Chapter 9 - Unrest Amongst The Army
Merchant’s City, barracks of the Song army! Outside of Gao Xianzhi’s tent!
After Lin Chong removed his attire and revealed plenty of battle scars, he knelt on the ground. There was an increasing number of people who joined in and knelt alongside, in the blink of an eye, there were over 500 soldiers who were familiar with Lin Chong kneeling down.
As the news continued to spread, the soldiers from all around the barracks managed to learn of the atrocities committed by the Royal Grandson; killing and humiliating the families of the soldiers in the rear. Those who received the grievous news first and were suppressed by Gao Xianzhi slowly joined Lin Chong in kneeling.
It was the Royal Grandson, a powerful personage. Someone who carried a certain prestige in everyone’s hearts, would the General in order to pacify the hearts of the soldiers, indiscriminately punish those involved anyone? In the future, if any of their families met with any mishaps, would the General choose to sacrifice us due to the status of the opposing party?
Most of the times, these soldiers went through life and death together, when a single man knelt, those close brothers-in arms did the same, and just like the domino effect, a chain reaction was set off.
500, 1000, 2000, 4000, 8000, 10000, 20000...!
“Begging the General, to uphold justice, and execute everyone who has harmed our kin without mercy!”
“Begging the General, to uphold justice, and execute everyone who has harmed our kin without mercy!”
“Begging the General, to uphold justice, and execute everyone who has harmed our kin without mercy!”
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At first, there were hundreds, then thousands, afterward, tens of thousands. After a period of time, the voices of the soldiers which carried anger and resentment were powerful enough to reach the highest heavens. All of these feelings converged together to form a deafening roar.
Nearly the entire army has contributed to the deafening roar, which managed to reverberate throughout the Merchant’s City.
Nearby, Crown Prince Song’s heart froze when he overheard this heaven-shaking roar and witnessed the ever increasing number of soldiers kneeling.
This wasn’t just a protest, it was a mutiny! Initially, it began as a protest which grew into a mutiny, formed of countless soldiers’ whose eyes were crimson from rage.
“Why did it turn out like this? How could it turn out like this?” Crown Prince Song gazed at the scene in shock.
Within the tent of Gao Xianzhi.
Gao Xianzhi unclenched the hand that was holding the broken teacup, his face was unsightly: “Gu Hai? Looks like older ginger is still spicier! Was, the purpose of abducting the family members of these soldiers, in order to create unrest within the barracks? All that excessive effort, just for today, to wield the entire army to pressure me?”
Gao Xianzhi was unable to calm his overwhelmed heart, only after an extensive period of time was he able to steadily settle down.
The number of soldiers kneeling outside the tent was increasing at an astonishing pace, with voices that continued to shake Merchant’s City, urging for justice.
Gao Xianzhi stood up and slowly made his way out of the tent.
Crown Prince Song ran over in alarm from not far away, towards Gao Xianzhi as soon as he came out from his tent.
“General!” Everyone shouted.
“General! Please uphold Justice, this subordinate is willing to lay down his life in order to take revenge for Xiao Die.!” Lin Chong cried out.
“Dong! Dong! Dong…………!”
Lin Chong’s head was full of blood as he relentlessly knocked his head on the ground.
His face looked very dreary, as it was covered in blood, tears, and dirt.
Gao Xianzhi took a deep breath as he gazed at Lin Chong, although this mutiny was caused by Lin Chong, Gao Xianzhi didn’t blame him, on the contrary, there was a hint of guilt in his eyes.
Gao Xianzhi understood, that without Lin Chong, Gu Hai would have nonetheless created this mutiny. Additionally, Lin Chong was a loyal follower for numerous years, he was always the first in line for battle, never questioned his orders and handled everything flawlessly. His scarred body could serve as a testament. Over the years, Lin Chong with deepest wounds had never shed a tear, however, now he was crumbling apart on his knees in front of himself.
“Begging the General, to uphold justice, and execute everyone who has harmed our kin without mercy!”
Tens of thousands kneeling soldiers yelled at the same time, it was a kind of unity in itself, one that was impossible to stop. Currently, Gao Xianzhi was gazed at by the entirety of these kneeling soldiers that were awaiting for his response towards their demands.
Execute the Royal Grandson?
As Gao Xianzhi gazed at these tens of thousands of soldiers kneeling in front of him, he was in a bit of trance as though he was witnessing a battle-clad Gu Hai standing before him. And rather him being the General, it was Gu Hai who was commanding his tens of thousands of soldiers against him.
In his trance, rather than him commanding these 800,000 soldiers, it was none other than Gu Hai!
At this moment, Gu Hai in his consciousness seemed to raise his sword and point it towards him, whereas as tens of thousands of soldiers charged towards him at his command, seemingly wanting to kill and tear him apart.
Gao Xianzhi suddenly felt a chill running through his spine.
“General?” Crown Prince Song with an extremely unsightly looked rushed over.
Crown prince Song wasn’t ignorant, how could he not understand, that currently, the army had mutinied? For the sake of Great Song Kingdom, the army’s morale couldn’t be affected, otherwise, the country built by the Song Clan would crumble.
“Begging the General, to uphold justice, and execute everyone who has harmed our kin without mercy!”
Gao Xianzhi quivered absent-mindedly, as he gazed at the soldiers and solemnly stated: “Soldiers!”
The soldiers instantly paused and stared at Gao Xianzhi.
“This General has previously vowed, if anyone ever dared to harm or humiliate your families, they would get executed regardless of their status!” Gao Xianzhi shouted fiercely.
After the fierce statement, the soldiers hushed.
“Regardless of their status, it will be carried out, even if they are Royal descendants I, Gao Xianzhi, guarantee all of you, if the evidence points towards the Royal Grandson, I will request His Royal Majesty to uphold justice, even at the cost of my military ranking!” Gao Xianzhi shouted fiercely.
Crown Prince Song staggered, as though all of his strength was sapped from his body.
The uneasiness that the soldiers originally felt, immediately vanished as their hearts trembled. Their trust wavering in Gao Xianzhi instantly returned, because whenever the General made a statement, he followed it to the heart.
“General, are you words true? How can I believe you?” Lin Chong’s eyes were red.
Even though the others didn’t know, Lin Chong was very clear that not so long ago, Gao Xianzhi wanted to cover up for the Royal Grandson. Why wouldn’t he lie to him now?
As Lin Chong had experienced the earlier conspiracy, it was currently difficult for him to believe Gao Xianzhi.
Gao Xianzhi looked at Lin Chong and sighed in his heart.
“I said I would do it. Since you are worried, how about following me to the Song Capital? Once the truth is revealed, I will promptly petition His Royal Majesty to execute the Royal Grandson! Is that alright?” Gao Xianzhi solemnly said.
“The General will personally leave for the capital?” The soldiers immediately revealed bearings of shock.
At this instant, Gao Xianzhi wasn’t in control anymore. This matter needed to be dealt seriously, or else, the doubt in soldiers’ would keep on growing and steadily reach a point, where Gu Hai could gradually take advantage.
“Thank you General, thank you General!” Lin Chong relentlessly knocked his head on the ground.
“Soldiers!” Gao Xianzhi looked towards the tens of thousands of soldiers.
“How has the situation in the barrack become so volatile? I need to repeat myself that, this is all part of Gu Hai’s plan. I’m sure that there are some amongst yourselves that disbelieve, however what I, Gao Xianzhi, vowed, I will never renegade. I hope all of you will believe me., As I have stated before, whoever dares to harm or humiliate your families, they will be executed! This is a military order which will not be compromised. Lin Chong and those affected will journey to the capital alongside me, to provide an account from all of you and uphold justice. I hope that all of you will not get confused by any false news! As all of this is part of Gu Hai’s plot!” Gao Xianzhi shouted in a loud and clear voice.
All the soldiers glanced at each other and frowned. Indeed, there were no such things in the past, yet all of a sudden, the entire army mutinied? Was this really caused by Gu Hai?
Some believed, but while others were still in doubt. Gu Hai wasn’t a God, how could he have such abilities?
“My demands aren’t high, I just want everyone to remain calm if any rumors reach the barracks while I am away. Regardless of the situation, wait for my return and I will take actions on behalf of those impacted. In the meantime, please obey all military orders. Is that possible?” Gao Xianzhi shouted in a clear voice.
The army looked at Gao Xianzhi, the previous adoration of Gao Xianzhi coupled with his upright and plainspoken speech, caused the soldiers to reply powerfully.
“Yes!”
“We will obey the General’s orders!”
“We will obey!”
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The soldiers in the army called out one after another, assuring that in the absence of Gao Xianzhi, they would refrain from protesting regardless of the rumors and would await Gao Xianzhi’s return.
“Lin Chong and the rest, let’s head to the capital. Prepare immediately, we are to leave in two hours!” Gao Xianzhi shouted.
“Yes!” Lin Chong and the others shouted one after another.
Gao Xianzhi attempted to placate the whole army once more, followed which, he returned to his tent.
Within the tent, Crown Prince Song was dazed, as he gazed at Gao Xianzhi with a complicated expression. Gao Xianzhi was going to execute his son, but he was powerless to stop him. He was truly powerless! He felt anger and unwillingness in his heart, yet there was nothing he could do to change it.
“Your Royal Highness, in accordance with the plan we discussed before, please lead the army towards Tiger’s Cage Pass, quickly!” Gao Xianzhi’s face was unsightly as he made this statement.
“I will! But when will you be back?” Crown Prince Song asked bitterly.
Presently, Gao Xianzhi wasn’t in the mood to console the Crown Prince, this war was a major event for the Kingdom, which they couldn’t afford to lose; Crown Prince Song’s was also well aware of this fact.
“I will make haste for the capital, which should take roughly eight days. Returning from the capital towards the Tiger Cage Pass would require about fourteen days. Depending on the situation in the capital, I should be able to return in about twenty or so days. With this long ranged incursion, armies march is bound to be slow-moving, which would require Your Royal Highness about twenty days to reach Tiger Cage Pass, which would coincide with my return! ” Gao Xianzhi said in a low voice.
“We are initiating the final battle?”
“Yes, I used to research Gu Hai’s strategies, during one of his speeches he stated ‘if you have ten times the enemy number, surround them, if you have five times the enemy number, attack them, if you have twice the enemy number, split your army and attack separately’, surrounding them is the most optimal solution! This way we would mentally pressure the Chen army to collapse, however, our opponent is Gu Hai, the longer we hold back, the more unfavorable our position would become, the only solution is to attack. I understand that if we just used brute force during the assault, it would result in a large death toll. Although we would suffer serious losses, it would be balanced out with the enemy’s losses. Storming Tiger Cage Pass is the only solution at the moment, once the enemy force is extinguished, the Chen Kingdom would soon follow behind!” Gao Xianzhi said in a low voice.
“Understood! However, wouldn’t you making a trip to capital be a part of Gu Hai’s plot as well? Could create an ambush?” Crown Prince Song frowned.
“This would be his best opportunity if he was using the tactic of ‘luring the tiger out of the mountain’. However, there is no need to worry. Although I am not able to see through him, I have created safety precautions, that would consist of a group of elite soldiers, along with Xiantian cultivators from the Song Jia Sect.They wish to be kept in the loop at all times, hence they would follow me and provide protection.” Gao Xianzhi said solemnly.
“I will assign a couple of Royal Secret Guards for your usage!” Crown Prince Song said as the clenched his teeth.
Sending countless of experts to protect Gao Xianzhi on his journey to murder his own son? Crown Prince Song felt anguish beyond belief.
Gao Xianzhi didn’t reject and nodded his head.
“We have spies in Tiger Cage Pass, Your Royal Highness please be careful when you coordinate with them!”
After leaving his instructions, Gao Xianzhi swiftly left the barracks for the Song Capital.
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Song Capital, Tian Mansion.
Just as Gu Hai was about to take a sip of tea, he was interrupted as Gu hand rushed in.
“Godfather, the pigeon delivered a message, which states that Gao Xianzhi brought a batch of soldiers and left the barracks, which means that they should be rushing towards the Song Capital! Should we delay him?” Gu Han asked with a hint of excitement.
“There is no need, don’t delay him. There are likely experts alongside Gao Xianzhi, it would be impossible to assassinate him, just stick to the plan!” Gu Hai laughed as he drank some tea.
“Yes!”