The drums in the main camp suddenly began to beat. The generals of every army rushed toward the central command tent in haste — no one knew what had happened.

With dawn fast approaching and the great army set to march at first light, the vanguard force had not even removed their armor that night. Even the main contingent, which would depart somewhat later, had already made every preparation. The sudden drumbeat at this hour could only mean something of grave importance had occurred.

When all the commanding generals arrived at the central command tent, they were struck dumb — for lying within the tent was a corpse.

Xie Xiu, the Military Governor of Jingzhou, spoke with an expression of grief upon his face: “While I was still in the city, word reached me that General Yang had fallen from his horse on the road to camp — he was trampled to death.”

He let out a long sigh. “What a pity for a man of General Yang’s years. A pity. What a terrible, terrible pity.”

Everyone looked toward the corpse. Indeed, the chest had been caved in and crushed, and the dead man’s face was mottled purple and blue.

Several men stepped closer as though unable to believe their eyes, and the more they looked, the more their hearts seized with alarm — their expressions written over with disbelief.

Everyone present knew that Yang Songshi was the cousin of Yang Xuanji. Though the bloodline was distant by now, they shared the same ancestral line, both being of the Dachu imperial family. Going back several hundred years to the founding of Dachu, Yang Songshi’s forefather had been the blood brother of the founding emperor himself.

“It would seem,” someone said, “that tomorrow’s campaign must be delayed.”

Xie Xiu said, “Whatever else may be said, we must first see to the proper arrangements for General Yang’s burial rites.”

A general stepped forward with a fist salute: “But, my lord — if we do not march tomorrow, we will fall behind the schedule set by the Mandate King. Should the Mandate King take offense…”

Xie Xiu’s expression darkened with displeasure. “And what precisely do you mean by that? Are you saying our lord’s heart would feel no grief at General Yang’s sudden passing?”

The man opened his mouth but dared not say another word.

Xie Xiu went on: “General Yang did not enter my service from the very beginning, and the time I spent with him was not long — yet from our first meeting, General Yang impressed me as a man of warmth and genuine character. We took to each other at once. How could I bear to see him hastily buried? How could I bear to treat him with such cold indifference?!”

Everyone fell silent. Some still wore expressions of open disbelief; others’ eyes shifted and flickered with unspoken thoughts; and a few showed no grief at all — in fact, something faintly resembling concealed satisfaction.

Xie Xiu observed the reactions of those around him and fell into silence himself.

At that moment, his advisor Luan Tang stepped forward: “My lord, even if we are to see General Yang properly interred, the campaign must not be delayed. Our lord’s affairs take precedence over all else…”

He had not yet finished when Xie Xiu snapped at him: “Would you have me become a man without honor?!”

Luan Tang immediately dropped to his knees, sweeping aside his robe: “My lord, forgive my impertinence — I have a way to satisfy both.”

Xie Xiu appeared to compose himself before asking: “What solution have you thought of? Speak plainly.”

Luan Tang said: “The vanguard should still depart as planned, advancing ahead of the main force to scout the road. My lord remains behind to oversee the funeral rites for General Yang. However — the appointment of the vanguard general may require some adjustment.”

The vanguard general had already been appointed as Pang Shaode, a trusted confidant of Xie Xiu who had once served as his personal guard commander before being promoted to lead his own army. As Xie Xiu was marching toward Jingzhou, the role of vanguard general was of critical importance — naturally he would assign a man he trusted.

Xie Xiu feigned puzzlement: “Why change the appointment now? Replacing a general on the eve of battle — do you not know that is considered a grave ill omen in the art of war?!”

Luan Tang pressed his head to the floor: “My lord, General Pang and General Yang shared a close bond. If he were to depart without seeing General Yang off on his final journey, he would carry that regret in his heart.”

The reasoning was thin, somewhat perfunctory — yet given the suddenness of events, having any reason at all was no small thing.

Xie Xiu glanced toward Pang Shaode, who stood to the side wearing an expression of complete bewilderment.

He had no idea what was happening — but he understood that since Advisor Luan had spoken these words, there must be a purpose behind them. So he immediately nodded: “General Yang was to me as a brother. I humbly ask my lord to grant me this.”

Xie Xiu said: “But the vanguard’s task is also of great importance. If you remain behind, who is to lead the army and open the road for the main force?”

Luan Tang replied: “General Sun Maosheng, the deputy general under General Yang’s command, is equal to this great responsibility. Moreover, General Sun came from Jingzhou and knows the road well — he can make swift progress. He is also more familiar with our lord personally, which will make it easier for him to report matters directly and clearly.”

At this moment, Sun Maosheng was standing on the far side of the corpse. His mind was spinning with a thousand turns — and not one of those turns led him to believe that Yang Songshi had died by falling from a horse.

Now Luan Tang had suddenly put forward his name as vanguard general. Sun Maosheng could not immediately discern what Luan Tang’s intentions were, but every instinct told him something was wrong.

Xie Xiu was quiet for a moment before speaking: “Very well. General Sun — return to General Yang’s army first and settle the troops. Tell them what has happened. General Yang has met with an accident, and among those soldiers, there is no one of greater standing than you. If you take command, the men below will accept it without question.”

Sun Maosheng thought to himself: no matter what tricks they were trying to play, he had to get back to his own troops first. Keep a firm hold on his own forces, and he would have weight. If that army fell into someone else’s hands, his life or death would count for nothing.

So Sun Maosheng bowed deeply: “I receive my orders. I will return to camp at once and inform the soldiers of what has transpired. My lord may set his mind at ease — the men under General Yang’s banner, from high to low, stand ready to comply with my lord’s commands.”

Xie Xiu nodded: “I will make arrangements for General Yang’s funeral rites. After you return, do your best to calm everyone. Furthermore, since Advisor Luan believes you are capable of taking on the role of vanguard general, I will honor his recommendation. Upon your return, mobilize your troops and exchange positions with General Pang’s forces — your men will move to General Pang’s camp and take charge of his supplies and provisions.”

“As you command!”

Sun Maosheng thought to himself — moving into the vanguard camp suited him perfectly.

The vanguard camp sat on the outermost edge of the formation. If the need arose to break free, it would be the easiest position to do so from. Furthermore, the vanguard camp held an abundance of supplies — there would be nothing to worry about on that front.

If Xie Xiu truly harbored ill intentions, he could simply take his forces and leave.

With that thought settled in his mind, Sun Maosheng saluted, turned, and made his way back to Yang Songshi’s camp.

Fearing that hesitation might breed complications, Sun Maosheng returned and immediately summoned all generals of fifth rank and above for a council.

He laid out the account of Yang Songshi’s death by falling from his horse, and stated plainly that he did not believe the Military Governor’s version of events.

He ordered every camp to muster its troops immediately and relocate to the vanguard camp as swiftly as possible.

His subordinates rushed from the tent and went back to assemble their forces. They brought nothing with them — not supplies, not camp tents or bedding, nothing. Just their weapons. They moved rapidly toward the vanguard camp.

The vanguard camp lay to the east of the main formation, already prepared for the morning’s departure — every supply loaded onto carts. Sun Maosheng’s men could take command the moment they arrived.

Sun Maosheng rode at the head of his troops toward the vanguard camp — and found the gates still closed. His irritation rose at once.

He spurred his horse forward. Just as he was about to speak, an arrow flew from nowhere. It struck without any warning whatsoever, piercing straight through Sun Maosheng’s throat.

He had not managed even a single cry before he toppled from his horse. Moments later, battle cries erupted from all sides.

Uncountable soldiers converged from every direction, closing in around them — while inside the vanguard camp, every man stood in full battle readiness.

The gates of the vanguard camp swung open, and Military Governor Xie Xiu rode out, shouting at Sun Maosheng’s men at the top of his voice.

“The audacity of Sun Maosheng! How dare he mobilize troops to seize the vanguard’s grain and provisions — attempting open rebellion!”

Xie Xiu rode forward without the slightest hesitation, stopping just short of the assembled troops, and bellowed: “General Yang fell from his horse and died by misfortune — and Sun Maosheng spread slander that I was responsible. I ordered him back to camp to reflect on his conduct, and he dared to raise his troops in revolt!”

“I know that none of you were party to Sun Maosheng’s scheme. Those who lay down their weapons now will face no consequences whatsoever. Those who refuse to lay down their arms — do not blame me for showing no mercy.”

The encircling forces grew thicker by the moment, three rings deep around Sun Maosheng’s troops. The soldiers stood there in a daze, with no idea what had happened — but surrounded on all sides, who was not afraid?

Before long, the Military Governor’s words were being passed from mouth to mouth through the rear ranks. Every man was weighing the same question: had the Military Governor lied — or had their General Sun been the one lying?

Seeing the hesitation on the other side, Xie Xiu rode back toward the camp, raised his hand, and declared: “Those who resist to the end — kill without mercy!”

Every archer leveled their arrows toward Sun Maosheng’s troops.

“We had no knowledge of Sun Maosheng’s treasonous intentions! We beg my lord to judge this matter clearly!”

A general leaped down from his horse, cast aside his weapon, and slowly sank to his knees: “This officer submits himself entirely to the Military Governor’s command.”

Once the first man kneeled, the second and the third were not far behind. Before long, a considerable number of generals had thrown down their weapons.

With the generals disarmed, who among the soldiers would still hold on? In rapid succession, the sound of weapons hitting the ground spread and joined into one continuous clatter.

Xie Xiu called out: “On my orders — all of General Yang’s troops, proceed to the drill grounds. I will hold no one accountable.”

The generals accepted their misfortune with grim resignation and led their men toward the drill grounds. One by one they trudged along, heads bowed, vacant expressions on their faces, following the crowd without knowing what lay ahead.

Once they reached the drill grounds, they all sat down on the bare earth and waited for whatever came next — though in truth, no one knew what that would be.

In the command tent, every general of the Jingzhou Army of fourth rank and above had assembled once more, standing at attention and awaiting the Military Governor’s orders.

Xie Xiu’s gaze moved slowly across their faces. After a moment, he said in a low, measured voice: “I owe you all an apology. What I said earlier was indeed a lie — though it was a lie born of necessity. This situation arose without warning, and had I not acted as I did, it would be my own death that followed.”

Everyone was visibly startled. What on earth was going on?

Xie Xiu said: “Yang Songshi was secretly carrying an order from the Mandate King — to eliminate me before the army marched out, seize command of our Jingzhou forces, and bring them to serve the Mandate King. Fortunately, I discovered it in time and was able to preserve my life.”

“Gentlemen — if we were to turn around now and go offer our allegiance to the Mandate King, I, Xie, would be dead beyond any doubt, and I suspect most of you would fare no better. What Yang Xuanji wants is only our Jingzhou army of one hundred and fifty thousand — not us as its commanders.”

He swept his gaze around the room again: “Since he has shown such disregard for decency, I can hardly be expected to hold myself to principle. My intention is to offer our submission to Prince Ning — surrendering the territory of Jingzhou into his hands. With this great contribution to our name, the future holds boundless promise. That is surely a better fate than going to Yang Xuanji’s side only to be sidelined and plotted against.”

He raised his voice: “Every one of you has followed me for many years, my old brothers in arms. If any man is unwilling, he is free to leave. I will not stop him, and I will not harm him — I will even send him off with a substantial sum of money. But if you choose to stay, let us sit down together and discuss what course of action lies before us.”

Those remaining were all longtime veterans of the Jingzhou Army. They exchanged glances. One man stepped forward with a fist salute: “We will follow my lord to the death!”

The others declared themselves one by one in turn. Where would they even go if they left the Jingzhou Army? So long as they had an army at their backs, they had a future.

“Very well, then.”

Xie Xiu bowed deeply before them: “Xie Xiu — thanks you all, his brothers!”

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