Commander Zhang, Commander Zhao, General Zhou, and even Old General Xia were all present.
"Isn't the Queen coming for such an occasion?"
Tang Wen had never seen the Queen before.
Today was the commander selection, and the position of commander was undoubtedly a mid-to-high-level role in the camp.
For such a position to be handed over to a newcomer, shouldn't the Queen come to meet them?
A strange expression flashed across Zhou Bing's face. She didn't hide it in front of Tang Wen and whispered, "The Queen doesn't like these tedious administrative matters. After becoming a commander, you can go and pay your respects to her."
There were some things she couldn't say.
Tang Wen didn't ask further. As long as the Queen, the highest combatant, wasn't having issues, everything else was manageable.
It was said that the reason the Flame Camp could exist, maintain a certain level of fairness, and even allow mobility between social classes, giving people in the outer city hope, was fundamentally due to the Queen's combat prowess and character.
He had heard from the merchant caravans that among the twenty or so camps and villages they had visited, the Flame Camp was the most comfortable place for ordinary people.
The others, to varying degrees, had elements of slavery.
The lives of ordinary people were no different from livestock.
Martial Practitioners basically didn't care about them.
Even without Martial Practitioners, during famine years, they would starve to death.
Like the wind blowing across the grassland, some grass would inevitably fall.
It was precisely because the Queen's combat strength could fend off external enemies and her character ensured internal fairness that the Flame Camp thrived.
Tang Wen really wanted to meet this Queen and see what kind of presence she had.
Hearing the praise in his tone, Zhou Bing's expression turned strange, with a hint of wariness. "She, um, I mean Her Majesty the Queen, is already thirty years old."
"Huh?" Tang Wen was about to ask what that had to do with anything.
Thirty years old was still very young.
Suddenly, a voice from the stage called for silence.
Commander Zhao spoke.
His voice was steady and not loud, but it reached everyone's ears clearly.
What?
Before Tang Wen could ask, Zhou Bing leaned in and whispered, "Commander Zhao has made a breakthrough."
During dinner, she had mentioned that Commander Zhao had been ambushed and barely escaped after a fierce battle, leaving a scar on his face.
"A breakthrough in the face of life and death," Tang Wen mused, acknowledging that Commander Zhao was indeed a fierce warrior, already considered the top figure below the General.
Now, that position was likely solidified.
"In this camp war, we lost many brothers, but victory is ultimately ours! The Black Mountain Devils killed their own allies and came to us to sue for peace!
The grain they sent has filled all the granaries inside and outside the city. Even Her Majesty's garden and the General's residence are storing grain."
After Commander Zhao finished speaking.
The crowd erupted in cheers!
The war had loomed for two months, and the tension had built up for two months, now finally released.
Even though the grain was exchanged for two years of coal mining rights with the Black Mountain Camp.
But it was true that the Black Mountain Camp had killed their allies to seek peace.
The victory was undeniable.
The Flame Camp had the strength. After the war began, the Queen, General Zhou, and the former General all took to the field.
Then the commanders led a team of captains, forming an elite force that became the main force on the battlefield.
In contrast, the Black Mountain Camp's Black Mountain King and General Black Mountain Devil didn't dare to show themselves directly, only barely managing to contain the Queen and General Zhou.
They continuously sent Martial Apprentices and Martial Practitioners to their deaths, and when they finally dispatched a few Martial Masters to ambush Commander Zhao, it backfired spectacularly.
Commander Zhao unleashed a burst of power and ended up killing two of them.
After that, they had no choice but to surrender.
Commander Zhao raised his hand to calm the soldiers in the square:
"The hunting camp and the Guard Barracks are both preparing to expand. This selection will choose 10 commanders and 100 captains."
"Wow~"
The square buzzed with discussion.
Tang Wen's eyes flickered: This is an expansion of the army.
As for why they were expanding, he could roughly guess the reason.
In these chaotic times, the camp always needed sufficient reserve forces.
Next, Commander Zhao explained the rules.
The selection rules were simple: those who wanted to become captains of the hunting camp had to challenge a current captain.
They didn't need to defeat their opponent; they just needed to show they were evenly matched to advance.
As for who would challenge which captain, it would be decided by drawing lots, which also prevented any collusion or fixed matches.
After all, wherever there are people, there are bound to be personal connections.
After hearing the rules, Tang Wen frowned.
He had no interest in becoming a captain.
He wanted to challenge a commander, but he wasn't confident.
Mainly because he had never seen any commander go all out.
Without a basis for comparison, he naturally lacked confidence.
After Commander Zhao finished speaking, he took a step back, and just as everyone thought the selection was about to begin, someone else stood up—General Zhou.
"Before the selection begins, I announce several appointments made by the Queen."
The square quieted down after a brief murmur.
Although the Queen didn't involve herself in daily affairs, her prestige was truly high.
"Zhao Long, Commander Zhao, has repeatedly distinguished himself in battle and is hereby promoted to General of the Hunt! He will command the hunting camp!"
"Congratulations, General Zhao."
"Congratulations, General Zhao."
The crowd below cheered repeatedly.
It took over a dozen shouts before the congratulations finally became synchronized.
Those on the stage also congratulated General Zhao.
They had already known about this news, but it had only just been officially announced.
General Zhou, representing the Queen, presented General Zhao with a token, a badge, and new armor.
The latter accepted them one by one, and the two old comrades exchanged a knowing smile.
Tang Wen clapped and smiled along with everyone else. Zhao Long, Commander Zhao—no, General Zhao—his name was really down-to-earth.
But then again, it seemed like most people in the camp had simple names.
The square was lively for a while.
General Zhou waited for the cheers to die down before continuing, "Zhou Bing, Tang Wen, step forward."
There's something for me too?
Even Sister Bing didn't know?
Tang Wen looked over and happened to catch Zhou Bing winking at him.
Alright, it seemed she did know.
The two of them stepped forward to the base of the stage.
General Zhou announced, "Tang Wen and Zhou Bing achieved a great victory in the competition against the Black Mountain Camp. Tang Wen, in particular, defeated six opponents in a row, thwarting their schemes and securing significant benefits for our camp. Today, they are promoted to commanders."
Skipping the rank of captain and directly becoming a commander?
Tang Wen was pleasantly surprised. He had thought this achievement would bring some other benefits, but he hadn't expected a promotion.
"Zhou Bing, in this battle, killed three enemy commanders, accumulating enough military merit to be promoted to commander! Both of you, come up to the stage!"
The two of them leaped lightly onto the high platform.
General Zhao presented them with tokens and badges.
Tang Wen received a black metal token engraved with his name, the back of which was carved with blazing flames.
The badge was red, bright and eye-catching, with the words "Commander Tang Wen" engraved on it.
Zhou Bing had the same thing.
Both of them imitated General Zhao's earlier gesture and displayed it to the audience below.
"Congratulations, Commander Tang."
"Congratulations, Commander Zhou!"
The crowd below cheered once again.
Turning around, Tang Wen looked at the sea of people below, feeling a momentary daze.
Just moments ago, he was among the crowd cheering, and now he was part of the leadership.
The feeling was indeed different.
No wonder so many people were desperate to climb up.
So this was how it felt.
Not bad.
Waving to everyone, he felt light on his feet as he followed Zhou Bing to a corner.
General Zhao stepped forward and announced, "The assessment is about to begin. All commanders, please step forward."
The commanders gathered near the front of the stage.
Those who wanted to become commanders would have to challenge them.
At that moment, General Zhao suddenly turned around and pointed at
Tang Wen and Zhou Bing, saying, "What are you two standing there for? Come forward."
The crow
d erupted in good-natured laughter.
Huh?
Weren't we just promoted to commanders?
Now we're going from being assessed to being assessors?
Tang Wen hesitated as he walked forward from the back.
(End of Chapter)