Chapter 31: The Marching Order

In fact, Xiang Xun agreed almost without hesitation. A personal attendant, without even a specific official post — yet Xiang Xun showed not a trace of disappointment. As a clever man, Xiang Xun naturally understood the value of taking the long view; to be an attendant to the second son of the new dynasty's emperor — how could that be ordinary?

He had come north to Taiyuan this time, originally intending to seek an audience with Liu Zhiyuan and lay out the ambitions in his heart, but Liu Zhiyuan had ascended the throne as emperor and was overwhelmed with affairs; without someone to introduce him, how could a commoner like him ever have the chance to meet the emperor?

After observing Jinyang for two days, it happened that Liu Zhiyuan issued an edict summoning the realm's brave and stalwart men, with all the armies expanding their ranks, so Xiang Xun took the opportunity to enlist. As for joining the Longqi Army, that too was a choice he made after careful consideration. In any case, Liu Chengyou's months of activity — his sweeping reorganization and reform of the Longqi Army, his promotions and appointments — had still made a certain name for him in Jinyang.

And Xiang Xun did hold a measure of curiosity about this rumored "Handsome Yama." Until he saw him today — aside from being too young — he did indeed possess a certain bearing: silent and grave, quite imposing, looking like one cut out for great things. Judging from his attitude, even if this were but a temporary perch, it would do no harm.

Compared to Xiang Xun, Liu Chengyou had fewer thoughts on the matter. Toward the talents who had been "gushing forth" around him these past days, he had only one attitude from start to finish: sit back and observe the men and their deeds. As for their abilities, those were left for examination; Liu Chengyou only needed to provide them with a chance to display their talents.

Accompanied by Zhang Yanwei, Liu Chengyou wore a cold face as he made a circuit of the various camps, focusing his attention on the new soldiers, brushing past them to make his presence felt, letting them experience a measure of the Longqi Army commander's majesty.

By the time of the late afternoon meal, the sun was sinking in the west, swaying as if about to fall. Liu Chengyou beat the drum to assemble the generals for a military council. All officers above the rank of Commander from the various camps had arrived — a dozen or so in total, large and small, nearly filling the modest military tent.

Behind the commander's table, Liu Chengyou sat straight-backed, quietly gazing at the officers in the tent. Besides the old faces, there were two new ones: Guo Rong and Murong Yanzhao.

Quite a few people cast glances at the two men. Guo Rong was one thing — everyone had heard his story, the adopted son of the Secretariat's Registrar, entrusted by His Highness as Patrol Inspector of the central army, so his presence at the military council was understandable. But who was this Murong Yanzhao? Before enlisting he had been nothing but a rustic country fellow, and to this moment he held no office or rank whatsoever — on what grounds did he stand alongside them?

Murong Yanzhao was a handsome man in his thirties, standing there especially tall and straight. Positioned at the back, facing the crowd's odd looks, he appeared quite composed, calm and unruffled; even the rhythm of his blinking was unaffected.

Murong Yanzhao had been summoned by Liu Chengyou's men, and after conversing with him, Liu Chengyou had not been disappointed — the man truly had strategy in his belly.

Liu Chengyou opened the meeting in silence, saying nothing, and the atmosphere in the tent grew somewhat stiff because of it. After a while, it was Zhang Yanwei, the highest-ranking officer present, who stepped forward and asked: "Your Highness has assembled the generals and raised the tent — may I ask what important matter is at hand?"

Hearing this, Liu Chengyou first glanced out through the wide-open tent flap, his solemn expression undiminished, then lowered his head and said in a deep voice: "It's getting late. I'll speak plainly of two matters!"

"Your Highness, please give your orders!" Seeing this, Zhang Yanwei immediately took the lead, adopting a posture of reverent obedience.

"First: temporarily halt recruitment. Of the newly enlisted soldiers, besides filling the vacancies in each camp, the remaining several hundred men shall be formed into a new Fourth Army of the Longqi. As for its Commander — Murong Yanzhao!"

As the words fell, the officers below burst into an uproar, all eyes snapping to Murong Yanzhao. In that instant, they all understood why Murong Yanzhao had been permitted to sit in on the military council.

"Your Highness, this Murong Yanzhao has just entered the army — what merit does he have to command an army alone and stand alongside us?" Commander Sun of the Second Army couldn't hold back, cupping his hands as he spoke, his tone somewhat aggressive.

Liu Chengyou paid him no heed, instead looking at Murong Yanzhao, addressing him with a familiarity that surprised everyone: "Brother Murong, since you came in response to the summons, I have made no arrangements for you until now. This time, I entrust you with command of an army. Are you willing — do you dare accept the charge?"

A hint of surprise flickered across Murong Yanzhao's handsome face. He swept his gaze around briefly, then calmly cupped his hands: "This humble one... your subordinate accepts the command!"

Only then did Liu Chengyou turn his head to look at that Sun fellow, his gaze flat and cold: "Commander Sun seems to have some dissatisfaction with my arrangements?"

Hearing Liu Chengyou say this, Commander Sun stiffened his neck directly: "Your Highness, your subordinate is a rough man, and some words just can't be held in. Naturally, I dare not be dissatisfied with Your Highness — it's just that I'm not convinced! We followed His Majesty through years of bloody fighting to earn our current positions. This Murong Yanzhao is a nobody — on what grounds?"

Listening to Commander Sun vent his feelings, Liu Chengyou unconsciously narrowed his eyes, staring at him, pondering for a brief moment. He did not grow angry, merely saying calmly: "So by that reasoning, you are still dissatisfied?"

"Sun Li, shut your mouth! How dare you question His Highness's orders? Do you not know that military orders are as immovable as mountains?" Zhang Yanwei suddenly roared, glaring fiercely at Commander Sun — yet covertly signaling him with his eyes.

"I..." Commander Sun opened his mouth, seeming to want to argue a little, but meeting Liu Chengyou's cool gaze, he forcibly suppressed his displeasure and said stiffly: "I wouldn't dare!"

Withdrawing his gaze from Commander Sun, Liu Chengyou's tone still carried little fluctuation as he continued his instructions: "Second: after this meeting disperses, return each to your own camp, lead your men in packing and preparation. Tomorrow morning, after the morning meal, break camp and march south!"

Compared to the small episode of Murong Yanzhao's appointment, the information in Liu Chengyou's second order was far more substantial. The officers in the tent all perked up. Ma Quanyi looked at Liu Chengyou and asked on everyone's behalf: "Your Highness, where do you intend to march?"

"I have already obtained His Majesty's edict — the Longqi Army marches south first, to campaign against the Khitan!"

"Just our Longqi Army?" After hearing Liu Chengyou's explanation, someone said weakly, sounding somewhat uncertain.

Liu Chengyou said flatly: "You've trained for this long; it's time to see the battlefield. Don't you all usually boast of being a strong army? This time, we'll test our blades on the Khitan! Gentlemen, you're not afraid, are you?"

At these words, whether or not their hearts were secretly trembling, all the officers voiced their sentiments in unison. The Khitan thieves were nothing to fear.

"Go down and prepare, all of you!" He waved his hand, signaling the officers to withdraw.

"General Murong, the Fourth Army is not yet formed and already faces battle — you'll have to train them while marching..." At the last moment, Liu Chengyou called Murong Yanzhao back, adding a faint reminder.

Murong Yanzhao paused slightly in his steps, turned back, and solemnly saluted Liu Chengyou: "Your subordinate understands!"

Murong Yanzhao did indeed understand — this newly formed Fourth Army handed to him was Liu Chengyou's test of him.

The officers dispersed, leaving only three or four people in the tent: Zhang Yanwei, Guo Rong, and the attendant Xiang Xun. Liu Chengyou tapped his fingers lightly on the commander's table, silently lost in thought.

"Your Highness, your subordinate knows your heart is set on promoting worthy men, but is this not too hasty? Han Tong was one thing, but this Murong Yanzhao has just arrived — to directly entrust him with command of an entire army truly makes it hard for men to be convinced..." A trace of hesitation appeared on his face as Zhang Yanwei couldn't help but remind Liu Chengyou once more.

Liu Chengyou was also mulling over the matter. He glanced up at him, pondered for a moment, and said softly: "No matter how hasty this is, can it be hastier than when I first took command of this army?"

"This..." Zhang Yanwei was left speechless.

Raising his hand, Liu Chengyou said flatly: "Still the same words — let us observe for now!"

In truth, Liu Chengyou could understand the dissatisfaction of men like Commander Sun. Putting himself in their shoes, measuring others by himself, he too would be unconvinced — on what grounds!

But Liu Chengyou would not change his decision because of it. There was never absolute fairness in this world; Liu Chengyou simply wanted to promote some "opportunists."

At the same time, understanding was one thing, but men like Commander Sun who could not control their negative emotions, relying on their status as army veterans and seniority to dare question his decisions to his face — that was something Liu Chengyou could not tolerate.

Such men had already been placed on Liu Chengyou's mental blacklist.

Mid-level officers like these, lacking the talent of a commander or the ability to lead troops, surviving and risking their lives on mere brute courage — such men could be found by the handful in this era, and were not worth Liu Chengyou's attention.