Chapter 64: In the Turbulent Age, Flames of War; Father and Son Walk Different Paths

Becoming Guo Ziyi's personal guard commander was, for Wang Ce, a completely new beginning.

He and his twenty-seven brothers donned the unique silver armor and standard long blades of the personal guard battalion, moved into the separate barracks beside the commander's grand tent, and received the army's finest rations each day.

"Captain… no, general!" Chen Xin stroked his brand‑new armor, so excited he stumbled over his words, "We… we've really become the general's personal troops?"

"It's commander." Wang Ce corrected him, gazing at the silver‑clad, stern‑faced reflection in the mirror, feeling a momentary daze.

All of this stemmed from Guo Ziyi's benevolent recognition.

The duties of a personal guard commander far exceeded his imagination.

【7> He not only had to handle Guo Ziyi's daily guard duties, ensuring the commander‑in‑chief's safety, but also attend the army's highest‑level military conferences, and at times even act in Guo Ziyi's stead to relay orders and inspect the camps.

He not only had to be responsible for Guo Ziyi's daily guard duties, ensuring the commander-in-chief's safety, but also had to participate in the army's highest-level military meetings, and even at times had to act in Guo Ziyi's place, delivering military orders and inspecting the camp.

Yet each daily military conference was, for Wang Ce, a precious learning opportunity.

Guo Ziyi's command style was steady as a mountain, grand and imposing. He never sought fleeting surprise victories, but focused on the overall battlefield, constantly maneuvering, pressuring, and wearing down the enemy to find a flaw, then delivering a fatal blow.

"A commander must possess tranquil composure." This was a saying Guo Ziyi often repeated: "Even if Mount Tai collapses before him, his countenance does not change; if elk rise to his left, his eyes do not blink. A calm heart keeps the formation steady; a steady formation wins everywhere."

Wang Ce committed these words to memory, character by character.

He began to cross‑check what he had studied of military theory with Guo Ziyi's actual command.

He discovered that his advantage lay in the "unexpected"—in surprise attacks and flexible, changeable tactics. This stemmed from the personal valor granted by his 【Martial Arts Supreme】 talent, and also from the forward‑looking military ideas Wang Xiu had instilled in him.

Guo Ziyi's advantage, meanwhile, lay in the "proper"—in open, aboveboard stratagems and flawless formation warfare.

One proper, one unexpected—together they formed a perfect complement.

Soon he encountered another chance to showcase himself.

Rebel commander Shi Siming led tens of thousands of troops to invade Hebei; Guo Ziyi, acting on orders, marched north with his army to meet Shi Siming.

The two armies faced off in the Jiashan area of Hebei.

Shi Siming was one of An Lushan's most valiant generals, and the rebel troops under his command were all battle‑hardened elites.

Guo Ziyi did not rush to attack; instead, he entrenched at a strategic point in Jiashan, forming a standoff with the rebels.

"Shi Siming is arrogant and eager for glory. Our army need only hold fast and not sally forth; given time, his troops' morale will collapse. Then will be our moment to break the enemy." Guo Ziyi set this hold‑and‑counter strategy at the military council.

Yet for several days straight, Shi Siming acted out of character—likewise digging deep trenches and building high walls, staying put, merely sending small cavalry detachments each day to ride up to the lines and shout insults.

This left Guo Ziyi's officers somewhat baffled.

"What trick does Shi Siming have up his sleeve?" Deputy General Li frowned and said.

"Never mind what potion! My lord, I request to lead five thousand elite cavalry in a charge against his main camp—I don't believe he can keep hiding like a turtle forever!" cried another bold general, his whole body exuding valor.

Guo Ziyi waved his hand, halting the officers' pleas for battle. He stared at the sand table, lost in thought.

Anomaly betokens deceit. Shi Siming is not a patient man; his actions must conceal another scheme.

Just as everyone was at a loss, Wang Ce, who had been standing silently behind Guo Ziyi, suddenly spoke up.

"My lord, I believe Shi Siming's maneuver is a feint."

All eyes turned to him.

Guo Ziyi also lifted his head, intrigued, and asked: "Oh? Commander Wang, what is your lofty opinion?"

Wang Ce stepped to the sand table, pointed to a side path behind Jiashan, and said in a low voice: "Shi Siming fronts our army, sending troops to shout and curse, merely to draw our attention. His true killing blow likely consists of a select force taking this side road, aiming to strike our supply line."

The supply line is an army's lifeline; once severed, the great host collapses into chaos even without battle.

"Impossible!" General Li immediately objected: "That side road is rugged and impassable for a large force. Moreover, we have picket posts along the supply route; any enemy movement would be reported at once."

"A regular large force would indeed find it hard to pass." Wang Ce shook his head, "But if a few thousand light cavalry discard their armor, stay mounted, and march day and night, they could very well slip through before the pickets react."

"Under Shi Siming's command there is a unit called the Ye Luohe Hu cavalry, their finest troops. They wear little armor and excel at swift raids. If they were tasked with this, the chance of success would be great."

Wang Ce's analysis was sound and well‑grounded, leaving the veteran officers present deep in thought.

Guo Ziyi's eyes grew brighter. He regarded Wang Ce as if looking at an uncut piece of jade.

"Wang Ce, if you were in my position, what would you do?" Guo Ziyi asked.

"Turn their plot against them." Wang Ce answered without hesitation.

"We can likewise send a select force to ambush the exit of that side road. When Shi Siming's surprise troops rush into the trap, we can annihilate them in one fell swoop! To cut off one finger is better than injuring ten. The Ye Luohe are Shi Siming's heart‑and‑soul; once destroyed, his army's morale will crumble. Then our forces can launch a full‑line assault and decide the battle in one engagement."

"Excellent! An excellent case of turning their scheme against them!" Guo Ziyi slammed the commander's table and praised loudly.

He looked at Wang Ce, eyes full of appreciation: "Wang Ce, I command you to take the personal guard battalion and three thousand elite cavalry from my own division, march out at once, and set an ambush at the side road's exit! In this battle, only victory is allowed—no defeat."

"I obey, General!" Wang Ce's heart boiled with fervor.

This was the first time Guo Ziyi had entrusted him with an independent field command!

He knew this was both a test of his abilities and a sign of trust!

……

Days in the Shu Region were peaceful yet oppressive.

Wang Hui (Wang Xiu)'s daily life consisted of accompanying the Retired Emperor Li Longji, admiring the scenery, and listening to music.

Li Longji's health, under the meticulous care of Gao Lishi, gradually improved.

That day, Gao Lishi brought a battle report sent from Lingwu to see Wang Hui.

"Sir Wang, have a look." Gao Lishi handed him the report, saying, "Lord Guo Ziyi dealt a crushing blow to Shi Siming at Jiashan, beheading tens of thousands of foes—the situation in Hebei has greatly improved."

Wang Hui (Wang Xiu) took the report and examined it carefully.

The report detailed the course of the battle at Jiashan. When he saw the phrase "Lord Guo Ziyi used the plan of Personal Guard Commander Wang Ce—turning their scheme against them, setting an ambush on the side road, and utterly destroying the rebel elite Ye Luohe cavalry of three thousand, laying the foundation for a great victory"—his hand trembled violently.

Wang Ce!

Personal Guard Commander Wang Ce!

Wang Hui (Wang Xiu) felt his heart about to leap out of his throat.

He suppressed his excitement and asked again: "General Gao, who exactly is this Personal Guard Commander Wang Ce? He possesses such talent."

Gao Lishi smiled and said: "Speaking of which, he can be counted as a descendant of an old friend. This youth is none other than the lineal heir of Lord Wang Wen Zheng Gong."

"What?" Wang Hui (Wang Xiu)'s face flashed with shock and joy he could no longer restrain: "…Could it really be my son?"

"Exactly." Gao Lishi nodded, "Our household also just found out. In the battle report, Lord Guo greatly praised him, saying he has the bearing of his ancestor, a talent rare in a hundred years. Lord Wang, you have raised a fine son!"

"This... this unfilial son!" Wang Hui (Wang Xiu) was so moved that old tears streamed down his face, yet he still cursed, saying, "He... he left without saying goodbye back then, I thought he... I never imagined, he actually... actually..."

"All right, all right, Lord Wang, your son has gone to war for the country and achieved great merit; this is a great joy, you should be happy." Gao Lishi comforted.

"Yes, yes, I... I am just too excited." Wang Hui wiped his tears.

He looked toward the eastern sky, as if he could see his son, drenched in blood, fighting on the battlefield.

"Ce'er, you have grown up. As your father, I am proud of you."