Chapter 4: Damn It, Everybody Stop

In the distance, the thunderous advance of Chen’s cavalry stirred up clouds of dust visible for miles. The soldiers beside Wei Wuke noticed this as well, and unrest rippled through the ranks. Catching sight of the narrow wooden bridge less than a hundred yards ahead, they seemed to forget their exhaustion, breaking into a desperate run toward safety.

Wei Wuke felt a sense of impending disaster. The bridge was so narrow—his two thousand men would not even be halfway across before the enemy would be nipping at their heels. Then they would be like fish on the chopping block, at the mercy of their pursuers.

The strategist Wang Sima, who had advised Wei Wuke earlier, clearly recognized the danger. He rode up, anxiety etched on his face. “Master, we cannot let the men cross the river now. If the army’s discipline breaks, and the enemy attacks, our forces will crumble in an instant.”

“What do you suggest?” Wei Wuke asked urgently, unable to think of any solution himself and hoping Wang Sima could devise a way out.

“Master, we must have someone hold the bridge, allowing no one to cross. And—”

“And what?” Wei Wuke pressed, irritated by Wang Sima’s hesitation.

Wang Sima gritted his teeth, adopting a resolute air. “And Master, you must not cross either. Only then can we stand and fight against Chen’s army. Otherwise, morale will collapse, and we will be doomed.”

“Outrageous! Wang Xiu, what are you thinking, asking our master to risk his life?” A burly man beside them immediately stepped forward, glaring at Wang Sima.

Wei Wuke halted the big man’s advance and, after a brief consideration, reluctantly agreed to Wang Sima’s proposal. “Very well, we’ll do as you say.” His acceptance was not out of bravery, but rather from a deep fear of death. He knew that abandoning his troops would likely result in an even worse fate—defeat, capture, and humiliation.

Wang Sima was surprised by how quickly Wei Wuke agreed, but continued, “Then, Master, please have General Zheng lead some men to block the bridge before our army attempts to cross.”

“Agreed!” Wei Wuke replied without hesitation. At this point, defeat meant death either way; crossing the river or not made little difference.

With his advice adopted, Wang Sima turned to the big man and said, “General Zheng, it’s up to you now.”

The big man, standing beside Wei Wuke, tensed and rode forward. “Master, rest assured. I will see to it at once.”

Wei Wuke hadn’t realized Wang Sima referred to the big man as General Zheng, and felt a pang of regret; he had chosen this man as his personal bodyguard, but now there was nothing to be done.

After General Zheng left with his orders, Wei Wuke was left with fewer attendants—only Wang Sima, Wang Xiu, remained by his side.

“Master, let’s go over as well. If General Zheng cannot keep order, you may have to intervene yourself,” Wang Xiu advised.

Sure enough, before Wei Wuke reached the bridge, he heard the soldiers’ angry, dissatisfied cries.

“What do you think you’re doing? Get out of the way, damn it!”

“Zheng Dali, have your men clear the path now, or else Master—” a military officer shouted.

“Zheng, others may fear you, but I certainly do not!” another barked.

Despite being surrounded and cursed by more than a thousand men, General Zheng stood firm, sword drawn and mounted, blocking the bridge with his personal guards standing grimly behind him.

“By order of the Master, no one may cross,” Zheng Dali declared loudly.

But for the soldiers desperate to escape, the bridge was their lifeline. Anyone blocking their way, especially Zheng Dali, became their mortal enemy.

No matter how Zheng Dali explained, their determination to cross remained unwavering.

Hundreds pressed forward, heedless of Zheng Dali’s shouts. “Stand back, or I won’t hold back!” he warned, sword drawn and pointed at his increasingly frenzied comrades.

But the soldiers, intent on survival, ignored his threats. Step by step, they advanced until both sides were entangled, shoving and cursing each other’s ancestors.

Fortunately, the narrowness of the bridge prevented a full-scale melee; otherwise, Zheng Dali and his few men would never have held it.

As more gathered, the commotion grew, chaos mounting.

When Wei Wuke arrived, the situation between the soldiers and Zheng Dali was tense, swords drawn and tempers flaring.

Some had begun to break through Zheng Dali’s line, making cold sweat bead on Wei Wuke’s brow. If even one slipped through, the flood of troops behind would become unstoppable.

Wei Wuke made a snap decision, shouting to Zheng Dali, “Any who defy military orders—execute them!”

With the word “execute” pronounced by the highest commander, Zheng Dali’s pent-up impatience was unleashed. His blade flashed, and two soldiers fell dead for attempting to force the passage.

This bloody spectacle snapped the frenzied soldiers back to their senses, immediately separating themselves from Zheng Dali and his men. Wei’s army was governed by strict laws: defy orders, be executed; attack an officer, your family would be doomed.

The sight of heads rolling brought clarity—what had they done? Defying orders, confronting their general with drawn blades—if the army’s law was enforced, not only would they die, but their families would perish as well.

When Wei Wuke dismounted and walked through the crowd to the bridgehead, the soldiers parted, lowering their heads in silence, not daring to meet his gaze.

Standing at the bridge, suppressing the horror of the bloody scene before him, Wei Wuke surveyed the gathered men.

Though he had given the order to kill, the sight of those wide-eyed severed heads still filled him with dread and revulsion.

Swallowing hard, Wei Wuke raised his voice angrily, “Stand firm! Do you even know what you are doing?”

His words prompted the soldiers to drop their weapons, kneel, and bow their heads, crying out, “We are guilty of a mortal offense!”

Wei Wuke hadn’t expected the demonstration of force to work so well, but seeing its effect, he decided to press further.

“Brothers!”

“It’s not that I don’t want you to cross, but the Wei army will arrive at any moment. The bridge is so narrow—how many can get across?”

“When the time comes, we’ll be trapped, unable to fight or flee. The Wei army will slaughter us all.”

“So, if death is inevitable, why not die gloriously in battle? If we are fortunate enough to win, not only can we return home with honor, but we can bring the glory we’ve fought for.”

His words echoed through every soldier’s heart. With the reality clarified, their minds no longer fixated solely on crossing the river.

Moreover, Wei Wuke made no move to punish them for their earlier transgressions, relieving the burden in their hearts. His repeated use of “brothers” and “we” drew him closer to his men.

“We await your command, Master!” After a brief reflection, the soldiers shouted in unison.

“Very well, all troops heed my orders.”

As Wei Wuke issued the command, the men straightened with resolve.

Wei Wuke nodded in satisfaction. “All are to obey Wang Sima’s commands. His orders carry the same weight as mine.”

Wang Xiu looked up in surprise. He hadn’t expected Wei Wuke to place such trust in him, to hand over the entire army—his very life.

“Your servant, Wang Xiu, accepts the command!” Wang Xiu replied solemnly; this was no time for hesitation.

He set about gathering the officers, arranging the soldiers into formation under Wei Wuke’s watchful gaze.

“Spearmen, form up in front of the bridge! Sword and shield units, protect the flanks! Heavy infantry, hold the center…”

In a few swift moves, Wang Xiu had the troops organized, a battle formation taking shape.

Wei Wuke regarded him with new respect, nodding quietly.

“Brave warriors, I now issue one final order: anyone who attempts to cross the bridge—execute them. That includes myself.”

Turning, Wei Wuke called to Zheng Dali, “Did you hear me clearly?”

Zheng Dali immediately knelt on one knee, shouting, “Yes, sir!”

Wei Wuke’s directive, though met in silence, kindled a new fire in the eyes of his men—a rising spirit. If the noble-born master no longer feared death, why should they, mere commoners?

In the distance, Chen’s cavalry drew ever nearer.