Cultivation Simulator: Starting From The Empress' Palace-Chapter 90 Eastern Capital Captain

The Eastern Capital is the most unruly unit within the Seventh Camp of the Third Army of the Tiger Jietroops.

Because the soldiers in other units mostly come from military families or have inherited positions, also known as the second generation of the military.

But the Third Camp’s Eastern Capital is an exception; it’s entirely composed of veteran soldiers who’ve fought fiercely on the battlefield. During the late emperor’s time, these veterans were already there, but because they are civilians, they are nobodies.

They have no status, no connections above, and even if there are official positions, they can’t move up at all.

So, they look down on other unit soldiers, and with no family, as the saying goes, "those barefoot aren’t afraid of those with shoes." If anyone provokes them, whether royal relatives or sons of nobility, it results in a beating.

Gradually, the Eastern Capital in the Third Camp became the most difficult unit to manage in the seven camps of the Tiger Jietroops.

Of course, this so-called difficulty does not mean they disobey orders from above, like those from the Military Commander or the Camp Commander, which they would obey.

But for those who were transferred from above and know nothing, becoming their Captain just because of having connections, they would feign compliance but harbor deep-seated disdain.

They actively oppose in various ways.

As a result, many Captains were driven away, leading to the Captain’s position in the Eastern Capital being left vacant for a long time.

Due to this "troublemaking" by the Eastern Capital, those above are very dissatisfied, so none of the warriors from the Eastern Capital have ever been promoted to Captain.

On the wall of the Eastern Capital outpost, a few men lazily gathered together, wearing only Heart Covering Armor. One burly man in his thirties to forties, with a rogue expression, rubbed his hands and said:

"Damn it, I had planned to save money to marry a woman, but last night I couldn’t resist the brothel madam’s temptation, spent a wave in the brothel, even picked two at once. Alas, I have to save again, but that feeling..."

Speaking about this he laughed out loud.

He was speaking loudly and spitting while his comrade next to him looked even more dejected, saying:

"You at least enjoyed yourself, my military pay all went to the gambling den, left with quite a lot of gambling debts. That damn Li Laosan, he definitely cheated. If I get a chance, I must turn over his stall."

"Liu Dan, you’ve said this over ten times, but when have you ever acted on it? You’re just a coward," another burly man beside him chided.

His fellow brothers couldn’t help but laugh again, while the man called Liu Dan, feeling somewhat humiliated from losing money, cursed and said: "If not for Li Laosan’s older sister becoming the Military Commander’s concubine in the Second Army, I would’ve turned over his stall a long time ago."

"Hmph."

This remark drew boos from his surrounding brothers.

"You guys don’t believe me?"

"Believe, believe, of course, we brothers believe you. If there ever was a chance, we’d help you too... Hahaha..."

"Get lost."

It was clear the group had a good relationship and wasn’t offended by such banter. Liu Dan grinned and looked at the older burly man beside him, saying, "Gao, is there any hope for your promotion to Captain this time?"

The man called Gao, named Gao Zheng, is the Deputy Captain of the Eastern Capital, with a scar on his face but a gentle demeanor.

He shook his head and said, "How many years has it been, I don’t want to think about it this time."

"Gao, how about you slip the Deputy Camp Commander some money, or..."

"No slipping, let whoever wants to slip. Anyway, I have no money," Gao Zheng interrupted Liu Dan loudly before he could finish.

"Gao, don’t be like that, I think Liu Dan’s words make some sense, how about you consider it?" another brother chimed in.

Nowadays, that’s how it is, without connections above, if you don’t bribe, you can’t move up at all.

"Get lost, I only earn a few bucks each year, wouldn’t it be better to take this money and visit a brothel?" Gao Zheng cursed.

"Oh, that’s easy. I heard that a batch of new arrivals came to the Spring Breeze Tower in the west of the city. Tonight I’ll treat you, Gao..."

"Gao, the New Captain has arrived, it’s said to be arranged personally by Commander Xiao, come quickly."

A shirtless soldier ran over, interrupting their chat.

The men on the outpost wall turned their gaze to Gao Zheng.

Gao Zheng’s face also fell downcast, although he said he didn’t want it earlier, he still had some thoughts in his heart.

But now, with the arrival of the New Captain, his hopes were dashed.

"Don’t worry Gao, just like before, this person won’t last long either," a brother comforted.

...

The Eastern Capital sounded the Gathering Drum, and when Gao Zheng and a few others arrived, nearly all the hundred men of the Eastern Capital had gathered.

"Gao is here."

"Gao, look, another new Captain has arrived."

"Don’t worry, look at his tender skin, I guarantee, he won’t last a few days before he leaves."

"This time it’s different, this was arranged by Commander Xiao, see, brought personally by his Personal Soldiers."

"..."

The soldiers whispered among themselves while making way for Gao Zheng and those beside him to step forward.

It seemed Gao Zheng had quite a reputation in the Eastern Capital.

Chen Mo also noticed the middle-aged man with a scar on his face.

Seeing everyone gathered, Qi Hu, the Personal Soldier, said, "His name is Chen Hong, from now on, he will be your Captain of the Eastern Capital, as per the Commander’s order."

After Qi Hu shouted, he pointed to Gao Zheng and said to Chen Mo, "This is the Deputy Captain of the Eastern Capital, get acquainted. I have other things to do, so I’ll take my leave."

Chen Mo nodded and cupped his hands in salute to him.

After Qi Hu left, as Chen Mo was about to introduce himself to everyone, a rough-looking man waved his hand and said, "I wondered what the fuss was about, turns out it’s just a new Captain, disperse, disperse, everyone can leave now."

"Where are we going to hang out tonight?"

"Where else? I’m not married, of course, I’m going to the Spring Breeze Tower."

"Going again? Where’d you get so much money?"

"I’ll charge it."

"Can you charge it there?"

"..."

Nobody paid any regard to Chen Mo, continuing their chat, getting ready to leave in different directions.

Chen Mo furrowed his brow; along the way, Qi Hu had told him this group was a bunch of bullies.

Seeing them now, that was indeed the case.

Chen Mo let out a sigh, then pointed to the rough-looking man and said, "Wait, what’s your name?"

Hearing this, everyone stopped.

Xu Dabang also halted, pointing at himself, "You calling me?"

Chen Mo nodded.

"Xu Dabang, Big Xu, with a clubbing stick," Xu Dabang looked at Chen Mo with disdain.

Chen Mo nodded, then sternly ordered, "Guards, strip Xu Dabang’s Heart Covering Armor and give him twenty lashes with the military stick."

Hearing this, Xu Dabang was stunned and shouted, "What crime have I committed?"

"Improper military bearing, insubordination." Chen Mo looked around sternly, "Why aren’t you acting yet!"

However, following Chen Mo’s words, nobody dared to move.

Instead, a few provocateurs stood up: "We’re improperly dressed too. Are you going to lash us as well?"

"Of course, equal treatment for all."

"Haha." A few people laughed, then said, "If that’s the case, why don’t you do it yourself?"