Chapter 133: Fei Wen Protects His Own

Xiao Ding hurried back to Dingbian City, where he happened upon Bian Hongtai bullying a virtuous woman. The two men, finding no common ground in their words, began to brawl right in the middle of the street.

Xiao Ding dodged a downward slash from Bian Hongtai’s blade and countered with a kick. As Bian Hongtai had only just recovered from internal injuries, his movements were sluggish; he failed to evade the strike, which landed squarely in his crotch. Bian Hongtai let out a miserable howl, clutched his groin with both hands, and collapsed to the ground in agony. Blood began to seep through his trousers, staining them crimson.

Ignoring the extent of the man’s injury, Xiao Ding approached Widow Wang. Seeing that she was indeed a beautiful woman with an inherent allure that men found difficult to resist, he could hardly blame Bian Hongtai for being blinded by lust.

"Are you alright, madam?" Xiao Ding asked with a respectful bow.

"I am fine, thank you. Thank you, young man, for coming to my rescue," Widow Wang replied, offering a graceful, charming curtsy.

"As long as you are well. I must be going now; I believe this fellow will not dare to harass you again," Xiao Ding said, casting a glance at Bian Hongtai, who was still wailing on the ground.

Just then, two soldiers ran over from the crowd and rushed to Bian Hongtai’s side, calling out anxiously, "Master Bian! Master Bian! What has happened to you?"

These were the men Fei Wen had assigned to look after Bian Hongtai. Having found him missing from his quarters, they had inquired around and learned he had gone out alone to stroll through the city, leading them to the scene of the crowd.

"Quickly! Take me to a physician!" Bian Hongtai gasped through his pain. The two soldiers hoisted him onto their backs and hurried away.

Xiao Ding knew that the incident involving this so-called "Yuhou" would not end there; the man would certainly seek revenge. He decided it would be best to head straight to the county government office to meet with Magistrate Yang and Huang Wenlong.

In truth, Xiao Ding was not well-acquainted with Magistrate Yang or Huang Wenlong, as his time in Dingbian County had been brief. By the time he became a "Military Red," he had already been dispatched to Pubian City, and from there, he went directly to Xinquan City. During his previous stay in Dingbian, he had been nothing more than an obscure soldier.

However, he trusted that the Magistrate and Huang would know his name. During the defense of Xinquan, Magistrate Kou of Xinquan County had sent battle reports to Huang Wenlong that surely featured Xiao Ding, and Jin Xi’s reports had likewise mentioned him. Xiao Ding believed that since Huang Wenlong was the supreme commander, even if the Yuhou sought trouble, Huang’s support would ensure his safety.

Unfortunately, Xiao Ding was unaware that Huang Wenlong had already ceded command to Fei Wen.

Once Bian Hongtai was carried back to his quarters and examined by a physician, the verdict was grim: his reproductive organs had suffered severe trauma, leaving him permanently impotent and unable to father children. Upon hearing this, Bian Hongtai felt as though he might as well be dead. What meaning was there left in life? Amidst his sorrow, a deep, burning hatred for Xiao Ding took root. *Once I find out who that brat is, I will tear him into pieces,* he vowed to himself.

At the county office, Xiao Ding met with Magistrate Yang and Huang Wenlong, and as expected, both were well aware of Tian Xiaoding’s reputation.

"You are the Tian Xiaoding who slew the famous Great Xia generals Wanni Ba and Fang Qoupi?" Huang Wenlong asked, eyeing the tall young man with astonishment.

"I am he," Xiao Ding confirmed with a nod.

"And you are the one who designed the new crossbows that helped the soldiers hold Xinquan City?" Magistrate Yang asked with equal wonder.

"Yes, but the defense was a success because the troops worked in unison; it was not my merit alone," Xiao Ding replied modestly.

"And you led five thousand cavalry in a surprise raid on a twenty-thousand-strong barbarian camp, killing their renowned general, Wonafei?" Huang Wenlong seemed stunned, struggling to believe these feats were real.

"It was merely a matter of good fortune," Xiao Ding answered honestly.

"Extraordinary! Truly extraordinary! Brave, resourceful, and humble despite your achievements. Young man, your future is limitless!" Magistrate Yang praised, patting Xiao Ding on the shoulder.

"Thank you for your kind words, Magistrate!" Xiao Ding replied with a courteous bow.

"Young man, you are a pillar of the nation! Once the war is over, I shall report this to the Prefect and urge him to inform the Imperial Court to secure a generalship for you," Huang Wenlong said, looking at Xiao Ding with admiration.

"I dare not ask for such things. Actually, there is a matter I was hoping to seek your help with..." Xiao Ding bowed in gratitude and seized the opportunity to state his purpose.

"Name it; we shall do what we can," Magistrate Yang said readily.

Xiao Ding recounted the incident with Bian Hongtai. Upon hearing it, Huang and Yang exchanged a glance, both thinking to themselves that the young man was daring indeed—he provoked anyone without hesitation. They knew Bian Hongtai was one of Fei Wen’s men, and that Fei Wen would surely protect his own.

Nevertheless, Magistrate Yang patted Xiao Ding’s shoulder and said, "Do not worry. On my watch, no one dares to show contempt for the law."

Feeling reassured, Xiao Ding knew these two would stand by him. "I have one more question: why have our forces and the barbarians both ceased hostilities of late?"

Huang Wenlong sighed. "You may not know, but our current commander-in-chief is Fei Wen. During his last direct engagement, he lost more than half of our fifty-thousand-strong army. Now, he dares not make another move."

"But why have the barbarians stopped attacking?" Xiao Ding asked.

"I am not entirely sure," Huang replied uncertainly. "I suspect they are plotting something."

"I suspect they are waiting for reinforcements," Xiao Ding suggested.

"Why do you say that?" Huang asked.

"Lord Huang, think about it. They had superior numbers and tried to pick us off one by one, but they underestimated our resilience. Then, they concentrated their forces to strike at Dingbian, only to be thwarted by our reinforcements. Now, with their current strength, they cannot take any of our cities. If they want to win this war, they must bring in fresh troops," Xiao Ding analyzed in detail.

"Your logic is sound. If their reinforcements arrive, we will be in dire straits again. It seems we must prepare," Huang said, standing up with a renewed sense of crisis.

Just as Xiao Ding was about to continue, a soldier entered to report, "Reporting to Lord Huang and Magistrate Yang, Commander Fei has arrived."

Before the soldier could turn to leave, Fei Wen’s voice boomed from the doorway: "Lord Huang, Magistrate Yang, are you discussing military affairs? Why did you not invite me?"

A man of "five-short" stature—meaning short limbs, a short neck, and a height under five feet—waddled into the room. In an era where a common man stood about seven feet tall, Xiao Ding, at over eight feet, towered over them. Xiao Ding watched the approaching Fei Wen, thinking that this short-sighted fool had been the one to squander twenty-five thousand lives upon his arrival. How could such an idiot be a commander?

Fei Wen paced into the hall, his eyes locking onto the tall, imposing figure of Xiao Ding. He scanned him briefly before demanding, "And who is this?"

Xiao Ding bowed and cupped his hands. "I am Tian Xiaoding, greetings, Commander Fei!"

"Are you the one who kicked and injured Yuhou Bian on the street today?" Fei Wen glared at him. He had just learned that Bian Hongtai had been left incapacitated and effectively castrated. Hearing that the culprit had come to the county office, he had come uninvited to see who dared to harm his "close companion."

"Indeed, it was I," Xiao Ding admitted, not backing down.

"Do you know your crime? Do you know who it is you have injured?" Fei Wen shouted.

"I heard he was some sort of Yuhou," Xiao Ding replied, neither servile nor overbearing.

"Audacious! If you knew he was a Yuhou, how dare you assault an official?" Fei Wen roared.

Seeing Fei Wen’s tone, Xiao Ding realized immediately that the man intended to shield his subordinate.