Chapter 81: Factions
Looking out at the plains, dense masses of people were like ants.
Xiao Yi was one of them.
He reined in his horse before Murong Yanchao’s corpse. The biting southern wind blew incessantly but could not disperse the scent of blood in his nostrils.
With any movement, blood frost that had congealed on his armor fell off in rustles. The blood came from Murong Yanchao, the enemy soldiers, and also from many of his comrades.
Hua Nong, clutching a charcoal pencil and holding a roll of paper, hurried over.
“How many… casualties?”
Xiao Yi mentally estimated. The frontal engagement had lasted for a moment. Before the vanguard arrived, the Nian Battalion had engaged alone for less than two minutes, so they shouldn’t have lost too many men.
In this battle, he admitted that his command had many flaws, and there was still much room for improvement.
Hua Nong squinted his eyes, a movement so prolonged that Xiao Yi felt impatient, wishing he could get him a pair of glasses.
“Three dead, four seriously wounded, seven lightly wounded… I mean, not including Commander Chen’s men.”
Xiao Yi looked back. The men of the Nian Battalion had not continued to pursue Liu Tingrang and others to capture enemy heads.
Zhang Mantun’s warhorse had died, and he was searching for a tall horse; Old Pan was tending to the wounded, with Lu You and Wei Liang assisting; Fan Si was squatting on the ground inspecting damaged bows and crossbows; Guo Xin was arguing with Chen Guang Sui about something, while Tang Jin stood by with his arms crossed observing; Xi Hou was looking out from horseback; Hu Deng was gathering the captured Southern Army weapons together…
Jin Sanshui was actually not far from him, covered in blood, vomiting while clutching a tree.
“Ugh!”
Xiao Yi dismounted and walked over.
“Commander,” Jin Sanshui turned his head, wiped his mouth, and said, “I’m really not scared, I was just shivering from the cold. I stayed close to you, and killed two.”
“It’s good that you’re alive. Three bowls of lamb soup.”
“Alright, it’s just that the lamb soup has a strong smell. Right now, I… ugh…”
The battle had lost its suspense. Xiao Yi glanced south. The flags of the Southern Army generals had all disappeared over the hillside. He had no intention of dealing with the aftermath; that was for bigger figures to worry about.
After treating the wounded and clearing the battlefield, as night fell, Guo Chongwei sent a military order, commanding them to return to camp and rest.
Wuzhui also seemed tired, its pace considerably slower.
The soldiers excitedly calculated their reward money and talked about their plans for spending it. Xiao Yi was mostly silent, reviewing how he could do better, his mind preoccupied with Wang Jun’s order.
The campfires were bright when a shout suddenly rang out.
“General Xiao, who beheaded Yan Kunlunnu, has returned to camp!”
“I want to see too.”
Martial prowess was highly valued in the army, and many soldiers gathered around to see Xiao Yi, chattering amongst themselves.
“He doesn’t look very imposing, he’s a bit too handsome.”
“How old is he? He’s got real skill.”
“It’s his skill that’s handsome! I saw it with my own eyes. He shot down Yan Kunlunnu’s warhorse with an arrow. The accuracy, the riding skill, the spear technique, he stabbed him a few times and killed him!”
Xiao Yi cupped his fists and said, “It was just luck. It’s all due to my brothers fighting bravely.”
Some soldiers then inquired about how to transfer to the Nian Battalion, and everyone felt honored.
Upon reaching their quarters and still discussing merits, Chen Guang Sui arrived, with Zhang Biao, who had left the previous night, following behind him.
“Commander,” Xiao Yi was not petty, “Your timely reinforcement today, I thank you.”
“We shared the same pot of horse ladle, why be so formal?”
Chen Guang Sui waved his hand, sat by the campfire, and sighed, “Your skills are remarkable. You’ve established your authority in one battle, no question. The brothers all respect you. In the army, martial prowess is king. According to this situation, I should be transferred to make way for you. Let’s discuss it: my recruits, if they are willing to follow you, let them stay. If they want to follow me out of past favor, don’t force them. Is that acceptable?”
“Okay.”
Although Xiao Yi had some unpleasantness with Chen Guang Sui, he knew him to be fairly upright and agreed.
Chen Guang Sui, with one worry lifted, breathed a sigh of relief and smiled, “I’ll leave that new flag for you. Oh, and this kid.”
He looked back at Zhang Biao.
Zhang Biao cautiously glanced at Guo Xin and said in a low voice, “This minor subordinate first apologizes to Commander Xiao and Officer Guo…”
“Scram!”
Guo Xin directly cursed.
Xiao Yi also said, “I keep my word. If you leave, don’t come back. Since Commander Chen is moving up, take him with you.”
Chen Guang Sui smiled, said no more, and got up to leave.
For him, it was likely about not falling out with Guo Sanlang. They were comrades, and parting on good terms was sufficient.
Guo Xin was still indignant, saying, “Just looking at him makes me angry. We were about to earn great merit, and he comes to share the rewards.”
Tang Jin asked, “I also earned considerable merit, can I also get extra reward money from the Nian Battalion?”
“You’re not part of the Nian Battalion.”
“I can transfer. See, a position will soon be open. Once Commander Xiao is officially appointed, there will be a vacant Deputy Commander position.”
Zhang Mantun became furious and cursed, “You ugly mongrel, you have lofty dreams. Get lost.”
As they were speaking, Liu Tingrang arrived, his bloodstains still on him, a smile on his face.
“Commander Xiao, it’s time to present our merits at the main tent. Please.”
Xiao Yi picked up Murong Yanchao’s helmet and followed Liu Tingrang to the main camp tent. Guo Xin naturally followed behind them.
The main camp was brightly lit by bonfires.
The guards lifted the heavy felt curtain, and the sounds of argument from inside the tent carried out.
“Luring Murong Yanchao into attacking was expected. This subordinate has nothing to say. What we are discussing now is ‘plundering for ten days’!”
“What do you mean? Ye Du has risen in revolt, and our men have abandoned their homes and livelihoods. What are they fighting for? I tell you, it’s not for righteousness, but for the spoils of plundering after the city falls! Kaifeng has high walls and deep moats, and the Son of Heaven is determined to fight to the death. If plundering is not allowed, who will fight with all their might to attack the city? If we fail, it doesn’t matter if we die and are disgraced, but to ruin the Marshal’s lifelong ambition, wouldn’t that be a pity?”
“The Marshal’s ambition is to let the troops plunder and lose the hearts of the people?!”
“Chongwei, be careful with your words… Brother Xiufeng, Liu Zibei’s great victory has secured the general situation. Why is there a need for plundering? Today’s victory, the vanguard’s strict discipline and brilliant achievements, has an entirely different aura than that of rebels or bandits. This is the foundation of the Marshal’s enterprise. If we engage in plundering, even if we take Kaifeng, we will lose the hearts of the people. This is losing the big picture for a small gain, leaving endless trouble!”
“There are no jokes in the army. Last night, it was already promised that after the city is taken, they can take what they can. How can we go back on our word? The morale is like a rainbow, and it relies on this to be sustained. Once the order is rescinded, the army’s spirit will collapse in an instant. How can Kaifeng still be taken? How can this world be pacified?!”
Xiao Yi walked to the tent flap and saw Wang Jun finish speaking. Guo Chongwei was furious and about to attack, but was stopped by Wang Yin.
Wang Yin himself was also furious, agitated, and turned to Guo Wei, speaking impassionedly.
“Marshal, I will speak frankly. Everyone supports you, which perfectly aligns with the saying that he who wins the hearts of the people wins the world. Once you enter Kaifeng, everyone in the city will be your subjects. As a ruler, you must not emulate the behavior of regional warlords who let their troops plunder like bandits. Every move you make, everything you do, the world is watching. If you raise your sword to slaughter, you will lose all popular support, and you will ruin yourself!”
Wang Jun’s face turned ashen. He rebuked, “You speak of the ruler’s plans, but have you considered the treasury is empty? With what can you reward tens of thousands of fierce soldiers? In extraordinary times, extraordinary measures must be taken. Without the support of these formidable soldiers, the Marshal might not even be able to get past Liu Zibei, let alone conquer the world. To be bound by reputation at this moment is the path to disaster!”
“Does the Marshal fear his soldiers? The one who truly fears defeat and destruction is you…”
“Wang Yin! You are seeking undeserved fame, what are your intentions?!” Wang Jun raised his hand and pointed, rebuking, “You feign purity and put the Marshal in a difficult position. What is your aim?!”
“Bang!”
Guo Wei slammed his fist on the command table and roared, “Enough! I am not dead yet, you don’t need to mourn me!”
The tent fell silent, and a few people breathed heavily.
Xiao Yi’s gaze swept around, noticing that the positions in the tent were clearly divided.
Wang Jun, He Fujin, Li Rong, and others stood on one side; Wang Yin, Guo Chongwei, Song Yanwo, and others stood on the other. Hou Renbao was also there, standing behind Song Yanwo, trying to shrink his plump body.
Xiao Yi entered the tent and, without any hesitation, walked directly to Wang Yin’s side, clearly declaring his stance.
He wanted to support Wang Yin and Guo Chongwei, but what Wang Jun had said made him realize a problem:
With Liu Zibei’s great victory, the morale of the Southern Army was on the verge of collapse. Intimidating Kaifeng and forcing all the civil and military officials to surrender and offer the city was not difficult. At such a time, advocating for plundering, its necessity was probably no longer military.
Wang Jun asked Wang Yin what his intention was in winning over the populace. Then, what was Wang Jun’s intention in buying over the army’s morale?
This question could not be asked.
Guo Wei must be fully aware of everything and have his own considerations.
The great undertaking of rebellion was about to succeed, involving a massive distribution of interests. The minds of various generals were in a chaotic mess, no longer solvable by discussing right and wrong.
What Guo Wei needed was a sharp blade to cut through the chaos.
Xiao Yi held up Murong Yanchao’s helmet high and said in a clear voice, “This subordinate has beheaded the traitor Murong Yanchao and offers his merit to the Marshal!”
All eyes focused on him, some with admiration, others with ill will.
“Good!” Guo Wei said, “Beheading the enemy commander on the battlefield boosts the army’s might and morale. You are the first merit in this battle. Tell me, what reward do you desire?”
The words were generous and sincere, carrying admiration and affection for a junior, dispelling the unpleasantness in the tent.
However, Xiao Yi glimpsed that Guo Wei’s calm yet gentle eyes, as if inadvertently, swept over Wang Jun and Wang Yin.
He then realized that Guo Wei’s predicament was much more complicated than he had anticipated.
In the past two days, he had begun to feel distant from Guo Wei in his heart. A series of events made him realize that although Guo Wei seemed sentimental, he was ultimately just a military commander.
If he took the kindness of saving Guo family’s dependents too seriously, disaster would eventually befall him.
Coming back to his senses, Guo Wei’s current favor was more like asking a child to perform a show for relatives to liven up the atmosphere, used to divert attention and ease the conflicts between factions.
But he was certainly not only for this purpose.
He was the sharp blade that would cut through the chaos.
“This subordinate asks for no reward.”
Xiao Yi put down the helmet, suppressed his disappointment, anger, worry, and other emotions, cupped his fists in salute, and said with a firm tone.
“This subordinate is willing to die for the Marshal to take Kaifeng City without bloodshed, only requesting that the Marshal not condone plundering by the troops.”
