Sweep Yuan

Chapter 192 Commander Shi finally reclaims military power

In the following days, the Red Flag Battalion's follow-up troops, led by generals such as Jin Chaoxing, Chen Tong, Qiu Cheng, Ye Sheng, and Zhang Huan, flowed into the eastern camp of Suzhou City in waves, like streams returning to the sea.

These troops were not large, with only three to five hundred soldiers in each unit, but the long procession of civilian laborers behind them became the most shocking sight in the eyes of the soldiers and civilians of Suzhou.

The scorching sun at the end of July baked the earth, and the air was filled with the smell of dust, sweat, and the acrid smell of rubbing axles.

The laborers, shirtless, their bronze backs gleaming, unloaded bags of grain, bundles of swords and spears, and boxes of arrows from the supply wagons with heavy shouts.

The warehouses of the East Camp were already completely filled, leaving almost no room to even step inside.

Li Xixi wiped the sweat rolling down her forehead and gritted her teeth as she gave the order:
"All civilian houses within a hundred paces of the main camp shall be requisitioned! This will free up space to store military supplies and house the troops! The names of the homeowners shall be recorded, and they will be compensated at their value after the war!"

If the soldiers and horses are not moving, the grain and grass will go first.

Although Marshal Shi and the main force of the Red Flag Battalion had not yet arrived, just by looking at the scale of the supplies that had been transported earlier, even Peng Erlang and Zhao Junyong no longer doubted Shi Shan's determination to fight the Yuan army.

However, in such a massive military operation, from beginning to end, no one consulted or informed these two nominally highest-ranking generals in Suzhou about the assembly, deployment, and even the storage of supplies.

The feeling of being completely ignored and excluded from the core decision-making circle was like countless fine needles, pricking the two of them all over.

However, the Red Turban Army in Xuzhou was originally a unified force, with Sesame Li as their common leader. When Peng Dehuai and Zhao Ziyang chose to retreat to Suzhou and watch Xuzhou besieged without offering any assistance, they had already voluntarily abandoned the most righteous banner of "rescuing the commander-in-chief."

Without this banner, their legitimacy to command the various armies vanishes. Now that Shishan has raised this banner and rallied a torrent of people to fight for the rescue of Zhima Li, what standing, face, or strength do they have to demand the "right to know"?
In fact, faced with the rising morale of the eastern camp and the continuous flow of supplies, Peng and Zhao completely gave up on their efforts to win over those wavering generals.

After all, even the sharpest words and rhetoric will seem pale and powerless in the face of a naked display of power.

By this time, apart from Peng and Zhao, their two most die-hard confidants, the generals of Suzhou finally understood the situation and began to side with Li Xixi:
Some led their entire force to surrender, while others sent their brave soldiers to aid in the battle. Some even secretly relayed information about the defenses deployed in Peng and Zhao's camps.

With a major battle imminent, Li Xixi knew that these hastily recruited individuals were of varying quality and could play a very limited role, or even become a burden.

But he wasn't picky. Those who were brave and willing to fight were incorporated into the combat ranks and trained together; those who were timid and afraid to fight were assigned to escorting supplies and building fortifications—they were still slightly better than ordinary militia temporarily recruited, at least they knew some military rules.

The only thing that Peng Erlang and Zhao Junyong were secretly relieved about was that Li Xixi and Xue Xian were focused on training new recruits and receiving supplies. As their forces grew larger and their influence increased, they never took the initiative to cause trouble for them.

Neither of them wanted to cause any unnecessary trouble or anger Shishan, so they strictly ordered their troops to keep the camp gates closed, not to go out and cause any disturbances, and not to clash with the troops in the eastern camp.

As a result, the few remaining residents of Suzhou unexpectedly enjoyed a period of relative peace.

This brief period of peace seemed both ironic and precious amidst the widespread warfare of the late Yuan Dynasty.

Peng and Zhao had no choice but to be so careful.

Because, including the three thousand men Xue Xian brought back, the army now united under the banner of "rescuing Marshal Li" has exceeded fifteen thousand men! This has already firmly surpassed the combined forces of Peng and Zhao's direct troops.

The enormous gap in strength weighed heavily on the hearts of Peng Erlang and Zhao Junyong, like a boulder.

But when the scouts brought back the latest enemy intelligence, the slight sense of security brought by this strength was ruthlessly crushed.

At this moment, the Yuan army gathered around Xuzhou numbered over 80,000 and was still increasing, effectively surrounding Xuzhou like an iron barrel.

In comparison, the more than 10,000 men that Suzhou had cobbled together, even with the main force of the Red Flag Battalion that was about to arrive, seemed so small and insignificant in the face of sheer numbers.

A heavy cloud hangs over the hearts of everyone who cares about the fate of Xuzhou.

On the ninth afternoon of Li Xixi's unit's reorganization and training, the dull city of Suzhou finally welcomed the force that would decide its fate.

At three quarters past Shen time, a yellow dragon of smoke rose from the southern horizon, reaching the sky and blotting out the sun. A muffled sound like rolling thunder grew louder as it approached from afar. It was the great commotion caused by ten thousand horses galloping and a thousand troops marching!

The first to enter the city were 1,700 elite cavalrymen, the remnants of the Valiant Cavalry Guard, led by Li Wu. Like a torrent of burning steel, they tore through the curtain of smoke and dust. Their uniform crimson battle robes and black iron armor reflected a dazzling light under the blazing sun.

Even after a long gallop, the warhorses still neighed with their heads held high. The riders on horseback were all skilled and valiant, with eyes as sharp as eagles. They were adept at controlling their horses, and their ranks were orderly, exuding a fierce aura of someone who had survived countless battles.

The men were like tigers, and the horses like dragons! This elite vanguard instantly stunned all who witnessed it.

Before the elite cavalry had fully entered the city, a red battle flag pierced the dust, bearing a large character "常" (Chang). Immediately following was an infantry square formation as imposing as a mountain.

Chang Yuchun, the commander of the Qingri Guard, personally led six thousand soldiers, marching into Suzhou with thunderous steps.

The spears were like a dense forest of death, their sharp tips piercing the sky; colorful banners fluttered in the hot wind, forming a sea of ​​flags. The entire formation exuded an aura of dominance, making the Peng Zhao troops watching the ceremony in the city almost unable to breathe.

The atmosphere changed abruptly after the formation of the Sun Guards.

Amidst the resounding drums and music, an even larger crimson banner fluttered in the smoke and dust, with a huge "stone" character on its surface that seemed to glow like flames.

Gong Wu, the commander of the Moon-Holding Guard, led seven thousand elite personal guards, protecting the crimson banner that symbolized the supreme commander of the Red Flag Battalion, and escorted Marshal Shi Shan as they slowly entered the city.

The soldiers of the Moon-Holding Guard were dressed in bright armor, their polished plates gleaming in the sunlight. They were full of spirit and high morale, their eyes filled with admiration for their commander.

At the center of their encirclement, on a magnificent white warhorse, sat a general clad in black steel fish-scale armor, with yak-like beasts on his shoulders and a sword hanging at his waist—Marshal Shi Shan!
Shi Shan's face had long been tanned bronze by the wind and sun of Xu Huai, his features hardened, his eyes deep and calm, revealing neither joy nor anger, as he surveyed the city walls and the welcoming crowd. Wherever his gaze fell, the noise unconsciously subsided.

Following closely behind the Moon-Holding Guards was another silent force.

Hu Dahai, the commander of the Bashan Guard, led five thousand soldiers into the city in silence. Their movement was almost entirely silent, with only the heavy, uniform sound of their footsteps and the rustling of their armor plates, like a moving mountain, silent as an abyss when still.

But everyone who saw their battle-scarred armor and the heavy weapons they gripped had no doubt that once they started moving, they would be unstoppable and crush all resistance.

Next came Zuo Junbi, the commander of the Loyal and Righteous Guard, who led three thousand elite troops into the city.

Their equipment might not be as sophisticated as the previous guards, and their faces still bore the nervousness of new recruits, but their eyes were filled with a burning desire to prove themselves. Like a newly drawn sword, the blade might not yet be gleaming, but its edge was already cold, waiting to show its brilliance in this battle!

Finally, there were the Shenji Battalion and the Supply Battalion, whose movements were relatively slow. The entire army marched in a mighty procession, stretching for nearly ten miles! Smoke and dust billowed, banners obscured the sun, armor clashed, and horses' hooves thundered.

The entire city of Suzhou was enveloped and awestruck by the overwhelming momentum of this mighty army!

Generals Li Xixi, Xue Xian, Feng Guosheng, Guo Xing, and others stood solemnly outside the East Gate, their armor gleaming, their expressions excited and respectful, to welcome Marshal Shi's carriage.

Meanwhile, Peng Erlang, Zhao Junyong, and the others could only huddle in the watchtowers of their own camp, gazing at the approaching "Stone" banner from afar, their faces pale and their hearts filled with extreme unease.

Shi Shan dismounted and exchanged pleasantries with Li Xixi, Xue Xian, and others, patting them on the shoulder and reminiscing about their past battles together. His hearty laughter temporarily eased the somber atmosphere before the great battle.

After exchanging pleasantries, Shi Shan, surrounded by his generals, officially entered the eastern camp of the city.

Before the troops from the Bashanwei and Zhongyiwei units had all entered the city and settled in, Shishan had just sat down in the central command tent when he issued his first order after entering the city.

"This time, I have led a large army on a long march of hundreds of miles, specifically to relieve the siege of Xuzhou. Peng Erlang and Zhao Junyong are both important generals under Marshal Li of Xuzhou. Such a crucial military operation, concerning the life and death of Marshal Li and the survival of the Red Turban Army in Xuzhou, has left these two hiding in their camps, refusing to show themselves!"
What kind of behavior is this? Wouldn't it make the heroes of the world laugh at the Xuzhou Red Turban Army for being so incompetent, ignorant of etiquette, and forgetting old friendships?!

At this point, Shi Shan slowly surveyed the generals standing solemnly in the tent. His gaze was not sharp or intimidating, but it carried an undeniable weight.

"Everyone."

Shi Shan said in a deep voice, "Who is willing to make the trip for me? Generals Xuan Peng and Zhao, come to pay your respects immediately?"

Shi Shan and Zhima Li are both marshals, and in terms of rank, they are naturally above Peng Erlang and Zhao Junyong. This time, they have come specifically to rescue Zhima Li, so it is only right and proper that Peng and Zhao should take the initiative to come and pay their respects, listen to military orders, and discuss the grand plan to rescue Xuzhou.

However, Shi Shan was originally from the Red Turban Army in Xuzhou and had previously been under the command of Peng Dehuai and Zhao Ziyang. His true intentions in bringing tens of thousands of elite troops with him this time remain unclear.

Peng Erlang and Zhao Jun had guilty consciences and were afraid of the great power of Shishan, so they hid in the camp, neither daring to come nor too embarrassed to take the initiative.

This task of issuing the summons, seemingly simple, was actually quite tricky. The person issuing the summons needed not only sufficient status and position to command the attention of Peng and Zhao, but also the flexibility to handle possible excuses or even obstruction, and the ability to accurately convey Shishan's will. It was a task that not everyone could accomplish.

However, the generals in the tent, especially the newly recruited former generals from Xuzhou, were desperately seeking an opportunity to prove themselves to Marshal Shi. Even knowing that this task would be difficult, they all rushed forward to volunteer.

"The general will go where he wishes!"

"I'll go! I guarantee I'll 'invite' Peng and Zhao here!"

"Let this humble general go!"

"I'm going!"

"Let me go!"

"Go! Go! Go!"

Seeing everyone vying for credit, Xue Xian suddenly boomed his voice, strode into the tent, clasped his hands in a fist salute to Shi Shan, then looked around at the generals and laughed:
"You little brats, what are you fighting over? Don't you know your own limitations! Don't you know what kind of people our two 'older brothers' are? They're stubborn, arrogant, and full of tricks! You think you can 'invite' them? Don't get tricked and sold out by them and then help them count the money!"

He slapped his muscular chest hard with his large, fan-like hands, making a loud thud, and said, "This matter, you have to look to me, Old Xue! I know what kind of shit they're going to take just by looking at their butts. This job is definitely mine!"

Having said that, he solemnly clasped his hands in a fist salute towards Shishan, his tiger-like eyes wide open:
"Marshal! Let me go, I guarantee I'll 'invite' Peng Erlang and Zhao Junyong to your tent!"

Shi Shan looked at Xue Xian, a barely perceptible smile flashing in his eyes, and nodded:

"it is good!"

Shi Shan's decision to force Peng and Zhao to come to an audience was certainly not to put on airs like a marshal.

When Lu Qianhe defeated Dong Tuanxiao, Guo Zixing and others hurriedly went to pay homage; similarly, after he led his troops to capture Liang County, he forced Zuo Junbi to pay homage.

All of these moves were made with the help of overwhelming forces, and in one fell swoop they established the hierarchical relationship between superiors and subordinates!

The title is the most important thing! With the distinction between superior and subordinate, if Peng and Zhao dare to outwardly comply but inwardly defy, secretly obstruct, or even plot treason, Shishan will have sufficient legal grounds and moral high ground to justifiably deal with the two.

This is both an open strategy and a political maneuver.

However, neither Peng nor Zhao were mediocre, especially Zhao Junyong, who was deep-thinking and skilled at scheming.

After a moment's thought, Shi Shan added to Xue Xian:
"Go see General Peng first, then find General Zhao."

Xue Xian was taken aback at first, but quickly understood the reason and grinned:
"Haha, I understand! Don't worry, Marshal. Old Xue will definitely handle this task perfectly!"

The atmosphere at Peng's camp was oppressive.

Hearing that Xue Xian had come alone to see him, Peng Erlang was filled with doubt. His first thought was to go find Zhao Junyong, but then he remembered that Xue Xian was Zhao Junyong's top general, and there must be a reason why he had come to see him first. After hesitating for a moment, he decided to go see him after all.

"Old Peng! I'm not trying to criticize you!"

As soon as Xue Xian entered Peng Erlang's large tent, which reeked of alcohol, he brazenly took over, shoving aside the guards who tried to stop him. He went straight to Peng Erlang, who sat in the main seat with a look of surprise and uncertainty, and began to berate him, pointing his finger at his nose:
"On the tenth day of the eighth month last year, we broke through Xuzhou City at night! I fought alongside you to kill the Tartars. You wielded that machete like a windmill, chopping off Tartar heads like slicing melons! Back then, Peng Erlang of Xiao County was so majestic and brave!"

Xue Xian's spittle almost hit Peng Erlang's face, and the sound made the dust on the tent ceiling fall in a flurry.

"Look at the pathetic state you've become! What? You've only had a comfortable six months, and now you're some damn general who can't even lift an axe? Have you lost all your guts? You've just holed up in your camp like a turtle?!"

Peng Erlang was choked by Xue Xian's barrage of insults and exposure of his past misdeeds, his face turning red and his chest heaving, yet he couldn't utter a single word in rebuttal. This was because everything Xue Xian said was true!
The older you get in the world of martial arts, the more timid you become.

Although less than a year had passed, the luxurious life he led after occupying Suzhou, with its fine clothes, sumptuous food, fine wine, and beautiful women, had long since eroded most of the courage and daring he had when he first rose up in rebellion. He was no longer the Peng Erlang who dared to charge into battle with an axe in hand.

"cough!"

Peng Erlang coughed lightly, concealing his embarrassment and a hint of annoyance at being exposed, and forced himself to remain calm, saying:
"Brother Xue... Brother Xue, we're all straightforward and rough men, let's skip the formalities. You've come today, are you... are you acting as an intermediary for Shishan? Trying to persuade me, Old Peng, to surrender?"

"Be his damn advocate!"

Xue Xian scoffed, unceremoniously dragged out a chair for himself, and sat down with his legs spread wide in front of Peng Erlang, looking at him with a disappointed expression, and scolded:

"I'm worried about you, you idiot, getting too close to Old Zhao. I came here to give you a heads-up—even ten of you, Peng Erlang, tied together, wouldn't be a match for Old Zhao if you tried to outsmart him and use tricks! You're allied with him? Be careful he doesn't eat you to pieces!"

Peng Erlang was no pushover, having managed to cooperate with the old fox Zhao Junyong for so long. He immediately understood Xue Xian's unspoken message: Shishan's main target was Zhao Junyong, and Peng Erlang still had a chance.

But he refused to back down verbally, retorting:

"Then...then I can't defeat Shishan either! He has a strong and well-equipped army now..."

"Confused!"

Xue Xian interrupted him with a half-smile, his eyes filled with a hint of mockery.

"Marshal Shi only has the main force of the Yuan dogs under the walls of Xuzhou in his eyes now! Does he care about your little piece of land in Suzhou?"

Immediately, he changed the subject, his tone turning cold.

"On the contrary, Old Zhao has been eyeing... how to swallow up your little bit of capital so he can bargain with Marshal Shi! Do you believe me?"

"OK OK!"

Peng Erlang knew perfectly well that his alliance with Zhao Junyong was based on mutual exploitation and was extremely fragile. Xue Xian's words were merely the breaking point. With the Shishan army pressing in, it was indeed a good opportunity to break free from Zhao Junyong and re-align himself with another side.

Without further hesitation, he waved his hand and said:

"I understand what you mean! Tell me, what do you want me, Old Peng, to do?"

"It's easy!"

Xue Xian slapped his thigh and stood up, reaching out to grab Peng Erlang's arm.

"Come with me to see Marshal Shi! Let's talk things out!"

Peng Erlang instinctively struggled, breaking free from Xue Xian's grasp. Xue Xian immediately turned his head, glancing at him sideways, a hint of undisguised sarcasm playing on his lips:

"What? Got scared? Afraid that Marshal Shi will chop off your head as a sacrifice?"

Peng Erlang was indeed apprehensive; he both feared and dreaded Shishan. But when Xue Xian looked at him with such contempt and spoke with such a mocking tone, the last vestiges of his courage and pride were instantly ignited!

Peng Erlang was a formidable man back in the day; how could he possibly back down in front of his old comrades?
"Who, who is scared?!"

Peng Erlang stiffened his neck, but still couldn't help asking a question.

"I'm going alone?"

"You can bring someone along for moral support if you want!"

Xue Xian casually glanced at Peng Erlang's personal guards in the tent and deliberately asked:
"By the way, how many capable soldiers can your camp muster right now? Five thousand? Seven thousand?"

These words were like a bucket of cold water poured over Peng Erlang's head, and his face darkened. The combined forces of Peng and Zhao were now less than half the number of troops Shi Shan had gathered in Suzhou!
Even if they gathered everyone in the camp who could breathe, it would be like a mantis trying to stop a chariot against the tens of thousands of fierce and powerful soldiers at Shishan! A deep sense of powerlessness and frustration welled up in his heart. He gritted his teeth, steeled his resolve, and decided to go all out.

"Fine, let's go! Damn it, if we die, we'll die with our heads on the ground! Xue Xian, lead the way!"

Xue Xian stood still, chuckling to himself.
"Don't rush, we still need to go and invite my 'Brother Zhao' first. It's perfect that you come with me!"

The atmosphere in Zhao Junyong's camp was completely different from that in Peng's camp. The tent was exceptionally clean, the walls were covered with detailed maps, stacks of documents were piled on the floor, and the air was filled with the smell of ink and paper.

Zhao Junyong was bent over in front of the map when he heard that Peng Erlang and Xue Xian had come together, and his eyes narrowed sharply.

This time, Xue Xian didn't make a fuss like he did at Peng's camp. He walked up to Zhao Junyong with a swagger and got straight to the point, saying only one thing:
"Brother Peng wants to go with me to see Marshal Shi. Are you coming?"

Zhao Junyong is a smart man.

He can figure things out without needing anyone to explain; but for things he can't figure out or doesn't want to think about, no amount of persuasion will help.

The fact that Xue Xian and Peng Erlang arrived together was a clear signal—Peng Erlang had likely been persuaded or coerced, and he was now isolated! If he refused to see Shishan now, the consequences would be unimaginable!

Shishan is just missing a target to "make an example of someone," and he will immediately become the typical example of "disobeying orders and showing contempt for the marshal"!

Those generals in the tent who were eager to prove their loyalty to Shishan would probably rush to tie themselves up and offer themselves up as a pledge of allegiance! In this way, they would completely eliminate any thoughts of those who still had reservations!

Zhao Jun glanced at Xue Xian and Peng Erlang, hesitated for a long time, and then forced a dry laugh before saying:
"Since Marshal Shi has summoned me, how could I, Zhao, dare not come?"

Peng Erlang and Zhao Junyong each brought only thirty personal guards with them, and followed Xue Xian to the central command tent at Shishan.

The atmosphere inside the tent was solemn, a stark contrast to the lively greetings and casual conversations during the previous meetings with Li Xixi, Xue Xian, and others.

When Shi Shan saw Peng Erlang and Zhao Junyong again after more than half a year, he sat upright in his command seat and did not get up to greet them. There was no polite smile on his face when they met again after a long separation. He did not even invite the two of them to sit down.

Shi Shan's deep gaze lingered on Peng and Zhao for a moment, as if trying to see through them. Inside the tent, you could hear a pin drop; only the faint sounds of troops moving and the ticking of the water clock could be heard outside. An invisible pressure permeated the air.

"Shi Shan led his troops on a long and arduous journey, covering hundreds of miles, not for any other reason than to relieve the siege of Xuzhou and rescue Marshal Li from this dire situation!"

He paused, his gaze pressing firmly on Peng and Zhao's shoulders.

"Both generals are key figures under Marshal Li, commanders of the Suzhou army. At this critical juncture, the survival of the Red Turban Army in Xuzhou is at stake. Are you willing to join me in marching to Xuzhou and fighting the Yuan dogs to the death?!"

(End of this chapter)