#58 - Xu Ming, joined the army

“Xu Ming, receive the decree.”

“By the Holy Emperor's order, I have learned that Xu Ming has temporarily abandoned the imperial examination with the intention of joining the army. I am deeply gratified. The men of my Wu Kingdom should be like this. I grant Ming's wish. This decree concludes here!”

In the main hall of the Xu residence, Eunuch Wei delivered the imperial decree with his sharp, duck-like voice.

“Ming, receive the decree.”

Xu Ming straightened his back and respectfully accepted the imperial decree.

The others who did not hold official titles or positions also rose from the ground.

“Xu Jieyuan, His Majesty said that going to the Bloodfloat is not necessarily mandatory. If Xu Jieyuan wishes to join other armies, it is not entirely impossible.” Eunuch Wei whispered to Xu Ming as he handed over the imperial decree.

Xu Ming nodded with a smile: “Thank you for His Majesty's concern, and thank you, Eunuch Wei, for delivering the message. I will carefully consider this matter.”

“Alright, now that the imperial decree has been delivered, this humble servant will return to report.” Eunuch Wei had delivered the message; what happened next was up to him.

“I will see Eunuch Wei off.”

“Xu Jieyuan, please stay. There is no need to be so polite.”

Despite what Wei Xun said, Xu Ming still escorted Wei Xun out of the courtyard.

After all, the eunuchs around the emperor could not be offended. If they were to stab you in the back from time to time and say bad things about you, you would feel very uncomfortable.

“Ming'er, you must not go to the Bloodfloat!” The old matriarch said to Xu Ming.

Xu Zheng also quickly advised: “Yes, son, although the Bloodfloat is one of the three elite armies of our Wu Kingdom, it is not a place for ordinary people! Many people died directly during training before even reaching the battlefield!

Moreover, the Bloodfloat emphasizes fighting to the death!

If five thousand new recruits are sent in each year, it is uncertain whether two thousand will survive after a year!”

Xu Shuiyai nodded: “Ming'er, you have a bright future. There is indeed no need to take this risk.”

After Eunuch Wei left, the Xu family's matriarch, the current Duke Xu, Xu Shuiyai, and Xu Ming's nominal father all tried to dissuade Xu Ming.

Xu Ming had naturally heard of the Bloodfloat.

The Bloodfloat is one of the three elite armies of the Wu Kingdom, equivalent to the special forces of special forces.

The Bloodfloat's recruits come from two sources.

The first is selecting elites from other armies to join the Bloodfloat.

The second is cultivating them from a young age to become "native" members of the Bloodfloat.

For a unit to become an army that has fought a hundred battles, even to the point where the "international" community fears it, the harshness of its training is unimaginable.

Moreover, within the Bloodfloat, everyone is assigned various missions, essentially sending you to "seek death."

If you live, your realm and will shall break through.

If you die, then you die. The Bloodfloat does not care about the life or death of an individual, even if you are royalty.

However, Xu Ming was clear that what the Xu family's matriarch and others were worried about was not his death, but the death of the Xu family's "Jieyuan."

“Grandmother, Grandfather, Father.”

Xu Ming bowed in salute.

“Since His Majesty has already allowed Ming to enter the Bloodfloat, it means he has expectations for Ming. How can Ming disappoint His Majesty? Furthermore, Duke Xu and Duke Qin followed the founding ancestor to establish the Bloodfloat and laid down a great foundation.

Ming, as a descendant of Duke Xu, if he does not even dare to go to the Bloodfloat, how will the imperial court view the Xu-Qin Dukedom?”

“...”

Everyone wanted to say something, but stopped themselves.

This Xu Ming.

How could he use such grand righteousness to pressure people at such a young age?

“Suya, you, persuade Ming'er properly.” Xu Zheng said to Chen Suya.

→

Xu Ming raised his head to look at his mother.

Chen Suya pursed her lips tightly, looking very embarrassed.

After a long while, Chen Suya parted her lips slightly: “Old Matriarch, Master, Husband... This humble concubine respects Ming'er's choice.”

At night, in Xiaochun Courtyard.

Chen Suya sat in the courtyard, looking up at the vast starry sky.

Xu Ming came out after finishing his bath in the kitchen, and seeing his mother sitting on the stone bench in a daze, he felt a little guilty.

“Mother...” Xu Ming walked to his mother's side.

Chen Suya came back to her senses, looked at her son, and reached out to take Xu Ming's small hand: “Come, let mother take a good look. The next time I see you, it will be five years later.”

“If mother does not want me to go, then I will not go.” Xu Ming said to his mother.

“Silly child.”

Chen Suya gently stroked Xu Ming's small face.

“You will eventually grow up. A man's ambition lies in all directions. Can you stay with mother forever? Besides, we warriors of the Wu Kingdom should be the most valiant.

Only, Ming'er, after you go, you must take good care of yourself.

Once you go to the Bloodfloat, you will be alone. You must consider everything carefully and never act impulsively, do you understand?”

Xu Ming nodded: “Your child will remember. Mother must also take good care of herself.”

“Don't worry, Sister Wang and Madam Qin are taking good care of me. Moreover, since you stirred up such a commotion in Wudu during this time, mother has become more respected because of her son. Everyone in the entire residence is very polite to mother.”

As she spoke, Chen Suya revealed a proud expression.

Xu Ming only smiled. Xu Ming knew that this was his mother deliberately trying to reassure him.

However, what his mother said was indeed true. With Madam Wang and Madam Qin, nothing would happen to his mother.

“You will be going to the Bloodfloat early tomorrow morning, right? Go and rest. Mother will see you off tomorrow.” Chen Suya rubbed Xu Ming's head.

Xu Ming wanted to say something, but seeing the redness in his mother's eyes as she tried to hold back her tears, as if they would fall at any moment, Xu Ming bowed deeply: “Yes, Mother!”

Xu Ming walked back to his room.

Chen Suya looked at her son's closed door, covered her mouth with both hands, and tears finally fell uncontrollably:

“How... how did this child... grow up...”

Early the next morning, two soldiers wearing blood-colored iron armor arrived at the Xu residence on horseback.

Xu Ming said goodbye to his mother and the others.

Wang Feng said to Xu Ming in a tsundere manner, “Don't make me collect your corpse. It's too troublesome.”

Xu Xiaopang didn't say anything, only hugged Xu Ming and cried bitterly. To Xu Xiaopang, Fifth Brother was his only friend.

The big white goose patted Xu Ming's shoulder, indicating, “Don't worry, your old mother is under this goose's protection. Big Sister is waiting for you to come back.”

The big white goose was thinking of plucking a delicate feather for Xu Ming, but then realized that it had become quite bald recently, so it gave up.

Xu Ming bowed deeply and bid farewell to everyone and the goose. He followed the two Bloodfloat soldiers further and further away.

After walking for an unknown amount of time, Xu Ming was thrown off the horse by one of the Bloodfloat soldiers. They turned around and left without the slightest bit of politeness.

Xu Ming got up and patted the dirt off his body.

In front of Xu Ming was a huge military camp. In front of the camp gate was a gaunt old man.

The old man raised his head and glanced at Xu Ming: “What's your name? What are you here for?”

“Xu Ming, enlisting.”