Chapter 1921

Xue Daoming said: "But how can you guarantee he will willingly hand over the Tiger Talisman Seal?"

Dong Bingtai said: "The imperial command is as weighty as a mountain; how could he dare not obey?"

Xue Daoming said: "What if he refuses to hand it over, or what if something happens to that shadow? Then wouldn't our plan come to naught?"

Dong Bingtai said: "Your Majesty worries too much; this matter has been planned for a long time, and there will be absolutely no mistake."

Xue Daoming did not know where he got such confidence, sighed, and said: "Tonight Li Chenzhou has already made a move."

Dong Bingtai smiled and said: "So what? The more someone believes they have victory in their grasp and control the situation, the more dangerous that moment is for them."

Xue Daoming said: "But..." He then did not know what to say.

Dong Bingtai said: "After the clouds part and the moon appears, Your Majesty now only needs a little more patience."

Before dawn, the Bei Jiang officers had already gathered in front of the General Appointment Platform in Rolling Snow City; despite the wind and snow flying everywhere, the officers stood still like sculptures, forming neat ranks, awaiting the arrival of the Old Marshal.

Weichi Chong appeared punctually outside the training field gate, riding his lion-colored horse; he first reined in at the gate, surveyed the troops who had shared life and death with him, his tiger eyes flashing with excited light, then dismounted, hand on sword hilt, strode toward the General Appointment Platform; his venerable tiger-like vigor remained, as usual dragon-stride tiger-step, but careful observers had noticed his steps were much heavier today.

As he passed in front of Huo Shengnan, Weichi Chong paused, reached out and lightly patted her shoulder, just as the guard behind him nodded; that guard then handed a parcel to Huo Shengnan.

Huo Shengnan looked at her foster father in puzzlement, but heard Weichi Chong say: "Wait until I leave to open it."

The parcel felt heavy in her hands; Huo Shengnan wondered silently what important item it was, why her foster father would give it to her now.

Weichi Chong alone came onto the General Appointment Platform, looking down at the familiar, kind faces below, a wordless enthusiasm surged in his chest; he took a deep breath and proclaimed loudly: "Brothers, sons, today is the day the Emperor reviews the troops and appoints officers; I have specially let you arrive half an hour early because I have some words I wish to say to you alone."

The fell silent; from Weichi Chong's grave tone everyone sensed that today's matter was somewhat out of the ordinary—the Emperor would only arrive half an hour later, and the Grand Marshal summoning them beforehand might not be merely a reminder to observe etiquette, for Weichi Chong's strict military discipline is famed worldwide, and the Bei Jiang Army's ability to repeatedly repel the Black Hu Army's advances under such harsh conditions is inseparable from their stern regulations; logically there would be no need to do such superfluous thing.

Weichi Chong said: "Although you are my subordinates, I have never regarded you as mere subordinates; over these years you have accompanied me on eastern and western campaigns, bathing the battlefield in blood; without you, I could not possibly have resisted the Hu barbarians' invasion, and without you I would not possess today's empty fame; yet I have continually failed in my duty to protect you, letting countless brothers die wrapped in horsehide, their blood staining the wilderness; each time I think of this, I am unable to speak from shame, my heart feels as if cut by a knife."

Weichi Chong nodded to the side, his attendant approached with a wine jug and cup, poured a bowl of wine and handed it to him; Weichi Chong lifted the bowl and respectfully poured the wine onto the General Appointment Platform, his tiger eyes brimming with tears, saying: "This bowl of wine is offered to our departed brothers."

Many officers' eye rims had already reddened.

Weichi Chong lifted another bowl of wine and offered a toast to all present: "This bowl of wine I offer to the brothers here; without your bloodshed and sweat, your sacrifice and disregard for death, there would be no peace and well‑being for the people of Da Yong."

"Grand Marshal, you speak too heavily!" the crowd exclaimed in unison.

Weichi Chong shook his head and said: "Not heavy; compared to your contributions, what are these words of mine worth? It's just that the old lady carries little weight, unable to grant the brothers glory and riches, unable to let them return home in fine attire early, and…… I cannot even provide the brothers with enough food and warm clothing……"

Most of those present already knew that although the Emperor had personally come for ****, he had not brought much in the way of grain and military supplies; in truth it was merely spiritual encouragement, yet a painted cake cannot stave off hunger, and as the harshest winter of the year looms, the soldiers who have long fought the Black Hu people have just gotten a respite; they had hoped the court's provisions would arrive in time, and during this period to rest and recuperate, they did not expect reality to be so cruel.

Some officers could not hold back: "Let's go ask the Emperor for redress!"

"Right! Go see the Emperor and have him give a clear explanation."

Weichi Chong spread his arms, pressed his hands downward, signaling everyone to stop talking; his prestige in the military was extremely high, and the officers immediately fell silent.

Weichi Chong gazed toward the southeast, his voice low and solemn: "I was originally a Dakang general; having suffered calamity, I fled to Da Yong, and thanks to the former emperor's benevolence, who overruled opposition and entrusted me with a heavy responsibility, I swore to be loyal to Da Yong, to serve the former emperor with my utmost until death; in this life I seek only to dye the yellow sands with blood, to wrap corpses in horsehide, to repay the former emperor's kindness in recognizing me; yet heaven envies my sovereign, who died young in his prime, and my loyal heart has never changed—though the Black Hu army presses the frontier, I, though aged, still voluntarily take up the post to garrison Bei Jiang; these past years, though we have suffered many defeats, we have ultimately brought our brothers to block the Black Hu army's invasion."

Having said this, he paused, drew a long sigh, and said: "I originally wished to spend my remaining years dying on the battlefield, but only now have I realized that some things are beyond my power. Earlier the court summoned me back to the capital under the pretext of reward, but its true intent was to strip me of my military authority; I, Weichi Chong, am not one who greedily clings to power, yet I dare not lightly relinquish my command, for I know that military authority is not merely a symbol of power, but also represents your trust in me—each of you has entrusted your life and honor to me—how could I casually abuse that trust, or how could I entrust it to others?"

No one spoke on the scene; everyone knew the Emperor had already sent Dong Tianjiang to serve as Weichi Chong's deputy, whose true purpose behind the scenes was actually to check and balance Weichi Chong, diluting his power.

Weichi Chong said: "I am a Dakang general, yet I have left my homeland to serve Da Yong; I have devoted myself wholeheartedly to Da Yong's loyalty, yet in the end I am still suspected; I do not wish to drag my subordinates into court intrigues, but instead I find myself accused of disloyalty."

The officers shouted loudly: "Grand Marshal, what do we care about them? In our eyes there is only the Grand Marshal!" "Yes, aside from the Grand Marshal's orders, we will pay no heed to anyone!" The officers were filled with righteous indignation, their emotions aroused.

Weichi Chong slowly shook his head and said: "Once someone told me a saying: the world, when divided for long, must reunite; when united for long, must divide. Actually the Central Plains was originally one family; the reason the Black Hu people dare to invade the border is ultimately due to internal strife in the Central Plains; if the various major forces of the Central Plains could unite, the Hu barbarians would hardly dare to easily encroach upon my border and slay my kin. I have lived half my life, waged war for half my life, and suddenly I no longer understand what fighting is for—defending home and country; if we cannot eat our fill or keep warm, what can I use to defend the nation? If even my hometown's kin cannot survive from morning to night, how can I protect the home?"

He slowly turned his body, then suddenly bellowed: "Former Emperor, you left too early! Only you could understand my loyal minister's anguish……" In an instant he drew his waist‑sword, reversed his grip and slashed, a bleak sword‑light arcing across his own neck.

Everyone saw the crimson blood spray like a fountain amidst the flying snow; no one had expected Weichi Chong to make such a choice, and stunned they stood there, the scene so silent that even the fall of a needle could be heard; after a while Huo Shengnan's heart‑rending wail rang out: "Foster father!" She pushed through the crowd and, heedless of everything, rushed onto the General Appointment Platform.

The officers only then came to their senses, each emitting uncontrollable sobs, they surged forward and encircled Weichi Chong.

Huo Shengnan lifted Weichi Chong from the pool of blood; Weichi Chong gazed at Huo Shengnan with a smile, his blood‑stained large hand gently caressing her face before going limp and falling.

"Foster father!" Huo Shengnan clung tightly to Weichi Chong's corpse; she understood his choice better than anyone. Over the years he had been torn by loyalty: he was a Dakang native, and when he was down and out it was Xue Shengkang who, against opposition, had employed him; he sought to repay Xue Shengkang's kindness by rendering unsurpassed service to Da Yong, yet he never gained the trust of the Da Yong court. This situation worsened after Xue Shengkang's death; Weichi Chong wished to retire to civilian life, but feared his followers would suffer reprisal or be exploited. He had considered defecting from Da Yong, leading the troops to surrender to Hu Xiaotian, yet he worried that this decision would make all the soldiers share his infamy.

When Hu Xiaotian came to Bei Jiang, Weichi Chong had already revealed the idea that one day he would use his own life to secure these soldiers' fortunes; but this time Xue Daoming's **** forced him to act prematurely, and he did not believe Dong Tianjiang truly dared to lay hands on the Emperor—this must be their pre‑laid scheme, whose real aim was to compel him to relinquish his military authority.

Seeing the court so cold, the Emperor so foolish and decadent, Weichi Chong's last hope for the Da Yong court had vanished completely; he decided to use his own death to fulfill these soldiers, and only his death could awaken them, only then could they come to resent the Da Yong court, only then could they have a righteous reason and excuse.

Inside and outside the platform for appointing generals, the weeping shook the heavens, and all the soldiers knelt down.

Huo Shengnan reached out to close Weichi Chong's eyes, then slowly rose to her feet. She untied the bundle her adoptive father had just handed her, took out the tiger tally from within, held it aloft with both hands, her tears cooling in the cold wind, and her gaze became firmer than ever before.

Lately it's indeed been a bit slow, haha; it's about to end soon. I need to sort out the context, see how many pits remain unfilled, everyone please have a bit more patience, a bit more understanding, haha (to be continued~^~)