Sweep Yuan

Chapter 88 Discussing the Battle and Reorganizing the Army

Shi Shan summoned Deng Shunxing and Chang Tietou, announcing that the army was about to launch an offensive against Wuhe and Sizhou, and made it clear that the Second Battalion and the local militia battalion would be added to the main force. He then handed over the temporary command of the two battalions to Xue Wanhu in person.

The local militia was not part of the "Red Heart Battalion" and was assigned to Xue Xian at this time. Although Deng Shunxing was somewhat unhappy, he didn't have too many thoughts about it since he wouldn't have to participate in the Battle of Wuhe and his main force would suffer fewer casualties.

Chang Tietou's feelings were much more complicated.

He and Ishiyama joined forces for mutual benefit and once had a very close relationship.

To help Shishan build up his team, Lao Chang risked his life alongside Hu Pingren's family, even sacrificing three of his old comrades.

At the time, Shi Shan concurrently served as the commander of the First Battalion. Chang Tietou, the commander of the Second Battalion, was above all the other generals. Huang Quan, a trusted confidant, served as the deputy commander of the cavalry. They could be said to be the de facto "second-in-command" of the "Red Heart Battalion".

Who would have thought that Shi Shan would dismantle the bridge after crossing the river? Knowing that Tian Jiang was an old brother who joined the group, he used military law to behead him and display his head to the public, which was clearly a slap in the face to Chang Tietou.

Unfortunately, by then the situation at Shishan had already become too powerful, and Chang Tietou could only suppress his resentment.

The "Red Heart Battalion" grew stronger and stronger. Chang Tietou's power not only did not expand, but he gradually went from being the "second-in-command" to one of the "Eight Generals". Even Zeng Xing, who joined after the Battle of Chulan, climbed ahead of him.

Another old brother, Huang Quan, had risked his life for so long, but not only was he not promoted to a leading position, he was also kicked out of the cavalry by Shi Shan.

Chang Tietou secretly tried to get on Xue Xian's good side because he couldn't swallow this insult.

However, since they did not know each other's character during their first secret encounter, Chang Tietou only ordered Gu San to reveal the basic information of the commanders of the various battalions of the "Red Heart Battalion" and the matter of Li Wu returning to the city overnight.

Its original intention was to have two options and then act accordingly.

Little did they know that Xue Xian had taken some kind of spell from Shi Shan, and in the blink of an eye, he had taken Lao Chang away.

Grandpa went to your place, what for!

Where are there no mountains?
But Xue Xian, that blockhead, gave him the title of commander of a thousand households, and even put on an expression that said, "Isn't that a bit generous of me?" What use is this empty title of commander of a thousand households to me? Who can I command?
Chang Tietou felt that his future was bleak. He cursed inwardly, but still had to thank his two superiors for their help.

For a major battle of this scale, preparations simply cannot be completed in a single day.

After the transfer process was completed, Xue Xian hurriedly returned to his headquarters to organize and mobilize his troops. Deng Shunxing and Chang Tietou also had to gather their troops to go to the new camp, so they had no intention of staying any longer and immediately took their leave.

After the three left, Shishan immediately summoned his generals for a meeting.

When the commanders entered the tent, they found that Chang Tietou and Shao Rong were missing, and there was an unfamiliar face in the tent.

Although Park Dao-in had not been in the army for long, as a military staff officer, he often accompanied Seok-san to inspect and train in various camps, and had long been a familiar face. At the beginning, he explained Fu You-de's battle report to the map.

"Three days ago, the vanguard of the Sizhou government army, consisting of three commanders totaling 1,500 men, arrived at Wudu Village and set up camp on a slope two miles northeast of the village. Our army had prior knowledge of the enemy's situation, and Commanders Fu and Li..."

Wu Liujin is also the type of person who is calm on the battlefield and good at seizing opportunities, but this is limited to local battles. He is not capable enough when it comes to commanding large armies.

After listening to Park San-in's explanation, his resentment towards Fu Youde for being ranked on equal footing with him based on his merit in the battle of Hong County vanished.

"Brother Fu's grasp and use of fighter jets is so exquisite, I admire him!"

Han Cheng had not been in the army for long either. Apart from Zeng Xing, he was not familiar with the other generals and was more interested in the unfamiliar faces in the tent.

"This village head Hu, with his own villagers, fought against three hundred elite government troops and did not lose ground. He is truly a brave man."

Warriors value courage and strength above all else, and no one dislikes a comrade who can fight tough battles. Knowing that Hu Dahai's appearance in the tent meant he had already joined the "Red Heart Camp," the generals looked at Hu Dahai with admiration and acceptance.

Shi Shan stood up, took out a token engraved with the inscription of the Seventh Battalion Commander, and said:
"Shao Rong left Hong County the day before yesterday to carry out a secret mission and will not be returning for some time. The position of commander of the Seventh Battalion is vacant. Brother Hu, can you handle this token?"

Hu Dahai strode forward, knelt down to receive the token, and answered loudly.

"This humble general's broadsword is meant to cleave the skulls of government troops!"

Hu Dahai's military achievements speak for themselves, and he also has his own base of support. Although he is a newcomer to the army, no one questions whether he can hold onto his position.

The generals were more concerned about what changes the annihilation of the vanguard of the Sizhou government army would bring to the battle situation.

"Commander, Sizhou City is undefended, and our army has received reinforcements. Should we advance now?"

After Sun Xun finished speaking, Zhou Shier, Wu Liujin, and others also cast inquiring glances at him, clearly indicating their intention to advance.

"It's natural."

Shishan summoned his generals to discuss military matters.

"I have already discussed this matter with Xue Wanhu. Our army will first capture Wuhe to weaken the enemy's wings, and then break through Sizhou." The Red Heart Battalion and the Red Turban Army of Xuzhou, especially the two forces of Han Si and Xue Xian, have a deep rift. As long as they fight independently, the generals are not afraid, but they are hesitant about joint operations.

Although the generals were puzzled that General Xue had become Commander Xue, they were more concerned about how the two armies would coordinate.

"I have no objection to you being the commander of a detachment. But after we combine our forces, I will only obey your orders."

Upon hearing Wu Liujin's words, all the generals nodded in agreement.

Shishan had this intention all along, and he would not disappoint his subordinates.

"Rest assured, everyone. We will be under independent command. Our army is a detachment, and we will provide our own food, supplies and equipment. We will not be subject to anyone else's control."

"Oh, I see. Then we can rest assured."

After Wu Liujin finished speaking, Li Wu continued:
"Third Brother, this time I'm not staying behind no matter what. Since we've formed a supply battalion and a veterans' guild, let's just bring everyone along. This Niaohong County is unlucky for Xue Xian!"

Wu Liujin and Zeng Xing actually wanted to say the same thing, but Li Wu said it for them, and they nodded in agreement without hesitation.

Sun Xun, Zhou Shier, and others were not involved and would not object.

Having a mouth double in the secret passage of Shishan is great, but you still have to put on a show.

"Old Wen, what's your opinion?"

After the incident involving the Hu family at the Lingbi rear guard station, Wen Sijiu's relationship with Li Wu and others grew closer. Although he was the military supervisor, it was not appropriate for him to express any opinion on this matter.

But Shi Shan pressed him, so he had no choice but to make a statement.

"I have no objection."

"Alright, there's one more thing. The rewards for the victory at Hong County have arrived. Chief Steward Xue will be appointed as the Ten Thousand Households of Huai'an Circuit, and I will be the Garrison Commander."

"Damn it, we risked our lives, and that bastard Xue Xian became a ten-thousand-household commander."

"Why waste your breath cursing Xue Xian? We only support the governor. Congratulations, Governor!"

"Yes! We only obey the orders of the garrison commander. Congratulations, garrison commander!"

Shishan knew what the generals were waiting for: he himself had been promoted to the rank of Zhenfu, so that the commanders below him would have the opportunity to become chiliarchs.

However, with Xue Xian's interference, their wishes will not be fulfilled for the time being.

“Under the command of the garrison, there should be three commanders of a thousand households. However, Commander Xue has already appointed Chang Tietou and Wen Sijiu as commanders of a thousand households, so I can only recommend Fu Youde.”

No sooner had Shi Shan finished speaking than Wu Liujin exploded.

"That bastard Xue Xian, why did he let that scoundrel Chang Tietou be a commander? What was he doing when I was fighting for my life on the city wall? What was he doing when we were chasing the remaining enemies after the city fell! And Chang Tietou? Was he licking Xue Xian's fur?"

After the Second Battalion failed to contribute and even took credit during the attack on Hong County, Chang Tietou was gradually ostracized by the other generals. However, they were still comrades-in-arms, and with Shi Shan keeping them in check, they did not dare to be too presumptuous.

Who would have thought that this scoundrel would be so ungrateful, climbing up to Xue Xian and seizing the position of commander of a thousand households to disgust people. How can we tolerate this?

"A bald dog every day! Me—"

"All right!"

After Wu Liujin finished cursing, Zhou Shier wanted to continue cursing, but Shishan waved his hand to stop him.

“Wuhe City is small and doesn’t need too many people. At Xue Wanhu’s request, I have transferred the Second Battalion and the local militia to Xue Wanhu’s command. You won’t see Chang Tietou for the time being.”

"It's better that this plague god is gone. Damn it, I hope he doesn't come back!"

Fu Youde had already made great contributions one after another, and he was far away at Qingyang Station. As a commander of a thousand men, it was really hard to find fault with him.

After the generals had cursed Chang Tietou, the only one left was the newly appointed Commander Wen. However, since Shishan had just spoken, they couldn't continue cursing him and could only glare at him fiercely.

Wen Sijiu swallowed hard and cursed:

"Why are you all staring at me! I'm just a paper-thin military supervisor. Tian Qi betrayed me, and Xue Xian betrayed me too. I'm disliked by everyone. Just listen to Commander Shi's orders, and don't worry about any of those so-called commanders or centurions. Just treat me like a fart!"

(End of this chapter)