Chapter 62: The Main Camp Tent
The military camp stretched along the terrain, with deep, wide moats and numerous obstacles.
The patrolling soldiers wore clanking armor, and under the torchlight, their faces were weathered, their gazes sharp and defiant. Seeing this, Xiao Yi felt that only a truly formidable person could control these proud, fierce generals.
Looking up again, the archers on the watchtowers stood motionless, blending into the outline of the military camp, ready to take his life with an arrow at any moment.
Although personally led by Guo Rong, the layered sentries still rigorously checked credentials, and the strict military discipline and grim atmosphere were chilling.
“Let’s go, we’ll go to the main camp tent.”
“Yes.”
Xiao Yi looked around and saw that the camp was orderly, guessing that Guo Chongwei was likely not in rebellion.
The main camp tent was brightly lit outside, with two rows of soldiers standing in a dense formation.
The crackling sound of the campfire broke the silence, and the leaping flames, intermittently illuminating their fierce faces, revealed anger, grief, doubt, worry, and determination—a volatile mix.
The guards at the tent entrance, upon seeing Guo Rong, still demanded to see the talisman.
“This is Xiao Yi, whom the Marshal wishes to see. He knows the Kaifeng situation best.”
“Please.”
The military tent was very large.
Inside, generals with higher military ranks were lined up on both sides.
As he stepped inside, Xiao Yi immediately felt countless eyes scanning him, filled with scrutiny and probing.
His first action was to look at the person seated behind the commander’s desk.
Around fifty years old, he was powerfully built, standing as stable as a mountain, seeming to radiate a powerful fighting spirit. A bird tattoo was on his side neck, subtly trembling with the flexing muscles, lifelike, adding a touch of the unbridled ferocity of a seasoned warrior.
No wonder his nickname was Guo Que’er.
Guo Wei’s appearance was imposing, his expression resolute. His broad forehead and straight nose, with crow’s feet like knife cuts around his eyes, made him appear more steadfast. His eyes were deep-set, bloodshot, conveying inexpressible pain and disappointment, while also holding the decisiveness and authority forged through countless battles.
He was not as severe or exuded as much killing intent as Shi Hongzhao, but his presence was no less grand, more profound, and almost tangible.
A thought involuntarily arose in Xiao Yi’s mind.
“A true man should live like this!”
He took a deep breath, calmed his emotions, and shifted his gaze, first noticing Cao Wei standing respectfully in the tent.
Cao Wei, who had been imposing and stern before, had now removed his cloak and wore a distressed expression, desperately trying to appear as a loyal old subordinate.
Another person stood beside Cao Wei, about forty years old, tall and robust, with a well-defined face. His temples were streaked with gray, and he had evidently trimmed his beard short and stiff, softening the usual scholarly air of a civilian official, suggesting he was likely Guo Chongwei.
Indeed.
“Marshal, your subordinate owes you a debt of gratitude for your guidance and favor. Even if I were to be shattered into pieces, I could not repay even a fraction of it. How could I betray you? This must be a scheme by wicked individuals to sow discord and make us kill each other. I beg you to see the truth!”
Guo Wei picked up an imperial decree written on silk from his desk, stood up, walked to Guo Chongwei, and said, “Then you refuse to accept this imperial decree.”
“I refuse,” Guo Chongwei replied without hesitation, stating magnanimously, “If the Marshal doubts my loyalty, this subordinate is willing to commit suicide here to prove my innocence with my blood, without any regrets!”
With that, he knelt on one knee.
Guo Wei flung the imperial decree to the ground, clasped Guo Chongwei’s arms, and helped him to his feet.
“We brothers have fought alongside the late Emperor since we raised our troops in Taiyuan. Our bond was forged in seas of corpses and mountains of flesh; how could we be alienated by petty individuals? If I doubt you, wouldn’t it chill the hearts of all the officers and soldiers?”
Having said that, he pointed to the imperial decree on the ground, turned to the generals inside and outside the tent, and his voice suddenly rose, like a wounded lion.
“I just want all of you to see what this is!”
Guo Chongwei lowered his head, sighed, his face full of grief, and said, “Your Majesty… is foolish!”
Xiao Yi stood in an inconspicuous spot, observing intently, and saw no hint of pretense in their actions.
Completely different from Wang Yin’s intimidating Li Hongwei, here, there was no need for feigned sincerity, only anger.
Genuine, boundless anger.
It was as if every movement, every glance from everyone spewed forth fiery rage, their killing intent reaching the heavens.
Cao Wei’s throat bobbed. He said, “Lord Wang, you should also look. Your name is on the imperial decree…”
Another person stepped forward.
This man was nearly fifty years old, wearing a plain robe, likely with leather armor hastily put on over it. His face was thin, his cheekbones prominent, giving him a shrewd and capable appearance. His temples were gray, and he had deliberately trimmed his beard short and stiff, diminishing the gentle aura of a civil official.
He picked up the imperial decree from the ground, glanced at it, and a sharp glint appeared in his eyes.
His eyes darted, quickly scanning everyone in the tent, and he began to read aloud.
“By imperial edict, Guo Chongwei, Commander of the Tianxiong Army’s infantry and cavalry, the Emperor, inheriting the great enterprise and relying on honored elders. However, upon recent observation of Guo Wei and Wang Jun, since taking command in Ye, they have secretly colluded with rebels, wielded power arbitrarily, and acted with fierce rebellion, threatening the state. You have always been loyal and brave. Upon receipt of this secret edict, you are hereby empowered to execute them swiftly.”
Wang Jun paused at this point.
He emphasized his tone, raised his hand to point at the generals, and then uttered the final sentence with sonorous conviction.
“…And their followers, eradicate them together! Do not delay, and do not fail my expectations.”
After reading, Wang Jun raised the imperial decree high and followed with a passionate speech, his words flowing, even more inspiring than Guo Wei’s or Guo Chongwei’s.
“Shi Hongzhao, Yang Bin, Wang Zhang, all ministers entrusted by the late Emperor, dedicated their lives to the nation, yet were unjustly slaughtered at the palace gates. Their entire families were massacred. Now, this death warrant also incites Guo Chongwei and Cao Wei to kill Commander Guo and myself. Commander Guo led us through thorns and faced flying arrows, conquering the empire for the late Emperor through a hundred battles, risking death at every turn. He received the final decree and the trust of the late Emperor, doing his utmost to protect the nation without any selfish motives. Today, the corrupt officials in the imperial court, blinded and wielding power, wish to exterminate the late Emperor’s old subjects, the pillars of the nation!”
By the end, Wang Jun’s voice became hoarse, and he choked with sobs.
Everyone was moved.
Some generals began to whisper among themselves.
“It’s actually like this…”
“What should we do?”
Guo Wei gazed at them, deep weariness and sadness in his eyes, which then turned to resolve.
He bowed deeply to the generals.
“My entire family was annihilated, my trusted friends unjustly killed. I have no desire to live alone. You may all carry out the imperial decree, take my head to the Son of Heaven, and avoid suffering the fate of collateral damage, preserving your families’ lives.”
With that, he closed his eyes, held his head high, and offered his neck for execution.
Xiao Yi’s pupils contracted slightly. He could not detect any pretense in Guo Wei’s actions; he was neither pretending to be strong nor hiding his inner vulnerability, just genuine despair.
In contrast, he could sense Wang Jun’s intention to win people over and stir up emotions.
However, it was Guo Wei’s authenticity that made the scene more tragic and moving.
At this moment, in Xiao Yi’s eyes, Guo Wei was not a powerful military governor but a tragic hero loyal to the state, pushed to the brink.
A deathly silence fell over the tent and its surroundings, so quiet one could hear a pin drop. Then, the emotions of the generals exploded.
“Marshal!”
“Absolutely not!”
“Whoever dares to touch a single hair on the Marshal’s head, I will fight them to the death!”
“Let’s fight the dog imperial court!”
Guo Chongwei suddenly knelt down, his eyes wide with tears, and roared, “Marshal, you must not abandon yourself! I am willing to follow you back to Kaifeng, execute the traitors, and avenge Lord Shi, Prime Minister Yang, and those who were unjustly slaughtered!”
“Indeed!”
Wang Jun shouted, “How can a man like the Marshal be unjustly accused and suffer in silence, enduring eternal infamy? The Son of Heaven is young and unable to distinguish between loyalty and treachery; this must be the work of the corrupt officials. If these people are allowed to succeed, will the nation have any peace? Will the state be stable? The late Emperor’s foundation will be destroyed. I am willing to follow the Marshal to purge the corrupt officials around the Emperor, pacify the nation, cleanse these scoundrels, and bring order to the realm!”
Cao Wei cupped his hands and shouted, “I am willing to follow the Commander to purge the corrupt officials around the Emperor and pacify the nation!”
The furious generals were instantly ignited, responding with a thunderous roar. The clanking of armor filled the air, and the shouts of pleas and commands merged into a surging killing intent.
“We are willing to follow the Marshal to purge the corrupt officials around the Emperor and pacify the nation!”
“Return to Kaifeng and execute the traitors!”
“Kill! Kill! Kill!”
Xiao Yi, caught in the midst, found it deafening.
His vision was filled with faces contorted by anger and excited by greed, ferocious and savage, like wild beasts, like demons.
A colossal wave of rage washed over him, nearly igniting him as well and threatening to overturn the main camp tent.
Even Guo Rong’s face flushed red as he roared.
Xiao Yi couldn’t help but clench his fists and wave them. He tried his best to remain calm, knowing that at this moment, no one could stop these soldiers.
At this point, even Guo Wei could not curb the momentum of the troops.
Amidst the earth-shattering roars, Xiao Yi could faintly hear the gears of history grinding, rolling forward, unstoppable.
The blood in his chest surged uncontrollably.
“Please order, Marshal, to march back to Kaifeng, purge the corrupt officials, and pacify the nation!”
“Order it! Order it!”
“…”
Xiao Yi looked deeply at Guo Wei, seeing him standing on the crest of a storm, with the anger, resentment, ambition, loyalty, expectation, fear, and greed of countless soldiers surging below him, ready to crush anything that stood in their way!
At this moment, Guo Wei lost himself in thought; his grief-stricken heart could not control the situation, but his body instinctively knew what to do.
He spoke, his voice hoarse, yet decisive, shaking the surroundings.
“Issue my order – we will march south tomorrow to purge the corrupt officials and eliminate traitors, to bring stability to the state!”
“The Marshal is wise!”
“Everyone return to your camps and make preparations, check your retainers, repair military equipment, have meals at Yin hour, hold the morning assembly at Mao hour to discuss military matters, and depart at Si hour after the oath ceremony!”
“Yes!”
The generals responded with a thunderous roar, like the beating of war drums, shaking the four directions.
Then, with swift efficiency, they turned and hurried back to their respective camps.
Xiao Yi stood beside Guo Rong, witnessing this turbulent moment that would decide the fate of the world, his heart surging with emotion, unable to calm down.
