Chapter 82: Cutting The Gordian Knot
As Xiao Yi finished speaking, the generals in the tent reacted differently.
Wang Yin and Guo Chongwei both looked moved.
Song Yanwo turned his head, his eyes holding a hint of insight. He must have seen through Xiao Yi’s thoughts, and that understanding then turned into admiration.
Wang Jun’s gaze was like a knife as he barked, “Boasting! How can Kaifeng City be taken by a junior like you…”
“Marshal!”
Suddenly, someone interrupted Wang Jun’s speech; it was Liu Tingrang, a scout general with the lowest rank in the tent.
Liu Tingrang cupped his fists in a grand gesture, knelt on one knee, and said loudly, “This subordinate also wants no reward. I wish to follow Commander Xiao to be the first to storm Kaifeng City, I only beg the Marshal to retract his order!”
With Wang Jun’s composure, his eyes still couldn’t hide their sinister glint, showing his great anger. He turned to Guo Chongwei and taunted him.
“General Guo, what a cunning plan.”
Liu Tingrang said, “What I have done has nothing to do with you, General!”
Guo Xin immediately stood beside Xiao Yi and shouted, “Father, I also wish to follow Xiao Yi to be the first to storm Kaifeng. I beg you to retract your order and no longer listen to that treacherous idea!”
“San Lang?!” Wang Jun roared, “You are too presumptuous…”
The next moment, a young guard general from behind Guo Wei suddenly stepped forward without permission, stood beside Liu Tingrang, cupped his fists, and knelt on one knee.
“Guo Shouwen wishes to follow Commander Xiao to be the first to storm Kaifeng, I only beg the Marshal to retract his order!”
“Uncle, Chongjin also wishes to be the first to storm Kaifeng with him!”
Another dark-faced young general stepped forward and requested to join them.
Xiao Yi looked back. Guo Shouwen seemed to be about his own age, and the others were mostly young, all with the courage and loyalty of youth in their eyes.
Then, to his surprise, another person also stepped forward and bowed.
“My Lord, Renbao wishes to persuade Father to surrender… I only ask… I only ask that My Lord retract his order…”
Although Hou Renbao was just a captive, his presence in the tent’s discussion today showed his considerable importance.
With every trembling word, his face grew paler, showing his resolve to state his position even if it meant facing death.
In a way, he represented Hou Yi, and even the attitude of the surrendered officials.
Guo Wei’s expression was calm, his gaze much deeper as he said, “Xiao Yi, spewing wild words, if you mislead the military strategy, do you truly think this Marshal would not be willing to execute you?”
Xiao Yi’s face was resolute, and he responded grandly, “This subordinate is willing to sign a military order. If I cannot take Kaifeng, I ask the Marshal to have me beheaded and displayed as a warning!”
“Guo Xin is willing to die with Xiao Yi. At that time, the Marshal can just chop off my head too!”
“If Kaifeng is not taken, Liu Tingrang is willing to die with you!”
“If Kaifeng cannot be taken, you don’t need the Marshal to execute me. I will simply die in battle!”
“Li Chongjin too. I will simply die in battle!”
“My Lord, I… I am willing to persuade Father to surrender. I didn’t say I wanted to go to Kaifeng…”
When Hou Renbao spoke, the tent fell silent for a moment.
For some reason, Guo Wei’s gaze fell on Wang Jun’s face, and he pondered without speaking.
An invisible pressure.
Xiao Yi was not in a hurry. His gaze swept over the command tent, where the defense map of Kaifeng City was spread out. The Cao Gate and Fengqiu Gate were circled in red ink, but there was no march route, only a few illegible names.
Looking at Guo Wei’s clear eyes again, Xiao Yi knew that he had a plan in mind.
A gentle, clear voice broke the deadlock.
“My Lord, the generals may be worried about the present or concerned about the future, both have their reasons, and it is a difficult choice. Xiao Yi has the youthful spirit and the courage to volunteer, why not allow him to try?”
Wei Renpu had not participated in the previous argument and had stood quietly to the side. He now stepped forward, bowed, and spoke calmly.
“If successful, Kaifeng will be taken without a fight, avoiding bloodshed, saving money, grain, and lives. Your magnanimity will spread throughout the realm, and then there will be no need to discuss plunder. The problem will be solved, and it will be a win-win solution. If it fails, it will fulfill the earnest wishes of the young generals to serve. It will not harm the overall situation, and we can discuss the old plan later.”
Wei Renpu paused slightly, his gaze swept over Xiao Yi, and he added with a smile, “Since Xiao Yi joined Your Lord’s command, he has had many fortunate encounters. He can be called a ‘lucky general.’ In extraordinary times, we do extraordinary things. Why not try to borrow this lucky general’s fortune? Perhaps it is the will of heaven.”
Heaven’s will sounded ethereal, but it was more useful than grand principles.
Li Rong nodded upon hearing this and said, “These words make sense.”
As a straightforward and hot-tempered general, Li Rong’s attitude was representative.
Guo Wei finally spoke, asking, “Brother Xiufeng, what do you think?”
Wang Jun said faintly, “I will obey the Marshal’s decision.”
Guo Wei’s face showed no discernible emotion. He said, “Xiao Yi, how many troops and supplies do you need? What is the time limit?”
Wang Yin and Guo Chongwei immediately turned their heads and showed their support with their eyes, signaling Xiao Yi to ask for as much as he wanted. Wang Jun watched with a cold eye, a sneer forming on his lips.
“Replying to the Marshal, this subordinate only needs a personal letter from the Marshal.”
Xiao Yi spoke at a steady pace and said slowly, “I was entrusted by someone to bring a letter from Kaifeng to the Marshal. Now I must fulfill my duty and deliver the reply.”
He had said the same thing, “entrusted by someone, to fulfill my duty,” when escorting the Guo family’s dependents north. Repeating it now made him seem even more composed.
Wei Renpu smiled slightly, gestured with his hand, and told Xiao Yi to come find him later for the reply.
“Good!”
Guo Wei gave him a deep look and suddenly stood up.
“This Marshal promises that if Bianliang voluntarily opens its gates to welcome our army, the so-called ‘ten-day plunder’ will not be mentioned again. Anyone in the army who dares to take even a single cent or object from the common people will be executed without mercy!”
“Yes!”
The young generals responded in unison with an undeniable excitement and determination.
Xiao Yi watched, thinking that these men were either Guo Wei’s nephews, grandnephews, or personal guards, or Guo Chongwei’s confidants. From the way he cultivated the young generals, it was clear who Guo Wei favored.
…
After leaving the tent, the young men immediately gathered together.
“That felt great!” Guo Xin said first, “We just have to make that old man Wang Jun lose face!”
“San Lang, don’t speak so carelessly.”
The speaker was the dark-complexioned young general Li Chongjin, in his early twenties. He was broad-shouldered and muscular, with a fierce face and piercing eyes, possessing the build of a fierce general. His voice was like a bell, carrying a rough aura.
After speaking, he threw an arm around Guo Xin and ruffled his hair bun.
“Good boy, we haven’t had a chance to get to know each other well during the march.”
“Brother, you smell terrible.”
Xiao Yi had heard Li Chongjin call Guo Wei “Uncle” earlier, so he knew he was Guo Wei’s nephew, and indeed, they were close.
“Brother Xiao, you have such courage and skill, and you saved Wu Niang… and San Lang. I like people like you.” Li Chongjin slapped his chest and said, “For this trip to Kaifeng, no other words are needed. We live or die together!”
“Although Shouwen is young, he knows loyalty and righteousness. For this trip to Kaifeng, I am willing to die with all my elder brothers!”
Guo Shouwen cupped his fists, his expression exceptionally solemn.
Although his physique had not fully developed, his features were clear and refined, and his gaze held a composure beyond his years.
Guo Xin put an arm around Guo Shouwen and punched him in the chest, laughing, “You’ve grown quite a bit! I almost didn’t recognize you… Xiao Yi, this is my younger brother. His father died in a battle in the Yellow River, and my father raised him like his own son.”
Xiao Yi returned the gesture, pulled Liu Tingrang, who was hiding behind, and said, “Scout General of the Vanguard Liu Tingrang, a descendant of a military family, a top hand in the army.”
“A good man!”
“For this trip to Kaifeng, from now on, we will be closer than brothers!”
“Great!”
The night wind was biting. The five young men held hands and bumped chests, unconcerned about the uncertain future, and instead felt their blood surge with excitement.
By chance, Xiao Yi looked back and saw Hou Renbao standing not far away, staring blankly in their direction.
Seeing Xiao Yi looking, Hou Renbao hesitated for a moment, gave a simple bow with a sheepish grin, and walked away.
“When do we depart?”
“We assemble at the camp gate at Mao Shi tomorrow, wearing captured Southern Army armor.”
Guo Xin suggested, “Shall we sleep together tonight and discuss the plan, what do you say?”
“There’s no need for that. Everyone should prepare and rest well.”
“Hey, you, I’m so happy right now.”
“Get some sleep early.”
Xiao Yi cupped his fists to everyone and said, “I still need to find Secretary Wei. Brothers, see you tomorrow.”
“See you.”
“I’ll accompany you.” Guo Xin followed, walking side by side, saying as they walked, “You’ve been busy these past two days, and I haven’t had a chance to tell you yet.”
“What?”
“I asked Father, why haven’t I seen Mother and Second Brother yet? Father said the mansion is under siege. When we enter the city this time, I will rescue them.”
“Mm.”
Xiao Yi knew that no matter how little Guo Xin liked to think, this matter wouldn’t be hidden for long.
A faint worry surfaced in his heart.
Upon arriving at Wei Renpu’s quarters, he was not there.
“Secretary Wei has gone to the supply camp to receive grain and fodder. He said Commander Xiao can go find him there.”
“Alright.”
Xiao Yi then headed towards the supply camp. He saw the campfires burning brightly, with auxiliary soldiers and quartermasters busily carrying and counting supplies, and a clamor of voices.
He saw Wei Renpu from afar, standing in front of a tent, speaking with a soldier. For some reason, his expression was a bit helpless and grave.
When Wei Renpu turned to look, the soldier also noticed Xiao Yi and rushed towards them.
The person was small and thin, wearing armor that seemed too large. Their face was smudged with dirt, making it impossible to see clearly.
Xiao Yi instinctively reached for his sabre, his hand on the hilt, but then stopped.
The other person had already reached him, tears streaming down, revealing fair skin beneath the dirt. Those bright eyes were very familiar to him, filled with pain and despair.
It was Guo Xin.
She couldn’t stop herself and crashed into Xiao Yi. She raised her fists and unhesitatingly beat against his chest armor.
“You liar! Wuwu… you lied to me, they’re all dead… why did you lie to me?”
“Wu Niang,” Guo Xin stepped forward, trying to pull Guo Xin away, “What are you doing…”
“Wuwu, I saw Elder Brother set up memorial tablets… he told me everything… Mother and Second Brother are clearly gone… this liar…”
Guo Xin stood there, stunned and disoriented.
Guo Xin continued to beat Xiao Yi.
Through the armor, Xiao Yi didn’t feel any pain. He lowered his head and saw Guo Xin’s eyes were red, her grief overwhelming.
Her tear-filled eyes were far more devastating to him than her fists.
