Chapter 144: The Right Thing Doesn’t Always Follow
When Chen Biao woke up, he was already in a tent with a brazier in it. The tent curtain was slightly opened to prevent the smoke from the brazier from reaching Chen Biao.
"How long have I slept?" Chen Biao said in a hoarse voice.
The two younger brothers who had been guarding Chen Biao immediately helped Chen Biao up, and one of them brought a large bowl of medicine with a bad smell.
Chen Biao's expression froze.
Chen Jing asked, "Brother, are you afraid of taking medicine?"
"Don't be afraid." Chen Biao said in a muffled voice, holding the big bowl, frowning, and drinking the medicine in small sips.
Chen Xun couldn't stand it any longer: "Brother, it's more comfortable if you swallow it in one gulp. It's more bitter if you drink it in small sips."
Chen Biao: “…”
Don’t I know that? But I just don’t want to drink it all in one gulp!
Chen Xun sighed and took out a small paper bag from his arms: "I knew it would be like this. Here, open your mouth."
Chen Biao opened his mouth and his second brother stuffed a piece of hard candy into it. His eyes narrowed like a happy kitten.
Chen Jing was amazed. So there was this side to Big Brother… Wait! We're brothers, why haven't I seen this before?
Chen Biao knew that this was very embarrassing, but there was nothing he could do. The medicine was too bitter and he couldn't bear it.
Besides, when Chen Biao and his younger brothers depended on each other, if Li Zhen and his three brothers were not at home due to some matters, the person who supervised him in doing things he didn't like was Chen Chong, who was only one year younger than him, so he was used to it.
Looking at Chen Chong's eyes that said, "It turns out that there are things that big brother is not good at," Chen Biao had to grit his teeth and persevere no matter how painful it was.
For example, in this era, bitter Chinese medicine must be taken for both treatment and prevention.
Ah, ugh!
Chen Biao bit the candy into pieces, took a deep breath, and drank the medicine in big gulps in order to set a good example for his younger brothers.
Chen Gang immediately served the sweet soup, and Chen Biao gulped it down.
Chen Jing said, "No wonder Second Brother carries so much candy with him. He just asked me to dissolve the sugar water. It turns out that Big Brother is afraid of taking medicine. Second Brother, why didn't you tell me?"
Chen Xun rolled his eyes at Chen Tan and thought to himself, if you hadn't happened to see me taking care of my elder brother, I would never have told you in my entire life!
After hearing that Chen Chong had a lot of candy in his pocket, Chen Biao said awkwardly, "Can you foresee that I would drink medicine?"
Chen Chong said, "Fighting in the ice and snow requires taking medicine after the battle."
Chen Biao said: "That's true..." Why didn't I think of bringing some candy?
After Chen Biao finished drinking the medicine and the sugar water, he broke out in a sweat and felt much more comfortable. He asked again, "How long have I slept? How is the battle going?"
Chen Xun said, "Brother slept for less than an hour. It's getting dark, so we'll camp here for the night. The pursuers have already left, so we should have news soon."
Before Chen Chong finished speaking, Yan Qian lifted the door curtain and came in.
When he saw the empty medicine bowl on the side, he went out and called in Doctor Tang who was accompanying the army.
While Doctor Tang was taking Chen Biao's pulse, Yan Qian said, "Wang Baobao committed suicide by the Guishui River. Deputy Commander Chen has already brought back Wang Baobao's head."
Chen Biao was puzzled: "Head? Where's the body?"
Beheading was normal; the Ming army's military achievements were measured by the number of heads taken. Furthermore, Kuokuo Timur's head was to be transported to Yingtian as a gift to the Hongwu Emperor. Chen Biao was simply curious whether Kuokuo Timur's body had been discarded.
"Deputy Commander Chen also brought the body here and asked whether to feed it to the dogs or bury it properly," Yan Qian said. "The generals all said to feed it to the dogs, while the students all said to bury it properly, saying he was a hero. As a result, the generals are very angry and are making a fuss now."
If it weren't for this reason, he wouldn't have disturbed Chen Biao even if he had heard that he had woken up.
Chen Biao rubbed his temples. "A bunch of idiots. Even if they think Kuyuk Timur deserves a proper burial, they should have told me and the soldiers in private!?"
So what if Kuyuk Timur was a peerless hero? Look at the situation now! The more capable a general he was, the more detestable an enemy he became to the Ming army, which had just fought a fierce battle! Even if he deserved a lavish burial, the excuse of "I respect him" should never be used!
The brutal battle had just ended, and the blood of our comrades had just frozen. You say you respect the generals who slaughtered their comrades, but what do those comrades really mean?!
Don't say there's no right or wrong on a cruel battlefield, just different perspectives. Now that you know your perspective, you should know that your own perspective determines whether you're right or wrong!
Chen Biao sighed and said, "Help me up."
Chen Xun frowned and said dissatisfiedly, "Brother, you might as well stop teaching. You are not their father. My father doesn't worry about us as much as you worry about them! You are so tired, and they still want to trouble you. Just go back."
Chen Jing also nodded vigorously: "Second brother is right!"
Chen Biao: "Okay, okay, I'll send you back too. Help me up!"
Chen Chong helped Chen Biao up with a look of dissatisfaction on his face, and Chen Chong helped Chen Biao put on his clothes neatly.
Yan Qian sighed inwardly and said, "Biao'er, don't go. Just give the order and I'll pass it on. You don't have to show up. As long as it's your order, they won't have any objections."
With the help of his third brother, Chen Biao put on his clothes and put on a plush hat, transforming from a demonic little military strategist and general on the battlefield into a big plush rich boy.
After the intense battle of adrenaline, people are most likely to suffer from "disarmour wind", especially in winter, which means the blood becomes cold and can lead to cerebrovascular diseases.
Even if Chen Biao was sweating, he would wrap himself tightly. Back in ancient times when there were no good medical conditions, Chen Biao paid great attention to "health preservation" since he was a child.
After putting on his clothes, Chen Biao stood up from the small bed made of a pile of furs with the help of his two younger brothers, one on each side, and put on his boots.
As soon as he touched the ground, his legs went weak and he staggered.
"Oh, my body feels weak from sleeping." Chen Biao muttered.
Chen Xun frowned again, released Chen Biao's arm, turned his back and squatted down, saying, "Brother, come up, I'll carry you."
Chen Biao patted Chen Chong on the head and said, "You haven't grown up yet. Wait until you grow up a little bit. I can walk by myself... Huh? I said I can walk by myself."
Yan Qian took off his armor, put a piece of fur on his back, and squatted down with his back turned: "Biao'er, if you walk out unsteadily, those people who started the quarrel should commit suicide to make amends."
Chen Chong stood up and together with Chen Tan pushed Chen Biao onto Yan Qian's back: "If you carry my brother out, they will be ashamed and commit suicide. Okay, brother, don't move. Either Uncle Yan carries you out, or you don't go out."
Chen Jing said: "Second brother is right!"
Chen Biao helplessly lay on Yan Qian's back and was carried by Yan Qian: "Tian'er, why didn't I realize before that you are Tian'er's yes-man?"
Chen Jing didn't blush at all: "That's just for today. From tomorrow on, I will still try my best to defeat him."
Chen Xun turned his head away: "Oh, okay, you work hard."
He took out the cloak and tiptoed to cover Chen Biao with it.
Chen Biao quickly refused: "I'm already wearing enough!"
Chen Chong said, "To block the snow."
Chen Biao stopped refusing after hearing this. Yan Qian carried him out of the tent, and he looked up, speechless. He needed to block this snow, which was as thin as salt grains?
Never mind, it’s my brother’s kindness, so I’ll bear it.
However, Chen Biao, who was too tired, was taken care of by a disciple and two younger brothers as if he were seriously ill or injured, and received many frightened looks along the way.
"What happened to the military advisor?"
"Prefect Chen, are you sick? Injured?"
"Biao'er, don't scare your uncle!" Zhao Desheng grabbed his hair and screamed, "Are you okay?"
Deng Yu was so anxious that he couldn't speak and waved his hands around, not knowing what to do.
Chen Biao quickly stopped them: "Don't worry, don't worry. I'm just very tired and my body is a little weak. Uncle Yan is too worried and won't let me walk by myself."
Deng Yu breathed a sigh of relief and stopped waving his hands. He glanced at the group of people still standing in a standoff and said, "Biao'er, just give the order. Why bother coming out?"
Chen Biao said: "There are some things I want to see them do with my own eyes."
After hearing what Chen Biao said, Deng Yu stopped objecting.
Chen Biao's arrival made the two teaching assistants who led the students feel a little embarrassed.
Liu Lian said the same thing as Deng Yu: "Why bother coming here? We are just discussing something, it's not a big deal."
Chen Biao said calmly: "It's a big deal."
Liu Lian and Zhu Tong were suddenly shocked. The students also panicked.
Chen Biao said, "I understand what you mean. Kuokuo Timur was a brave general worthy of respect. Now that he is dead, his body should not be desecrated. This will not only demonstrate the magnanimity and morality of the Ming Dynasty, but also help to persuade other Yuan generals to surrender and reduce the killing."
The teaching assistants and students' eyes lit up, while the generals' eyes dimmed instantly.
Zhao Desheng, who was arguing the most, scratched his head and said, "Since the military advisor also said so, then let's do it..."
Chen Biao interrupted, "But do we have to do it the right way?"
Zhao Desheng: "Ah?"
Chen Biao gave the order: "If you still have the energy, come with me to clean up the battlefield. We still have many comrades lying in the snow. The bodies are unlucky, so cremate them today if possible. This is a big job, and you are very excited today. I'm afraid you won't be able to sleep, so we'll do it tonight."
The two teaching assistants and students said, “Yes!”
Chen Biao added, "Kyuk Timur's body will be cremated and placed together with his head. After the remains of his comrades are collected, they will be used to commemorate his comrades."
The generals felt relieved: "As you command!"
They also knew that it was unlikely to feed Kuyuk Timur to the dogs, and they were just saying some words to vent their anger. But the word "respect" used by the group of people annoyed them, and they started arguing.
Chen Biao said to the bewildered teaching assistants and students, "The emperor should decide how to dispose of Kuyuk Timur's remains. Your discussion is overstepping his authority. This is one of your mistakes."
"Your second mistake..." Chen Biao paused and patted Yan Qian's shoulder, "Put me down. I should go on foot."
Yan Qian didn't move.
Chen Biao was helpless: "Should I take out the token necklace again?"
Yan Qian was even more helpless. He had no choice but to put Chen Biao on the ground and said, "If you feel tired again, tell me immediately and I will carry you."
Chen Biao said: "I know, I won't try to be brave."
Yan Qian's face was full of disbelief.
Chen Biao pretended not to see it and said to the teaching assistant and students, "Follow me."
He held the hand warmer that his second brother had stuffed into his arms, and led his teaching assistants and students to the battlefield where the fighting had been going on not long ago. The generals also followed.
They came to a pile of "tin cans" where soldiers cleaning the battlefield were holding torches to roast the motionless "tin cans". Seeing their superiors coming, they quickly saluted.
"Teach them how to bury their comrades." Chen Biao stopped the soldiers from saluting and said, "Hurry up and try not to let them spend the night in the snow."
The soldiers wiped the ice from their tears on their faces and nodded vigorously.
