The Splendor of the Five Dynasties

Chapter 94 The Palace Gate

Outside Fengqiu Gate.

Looking around, Xiao Yi saw that the army's formations looked like black lamellar armor covering the vast snowfield.

Banners fluttered, and their might shook the heavens.

It was late afternoon on November 19th. Just eight days after the oath-taking ceremony in Yedu on the 11th, Guo Wei's banner was already erected on the walls of Kaifeng.

The officials, filled with awe and respect, were welcoming him at the city gate.

Xiao Yi passed through the military formation, found Guo Chongwei's banner among the cavalry ranks, and then saw Chen Guanghui's 20th Battalion banner behind him. He went over, found his position, and stopped his horse.

Zhang Mantun, Hua Nong, and the other soldiers of the 20th Battalion had already surrendered the city gate and were waiting here. Old Pan and the wounded soldiers were also there. Everyone saluted, their faces full of joy.

To have a position here is a merit of following the emperor.

There were more generals' flags around than before the battle, and all the southern generals, including Hou Yi, Yuan Yi, Liu Chongjin, and Wu Qianyu, had surrendered. It seems that Guo Wei had been busy accepting surrenders for the past two days.

Suddenly, tens of thousands of people shouted in unison.

"Commander!"

Guo Wei stood proudly atop the city wall, raised his hand in a gesture of pressing down, and after a while, the shouts gradually subsided.

Xiao Yi noticed that Guo Xin and Wei Renpu were standing behind Guo Wei, presumably having already reported everything.

An official, holding a staff in both hands, walked to the edge of the city wall and shouted a message.

"On the nineteenth day of the eleventh month of the third year of Qianyou, Guo Gongwei, the Commander-in-Chief of the Yedu Campaign, the Garrison Commander of Yedu, and the Military Governor of Tianxiong Army, received a secret decree from the Empress Dowager to purge the court of treacherous officials and punish the wicked. Now that the rebellious party has been eliminated, I hereby proclaim this to all civil and military officials and officers of all armies!"

Only then did Guo Wei speak.

His voice was steady and carried far; at least Xiao Yi could hear it clearly from below the city wall. Soldiers behind him relayed the message.

“I raised an army in Yedu not for usurpation, but for the sake of the state. Your Majesty was blinded by treacherous officials. People like Li Ye, Su Fengji, Nie Wenjin, and Hou Kuangzan misled the emperor and disrupted the government, causing the generals and ministers to be killed one after another. Furthermore, Your Majesty was exiled to the outskirts of the city and assassinated by Guo Yunming... I failed to protect Your Majesty and bring him back to the palace. This is a grave crime!”

"The commander-in-chief is innocent!"

"Innocent! Innocent!"

The soldiers had no intention of mourning Liu Chengyou; instead, they made a commotion, shouted in unison, and struck their shields with their weapons, creating a thunderous sound that frightened the officials so much that none dared to express their grief in public.

Therefore, this step was quickly skipped.

"In the past, Huo Guang assisted the Han dynasty and executed Shangguan Jie, but spared his wife and children. Although I am not talented, I am willing to follow his example. Now that the ringleader has been executed, those who were coerced into following him have been laid down and are awaiting punishment. The authorities have temporarily suspended them. Those who are members of the rebels and whose family members did not follow the rebels will not be questioned; their followers and students who did not follow the rebels will not be questioned either."

After saying that, Guo Wei waved his hand heavily.

Two men were led to the battlements, where the executioner swung his blade and cut them in half at the waist, their upper bodies flying up in blood and flesh as they crashed heavily to the ground below.

Xiao Yi could see clearly that it was Hou Kuangzan and the already dead Guo Yunming.

The so-called "purging the emperor's inner circle" refers to purging the treacherous officials around the emperor. Therefore, even though Kuang Zan surrendered and rendered meritorious service, he was still destined to die; Guo Yunming, though dead, was still dismembered at the waist. Liu Zhu, with his hands covered in blood, was spared the punishment for his wife and children; Nie Wenjin, the main culprit, was given a grand funeral, demonstrating leniency towards those who rose to power through military merit.

Politics requires various divisions to win over groups that are beneficial to the rule.

Xiao Yi learned a lesson from this and realized that Guo Wei's previous tacit approval of his children entering Kaifeng and the dispatch of servants to protect them was a way of circumventing political constraints.

"When Emperor Gaozu of Han entered Xianyang, he established three laws: 'Those who kill shall be put to death; those who injure or steal shall be punished; all others shall be pardoned.' Although I am not talented, I am willing to follow his example. From this day forward, all officials shall perform their duties, the people shall live in peace, and all generals shall guard their camps. Anyone who unjustly kills a person or confiscates a property shall be executed!"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yi breathed a sigh of relief.

He finally stopped the Northern Army's proposal to plunder Kaifeng.

However, the soldiers remained silent, clearly very disappointed.

Like a dark, heavy cloud pressing down on the city, it brought a terrifying sense of oppression.

Fortunately, chests of gold were quickly moved to the city wall, opened, and gleamed in the sunlight, dispelling the heavy atmosphere of the dark clouds.

"All officers and soldiers have served on the battlefield and their merits have been recorded. Those who charge into battle, kill the enemy, or make meritorious contributions will be assessed and rewarded within three days. We will never break our promise. In addition, each soldier who accompanied the expedition will be rewarded with one string of cash, two bolts of silk, one dou of wine, and five jin of meat. These will be collected and distributed by the officers of each battalion and no deductions are allowed."

Silence fell over the army below the city walls at first, then cheers erupted.

The sound gradually rose, spreading from the infantry to the cavalry, swirling with the wind and snow, and sweeping over Fengqiu Gate.

"The handsome man is mighty!"

"Wan Sheng!"

"The reward order has been issued. All officers and soldiers, return to your respective camps and collect your rewards!"

"We swear to follow the Commander to the death!"

"Victory..."

The military proclamation has concluded.

The army was stationed in batches, with a three-tiered defense system consisting of the palace city, the outer city, and the suburbs. This was to prevent a counterattack by the remnants of the rebel party and to avoid the panic caused by a large concentration of troops in the city.

Xiao Yi noticed that Cao Wei was assigned to Zhuxian Town, a strategic location in the southwest; Guo Chongwei set up camp at Mutuogang to guard against Liu Chong, the military governor of Hedong; and Wang Jun and Wang Yin led troops to garrison at the post station and military camp near the city gate, respectively.

"Brother Xiao." Chen Guanghui rode over and said in a low voice, "I've made all the arrangements. I'll be in command of the Holy Guard. I got promoted two ranks in half a month after this mission and joined the Imperial Guard, all thanks to Brother Xiao."

Xiao Yi didn't mention that he might have to go into the inner palace to serve, but only asked, "Then, Brother Chen, aren't you going to set up camp with General Guo?"

"Of course, you'll be happy to receive the promotion first and be stationed in the city. I wanted to leave a few more brothers for you, but they don't want to go far and want to join the Imperial Guard. Of the soldiers recruited from Chanzhou, only about twenty are willing to stay in the 20th Battalion... You can take them with you."

"Thank you."

Xiao Yi recruited the twenty-odd new soldiers.

Including his forty-odd men, the 20th Battalion had exactly seventy cavalrymen.

Just as he was about to go to Mutuogang with Guo Chongwei, Li Chongjin rode over and ordered him to station troops at Xuanwu Gate of the palace.

Xiao Yi couldn't help but feel puzzled.

The four gates of Kaifeng city and the palace were close to the center of power and the bustling area, yet they didn't require traveling long distances to set up camp. The palace was the best of the best, with residents staying in the palace gate fortifications or the guardhouses along the two corridors.

Such core encampments were naturally reserved for Guo Wei's personal guards and trusted generals, or for the reorganized Imperial Guards.

Despite his limited experience and the few dozen miscellaneous soldiers and new recruits he led, he was able to garrison at Xuanwu Gate.

"Is this order correct?"

“Haha, of course that’s right.” Li Chongjin stepped forward and whispered, “Right now, Uncle’s position is not yet legitimate. You will remain the commander of the Tianxiong Army and concurrently serve as the Inner Palace Guard, understand? Replace the Imperial Guards with our men.”

"clear."

"Hey, I've also taken on the role of Inner Palace Guard Commander. You'll be on the left, and I'll be on the right."

"That's great. I hope you will give me more guidance in the future, Brother Chongjin."

"Forget the formalities, we're brothers who'd risk our lives for each other."

……

Xuanwu Gate was the northern gate of the palace. To prevent surprise attacks by the Khitan, the Imperial Guards were stationed there on a large scale.

Xiao Yi rode his horse along the fifteen-foot-high palace wall to the city gate. He saw bronze bells hanging under the eaves, and the guards all wearing bright armor and holding long halberds.

"We are the newly appointed Left and Right Commanders of the Inner Palace Guards, Xiao Yi and Li Chongjin!"

The armored warrior checked the token, stepped aside, and made way for them.

The city gate consisted of two straight gates: the outer gate was called the "tooth gate" and the inner gate was called the "straight gate," with a vast barbican between the two gates.

The guardhouse was located inside the barbican.

"Wow!"

Exclamations of admiration rang out frequently.

"Wow!"

"Are we really stationed here?"

"No way?"

"It's like a dream."

"Aren't you all annoying? Haven't you ever seen anything like this before?" Zhang Mantun finally lost his patience and shouted, "Don't embarrass me by giving orders."

Xiao Yi thought it was even more embarrassing for him to make a lot of noise, but he didn't care.

Looking around, the guardhouse is divided into east and west corridors, five steps apart, with a bluestone path in the middle leading to the inner gate.

Stepping into the long corridor, there are twelve barracks in each corridor. They are very spacious, and seventy soldiers can be squeezed into each room. There are numbered wooden plaques hanging above the doors, such as "North Left Twelve" and "North Right Twelve".

Pushing open the door to room "North Left Twelve" in the east corridor, the air is filled with the rich scent of mugwort, mixed with a hint of body odor.

The room was neatly furnished. Near the door were a small table and wooden chairs, with a duty book bearing the four characters "Imperial City Guards" written on it. Next to it were a wooden clapper and a copper bell. On the left wall were twenty elm wood beds covered with blue cloth reed mattresses, and a wooden cabinet for storing the soldiers' belongings. On the left side against the wall was a weapons rack for displaying items.

"Mom, am I really going to live in the palace?"

Old Pan touched the bright red lacquered pillar, his eyes shining.

Zhang Mantun didn't scold him, but said casually, "Of course, you've become a member of the Imperial Guard now."

Hua Nong immediately sat down on the wooden chair, stroking the duty book, and murmured, "Good paper..."

Xiao Yi walked out of the barracks and around to the back of the corridor, where there was a kitchen, stables, charcoal shed, and outhouse.

"Tsk tsk, isn't this place nice?" Li Chongjin pointed to the three barracks at the very back and said, "From left to right, one to three, Xiao Lang, choose one first. It will be convenient for night watch and meetings."

Xiao Yi chose the third one from the left.

Inside, there was a screen in the room, and outside were a desk, chairs, bookshelves, a tea table, and futons. On the desk were books, bronze fish tallies, and a map of the Xuanwu Gate guards. The bookshelves held scrolls, official documents, and official papers. Inside the screen was a bed with an animal skin rug and a brand-new chamber pot.

"This is where you'll stay while you're on duty, please don't mind," Li Chongjin said. "Your uncle will surely bestow upon you another grand house."

After saying that, he grinned and said, "I live next door. From now on, we'll guard the palace gate together, hehe."

Li Chongjin's men were Guo Wei's personal guards. They were more worldly than the Twentieth Battalion, but they were still like country bumpkins. Everyone praised them for a while. After settling in, they fed the horses, washed up, and ate, all in a cheerful atmosphere.

Xiao Yi's personal belongings were also unloaded from the horse.

Long spear, nine-section whip, bow and sword, quiver, dagger, cloak... Opening the bag, the official seal, official document, letters, and even the "Essentials of Governance in the Zhenguan Era" given by Wang Chengxun were still there.

The money was running low; all that was left were three small silver ingots and a little over a hundred copper coins.

"Old Pan, have you seen an umbrella?"

"No, everything from the saddlebag is here. Shall I go look for it again?"

"No need, it's nothing important."

Li Chongjin, chewing on a sesame flatbread, passed by the door and shouted, "If Xiao Lang is asking about that umbrella, it was taken and used by Wu Niang. Wasn't it a gift from your lover? I'll get it back for you!"

"I wouldn't dare trouble Brother Chongjin."

"No trouble at all, not at all. It's too late today, I'll make the trip tomorrow morning!"

After saying that, he ran off in a hurry.

Xiao Yi summoned Lü You and said, "I saw Lü Chou this morning. He's alright, but he was captured after fighting to the death with Nie Wenjin."

"Ugh, this stubbornness..."

"Don't rush, I'll bring him back in a couple of days, but he'll have to start as a lowly soldier. Keep that in mind."

Lu You knelt down with a thud and said, "Thank you for your great kindness, Commander. My brother and I are willing to give our lives to you!"

"Go."

Xiao Yi thought for a moment and realized there was nothing else urgent. The reward wasn't due today; Li Ye and Su Fengji would be pursued by light cavalry, and Wei Renpu couldn't possibly have forgotten.

He had been exhausted for half a month and finally had a chance to relax. He washed himself with water and lay down behind the screen in the duty room.

It's not evening yet, so let's go to bed early tonight.

I slept soundly and when I opened my eyes it was already bright daylight. Suddenly I heard people talking inside the room.

"This guy doesn't even own a house in Kaifeng."

When he opened his eyes, he saw Guo Xin, casually playing with a goldfish talisman.

Guo Xin also came, but stood behind the screen without coming in, still holding the umbrella in her hand...

(End of this chapter)