novelSusiti Chapter 14, 8 is 8!
Chapter 14, 8 is 8!
With the support of the prefectural government's "righteous" authority and the substantial financial resources provided by Zhang Shiping and Su Shuang, Liu Bei was now both powerful and influential, like a tiger with wings.
The Way of Peace suddenly reversed, causing shockwaves in all directions.
Those heroes, wandering knights, fugitives from the borderlands, and even some respectable men who were worried about their hometowns being robbed, who already harbored great ambitions and were observing the situation, immediately had no more hesitation when they heard that Liu Bei was not only innocent but also praised by the prefect and was about to lead troops to suppress the bandits.
From the afternoon of the seventh day of the third lunar month to the early morning of the eighth day, carriages and horses came and went in an endless stream in front of the manor.
Countless people came to join him, carrying bows and swords. Some rode alone with their swords, others came in groups of three or five, and some even came as entire gangs of wandering knights under the leadership of a chivalrous hero.
When Li Fu, the chief clerk of the prefectural government, and Zhou Ping, the registrar, personally escorted the first batch of one hundred official horses, ten sets of iron armor, and some supplies for the army to the manor, they were secretly shocked by the scene they saw.
Outside the manor, on a newly cleared open space, a long row of tents had already been erected. Although somewhat disorganized, the area was bustling with activity. Hundreds of young men were undergoing final reorganization and drills under the command of officers of various ranks.
Spears and halberds were everywhere, bows and crossbows were strung, and the two hundred or so newly acquired public and private horses were especially well-fed and groomed by special personnel, surrounded by riders, creating a solemn and imposing atmosphere of preparing for war.
This doesn't look like a hastily assembled "righteous army" at all; it already has the beginnings of an elite force!
When Li Fu and Zhou Ping handed over the documents and materials, their attitude was even more respectful than the day before.
They exchanged a glance, both seeing a hint of relief in each other's eyes—with such strong reinforcements, the prefecture could be safe, and perhaps even their own wives' safety would depend on them.
Guan Yu and Zhang Fei personally inspected the armor sent by the prefectural government and, along with the swords, spears, and halberds from the supplies provided by Zhang and Su the previous day, prioritized its distribution to the squad leaders, sergeants, and brave soldiers of each unit.
Jian Yong and Qian Zhao, carrying ample money and silk, went on a large-scale purchase of arrows, bowstrings, wound medicine, camp equipment, cooking pots, and other items at the market in Zhuo County. They bought at high prices and quickly, attracting the attention of all the merchants in the city, who all knew that Liu Xuande's troops were well-equipped and that he was generously rewarded.
Amidst this tense preparation for war, the scouts sent north to gather intelligence on the exact movements of the Yellow Turban Army finally brought back more detailed information.
The scouts were seasoned veterans of the borderlands, personally selected by Li Zheng. Several of them, disguised as refugees, went in shifts to conduct reconnaissance and have now returned with complete intelligence:
"My lord, it has been investigated! Cheng Yuanzhi, the leader of the Taiping Road in Zhuojun, gathered a crowd in Liangxiang in February to worship the flag. They wore yellow turbans on their foreheads and raised a banner that read, 'The Blue Heaven is dead, the Yellow Heaven shall rise.'"
"Their followers were mainly composed of the 'little leaders' and 'strongmen' of the Taiping Dao in various villages and towns. They first used talismans and sorcery to confuse the masses, and then used weapons to force farmers in the villages to join them."
"Whenever a village was destroyed, believers were forced to enter the house and have the character '甲子' (Jiazi) painted on the lintel with white clay, which was called a prophecy. Those who did not comply were beaten and killed, and all their property was looted."
"His followers marched south along the Tao River, taking refugees and fugitives with them, attacking and looting villages and towns, burning down government offices and temples, and opening granaries to distribute grain to lure the starving people. Sun Li, the magistrate of Fangcheng County, led several dozen county soldiers to resist, but they were killed in battle and beheaded."
"Now, there are many bandits in Liangxiang, Yangxiang, Fangcheng and other counties in the north of the prefecture. They have gathered four or five thousand men under their command. Although they are dressed in rags and their weapons are mostly hoes, thorns and brambles, they also have some swords and shields. They have even captured more than ten leather armors and crossbows from the soldiers of Fangcheng County. They are very arrogant."
"Their vanguard has already passed Yangxiang and is heading straight for Zhuoxian, which is less than sixty li away!"
The enemy situation is now clear!
Energetic and spirited, Liu Bei immediately ordered: "Send word that the entire army eat its fill, prepare the horses and sharpen the weapons, and inspect the equipment! Tomorrow at 3 AM, prepare the meal, and at 7 AM, muster the troops and advance to meet the enemy!"
From hearing about the Yellow Turban Rebellion yesterday, to gathering intelligence, reorganizing troops, completing initial preparations, and deciding to march the next day, it all took only one day.
Such decisiveness was remarkable given the widespread panic and self-defense among prefectures and counties at the end of the Han Dynasty!
That night, in the main hall of the manor, huge tallow candles burned brightly, illuminating the four walls.
Liu Bei summoned his core generals and advisors, including Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Qian Zhao, Tian Yu, Jian Yong, Wang Kai, Li Zheng, Wang Tong, and Zhang Nan, for the last military meeting before the battle.
Liu Bei first asked Guan Yu, "Yun Chang, what is the current strength of our army? Has the organization been completed?"
Guan Yu stepped forward, his posture upright, and solemnly reported: "Reporting to my lord. Since you spent your lavish resources to entertain guests and humbled yourselves to the point of disrespect a month ago, your reputation has grown daily, and people from all directions have come to join you in an endless stream. Before the Yellow Turban Rebellion broke out, the manor already had more than five hundred brave warriors."
"Since yesterday, we have heard that our lord has been commended by the prefectural government and will lead righteous troops to suppress the bandits. As a result, even more people have come to join us. In addition, Lord Zhang and Lord Su have provided financial assistance to select brave and strong men from among the followers and servants to join us."
"As of the hour of You (5-7 PM) today, our army has 627 infantrymen and 200 cavalrymen, totaling 827 men!"
He paused, then added, "The formation has been completed as previously agreed. The cavalry has been divided into two teams, temporarily led by the lord and Yu, with Mr. Zhang Ye assisting in the administration of the horses."
"The infantry were organized into six squads, each with about a hundred men, led by Fei, Kai, Zheng, Tong, Nan, and the newly promoted warrior Han Jing. The archers numbered eighty and were organized into a separate squad, led by Wang Tong. The rest were all auxiliary soldiers for baggage handling, crafts, and medical care."
More than 800 men! This is already a force to be reckoned with, and after Guan Yu’s rigorous training and emergency reorganization over the past few days, their formation and command are beginning to take shape, far beyond what ordinary bandits can match.
"Eight hundred?" Upon hearing this, Liu Bei's spirit soared, and he abruptly stood up. "Eight hundred it is! We will use these eight hundred men to carve out a bright future for Zhuojun!"
"In the past, Emperor Guangwu defeated Wang Mang's army of 420,000 with only a few thousand at the Battle of Kunyang! The art of war lies in quality, not quantity; in morale, not numbers!"
He surveyed his generals, his eyes gleaming: "We are an army dedicated to reviving righteousness and punishing rebellion. If we raise our spirits high and our soldiers fight with all their might, even a force of 100,000 can be defeated!"
"Tomorrow's battle will be fought with these eight hundred elite troops, charging into battle to show the world the magnanimity and heroism of the men of Yan and Zhao, and to strike fear into the hearts of the Yellow Turban rebels!"
These words, spoken with magnanimity and boldness, immediately stirred the heroic spirit within the generals in the hall, who shouted in unison, "We are willing to follow our lord to defeat the enemy!"
Liu Bei nodded and looked at Qian Zhao: "Zijing, have the rewards for motivating the soldiers been distributed?"
Qian Zhao stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said, "My lord, the rewards agreed upon yesterday have been distributed in full this afternoon. Each soldier received three hundred coins, one dou of wine, one jin of meat, and two bolts of silk. Squad leaders, company commanders, and above received additional rewards. The camp is now filled with cheers, and morale is high."
"But..." He hesitated, glancing at Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, before continuing, "Generals Yunchang and Yide firmly declined the hundred bolts of silk and gold and silver specially bestowed upon them by our lord, saying, 'Rewards should be distributed equally among the soldiers; how can we favor the generals alone?' They have already distributed all of their earnings to the wounded, the poor, or those who trained most diligently today. Upon hearing this, all the soldiers were deeply moved and their resolve to die for their cause grew even stronger."
Liu Bei turned his gaze to Guan Yu.
Guan Yu stepped forward, his phoenix eyes slightly open, clasped his hands in a fist salute, and said loudly:
"My lord, you are wise. Yu and Yide followed you to relieve the difficulties of the times, alleviate the worries of the country, and support the Han Dynasty. It was not for wives, children, property, gold, jade, or brocade."
"Now that our soldiers have risked their lives on the front lines, and battle is imminent, generous rewards are the foundation for boosting morale. We, your men, have received great favor from our lord, who has entrusted us with his heart and soul. We should share the hardships with our soldiers and distribute these riches to solidify their loyalty. How dare we hoard them for our own families?"
Upon hearing this, everyone in the hall fell into a solemn silence.
Tian Yu, Qian Zhao, and the others looked at Guan Yu with even greater admiration.
Zhang Fei grinned and nodded emphatically, "Me too!"
"Excellent! Excellent!" Liu Bei clapped his hands enthusiastically, repeatedly saying, "With loyal and upright ministers like Yun Chang and Yi De, and with all these heroes and righteous men working together with one heart, how can I, Liu Bei, worry about the failure of my great undertaking? How can I worry about the failure to eliminate the traitors to the country?"
He walked to the simple map hanging in the hall and pointed to the area north of Zhuoxian County, along the banks of the Tao River:
"The rebel army under Cheng Yuanzhi will surely arrive here tomorrow. As Sun Tzu said in *The Art of War*: 'He who first occupies the battlefield and awaits the enemy is at ease; he who arrives later and rushes into battle is weary.' He also said: 'Crush their strong points, seize their leader, and thus dismantle their body. When dragons fight in the field, their path is exhausted.'"
"Therefore, when the two armies clash tomorrow, the primary task is to crush the enemy's morale and disrupt their formation!"
He turned around, his eyes gleaming, and looked directly at Guan Yu: "Yun Chang! The crucial task of leading the vanguard in a frontal assault, directly attacking the central army, and capturing the enemy's generals and flags, is entrusted to you!"
"I give you two hundred elite cavalry, with priority given to those skilled in riding and archery. Whenever you see the enemy's formation falter or their banners become visible, lead your cavalry in a full-scale charge. Don't worry about the flanks; you must break through their lines in one fell swoop. If the time is right, take Cheng Yuanzhi's head!"
Guan Yu solemnly clasped his hands in a fist salute, his phoenix eyes blazing with fierce fighting spirit: "Yu obeys! I will not fail my lord's trust and will defeat the enemy's core!"
"Yide," Liu Bei said, turning to Zhang Fei, who was already itching to fight, "you lead your troops, closely following Yun Chang's cavalry. Once the cavalry opens a breach, immediately engage them, expand your gains, and completely tear apart the enemy formation! Be swift and decisive, so the enemy has no time to regroup!"
"Don't worry, brother!" Zhang Feibao's eyes widened, and he excitedly punched his fist, his voice shaking the roof tiles. "Watch me, Old Zhang, stab him through the roof tomorrow and kill him half to death!"
Liu Bei then looked at Wang Kai, Li Zheng, Wang Tong, Zhang Nan, Han Jing, and others in turn, assigning them tasks one by one: to cover the flanks, to hold the line, to provide long-range support, or to prepare for a surprise attack.
The generals accepted the order with reverence and had no objections.
Finally, Liu Bei's gaze swept across the entire assembly, and his voice was rousing: "Gentlemen, tomorrow's battle is our first, and it is crucial to whether we can establish ourselves in this chaotic world and rally the people! Victory is our only option! I urge you all to work together with one heart and one mind, and bravely advance! After we defeat the enemy, we will reward those who have contributed, and I will never break my promise!"
"I am willing to follow my lord to defeat the enemy!"
"Victory!"
"Victory!!"
"Victory!!!"
After the military meeting ended, the generals returned to their respective camps to make final preparations.
Liu Bei also walked out of the hall alone, looked up and saw that the night sky was clear, the stars were everywhere and the Milky Way hung obliquely.
The Purple Palace Enclosure appears somewhat dim, while the image of the Black Tortoise in the Northern Palace seems to hint at a military atmosphere.
Tomorrow will be the first test of his months of painstaking planning and scheming.
Eight hundred against several thousand, elites against a rabble—he was confident!
On the eighth day of the third month of the Jiazi year, at night, I was deep in sleeplessness.
The next day, just as dawn broke, the manor was already in an uproar.
The aroma of millet and dried meat mingled with the smoky scent of burning grass and wood, wafting in the crisp morning breeze.
The soldiers silently and quickly swallowed their thick breakfast—millet dumplings filled with salted meat, accompanied by pickles and hot soup.
After the meal, he began to check the tightness of the bowstring, sharpen the last edge of the ring-pommel sword with water, tighten the girth for the warhorse, put on the saddle and bridle, and feed it the last handful of bean feed.
In the front courtyard of the main hall, torches and the eastern sunrise complement each other.
Liu Bei was already fully armed. He wore the black two-piece armor that the prefectural government had bestowed upon him yesterday. The iron plates were strung together with tanned cowhide strips, protecting his chest and back. His shoulder guards and collar were polished to a gleaming shine.
He was covered by a brand-new crimson battle robe, which was hastily dyed from thick linen. The color was bright red, and the edges were bound with black silk thread. It was so red that it was dazzling in the firelight.
He wore a red turban but no iron armor, and carried a mulberry horn bow and two quiver of birch arrows on his back. He stood proudly in front of the hall, exuding a heroic and martial air.
Before him stood Tian Yu, fully armored, his face still bearing a hint of youthful inexperience, but his gaze resolute and calm. He held a sheathed longsword in both hands, bowed deeply, raised the sword above his forehead, and declared loudly:
"My lord! This sword was forged by Yu and the craftsmen of Zhuang, using refined iron from a hundred different sources, modeled after the Han army's standard. Though not a renowned weapon, it is still capable of slaying demons! Now that the army is about to set out, Yu, on behalf of the soldiers of Zhuang, respectfully presents this sword to you! May you wield this sword, command the three armies, eliminate the traitors, and restore the Han dynasty! Wherever the sword points, our army will surely triumph!"
In the Han Dynasty, there were ceremonies such as "bestowing the battle-axe" and "granting the sword," which symbolized the granting of the right to command troops in battle. Tian Yu presented this sword to Tian Yu, which not only expressed his loyalty and determination to fight to the death, but also wished his commander-in-chief a resounding victory, which was quite in line with ancient customs.
Liu Bei, with a solemn expression, stepped forward, extended his right hand, and steadily took the ring-pommel sword.
The scabbard is made of black lacquer, simple and unadorned, except for the bronze bands inlaid at the mouth and end of the scabbard.
He gently pushed the hilt of the sword with his thumb, and with a clear "clang," the sword emerged three inches from its sheath, its cold light flashing like autumn water, illuminating his resolute and bright eyes.
He then swiftly sheathed his sword, reached out his hands, and helped Tian Yu up.
"I accept the kindness of my lords and soldiers. I will not fail the sharpness of this sword, but will slay the traitor and offer his head as a sacrifice to our banner!"
After speaking, he glanced at everyone in the hall. Then, Jian Yong changed his usual carefree demeanor, wearing a headscarf and a dark robe, and unusually holding a white feather fan in his hand. He stood quietly in the porch, gently waving the fan, much like the wise man Zhang Liang in the early Han Dynasty, who was strategizing and planning.
Guan Yu and Zhang Fei stood like iron towers on either side. Guan Yu wore the newly polished two-piece armor given to him by Zou Jing, with a green brocade battle robe over it.
Guan Yu's left hand rested on the hemp-wrapped hilt of his ring-pommel sword at his waist, while his right hand held his specially lengthened spear with a blood groove on the blade. His phoenix eyes were slightly narrowed, his fighting spirit palpable.
Zhang Fei, wearing a red turban, iron armor, and a fiery red robe, wielded a genuine eighteen-foot-long steel spear, exuding an impatient and fierce aura.
"The time has come, my lord, please raise the banner and muster the troops!" Qian Zhao, who was standing to the side, stepped forward and bowed.
Liu Bei nodded, gripped his sheathed sword tightly in his left hand, and stepped out of the main hall first.
Guan Yu and Zhang Fei immediately stepped forward to follow, while Jian Yong lightly waved his feather fan and followed with Tian Yu, Qian Zhao, and other civil and military officials.
As soon as he stepped out of the gate, the scene before him caused even the well-prepared Liu Bei to feel an overwhelming surge of heat in his chest, rushing straight to the top of his head.
The most breathtaking sight was that vast expanse of uniform crimson!
Hundreds of soldiers were dressed in crimson battle jackets and slings, all hastily made from recently acquired silk and dyed with madder and cinnabar.
Under the hazy morning light and the flickering torches, the scene merges into a vast ocean, resembling a raging fire burning from the ground—desolate, magnificent, and breathtaking!
This bright crimson was deliberately chosen by Liu Bei.
It is said that the Han dynasty inherited the mandate of Yao, and its virtuous reign was already at its peak. The severed snake was used as a symbol, and the red banners were in accordance with the element of fire, which was a natural response and a sign that the Han dynasty had obtained the mandate of heaven.
Since the time when Emperor Gaozu started his uprising by slaying the white snake, an old woman cried at night, saying, "The son of the Red Emperor slays the son of the White Emperor," and the color red has been associated with the destiny of the Han Dynasty.
When Emperor Guangwu raised his army at Chunling, he also wore "crimson robes and a large crown" to signify the resurgence of the Han dynasty's fire virtue and the restoration of the Han dynasty.
Liu Bei ordered his entire army to wear crimson robes, which was a way of announcing to the world that the army he commanded was not an ordinary private army of powerful clansmen, but a legitimate "royal army" that upheld the Han dynasty's legitimacy, quelled rebellion, and continued the mandate of heaven for the Liu family!
This crimson robe was their most distinctive political banner and identity symbol for "raising righteous troops to punish traitors" and "restoring the Han Dynasty".
This demonstrates his ambition to revive the Han Dynasty!
The army stood like a mountain, utterly silent. The only sounds were the occasional suppressed snorts of warhorses, the slight clash of weapons against armor, and the fluttering of dozens of flags in the morning breeze.
The front row consisted of swordsmen and spearmen, dressed in crimson robes, wielding ring-pommel swords or halberds, and carrying large hardwood shields, standing solemnly like a forest.
In the middle are the archers, carrying quivers on their backs and holding crossbows or longbows.
On both flanks were cavalry, the knights standing with their horses at the ready, both men and horses silent, their eyes fixed intently on the direction of the command platform.
The banners in the formation were bright and clear. In addition to the banners and insignia bestowed by the prefectural government, which represented the authority of the prefect, there were dozens of newly made red flags, long banners, and flags with the words "Liu," "Han," "Punishing the Rebels," and "Loyalty and Righteousness" written in bold ink. They fluttered wildly in the wind, like red dragons surging.
Under the protection of Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, Liu Bei slowly ascended the makeshift wooden command platform.
His gaze slowly swept over the young faces below the stage, filled with expectation, over the forest of spears and halberds, and finally landed on the red flags fluttering in the wind.
They're the ones!
These eight hundred crimson-clad warriors represent the first fortune and the first true power that Liu Bei, after transmigrating to this place, painstakingly accumulated, squandered his wealth, humbled himself before scholars, and experienced risks and opportunities in this chaotic world at the end of the Han Dynasty!
It was his initial capital to step onto this turbulent and chaotic stage, and the foundation for him to stir up the world and realize his lifelong ambition!
After months of planning, constant vigilance, and tireless efforts, we have finally reached this day.
To achieve great deeds in chaotic times, to distinguish oneself, and to become famous throughout the world, begins with this very battle!
He took a deep breath of fresh air, his chest filled with heroic spirit, and then suddenly drew his long sword from his waist and raised it high! The sword's edge pointed straight at the gradually brightening sky, its cold light reflecting off the rising sun!
"Waaaaah—!!!"
The deep, desolate, and powerful sound of the horn, three long and one short note, suddenly broke the silence of the morning and spread throughout the fields.
"Thump! Thump! Thump! Thump! Thump!"
Immediately afterwards, the five cowhide drums were struck by bare-chested strongmen with hammers, and the heavy, deep, and rhythmic sound of the war drums exploded, each beat striking the heart of every soldier and igniting the heroic courage and killing intent that surged and roared in their blood!
Liu Bei's voice, brimming with heroic spirit, carried clearly to the ears of every soldier on the morning breeze:
"Righteous men! Brothers! The treacherous Zhang Jiao has instigated chaos in Julu; his henchman Cheng Yuanzhi has brought calamity to our homeland! They have burned and looted houses, slaughtered the innocent, destroyed our state, and torn our clothes! This is truly a time of national turmoil and indignation for the loyal and virtuous!"
"Today, we, the fine men of Zhuojun, have received the Emperor's decree and the Prefect's weighty trust to raise righteous troops, to punish the traitors! To protect our homeland and elders, to safeguard our wives, children, and fields, to restore the Han Dynasty, and to restore order to the world!"
"You are all clad in splendid armor, armed with fine weapons, well-fed and richly rewarded. What are you here for? It is for this day, to use the swords, spears, bows, and horses in your hands to vanquish the demons, gain fame and glory, and bring honor to your family!"
"Though the bandits are numerous, they are nothing but a rabble! Our elite troops will surely be ten to one! When two armies meet on a narrow path—the brave will prevail!"
His sword pointed forward, suddenly turning north:
"All troops, listen to my command! Target—the banks of the Tao River, to defeat the enemy and achieve victory! March forward!"
"Victory!!!"
"Victory! Victory!! Victory!!!"
A roar like a mountain collapsing and a tsunami crashing down, its sound echoing across the land.
Command flags waved, and drums and horns sounded in unison.
The army is setting off!
The cavalry were the first to move out, divided into two groups. The front group, about a hundred riders, was personally commanded by Guan Yu, with scouts leading the way. The rear group, also about a hundred riders, was led by Liu Bei, assisted by Zhang Fei.
The knights mounted their horses with swift movements. The sound of their hooves was initially chaotic, but gradually became unified under the shouts of their leader, transforming into a rolling torrent of iron as they headed north along the official road.
Next came the infantry. Led by their squad leaders and platoon leaders, they carried long weapons in front, bows and crossbows in the middle, and swords and shields in front and behind, bearing banners and marching in relatively orderly steps, closely following the cavalry.
Footsteps, the clanging of armor plates, and deep commands blended into a solemn and austere marching symphony.
The supply train, artisans, and healers lagged behind, driving large carts loaded with arrows, food, medicine, and tools, closely following the main army.
Liu Bei stopped his horse on a small hill by the roadside and looked back at the magnificent, well-disciplined crimson-red army that had marched out.
As the morning light grew brighter, it gilded every resolute face, every armor plate, and every spearhead with a golden edge.
His career, his journey through turbulent times, has begun!