Chapter 50: The Day Draws Near (Please Vote for Me)

After returning, Wang Yan furiously tore off his steel helmet and hurled it to the ground.

“General, with your abilities, why must you submit to an old man who’s halfway to the grave?” At this moment, Wang Yan’s deputy, who had been trailing him, couldn’t help but speak up after seeing Wang Yan so enraged.

Wang Yan glared at him and rebuked, “Don’t speak nonsense! If outsiders heard what you said, it would be a crime punishable by death. You’re disturbing the troops’ morale—do you understand?”

The deputy hurriedly put on a sycophantic smile. “General, I would only ever say such things to you. It’s just that I see how constrained you are within this army, and I couldn’t help myself.”

Wang Yan took a deep breath and addressed the deputy, “Since we’ve chosen to join the Court’s Imperial Guard, we must act according to the laws and regulations of the Court. We must never behave as we once did. If you break military law, I won’t be able to protect you.”

Seeing Wang Yan’s seriousness, the deputy quickly changed his tune. “General, I just feel life isn’t as comfortable as it used to be. Back then, the Eight Characters Army never suffered such humiliation. We’d have charged ahead and wiped out those Jin invaders long ago. Now, everything is restricted, even drinking is forbidden.”

Wang Yan suddenly realized that this wasn’t just his deputy’s opinion, but likely a common sentiment among his soldiers. Yet as the leader of the Eight Characters Army, he understood that this was an opportunity to turn the Eight Characters Army into a regular unit of the Court. If their lax habits continued, they’d be little more than bandits in all but name.

Thinking of this, he immediately summoned the heads of the Eight Characters Army to discuss the matter and shared his thoughts with them.

“It was my decision to seek out General Zhong. I never asked your opinions then. Now, I want to ask: does anyone feel life isn’t as free as before and wish to leave?”

The commanders looked at one another in surprise. One asked, “General, why do you say this?”

Wang Yan waved his hand. “Don’t misunderstand. I just realized I never consulted you when joining the Imperial Guard. If anyone finds this life unbearable and wants to leave, tell me now. I’ll speak to General Zhong, and you won’t be held responsible.”

“General, we’re all common folk—what hardship can we not endure?” said one leader. “I can’t speak for others, but I, Zhao Jian, have no intention of leaving. You saved my life, General; wherever you go, I’ll follow. I’m a simple man, not clever, but I know that whatever you believe is right, is right.”

“Exactly, General. As long as we can fight the Jin invaders, I’ll go anywhere,” another chimed in.

“General, joining the Imperial Guard isn’t so bad. Before, we only fought small skirmishes. We’ve never seen battles of this scale. I’m not trying to discourage us, but the Jin army’s fighting power is at least as strong as ours, if not stronger.”

Each of the former Eight Characters Army leaders voiced their opinions. Though some admitted feeling stifled, none expressed a desire to leave.

Wang Yan was deeply moved. To have such brothers in arms was a true blessing.

After the commanders departed, an unexpected visitor arrived in Wang Yan’s camp: Zhong Shidao himself.

“Grand General, what brings you here?” Wang Yan asked, surprised.

Zhong Shidao replied, “I came to see you. Since the Eight Characters Army joined my forces, we haven’t really talked.”

Wang Yan felt uneasy, wondering if Zhong Shidao had learned of his meeting with his former subordinates. He prepared to explain.

“Grand General, just now—”

But Zhong Shidao waved his hand, cutting Wang Yan off. “No need to say more. I trust you.”

Those simple words overwhelmed Wang Yan. A great leader possessed a charisma that drew others to him, commanding loyalty and obedience.

“Old as I am, I won’t last much longer. My greatest wish in this life is to reclaim the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun,” Zhong Shidao said quietly, a hint of sorrow in his tone.

Wang Yan was affected by the melancholy. As a warrior who’d fought countless battles, he too felt the weight of sadness. But now, at a crucial moment of war, the commander’s gloom could bode ill. He quickly said, “Old General, you are a stalwart steed yet—don't lose heart!”

Zhong Shidao waved his hand dismissively. “No need to worry. Today, I’m not a grand general, just an old man. And I haven’t lost hope. In fact, I see reason for optimism. The new emperor has ascended, values the wise, shuns the treacherous; the Court is united and clear-minded. In my view, the recapture of the Sixteen Prefectures is within reach.”

Hearing this, Wang Yan felt reassured and said sheepishly, “Old General, your words nearly scared me out of my wits.”

Zhong Shidao laughed at his reaction. “Have you had enough of the Jin army’s humiliation these days?”

Wang Yan sensed something unusual in Zhong Shidao’s manner and wondered if he was being tested. He hurriedly replied, “It’s my impatience—I failed to appreciate your painstaking efforts, General.”

“Young man, you haven’t told the old man the truth,” Zhong Shidao said.

Wang Yan, sweating, protested, “Grand General, I wouldn’t dare.”

“Haha, don’t be so nervous. I’m not blaming you. I’m telling you, I too have had enough of the Jin army’s arrogance. So tomorrow, I order you to fight with all your might. Hold tight to the Jin invaders—don’t let a single one escape. Tell me, can you do it?” Zhong Shidao suddenly said.

Wang Yan furrowed his brow, wondering if the old man had lost his wits in his old age. The Song army was no match for the Jin forces, and their numbers were lacking. How could the Jin army possibly flee? He replied awkwardly, “Grand General, aren’t we celebrating a bit too soon?”