Inside the Military Camp tent, a burly young man stood up, shaking the Card in his hand, a smile on his Face. He looked at Xia Chen, not only without fear but with a hint of provocation.
Zhao Yu, a Company Commander in the Imperial Forest Army and the third son of Marquis Jinwu, was Xia Chen's direct subordinate.
Xia Chen had already understood the backgrounds of several officers under him; the Marquis Manor had sent him their information yesterday, with a particular focus on Zhao Yu.
Xia Chen knew why the other party held such great animosity towards him: because Xia Chen had taken his position.
If it weren't for Xia Chen's sudden appointment as a Cavalry Commander, it would have been a certainty for Zhao Yu to become a Cavalry Commander, given his identity as the son of Marquis Jinwu.
Zhao Yu had originally boasted to his subordinates that as soon as the military appointment came down, he would treat everyone to a meal.
However, only three days passed, and the situation completely changed. Xia Chen was directly appointed, which naturally displeased Zhao Yu. Since yesterday, he had been leading trouble, taking people away from drills and starting to talk about entertainment in the Military Camp.
His goal was to give Xia Chen a show of force. He had expected to wait a few more days, but unexpectedly, Xia Chen arrived at the Military Camp to assume his post the very next day.
Zhao Yu looked at Xia Chen, his eyes practically spitting fire. That military uniform should have been worn by him, but now it was on this infamous good-for-nothing.
"Do you know what crime it is to lead gambling in the army!"
Xia Chen ignored Zhao Yu's gaze and directly questioned him.
He was an airborne officer, true, but how was the other party any better than him? Hadn't Zhao Yu also been directly appointed as a Company Commander when he entered the Imperial Guards?
Everyone hates privilege, yet they hate not having it themselves.
His privilege was earned by his ancestors, who sacrificed their lives and shed blood for generations. In the past six hundred years, how many people from their Xia family had died for the country?
This was simply because the Zhao family couldn't compare to their Xia family, so he was suppressed and directly took this position.
"There's no mission right now. We're just entertaining ourselves in our free time. Does Young Master Xia have an opinion?"
Zhao Yu retorted, still looking unconcerned.
"When working, address me by my title!"
Xia Chen narrowed his eyes, staring at Zhao Yu.
"Also, I'm asking you a question!"
Xia Chen's voice was very calm, but for no reason, Zhao Yu felt an extremely strong oppressive Aura. He had only felt this kind of feeling from his father or some high-ranking officials in the court. This made Zhao Yu's Face flush, feeling a bit disgraced that he was actually intimidated by a single sentence from this Xia family good-for-nothing.
"What, is Commander today going to establish his authority by using me as an example?"
Zhao Yu's eyes revealed a fierce look. His family had already warned him to behave himself these past few days and not cause trouble, but he was still unconvinced.
They were all sons of Marquis Manor. Although Xia Chen was the eldest legitimate son and he had two older brothers, he knew very well that the other party was not valued at all in Zhendong Marquis Manor. Lord Antong's indifference towards this eldest legitimate son had long spread throughout the capital.
Moreover, Xia Chen was also the infamous waste body, which was simply a disgrace to their martial noble descendants.
So he didn't think his status would be lower than Xia Chen's. Disregarding his family's advice, he was determined to contend with Xia Chen.
"Hmph, I'll openly disrespect him and undermine his prestige. As long as I open this crack and set an example for others, how will he be able to establish himself in the Imperial Guards in the future?"
Zhao Yu's idea was very simple: to thoroughly humiliate Xia Chen on his first day of taking office.
Outside the Military Camp tent, many soldiers were leaning against the tent, starting to eavesdrop. The moment Xia Chen entered the Military Camp, they had already decided to watch the show.
More and more people gathered outside the tent; essentially, everyone who wasn't drilling came over.
In the center of the Military Camp, two middle-aged men were currently drinking tea.
"Should we intervene?"
"Let's just pretend we don't know and drink our tea. There's no need for us to get involved in the conflict between two Marquis Manor sons."
"But that Xia Chen is, after all, the legitimate son of Zhendong Marquis Manor and a consort. We are the Emperor's personal army. If we let that kid Zhao Yu continue to cause trouble, it might be difficult to resolve!"
A square-faced general took a sip of tea, speaking with some concern.
"No rush. Precisely because of his special status, we should be even less inclined to intervene casually. Today is his first day in office. If he can't even manage his subordinates, it might disappoint some people."
Sitting in the main seat, a general dressed as a civil official but with a fierce demeanor spoke in a deep voice.
"General, are you saying someone is paying attention to this Xia Chen? Is it Your Majesty...?"
The square-faced man was startled, suddenly realizing something. Just as those two words were about to escape his lips, the general sitting in the main seat suddenly looked over. He quickly stopped speaking and remained silent.
"We are the Emperor's personal army. Although it's customary for martial noble descendants to join us, who comes in and how they come in is of utmost importance. Without Your Majesty's approval, even Zhendong Marquis Manor would find it difficult to place someone!"
Li Wenzhong's gaze was long, and he raised his head, his eyes seemingly piercing through the Military Camp to see the distant conflict.
The square-faced middle-aged general named Qin Mu nodded, understanding completely.
...
...
"Disrespecting a superior, leading trouble, and gambling in the Military Camp! Do you know how these three crimes should be punished?!"
Xia Chen's voice echoed in the Military Camp tent, carrying far enough for everyone standing outside the tent to eavesdrop.
Zhao Yu frowned. Xia Chen remained calm throughout, and his tone of voice made Zhao Yu extremely uncomfortable, as if a high-ranking figure was looking down on him.
"Does he really think he's some big shot?!"
Zhao Yu snorted coldly in his heart, becoming even more dismissive. After all this talk, what could Xia Chen do to him?
"Commander, you wouldn't actually want to punish me, would you? You, of all people!"
Zhao Yu burst out laughing. As he laughed, some soldiers gradually moved closer to him, standing behind him, creating an invisible deterrent.
Xia Qian and the other three instantly released their Aura, no longer suppressing their vital Qi and blood.
"For these three crimes combined, according to military law, you shall first receive 100 strokes of the military rod and be expelled from the Military Camp. Those who obstruct me shall be punished with the same crime!"
Xia Chen remained calm, as if he hadn't noticed the change in atmosphere. But as soon as he finished speaking, his Aura instantly transformed.
His blood became viscous, his whole body blazing hot, and a great sun condensed behind him from his scalding vital Qi and blood.
He directly drew the crimson long saber from behind him and, with one strike, slashed directly at Zhao Yu.
This saber strike was like a great sun streaking across the Void Realm. Zhao Yu's hair instantly stood on end, and he felt a tearing sensation throughout his body, sensing a life-or-death crisis.
"Open!"
Zhao Yu instantly drew his military saber, injecting True Qi into it, intending to block Xia Chen's strike.
He hadn't expected this infamous good-for-nothing from the capital to actually dare to draw his saber against him in broad daylight.
Why did this saber strike feel so terrifying to him!
Intense sparks ignited on Zhao Yu's saber edge. As soon as they clashed, Zhao Yu's Face drastically changed. He felt a vast power coming from the saber edge. The next moment, he let out a cold snort, his Face instantly turning flushed, and then, a violent mouthful of blood directly sprayed out.
And he himself was sent flying, crashing into the tent, directly flying out of the tent, and landing on a soldier who was hiding outside the tent, eavesdropping. Both of them fell together onto the flat ground outside.
Immediately, the entire Military Camp fell silent. Everyone remained where they were.