Chapter 123: The Yellow Banner Bestowed
The next day, the army returned from the Fuyang River camp and arrived at Xiang Prefecture in the evening.
Xiao Yi was stationed with Guo Wei in the camp outside the city. He had planned to rest early to relieve the fatigue from his trip to Hedong, but upon thinking that his skills were inferior, he first practiced a set of spear techniques.
As soon as he wiped the sweat, someone called him from outside the tent.
Just by the voice, he knew it was Guo Shouwen. He was in the throes of puberty, and his voice was as unpleasant as a drake’s.
“Brother Xiao, are you in?”
“What is it?”
“The army is holding a banquet to reward the officers and soldiers. It’s in the south camp, and General Li has invited you to join them.”
“Rewarding the troops at this hour?”
“Yes, Mister Wei approved it and allocated money and grain.”
“Then let’s go together.”
Guo Shouwen shook his head and said, “I am a guard for the Marshal, and I have to stand guard later.”
Hearing this, Xiao Yi vaguely had a premonition.
As he walked out, he left the inner camp and encountered Tang Jin.
“The south camp is rewarding the troops, are you going?”
“I am the Marshal’s personal guard, I can’t leave.” Tang Jin patted his belly and said, “If General Xiao is kind, pack me some meat, it will be enough for this belly.”
Li Rong happened to come out and cursed, “Is eating the important thing? Your brain is in your belly.”
Tang Jin tilted his head back and cast a look of disdain at Li Rong.
Xiao Yi, before Li Rong could see, spoke and led him outwards.
“Why is there a banquet tonight?”
“Do you remember my analogy? The brothers are stirred up, and they need to be appeased, right?”
Leaving the inner camp and walking half a mile south, the aroma of wine and roasted meat grew stronger.
Dozens of large pots were set up in the south camp’s drill ground, with firewood crackling at the bottom, and the meat broth bubbling. The cooks stirred the horse ladles energetically.
The captains sat in groups around the fire, on rough felt blankets, drinking wine from pottery bowls.
“Let’s go inside.”
Moving inside one layer of camp fence, they saw the generals of commander rank and above sitting around, gnawing on meat bones and drinking good wine. Mu Lingjun, Fan Shouxu, Li Shoujie, and others were also present, but they seemed preoccupied, talking in hushed tones.
Li Rong didn’t stop and passed through the last layer of camp fence, where he saw more than ten small tents surrounding a large one.
He casually lifted a tent curtain, saw there were no empty seats, found another, and went straight in.
“Come in, we’ll sit here.”
Xiao Yi followed him in. Inside the tent, four generals were sitting around several platters of food on thick felt, talking in low voices. When they saw Li Rong enter, they immediately fell silent.
Perhaps Li Rong didn’t have a good reputation.
The atmosphere was somber, but Li Rong didn’t mind and rudely picked up a platter to grab meat.
Xiao Yi noticed that the horse dung between his fingers hadn’t been completely cleaned off, and when he picked up the platter, he had dipped it into the broth.
“Everyone eat.”
“Okay.”
Xiao Yi was not polite either, eating only the rich dishes like stewed fatty goose and roasted donkey meat.
Looking again, in the center of the felt was a large steamed flower cake with a large character “Fu” (fortune) written on it.
The tent curtain was lifted again, letting in a blast of cold wind.
“It’s full,” Li Rong said without looking up, cursing, “Which donkey ball? Hurry up and lower the curtain for me.”
“Xiao Lang?”
The person called out, and then sat down to Xiao Yi’s left, it was Wang Chengxun.
“I’ll squeeze in here too… Fu Lu Cake, a good omen, why aren’t you all eating?”
Li Rong shouted, “No one is breaking it first, you’re all just being polite.”
Wang Chengxun smiled slightly and said, “General Li, please.”
“I may be a rough person, but I’m not without discretion. We should wait for the generals in the main tent to speak before we start eating this main dish.”
After speaking, Li Rong squeezed past Xiao Yi and leaned over, lowering his voice, and asked Wang Chengxun a question.
“Tell me, what is your father’s plan?”
Wang Chengxun did not answer, dipped his finger in wine, and wrote a character on the felt.
Xiao Yi, caught between the two, looked and saw it was the character “Li” (stand).
Li Rong scoffed, as if he had some profound understanding, and finally uttered a sentence.
“I don’t know how to read.”
Wang Chengxun let out a soft, speechless sigh and no longer wanted to deal with Li Rong. He casually poured out the wine in his cup, refilled it, took a sip, and glanced at the other four generals in the tent.
“I received news that Ma Duo has entered Xu Prefecture, and Liu Xin is already dead.”
After he shared this useful intelligence, they began to converse in low voices.
Xiao Yi did not participate in the discussion, burying his head in eating, and listening intently.
“If that’s the case, what concerns does the Marshal still have?”
“Let’s ask General Li and General Xiao, what is the situation in Hedong?”
“The situation is excellent! Both Lu and Jin Prefectures have been captured, and that dog Liu Chong cannot fight back.”
“It seems this Fu Lu Cake is definitely going into our stomachs.”
“It depends on how it’s divided.”
“I heard the Marshal intends to divide the troops and return to Ye Du to garrison there. I wonder who will miss out.”
“Second Young Master Wang, your father has the highest prestige, you must speak up for everyone.”
“My father is old and cannot make the decision.”
“Even if you can’t, you must. The soldiers getting agitated is no joke.”
“Exactly, in the final moment, if something goes wrong, no one can stay stable…”
Xiao Yi remained impassive, silently observing.
Suddenly, Wang Chengxun drew his dagger and cut open the Fu Lu Cake in the middle with great spirit.
“I, Wang, am young and inexperienced, and I am willing to divide the cake for you all!”
“Good!”
The generals cheered, raised their cups together, and each grabbed a piece of cake and took large bites.
Xiao Yi deliberately used the lotus leaf below to pack a piece for Tang Jin.
Suddenly, someone outside shouted, “General Guo is back!”
Everyone seemed to immediately have a leader.
Li Rong immediately stood up and lifted the curtain to go out.
Xiao Yi swallowed the last piece of meat and followed the generals out, seeing Guo Chongwei striding towards them, travel-worn, his armor stained with blood and snow.
“Why is General Guo back too?”
“I heard you’ve reached Qinzhou, how was it?”
“Haha, Li Cungui is nothing special!”
“Let’s talk as we walk. Xiao Yi, you come too.”
Xiao Yi quickly secured the packed Fu Lu Cake and followed.
Guo Chongwei walked directly to the main tent and lifted the curtain to enter. The tent was spacious, with two rows of tables, each laden with wine and dishes.
However, the great generals were not in the mood to eat, gathering in twos and threes talking.
Wang Yin was sitting in the main seat, and He Fujin was standing beside him, speaking excitedly.
“What are you afraid of? If you don’t step up, who will?”
Xiao Yi noticed that the food and wine on the left-hand seat had not been touched at all, and the chopsticks were clean. It seemed Wei Renpu had not come in person, but his seat was reserved.
Guo Chongwei strode forward and asked, “What has happened?”
“The morale of the army is hard to contain,” Wang Yin sighed worriedly, “If this continues, there might be a mutiny.”
“Can it be suppressed before returning to Kaifeng?”
“No.”
Wang Yin shook his head and said, “Otherwise, we would rather have Wang Jun step forward.”
Guo Chongwei, unlike others’ hesitation, decisively said, “Then let’s do it.”
“I only fear that the Marshal, valuing loyalty and righteousness, will be unwilling to betray Gaozu, making it difficult for him to make up his mind.”
“Then we shall persuade him.”
“It’s still up to you to dare to take responsibility,” Wang Yin sighed and asked, “When will you persuade him?”
Xiao Yi stood behind and could see the worry in Wang Yin’s eyes.
However, even Guo Chongwei’s back exuded decisiveness and resolve. He only gave a one-word answer.
“Go.”
After speaking, Guo Chongwei poured himself a bowl of wine and declared loudly, “I have decided to persuade him. Those who wish to accompany me, drink this bowl!”
“Of course, I wish to accompany you!”
“Drink!”
With the words spoken, no one did not raise their bowl.
Xiao Yi drained a bowl of wine, though it was not strong, he inexplicably felt a surge of warmth rush to his cheeks.
“Hold your wine, let’s go.”
Following Guo Chongwei, the generals exited the tent.
Outside, the captains had already picked up their wine bowls.
“Those who wish to accompany the persuasion, drink!”
“Drink!”
Xiao Yi drank his second bowl, feeling warm all over and inexplicably excited.
Wang Chengxun squeezed over and said, “My father is always hesitant, but General Guo truly shows the spirit of a hero. I wish to follow him!”
“Don’t be impulsive.”
Exiting the camp fence, the captains outside were already in a frenzy.
Wine bowls were held high, and there was no need for further words. Guo Chongwei was always a man of few words, but his every word carried immense weight.
“Let us all drink together and share in this great endeavor!”
“We wish to follow the general and share in this great endeavor, drink!”
After the third bowl of wine, Xiao Yi’s stomach felt very full, and he felt a little drunk.
“Clang!”
“Clang!”
He also smashed his empty bowl to the ground, shattering it into pieces.
The atmosphere became even more fervent.
“Let’s go! Share in this great endeavor!”
The generals stepped on the broken pottery and hurried towards the main camp tent.
Xiao Yi occasionally looked back; behind him, there were only a few hundred people at first, but they kept increasing. By the time they reached the south camp, they were already a dense crowd.
Passing a large banner in the camp, Wang Yin pointed to the yellow flag among the directional flags and ordered, “Go, retrieve it.”
However, he did not give specific instructions to anyone.
Xiao Yi glanced sideways; of the few people around who heard the order, Li Rong had an eager expression, but his movements were quite hesitant.
He instantly considered whether to undertake this task.
The advantage was that he could leave a deep impression on Guo Wei and gain recognition, but this was also a disadvantage; after gaining recognition, he would only provoke others’ jealousy, and it might not significantly improve his standing in Guo Wei’s heart.
It was not suitable for someone like him, who was already favored by the Emperor.
Just as he thought this, a figure beside him stepped out from the crowd, it was Wang Chengxun.
Xiao Yi looked at Wang Yin and saw a flash of disappointment in his eyes.
Wang Yin seemed to sense it and glanced in his direction, his gaze seemingly carrying admiration and regret.
Walking through the camp towards the inner camp, the soldiers cheered and called out to their comrades, rushing over in groups.
After all, no one wanted to miss the merit of enthronement.
There were already too many people. Xiao Yi saw soldiers pushing and shoving, a hint of mutiny, and he couldn’t help but worry that the situation would get out of control.
“General Guo.”
Guo Chongwei turned his head and glanced back, ordering, “All commanders, all companies, control your soldiers!”
“Yes!”
The gathering trend could no longer be stopped, but the soldiers consciously formed ranks, neat and silent, with high morale.
By the time they reached the main camp tent, the entire encampment had been awakened.
Like a military review on a drill ground, the generals and soldiers were arrayed, the light of the torches extending to the horizon, making heaven and earth seem like daylight.
Tang Jin, Guo Shouwen, and others were on guard, drawing their sabres to block, shouting nervously.
“What do you intend to do?!”
Guo Chongwei strode forward, loosening his sabre and removing his armor as he walked, shouting, “Make way!”
“General, you’ve brought so many people, at least tell us what’s going on…”
“Persuasion.”
Xiao Yi saw Tang Jin’s hesitant expression and stepped forward, putting an arm around him and saying, “I packed you some Fu Lu Cake, go eat it on the side.”
Guo Chongwei, Wang Yin, He Fujin, and other great generals then passed by Tang Jin and Guo Shouwen, lifted the curtain, and entered the tent.
Inside the tent, Guo Wei was talking with Wei Renpu. His gaze fell upon them, and he slammed the table, roaring.
“What are you doing?! Trying to start a mutiny!?”
“Marshal, please calm your anger.”
Guo Chongwei knelt on one knee, his voice like a thunderous bell, saying, “The Liu family has lost virtue, the realm has no master. We ask the Marshal to follow Heaven’s will and human desires, ascend the throne as Emperor, to stabilize the army and pacify the realm…”
“Silence!”
Guo Wei was furious and berated, “Gaozu treated me with immense kindness, how could I face him in the afterlife if I did what you suggest?!”
The officers and soldiers, who had arrived with such fervor, were chastised into a moment of silence.
Xiao Yi’s gaze fell upon Wang Chengxun, whose hands trembled slightly. Finally, with a resolute air, he stepped forward, unfolding the yellow banner he held, intending to drape it.
Guo Wei glared, then turned to Wang Yin and cursed.
“Wang Yin, considering our years as comrades, I will not punish you. Quickly restrain your men, or I will take your head!”
Wang Chengxun’s eyes widened in shock, and his steps faltered.
Suddenly,
a great roar ignited the soldiers outside the tent.
“Long live!”
The shouts spread like waves, rising higher and higher.
Afterward, they returned like waves, even higher and grander, the entire earth vibrating.
The soldiers’ faces flushed with excitement. They slammed their weapons to the ground, the clang initially chaotic, then gradually becoming unified.
“Dong! Dong!”
“Long live! Long live!”
“Dong! Dong!”
“Long live! Long live!”
“…”
The sound drowned out everything between heaven and earth.
Xiao Yi watched as Wang Chengxun whispered something, likely expressing the will of the officers and soldiers. Only then did he dare to step forward and place the yellow robe on Guo Wei, then quickly knelt on the ground.
“Your Majesty, please obey Heaven and the people, ascend the throne and become Emperor!”
“Your Majesty, please obey the will of the people, ascend the throne and become Emperor…”
Tens of thousands were present, yet perhaps only Xiao Yi saw Guo Wei’s expression.
It was a look of fear, confusion, shock, hesitation, gravity, sadness, satisfaction, pride, and resolute determination, as if pushed to the very highest point by countless hands, with a resolve to give everything.
Xiao Yi tried to comprehend. Perhaps it was like the first time he mounted the fastest steed and galloped, feeling an inability to control it, fear, and then surprise and exhilaration?
He saw Guo Wei touch a patch on his old military robe, adjust the yellow banner that had slipped from his neck, and stand up.
“Clang.”
Guo Wei drew his sabre.
“No clamor!”
The tens of thousands gradually fell silent, countless expectant gazes fixed on the great tent.
“If you wish me to ascend, first agree to three conditions: inform the Empress Dowager, preserve the Han Dynasty’s ancestral temples, and do not harass the common people. If you agree, we will return to Bianjing. If you do not, I would rather die than be a traitor to the Han.”
The atmosphere tensed, then erupted in joyous cheers.
“Your Majesty has agreed!”
“We agree to Your Majesty’s terms!”
Xiao Yi was dazed by the deafening cheers. He looked at Guo Wei again and saw that his eyes had become pure, as if a flame had burned away all distracting thoughts.
Burning, only… ambition, boundless valor!
“Long live! Long live!”
“Long live! Long live!”
