Chapter Seventy-Five: Military Competition (Part Two)

Before Yang Lian even reached the grand camp, he caught sight of someone lurking about. Judging by the figure, it was a woman, which struck him as rather peculiar. He strode quickly toward her. When he was still five or six paces away, the person turned around. Upon seeing Yang Lian, she was startled, her face instantly flushing crimson.

"Commander... Commander Yang?" Zhou Ehuang blurted out.

Yang Lian gave her a strange look and asked, "Miss Zhou, what are you doing here? This is a military camp, filled with rough and burly men. Aren't you afraid?"

Zhou Ehuang lowered her head. Her pleated skirt fluttered in the gentle breeze, revealing her embroidered shoes beneath the pale red hem. The shoes were adorned with two adorable little white rabbits. While Yang Lian stood there in a momentary daze, Zhou Ehuang grew even more flustered. She shoved something into his hand and said, "This is for you," before turning on her heel and hurrying away.

"Miss Zhou! Miss Zhou!" Yang Lian called after her.

It was as if Zhou Ehuang had heard nothing; she simply hurried off. Shaking his head, Yang Lian looked down at the object in his palm. It was a red jade pendant, emitting a faint, delicate fragrance.

"Probably some kind of safety talisman or something similar," Yang Lian thought. Although he held no fondness for Zhou Zong, he harbored no hostility toward Zhou Ehuang, this kind-hearted woman. Tucking the pendant—which still retained the warmth of her body—into his tunic, he figured he would simply have to return it to her eventually.

Returning to his tent to rest for half an hour, Yang Lian got up, washed up, inspected his equipment, and then led his soldiers to the parade ground. The crowds at the parade ground were even larger today. Since this was the final battle to decide the champion, everyone had come out to watch the spectacle.

The private boxes in the multi-story viewing pavilion were packed to capacity. High-ranking officials and nobles had all arrived, and anyone with even a shred of connection had managed to squeeze into a box to witness this clash. Mounted on his warhorse, Yang Lian silently observed his surroundings. The murmurs of the crowd drifted to his ears, occasionally punctuated by jeers and mockery directed at the soldiers of the Divine Martial Army.

While Yang Lian had won each of his previous matches by the narrowest of margins, the Black Armor Cavalry had utterly crushed their opponents every time, utilizing the overwhelming impact force of their cavalry to completely shatter the enemy. The disparity in their strength was so glaring that not a single soul favored Yang Lian to win. Zhou Lingyun, Zhou Hongzuo, and others who bore ill will toward Yang Lian brought their friends along to hurl insults from the sidelines, attempting to rattle the composure of Yang Lian and his men.

Outside the parade ground, the noise rose like a raging tide, threatening to shatter the very heavens. The sun had already begun its westward descent, casting its golden rays across Yang Lian's face. He drew a deep breath, gently urged his horse toward the edge of the parade ground, and looked at a eunuch standing nearby. "I wish to see His Majesty."

"What? Is Commander Yang planning to desert in the face of battle?" Li Hongji, who happened to be riding up at that moment, caught his words and mocked in a strained, muffled voice. He still wore his black helmet and a black silk veil over his face, obscuring his features entirely.

"Desertion is not the style of Yang Mou," Yang Lian replied with a faint, calm smile. "I merely wish to inform His Majesty that this battle is far too bloody; it would be better to use simulated combat instead."

"Indeed! Exactly because this battle is too bloody, someone is getting cold feet," Li Hongji laughed gleefully, his exposed eyes squinting into thin slits.

Ignoring him entirely, Yang Lian turned back to the eunuch. "I must ask you to convey my request."

Emperor Li Jing sat straight and solemn inside the pavilion, sipping his tea. He turned to Empress Zhong and asked, "What time is it now?"

"It is nearly the hour of *Shen*," Empress Zhong replied.

"Ah, the match is about to begin. My empress, whom do you favor?" Li Jing asked casually.

Empress Zhong hesitated for a moment before answering, "Hongji has swept aside all opposition in his battles over the past few days. By all accounts, his odds of winning are higher. Yet Yang Lian has won every single match by a hair's breadth, and his luck has truly been extraordinary to the extreme. It is hard to say."

Li Jing shook his part of the head. His empress was merely playing with words, giving an answer that sounded like one while actually saying nothing at all. At that moment, a eunuch entered and announced, "Your Majesty, Commander Yang requests an audience."

"Yang Lian requests an audience?" Li Jingsui was momentarily taken aback. "Imperial Brother, on the verge of battle, Commander Yang must have some pressing matter to discuss."

Finding it rather strange as well, Li Jing waved a hand and said, "Let him enter."

Not only did Yang Lian enter, but Li Hongji followed right behind him. Both men paid their respects to Emperor Li Jing and Empress Zhong.

"Rise. Yang Lian, instead of properly preparing for your match, what business do you have coming to see Us?" Li Jing inquired.

Yang Lian spoke in a clear, resonant voice, "Your Majesty, formidable though the Black Armor Cavalry may be, your humble servant has already devised a strategy to counter them. However, when two armies clash, casualties are inevitable. Furthermore, the Black Armor Cavalry are all mounted troops; once they begin a charge, it is exceedingly difficult to halt their momentum. Over the past two days, quite a few soldiers have sustained injuries and are still recovering in bed."

Li Hongji let out a cold laugh. "Commander Yang, are you accusing the Black Armor Cavalry of wantonly harming the innocent?"

"I dare not make such an accusation. But when the Black Armor Cavalry charge, their impact is truly difficult to withstand. I simply wish to prevent any further bloodshed," Yang Lian reiterated.

Li Jingsui nodded in agreement. "Indeed, Commander Yang's concerns are entirely reasonable."

Li Jing, however, merely smiled faintly, completely unconcerned. "This competition is akin to a battle between two warring armies; casualties are unavoidable. Whether they belong to the Black Armor Cavalry or the Divine Martial Army, We treat all Our soldiers equally. My dear minister, put aside your worries and execute your duties to the fullest."

Hesitating slightly, Yang Lian glanced first at the sovereign and then at Empress Zhong. "It is not that your humble servant is cowardly, but this matter is of the utmost gravity. If Your Majesty insists upon holding this trial of combat, I earnestly implore Your Majesty to grant medallions of immunity from death to myself and my subordinates."

Empress Zhong said with some hesitation, "Your Majesty, since this battle is bound to be exceptionally bloody, perhaps it would be best to call it off."

"Such womanly sentimentality," Li Jing scoffed, shaking his head. Following their defeats in Fuzhou, Su, and Chang, he was deeply intent on reforming the military ranks. This tournament was merely a test—a way to discern whether there were capable generals in the army who could shoulder great responsibilities. Everything had proceeded smoothly up until now; how could he simply abandon the final match? Death in a military trial was nothing out of the ordinary. If they refused to hold it out of fear of casualties, who would ever dare set foot on a battlefield in the future? Those who survived would simply be tended to by physicians, while the fallen would receive generous bereavement stipends and monetary compensation for their families. As an absolute monarch, how could he possibly care about the lives of ordinary commoners? Bestowing a stipend was already an act of supreme benevolence.

None dared to dispute Li Jing's final verdict. As for Li Hongji, who was convinced he could capture Yang Lian during the battle, he had no intention of backing down.

Yang Lian nodded slightly toward Li Jingsui, perceiving the concern shining in the prince's eyes. Since the Emperor had made up his mind, Yang Lian felt he had achieved his preliminary objective. He pressed on, "Your Majesty, if I may be so bold, I wish to draw up a pact of life and death. Should any of us fall in this trial of combat, we shall harbor no regrets. However, if bystanders are accidentally injured, I beg Your Majesty to show mercy and pardon myself and my soldiers."

A trace of displeasure flickered across Li Jing's face. This Yang Lian was truly persistent; did his sovereign word count for nothing?

Prince Qi, Li Jingsui, smiled and intervened, "Your Majesty, what Yang Lian says makes a great deal of sense. When two armies lock horns, if someone tragically loses their life, their families might cause an uproar. It would be better to have them sign a life-and-death pact beforehand, coupled with monetary compensation. Once the families receive tangible benefits, they will make no further trouble." After all, this was not actual wartime; dying during a peacetime training exercise was still somewhat difficult to justify.

Upon reflection, Li Jing decided the suggestion had merit. He nodded and said, "Very well. The two of you, go swiftly and compile the rosters, and have the soldiers affix their thumbprints. If anyone falls in battle, the government shall award ten gold taels in bereavement compensation; if severely injured, the amount shall be halved to five gold taels. But let Us make one thing clear beforehand: no one is permitted to withdraw. Anyone who tries shall have their entire family executed for treason."

"Understood." A shudder ran through Yang Lian's frame. He cast a glance at Li Jing, and seeing the absolute resolve etched upon the Emperor's face, he said nothing more, bowed deeply, and withdrew.

Li Hongji gazed intently at Yang Lian's retreating back. Why was Yang Lian suddenly acting in this manner? What sort of scheme was he plotting?

Upon returning to his camp, Yang Lian found his men waiting for him, spirits high and full of vigor. Standing before them, Yang Lian suddenly pointed in the direction of the Black Armor Cavalry camp across the field and asked, "Lutbads, did you all hear what was being shouted over at the parade ground?"

"We heard it!" came the roar of the crowd, with Chen Tie's voice booming the loudest. How could they not have heard? Led by Zhou Hongzuo and Zhu Lingyun, a gaggle of young nobles had hurled brazen insults at the soldiers of the Divine Martial Army. Had a battle not been imminent, Chen Tie would have already charged over to beat the tar out of them.

"Today is the final match. The Black Armor Cavalry are hailed as invincible, and everyone expects us to lose. Just a moment ago, some even branded me a coward who went running to beg the Emperor for mercy," Yang Lian said, clenching his fists and raising them high. "Soldiers of the Divine Martial Army, tell me in a loud, clear voice: are we cowards?"

"No!" the men shouted in unison. Their voices struck like a sharp blade, piercing the clouds and carrying straight into the viewing pavilions. Li Jingsui gave a start—the Divine Martial Army had suddenly acquired a terrifying fighting spirit.

Looking at his men with satisfaction, Yang Lian was about to speak when Li Hongji slowly trotted over on his tall warhorse. Catching sight of the Divine Martial Army's spirited demeanor, he sneered, "What? You still haven't given up? A little later, I'll let you experience the true might of the Black Armor Cavalry and send every last one of you to a grave with no burial site. And Commander Yang, have you signed your life-and-death pact yet? Once it's signed, your time of death has arrived. I certainly won't spare you."

"Not just you; every single man in the Divine Martial Army must die," Li Hongji continued maliciously. "Mark my words: His Majesty has already issued a decree. No one is allowed to desert in the face of battle, or else their entire clan will be executed."

With a faint, icy smile, Yang Lian retorted, "A person shouldn't be too arrogant in this world, or they might not even know how they ended up dead."

"You're all talk! Let's hope you're just as formidable on the battlefield!" With a final sneer, Li Hongji whipped his horse around and rode off, laughing derisively.

Chen Tie had no idea what background the commander of the Black Armor Cavalry possessed, but seeing how blatantly arrogant Li Hongji was, he cursed aloud, "Son of a bitch! Who the hell does this bastard think he is? When I capture him later, I'm going to make him drink two bowls of piss just to see if he's still so cocky!"

A roar of laughter erupted from the crowd. The black-armored commander had been far too insufferable, and Chen Tie's crude remark completely voiced what was on everyone's mind. They found it immensely cathartic, and the stifled rage burning in their chests temporarily abated.

Making a calming gesture with his hand, Yang Lian said, "Brothers, I have already secured a life-and-death pact from His Majesty. Any brother who falls in battle will receive compensation. As for myself, if I am fortunate enough to survive, I will personally provide financial support for the families of the fallen for as long as I live."

"Whatever Commander Yang orders us to do, if any of us so much as frowns, we are no true heroes!" Chen Tie declared fiercely.

Li Ping could not help asking, "Commander Yang, did His Majesty say anything else?"

"His Majesty also stated that no one is permitted to desert the battlefield, under pain of execution for their entire family," Yang Lian swept his hawk-like gaze across the gathered men. "Who would have thought that this final battle would culminate in a fight to the death with no quarter asked? Gentlemen, I am a Commander, a fifth-rank imperial official, and even I do not fear death. Could it be that any of you are cowards?"

Chen Tie threw his fist into the air and roared, "We are willing to live and die with Commander Yang!"

Echoing his cry, Li Ping and Lu Mengjun shouted, "We are willing to live and die with Commander Yang!"

The two hundred-odd men of the Divine Martial Army were a mix of boiling fury and soaring morale. By this point, all paths of retreat had been cut off; they were forced to fight with their backs to the wall, and their fighting spirit had reached a fever pitch.

Producing the life-and-death pact, Yang Lian signed his name first and handed it to Chen Tie. Chen Tie wrote his name down without a moment's hesitation. Li Ping and Lu Mengjun followed suit, after which the document was passed down the line to the various junior officers and ordinary soldiers. Within the time it took to burn half an incense stick, every single man had signed their name to the pact.

Yang Lian then handed the document to the eunuch, instructing him to deliver it to the Son of Heaven.

*(Ps: Sigh, I've tried my absolute best to condense it, but who would have thought three chapters still wouldn't be enough to finish writing the competition...)*