Chapter 65: The Oath Ceremony
The hour of Yin had passed, marked by the beating of the watch drum.
Each camp began cooking, campfires were lit in succession, and wisps of cooking smoke rose.
The simple aroma of millet mixed with dried meat dispelled some of the winter chill, as mess hall soldiers carried huge wooden buckets through the ranks.
Xiao Yi slept for less than an hour before rising again to eat with his comrades from the same command.
Though excited, they had no time for conversation, and ate in silent, huddled groups.
The sounds of chewing, bowls and chopsticks clinking, and the distant watch drum blended together, creating a uniquely cold sense of order within the military.
“Let’s go, time to raise the tent and discuss matters.”
Xiao Yi finished his last bite of millet porridge and hurried with Guo Xin towards the main camp tent.
As a deputy commander, he originally had no right to participate in military affairs. During discussions involving secret military matters, he could at most stand guard outside the tent as a guard general.
However, Guo Wei, perhaps recognizing his merit in protecting his relatives and his familiarity with Kaifeng City, intended to cultivate him. He specially permitted him to enter the tent as a guard, to be consulted, standing at the side of the tent, and not to speak.
This was one of the fastest ways to accumulate strategic experience.
“Report! The newly appointed Deputy Commander Xiao Yi and Left Commander Guo Xin have arrived.”
“Enter.”
Inside the main tent, Guo Wei, clad in Bright Light Armor, appeared calm, clearly ready to appoint generals and discuss strategy.
Xiao Yi quickly entered and stood beside Guo Xin in the corner to his left, his body ramrod straight, his expression solemn, and remained silent.
In the center of the tent, several low tables were set up, displaying a simple sand table. It was constructed from sand, gravel, wooden blocks, and strips of cloth of different colors, depicting the general terrain from Ye Du to Kaifeng.
The winding cloth strips represented the Yellow River and the Zhang River; sand and gravel were piled into hills, symbolizing the Taihang Mountains; small wooden blocks marked important cities such as Ye Du, Ci Prefecture, Ming Prefecture, and Xing Prefecture; and small flags of different colors indicated the troop strengths of both sides.
The layout of mountains and rivers, the positions of cities, and the main thoroughfares were at least more intuitive than a map, if not immediately clear.
Xiao Yi inwardly mused that this sand table was still too crude. Renowned generals and marshals had their own mental maps, and could understand it, but it was not practical for ordinary military students. If the concept of scale were introduced and the positions of mountains, rivers, and cities surveyed in detail, the army’s combat effectiveness could be improved.
Shortly thereafter, the generals gathered and paid their respects to Guo Wei with cupped fists.
“Let the military council begin.”
Without further ado, Guo Wei, holding a copper whip, walked to the sand table and pointed.
“Guo Rong.”
“Your son is here!”
“You will remain in Ye Du to guard our base. This place is the foundation of our retreat route; it must not be lost.”
Guo Rong stepped forward, solemnly accepting the order, and said, “Your son will guard Ye Du well, ensure the supply routes, and await Father Marshal’s triumphant return!”
“Guo Chongwei.”
“Here!”
“You will be the vanguard, take this route.”
The copper whip pointed to a shallow trench representing the official road, drawing a straight line southward.
Guo Wei’s voice was calm and his demeanor decisive, the earlier grief no longer apparent.
“You will lead your elite cavalry, with two days’ worth of rations for men and horses, and depart immediately. Travel day and night without regard for cities along the way. If you encounter any obstruction, you may make decisions as you see fit. Travel day and night to Chan Prefecture, inform Wang Yin to prepare grain and fodder. If he does not respond, requisition it on the spot.”
“Understood!”
Wei Renpu immediately picked up a military order from the marshal’s desk addressed to Wang Yin and handed it to Guo Chongwei.
Guo Wei continued to point at the sand table, his whip tip tapping twice on the Yellow River.
“Ensure that the Chan Prefecture army first secures Majiakou and Yangliu Ferry, dispatches men to fell trees for bridges and rafts, and paves the way for the main army to cross the river. There must be no delay!”
“Understood!”
“Afterward, your troops will reach within a hundred li of Kaifeng City, to intimidate the Imperial Court and ascertain their situation.”
“Your subordinate receives the order!”
Guo Chongwei clasped his fists, his voice like thunder.
Guo Wei moved his copper whip westward and said, “Wang Jun.”
“Here!”
“Ci Prefecture and Ming Prefecture control Fukou Pass. If Liu Chong attacks from Hedong, he must come this way; if Chang Si in Luzhou aids the Imperial Court, he will also strike our flank. You will capture these two prefectures, which will not only block Liu Chong but also deter Chang Si, ensuring our rear is secure.”
The whip tip drew a circle around the small wooden blocks representing the two prefectures.
Guo Wei said, “You must secure the Taihang Mountain passages as quickly as possible. After arranging defenses, lead your troops to rendezvous with my main army at the Yellow River. This matter is of utmost importance, and only you can handle it independently. Do not disappoint me.”
“Marshal, rest assured!”
Wang Jun accepted the order, his demeanor confident, clearly having a plan.
“Cao Wei.”
“Your subordinate is here!”
“You will take command of your former archer unit, cover the right flank of my main army, clear any obstacles, and then follow the main army south, directly towards the Yellow River.”
“Understood!”
“He Fujin.”
“Here!”
“You will accompany my main army’s left flank…”
Guo Wei’s decisions were clear and his tone resolute, earning the trust of his generals.
After the generals received their orders and departed.
Wei Renpu stepped forward and produced a prepared memorial. “My Lord, while weapons are sharp, one must not neglect the heart. I believe we can send envoys to the capital daily to present this memorial, placing the Imperial Court in a position of injustice and distrust. I request my Lord review it.”
Guo Wei did not take it, closed his eyes, and nodded, signaling Wei Renpu to read the memorial.
“Your humble servant received a secret edict last night, ordering Guo Chongwei to execute me and Wang Jun. This must be due to traitors like Li Ye and Liu Zhu deceiving His Majesty and framing loyal officials. The troops under my command are now enraged and request that I lead them south to the capital to present our grievances. If I refuse, I fear a mutiny of the entire army. If Hebei falls into chaos, the Khitans will surely take advantage of the situation, and the Late Emperor’s legacy will be in grave danger. Having no choice, I must lead the troops south, not out of defiance, but to request three things from His Majesty: first, an investigation into the crimes of myself and Wang Jun; second, the execution of traitors such as Li Ye, Liu Zhu, and Su Fengji; and third, care for the soldiers of Hebei, lest their loyalty and bravery be disheartened…”
Wei Renpu had only read this far when Guo Wei raised his hand to stop him.
“If His Majesty truly executes Li Ye and Liu Zhu, then what? As for Liu Zhu, I will personally tear him to pieces.”
“His Majesty’s seizure of power relies entirely on these traitors; he will never cut off his own arms,” Wei Renpu replied. “Even if that were to happen, My Lord would already be in Kaifeng, so how could you not enter the capital to pay respects to the Emperor?”
Guo Wei pondered for only a moment. “Very well, according to your words. Have it transcribed and sealed immediately and send it to Kaifeng.”
Xiao Yi, listening from the side, thought to himself that Wei Renpu had devised another excellent strategy to win over hearts and minds.
Guo Wei made a quick decision and issued another order.
“Beat the drums, muster the troops!”
“…”
“Dong!”
“Dong!”
As dawn broke, continuous drumming echoed through the great camp, piercing the morning light.
On the vast drill ground, a cold wind blew, and the battle banners fluttered.
Xiao Yi, following behind Guo Wei, quickly walked towards the platform for mustering generals.
He could feel countless gazes directed towards them. Looking out, tens of thousands of armored soldiers gathered like dark clouds, forming a solemn and orderly square formation.
Long spears stood like a forest, armor reflected the dim morning light, and killing intent permeated the air.
Before him, Guo Wei, draped in a large cloak, stood imposingly, his back a sturdy silhouette.
The drumming ceased.
Tens of thousands of soldiers on the drill ground remained silent, only the sound of wind and fluttering banners filling the air with a mix of unease and anticipation.
“Soldiers!”
Guo Wei’s voice was hoarse but carried immense power.
He raised a silk imperial decree.
“We have fought through blood, pacified three prefectures, expelled the Khitans, and guarded the borders for the court, shedding blood and sweat. Last night, I finally received an imperial edict from the capital. It was not a reward, nor a commendation, but an order for execution!”
He unfurled the silk for all to see and, with all his might, read out the contents of the decree.
By the time he finished reading the sentence, “to reduce the strength of Hebei and eliminate the threat of feudatory states, thus appeasing my heart,” his voice was hoarse and strained.
The imperial decree was thrown down from the platform.
A captain picked it up and showed it to the assembled generals one by one, while messengers loudly recounted its contents to the ordinary soldiers.
It was like a single spark falling into boiling oil.
A fierce and angry roar erupted from the drill ground.
Xiao Yi, looking down from above, saw the rage of tens of thousands of men burning like a fierce fire, soaring into the sky.
“Scoundrel Emperor!”
“Damned to hell!”
“They’re leaving us no way to live!”
After a long while.
Guo Wei said nothing until the soldiers had vented their anger. He then drew his saber and pointed it at the sky.
“Now that traitors have deceived His Majesty and ordered the execution of meritorious officials, it is better to march south and eliminate the corrupt officials and bring order to the realm, rather than sit and wait for our annihilation and the slaughter of our families. Do you wish to follow me?”
“We are willing to follow the Marshal!”
“Good! Those who march south with the army today will be rewarded five strings of cash for each enemy head; those who are the first to breach a city will be promoted three ranks and granted one hundred mu of land; for capturing or killing traitors, the primary contributor will be appointed Prefect, with their descendants benefiting; those who assist in capturing will be rewarded one hundred strings of cash; those who die on the battlefield will receive three shi of millet per month for their families, and if their sons wish to join the army, they will fill their father’s position and receive eternal stipends…”
Immediately, cheers erupted.
Guo Wei raised his voice and shouted, “The treasury currently holds twenty thousand strings of cash and fifty thousand shi of millet, all for your military merits; once we break into Kaifeng, the imperial treasury’s gold and silk will be inexhaustible. If there is any falsehood in the rewards owed, you may cut off my head to atone to the world!”
“Cleanse the emperor’s side! Execute the corrupt officials!”
“Kill! Kill! Kill!”
“Kill! Kill! Kill…”
The roars shook the heavens, like mountains collapsing and seas surging.
The armored soldiers, whether from fear or anger, wildly swung their weapons. Swords struck shields, emitting thunderous sounds.
Astonishing fighting spirit erupted from despair and greed.
The magnificent momentum of shared hatred seemed capable of crushing everything.
Guo Wei then issued his final order.
“The entire army advances!”
“The entire army advances!”
Command flags waved on the platform, and messengers shouted this order with all their might.
The army was like a slumbering giant beast, slowly beginning to awaken.
“Woooo—wooo—wooo—”
Low and desolate horn calls soared into the sky, echoing over Ye Du.
The black giant beast began to turn, its heavy steps kicking up dust that filled the air, making the ground tremble slightly as it slowly advanced southward.
Outside the camp gate, scouts rode twenty li ahead to scout the path. Following them, Guo Chongwei’s several thousand elite cavalry moved out first, their hooves like thunder, sweeping forward and soon disappearing over the horizon.
Fifty li after the vanguard advanced, the main army began to march.
From the interception of the secret edict to the preparation and deployment of troops, it had taken Guo Wei only a short two to three days. This swift counterattack, though rushed, was orderly.
It was expected that the Imperial Court would be caught completely off guard.
Xiao Yi led his contingent, incorporated into the left wing of the main army, positioned behind and to the side of Guo Wei’s main banner.
Soldiers surrounded him on all sides, an endless expanse.
Heaven and earth were filled with the tragic spirit of breaking the cauldrons and sinking the ships, and the determination to sweep across the mountains and rivers, making him feel as if he were caught in the torrent of history, rolling along with it.
No longer just an observer, he had joined the sweeping tide that would engulf the world, crushing everything that stood in its path…
