Entrepreneurship in the Late Tang Dynasty

Chapter 223 Victory is Justice

"tick"

"tick"

……

The water in the clepsydra dripped down, drop by drop, into the basin below, and time passed just like that.

Inside the huge tent, there were only seven people, but they were not lonely.

Zhao Huai'an, Zhao Liu, Dou Pangzi, and his four adopted sons were in the military tent, and no one spoke.

Zhao Huai'an sat cross-legged on the mat, his breathing calm and harmonious, in sync with the sound of dripping water.

This was taught to him by the old Taoist priest. He had seen the old Taoist priest performing his daily rituals from morning till night, and he asked with a smile, "Is this a Taoist guiding exercise? Can I achieve longevity by practicing it?"

The old Taoist priest didn't seem to realize that Zhao Huai'an was joking, and replied very seriously:
"The most perfect being is a king. The greatest fulfillment for a person is to become a king. A king can save the people, a king can build a nation, a king can leave his name in history, and be immortal. As for immortality? That's nothing but the ravings of those who seek refuge in the world, mere nonsense. It is said that when Qin Shi Huang went west to seek immortality and medicine, he searched everywhere in Kunlun but found nothing, and finally returned with his inscription carved in stone. After that, let alone a king achieving immortality, even fifty was considered a long life! My lord, do you still seek that?"

Zhao Huai'an felt offended when the old Taoist priest said that even a king who lived past fifty was considered to have a long life.

However, the old Taoist priest said that he had been practicing seated meditation and breathing exercises since he was twelve years old. Whether it could lead to longevity, he didn't know, but he was already sixty-two years old this year.

Zhao Huai'an became interested and learned the guiding technique from the old Taoist priest. He then began to practice it. After a period of time, he didn't know whether it would benefit his lifespan or not, but he no longer experienced dizziness.

Since gaining more power, Zhao Huai'an no longer needed to be on the front lines, but his mind never rested. Especially on the battlefield, when a flood of information came in, he had to grasp the key points and respond promptly.

If this continues for a long time, he will inevitably become dizzy and lightheaded, which is something that his high physical fitness cannot prevent.

However, as long as he guides himself in this way for twenty minutes, focusing on his breathing each time, in a state between sleep and wakefulness, his mental fatigue can be quickly relieved.

Therefore, Zhao Huai'an preferred to do this kind of preparation before the battle to keep himself clear-headed.

At this moment, Zhao Huai'an was completely relaxed. Zhao Liu, Dou Pangzi, and his four adopted sons were the people he trusted most. He had also thoroughly explained everything he needed to do before the battle. Now, all he needed to do was relax.

Until the last drop of water fell into the overflowing basin, Zhao Wenzhong raised his small wooden mallet and struck the bronze bowl in his hand. The bronze bowl trembled, and a clear, melodious sound emanated, reaching Zhao Huai'an's ears.

Zhao Huai'an opened his eyes, looked at Zhao Liu, and asked:
Is the southeast wind blowing?

Zhao Liu shook his head. There were people outside specifically observing the direction of the flags. If the wind was blowing from the southeast, someone would hold up a sign to signal.

Just as Zhao Liu was shaking his head, there was a sound of footsteps outside. Then Wang Yanzhang walked to the tent, handed a token to Zhao Wenying, who was standing by the tent, and then left.

Zhao Wenying walked over with small steps, handed it to Zhao Huai'an, and then retreated to the side of the tent, holding her sword and waiting.

Zhao Huai'an took the card, which read:

"The southeast wind has arrived!"

Zhao Huai'an placed the cards in his hand beside him, faced the air in front of him, and asked:
Are there more bad guys or good guys in the grassroots army?

Zhao Liu and the others weren't sure if Zhao Huai'an was asking them, but in the end, Zhao Liu replied:

"I think there are still more pitiful people in the army. If it weren't for this disaster, most of them would still be farmers, working hard all year to make ends meet, but it would be better than bleeding and beheading now."

Zhao Huai'an remained noncommittal, but instead asked another question:
"Is this a natural disaster or a man-made one?"

Fatty Bean replied with this:

"Brother, this is a combination of natural disasters and man-made calamities. There are locust plagues and floods, and the people are suffering greatly. However, the imperial court is not providing disaster relief, which has led to this disaster."

Zhao Huai'an nodded, then looked at Zhao Liu and Fatty Dou, and said:
"If these peasant soldiers are both pitiful people, forced by natural disasters and man-made calamities, then what do we mean by killing them? Are we executioners suppressing them?"

Zhao Liu and Fatty Dou were both stunned, and then Fatty Dou spoke up:

"If they starve to death, they are good citizens; but if they pick up hoes and knives and start looting, then they are rioters, and we are fighting against violence and bringing peace to the people! Isn't this our banner?"

Zhao Liu also said:
"Yes, Dalang, why are you thinking about all this? Just kill him!"

Zhao Huai'an laughed heartily, pointed at Zhao Liu and Dou Pangzi, and asked a pointed question:

"People are starving to death, so isn't it only right to rob them? If I were them, starving to death, I'd probably kill someone! So, what you're saying is only half right, but today I've figured out the other half!"

Dou Pangzi and the others were curious and wanted to hear what Zhao Huai'an had to say.

Zhao Huai'an pointed outside the tent and said:

"The difference between humans and animals is that animals do things without reason, while humans do! Tigers eat deer and cattle without asking why they eat them! Eagles eat snakes and rabbits without asking why! But we need to!"

“The brothers nowadays don’t think about these things. They get rewards from above and credit for their achievements. In their eyes, those bandits are enemies. They can kill them without any reason.”

"But if people kill people like this all day long without knowing why, then human life is no different from that of pigs and dogs in our eyes."

"Then let me ask you this: if killing doesn't require a reason, does that mean killing us also doesn't require a reason? If we kill those common soldiers like cattle and sheep today, will it be the same if we kill our own people in the future?"

"I don't want us to end up no different from animals, and I don't want to live in constant fear that one day my men will come and kill me! So, I need to tell my brothers why we're killing! What are we killing for!"

Zhao Liu, Dou Pangzi, and their four adopted sons remained silent.

They all understood, especially the four adopted sons, who seemed to grasp the unease in their adoptive father's heart.

The gist of it is that Zhao Huai'an is worried about the endless killing, where people no longer kill for a purpose, but killing is the purpose itself.

At this moment, Zhao Huai'an continued:
"The killing seems to be a vicious cycle. Today I kill you, tomorrow I will be killed by someone else. No one is safe because everyone can kill! If this continues, people will go crazy! The world will go crazy! When will it stop? Only when one generation or two generations have died, when everyone is afraid of killing, will people yearn for peace."

"I feel as if I can see into the future, as if that world of slaughter will continue for a full century. But there's nothing wrong with that. Just like plants, which turn to ash and are reborn, the world is the same. No one can avoid the cycle of order and chaos. There is great chaos followed by great order. Soil watered with blood can always grow good crops!"

“If I were an outsider, I would be sipping tea, shaking my leg, and talking to you about these things, saying that these are the laws of nature, the cycles of life. But now I am involved, not only me, but also you, everyone around you, they are all living members of this era. I know you, so I can no longer say those things.”

"So I thought, what can I do? What can I change? Can I reduce the number of deaths, or shorten this massacre? And today, I've figured it out."

"What do I want? I want victory! I want victory after victory!"

"Because only the victors are not blamed, only the victors can set the rules, and only the victors can change the world!"

"Therefore, victory is justice!"

"We kill these bandits today for only one reason: victory is necessary for both of us! No matter who stands before us today, or what their status is, they cannot prevail against this justice!"

"Because I know, and I am absolutely certain, that only when we are the ultimate victors will everything change, will things get better. So, rather than entrusting our lives and futures to others, let us do it! Let us rewrite everything!"

After saying this, Zhao Huai'an stood up, raised the "Hidden Edge" in his hand, and roared:
"So, bring me victory today!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Zhao Liu and Fatty Dou quickly stood up, and Zhao Wenzhong and the other four adopted sons also faced their adoptive father. The group of loyal generals waiting outside the tent also turned to face the military tent, and they all roared:
"Here!"

At this moment, Zhao Huai'an drew his "Hidden Edge" and issued his first order:
"All troops, attack! Target: Caozhou! Kill!"

Then, Zhao Liu and the others raised their arms in unison and roared:

"kill!"

Just then, flames soared into the sky on the Baigou River south of the military camp. Nearly a hundred fire ships, facing the southwest wind, crashed completely into the cargo ships. The flames quickly engulfed the cargo ships, and black smoke shrouded the Baigou River in darkness.

The Baoyi Army was closest to the Baigou River, so they had the clearest view. The twenty empty cargo ships that the Xuanwu Army had deliberately left on the Baigou River were thus engulfed by the flames.

At this moment, Zhao Huai'an also came out upon hearing the sound. Outside the tent, fifty or sixty Baoyi generals, fully armored, had been waiting there for a long time. From the moment Zhao Huai'an uttered his first sentence, they had been listening attentively outside the tent.

They fully grasped the magistrate's thoughts and understood what he truly wanted! Just as the magistrate had said, what they wanted was victory! Because only if they won would everything be right.

At that moment, these righteous warriors had only one thought in their minds:
"Take Caozhou City, and secure this victory!"

Zhao Huai'an stood there, watching the flames soaring into the sky in the west. He could almost see the bandit generals on the south city wall of Caozhou shouting and yelling, thinking they had won!
At this moment, his four adopted sons had already dressed him in armor. As Zhao Huai'an donned the full suit of fur-lined iron armor, the Ta Bai, who had been patrolling the battlefield, brought news:

"The rebel army opened the north gate and launched a surprise attack on the Xuanwu army!"

Zhao Huai'an nodded, then stepped onto the four-donkey-driven cart, looked around at the generals, and said:

"Do it!"

The generals clasped their fists in unison, then rode back to their respective battle formations.

As the thunderous drums and horns resounded throughout the military camp, the first detachment of the Righteous Army marched out, followed by countless fluttering banners. The Righteous Army consisted of nine divisions, totaling 3,500 elite soldiers and cavalry, their swords and spears pointing to the sky, their armor gleaming in the sun, as they filed out of the camp.

……

The first to leave the camp were the Chixindu, composed of soldiers from Shouzhou.

After they rushed out of the camp, they rode their mules at a small pace toward the north gate, which was five miles away.

According to Zhao Huai'an's original estimate, the enemy should have attacked him first, since he was the only one of the three vassal armies with blood debts to the Cao army. If they didn't take advantage of the chaos to attack him, who else would they attack?
In the end, the Grass Army actually let the Righteous Army go and instead went north to fight the Xuanwu Army.

This change directly resulted in Chi Xindu, who was supposed to be the vanguard of the entire army, having to rush to fight five miles away.

Fortunately, they had mules for transportation, so apart from affecting the timing of their attack, the impact was not significant.

At this moment, in Chixin Capital, General Zhang Ao rode his warhorse, holding a lance and gazing ahead, while his cavalrymen followed closely behind, holding a "Chixin" flag high.

He could see the desolate and abandoned farmland on both sides, and he could also hear the faint sounds of battle shouts coming from ahead. Beside him, warriors of the Red Heart City, wrapped in crimson cloaks, were hurrying along, kicking up dust.

This scene made Zhang Ao wonder why there was such a big difference between these soldiers from Shouzhou under the old governor and under Zhao Shijun, even though they were the same army.
That Zhao magistrate seemed to possess a magical power that could make people willing to die for him.

Isn't Zhang Ao the same? He is also an ambitious person. He thinks he is very capable. Sometimes he can't help but wonder if he could have made a name for himself in Shouzhou if he hadn't met Zhao Da.

But after meeting Zhao Da and witnessing his magnificent speech, he was willing to die for this man!

Perhaps there are always people in the world whose words can strike a chord with the soul, making people unable to resist following them and pledging allegiance to them!

While Zhang Ao was observing from his horse, he saw some soldiers about to rush down the main road and take a shortcut through the fields below. He immediately gave the order:
"All proceed straight along the dirt road, do not go down into the fields, and each regiment and team shall proceed in order according to the flags!"

As Zhang Ao gave the order, the cavalry behind him galloped along the column, shouting loudly. The mule train, which was about to become chaotic, regained its order and ran straight towards the north city of Caozhou like a long dragon.

Amidst the dust and smoke, Chi Xin rushed all the way to the north of the city, where he ran into a band of rebel soldiers preparing to outflank the Xuanwu Army.

Liu Kangyi's team was at the forefront. He saw this band of soldiers from afar. They didn't have much armor, and the weapons they used were of different lengths and were all kinds of things. It was obvious that they had not received any centralized training.

Therefore, even though the enemy outnumbered him, Liu Kangyi did not hesitate to give the order:

"Dismount the mules and form the attack formation!"

As he roared, several guards around him also roared in unison. For these men to become guards, martial arts skills were secondary; the most important thing was to have a good voice.

For these team-level commanders, shouting is always the fastest and clearest way to transmit information.

When the captain's roar reached the ears of the five squad leaders, they all roared back, shouting at those around them:
"Quickly, quickly, get the mule off!"

As they spoke, the men slowed the mules down, and jumped off as they came to a complete stop.

They formed small formations of ten men each, arranged in three-three-three-one formations, with each squad leader personally leading a three-man formation, holding a flag and spear at the front.

Behind them, the neighing of mules filled the air. The ten mules, having been left behind after the battlefield was cleared, were now braying loudly. The enormous noise of the battlefield was irritating the mules, but having been trained, they remained oblivious to the noise.

Amidst a flurry of footsteps, Liu Kangyi and his team had already completed their formation. Behind him, more loyal followers had arrived and all had unanimously chosen to dismount and fight on foot.

Liu Kangyi ignored what was behind him and instead took a heavy shield from the side of the mule. This shield, which weighed at least ten pounds and required two hands to hold, was easily lifted by him with one arm.

He walked to the front of his assigned guard post and roared:
"kill!"

After he finished speaking, two squads on each side charged towards the other side, while Liu Kangyi himself, holding a shield and wielding a sword, also charged forward.

Under normal circumstances, they would not choose to use a horizontal sword because this type of sword does not have the ability to penetrate armor, so it can only deal with some unarmored targets.

Generally speaking, in military field battles, there are rarely unarmored targets, so almost no samurai would use a horizontal sword.

But now, when faced with those poorly equipped soldiers who barely have any armor, these swords have become deadly weapons.

As Liu Kangyi roared, the Red Heart Warriors on both sides rushed faster and faster. The armored vanguard charged ahead, while about ten longbowmen stayed in place and began to fire a volley of arrows at the enemy.

Ten arrows landed in the crowd on the other side, but barely made a sound. The bandits, emboldened, charged forward with their shields raised.

Just then, Liu Kangyi seemed to notice that even more rebels were heading in their direction.

But Liu Kangyi did not panic; instead, he became even more excited and charged into the enemy ranks with a roar.

These grass soldiers cannot be called a formation, but because there are enough of them, they are indeed standing close together.

After knocking one person down with his shield, Liu Kangyi then swung his sword across the shield and stabbed another person in the neck. Blood gushed from the wound, and he slowly collapsed to the ground.

The next moment, a loud crash came from the shield. A soldier jumped up and crashed into Liu Kangyi's shield. Liu Kangyi didn't move, but the soldier was sent flying.

The difference in physical fitness between the two sides is too great.

Liu Kangyi was burly and strong, standing at a height of seven feet eight inches. When fully armored, he weighed approximately 260 pounds. In contrast, the soldiers were all thin and frail, looking more like they were committing suicide than fighting.

Without hesitation, he held his shield to his chest, half-squatting, and then severed the leg of a soldier with a single stroke. The soldier fell to the ground with a wail, and Liu Kangyi used his shield to forcefully crush his chest.

Just as Liu Kangyi was about to continue his harvest, an arrow was shot from the opposite side and landed squarely on his shield.

The immense force caused the shield to tremble violently. Liu Kangyi instinctively crouched half his body under the shield, using his helmet as a shield, and quickly scanned the area in front of him.

Then he saw a small squad of grass soldiers wearing scale armor and two-piece armor, all dressed in yellow overcoats, rushing towards his squad.

Upon seeing their rear, a troop of archers was about to fire again when Liu Kangyi roared:
"Shield array!"

The next instant, arrows from the opposite side rained down on this side, filling the large battlefield with arrows.

When the rain of arrows ended, Liu Kangyi tossed aside his shield, which was riddled with arrows, and used his broadsword to cleave the arrows off his armor. After surveying his men, who were mostly unharmed, he roared and led his elite troops forward.

Behind them, Chixindu's reinforcements had all lined up, four teams forming a complete horizontal formation that filled the dirt road. Then, with a series of short copper whistles, they pressed forward!

(End of this chapter)