Chapter 22: The Formation of the Tiger Battalion

"Are you so happy just because I'm not holding you accountable?"

Qiao Dafang gave a cold snort. "I should take a horse whip to you right now!"

Chen An naturally wouldn't let him have his way.

"Commander Qiao, Commander Qiao!"

Seeing Chen An grimacing in pain from moving too much, Qiao Dafang finally withdrew the whip.

"Alright, you brat, hurry up and recover. I have to return to Huyang Pass tonight."

"You're leaving today?"

"I have to. I need to go back and make arrangements immediately; otherwise, wouldn't your position as a captain just be for show?"

"That's right, my position as a captain..."

Chen An swallowed the words that were on the tip of his tongue. "What did you just say?"

"Cap-tain!" Qiao Dafang raised his voice several notches.

Seeing that Chen An was still confused, Qiao Dafang had no choice but to explain further: "According to military merit requirements, for decapitating the rebel general Wang Jiuyang, you are promoted three ranks and rewarded with five hundred taels of silver."

"Promoted three ranks?"

"Yes, but after weighing your merits against your faults, you shouldn't have been rewarded at all. However, Deputy General Sun sent word to give you a chance."

At this point, Qiao Dafang lowered his voice, feigning mystery. "Are you related to Deputy General Sun?"

"No... I don't even know him," Chen An quickly shook his head in defense.

Qiao Dafang chuckled. "Then that just means you’re lucky. You’ve only been in the army for a few months and you've already found a benefactor."

"Anyway, I won't say much more. Don't keep those hundred-plus men of yours hidden anymore. When I go back, I'll report to the Marshal's Mansion and the Ministry of War to get you a unified establishment."

"But since all scout battalions have a unified designation, what name do you intend to use?"

"Tiger Battalion."

After hesitating for a long moment, Chen An uttered these two words.

"Good!" Qiao Dafang said softly. "From today on, the Huyang Pass Scout 'Tiger' Battalion is officially established, with a full complement of one hundred and twenty men. Chen An is promoted to Centurion and concurrently Deputy Captain, in command of the 'Tiger' Battalion!"

Seven days later, at Huyang Pass.

At dusk, one hundred and twenty fully-equipped soldiers were lying sprawled out on the mud.

Zhang Xiaojing didn't forget to critique them one by one. Even Chen An couldn't help but feel a sense of awe at Zhang Xiaojing's method of discipline.

Fortunately, while harsh, the logistical support was very thorough. Because Chen An had poured all his prize money into their meals, everyone in the Tiger Battalion could have meat at every meal.

Before long, Wu Ergou emerged with several men carrying large wooden barrels.

Stewed pork with cabbage.

At Huyang Pass, this could be considered a hearty dish!

The fragrant aroma of meat made everyone drool, wishing they could lick the barrels clean.

"You've trained enough for today, everyone up and eat! Today we have excellent pork, and two bowls of millet per person!"

At Wu Ergou's shout, the men who had been slumped on the ground just a second ago immediately flipped up and sat down.

"Thank you, Quartermaster!"

The roar reached the heavens, and the lethargy from just moments ago was swept away.

Chen An, standing to the side, took all of this in.

Zhang Xiaojing, because of his charismatic personality, had been appointed by Chen An as Deputy Battalion Commander. Xiao Gui, relying on his outstanding skills, became the vanguard scout of the Tiger Battalion. Wu Ergou, with his seasoned talent for business, was appointed by Chen An as the Quartermaster in charge of independent logistics. As for Wu Daizi, after their first separation, Chen An had sent him to the Guard Battalion to study.

"It seems you have truly built the framework for the Tiger Battalion."

Without knowing when, Qiao Dafang appeared behind Chen An. His voice was neither heavy nor light.

"Using your own reward money to reward the soldiers—you are the first battalion commander I have ever seen do that."

Chen An turned his head and quickly bowed. "Commander Qiao, you have come."

Qiao Dafang glanced at the orderly camp and sighed, "Not bad."

"What brings you here?" Chen An suddenly asked.

Qiao Dafang was stunned for a moment. "How did you know I had a reason for coming?"

"Because a high-ranking leader like you, who can find the time in your busy schedule to visit my humble place, must have a reason," Chen An chuckled.

"You're full of clever ideas." Qiao Dafang stopped beating around the bush. "I have already sent people to report your designation, but it will take some time for it to be approved."

"This morning, I received a report that Hulao Pass, three hundred miles from Huyang Pass, has been attacked. They hope we can send people to support them."

"Since we haven't received official orders from the Marshal's Mansion or the Ministry of War, we cannot act rashly, but the Tiger Battalion is different—you haven't received your official designation yet."

After Qiao Dafang finished explaining in a few words, his expression became somewhat heavy. "The commander of Hulao Pass, Fang Ping, and I were once comrades-in-arms, so I hope to entrust this task to someone I can trust..."

Before Qiao Dafang could finish, Chen An immediately cupped his hands. "Your subordinate accepts the order!"

"You agree?!"

Chen An's promptness caught Qiao Dafang off guard.

"However, after I return, I hope the Commander can provide some equipment, uniforms, tents, and other supplies." Chen An rolled his eyes and added quickly.

"Simple!" Qiao Dafang was straightforward. "If you handle this matter well, these things will not be a problem!"

"Deputy Battalion Commander Zhang," Chen An said coldly. "Pass the order down: half an hour to eat and pack your bags; we depart for Hulao Pass in one hour!"

When Chen An and his men arrived in a hurry at Hulao Pass, they were horrified by the sight before them.

Looking out, the tents of the grassland cavalry stretched out like dark clouds, and the sound of arrows piercing the air mixed with the shouts of the defending soldiers.

Zhang Xiaojing looked at the sea of black below. Even he, who had served in the army for many years, had never seen such a situation.

Facing such a disparity in strength, cold sweat beaded on his forehead. "Chen An, the enemy outnumbers us three to one. Even if we launch a frontal assault, I fear it would be like throwing meat buns at a dog—never to return."

"Yes, this battle cannot be fought head-on!"

"Do not attack the pass; attack the enemy's nest." Chen An drew the short blade at his waist and traced an arc in the sand:

"The Jiuli tribe has poured out their entire force, so their rear must be empty. Besiege the Wei to rescue the Zhao; as long as we take a detour to raid the Jiuli tribe's supply camp, the defenders of the pass will surely sally forth to attack them from both sides upon seeing this!"

A wolf-like cunning flashed in Chen An's eyes. "Pass the order down: every man is to carry sulfur torches. Tonight at the hour of the Rat, let the grasslanders taste the feeling of having their camp burned to the ground!"

At midnight, the moon was dark and the wind was high.

Horses had their hooves wrapped in cloth; men bit down on wooden sticks.

The Tiger Battalion crept into the rear of the Jiuli tribe like ghosts, silently eliminating the patrol guards of the logistics camp, and according to the plan, ignited the grain supplies.

The moment the sulfur torches were lit, the night wind fanned the flames, which lunged toward the grain piles.

Amidst the sky-high firelight, the soldiers who were still sleeping were caught completely off guard.

Their ranks fell into chaos.

Chen An took this opportunity to slash the ropes of the gate with his sword, shouting, "The Beiliang Tiger Battalion is here! Those who surrender will be spared!"