Chapter Seventy-Five: The Military Competition (Part Two)
Before Yang Lian reached the main camp, he noticed someone spying. Judging by the figure, it was a woman, which struck him as rather odd. He quickened his pace and, when he was about five or six steps away, the woman turned around. Upon seeing Yang Lian, she startled visibly, her face flushing deeply.
“Commander Yang?” Zhou Ehuang stammered.
Yang Lian regarded her with curiosity. “Miss Zhou, what are you doing here? This is a military camp full of burly men—aren’t you afraid?”
Zhou Ehuang lowered her gaze; the hem of her skirt fluttered gently in the breeze, revealing her embroidered shoes adorned with two adorable little white rabbits. Before Yang Lian could react, Zhou Ehuang grew even more flustered. She hurriedly pressed something into his hand.
“This is for you,” she said before swiftly running off.
“Miss Zhou, wait—Miss Zhou!” Yang Lian called after her, but she hurried away as if she hadn’t heard. Shaking his head, Yang Lian looked down at the object in his hand: a red jade pendant emitting a faint, delicate fragrance.
“It must be some kind of talisman for safety,” he mused. Though he harbored little goodwill toward the Zhou clan, he bore no ill will toward this kind-hearted woman. Pocketing the pendant, still warm from her touch, he resolved that he must return it to her one day.
After resting for half an hour in his tent, Yang Lian rose, washed up, and meticulously checked his equipment. Only then did he lead his soldiers to the training ground. The crowd was larger than usual today—the final decisive match for the championship was about to begin, and everyone had come to watch.
The pavilion boxes upstairs were packed with officials and nobles. Those with connections had secured seats inside to witness the battle. Mounted on his warhorse, Yang Lian observed silently, only to hear the chatter and sneers directed at the soldiers of the Divine Martial Army.
Yang Lian’s victories had always been narrow, while the Xuan Armor Cavalry swept through their foes like a devastating storm, relying on their overwhelming cavalry charge to crush opponents outright. The disparity was clear, and no one expected Yang Lian to prevail. Those who held grudges against him—Zhu Lingyun, Zhou Hongzuo, and others—gathered outside, loudly jeering and disrupting Yang Lian and his men’s focus.
Outside the training ground, the uproar surged like a tide, nearly shaking the heavens. The sun had begun its westward descent, casting its light over Yang Lian's face. Taking a deep breath, he rode slowly to the edge of the field and addressed a eunuch nearby.
“I wish to see His Majesty.”
“Could it be, Commander Yang, that you intend to flee the battle?” came a mocking voice. Li Hongji, arriving just then, laughed derisively. His face was concealed beneath a black helmet and veil, rendering him unrecognizable.
“Fleeing is not my style,” Yang Lian replied calmly. “I only wish to inform His Majesty that this battle will be too bloody. It would be better if it were simulated.”
“Indeed. Because of the bloodiness, some have lost their courage,” Li Hongji said gleefully, his eyes narrowing into slits.
Yang Lian ignored him and said to the eunuch, “Please convey my message to His Majesty.”
Li Jingwei sat with a solemn expression, sipping tea as he asked Empress Zhong, “What time is it now?”
“Almost mid-afternoon,” Empress Zhong replied.
“Hmm, the match is about to begin. Zitong, who do you favor?” Li Jingwei inquired casually.
Empress Zhong hesitated before answering, “Hongji’s recent battles have been unstoppable; logically, his chances of winning are high. But Yang Lian’s victories have always been narrow, and luck seems to favor him oddly. It’s hard to say.”
Li Jingwei shook his head. Zitong’s answer seemed evasive—appearing to give a choice, yet revealing nothing. At that moment, a eunuch entered, reporting, “Your Majesty, Commander Yang requests an audience.”
“Commander Yang?” Li Jingwei was taken aback. “Elder brother, perhaps Commander Yang has urgent matters just before the battle.”
Li Jingwei found it odd as well but waved his hand. “Let him in.”
Not only did Yang Lian enter, but so did Li Hongji. Both bowed respectfully to Li Jingwei, Empress Zhong, and the others.
“Rise. Commander Yang, you should be preparing for battle. What brings you to see me now?” Li Jingwei asked.
Yang Lian spoke clearly, “Your Majesty, while the Xuan Armor Cavalry is formidable, I have devised methods to counter them. Yet, in any clash between two armies, casualties are inevitable. The Xuan Armor Cavalry are cavalrymen; once they charge, it is difficult to halt them. Many of our soldiers were wounded a few days ago and are still recovering.”
Li Hongji sneered, “Commander Yang, are you blaming the Xuan Armor Cavalry for wanton harm to innocents?”
“Not at all. But it is true they are hard to resist once charging. I only wish to prevent more casualties,” Yang Lian repeated earnestly.
Li Jingwei nodded in agreement, “Indeed, Commander Yang’s concerns are reasonable.”
Li Jingwei smiled lightly, unfazed. “This contest is like real warfare; casualties are unavoidable. Whether it’s the Xuan Armor Cavalry or the Divine Martial Army, I treat all soldiers equally. Do not hesitate—give it your all.”
Yang Lian hesitated briefly, looking at the Emperor and then at Empress Zhong. “It is not that I am cowardly. The matter is grave. If Your Majesty insists on this contest, I humbly request a death exemption token for myself and my men.”
Empress Zhong hesitated, “Your Majesty, since this battle will be so bloody, perhaps it is better not to grant that.”
“A woman’s opinion,” Li Jingwei dismissed with a shake of his head. With defeats at Fuzhou and Suchang weighing on him, he was determined to reform the army. This trial was a test to find capable commanders. Everything had gone smoothly until the final battle—how could he simply give up? Deaths in battle were not surprising. If the contest were canceled for fear of casualties, who would dare fight in the future? Those who survived would be treated and cared for; those who died would be compensated financially. As an emperor, he cared little for the lives of mere soldiers. Providing compensation was already a great kindness.
No one dared oppose Li Jingwei’s decision. As for Li Hongji, confident that he could capture Yang Lian in this battle, fear was out of the question.
Yang Lian acknowledged Li Jingwei with a slight nod, sensing genuine concern in the prince’s eyes. Since the Emperor had decided, Yang Lian felt the matter settled and said, “Your Majesty, with humility, I propose signing a death pact: should I die in this contest, I harbor no regrets. If I mistakenly harm others, I beg Your Majesty’s forgiveness for myself and my soldiers.”
Li Jingwei frowned slightly, finding Yang Lian persistent. Did his imperial decree hold no weight?
Prince Li Jingwei smiled, “Your Majesty, Yang Lian’s words are reasonable. When two armies face off, if someone dies, their families might cause trouble. Better to sign a death pact with promised compensation so that the families will be appeased. After all, this isn’t wartime; deaths during training are harder to justify.”
Li Jingwei considered this and nodded, “Very well. You two, quickly compile the list of soldiers and have them sign. If they die, the government will pay ten taels of gold as compensation; if seriously injured, half that amount—five taels. But I warn you all: no one shall flee the battle, or their entire family will be executed.”
“Yes, Your Majesty,” Yang Lian’s body tensed slightly as he met the Emperor’s resolute gaze. He said no more and bowed deeply before withdrawing.
Li Hongji watched Yang Lian’s retreating figure intently. What scheme could he possibly be plotting?
Returning to camp, Yang Lian found his men brimming with energy. Standing before them, he suddenly pointed toward the Xuan Armor Cavalry.
“Brothers, did you hear the words on the training ground?”
“We heard them!” came the resounding response, especially from Chen Tie, whose voice was the loudest. How could they not hear? Led by Zhou Hongzuo and Zhu Lingyun, a group was loudly insulting the Divine Martial Army. Were it not for the imminent battle, Chen Tie would have charged out to teach them a lesson.
“Today is the final match. The Xuan Armor Cavalry is unstoppable, and everyone believes we will lose. Some even think I’m a coward who went to beg the Emperor for surrender,” Yang Lian said, clenching his fist and raising it high.
“Soldiers of the Divine Martial Army, tell me loudly—are we cowards?”
“No!” The collective roar cut through the sky like a sharp blade, piercing the pavilion. Li Jingwei was startled—suddenly, the Divine Martial Army showed fierce spirit.
Satisfied, Yang Lian scanned his soldiers. Just as he was about to speak, Li Hongji, mounted on a tall steed, leisurely approached. Seeing the Divine Martial Army’s demeanor, he sneered, “Still not giving up? Soon you’ll learn the might of the Xuan Armor Cavalry—you’ll all die without burial. By the way, Commander Yang, have you signed your death pact? Once signed, your time is up. I will show no mercy.”
“Not just you—all of the Divine Martial Army must die. Remember, the Emperor has decreed: no one may flee, or their families will be punished,” Li Hongji added.
Yang Lian smiled calmly, “Don’t be too arrogant, or you won’t even know how you died.”
“You’re all talk. I hope you’re as formidable on the battlefield,” Li Hongji mocked before spurring his horse away, laughing loudly.
Chen Tie, unaware of the Xuan Armor Cavalry’s commander’s identity, cursed, “Damn it! Who the hell is that? When I catch him, I’ll make him drink urine twice and see if he’s still so arrogant.”
The men laughed heartily. This black-armored commander was unbearably arrogant, and Chen Tie’s words voiced their true feelings, momentarily quelling their anger.
Yang Lian waved his hand. “Brothers, I have obtained a death pact from His Majesty. Those who die in battle will receive compensation. If I am fortunate enough to survive, I will dedicate funds to support the families of my brothers until my own death.”
Chen Tie declared, “Commander Yang, whatever you order, we will not falter.”
Li Ping and Lu Mengjun also pledged, “We stand with Commander Yang to live or die.”
Over two hundred soldiers of the Divine Martial Army grew enraged and resolute. With no retreat possible, they steeled themselves for a fight to the death, their spirits lifted.
Yang Lian produced the death pact and signed it first, then handed it to Chen Tie. Without hesitation, Chen Tie signed. Li Ping and Lu Mengjun followed, then others, from officers to common soldiers. Within the space of an incense stick’s burn, all had signed their names.
Yang Lian entrusted the pact to a eunuch to deliver to the Emperor.
P.S. I’ve done my best to condense the story, but it seems even three chapters won’t be enough to finish the contest...