Chapter 473: The Army's Morale Can Be Relied Upon

He stopped the guards, stood before the tent, and listened with a tilted ear. There were not many people inside — just over a hundred, all junior officers. What Wang Zhu was saying concerned the Battle of Luancheng, and how Liu Chengyou, with his brilliant martial prowess, had utterly defeated the Khitan!

"……His Majesty personally led eight thousand armored men, advancing north in concealment, to strike at the Khitan camp. You must understand — the army accompanying the Khitan emperor numbered in the hundreds of thousands, including tens of thousands of the Khitan imperial guard. Their camp stretched for a hundred li. At night, the felt tents and campfires spread out like stars on a board — dense, countless, boundless.

Such was their momentum — arrogance reaching the heavens, inspiring fear. The Longqi soldiers at that time had already been trained by His Majesty — disciplined, supremely elite, all brave warriors eager for battle. Moreover, having followed His Majesty east of the Taihang Mountains, they had won victory after victory, and their morale was at its peak.

Even so, facing the great Khitan army, officers and men alike could not help but feel uneasy. Some commanders, citing the Khitan's overwhelming strength — a hundred times our numbers — urged His Majesty to withdraw and not tread into danger. Only His Majesty, seeing the doubt and fear in everyone's hearts, kept his expression unchanged, perfectly composed, and said: 'The Mandate of Heaven is with me. Even if the Khitan field a million troops, they are but thin silk — pierced with a single strike. Do not doubt, follow me into battle, and win merit without parallel!'

The men were half-convinced. Only when they drew near the enemy camp did they discover that among the Khitan's linked encampments, white banners stood everywhere, and sounds of mourning drifted across the wilderness — for the Khitan emperor had already died before His Majesty's army arrived.

The Khitan, arrogant as they were, in such circumstances actually did not seal off the news or keep the death secret. Instead, they held funeral rites within the army. At this moment, the Longqi soldiers became firmly convinced that Heaven favored their army, and all rejoiced, eager for battle.

Only His Majesty's expression remained unchanged throughout — confident, with a plan in mind. He resolutely led the army, concentrated his forces to strike the Khitan camp, and with the momentum of splitting bamboo, swept through like a storm, smashing the great Khitan army in one blow and achieving the world-shaking triumph of the Luancheng Victory.

Before His Majesty's attack, only a gentle night breeze brushed the outskirts of Luancheng. But after the assault began, a fierce wind suddenly rose, feeding the flames and sweeping through the enemy camp. And His Majesty personally led his tiger warriors, charging at the front — wherever his blade pointed, the enemy routed. And in the chaos of battle, swords, arrows, and crossbow bolts all failed to harm him. This must be the favor of Heaven……"

Wang Zhu spoke with vivid detail, his expression agitated, gesturing wildly. The soldiers below listened earnestly; many wore looks of longing, wishing they could have personally taken part in such a great battle and won such merit and glory.

"What a pity I wasn't in the Longqi Army back then. Just being able to take part in a battle like that would have been enough to boost my reputation — I wouldn't be stuck as merely a commander of a hundred to this day!" A centurion could not help but sigh.

Hearing this, someone immediately undercut him with a sneer: "In a battle like that, amid an enemy camp of hundreds of thousands, every step was perilous. Aside from His Majesty, favored by the divine, who could guarantee their own safety? A fellow like you — just surviving with your life would already be plenty……"

At these words, a burst of laughter erupted.

"Sir Wang, I've heard that back then, the Khitan emperor was slain in battle by His Majesty leading the army personally! That's a bit different from what you're telling us!"

Someone raised a question — proof that the officers' enthusiasm had been stirred up. Wang Zhu was naturally happy to explain.

What Wang Zhu told was one of the more widely circulated versions of the Battle of Luancheng, and the closest to the official propaganda. Of course, inevitably, it carried some of Wang Zhu's own "embellishments."

As someone who had personally taken part in the Battle of Luancheng — and as an officer of one of the armies — Sun Li, listening to Wang Zhu's account, could not help but be stunned. In that battle, he only remembered charging and slashing all the way, enemies that could not be cut down fast enough, foes that could not be killed to the end — until he was gravely wounded and near death. If not for his tough luck, he would have died there too.

But hearing Wang Zhu "polish" it this way, for a moment, doubt arose in his heart — could it be that because his injuries had been so severe back then, his memory had become somewhat skewed……

But looking at the Son of Heaven beside him, and recalling how Liu Chengyou had been confident and composed from start to finish when he made the decision to march north — now thinking on it, if not for the Mandate of Heaven, what else could explain it?

Without disturbing those in the tent, Liu Chengyou stayed only a moment before leaving with his men, continuing his inspection elsewhere. Li Fang, as the field headquarters secretary, accompanied him, looking as if he wanted to speak but hesitated. Seeing this, Liu Chengyou said: "If you have something to say, say it directly!"

Glancing cautiously at Liu Chengyou, Li Fang said: "I merely feel that speaking so freely about Your Majesty, if it continues like this, will damage the divine authority of the sovereign!"

"Hm?" Liu Chengyou also looked at Li Fang, who instinctively lowered his head.

Clasping his hands behind his back, Liu Chengyou said calmly: "Praising the sage is the duty of a subject. Adding to my reputation — how does that harm my authority?"

Li Fang fell silent. He merely felt that a sage ruler should not be constantly on the lips of subordinate officials. But his remonstrance seemed to have touched a sore spot, and knowing how to read the room, he dared not argue further.

After inspecting the southern camp, Liu Chengyou went on to the western camp to observe the Husheng Army. Gao Huaide had been specifically summoned by Liu Chengyou to accompany him.

Whether because of his reputation in the original history, or because of the connection through Noble Consort Gao, Liu Chengyou indeed regarded Gao Huaide with special favor. As a general's family and imperial relative by marriage, the Gao clan's direct bloodline was not flourishing, and Gao Xingzhou was old, frail, and plagued by old ailments. Therefore, Liu Chengyou spared no effort in promoting and employing Gao Huaide.

"Cangyong, how long has it been since I transferred you to the imperial army?" On the imperial carriage, Liu Chengyou asked Gao Huaide, who sat properly before him.

Gao Huaide was slightly slow to respond, thought for a moment, then answered: "From the first year of Qianyou to this year — fully three years and more!"

"All this time, I have been busy with state affairs, and my attention to you has been insufficient!" Liu Chengyou looked at Gao Huaide's rigid, formal posture, a hint of satisfaction flashing in his eyes, and said in a relaxed tone: "No need to be so constrained. I called you here only to chat with my wife's brother!"

"Your Majesty is too kind!" The more affable Liu Chengyou's attitude, the more deferential Gao Huaide became.

Seeing this, Liu Chengyou smiled slightly: "Cangyong will be fully twenty-six this year, yes!"

Though he did not understand the Son of Heaven's intent, Gao Huaide still nodded: "I am grateful for Your Majesty's remembrance!"

Liu Chengyou sighed leisurely: "At twenty-six, to be Chief Inspector of a great army — in the imperial army of the Eastern Capital, is there anyone else?"

Hearing this, Gao Huaide immediately clasped his hands: "It all relies on Your Majesty's promotion. I am filled with awe and trepidation!"

"Between brothers-in-law like us, no need for such empty words!" Liu Chengyou waved his hand: "In recent years, I have heard something of those rumors in the army!"

Staring at Gao Huaide, Liu Chengyou said seriously: "I will speak frankly. The reason I promote and employ you so is that you, Gao Huaide, possess talent and strategy, with no small loyalty and capability — I wish to use you as a commander. It is absolutely not because you are the son of the Prince of Linqing, nor because of our marriage ties. What I value is only you, Gao Huaide!"

Hearing Liu Chengyou say this, Gao Huaide's face showed deep emotion. He straightened up and bowed within the carriage: "To receive such trust and regard from Your Majesty, I am grateful to the depths of my heart. I can only repay you with utmost devotion, even unto death!"

"No need for that!" Liu Chengyou leaned forward to help Gao Huaide up, patted his shoulder, and said: "The Xiaodi Army is the largest army in the imperial forces. I know Sun Li's abilities well — there are some matters he is not capable of handling. Placing you in the Xiaodi Army is so that you can assist him well and lead the troops properly. The army respects the strong. In this campaign against Huai, win prestige, win fame — let the solid battle merits disperse those criticisms, and let me see how much of the Prince of Linqing's generalship you have inherited!"

"Yes!" Gao Huaide answered solemnly: "I will not let Your Majesty down!"

"When you say that, I believe you!" Liu Chengyou said with a light laugh.

At the Husheng Army camp, on the training ground, a lively atmosphere prevailed as Li Chongjin and Wang Yansheng had assembled over a thousand officers and men. Sword in hand, walking before the soldiers, Wang Yansheng shouted at the top of his lungs: "The dumplings His Majesty rewarded us with last time — were they tasty?"

"Delicious!" Someone immediately replied.

"I thought so too!" Wang Yansheng's mouth curled slightly: "But how much meat was in that bowl of dumplings? I say, if you're going to eat meat, you eat your fill! You must be wondering why I and Commander Li have called you here. Let me tell you plainly — I've already ordered the mess to slaughter two fat pigs, put them in the pot with spices. In a little while, you'll be smelling the meat!"

Amid the curious gazes of the crowd, Li Chongjin stepped forward and announced: "All you brothers here are the most elite, fierce, and death-defying soldiers among our Husheng battalions. But a thousand men sharing two pigs — how can that be satisfying? In the army, the strong are honored. So among you, only the strong will have the right to eat meat!

I am setting up an arena here. You will duel in pairs. The winner can drink the soup; win again, and you can eat the meat. As for the losers — you just watch the others eat meat and drink soup……"

The words of Li and Wang immediately stirred up the enthusiasm of the soldiers present — whether for the sake of eating meat and drinking soup, or to vent the boredom and frustration of being camped before the city walls all this time.

When Liu Chengyou came to inspect, the great tournament was already in full swing. He summoned Li and Wang to question them, learned of the matter, and felt it was very good — he praised it.

Wang Yansheng then seized the opportunity to request that he be allowed to lead the vanguard in the assault on the city, and stated that he and Li Chongjin had held this tournament precisely to select a batch of the elite among the elite, to prepare for the assault.

Though he suppressed the matter for now, Liu Chengyou still spoke kindly to Li Chongjin and Wang Yansheng, encouraging them with bold words.

Regardless, Liu Chengyou's heart was greatly settled — the army's morale could be relied upon!

Moreover, he directly circulated news of this matter to the rest of the Han army, allowing them to emulate it. Within a great army, discipline was strict, and days were cold and somber. But governing an army also required a balance of tension and release — while ensuring defense, giving the soldiers a chance to display their might might yield remarkable results.