Chapter 69: Isolation
Returning to his quarters, Xiao Yi placed his bloodied bow beneath the large banner of the Nian Battalion.
After standing for a while, he turned back and saw his subordinate soldiers already gathered behind him, filling the main hall of the inn.
“Today, no one in the Nian Battalion died in battle, but some died by military law.”
Xiao Yi spoke, his voice calm.
“You might say that all soldiers in the land burn, kill, and plunder, so why shouldn’t we. You know the reason in your hearts; think about whether your parents and children support a righteous army or bandits. I won’t say much more. The Nian Battalion is newly established, and today I am setting the rule here: abusing the common people is not allowed! As the saying goes, ‘those who walk different paths cannot plan together.’ If you cannot do this, leave as soon as possible.”
The atmosphere was heavy, and everyone looked at each other. Most of the soldiers from Chan Prefecture looked displeased, while some showed admiration. The newly incorporated surrendered soldiers mostly looked numb.
“The reward money has arrived, distribute it. I will establish another rule: the Nian Battalion will never withhold reward money or provisions. If there is even one instance, you can report me anytime.”
With that, Xiao Yi arranged for Old Pan to distribute the reward money and went to fetch water to wash his hands.
Hua Nong came over holding the military register and said, “Commander, Xu Sheng’s name has been crossed out, and his two confidantes have been transferred. Please review it.”
Xiao Yi’s gaze swept over the military register, noting that the names of over twenty captains and company commanders listed were all soldiers from Chan Prefecture brought by Commander Chen.
“Commander Chen is likely very displeased today,” Hua Nong said.
Xiao Yi couldn’t help but smile slightly and said, “So you know that too.”
“Your subordinate is slow-witted, but not foolish. Even if Commander Chen isn’t angry, he can’t let this matter go, otherwise, he cannot explain it to his subordinates. Moreover, Young Master has offended General He, and General Li will likely consider you not to be on the same side.”
“Then do you think I did the right thing?”
“Yes!”
Hua Nong nodded without hesitation, even with some excitement.
“Young Master said that the world is wrong, and aren’t we going north precisely to change the world? It’s just that Young Master has never been ostracized in the army, so you probably don’t know how difficult it will be. However, I have experience…”
“Don’t worry, I don’t think I will be ostracized. As I said, that which is long divided will unite. I believe in my choice.”
“Regardless of whether Young Master’s choice of Commander Guo was right or wrong, tonight, I know for sure that I have not misjudged you.”
Hearing this, Xiao Yi felt much relieved.
Before deciding to kill Xu Sheng, he had thought a lot, and afterwards realized he had overthought things.
The idea of “small impatience leads to the ruin of great plans” was merely an absurd notion of being assimilated first and then changing things. He preferred to clearly express his attitude from the very beginning. Certainly, some people would stand in opposition to him, but there would also be those who shared his aspirations.
Other matters can be gray, but major issues of right and wrong must be clearly distinguished.
For him, it was that simple.
Xiao Yi patted Hua Nong’s shoulder and said, “To change the atmosphere in the army, we cannot rely solely on military law and rewards; these are superficial remedies. We must raise the awareness of the officers and soldiers.”
“Please enlighten me, Young Master.”
“Instill ideology,” Xiao Yi thought for a moment and said, “Not in the way you usually do, ‘we must care for the people.’ That’s useless. You need methods to make them understand what is shameful and what is glorious.”
Hua Nong quickly took out his ink brush and ink, and began writing rapidly behind the military register. He narrowed his eyes and asked, “How to instill this?”
“In ways that are well-received, using specific characters and stories to establish their sense of morality and righteousness. Huo Qubing conquering the Xiongnu at Mount Lang was heroic, while petty individuals who bully the common people are scorned.”
“Is this the way of education?”
“You need to learn to integrate education with entertainment, otherwise, others won’t listen to you.”
Hua Nong nodded repeatedly, memorizing it with great enthusiasm.
But as soon as he stopped writing, a worried expression returned to his face. He said, “Young Master, what if Commander Chen tries to oust us from the Nian Battalion? Will these good strategies still be implemented?”
Xiao Yi smiled and said, “Even if I am dismissed tomorrow, the Nian Battalion must have rules tonight.”
“Good.” Hua Nong then felt less uneasy and said, “To hear the Way in the morning and die in the evening is sufficient.”
Suddenly, the urgent sound of hooves echoed from outside the door; a messenger had arrived.
“Deputy Commander Xiao, the Marshal summons you.”
“…”
The Commander’s Mansion of the Yi Cheng Army.
When Xiao Yi arrived, his three superiors, Chen Guang Sui, Li Rong, and He Fujin, were standing in the front courtyard talking. They had different expressions upon seeing him.
“Commander Chen.”
“I am a straightforward person, and I will speak my mind,” Chen Guang Sui said. “I advocate for appointing Hua Nong as commander, which shows I have no intention of fighting you for power, is that not so?”
“Yes.”
“Fine, then you and I will not oppose each other, it has nothing to do with personal feelings. I didn’t intervene when you killed the people I brought; who would still obey me? Your approach to managing the army and mine are different; we can’t work together, is that not so?”
“Commander, only military law can convince people…”
“Enough nonsense. I have already told the Marshal that this small position of the Twentieth Commander is too shallow to accommodate a true dragon like you. I have asked him to find you another high-ranking position, considering your merits.”
After speaking, Chen Guang Sui cupped his hands to He Fujin and Li Rong and turned to leave.
Xiao Yi had traveled north from Chan Prefecture with him and south from Ye Du. They traveled together for three hundred miles. Initially, they admired each other, but in the end, they parted ways.
Li Rong let out a dry chuckle, not considering it a major issue. “It’s nothing. People were killed, and disputes in the army are inevitable.”
Just by hearing this, Xiao Yi knew they were not talking about the same thing.
He Fujin, on the other hand, was full of disappointment and shook his head. “I am not here for your matter, but for San Lang. I heard he fell off his horse today and almost died in battle, is that true?”
“He did fall off his horse, but…”
Before he could finish, He Fujin turned to Li Rong and berated him, “Who told you to be greedy and advance rashly?”
“Wasn’t I taking advantage of the situation to capture Huazhou?”
“What’s the use of capturing Huazhou if you endangered Guo Sanlang?!”
Li Rong was taken aback. “So what? Didn’t Da Lang Guo also risk his life when he first joined the army?”
“Foolish brute, can it be the same in this day and age?”
“If you, General, are worried about him, then don’t have him under my command. This subordinate can raise wolves, but cannot protect sheep!”
He Fujin was furious and shouted, “You still don’t know the gravity of the situation! The Marshal has summoned San Lang for so long, it might be for this matter. See what you will do!”
Li Rong was thoroughly scolded and looked dejected.
As they were speaking, Guo Xin and Zhang Mantun came out.
“My father, the Marshal, has summoned you all.”
He Fujin and Li Rong straightened their armor and entered along with the generals waiting in the side rooms.
Xiao Yi followed behind, and Guo Xin tugged at him, speaking in a low voice.
“Hey, I just heard General He scolding General Li.”
“Scolding him is the least of it. If you had died today, the fact remains that he would be undeniably responsible and implicated.”
“This…”
Guo Xin was stunned.
Xiao Yi said rather impolitely, “I know you are full of passion, but the facts are there. If you impulsively lost your life, you would implicate others. Think about it yourself.”
“Oh,” Guo Xin mumbled. “I’ll be careful next time. Today I was clearly following orders to fight, how did it become my fault?”
Xiao Yi thought that Guo Xin was not suitable to be under Li Rong; both of them were impulsive.
“Is Marshal Guo summoning you for this matter too?”
“No,” Guo Xin yawned. “I’ve been chatting with Song Yanwo. He’s the surrendered general, yet he interrogates me.”
“He interrogates you?”
“What? Have you seen his resume in the study of the Shi Residence again?”
“I heard Shi Deyu mention him. ‘Imperial relative, feudatory high official.’ He is the grandson of Emperor Zhuangzong of Tang, and the imperial son-in-law of Emperor Gaozu. At eleven, he was appointed Palace Guard, at seventeen, he was made Censor-in-Chief, and at twenty, he became Minister of Personnel. Now, he is only twenty-four, enfeoffed as the Duke of Guangping Commandery, Acting Grand Commandant, bestowed the title of meritorious official who founded the state and secured peace, and is the Military Governor of the Yi Cheng Army.”
“Da Lang Shi must be extremely jealous,” Guo Xin sighed. “He is indeed handsome. My father said that compared to him, I look like a wild monkey.”
“So, what did he interrogate you about?”
“He was testing me…”
As they spoke, they entered the main hall of the Commander’s Mansion, still standing aside, unable to speak.
If the previous military council was a chance encounter, this deliberate summoning of them clearly indicated an intention to promote them.
Guo Wei sat upright in the main seat, majestic and imposing.
To his side sat a young man, with a handsome and refined bearing, and an elegant temperament. What was rare was his clear gaze, humble demeanor, and not a trace of unease. He possessed a composure unsuited to his age.
This must be Song Yanwo, the Military Governor of the Yi Cheng Army.
“Marshal.”
“All generals, dispense with formalities.”
Guo Wei’s voice was like a deep bell. “Song Yanwo, the Military Governor of the Yi Cheng Army, understands propriety and cares for the army and the people, saving Huazhou from devastation and opening a passage for our army to move south. From now on, we are comrades-in-arms, sharing the same boat.”
Song Yanwo calmly stood up and bowed to all the generals.
“Our sovereign is in exile, and traitors in Bianliang have unjustly killed the appointed successor and slaughtered loyal officials, inciting the wrath of both gods and men. Duke Guo has raised his banner, and the world looks to him. Although I am young and lack virtue, I wish to stand shoulder to shoulder with you all to assist Duke Guo in removing corrupt officials and securing the state.”
The generals returned the bows one after another.
Xiao Yi stood in the corner and noticed Li Rong in front of him smile lightly. He disdained such platitudes.
Afterwards, Wei Renpu stepped forward, holding a scroll.
“Reporting to the Marshal, your subordinate has counted. The Huazhou treasury contains eight thousand hu of grain, fifty thousand bundles of fodder, three thousand bolts of silk, and eight thousand strings of cash; three hundred sets of armor, eight hundred bows, and sixty thousand arrows.”
He paused slightly and looked up at Song Yanwo, with a tone of admiration.
“The Huazhou treasury is well-stocked and the accounts are clear, which fully demonstrates the precise governance and diligent preparation of Military Governor Song. For example, seventy percent of the arrows are newly fletched, and the bowstrings are soaked in ox tallow, preserved properly. This is truly fortunate for the army.”
Over in the corner, Li Rong turned his head and whispered to Xiao Yi, “He did preserve them well. I only surrendered after I had already stabbed them into the city.”
In the hall, Song Yanwo’s voice was clear and resonant. “Secretary Wei praises me too highly. After all, guarding the granary and maintaining the armor and weapons is the duty of a Military Governor. Last year, the Khitan harassed the border, and this spring there was an alert in Luzhou, so I dared not slacken. I made some preparations. The small reserves of Huazhou could supply the provisions for the righteous army. Who would have thought that Heaven’s will would be that they were left for Duke Guo’s righteous army.”
At the end of his speech, he turned to Guo Wei, his words earnest, and said with emotion.
“This is not human strategy, but truly Heaven’s will favoring Duke Guo.”
Li Rong agreed with this statement and nodded.
Xiao Yi thought to himself that Song Yanwo’s responses were fluent, his words were neither humble nor overbearing, and he was knowledgeable in administrative matters. He was certainly not an ordinary dandy.
“You have shown great understanding, saving Huazhou from the ravages of war and preserving the treasury. Your merit is noted by this Marshal.”
Guo Wei nodded slightly and immediately got to the point, saying, “Let us discuss crossing the river.”
“Yes.”
Song Yanwo bowed and stepped forward, pointing to the map on the table for the generals.
“This is the map of the Yellow River waterways from the Huazhou treasury. Outside Huazhou City, there are Baima Ferry, Weicheng Ferry, and Changyuan Ferry. Among them, Baima Ferry is the best. The river is three hundred paces wide, the current is slow, and the depth is three feet. To the north, Mount Duopei provides a natural defense, and the southern bank’s Baima Dike can be used to gather troops and store grain and fodder…”
Xiao Yi listened and felt greatly enlightened. He mused that Song Yanwo, with his extraordinary background and practical approach, would surely be greatly valued by Guo Wei if he truly surrendered.
Next, Wei Renpu spoke. “If we cross the river by only one route, it will be easily intercepted by the Southern Army. Dividing into three near routes is the most secure and efficient method. In Chan Prefecture, Yangcun Ferry and Desheng Ferry can mutually support each other.”
Guo Wei had a plan in mind. He picked up his bronze whip and began to assign tasks.
“Send someone to travel overnight to Chan Prefecture to contact Wang Yin and order him to build a pontoon bridge at Yangcun Ferry. Also, send a swift horse to inform Wang Jun to hold the Taihang Pass and then proceed via Desheng Ferry.”
“Yes.”
The bronze whip pointed to Baima Ferry and tapped it.
“Renpu, take charge of the river crossing operations. Mobilize thirty thousand civilian laborers, prepare materials overnight, begin construction at Mao Shi (7-9 AM), and the pontoon bridge at Baima Ferry must be completed before noon tomorrow.”
Wei Renpu received the order. “Yes.”
“Grain and fodder will be transported via Changyuan Ferry, and you will also be in charge of its logistics. There must be no errors.”
“Yes…”
The phrase “crossing the river” was simple, but the arrangements required were more complicated than three days of marching combined.
The military council lasted for about two quarters of an hour and then concluded.
The generals bowed and took their leave.
As Xiao Yi was about to follow them out, he heard Guo Wei’s voice.
“Xiao Yi, Guo Xin, remain.”
