The Splendor of the Five Dynasties

Chapter 82 Cutting the Trouble with a Quick Sword

As soon as Xiao Yi uttered his words, the generals in the tent reacted in various ways.

Wang Yin and Guo Chongwei were both moved.

Song Yanwo turned around and looked at him with a knowing look in his eyes, as if he had seen through his thoughts. Then, his understanding turned into admiration.

Wang Jun's gaze was like a knife as he shouted, "How dare you! How could a junior like you take Kaifeng City..."

"Commander!"

Suddenly, someone interrupted Wang Jun's speech; it was Liu Tingrang, the lowest-ranking scout general in the tent.

Liu Tingrang clasped his hands in a fist salute, knelt on one knee, and said loudly, "This humble officer does not want any reward. I am willing to follow Commander Xiao to be the first to ascend Kaifeng City. I only ask that the Commander-in-Chief rescind his order!"

Even with Wang Jun's shrewdness, his eyes still couldn't hide their sinister rage, revealing his fury. He turned to Guo Chongwei and sneered.

"General Guo, what a clever scheme!"

Liu Tingrang said, "My actions have nothing to do with the general!"

Guo Xin immediately stood beside Xiao Yi and shouted, "Father, I am also willing to follow Xiao Yi to Kaifeng first. I beg you to retract your order and not listen to that terrible idea that will lead to the extinction of your lineage!"

"Sanlang?!" Wang Jun roared, "You've gone too far..."

The next moment, a young general behind Guo Wei suddenly stepped out of the ranks, stood next to Liu Tingrang, clasped his hands in a fist salute, and knelt on one knee.

"Guo Shouwen is willing to follow Commander Xiao to be the first to reach Kaifeng, only asking that the General rescind his order!"

"Uncle, Chongjin is also willing to go to Kaifeng with him first!"

Another young general with a dark complexion stepped forward to volunteer.

Xiao Yi looked back and saw that Guo Shouwen looked about the same age as him, and most of the others were also young, with the courage and righteousness of youth in their eyes.

To his surprise, another person also stepped forward and knelt down.

"My lord, Renbao is willing to persuade my father to surrender on your behalf... I only beg... I only beg you to retract your decree..."

Although Hou Renbao was just a prisoner, the fact that he was able to hold discussions in the tent today shows that he already had a rather important role to play.

With each trembling word, the paler his face became, the more evident his determination to express his stance, even at the cost of his life.

In a sense, he represented the attitude of Hou Yi, and even the surrendered officials.

Guo Wei's expression was calm, and his eyes had become much deeper. He said, "Xiao Yi, you're spouting nonsense. If you cause a blunder in military affairs, do you really think I wouldn't be willing to kill you?"

With a resolute expression, Xiao Yi replied resolutely, "This humble officer is willing to sign a military pledge: if I fail to capture Kaifeng, please have me beheaded as a warning to others!"

"Guo Xin is willing to die with Xiao Yi. When the time comes, the commander-in-chief can just cut off my head as well!"

"If we fail to capture Kaifeng, Liu Tingrang is willing to die with me!"

"If I cannot take Kaifeng, there is no need for the commander-in-chief to execute me; I will simply die in battle!"

"Li Chongjin was the same; he simply died in battle!"

"My lord, I...I am willing to persuade my father to surrender. I did not say I wanted to go to Kaifeng..."

Hou Renbao's words silenced the tent for a moment.

For some reason, Guo Wei's gaze fell on Wang Jun's face, and he remained silent for a moment.

An invisible oppression.

Xiao Yi was not in a hurry. He glanced at the map and saw that the Kaifeng city defense map was spread out on the general's desk. The positions of Caomen and Fengqiumen were circled in red ink, but there was no marching route. There were only a few names that were not clearly visible.

Looking at Guo Wei's clear eyes, one can tell that he has a plan in mind.

A gentle, clear voice broke the deadlock.

“My lord, the generals are concerned about the present or the future, and they are all right. They are in a dilemma. Xiao Yi is young and spirited. Since he has the courage to ask for a mission, why not let him give it a try?”

Wei Renpu had not participated in the previous argument and had been standing quietly to the side. Only now did he step forward, bow, and speak calmly.

"If the matter succeeds, Kaifeng will be pacified by issuing a proclamation, thus avoiding the calamity of war, saving money, food, and lives. Your righteousness will be known throughout the land. At that time, there will be no need to discuss plundering anymore, and the problem will be easily solved. This is a win-win solution. If it fails, it will satisfy the young generals' sincere desire to serve, without harming the overall situation. We can then revisit the old proposal."

After a slight pause, Wei Renpu glanced at Xiao Yi and added with a smile, "Since joining your ranks, Xiao Yi has had many extraordinary encounters, making him a truly 'lucky general.' Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures. Why not try to take advantage of this lucky general's fortune and perhaps see what fate has in store?"

The will of Heaven may sound mysterious, but it's more useful than grand theories.

Upon hearing this, Li Rong nodded and said, "That makes sense."

As a simple-minded and short-tempered general, Li Rong's attitude is representative.

Guo Wei finally spoke, asking, "Brother Xiufeng, what do you think?"

Wang Jun said calmly, "I will leave it to the Commander-in-Chief to decide."

Guo Wei's face remained expressionless as he asked, "Xiao Yi, how many troops, provisions, and weapons do you need? How many days will it take?"

Wang Yin and Guo Chongwei immediately turned around, giving Xiao Yi their supportive glances, signaling him to speak freely; Wang Jun watched coldly, a hint of sarcasm playing on his lips.

"Reporting to the Commander-in-Chief, this humble servant only needs a personal letter from you."

Xiao Yi spoke calmly and slowly, "I was entrusted to bring a letter from Kaifeng to the Commander-in-Chief. Now it is my duty to return the letter."

When he escorted the Guo family members north, he also used the phrase "I have been entrusted with this task, so I must be loyal to it." Now, when he mentions it again, he seems even more composed.

Wei Renpu smiled slightly and gestured, indicating that Xiao Yi should come to him later for a reply.

"it is good!"

Guo Wei gave him a deep look, then abruptly stood up.

"I promise that if Bianliang opens its gates to welcome my royal army, the so-called 'plundering within ten days' will be forgotten, and anyone in the entire army who dares to take even a single penny or item from the people will be executed without mercy!"

"Here!"

The group of young generals responded in unison, their voices filled with barely suppressed excitement and determination.

Xiao Yi observed them, thinking that these men were either Guo Wei's nephews, nieces, or personal guards, or Guo Chongwei's confidants. Their training of young generals revealed Guo Wei's true allesthesia. ...

After leaving the main tent, the young people immediately gathered together.

"That's great!" Guo Xin exclaimed first. "We're going to make that old man Wang Jun lose face!"

"Sanlang, don't speak recklessly."

The speaker was Li Chongjin, a young general with dark skin. He was in his early twenties, with a broad back and thick waist, a leopard-like head and piercing eyes. He had the makings of a fierce general, and his voice was booming and carried a bold and unrestrained air.

After saying that, he grabbed Guo Xin and ruffled his hair.

"Good lad, we've been marching all this way, and I haven't had a chance to get to know you properly yet."

"Brother, you stink!"

Xiao Yi had just heard Li Chongjin call Guo Wei "uncle" and knew that this was Guo Wei's nephew, and indeed, he had a close relationship with Guo Xin.

"Brother Xiao, you have such courage and skill, and you even saved Wu Niang... and San Lang. I like people like you." Li Chongjin patted his chest and said, "On this trip to Kaifeng, there's no other way; we'll live and die together!"

"Although Shouwen is young, he knows the importance of integrity. He is willing to die with his brothers on his way to Kaifeng!"

Guo Shouwen clasped his hands in a fist salute, his expression unusually solemn.

Although he had not fully grown in stature, his features were clear and his demeanor possessed a composure beyond his years.

Guo Xin grabbed Guo Shouwen and punched him in the chest, laughing, "You've grown quite a bit taller, I didn't even recognize you... Xiao Yi, this is my younger brother. His grandfather died in the battle in the river, and my grandfather raised him like his own son."

Xiao Yi returned the greeting, pulled Liu Tingrang, who was hiding behind him, and said, "Liu Tingrang, the vanguard scout general, is from a military family and is one of the top experts in the army."

"Good man!"

"From now on, we're brothers, even closer than blood brothers, because we're going to Kaifeng together!"

"it is good!"

The night wind was biting. The five young people held hands and bumped chests, oblivious to their uncertain future, feeling instead that their blood was boiling.

Suddenly, Xiao Yi turned around and saw Hou Renbao standing not far away, staring blankly in their direction.

Seeing Xiao Yi looking at him, Hou Renbao hesitated for a moment, then smiled sheepishly, bowed, and walked away.

"When are we leaving?"

"Tomorrow at dawn, assemble at the camp gate and don the captured Southern army uniforms and armor."

Guo Xin suggested, "How about we sleep side by side tonight and discuss our plans?"

"There's no need for that. Everyone should make preparations and conserve their energy."

"Hey, you're the kind of person I'm really happy to see."

"Go to bed early."

Xiao Yi clasped his hands in a fist salute to everyone and said, "I still need to go see Secretary Wei. See you tomorrow, everyone."

"Goodbye."

"I'll go with you." Guo Xin followed, walking side by side, saying as they went, "You've been busy these past two days, and I haven't had a chance to tell you yet."

"what?"

“I asked my grandfather why I hadn’t seen my mother and second brother yet. He said the mansion was besieged and I would go into the city to rescue them.”

"Ah."

Xiao Yi knew that no matter how unintelligent Guo Xin was, this matter couldn't be kept secret for long.

A faint sense of worry rose in my heart.

When they arrived at Wei Renpu's lodging, he was not there.

"Secretary Wei went to the supply camp to receive the provisions. Tell Commander Xiao to go and find him when he arrives."

"it is good."

Xiao Yi then headed towards the supply camp, where he saw bonfires burning brightly, and auxiliary soldiers and quartermasters busily moving and counting supplies, creating a lively atmosphere.

He saw Wei Renpu from afar, standing in front of the tent talking to a soldier. For some reason, his expression was somewhat helpless and solemn.

When Wei Renpu turned his head, the soldier also saw Xiao Yi and rushed straight towards him.

The man was thin and small, wearing rather oversized armor, and his face was covered in dust and dirt, making it impossible to see clearly.

Xiao Yi instinctively reached for his sword, but stopped abruptly as soon as his hand touched the hilt.

The other person had rushed in front of him, tears streaming down their face, revealing a patch of fair skin beneath the gray dust. He recognized those bright eyes; they were now filled with pain and despair.

It turned out to be Guo Xin.

She didn't stop and bumped straight into Xiao Yi, raising her fist and pounding his breastplate without restraint.

"You liar! Waaah... You lied to me, they're all dead... Why did you lie to me?"

"Fifth Sister." Guo Xin stepped forward, trying to pull Guo Xin away, and said, "What are you doing..."

"Waaah, I saw my eldest brother set up a memorial tablet... He told me everything... Mother and second brother are clearly gone... That liar..."

Guo Xin froze on the spot, utterly distraught.

Guo Xin continued to punch Xiao Yi repeatedly.

Even through the armor, Xiao Yi didn't feel any pain. He looked down and saw that Guo Xin's eyes were red and she was heartbroken.

Her teary eyes were far more damaging to him than any punch.

(End of this chapter)