Huangming

Chapter 247 Angels Reward the Army, Liaodong Army Inspires

In the height of summer, the Liaodong Plain was scorching hot under the blazing sun, which baked the city walls until they were burning hot.

A strong stench of blood, mixed with the pungent smell of scorched earth, wafted from the cracks in the bricks and stones, permeating the scorching air.

On the city wall, tattered banners fluttered in the hot wind, and the armor of the defending soldiers reflected a blinding white light. The leather straps between the iron plates were soaked with sweat, and large beads of sweat rolled down the patterns on the armor, dripping onto the scorching crenellations, making a hissing sound, and instantly turning into a wisp of white smoke and dissipating.

Mao Wenlong, clad in light armor, patrolled back and forth on the east city wall with several personal guards.

His brows were furrowed, his eyes sharp, as he carefully searched among the soldiers guarding the city.

Due to the previous rebellion of the Mongols, the originally well-organized surrendered barbarian camp had been broken up and reorganized. These foreign soldiers were scattered and assigned to the logistics sequence, and it was not easy to find specific candidates at this time.

He opened the roster he carried with him and checked each entry against the records.

Finally, in a secluded corner of the city, he found the person he was looking for.

A burly, bald man.

The man held a long stick and laboriously stirred the boiling broth in a huge iron pot.

This so-called "golden juice" was actually boiled excrement. In siege warfare, it could scald the enemy and cause infection of wounds, making it a terrifying weapon that struck fear into the hearts of attackers.

Mao Wenlong's arrival went unnoticed by the bald, burly man.

He was shirtless, still stirring the broth. With each stir, a nauseating fumes rose from the pot, mixed with the unique heat of Liaodong, making the surrounding air thick and sticky.

Several passing soldiers covered their noses and hurried away, but he remained focused on completing this task that everyone wanted to avoid.

"You're E'shuo?"

Upon hearing the voice, E Shuo immediately looked up at Mao Wenlong, his tiger-like eyes filled with vigilance, but he lowered his head immediately after seeing the man's attire.

“That’s me.”

Eshuo lowered his head, his voice was a little hoarse, and he spoke Mandarin haltingly with a heavy accent.

He dared not look directly at the armored general before him, but stared only at his own filthy hands.

Those hands were rough and dark, with large knuckles, clearly belonging to someone who dealt with bows, arrows, knives, and axes year-round.

Mao Wenlong narrowed his eyes, looking him up and down with a sharp gaze: "I heard you used to make a living by hunting in Jianzhou?"

Eshuo nodded, his throat bobbed, and he said in a muffled voice, "That's right."

"Okay, you're conscripted!"

These words struck E Shuo like a thunderclap, making him shudder.

He looked up abruptly, his eyes filled with astonishment and confusion, as if he couldn't believe his ears.

After a long pause, he hesitantly asked, "And you are, sir?"

Mao Wenlong grinned, revealing a row of gleaming white teeth: "I am the Liaoyang guerrilla commander, with the command of the military governor."

E Shuo's brows furrowed involuntarily, and his lips moved slightly, as if he wanted to ask something but dared not speak rashly.

Seeing this, Mao Wenlong patted him on the shoulder and said in a more relaxed tone, "Don't worry, this is a good job. If you do it well, you might even get an official position. It's better than stirring up filth here."

A hint of hesitation flashed in E'shuo's eyes, but it quickly turned into determination.

He took a deep breath and asked, "What does the general need me for?"

Mao Wenlong laughed and waved his hand mysteriously: "When the time comes, someone will tell you."

He paused, then added, "Don't worry, it's not just you. I've requisitioned ten from the surrendered barbarian camp."

Hearing that he wasn't alone, E Shuo's tense shoulders finally relaxed slightly, and the wariness on his face lessened a bit.

He clasped his hands in a salute, his voice low but firm: "Please give your orders, General!"

No matter what, it can't be worse than stirring up sewage here.

Mao Wenlong nodded in satisfaction, patted the hilt of his sword at his waist, and spoke with a bold tone.

"Look at your worried face, you can rest assured. Follow your Chairman Mao, and you'll be guaranteed to live a life of luxury!"

Once all the men were assembled, Mao Wenlong didn't delay any longer.

We need to launch a surprise attack on Hetu Ala quickly.

However, just as he was about to leave, a cloud of dust rose in the distance.

Mao Wenlong stood with his hand on his sword in the barbican, squinting as he looked out. He saw a procession of finely dressed, spirited horses slowly approaching from the south gate, with a vermilion carriage in the center. The carriage curtains, embroidered with gold cloud patterns, fluttered slightly in the wind.

"The angels have arrived!" a guard whispered beside him.

Mao Wenlong pursed his lips slightly.

He recognized the carriage's regulations and knew it must belong to someone from the Directorate of Ceremonial.

Unexpectedly, the emperor sent his inner court officials to Shenyang to reward the troops when the war was at its most critical.

As the sound of horses' hooves drew closer, the carriage curtain was lifted, revealing a clean-shaven, beardless face.

Wang Chengen wore a crimson python robe, the gold-embroidered cloud and python patterns shimmering in the sunlight, and a jade belt was lightly fastened at his waist, exuding a calm and noble temperament.

The carriage moved slowly forward, and soldiers along the way gave way and saluted.

Xiong Tingbi, the Liaodong military commissioner, had already received the news and personally led civil and military officials to wait outside the mansion.

A vermilion dragon pavilion stood at the main gate, draped in brocade, with an incense table placed high, clearly indicating the highest level of courtesy shown to the emperor's envoy. The wheels of the carriage rolled over the bluestone pavement, making a dull thud.

Finally, Wang Chengen's carriage came to a steady stop in front of the governor's mansion.

The accompanying eunuch hurriedly stepped forward and respectfully lifted the carriage curtain.

Wang Chengen slowly alighted from the carriage, walked to the front of the Dragon Pavilion, his gaze swept across the faces of the crowd, and then he said loudly:

"General Xiong, receive the imperial decree!"

Upon hearing this, Xiong Tingbi immediately led his men to kneel on the ground.

Behind them, civil and military officials knelt down in unison, the clanging of their armor clearly audible.

The entire area in front of the governor's mansion was completely silent, except for the fluttering of the banners in the wind.

Seeing that the formalities were in place, Wang Chengen immediately proclaimed the imperial edict:
"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: I, the Emperor, have long regarded the soldiers of Liaodong who, bearing arms on the frontier, have suffered countless hardships on the battlefield. At this time of rampant Jurchen invasion, you have defended your cities and fought valiantly. I am deeply saddened by your plight. Therefore, I hereby dispatch the eunuch Wang Chengen of the Directorate of Ceremonial, with 1,000 jars of imperial wine, 50,000 taels of silver, and 500 pigs and sheep to reward the three armies."

Xiong Tingbi, the Liaodong Military Commissioner, was awarded one hundred taels of silver for his effective command. The remaining civil and military officials will be assessed for merit by the Military Commissioner's office, and further promotions and rewards will be determined accordingly.

Alas! If you, my soldiers, share my sentiments and work together with one heart to ensure that not a single enemy cavalryman returns, then the spirits of the Nine Temples will truly be assured!

Admire this! "

After Wang Chengen finished reading the imperial edict, Xiong Tingbi led the crowd in kowtowing and expressing their gratitude, shouting, "Your subjects thank the Emperor for his grace! Long live the Emperor!"

Not long after the imperial edict was read, the area outside the governor's mansion erupted in thunderous cheers, as if a pot had been boiled over.

Xiong Tingbi had already instructed his men to inform the army in advance about the reward for the troops.

After all, even when the emperor rewards his troops, there must be an order.

Otherwise, if something goes wrong during the troop reward ceremony, it would be a huge embarrassment for Xiong Tingbi.

However, perhaps it has been too long since any rewards have been given out.

The news of the emperor's reward spread like wildfire throughout the entire city of Shenyang in an instant.

The soldiers who delivered the order spread the word.

They shouted at the top of their lungs: "The Emperor's grace is boundless! A thousand jars of imperial wine! Fifty thousand taels of silver!"

The good news spread like wildfire, from the east of the city to the west, and from the military camp to the streets and alleys.

Upon hearing the news, the soldiers guarding the city celebrated by striking their shields; the wounded soldiers in the camp struggled to their feet, their cloudy eyes shining brightly; even the elderly, children, and women on the street stopped and craned their necks, beaming with joy at this long-awaited good news.

In less than half an hour, thanks to the meticulous arrangements made by the Governor's Office, the training ground was already bustling with people.

Squads of soldiers stood in neat formation, their iron armor gleaming coldly under the scorching sun.

Although they tried their best to maintain military bearing, their slightly forward-leaning posture and constantly looking around revealed their eager anticipation.

With the heavy creak of cart shafts, the reward supplies arrived one after another.

The imperial wine jars were carefully unloaded and piled up into a small mountain; silver ingots poured out of the wooden box, gleaming enticingly in the sunlight; the slaughtered fat pigs were carried onto the chopping board, their fresh meat glowing reddish-brown, and the rich aroma of meat wafted in the wind, causing the hungry soldiers to swallow their food incessantly.

Standing on the high platform, Wang Chengen saw that although the soldiers' armor was old, they all stood up straight, their eyes burning with fervor.

He cleared his throat and said loudly, "His Majesty said that the soldiers of Liaodong fought valiantly and are all loyal and brave! Today, we are rewarding the three armies, hoping that you will continue your efforts and fight together against the Jurchens!"

As soon as the words were spoken, a deafening roar erupted across the training ground:
"I am willing to die for Your Majesty!"

"We vow to defend Liaodong, not yielding an inch of land!"

"Long live! Long live! Long live!"

The roar was like thunder, soaring straight into the sky.

In the distance, He Shixian and other generals had already ordered their men to distribute silver, wine, and meat as rewards.

The soldiers, carrying heavy rations, imperial wine, and pieces of pork and mutton, many had tears in their eyes and choked with emotion as they spoke:
"His Majesty still remembers us!"

"This wine... was bestowed by the emperor! My life has been worthwhile!"

Some veterans even knelt down and kowtowed heavily towards Beijing, shouting hoarsely, "Your Majesty's great kindness will be repaid with my life!"

For a time, the training ground was filled with the clinking of glasses and thunderous cheers.

The previously tense morale has now transformed into a raging fire.

Xiong Tingbi stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze slowly sweeping over the jubilant soldiers on the training ground.

He raised the corners of his mouth slightly, his beard trembled gently in the wind, reached out to stroke his short beard which was damp with sweat, and turned to solemnly bow to Wang Chengen.

"The angel has traveled a great distance to Liaodong, and the soldiers are deeply grateful for His Majesty's grace. We hope that upon His Majesty's return to the capital, the angel will convey our message to His Majesty: the 100,000 soldiers of Liaodong will build a city with their blood and flesh, and give their lives to the very end, and will never fail the Emperor's high expectations!"

Upon hearing this, a relieved smile appeared on Wang Chengen's fair face.

"General, you flatter me. Before leaving, His Majesty specifically instructed me that Xiong Qing has made great contributions in guarding Liaodong for many years. Seeing the soldiers' loyalty and bravery today, I will certainly report this truthfully when I return to the capital. If His Majesty knew that the morale of the Liaodong army was so high, I wonder how pleased he would be."

A glint flashed in Xiong Tingbi's eyes, and he was about to say something when he suddenly heard a commotion on the drill ground.

It turned out that He Shixian, along with his personal guards, began distributing the second batch of rewards, and the soldiers' cheers rose into the sky once again.

The two exchanged a smile, and amidst the deafening shouts of "Long live!", everything was understood without words.

Xiong Tingbi's eyes flickered, and his confidence in holding Shenyang increased even more:

With such a pep talk before the battle, the soldiers' morale is high. Nurhaci, what do you have to win this time?
(End of this chapter)