Zhebu stood frozen in place, eyes locked onto the Immortal Treasure Mirror.
On the screen, the Manchus were being beaten into utter disarray—no, not just defeated, but humiliated, flattened, smashed until even their dignity scattered across the battlefield like dust.
Zhebu's mind went completely blank.
Because in his understanding of the world, the Manchus were invincible.
At this point in time, the Manchus possessed the power to grind the Northern Yuan into the dirt. One tribe after another had fallen before them. Countless Northern Yuan nobles had knelt, surrendering their banners, either swearing brotherhood with the Manchus or crawling into servitude as their lackeys.
Among all Mongols, the Manchus were monsters.
Terrifying, unstoppable monsters.
Far stronger than the Han.
But now—
That monster was being beaten.
Not a fierce battle.
Not a narrow victory.
It was a one-sided beating.
A beating so brutal that the Manchus didn't even have the chance to struggle.
Zhebu did not doubt the authenticity of the Immortal Treasure Mirror.
He couldn't.
Because he had personally witnessed these Han firearms before.
The Wushen tribe had been forced to its knees by them. That was why he and his mother had been sent here as hostages in the first place.
He had known the firearms were strong.
But he had never imagined they were this strong.
Watching the Later Jin Eight Banners crumble like dead leaves under artillery fire, Zhebu finally understood—
The Han firearm soldiers were terrifying beyond imagination.
At that moment, something ancient stirred in his blood.
The Mongols' innate worship of strength.
It screamed in his ears.
Strong!
Too strong!
These Han people are unbelievable!
They're absolutely invincible!
Standing beside him, Liu Maopao quietly observed Zhebu's expression.
The widened eyes.
The stiff posture.
The completely shattered worldview.
He immediately understood.
And in his heart, he laughed triumphantly.
Ha! Scared now, aren't you?
Mongols respect strength above all else. Once they see this, they'll behave.
Looks like my guidance wasn't wasted.
Perfect execution of the student council's task.
Big merit secured!
Yes.
Liu Maopao was not just any teenager.
He was a man with ambition.
In the future, he wanted to enter the Gao Family Village Committee and become a public official.
This ambition had been drilled into him by his father, Liu You.
Liu You's Shuixian Heluo noodle shop had already made him one of the wealthiest men in Gao Family Village. But money alone was not enough.
Liu You wanted status.
He often told his son:
"Money is useless. No matter how rich you are, merchants are still at the bottom—below scholars, farmers, and artisans."
"That won't do."
"Our Liu family can't just be rich. We must be people of standing."
Thus, Liu Maopao studied diligently, volunteered for the student council, and cultivated political sensitivity from a young age.
And now—
The extremely important task of handling the Mongolian hostage boy had landed in his hands.
If he did this well, it would be a massive boost to his future career.
Zhebu stared at the mirror for a long, long time before finally finding his voice.
Liu Maopao seized the timing perfectly and spoke gently.
"Little Arrow Brother, what do you think of Gao Family Village's combat strength?"
Zhebu replied honestly, his voice hollow:
"Even if not the greatest under heaven… it is certainly unparalleled in the world."
Liu Maopao smiled.
"Your father and the others probably don't know yet that the Manchus have been defeated."
"Why don't you write a letter home and tell him?"
Zhebu was startled.
"Huh? I'm a hostage… I can still write home?"
"Aren't you afraid I'll leak secrets?"
Liu Maopao laughed.
"Leak what secrets? Look around you."
"So many people are watching this Immortal Treasure Mirror."
"This information will spread everywhere within minutes."
"At this point, who cares if you notify the Wushen tribe?"
Zhebu nodded slowly.
"That makes sense… but I don't know many characters."
"I don't know Mongolian writing, and I know even less Han characters."
Liu Maopao waved his hand.
"I'll write it for you."
"Han characters are fine. Your father can always find someone to read it."
Zhebu hesitated again.
"But… how will the letter reach the Wushen tribe?"
"There's no regular messenger for that route."
Liu Maopao scratched his head.
"Well… give it to Chen Qianhu."
"The next time he goes to the grasslands, he can bring it along."
The moment Zhebu heard that name, his face turned pale.
"Chen… Chen Qianhu?"
"I… I'm afraid of him."
Liu Maopao swallowed.
"How about this?"
"You write it."
"I'll go with you to see Chen Qianhu."
"You don't need to speak. I'll handle it."
"I'm not afraid of Chen Qianhu…"
"…okay, I'm a little afraid."
In truth, he was very afraid.
But for the sake of his future political path, he had to grit his teeth.
Zhebu dictated.
Liu Maopao wrote.
"Dear Father,
Last night I saw a bright, bright star among the treetops…
I miss you very much.
The people of Gao Family Village treat Mother and me quite well…
Today, the village broadcast news that Gao Family Village defeated the Later Jin.
It was terrifying.
Their cannons and firearms fired together, and the Eight Banner soldiers fell like paper effigies…
The Han people are too formidable.
We can never defeat such formidable Han people…"
The final sentence—
Was quietly added by Liu Maopao.
Zhebu didn't recognize enough characters to notice.
After finishing, Zhebu pressed his fingerprint, sealed the letter with wax.
Liu Maopao clapped his hands.
"Alright! Let's go see Chen Qianhu."
The moment Zhebu heard Chen Qianhu was in the village, he bolted back to tell his mother.
An Jile immediately retreated into the main keep, terrified.
Now—
The burden fell entirely on Liu Maopao.
He led the trembling Zhebu toward the barracks.
Instructor He had already gone to Xuanfu and Datong.
The highest-ranking officer remaining—
Was Chen Qianhu.
For children in Gao Family Village, this place was terrifying.
Of course, except for those lunatics who dared to shoot Chen Qianhu with bamboo water guns.
Those were warriors.
Liu Maopao was not a warrior.
He was a future clerk.
His heart hammered violently, but he forced himself to maintain composure.
At the gate, he stated their purpose.
They were led inside.
With every step down the corridor, his heartbeat grew louder.
Zhebu looked like a startled hamster.
The guard knocked.
"Bang bang bang!"
"Chen Qianhu, Liu Maopao, son of Shopkeeper Liu, seeks an audience. He has a letter to be delivered to the Wushen tribe."
Chen Qianhu's voice came from inside.
"Oh. Their noodles are delicious. I like them."
"Let him in."
The tone was gentle.
Liu Maopao nearly collapsed in relief.
He doesn't sound angry… good…
He pushed the door open.
And immediately saw—
Chen Qianhu beating someone.
It turned out a recruit named Lai Fu had been drinking while on sentry duty.
Violation of military law.
Chen Qianhu was personally carrying out the punishment.
To save face, it was done indoors.
"Whack!"
The whip cracked.
"AAAH—!"
Lai Fu screamed.
Liu Maopao and Zhebu screamed even louder.
"AAAAH—!!!"
Later, Liu Maopao would tell everyone:
"I walked in and saw Chang Wei—no, Chen Qianhu—beating Lai Fu."
And thus—
A brand-new chapter was added to Chen Qianhu's legendary reputation.