The Splendor of the Five Dynasties

Chapter 123 Yellow Flag Approved
The next day, the army returned from the Fuyang River camp and arrived in Xiangzhou in the evening.

Xiao Yi and Guo Wei were stationed at the camp outside the city. Xiao Yi had planned to rest early to relieve the fatigue of the trip to Hedong, but thinking that he was not as skilled as Guo Wei, he practiced a set of spear techniques first.

He had just wiped away his sweat when someone called him from outside the tent.

You can tell it's Guo Shouwen just by his voice. He's going through puberty, and his voice is as unpleasant as a male duck's.

"Is Brother Xiao here?"

"how?"

"The army is holding a banquet to reward the soldiers. It's at the southern camp. General Li invites you to come along."

"Is this the time to reward the troops?"

"Yes, Mr. Wei agreed and allocated the funds and provisions."

"Then let's go together."

Guo Shouwen shook his head and said, "I am the commander's personal guard, and I still have to be on duty later."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yi had a vague premonition.

As they walked out, beyond the inner camp, they encountered Tang Jin.

"The Southern Camp is holding a ceremony to reward the troops. Are you going?"

"I'm the General's personal attendant, I can't leave." Tang Jin patted his belly and said, "If General Xiao is kind enough, pack some meat for me, and I won't be shortchanged."

Li Rong happened to come out and scolded, "Is eating the important thing? Is your brain in your stomach?"

Tang Jin looked up and glanced at Li Rong with disdain.

Taking advantage of Li Rong's inattention, Xiao Yi spoke, leading him outside.

Why are we rewarding the troops tonight?

"Remember my analogy? When the brothers are stirring up trouble, shouldn't we calm them down?"

Leaving the inner camp and walking half a mile south, the aroma of wine and roasted meat grew stronger.

Dozens of large pots were set up in the South Camp drill ground, the firewood crackling at the bottom, and the meat broth bubbling away. The cooks were stirring the broth vigorously.

The officers sat in small groups around the fire, on coarse cloth mats, drinking wine from earthenware bowls.

"Let's go inside."

Walking one level into the camp, one could see generals of command rank sitting around, gnawing on meat and bones and drinking fine wine. Mu Lingjun, Fan Shoutu, Li Shoujie, and others were also there, but they seemed to have no interest in drinking and were whispering among themselves.

Li Rong continued walking without stopping, passing through the last layer of camp, where he saw more than a dozen small tents surrounding a large tent.

He casually lifted a curtain, found no empty seats, found another one, and went straight in.

"Come in, let's sit here."

Xiao Yi followed him inside. Inside the tent, four generals sat cross-legged on a thick felt mat, surrounded by several food platters, talking in hushed tones. When they saw Li Rong enter, they immediately fell silent.

Li Rong probably wasn't very popular.

The atmosphere was somber, but Li Rong didn't seem to care. He rather rudely picked up a bowl and grabbed some meat.

Xiao Yi noticed that he hadn't cleaned the horse manure out of his fingers, and it had gotten into the soup when he picked up the bowl.

"Let's eat them all."

"it is good."

Xiao Yi didn't stand on ceremony and ate all the main dishes, such as braised goose and roasted donkey meat.

Upon closer inspection, a large bowl of steamed flower cakes was placed in the very center of the felt, with a huge character for "prosperity" written on it.

The curtain was lifted again, letting in a gust of cold wind.

"It's full." Li Rong didn't even look up, and cursed, "Which donkey is this? Get the curtain down right now."

"Xiao Lang?"

The newcomer called out and sat down to Xiao Yi's left; it was Wang Chengxun.

"I'll squeeze in here too... Fu Lu cake, a lucky charm, why aren't you all eating it yet?"

Li Rong shouted, "Nobody's going to break it first, everyone's being so polite."

Wang Chengxun smiled slightly and said, "General Li, please."

"I may be a rough man, but I'm not ignorant of propriety. We can only start eating the main course after the generals in that big tent have given their orders."

After saying that, Li Rong squeezed Xiao Yi closer, lowered his voice, and asked Wang Chengxun a question.

"Tell me, what is your grandfather's opinion?"

Wang Chengxun did not answer, but dipped his finger in wine and wrote a character on the felt.

Xiao Yi was sandwiched between the two people. Looking at the character, he saw that it was "立" (lì, meaning "stand").

Li Rong chuckled, as if he had some profound insight, and finally uttered a single sentence.

"I can't read."

Wang Chengxun scoffed silently, unwilling to pay any more attention to Li Rong. He casually poured out the wine in his cup, poured himself another cup, took a sip, and glanced at the other four generals in the tent.

"I have received news that Ma Duo has entered Xuzhou and Liu Xin is dead."

He shared some useful information, and everyone began to talk in hushed tones.

Xiao Yi didn't participate in the discussion, focusing on eating and listening attentively.

"If that's the case, what else does the Commander-in-Chief have to worry about?"

"And tell me, General Li and General Xiao, what is the situation in Hedong?"

"The situation is excellent! We've captured both Lu and Jin prefectures, and that bastard Liu Chong can't get through."

"It seems this piece of Fu Lu Gao (a type of rice cake) is definitely going to end up in my stomach."

"It all depends on how you divide it."

"I heard from the commander-in-chief that he wants to divide his troops and return to Yedu to garrison. I wonder who will miss this opportunity?"

“Wang Erlang, your grandfather has the highest prestige, so he must stand up for everyone.”

"Grandpa is old and can't make the decision."

"We have to do it even if we can't. When soldiers get into trouble, it's no joke."

"Exactly, if something goes wrong at the last minute, no one can hold them back..."

Xiao Yi remained calm and observed silently.

Suddenly, Wang Chengxun pulled out a dagger and sliced ​​open the middle piece of Fulu cake with great pride.

"I am young and inexperienced, but I am willing to share the cake with you all!"

"it is good!"

The generals cheered, raised their cups together, and each grabbed a piece of cake and took a big bite.

Xiao Yi specially took a piece of lotus leaf from the bottom and packed it up for Tang Jin.

Suddenly, someone outside shouted, "General Guo is back!"

The group seemed to immediately find a pillar of support.

Li Rong immediately got up, lifted the curtain, and went out.

Xiao Yi swallowed the last piece of meat and followed the generals out. He saw Guo Chongwei striding towards them, covered in dust and his armor stained with blood and snow.

"Why is General Guo back too?"

"I heard you've reached Qinzhou, how's that?"

"Haha, Li Cungui is nothing special!"

"Let's talk as we walk. Xiao Yi, you come too."

Xiao Yi quickly stuffed the packaged Fu Lu Gao (a type of rice cake) into his hands and followed.

Guo Chongwei walked straight to the main tent, lifted the curtain and entered. The tent was spacious, with two rows of tables, each with some wine and dishes on it.

But the generals had no appetite and gathered in twos and threes to talk.

Wang Yin sat in the main seat, while He Fujin stood beside him, speaking excitedly.

"What are you afraid of? If you don't step forward, who will?"

Xiao Yi noticed that there was a spot on the left where the food and wine were untouched and the chopsticks were clean. It seemed that Wei Renpu hadn't come, but he still had a place there.

Guo Chongwei strode forward and asked, "What happened?"

“The morale of the troops is hard to control.” Wang Yin sighed with worry, “If this continues, I fear a mutiny may break out.”

"Can you keep it under control before returning to Kaifeng?"

"No."

Wang Yin shook his head and said, "Otherwise, I'd rather let Wang Jun take the lead."

Unlike others who hesitated, Guo Chongwei decisively said, "Then let's do it."

"I fear that the commander-in-chief is too sentimental and unwilling to betray the founding emperor, making it difficult for him to make up his mind."

"I will persuade you to accept the throne."

"It's all thanks to your willingness to take responsibility," Wang Yin remarked, then asked, "When will you persuade him to ascend the throne?"

Standing behind, Xiao Yi could see the concern in Wang Yin's eyes.

Guo Chongwei's retreating figure exuded decisiveness and resolve, offering only a single word in response: "Go."

Having said that, Guo Chongwei poured himself a bowl of wine and said loudly, "I am determined to persuade you to take the throne. Those who are willing to go with me, drink this bowl!"

"Of course I'd like to go with you!"

"Dry!"

Having said that, everyone raised their bowls.

Xiao Yi tilted his head back and drank a bowl of wine. Although it wasn't strong, he inexplicably felt a warm current rush to his cheeks.

"Take the wine and let's go."

Following Guo Chongwei, the generals left the tent.

Outside, the generals had already raised their wine bowls.

"Those who wish to join me in urging me to ascend the throne, let's do it!"

"Dry!"

Xiao Yi also drank a second bowl, feeling warm all over and inexplicably excited.

Wang Chengxun squeezed through and said, "Grandpa is afraid of everything, but General Guo has shown his true heroic nature. I am willing to follow his example!"

"Do not impulse."

Once outside the camp, the officers were already in an uproar.

Holding the wine bowls high, there's no need to say more. Guo Chongwei is always a man of few words, but every word he speaks carries immense weight.

"Let us drink together and share in this great undertaking!"

"I am willing to follow the general and share in this great cause! Let's do it!"

After the third bowl of wine, Xiao Yi's stomach felt very bloated, and he felt somewhat drunk.

"Boom!"

"Boom!"

He also smashed the empty bowl in his hand heavily on the ground, shattering it into pieces.

The atmosphere was even more enthusiastic.

"Let's go! Let's share this great cause!"

The generals trod on the broken pottery as they hurried toward the central command tent.

Xiao Yi occasionally looked back and saw that there were only a few hundred people behind him at first, but the number kept increasing, and by the time he left the South Camp, the crowd was dense.

Passing by the camp's main flag, Wang Yin pointed to the yellow flag among the directional flags and ordered, "Go, bring him here."

But no one was specifically instructed.

Xiao Yi glanced around and saw that there were probably only a few people who had heard the order. Li Rong looked eager to try, but his actions were rather hesitant.

He considered for a moment whether or not to do it.

The advantage is that it can leave a deep impression on Guo Wei and make him stand out, but this is also the disadvantage. After making a splash, it will only arouse the jealousy of others, but it may not necessarily improve his actual status in Guo Wei's heart.

It's not suitable for someone like him who already holds a special place in the Emperor's heart.

Just as he thought of this, a figure stepped out from the crowd—it was Wang Chengxun.

Xiao Yi looked at Wang Yin and saw a look of disappointment in his eyes.

Wang Yin glanced in his direction, seemingly sensing something, his gaze carrying a mixture of admiration and regret.

As they walked through the main camp toward the inner camp, the soldiers cheered and called to their comrades, surging over in droves.

After all, no one wants to miss out on the credit for their support.

With too many people, Xiao Yi saw soldiers pushing and shoving, showing signs of a mutiny, and couldn't help but worry that the situation would get out of control.

"General Guo."

Guo Chongwei glanced back and ordered, "All commanders and officers, keep a close watch on your soldiers!"

"Here!"

The trend of gathering was irreversible, but the soldiers consciously lined up in neat, silent ranks, their morale high.

Upon arriving at the central command tent, the entire camp had already been awakened.

Like a military parade, the soldiers lined up in formation, and the light of the torches stretched to the horizon, illuminating the world as if it were daytime.

Tang Jin, Guo Shouwen, and others were on duty when they drew their swords and blocked the way, shouting in alarm.

"What do you intend to do?!"

Guo Chongwei stepped forward, unfastening his sword and removing his armor as he went, and shouted, "Get out of the way!"

"General, you've brought so many men, you should at least say what brings you here..."

"I urge him to take the throne."

Seeing Tang Jin's troubled expression, Xiao Yi stepped forward and put his arm around him, saying, "I packed some Fu Lu Gao for you, go eat it over there."

Generals Guo Chongwei, Wang Yin, and He Fujin then bypassed Tang Jin and Guo Shouwen, lifted the curtain, and entered the tent.

Inside the tent, Guo Wei was talking to Wei Renpu when he suddenly slammed his fist on the table and roared.

"What are you doing?! Trying to stage a mutiny?!"

"General, please calm down."

Guo Chongwei knelt on one knee, his voice booming, and said, "The Liu family has lost its virtue, and the world is without a ruler. I beg the Commander-in-Chief to follow the will of Heaven and the people, ascend the throne, pacify the army, and stabilize the world..."

"shut up!"

Guo Wei was furious and shouted, "The Emperor Gaozu treated me with kindness as heavy as a mountain. How can I face him in the afterlife?!"

The soldiers arrived in high spirits, but were still silenced for a moment by their scolding.

Where Xiao Yi's gaze fell, Wang Chengxun's hand trembled slightly. Finally, with a hint of determination, he stepped forward and unfolded the yellow flag in his hand, intending to drape it.

Guo Wei glared angrily and turned to Wang Yin, cursing loudly.

"Wang Yin, considering we've been comrades for years, I won't punish you. Quickly restrain your men, or don't blame me for taking your head!"

Wang Chengxun's eyes widened in horror, and he paused in his tracks.

suddenly,

With a loud roar, the soldiers outside the tent were set ablaze.

"Long live!"

The shouts spread like waves, one wave higher than the next.

Then, it came back like waves, higher and stronger, shaking the entire earth.

The soldiers were so excited that their faces turned red. They slammed their weapons heavily on the ground, the clanging sounds initially chaotic, but gradually becoming uniform.

"Boom! Boom!"

"Long live! Long live!"

"Boom! Boom!"

"Long live! Long live!"

"..."

The sound engulfed everything in the world.

Xiao Yi saw Wang Chengxun open his mouth and whisper something, roughly saying that this was the sentiment of all the generals, before daring to step forward, drape the yellow robe over Guo Wei, and then kneel down as quickly as possible.

"Your Majesty, in accordance with the will of Heaven and the people, shall ascend the throne and become Emperor!"

"Your Majesty, please follow the will of the people and ascend the throne..."

Tens of thousands of people were present, but probably only Xiao Yi saw Guo Wei's expression.

It was a feeling of fear, bewilderment, shock, hesitation, solemnity, sadness, satisfaction, pride, and determination after being pushed to the highest point by countless hands, as well as a determination to risk everything.

Xiao Yi tried to understand, perhaps it was like the first time he mounted the fastest horse and galloped wildly, feeling uncontrollable and fearful, and then surprised and exhilarated?
He saw Guo Wei stroke the patches on his old military robe, tighten the yellow flag that had slipped from his neck, and stand up.

"Clang."

Guo Wei drew his sword.

"Silence!"

Tens of thousands of people gradually fell silent, and countless expectant eyes focused on this large tent.

"If you want me to ascend the throne, you must first agree to three rules: inform the Empress Dowager, preserve the Han imperial family and ancestral temples, and do not harass the people. If you comply, you can return to Bianjing; if you do not comply, I would rather die than become a traitor to the Han."

The atmosphere froze for a moment, then erupted in a joyful cheer.

"His Majesty has agreed!"

"We agree to Your Majesty's request!"

Xiao Yi was somewhat dazed by the deafening shouts. When he looked at Guo Wei again, he saw that his eyes had become pure, as if a blazing flame had burned away all his distracting thoughts.

What burns is only... ambition and boundless passion!

"Long live! Long live!"

"Long live! Long live!"

(End of this chapter)