The Splendor of the Five Dynasties

Chapter 62 Central Military Tent
The camp stretched along the terrain, with deep and wide moats and numerous deer antlers.

The patrolling soldiers' armor clanked, and in the torchlight, their faces were weathered, their eyes sharp and untamed. Seeing this, Xiao Yi realized that only a truly formidable person could control these arrogant and fierce soldiers.

Looking up again, the crossbowmen on the watchtower stood motionless, blending into the outline of the military camp, ready to kill him with a single arrow at any moment.

Despite Guo Rong's personal leadership, the guard posts still strictly checked credentials, demonstrating the strict military discipline and the tense atmosphere that made one's heart tremble.

"Let's go to the central command tent."

"Yes."

Xiao Yi looked around and saw that the camp was in good order, so he guessed that Guo Chongwei should not have rebelled.

Outside the central command tent, the lights were bright, and two rows of soldiers stood in a dense, dark mass.

The crackling of the campfire broke the silence, the flames leaping and illuminating their fierce faces, which displayed a mixture of anger, sorrow, doubt, worry, and determination... their expressions shifting unpredictably.

The guards at the tent entrance still had to verify the tokens when they saw Guo Rong.

"This is Xiao Yi whom Father Commander wants to see. He knows the most about the Kaifeng incident."

"please."

The military tent was very large.

On both sides of the tent stood generals of higher rank.

As soon as Xiao Yi stepped inside, he immediately felt countless gazes sweeping over him, scrutinizing and probing.

His first glance went to the person sitting behind the desk.

Approximately fifty years old, he was tall and imposing, exuding an aura of powerful and vigorous fighting spirit. A bird was tattooed on the side of his neck, trembling slightly with his bulging muscles, lifelike and adding to his rugged and untamed demeanor.

No wonder he's nicknamed Guo Que'er.

Guo Wei had a majestic appearance and a resolute expression. He had a broad forehead and a straight nose. The wrinkles at the corners of his eyes were as if carved by a knife, which made him look even more determined. His eyes were deep and bloodshot, revealing unspeakable pain and disappointment, while also containing the decisiveness and majesty honed through countless battles.

He was not as stern and intimidating as Shi Hongzhao, but his spirit was no less impressive, his demeanor was magnanimous, and he was more profound and substantial.

A thought suddenly occurred to Xiao Yi.

"This is how a man should be born!"

He took a deep breath to calm himself, then turned his gaze and first saw Cao Wei standing with his hands at his sides in the tent.

Cao Wei, who had previously appeared very imposing and strict, had now removed his cloak, wore a bitter expression, and tried his best to appear as a loyal and devoted old general.

Another person was standing next to Cao Wei. He was about forty years old, tall and strong, with a angular face and graying temples. He must be Guo Chongwei.

really.

"General, I am deeply indebted to you for your kindness and support. Even if I were to die, I could never repay even a fraction of that kindness. How could I possibly do something so treacherous? This must be a wicked scheme to sow discord between us and make us kill each other. Please, General, investigate this matter thoroughly!"

Guo Wei picked up a silk edict from the commander's desk, stood up, walked to Guo Chongwei, and said, "Then you won't accept this edict."

"I will not accept it." Guo Chongwei said without hesitation, "If the commander doubts my loyalty, I am willing to commit suicide here to prove my loyalty with my blood, without any complaints!"

After saying that, he knelt down on one knee.

Guo Wei threw the imperial edict to the ground, grabbed Guo Chongwei's arms, and helped him up.

"Our brotherhood began in Taiyuan, and we fought side by side with the late emperor, our bond forged in mountains of corpses and seas of blood. How can it be sown by a villain? If I were to doubt you, wouldn't that chill the hearts of the entire army?"

Having said that, he pointed to the imperial edict on the ground, turned to the generals inside and outside the tent, and his voice suddenly rose, like a wounded lion.

"I just want you all to see what this is!"

Guo Chongwei lowered his head, sighed, and said with deep regret, "Your Majesty... is foolish!"

Xiao Yi stood in an inconspicuous spot, observing intently, and saw no sign that they were acting.

Completely different from the situation where Wang Yin intimidated Li Hongwei, here there was no need for pretense, only anger.

Real, endless anger.

It was as if every move and every glance of everyone was brimming with anger and murderous intent.

Cao Wei's throat bobbed as he said, "Lord Wang, you should also take a look. Your name is on the imperial edict."

Another person stepped forward.

This man was nearly fifty years old, dressed in a casual robe, which seemed to be temporarily covered by leather armor. He had a thin face and high cheekbones, which made him look quite shrewd and capable. His temples were already gray, and he had deliberately trimmed his beard short and stiff, which softened the image of a scholar-official.

He picked up the imperial edict from the ground, glanced at it, and his eyes gleamed with a sharp light.

His eyes darted around, quickly scanning the people in the tent, and he began to read.

"I hereby order Guo Chongwei, Commander of the Tianxiong Army's Cavalry and Infantry: I have inherited this great legacy and rely on the meritorious officials. However, I have recently observed that Guo Wei and Wang Jun, since their arrival in Ye, have secretly formed a rebellious faction, abused their power, and acted arrogantly. Their wickedness and rebellion threaten the nation. You are known for your loyalty and bravery. Upon receiving this secret edict, you may execute them as you see fit."

Wang Jun paused here.

He emphasized his words, pointed at the generals, and then solemnly recited the last sentence.

"...and his accomplices, wipe them out as a whole! Do not delay, and do not fail my expectations."

After reading it aloud, Wang Jun held up the imperial edict and then delivered a passionate speech, which was even more inspiring than that of Guo Wei and Guo Chongwei.

"Shi Hongzhao, Yang Bin, and Wang Zhang were all ministers entrusted with the care of the late emperor. They devoted themselves to the country and died unjustly at the palace gates, their entire families slaughtered. Now, this death warrant has instigated Guo Chongwei and Cao Wei to kill Commander Guo and me. Commander Guo led us through thorns and arrows, fighting countless battles to secure the empire for the late emperor. He survived nine deaths and nine lives, received the imperial edict, and was entrusted with the care of the young emperor. He devoted himself to protecting the country and never had a single selfish thought. Now, the villains in the court are blinded and usurp power, wanting to exterminate all the old ministers of the late emperor and the pillars of the country!" As he spoke, Wang Jun's voice became hoarse and he choked with sobs.

Everyone was moved.

The generals were whispering among themselves.

"It's so..."

"How to do?"

Guo Wei stared at them, his eyes revealing deep weariness and sadness, which then turned into resolute determination.

He clasped his hands in a deep fist salute to all the generals.

“My entire family has been slaughtered and my close friend has been unjustly killed. I have no intention of living alone. You may obey the imperial edict, take my head and present it to the emperor, so that we may avoid being caught in the crossfire and save the lives of our families.”

Having said that, he closed his eyes, stood tall, and offered his neck for execution.

Xiao Yi's pupils contracted slightly. He couldn't detect any trace of Guo Wei's acting. He neither pretended to be strong nor hid his inner vulnerability; he was genuinely disheartened.

In comparison, he could sense that Wang Jun had the intention to win people over and incite emotions.

But it is precisely Guo Wei's sincerity that makes his story more tragic and moving.

At this moment, Guo Wei was not the all-powerful military governor in his eyes, but a tragic hero who was loyal to the country but forced into a desperate situation.

The tent was initially deathly silent, so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Then, the generals' emotions exploded instantly.

"Commander!"

"Absolutely not!"

"If anyone dares to lay a finger on the General, I'll fight them to the death!"

"Let's fight that dog-like imperial court to the death!"

Guo Chongwei suddenly knelt down, his tiger eyes wide open, tears streaming down his face, and he roared hoarsely, "General, you must not give up! I am willing to follow you back to Kaifeng to punish the treacherous officials and avenge Shi Gong, Yang Xiang, and all the innocent victims!"

"Not bad!"

Wang Jun shouted, "General, how can a man of your stature suffer injustice and sit idly by, waiting to die, and endure eternal infamy? The Emperor is young and inexperienced, unable to distinguish between loyalty and treachery. This must be the work of petty villains. If such people gain power, how can the country ever have peace? How can the state be stable? The late Emperor's foundation has been destroyed in an instant. I am willing to follow you, General, to purge the court of corrupt officials, quell the national crisis, wipe out these scourges, and bring peace to the world!"

Cao Wei clasped his hands in a fist salute and roared, "I am willing to follow the General to purge the emperor's corrupt advisors and quell the national crisis!"

The generals, already burning with rage, were instantly ignited. They responded with thunderous shouts, the clanging of armor clashing together, their roars and cries for orders merging into a powerful killing intent.

"I am willing to follow the commander-in-chief to purge the court of corrupt officials and quell the national crisis!"

"Return to Kaifeng and punish the treacherous officials!"

"Kill! Kill! Kill!"

Xiao Yi, standing in the middle of it, felt as if the sound was deafening.

Everywhere I looked, there were faces twisted with anger and excited with greed, ferocious and savage, like wild beasts and demons.

A tidal wave of rage surged forth, nearly setting him ablaze and almost overturning the central command tent.

Even Guo Rong blushed and roared.

Xiao Yi couldn't help but clench his fist and swing it. He tried his best to remain calm, knowing that at this moment, no one could stop these soldiers.

At this moment, even Guo Wei could not stop the momentum of the army.

Amidst the earth-shattering roar, Xiao Yi could vaguely hear the creaking wheels of history rolling in, irreversible.

My chest was churning with hot blood, and I couldn't control myself.

"Please give the order, Commander, to march back to Kaifeng, purge the court of corrupt officials, and quell the national crisis!"

"Give the order! Give the order!"

"..."

Xiao Yi looked deeply at Guo Wei, seeing him standing at the forefront of the storm, with the anger, resentment, ambition, loyalty, expectation, fear, and greed of countless soldiers surging beneath his feet, ready to crush everything in his way into dust!
At this moment, Guo Wei lost his composure. His grief overwhelmed him, but his body could instinctively avoid making a mistake.

He spoke, his voice hoarse yet resolute, his voice resounding throughout the surrounding area.

"Pass on my order—tomorrow we will march south to purge the court of corrupt officials and eliminate treacherous ministers, thus securing the nation's peace!"

"The handsome and wise man!"

"Return to your camps and prepare, check your troops, inspect your weapons, cook at dawn, hold a military meeting at 5 a.m., and swear an oath before setting off at 9 a.m.!"

"Here!"

The generals responded in unison, their voices like the beating of war drums, echoing across the land.

They then turned around swiftly and headed to their respective camps.

Standing beside Guo Rong, Xiao Yi witnessed this moment of upheaval that would determine the fate of the world, and felt his heart surge with emotion, which was difficult to calm.

(End of this chapter)