Despite the lingering reluctance in my heart, I had parted ways with my mother. I followed the army in a daze, paying no mind to what those around me were saying, until General Zhao walked up to my side and asked in a loud voice, "18th Prince, what should we embroider on our banners?" It was only then I remembered that since I had not yet come of age and held no fief, I had no surname.
I looked up at my nominal father, ready to see which patch of land he would grant me. Unexpectedly, that troublemaker—the First Prince—stepped forward and said, "18th Brother, you’re always spouting nonsense, why not just go by the surname 'Hu'?" I didn't care; it seemed I had the surname Hu in my previous life anyway. The name didn't matter to me. My nominal father gave a tacit nod. It seemed he really was determined to have me die out there; by withholding a surname, he signaled he had no intention of granting me a fief. He was dead set on finishing me off abroad.
Since I planned to run away eventually, it made no difference either way, so I had them embroider a large "Hu" on my banners. The First Prince was practically doubled over with laughter. I ignored him and set off with the main army. After a day on the road, my spirits improved slightly. I realized that wallowing in despair was no solution and that I needed to pull myself together. I found General Zhao and shared the training methods from my past life—after all, these few thousand men needed proper discipline. I instructed the Gene…
Chapter 23