Frost for a Thousand Years

Chapter 71 I Will Not Enjoy This Glory Alone

Langya is less than three miles from the Chishui River.

Because this city is extremely important, after Wuwei was bound to fall, it became a strategic stronghold second only to Yongcheng, the capital of Liangzhou.

Therefore, it is well-connected by both waterways and land routes.

The road from the city gate to the riverside fortress, a stretch of about three miles, was a very wide thoroughfare. It was paved with stone slabs, and when the wheels of a vehicle drove over it, they made a loud, thunderous sound.

This enormous city was like a giant beast opening its mouth wide. But instead of devouring, it was continuously spitting out cartloads of supplies.

Almost none of the four thousand soldiers were taking a break.

Even so, it took a full hour to finish transporting it.

At this rate, it would probably be almost dawn before they could empty Langya.

"Your Highness."

Just as Wei Wusheng was supervising the transport at the water fortress, several mid-level officers came together, knelt on one knee, and saluted with clenched fists.

"What is it?" Wei Wusheng asked.

One of them stood up and said, "Your Highness, there was never any prior warning about this operation, and we have never heard of it either."

“This is a secret order from the Emperor, to be carried out personally by His Highness. What do you want to ask?” Wei Wusheng asked coldly.

"General Luo Ting should know this?" the other party asked.

"Indeed, this operation will be carried out by me and the general."

"Where is the general?"

"Are you questioning me, His Highness?" Wei Wusheng felt a surge of anger.

"This humble official dares not, but General, you have been overseeing the army in Langya for many years. Even if it is a secret military order, even if you don't tell me the contents, you will still hold a meeting with me in advance to make arrangements and give specific instructions on how to carry it out."

Looking at Wei Wusheng, the man said neither humbly nor arrogantly, "But this time, there was no notification. Since we were transporting supplies, we should have made preparations in advance, had the boats from the water fortress dock, mobilized the laborers in the city, and opened all the gates of the government warehouses."

Everyone in his group agreed with what he said.

Therefore, they collectively tortured Wei Wusheng with their eyes.

Why so urgent?
Why does it not conform to the procedure?

Why is General Luo Ting not here?
“General Luo has already gone to Shuofeng,” Wei Wusheng suddenly said.

Everyone was surprised to hear this.

They looked at each other, utterly bewildered.

"Originally, we wanted to mobilize in advance and not be in such a hurry. However, a secret order came from the front."

Without wavering, Wei Wusheng announced to the person whose tension had been heightened, "Wuwei has fallen."

"Is that so?!"

One person spoke up in astonishment.

The others also became fearful.

They originally thought they could hold out for at least two more months.

Therefore, the scheduling here is relatively smooth.

“If Wuwei falls, Ji Yuan might head straight for Shuofeng. If we don’t defend it properly, the entire Beiliang will fall so easily. I don’t need to tell you how the morale of the people of Liangzhou will be affected, do I?” Wei Wusheng said.

The others nodded, fully understanding the seriousness of the matter.

General Xiao Qun's reinforcements are still on their way and will not arrive for at least half a month.

If the situation gets worse too quickly, then no one can save us.

"This is an absolute military secret; you must not disclose it."

Everyone responded in unison: "Yes!"

"Then, hurry up and help transport the supplies."

Wei Wusheng offered this explanation, and the mid-level officers who came to question him could only return to their positions.

However, the one who was in charge grabbed one of his colleagues on his way back.

"Do you think what His Highness said is possible?" he asked.

"It's strange, but if that's really the case, we must obey orders."

“Absolutely not!” He pointed his index finger forcefully to the ground, stating with absolute certainty, “This is a mutiny, without a doubt. If we really wait until tomorrow, we will all be taken hostage to Shuofeng.”

"But we have the Tiger Tally, which belongs to the Sixth Prince himself. If we disobey orders like this, we will be killed right now."

"So we need to find an opportunity and act accordingly."

The officer, whom Wei Wusheng completely distrusted, revealed an extremely resistant look in his eyes.

Wei Wusheng knew perfectly well that the truth could never be hidden forever.

Once they board the ship, there might be some mutiny.

But there was no way around it; he was only one person with one talisman, and he absolutely could not completely control these four thousand people.

So, he was waiting for Song Shi'an.

If that issue isn't resolved, he will soon be escorted back to Sheng'an and executed for treason.

Wei Wusheng's gaze followed the Chishui River downstream, and he said heavily, "You, you must come."

.........

Song Shi'an wasn't just making empty promises to these soldiers.

At this point, the pancake is of no use.

He genuinely needs these people to work for him.

Leaving aside the more than ten thousand men in the north wind, the four thousand men here are completely out of control. The boats might stop before they even get going, and then the subordinates will force him to resign. Therefore, these one thousand absolute personal guards are needed to become all the junior officers of the 'Wei Family Army'.

The army was mixed and interspersed.

Then, they put their own people in control of the army and everyone else.

The several levels each person raised were all substantial and came about through righteous actions.

It's not easy for a soldier to become a squad leader, but there are opportunities.

If a platoon leader is to become a centurion, then he must risk his life to achieve considerable military merit.

As for becoming a centurion, it's practically impossible without a family background, unless one is repeatedly the first to charge.

Therefore, the answer is obvious.

These thousand imperial guards no longer had a single one of those who whine and fawn.

"It was going to be death anyway, but now there might be a chance to live..."

"And he was promoted directly; I went from a squad leader to a centurion?"

"If we hold this battle, we'll normally get promoted another rank, which would be Military Commander... a full eighth-rank official!"

Why was the Qin army so strong during the Warring States period?

Because of his learning, he improved the military merit system pioneered by Wei.

It provided a channel for people at the bottom to rise in social status.

This system also benefited Yue Jin during the Three Kingdoms period, allowing this commoner from a peasant background to become one of the Five Good Generals and be enshrined in Cao Cao's temple by always being the first to charge into battle.

Now, these thousand people have been ignited.

Seeing this, Song Shi'an asked directly, "Are you in or not?"

""Dry!!""

They spoke in unison, their gun barrels pounding the ground, a roar like a mountain collapsing and a tsunami crashing down.

"Then come with me and join His Highness!"

Song Shi'an dismounted from the watchtower, mounted his horse with Xin Yue, and quickly mobilized the troops.

"Song Shi'an!" Qin Kuo saw him come down and wanted to rush over.

Then, Zhu Qing stopped him abruptly. She then reminded him, "Look, is anyone still listening to us?"

At this moment, all the soldiers had become... no, Song Shi'an's private property.

Completely under control.

Whether it's the body or the mind.

Although Qin Kuo was in the army, he was a civil official. Therefore, he could not stand idly by and watch this coup happen: "You are a captain in this army, are your words of any use at all?"

"This army now has ten captains."

"..."

"If I want to be promoted to general, then I have to obey. If I don't want to be promoted, my current position doesn't allow me to move anyone." Zhu Qing knew the moment Song Shi'an announced these promotions that he had been sidelined.

"Nonsense!"

Not everyone's nine generations of relatives are frivolous and cheap. Qin Kuo also has his own family. Although it cannot be considered a noble family, it belongs to the minor bureaucratic class.

If I condone this kind of thing, what will happen to my entire family?
It was only at this moment that he suddenly realized that the secret order given to him that day seemed to have some basis in fact.

He hurriedly ran back to his tent.

"Qin Kuo, where are you going!"

Zhu Qing stared at his retreating figure, utterly puzzled.

At this point, all the troops and horses had assembled and were ready to depart immediately.

Before leaving, the army's supply officer ran up to Song Shi'an: "Sir, it may take half an hour to pack up the tents and provisions..."

"Why are you still thinking about these few measly things? Let's go!"

The entire Langya City has been emptied out, and I'm still here packing up my belongings?

So, three hundred cavalrymen led the way, followed by the rest of the light infantry and auxiliary troops, preparing to enter the main road and march quickly to the water fortress.

But suddenly, Qin Kuo ran ahead of everyone, took out an imperial edict on a bright yellow silk scroll, and shouted: "Imperial edict, in this special moment, Chief Clerk Qin Kuo may take full command of the army!"

Given the normal pace of his career advancement, Qin Kuo would never have the chance to meet the emperor in his lifetime.

As for the emperor's Embroidered Uniform Guard, they could only be seen when arresting his superiors.

At his level, he doesn't deserve this treatment.

But before he set off, he was shocked to learn that the Embroidered Uniform Guard had contacted him.

They also gave such an edict that transcended all levels, without any explanation.

He doesn't understand why, but he doesn't need to.

Now, he needs it!
"Song Shi'an, dismount!"

Staring at this bastard, Qin Kuo roared.

Everyone fell silent.

Song Shi'an looked at him with a calm expression, then casually glanced at Xin Yue beside him.

Zheng!
The sound of Xin Yue drawing her sword, slicing through the air, made Qin Kuo's heart tighten and his face tremble.

The next moment, the three hundred cavalrymen in front of him drew their sabers in unison.

(End of this chapter)