East of Xiping Pass, the main camp of the anti-rebel army.
"Drag him out and behead him."
A furious roar came from the central command tent, startling the crows perched on the tent tops, which fluttered into the air and shed several black feathers.
Several fierce-looking axemen, carrying ghost-headed swords, dragged a general out of the tent. The general, disheveled and pale-faced, pleaded, "Prince Shao, please give me another chance! I will definitely take Xiping Pass! Please give me another chance!"
The strategist had just returned from outside when he saw yet another general being dragged away, and he couldn't help but look worried.
This is the fifth general that Wei Shao has executed.
Ever since Wei Shao learned that the garrison at Xiping Pass had been reduced by half, he dispatched troops to launch a full-scale attack on the city. After several days of fighting, nearly ten thousand soldiers were killed or wounded, but they still failed to capture Xiping Pass. On one occasion, the soldiers even managed to climb onto the city walls, only to be driven back down by Wei Jingzhuo's army.
Wei Shao's temper became exceptionally volatile. If a general failed to win, he would order their execution, causing widespread fear among the officers. Every morning when they woke up, they didn't know whether they would die on the walls of Xiping Pass or in their own camp.
He ushered everyone into the tent and said to Wei Shao, who was still furious, "Your Highness, this humble subject greets you."
Wei Shao stared at him, his face flushed red, then turned and slammed his hand on the table, saying bitterly, "They're all useless. There are less than 20,000 men left at Xiping Pass, and they can't even take it."
The strategist said, “Your Highness, Xiping Pass is extremely treacherous. When the late Emperor built the city, he said that it would be impossible to take this pass without an army of 200,000. Now that you are executing a general in battle, I fear… I fear it will be detrimental to the morale of the army.”
Wei Shao turned his head, his bloodshot eyes fixed on him, making him feel cold all over.
“All you think about is morale, morale,” Wei Shao said in a low voice, “you don’t even know what I’m so anxious about.”
After Wei Shao finished speaking, he grabbed the strategist's wrist and pulled him closer, saying, "Father has passed away. The outcome of the battle at Xiping Pass will determine the course of the world. If I win, I will be the emperor. If Wei Jingzhuo wins, he will be the emperor. How can you expect me not to be anxious?"
The strategist nodded repeatedly: "Your Highness is right... Ah, no, no, it is right to execute him."
No wonder Wei Shao became so agitated after learning of Emperor Kangping's death. When Emperor Kangping was alive, Wei Shao appeared indifferent. Back then, even if Xiping Pass couldn't be captured, he could simply withdraw his troops. Wei Jingzhuo's small force couldn't cause much trouble.
Things are different now. Only Wei Jingzhuo and Wei Shao are qualified to compete for the throne, making the outcome of this battle extremely important.
Seeing that the strategist agreed, Wei Shao released the strategist's wrist, rested his hands on the edge of the table, looked at the map, and said, "The Southern Chu army in the west has not been able to come over for a long time. Is it because they can't defeat Zhao Xian?"
The strategist said, "The Southern Chu army has just crossed the mountains in the south of Youzhou and must be exhausted. The ones blocking the Southern Chu army are General Zhao Xian and Meng Kuan, the garrison commander of Xiping Pass. It is said that they fought two battles, with each side winning and losing."
Wei Shao seemed to be deep in thought, then paced back and forth a few times before asking, "What do you think of our chances of winning?"
The strategist said, "Zhao Xian once fought alongside His Majesty, commanding thousands of troops with ease. Now, he is old and frail, certainly not comparable to his youth. Meng Kuan, on the other hand, is just a warrior. If he listens to Zhao Xian, he might still be able to hold off the Southern Chu army. If he doesn't..."
The two were discussing in hushed tones when a soldier entered the tent to report.
"Your Highness, strategist. The goddess sent by Consort Li to assist you in this battle, Princess Jinning, is almost here. She will arrive at the camp in a quarter of an hour."
The strategist was overjoyed and said to Wei Shao, "Your Highness, shall we quickly lead the generals out to greet you?"
Wei Shao shook his head, waved the messenger away, and said, "So what if she's given a princess title? She's just a errand boy for my mother. I am Prince Shao, how can I condescend to greet a mere servant?"
Seeing that Wei Shao refused to welcome the goddess Qiu Jie, the strategist had no choice but to remain silent and summon servants to quickly arrange accommodations for the goddess.
Fifteen minutes later, the goddess Qiu Jie's convoy entered the camp of the rebel army and stopped in the open space in front of the central command tent.
The goddess's chariot was drawn by five tall, fine horses and escorted by five hundred imperial guards. The emperor's chariot was drawn by six horses, while that of feudal lords was drawn by five. This protocol was second only to the emperor's.
The generals in the camp all knew that the goddess had arrived, and they all gathered in front of her tent, while the strategist also came out of his tent. Firstly, they wanted to see what kind of person the goddess was, and secondly, they had heard that the goddess had brought very important good news.
Rumors from Youzhou say that Wei Jingzhuo's wife, Su Wan, was a goddess who miraculously cured the Western Rong king, Danmoji. Now, a Qiu Jie has appeared, and no one knows her background.
As everyone was watching, a commander of the Imperial Guards jumped down from the carriage and said, "The Goddess has arrived. Why hasn't Prince Shao come out to greet her?"
The strategist smiled and clasped his hands in greeting, saying, "The goddess has graced us with her presence; Prince Shao should naturally welcome her. However, the war is currently raging..."
A soft female voice came from inside the carriage. The imperial guard leader turned around and listened, nodding repeatedly before lifting the carriage curtain with both hands.
A pale, jade-like hand, holding an ornate and exquisite sword, extended from the carriage. Wide black robe sleeves hung below the wrists, fluttering in the cold wind.
The generals present recognized the sword as Emperor Kangping's Chengjun Sword and were all greatly shocked. Seeing the sword was like seeing the emperor himself; they immediately knelt down and cried out, "Your subjects pay their respects to Your Majesty."
Just as the strategist was about to kneel, a voice sternly stopped him.
"Why are you kneeling? Get up!" Wei Shao strode out of the central command tent and stood in front of the carriage. "Father has passed away. Why are you still kneeling before this sword?"
Everyone looked at each other, unsure whether to stand up or continue kneeling. Some people stood up, and the rest hesitated for a moment before finally standing up as well.
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