The Splendor of the Five Dynasties

Chapter 71 Commanding the River Crossing
"Time to get up and have breakfast!"

The next day, Xiao Yi was woken up when it was already broad daylight. He saw Guo Xin and Zhang Mantun sleeping on the large communal bed on either side of him, which made him feel much more at ease.

Although I slept soundly, I dreamt that I was chopped by Chen Guanghui, which made me feel uneasy.

"Are we about to cross the river?"

"It'll be over soon. The laborers are building the pontoon bridge. We've done a great service in capturing the city, so we can rest a little longer."

Where is Commander Chen?

"I got up early this morning and gathered with my old girlfriends to chat."

Xiao Yi glanced outside and saw Chen Guanghui surrounded by several soldiers from Chanzhou. It seemed that he was being asked to stand up for Xu Sheng.

As I got up and went over, I could still faintly hear complaints.

"If we don't step forward today, what will happen when his sword falls on our heads tomorrow, and the general won't care?"

Anyone else might have pretended not to hear, but Xiao Yi didn't mince words, saying, "As long as you don't break military law, the knife won't fall on your heads."

"That sounds nice, but you didn't bring down the knife. You strangled him with a bowstring."

"I'm afraid you're trying to seize power from the commander and deliberately getting rid of Lao Xu."

Xiao Yi didn't explain further. If they thought robbing the people was a matter of course, they couldn't agree on anything.

On the stove, a large pot sat there, with a ladle next to it, but no one stirred it.

The 20th Battalion seemed to have split into two groups, locked in a fierce confrontation.

"Damn it, aren't you hungry? Hurry up and eat your breakfast!"

Li Rong strode in, cursing and swearing. Seeing the atmosphere, he said, "What's wrong? Can't we all get along?"

Chen Guanghui said, "Deputy Commander Xiao couldn't hold back even a breath last night, I can't handle it."

"Two lives lost, two orphans—this is not something I can tolerate."

"Enough," Li Rong spat. "It's just a little fart, and it doesn't dissipate all night. People get up early to sniff it so hard."

Chen Guanghui said, "This fart was not from me."

Xiao Yi said, "Xu Shengfang put it there; it reeks of corpses."

"If you don't cut his neck open, can you even smell the stench...?"

"Shut the hell up!"

Li Rong slammed his waist knife onto the table with a deafening crash.

"Can't you control those two monkeys? Listen to my orders! Xiao Yi, take a troop of cavalry and get to the east gate to await General He's orders; Chen Guanghui, don't say a word, stay put!"

"Here."

Xiao Yi accepted the order, turned around, and commanded, "Second, Third, and Fifth, immediately don your armor and follow me."

The Fifth Capital was under the command of Lü You and Wei Liang, so they naturally agreed without question; Xu Sheng, the head of the Third Capital, had been killed by him, and Fan Ji, the deputy head, had only managed to win over half of the men; the two heads of the Second Capital were both Chen Guanghui's men, but Xi Gou, Hu Deng, and Wu Gouzi led a small group of men to obey his orders.

Thus, of the more than 120 people in the group, more than 30 immediately stood up.

Seeing this, Guo Xin shouted, "Tieya, carry the flag!"

"Okay!"

Several soldiers, remembering Guo Sanlang's extraordinary status, got up to put on their armor.

But there were also whispering sounds.

"Idiot! His men are all elite soldiers, and they treat us well. If we go with them, we'll miss out on the profits."

“I don’t care about the bonus, I don’t need the extra money. Commander Guo ordered that the people not be disturbed when he was in Hezhong. This extra money won’t last long.”

How do you know these things?

"What Old Hua was talking about last night..."

Finally, forty-six men donned their armor and awaited orders.
Hua Nong frowned, picked up the military register and was about to roll call when Chen Guanghui snatched it away and shouted, "The general ordered you to go, what are you dawdling here for?!"

Xiao Yi did not argue with Chen Guanghui and ordered, "Have breakfast."

"Here!"

Everyone obeyed the order, with Guo Xin and Zhang Mantun shouting especially loudly.

They wolfed down most of the millet porridge, leaving not a single piece of dried meat, and rode off with half of their baggage and horses.

It's like splitting up a family property.

"Haha, the 20th Battalion's flag is here!"

Guo Xin spurred his horse, waved his flag, and said joyfully, "I feel even more exhilarated to be an army of my own!"

Xiao Yi frowned, knowing that the pleasure was only temporary. Without Chen Guanghui's experience and elite troops, their strength was reduced by far more than just half.

After galloping out of the eastern city, they could see the army gathering under He Fujin's banner in the distance.

They also hurried towards the banner.

"Xiao Yi, the deputy commander of the 20th Command of the Left Wing of the Ma Army, has led his troops to await orders!"

When He Fujin saw Xiao Yi and Guo Xin, he frowned without any attempt to hide his dislike for them and waved them over.

"General."

"You two are still in the army?"

"Yes," Guo Xin said, "Our father sent us to gain experience."

"You two ignorant little monkeys, I want to teach you a lesson, but I'm also afraid you'll suffer a terrible one."

"General He, just give the order if you have a military command."

"Wait."

A short while later, a rider galloped past from the army formation in the distance. The rider was extremely tall and held a brightly colored banner aloft, attracting everyone's attention.

"Shut up!"

The knight galloped up to He Fujin, reined in his horse, and shouted in a booming voice, "Greetings, General He! I am a cavalry guard who has come forward with orders to carry the imperial banner to the vanguard. Please, General, escort me across the river!"

"Xiao Yi obeys!"

"exist!"

"Lead your troops to escort the imperial banner and stay under Guo Chongwei's command."

"Here!"

Tang Jin scratched his head and muttered, "Just send them off, why do we need an escort?"

"Let's go."

The team immediately headed towards the Yellow River.

Once on the road, Xiao Yi glanced at Tang Jin. He was tall and robust, similar to Zhang Mantun, and had the same thick, stiff beard. However, his upper face was quite different, with high-arched eyebrows, deep-set eyes, and a high nose bridge, making him look like a Hun.

Tang Jin immediately noticed Zhang Mantun, glanced at him, and muttered to himself, "You're quite burly too, but much uglier than me."

"Bullshit!"

"My mother doesn't fart. She died young, and her bones have all turned to ash."

Lü You said, "Alright, alright, you two are evenly matched."

“I’m taller and more imposing than you, you kitchen slave.” Tang Jin retorted, “I was already as tall as you when I was seven.”

Lu You's face fell, and he muttered curses under his breath, but dared not utter a sound.

Zhang Mantun straightened his back and said, "I'm even taller than you, barbarian."

"It's your Mago, you big oaf, don't crush it."

"You scoundrel, why does your mouth smell so bad?"

"I'm just being straightforward, you're just talking nonsense."

"Your lousy ass is still pooping, but I'm the coach, what about you?"

“We are your loyal guards, we don’t care about your common official position.”

Guo Xin was overjoyed to hear them bickering, wishing he could sit upside down on his horse. He laughed and said, "If you want to join our 20th Battalion, there'll be a captain's post there."

Fan Ji was shocked and quickly turned around, looking at them nervously.

“Little monkey, I’m a guard, how could I possibly get here to your place…” Tang Jin looked up and said, “This flag is really shabby, what does it say?”

"The twentieth commander, can't you read that?"

“I can’t read, and you’re supposed to be commanders? You’re not even half a commander, just a bunch of rookies.” Zhang Mantun cursed angrily, “You foul mouth, you’re spitting out shit again.”

"Even my shit isn't this runny," Tang Jin said seriously. "If we encounter the Southern Army, don't blame me for not protecting you; I have to protect this banner."

"..."

A group of forty-eight men escorted the banner to the Yellow River, where a magnificent scene unfolded before them.

The north wind swept across the Yellow River, carrying snowflakes, and the frozen soil on the riverbanks was trampled. The army that was about to assemble was lined up in square formations.

Teams of laborers carried thick timber on their shoulders in an endless stream.

"Hey yo! Hey yo!"

Amidst shouts, groups of dozens pushed empty ferries onto the river to serve as the base for a pontoon bridge.

Looking out, Xiao Yi saw more than ten ferries lined up on the wide river, with laborers standing on the boats, pulling the thick hemp ropes in their hands straight.

The Yellow River, seemingly unwilling to be conquered, roared, its waves pushing the bridge planks against the boats with a loud bang, while the ropes rubbed together incessantly.

Further away, people looked like ants.

Xiao Yi had just joined the army and, finding himself in this grand scene, was momentarily at a loss for what to do next.

Old Pan said, "Commander, I'll go and find out the dispatching rules at the ferry crossing."

"Alright, everyone else, rest here."

"Here."

In less than a quarter of an hour, Old Pan returned and said, "Commander, we've obtained three cargo boats and two sampans to transport supplies."

"lets go."

Xiao Yi gave a deep order, and following the procedure he had used when he crossed the river with Chen Guanghui last time, instructed the soldiers to blindfold the horses.

But his experience was still far too lacking.

Moreover, last time it was all elite troops from Chanzhou, but this time there are many new recruits, so there are even more things to pay attention to.

Old Pan came over and reminded him, "Commander, please wait a moment. The wind and snow are heavy today, and the waves on the river are high. We need to remove the saddles from the horses and cover them with coarse cloths, lest their fur get wet and freeze, and they get sick tomorrow."

"Fortunately, we have Lao Pan... Just do as he says."

"Here."

“I think these people are laying eggs. We should find another ferry, in case someone falls into the water.”

"it is good."

Xiao Yi understood, took out some money from his bag, and asked Lao Pan to make arrangements.

The new army faces greater difficulties than the elite troops.

As everyone prepared, they led their horses to the riverbank. Old Pan had already borrowed another small boat, with two people on board carrying long bamboo poles and hemp rope nets.

"If you can't swim, take off your armor and soak in water. I can't lift you out."

Upon hearing this, Tang Jin silently removed his armor.

Upon seeing this, Zhang Mantun grinned and laughed.

Before setting off, Old Pan inspected everything again, then shook his head and said, "Commander, these 'eggheads' are far inferior to the elite troops of Chanzhou. We need to teach them to untie their bowstrings, put them in their quivers, and wrap them in oiled paper, otherwise they'll get damp and spoil. The saddle ropes also need to be tied in double knots, otherwise they'll come loose if they struggle, and if they kick up a limp on this river, they'll end up in the water as turtle food. They need to either take off their helmets or fasten them tightly, because it's very windy on the river..."

When Xiao Yi last came, he heard Chen Guanghui issue more than a dozen orders when he dismounted, and he thought those people were also elites. Only today did he realize that elite soldiers can pay attention to hundreds of things on their own, so that the general only needs to check for a few oversights.

When he led the team, there were numerous oversights.

After a while, the people on the rescue boat became impatient, and then Tang Jin also got anxious and shouted, "Are you guys even capable? I'll go by myself, we're already here."

Zhang Mantun immediately retorted, "You foul-mouthed barbarian, in such a hurry to cross the river and reincarnate?!"

Finally, everything was ready.

They were divided into three teams of sixteen people each. Lao Pan and Tang Jin were in front of the guard, Xiao Yi and Guo Xin were in the middle, and Zhang Mantun led the last boat.

Before boarding the boat, Lao Pan had Hua Nong wave a flag and gave instructions to the boatman.

"Watch closely, black flags indicate advance, yellow flags indicate left and right, long whistle means stop, short whistle means speed up. Once we're on the river, shouting won't be heard."

"it is good."

“Those red flags on the river are the routes marked by the water official, where the current is slow. You must not go to the places where black flags are hung, that is the Yama's Whirlpool.”

"it is good."

Xiao Yi led his black horse onto the cargo ship and glanced at his fifteen men.

Without Lao Pan on the ship, he had to take responsibility for their lives alone.

"Arrange the horses properly, don't panic, if you panic the horses will become chaotic... Liu Wa, shorten the reins."

After the boat had traveled a little over halfway, Xiao Yi noticed that a horse's saddle strap had come loose and gotten tangled in its leg, causing it to fidget restlessly and the boat to rock. He quickly went over and untied it.

Before long, a wave crashed in, and the boat tilted.

Xiao Yi immediately ordered his soldiers to move and weigh down the ship, and to calm the horses.

"Hey!"

Suddenly, a horse neighed. Looking back, a hay bale had fallen onto the deck of the boat behind them. It had swelled up from being soaked in the water and had become entangled in the horse's leg. Startled, the horse reared up, causing chaos and rocking the third boat around. A figure was thrown off the side of the boat.

"Someone has fallen into the water!"

Xiao Yi stepped onto the ship's side and shouted to the rescue boat ahead.

However, the wind and waves drowned out his voice.

He immediately snatched the whistle and blew a long whistle.

"Rescue boat! Someone has fallen into the water, please save him!"

"..."

Looking over, the figure that had fallen into the water was swept away into the stream adorned with black banners and disappeared in an instant.

Xiao Yi stood there, stunned.

This was the first soldier under his command to be killed, named Luo Mao. He knew that if Chen Guanghui had led the team today, things would have gone much more smoothly.

Lacking experience, he eventually learned his lesson.

Standing on the Yellow River for a while, Xiao Yi's eyes regained their decisiveness and calmness. He would not be overwhelmed by this difficulty.

"Note that Luo Mao will receive a monthly allowance of three shi of millet from his family as a war dead. I will also add one shi to his salary."

"Here."

In less than half an hour, the cargo ship finally reached the shallows on the south bank.

"Damn it."

Zhang Mantun, with a fierce look on his face, landed and was about to cause trouble for the two people on the ferry, cursing, "You military bastards, if you don't save people, I'll twist their heads off."

"Iron Fang! Enough!"

Xiao Yi stopped Zhang Mantun and headed towards the ferry.

"Commander Xiao, we had no choice. When the army crosses the river, deaths are common..."

"A pontoon bridge is also being built downstream. If the body is found, please return it to his family. His family lives in Huangyang Lane in Huazhou City. Just ask anyone with the surname Luo and they will know. I will send someone to offer condolences and compensation. There will be a generous reward."

"Alright, Commander Xiao, don't worry."

"I heard that your position as the 20th Commander is newly established. With your ability to remember the names and addresses of the new recruits and the compensation you receive, the 20th Commander will surely make a name for himself sooner or later."

Xiao Yi knew the other party was just trying to say a few nice words, and there was nothing more to say.

Looking back, the Yellow River still flows, the pontoon bridge is taking shape, the camp on the south bank has been built, and the soldiers and civilians on both banks are busy. Presumably, the army will be able to cross the river today and join forces with Wang Yin.

The 20th Battalion, however, wanted to rush to the vanguard first.

"whole team!"

"Move quickly, we must reach the vanguard's camp within three hours."

"Let's go to the camp and have some hot soup."

"Set off."

"drive!"

Tang Jin raised the banner high, and Zhang Mantun, as if in a contest, also raised the banner of the 20th Battalion.

Forty-seven riders galloped south.

(End of this chapter)