The Splendor of the Five Dynasties

Chapter 69 Isolation
Back at his post, Xiao Yi placed the bloodstained bow under the banner of the 20th Battalion.

After standing there for a while, he turned around and saw that his soldiers had gathered behind him, filling the inn's main hall to the brim.

"Today, no one in the 20 battalions died in battle, but some died under military law."

Xiao Yi spoke, his voice calm.

“You might say that soldiers all over the world burn, kill, and plunder, so why can’t we? You know the reason in your hearts. Think about whether your parents, wives, and children support a righteous army or bandits. I won’t say much more. The 20th Battalion has just been established. Today I’m setting the rules here. It’s unacceptable to bully the people! As the saying goes, ‘Those who walk different paths cannot make plans together.’ If you can’t do it, you’d better leave now.”

The atmosphere was heavy. Everyone looked at each other in bewilderment. Most of the soldiers from Chanzhou looked resentful, while some showed admiration. Most of the newly recruited surrendered soldiers looked numb.

"The reward money has arrived, so distribute it. I'll also establish a rule: the Twentieth Battalion must never withhold reward money or rations. If there's even one instance, you must report it to me immediately."

After saying this, Xiao Yi arranged for Lao Pan to distribute the reward money, and then went to fetch water to wash his hands.

Hua Nong walked over with the troop register in her hands and said, "Commander, Xu Sheng's name has been crossed out, and his two trusted confidants have also been transferred. Please take a look."

Xiao Yi looked over and saw that the names of more than twenty captains and squad leaders listed in the troop register were all soldiers from Chanzhou brought by Chen Guanghui.

“Commander Chen is probably very dissatisfied today,” Hua Nong said.

Xiao Yi couldn't help but smile slightly and said, "So you knew about it too."

“I may be pedantic, but I’m not stupid. Even if Commander Chen isn’t angry, he can’t let this go. Otherwise, he won’t be able to explain it to his subordinates. You’ve also offended General He. General Li will probably think you’re not on the same side.”

"So, do you think I did the right thing?"

"Correct!"

Hua Nong nodded without hesitation, even somewhat excited.

“My lord said that the world is the problem. Isn’t our journey north precisely to change the world? However, my lord, you’ve never been ostracized in the army, so you probably don’t know how difficult life can be. But I have experience…”

"Don't worry, I don't think I'll be ostracized. As I said before, what is divided for a long time will eventually unite. I believe in my choice."

"Whether my choice of Guo Jieshuai was right or wrong, tonight I know I did not misjudge him."

Hearing this, Xiao Yi felt much relieved.

Before deciding to kill Xu Sheng, he thought a lot, and then realized that he had overthought things.

The idea that "a small act of impatience can ruin a great plan" is nothing but a ridiculous notion of being assimilated first and then changed. He would rather express his attitude clearly from the beginning. There will inevitably be people who oppose him, but there will always be people who share his views.

Other matters may be grayed out, but matters of right and wrong must be clearly distinguished as black and white.

For him, it's that simple.

Xiao Yi patted Hua Nong on the shoulder and said, "To change the atmosphere in the army, we can't just rely on military law and rewards. These are only temporary solutions. We need to raise the awareness of our soldiers."

"Please enlighten me, my lord."

“Instilling ideas.” Xiao Yi thought for a moment and said, “It’s not as you usually say, ‘We must cherish the people.’ That won’t work. We need to find a way to make them realize what is shameful and what is glorious.”

Hua Nong hurriedly took out pen and ink, and began writing furiously on the back of the military register, squinting as she asked, "How do we instill this knowledge?"

"In a way that is popular and easy to understand, using specific people and stories, we can establish their moral values. Huo Qubing's sealing of the wolf's lair is a hero, while those who bully the people are despised."

"Is this the way of education?"

"You have to learn to make learning fun so that others will listen to you."

Hua Nong nodded repeatedly, thoroughly enjoying the memory.

But as soon as he put down his pen, a look of worry appeared on his face again. He said, "My lord, what if Commander Chen wants to squeeze us out of the 20th Battalion? Will these good strategies still be able to be implemented?"

Xiao Yi laughed and said, "Even if I am dismissed tomorrow, the 20th Battalion must still follow the rules tonight."

"Alright." Hua Nong was less uneasy and said, "If I hear the Way in the morning, I can die content in the evening."

Suddenly, the sound of rapid hoofbeats rang out outside the door, and a messenger arrived.

"Deputy Commander Xiao, the Marshal summons you."

"..."

The military governor's office of Yicheng Army.

When Xiao Yi arrived, his three superiors, Chen Guanghui, Li Rong, and He Fujin, were talking in the front yard. Their expressions changed when they saw him.

"Commander Chen."

“I’m an open and honest person, and I speak my mind,” Chen Guanghui said. “My advocacy for appointing Hua Nong as a subordinate general shows that I have no intention of vying for power with you, does that mean I am?”

"Yes."

"Fine, then our differences have nothing to do with personal motives. The men I brought were killed by you. If I don't take a stand, who will respect me? Our approaches to managing the army are different; we're not on the same page, are we?"

"Commander, military law must be used to subdue people..."

"Enough with the nonsense. I've already spoken to the commander-in-chief. The 20th Command is too shallow to accommodate a true dragon like you. I've asked him to consider your contributions and find you a better position."

After saying this, Chen Guanghui clasped his hands in a fist salute to He Fujin and Li Rong, then turned and left.

Xiao Yi and he traveled north from Chanzhou and south from Yedu together for three hundred li. Initially, they admired each other, but eventually they parted ways.

Li Rong chuckled twice, not thinking it was a big deal, and said, "It's alright. Killing someone will inevitably lead to arguments and disputes in the army."

Just from these words, Xiao Yi knew that they were not talking about the same thing.

He Fujin looked disappointed, shook his head, and said, "I didn't come for your sake, but for Sanlang. I heard he fell from his horse today and almost died in battle, is that right?"

"He has fallen from grace, but..."

Before he could finish speaking, He Fujin turned to Li Rong and snapped, "Who told you to be so greedy and reckless?"

"Wasn't I taking advantage of the situation to seize Huazhou?"

"What's the point of taking Huazhou if we've trapped Guo Sanlang?!"

Li Rong asked in astonishment, "So what? Didn't Guo Dalang also have to fight his way up from the brink of death when he first joined the army?"

"You brute, can things be the same now as they are?"

"If the general cares for him, then don't let him serve under me. I can raise a wolf, but I can't protect a sheep!"

He Fujin was furious and shouted, "Don't you know the gravity of the situation? The commander-in-chief has summoned Sanlang for so long, perhaps because of this matter. Let's see what you're going to do!"

Li Rong was severely scolded and looked distressed.

As they were talking, Guo Xin and Zhang Mantun came out.

"Our father summons you all." He Fujin and Li Rong straightened their armor and entered the room together with the generals who were waiting in the side room.

Xiao Yi followed behind, and Guo Xin tugged at him, making him speak in a low voice.

"Oh, I just heard General He cursing General Li."

"Being scolded is too lenient. If you die in battle today, the fact is that he is to blame and will be implicated."

"This……"

Guo Xin was taken aback.

Xiao Yi was quite blunt, saying, "I know you're full of enthusiasm, but the facts are there. If you lose your life due to impulsiveness, you'll implicate others. Think about it."

"Oh," Guo Xin muttered, "I'll be more careful next time. Today was clearly a fight to the death, so how did it become my fault?"

Xiao Yi thought to himself that Guo Xin was not suitable to work under Li Rong, as both of them were impulsive.

"Did Guo Shuai see you about this matter as well?"

"No." Guo Xin yawned and said, "I've been chatting with Song Yanwo the whole time. Even though he's the one who surrendered, he's interrogating me like this."

"He interrogated you?"

"What? You've seen his resume in the Shi family study again?"

"I heard Shi Dechong mention him. He is a member of the imperial family and a high-ranking official in the provinces. He is the grandson of Emperor Zhuangzong of Tang and the son-in-law of Emperor Gaozu. He was appointed as a palace attendant at the age of eleven, promoted to Grand Censor at the age of seventeen, and appointed as Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel at the age of twenty. Now he is only twenty-four years old and has been granted the title of Duke of Guangping County, Grand Commandant, and the title of Founding Minister of the State and Minister of the State. He has also been appointed as the Military Governor of Yicheng Army."

“Shi Dalang must be dying of jealousy.” Guo Xin sighed and said, “He is indeed handsome. My father said that compared to him, I look like a wild monkey.”

"So, what did he interrogate you about?"

"It's a test for me..."

As they spoke, they entered the main hall of the Marshal's Mansion, where they remained standing silently by, not daring to utter a sound.

If the last military council was a matter of chance, then the fact that they were summoned here specifically this time clearly indicates an intention to promote them.

Guo Wei sat upright in the main seat, exuding an imposing aura.

A young man sat to the side, handsome and elegant, with rare clear eyes and a humble expression, showing no sign of unease, only a composure beyond his years.

This must be Song Yanwo, the military governor of Yicheng Army.

"Commander."

"Generals, you may dispense with the formalities."

Guo Wei's voice was deep and resonant as he said, "Song Yanwo, the military governor of Yicheng Army, understands the bigger picture and cares for the soldiers and civilians. He saved Huazhou from disaster and opened a clear route for our army to march south. From now on, we will be comrades who share weal and woe."

Song Yanwo calmly rose and bowed to the assembled generals.

"Now that the emperor is in distress, the treacherous officials in Bianliang have unjustly killed the regent and slaughtered the loyal and virtuous, arousing the wrath of both gods and men. Lord Guo has raised his arm, and the whole country looks up to him. I am young and lack virtue, but I am willing to stand shoulder to shoulder with you all to help Lord Guo cleanse the emperor of his evil ways and secure the country."

The generals returned the salute.

Xiao Yi stood in the corner and noticed Li Rong grinning slightly in front of him. He disdained such polite words.

After that, Wei Renpu stepped forward, holding a scroll.

"Reporting to the Commander, after a thorough inventory, the Huazhou treasury contains 8,000 bushels of millet, 50,000 bundles of hay, 3,000 bolts of silk, 8,000 strings of cash, 300 sets of armor, 800 bows, and 60,000 arrows."

As he spoke, he paused slightly, looked up at Song Yanwo, and spoke with a hint of admiration in his voice.

"The Huazhou treasury is full and the accounts are clear, which shows that Commander Song is good at management and diligent in preparation. For example, 70% of the arrows are new arrowheads and the bowstrings are soaked in butter and well preserved, which is a great blessing for the army."

In the corner, Li Rong turned his head and whispered to Xiao Yi, "It was the right method; I only surrendered after I had broken into the city."

In the hall, Song Yanwo spoke in a clear voice: “Secretary Wei, you flatter me. After all, guarding the granaries and repairing the armory and weapons is the duty of a military governor. Last year, the Khitans harassed the border, and this spring there was an alarm in Luzhou, so I dared not slack off and made some reserves. The small amount of supplies in Huazhou was enough to supply the righteous army. Who would have thought that fate would be so cruel as to leave it for Lord Guo’s righteous army.”

At the end, he turned to Guo Wei, speaking earnestly and with a sigh.

"This is not a scheme by man, but rather the will of Heaven to favor Lord Guo."

Li Rong agreed with this statement and nodded.

Xiao Yi thought to himself, Song Yanwo answered fluently, his words were neither humble nor arrogant, and he was well-versed in politics. He was definitely not an ordinary playboy.

"Your understanding of righteousness has saved Huazhou from war and preserved the treasury. I will remember your merit."

Guo Wei nodded slightly and immediately got to the point, saying, "Let's discuss the matter of crossing the river."

"Yes."

Song Yanwo bowed and stepped forward, pointing out the map on the table to the generals.

"This is a map of the Yellow River waterway in Huazhou Prefecture. Outside Huazhou City are Baima Ferry, Weicheng Ferry, and Changyuan Ferry. Among them, Baima Ferry is the best. The river is 300 paces wide, the current is slow, and the water level is 3 feet. On the north bank, Liyang has the support of Dapi Mountain, and on the south bank, the Baima Embankment can be used to gather troops and store grain..."

Xiao Yi found the advice quite enlightening and secretly thought that Song Yanwo had an extraordinary background and was also pragmatic. As long as he sincerely submitted to Guo Wei, he would surely be given important responsibilities.

Then, Wei Renpu said, "If we only cross the river in one direction, we will be easily blocked by the Southern Army. It is safer and faster to cross in three directions. There are Yangcun Ferry and Desheng Ferry in Chanzhou, which can support each other."

Guo Wei had a plan in mind. He picked up the bronze whip and went straight to distribute the items.

“I sent someone to Chanzhou overnight to contact Wang Yin and order him to build a pontoon bridge at Yangcun Ferry; I also sent a messenger to Wang Jun to block the Taihang Pass and then cross to Desheng Ferry.”

"Here."

He pointed the copper whip at Baima Ferry and tapped it once.

"Renpu, take charge of all matters related to the river crossing. Mobilize 30,000 laborers, prepare materials overnight, and build the bridge at dawn. The Baima Ferry pontoon bridge must be completed before noon tomorrow."

Wei Renpu accepted the order and said, "Yes, sir."

"The grain supplies will be transported via Changyuan Ferry, and you will be in charge of all the arrangements. There must be no mistakes."

"Here..."

The phrase "crossing the river" sounds simple, but the arrangements required are more complicated than three days of marching combined.

The military meeting lasted for about 15 minutes before it ended.

The generals bowed and took their leave.

Just as Xiao Yi was about to follow them out, he heard Guo Wei's voice.

"Xiao Yi, Guo Xin, stay."

(End of this chapter)