Chapter 630: The Prince of Yong Rewards the Troops

"Reporting to the Commander-in-Chief, His Highness the Prince of Yong has arrived with the imperial decree to reward the troops, and his procession is already ten li away!" Several commanders had just returned to the main army tent when this report arrived.

Xiang Xun immediately took it seriously. He swept his gaze across the room, his eyes settling on Murong Chengtai as he called out: "Murong Chengtai!"

"Your subordinate is here!"

Xiang Xun gave the order: "You will lead two hundred armored soldiers to receive His Highness the Prince of Yong. You must guarantee His Highness's safety—there can be no mistake!"

"As ordered!" Murong Chengtai acknowledged and departed.

"Gentlemen, His Highness the Prince of Yong has come on imperial decree to reward the army. We too must prepare to receive him properly. Pass the order to every camp—remain vigilant and on guard, tidy up our military appearance, and display the might of our Han army!" Xiang Xun waved his hand and commanded.

"Yes!"

Of the Han army's twenty-odd camps, the three northeasternmost were garrisoned by the Inner Palace Guard. In the camp on the ridge, before the palisade, the autumn sun hung high in the sky, radiating its light. Beneath that light, the two generals Shi Shouxin and Han Chongyun had their military robes tucked into their belts, sleeves rolled up, holding brushes as they personally scrubbed down their mounts.

The warhorses were evidently enjoying the care, occasionally stamping their hooves and letting out contented whinnies. Han Chongyun ladled a bucket of water over his horse while combing its mane, and called out to Shi Shouxin: "From summer into autumn, and now almost into winter—tens of thousands of troops sitting here, not advancing a single step. We neither attack the pass nor find a way to break the deadlock. Just burning through resources like this is really wasting the nation's grain and coin!"

"Warfare concerns the fate of the state and hangs on life and death—of course it demands caution! You must keep your composure and hold your patience!" Shi Shouxin's eyes were fixed entirely on his beloved horse as he replied.

"Not everyone has Brother Shi's patience!" Han Chongyun said. "The Shu army may have many troops and formidable passes, but they're not that hard to deal with, are they? If even a mere Weiwu City can stop our army and make us hesitate, then after Liangquan, with a thousand mountains and ten thousand barriers, layer upon layer of checkpoints—when will we ever fight our way to Chengdu?"

"The Commander-in-Chief has his own considerations. We are his subordinates—we only need to obey orders and lead our troops well!" Shi Shouxin said.

Seeing him remain so composed, Han Chongyun couldn't help but say: "Brother Shi, why not petition the Commander-in-Chief to attack the pass? Launch a full assault—with the fighting power of our Inner Palace Guard, we might well take it. Break just one of their camp defenses, and it's sure to shake their entire line!"

"Among all the army commanders, we have the least seniority. How could the task of attacking the pass possibly fall to us? Generals Gao and Wang are both watching closely. Though we're all part of the imperial army, how could we outcompete them?" Shi Shouxin laughed, pointing out a practical problem.

"Sigh! When we campaigned against Huainan, though it took half a year, we took cities and camps, broke enemies and seized territory, reaping gains the whole way—until we swept across Huainan and the Southern Tang sued for peace. How satisfying that was!" Han Chongyun began to reminisce. "Unlike this campaign against Fengzhou—three months with nothing to show, and the one victory we had wasn't even ours..."

"Duke Wang has made some achievements in Qinzhou. It looks like Chengji is about to fall. If only our army had been assigned to the northern route—that would have been far more satisfying than sitting idle in these mountains!" Han Chongyun sighed.

Hearing this, Shi Shouxin's tone turned slightly stern as he cautioned: "Brother Han, in the army, you should complain less. Such talk wounds morale and could be seen as sowing confusion among the troops!"

Seeing this, Han Chongyun immediately changed his expression and said: "Do you think I don't know what's important? I only spoke to you, Brother Shi, to relieve my boredom. Before long, winter will arrive. Once the weather turns cold, our hopes of breaking the pass will truly be slim!"

At this, a calm, confident smile appeared on Shi Shouxin's upright face as he said to Han Chongyun: "Don't worry—before winter sets in, the Commander-in-Chief will definitely make his move!"

"Have you guessed Commander Xiang's intentions?" Han Chongyun suddenly grew curious.

"Haven't you noticed that recently the Commander-in-Chief has been transporting large quantities of fire-oil bombs to the main camp? Not to mention those dozens of reinforced catapults—these are our army's sharpest tools for breaking cities and taking passes!" Shi Shouxin said.

Han Chongyun furrowed his brow: "Why not use them earlier?"

"First, after the Huainan campaign, the whole world was watching—how could the Shu army be unprepared? Last time, when Wang Renshan broke the Yellow Ox Camp, the effect wasn't remarkable. Second, summer and autumn bring frequent rain and heavy moisture—not like now, when the autumn sky is clear and crisp and the grass and trees are dry..."

Han Chongyun was no fool. Hearing this, he began to understand: "Fire attack?"

"The Shu army's cities and camps are linked together, situated in places with lush vegetation—aren't they just waiting for our army to set them ablaze? Indeed, oil feeds the fire, and fire rides the wind—enough to annihilate the Shu army!" Shi Shouxin said.

"This talk is only speculation between the two of us—it must not be shared with outsiders!" Shi Shouxin cautioned.

"Understood!"

They led their washed warhorses to a dry, open space nearby, fitted them with bridles and saddles. Just then, a messenger arrived from the main camp with orders for a full army alert. When asked why, the answer came: the Prince of Yong had arrived on imperial decree to reward the troops.

Over on Murong Chengtai's side, he had smoothly received Liu Chenghsun—the two hadn't seen each other in nearly two years. Looking at the dark, sturdy Murong Chengtai wrapped in armor, every move radiating military bearing, Liu Chenghsun couldn't help but remark in surprise: "Chengtai, two years of training in the army have changed you greatly! I must look at you with new eyes!"

Indeed, it was hard to see any trace of his former frivolous manner in Murong Chengtai. But facing Liu Chenghsun, he still revealed a familiar smile: "Commander Xiang runs a strict army. Serving under him, I wouldn't dare keep my restless ways. You know, when I first arrived, I nearly had my head chopped off by the Fengxiang yabing guards for violating military law..."

Hearing Murong Chengtai speak so naturally and casually, Liu Chenghsun couldn't help saying: "If the Imperial Uncle knew how you've performed now, he would surely be deeply gratified!"

Then Liu Chenghsun asked: "I hear the campaign hasn't been going smoothly. Is Weiwu City really that hard to break through?"

Meeting Liu Chenghsun's questioning gaze, Murong Chengtai raised his head and said with considerable confidence: "A mere Shu pass—how could it be hard to break? It's just that Commander Xiang cares for the soldiers and wants to find a way to defeat the enemy with fewer casualties!"

Liu Chenghsun nodded and said: "The Shu roads are treacherous and the passes are many and perilous. Having traveled here myself, I've experienced it firsthand, and I can understand Commander Xiang!"

"What—are there really rumors circulating at court?" Murong Chengtai's thick brows knit together, his tone somewhat indignant: "Are those civil officials comfortably ensconced at court petitioning His Majesty again?"

"How would I, in Chang'an, know what's happening in the Eastern Capital?" Liu Chenghsun waved his hand, seemingly unwilling to delve deeper into the topic, and changed the subject: "I've come this time on imperial decree merely to convey my elder brother's regards to the troops!"

Looking at the fully laden convoy stretching along the post road behind them, Murong Chengtai grinned: "What rewards for the troops have you brought?"

"Can't supply fine delicacies—just some wine and meat, plus cold-weather clothing and bedding! I've brought three hundred carts of supplies this trip!" Liu Chenghsun said.

"Soldiers at war aren't picky about food. Having wine and meat to enjoy is more than enough—morale is sure to soar!" Murong Chengtai said heartily. "Speed up—Commander Xiang and the others have already prepared to receive you!"

Along the way, passing through mountain roads and crossing one orderly, imposing Han camp after another, the discipline and bearing of the troops moved Liu Chenghsun to deep admiration: "After being stationed here so long, the soldiers' vigor remains undiminished. Truly a mighty host of the Great Han—the strongest army under heaven!"

When they reached the main camp, under Xiang Xun's leadership, all the army commanders had already assembled in formation to welcome him. The grand reception was not merely because of Liu Chenghsun's status as Prince of Yong, but because he represented the Son of Heaven of Han—after all, he had come on imperial decree to reward the troops.

"Your subordinate, Commander-in-Chief of the Southwest, Xiang Xun, pays respects to His Highness the Prince of Yong. Wearing armor, I cannot perform the full ceremonial salute—I beg Your Highness's forgiveness!" Xiang Xun stepped forward and gave a military salute.

The ranks of commanders behind him followed suit in perfect unison.

"Commander Xiang, no need for ceremony—all generals, no need for ceremony!" Liu Chenghsun's bearing was natural, his expression calm and untroubled, as he waved his hand in acknowledgment.

He swept his gaze around, cleared his throat, and announced in a clear voice: "All you soldiers, fighting for the nation month after month—you have worked hard. His Majesty is deeply grateful, but being far away in the Eastern Capital, he cannot come in person. Therefore, he has specially commanded me to come and reward all you soldiers, to show his concern for your circumstances!"

"We, your subordinates, bow in gratitude for His Majesty's boundless grace!" Xiang Xun and the others naturally knew whom to thank, and bowed deeply toward the east.

"Your Highness has traveled far and must be weary—please enter the commander's tent to rest!" Xiang Xun invited.

"Thank you!"

After the necessary pleasantries, the Han camp grew lively. The wine and meat Liu Chenghsun had brought were quickly distributed to all the camps to reward the three armies. Just as Murong Chengtai had said, under the bestowal of wine and meat, morale soared, and the soldiers' appreciation for the Son of Heaven's grace deepened all the more.

That night, Xiang Xun held a banquet in the commander's tent, hosting all the generals to welcome the Prince of Yong, Liu Chenghsun. That night, the Han camp blazed with lanterns and torches, and the clamor continued long into the night before finally subsiding.

The commotion in the Han camp naturally alerted the Shu army in Weiwu City. Surprised by the Han army's ostentatious display, some Shu officers suggested taking advantage of their arrogance to launch a raid on their camp.

The commander-in-chief Li Tinggui was somewhat tempted, but forcibly restrained himself and instead ordered defenses strengthened. As it turned out, the night passed without incident.

Of course, the Han army was hardly unprepared. The rewarding of troops was conducted in rotation, and Xiang Xun had specially kept one force in reserve against the Shu army.