Among the strategists, there were figures like Song Heqing who had previously served in the same court as the Chen army commander.

Seeing his current sorry state, the expressions on the faces of these old acquaintances were indeed quite colorful.

The Chen army commander struggled to control his facial expression, attempting to salvage some dignity.

However, with his jaw dislocated and his mouth unable to close, drool streaming down, he appeared no different from a simpleton.

He felt like he wanted to die from embarrassment.

To make matters worse, Lin Zhao was still publicizing his embarrassing situation. “This big oaf fell into the trap, and I caught him. He seems like an official, but who knows if he swapped armor with someone else.”

Being captured alive and then questioned about his identity only made the expressions of those who knew the Chen army commander even more colorful.

The Chen army commander’s eyes widened like copper bells, cursing his inability to end his life right there.

Chu Chengji, with memories of the former Crown Prince, recognized the Chen army commander and asked, “What’s wrong with his mouth?”

Surely he hadn’t become addled from falling into the trap.

Lin Zhao replied, “I was afraid he might bite his tongue, so I dislocated his jaw.”

This statement made the generals present break into a cold sweat.

When they captured a prisoner, they would bind and gag them.

But this lady directly dislocated the man’s jaw!

The strategists, having witnessed Lin Zhao’s temper after the incident with Cenxi, were no longer surprised.

As the saying goes, “Evil begets evil.”

Song Heqing, having experienced exile and the downfall of his country, had become more prudent in his dealings with people.

He also understood that the temperament of the Chen army commander was quite fierce.

This humiliation might be something he couldn’t bear for the rest of his life.

So he said to Lin Zhao, “Recover his jaw.”

Lin Zhao looked at Chu Chengji, and after receiving a nod from him, she said, “Okay.”

With one hand pressing on the Chen army commander’s head and the other supporting his jaw, she lifted it upward and back with a snap.

Finally, the Chen army commander’s jaw was back in place.

Ignoring the soreness in his jaw, his first words after that were, “General Han is now in your hands. Whether to kill or torture, it’s up to you. But humiliating me like this is not the act of a true man!”

Lin Zhao quickly retorted, “Well, I’m not a man.”

Qin Zheng couldn’t help but chuckle, and the strategists and generals around couldn’t hold back their laughter either.

Seeing the Chen army commander almost spitting blood from anger, Song Heqing quickly interrupted the argument. “General Han, are you all right?”

The Chen army commander indignantly replied, “General Han once served in the same court as Mr. Song. General Han hopes that Mr. Song will remember their past friendship and give him a quick death.”

Since falling into the hands of the Chu army, he had already prepared himself for the worst.

The night wind tousled Chu Chengji’s hair, and his voice sounded chillingly clear, “General Han, you worry too much. Chen State values you so much, and I still hope to use you to exchange for a city. You won’t be mistreated.”

The Chen army commander, whose name was changed to Han Xiu, was the father-in-law of the current Crown Prince and was unlikely to surrender.

Keeping him as a hostage and trying to negotiate some benefits with the current Crown Prince’s side might be more beneficial.

After Chu Chengji finished speaking, some fierce-looking soldiers stepped forward and escorted Han Xiu away.

Han Xiu was furious and was about to shout, but his mouth was covered by a soldier’s cloth, thankfully saving him from having his jaw dislocated.

Lin Zhao watched as Han Xiu was taken away and couldn’t help but ask, “Is he really a high-ranking official?”

Lin Zhao often frequented the government office to see Qin Zheng and Lin Yao, so she was somewhat familiar with Song Heqing.

Hearing her question, he couldn’t help but laugh. “This person is the Pingdong General among the Four Flat Generals and is now the father-in-law of the current Crown Prince. Miss Lin has indeed performed a great service this time.”

Lin Zhao’s eyes lit up upon hearing this, but she didn’t take credit for it, scratching her head awkwardly. “It’s all thanks to… the Crown Princess’s strategy.”

Qin Zheng chuckled and said, “You caught him, so there’s no need to be modest.

On the battlefield, strategists come up with plans, but it’s the generals who fight.

His Highness has always rewarded and punished fairly. This achievement is yours, and you can’t run away from it.”

She looked at Chu Chengji, and after receiving a nod from him, she said, “Okay.”

Lin Zhao’s eyes brightened even more, and after hesitating for a moment, she said, “Your Highness, I don’t want any rewards. I want to join the army and fight alongside them in the future. Is that okay?”

There had never been a precedent for women leading armies in Dachu.

The only princess who had wielded military power was the eldest princess who had passed away ten years ago, and she had only commanded a military force due to her royal status.

Lin Zhao had mentioned her desire to join the military to Lin Yao before.

He knew his sister’s martial arts skills were not bad, but joining the army meant enduring the rough and tumble life with a group of soldiers.

Bathing and relieving oneself in the same tent with ten men would be inconvenient for a woman.

The women’s army she had trained consisted of semi-skilled fighters, and their martial arts skills were not as exquisite as hers.

While they could protect themselves when necessary, engaging in close combat on the battlefield, especially given the inherent physical differences between men and women, would likely result in needless casualties.

Lin Zhao had taught them martial arts with the initial intention of ensuring their ability to protect themselves in danger, not to take them into battle.

Having only one woman join the military would pose too many difficulties.

At present, the most important thing was to establish rules.

If the rules weren’t set properly from the beginning, it would become increasingly difficult to manage the army as it grew.

When Lin Yao was in Qiyun Village, he could satisfy his sister’s every wish.

But now, facing a vast army, he had to abide by the rules in everything.

If he allowed Lin Zhao to join the army and gave her special treatment before she had any military achievements, allowing her not to share a tent with ordinary soldiers, it would inevitably lead to dissatisfaction among the others.

In the army, ten men shared one tent, and only captains and above could have their own tent.

Giving Lin Zhao her own tent would be against the rules, and it might also lead to accusations that she was only benefiting from Lin Yao’s position.

Lin Zhao’s desire to join the military was not her original intention.

After Lin Yao explained all the pros and cons to her, Lin Zhao temporarily put aside her thoughts of joining the military.

She had carried these thoughts with her, not even daring to tell Qin Zheng.

It was only after following Qin Zheng and setting up an ambush, then capturing an enemy high-ranking officer, that she thought of bringing up the old matter again.

After Lin Zhao asked that question, the counselors and generals present all looked to Chu Chengji, waiting for his decision.

Chu Chengji said, “Capturing the enemy commander alive is a significant achievement.

Although there is no precedent for women joining the military, Miss Lin has shown bravery.

Setting this precedent might be a tale of heroism in future generations. I appoint you as a captain.”

Qin Zheng smiled at Lin Zhao and said, “From now on, you are Captain Lin.”

Many of the generals were familiar with Lin Yao, and some had even sparred with Lin Zhao.

They all congratulated her, saying, “Congratulations, Captain Lin.”

Lin Zhao couldn’t contain her excitement, and her hands involuntarily clenched into fists.

She immediately half-knelt down in front of Chu Chengji and Qin Zheng, saying, “Lin Zhao pledges to serve His Highness and Your Ladyship faithfully.”

Qin Zheng stepped forward to help Lin Zhao up, saying, “Come on.”

Lin Zhao’s wish was fulfilled, and she envisioned herself becoming famous on the battlefield from now on.

Qin Zheng was genuinely happy for her.

As they returned home, they met Lin Yao, who had also achieved a great victory at Wangya Ferry.

Upon hearing that Lin Zhao had captured the Chen army commander alive and been rewarded with a military position by Chu Chengji, he felt a mixture of worry and joy.

Lin Yao had heard some stories about this Chen army commander.

He was known as a fierce general, so Lin Yao was surprised that Lin Zhao had captured him.

He wanted to ask her for some details, but before he could say anything, Lin Zhao interrupted him, lifting her chin proudly and saying, “This is the military. Call me Captain Lin!”

Seeing his sister sitting tall on her horse, Lin Yao couldn’t help but smile wryly.

Chu Chengji rode ahead on his horse, while Qin Zheng, riding in a carriage, heard the conversation behind her and couldn’t help but peek through the curtain.

The soldiers accompanying them carried torches, and the flickering light illuminated Qin Zheng’s profile, making her gentle smile even more charming.

When Chu Chengji turned around and saw this, he slowed down his horse deliberately, waiting until the carriage was level with his horse.

Qin Zheng thought he had something to tell her and looked up at him, her eyes questioning.

Chu Chengji leaned close to her, his voice low, and said, “Your advice was valuable and deserves a reward.”

After speaking, he urged his horse forward again.

Qin Zheng watched his retreating figure and thought to herself that she could use this opportunity to ask him for funds to dig canals and construct irrigation systems.

She also had a plan for city planning. Perhaps she could get him to agree to it as well.

..

Back at Qingzhou Prefecture, just as dawn was breaking, Qin Jian, who had been waiting in front of the mansion all night, saw Qin Zheng and Chu Chengji return.

He bowed and saluted, saying, “Greetings, Your Highness. Greetings, Your Ladyship.”

“Please rise,” Chu Chengji nodded slightly.

Qin Zheng stepped forward, saying, “Why are you waiting here, Elder Brother? Even if there’s urgent business, you should wait at the mansion. The night is cold and damp, and your health hasn’t fully recovered…”

Qin Jian looked at Qin Zheng, who was dressed in Hu clothing, then lowered his eyes to hide his curiosity. “Mother heard about the Chen army’s invasion, and she was worried sick when she heard you went to the front lines.

She wanted to wait for your return, but I convinced her to go back and wait for news, so I stayed here on her behalf.”

Since the Qin family arrived in Qingzhou, although Qin Zheng had meticulously arranged everything for him, she hadn’t interacted with him much.

Firstly, she was extremely busy every day, feeling as if she needed to be in two places at once.

Secondly, they were originally close family members, but Qin Zheng, not remembering much about her past, was afraid of revealing her identity through some small habits.

So she tried to minimize her interactions with him, only sending him things occasionally to show that she was thinking of him.

Qin Jian had waited here all night, and Qin Zheng knew he must have something important to discuss with her at the Qin Mansion. “The situation on the battlefield was urgent, so I didn’t inform Elder Brother and Mother.

I didn’t expect you to worry all night. It’s my fault. After I change my clothes, I’ll go to the mansion to see Mother.”

Qin Jian saw that she was covered in dust, obviously tired from the battle.

He quickly declined, “Qin Zheng, you and His Highness have been exhausted from your efforts in battle.

You should rest first. I’ll go back and tell Mother that you’ve returned victorious, and she’ll feel relieved.”

With that, he bowed and took his leave.

Qin Zheng watched his slender figure leave, feeling a complex mix of emotions.

She had done everything she could for the Qin family materially, but she wasn’t the Qin Zheng they remembered.

Chu Chengji’s hand rested on her shoulder, and he said softly, “No need to dwell on it. You’ve done enough for the Qin family.”

Qin Zheng sighed lightly and nodded, following Chu Chengji through the mansion gates. “I’ll go see Mother in a moment.”

Qin Lady must not have slept all night. Seeing her for a while would put her mind at ease.

Chu Chengji asked, “Shall I accompany you?”

Qin Zheng couldn’t help but laugh. “You’ll only make him more uneasy. I’ll go alone.”