillingness to enlist will be revealed.

Gu Si and the others shrank back, not daring to utter a sound for fear of Gu Han's power.

However, Xu Xin Zhu showed no fear at all.

Although her status is inferior to Gu Han's, she would not allow him to mock her son.

"Young master, you jest; our Gu Han is just an ordinary child, still young—how could we dare hope for him to become a combat soldier?"

"I only wish for Gu Han to grow up safe and sound, happy and healthy."

Gu Han gave Xu Xin Zhu a disdainful glance.

"A doting mother breeds a failure; no wonder, with Gu Cold Mountain's teachings since childhood, Gu Han remains weak."

After saying that, Gu Han flicked his sleeves and left the council hall.

Gu Si and the others came to Xu Xin Zhu's side and softly comforted her.

"Sister-in-law, you don't need to worry too much; although a logistics soldier's status and opportunities aren't as good as a combat soldier's, at least you don't have to suffer the hardships of front‑line training, right?"

Xu Xin Zhu nodded lightly.

Next, Gu Sanhe gave everyone a brief introduction of how the Gu family's younger members performed in the military camp.

The remaining elders looked at Gu Si with gratified eyes and publicly praised him.

"Among the many collateral members of the Gu family, only Gu Chen has performed very well."

"Gu Si, you've raised your child well."

Gu Si hastily performed a fearful salute.

"Thanks to the teachings of all the elders."

The elders, hearing this, felt even more pleased and nodded lightly.

"Starting today, the monthly stipend of Gu Si's household will be increased by twenty percent."

Upon hearing this, Gu Si's eyes lit up and he was overjoyed.

"Many thanks for the elders' generous grant."

In the eyes of the other collateral members looking at Gu Si, envy was unstoppable.

But what can be done when one's own child is disappointing?

After Gu Sanhe finished delivering his news, everyone left the council hall.

Before leaving, someone still remembered to bring some gifts for Gu Sanhe.

"Please, Captain Sanhe, take these cultivation resources to my child."

Gu Sanhe did not refuse, accepted the gifts, and then explained:

"I can help you deliver these things, but I still have to escort a caravan, so I probably won't reach Mu Shan Cheng until a month later."

"No problem, no problem; as long as I can get these to my child, that's enough."

With that, Gu Sanhe nodded, had the caravan load the goods, and then set off.

In a secluded small courtyard of the Gu family.

Gu Pan sat on the chair, idly swinging her legs.

Seeing Xu Xin Zhu return, Gu Pan jumped up from the chair, hurried forward, and opened the courtyard gate.

"Mother, any news about my older brother?"

Xu Xin Zhu smiled and nodded.

"Your older brother has become a logistics soldier."

"Logistics soldier? What does a logistics soldier do?"

Gu Pan asked innocently.

Xu Xin Zhu wiped Gu Pan's sweat and laughed.

"A logistics soldier is the unit that handles logistics, just like the Gu family's fifth elder."

Upon hearing this, Gu Pan's eyes lit up as she looked at Xu Xin Zhu.

"My older brother is truly remarkable!"

The Gu family's fifth elder is responsible for overseeing the distribution of all the family's resources.

In Gu Pan's eyes, that is among the highest positions in the Gu family.

"Since Mother said my older brother is like the Gu family's second elder, he must certainly hold a high position in the military camp!"

However, at that moment, a disdainful voice came from outside the courtyard.

"Just a measly logistics soldier; those who don't know might think he's some big shot."

"So many from the Gu family enlisted, yet only Gu Han became a logistics soldier; they don't even look for their own problems."

A few people snickered, whispered their comments, and walked away.

However, upon hearing their words, Gu Pan acted as if she hadn't heard, still proud that her older brother had become a logistics soldier.

Although she is young, she knows that many in the Gu Family cannot bear to see her family doing well.

So Gu Pan selectively filters out those unfriendly voices, refusing to let herself get dragged into internal strife.

……

In the blink of an eye, another month passed.

The front lines of Mu Shan Cheng are busy constructing defense works.

Meanwhile, Gu Sanhe is leading a caravan back to Wu Shan Cheng again.

Xu Xin Zhu counted the days, expecting news to return today, and she waited at the doorstep from early morning, looking forward.

Not only her, but many other collateral branches of the Gu Family as well.

Gu Si, wrapped in a coat, stood beside Xu Xin Zhu waiting, and softly advised,

「Sister-in-law, I'd say you should go back inside to wait; there's no need to rush this moment. 」

Gu Si advised,

「When Captain Sanhe returns, I'll come find you at the first moment—how about that? 」

But no matter what Gu Si said, Xu Xin Zhu persisted in waiting at the doorway.

「Fourth brother, stop advising me; I'll wait right here. 」

After about half an hour, the caravan's horse hooves finally sounded from afar.

Xu Xin Zhu and the others immediately felt energized, eagerly stepping forward.

Gu Sanhe, wrapped in a wolf-skin coat, laughed as he walked toward Xu Xin Zhu,

「Sister-in-law, Gu Han is truly remarkable! 」

As soon as he said that, several Gu Family collateral members who were about to ask about their own nephews' situations froze in place.

Gu Si looked even more bewildered at Gu Sanhe,

「Captain Sanhe, what do you mean by that? 」

Others also looked curiously at Gu Sanhe, wondering what trick he had up his sleeve.

Last time he came back, wasn't it said that Gu Han was merely a logistics soldier?

How could a month pass and now he's worthy of Gu Sanhe's praise?

Gu Sanhe chuckled, blew a breath of warm air onto his nearly frozen hands to warm them, then said,

「Not long ago, Gu Han and Gu Chen brothers assisted in capturing spies of the Jian Chi State and were appointed as commanders of ten in the Logistics Camp and Combat Soldier Camp. 」

Upon hearing that, several of his companions were stunned, then a strong envy welled up in their hearts.

This is a commander of ten!

Although the Gu Family has many still serving in the military, and some have even become generals,

Thus they also have some understanding of military regulations.

Someone who has just entered the military camp can become a commander of ten, which is equivalent to catching the generals' attention.

This absolutely counts as having limitless prospects!

On the contrary, they aren't overly envious that Gu Chen achieved such an accomplishment.

「The elders are probably getting impatient; let's talk as we walk. 」

Gu Sanhe didn't forget the business at hand, smiled at everyone, and led the way.

Everyone quickly arrived at the council hall, where Gu Sanhe first reported on the situation of the direct-line descendants in the military camp.

The Gu Family already has someone who stood out, taken as a disciple by a general, which made several elders quite pleased.

By the time the report on the collateral branches came, most of the elders had already left, lacking interest.

Only a few remained, patiently waiting for Gu Sanhe to report on the collateral branches' news.

Gu Han snorted coldly, flicked his sleeve, and left.

Regarding Gu Han, who took his place in military service, he initially had some interest.

But after hearing that he was merely a logistics soldier,

Gu Han lost all interest.

Spending time on such a person is just wasting time.