Chapter 8: New Equipment

Once Zhao Huan landed safely, all those present burst out in unison, “Long live the Emperor!”

Although he had only spent a single day adapting to this new body, Zhao Huan found himself already growing fond of this feeling of looking down upon the world from above.

“Have you studied it thoroughly?” Zhao Huan asked Yue Fei.

Yue Fei nodded enthusiastically. Truth be told, he was very curious about this contraption and could hardly wait to try it out himself. If it truly worked as miraculously as Zhao Huan claimed, and the entire army could be equipped with such devices, then it would surely become a formidable weapon for the Song dynasty.

Donning the glider, Yue Fei silently repeated the techniques Zhao Huan had taught him. Just as Zhao Huan had demonstrated, he sprinted down the high platform and, catching the updraft, truly began to soar through the air.

“Ah! I’m flying!” Though Yue Fei was already in his early twenties, he couldn’t help but shout out in excitement at this extraordinary sensation.

Zhao Huan was very pleased with Yue Fei’s reaction. He had to admit, Yue Fei’s ability to grasp new things was impressive. When Zhao Huan had first learned to use the glider, he’d fallen countless times before mastering it, but Yue Fei had understood the essentials after just a single demonstration.

Ascending, descending, turning…

Yue Fei maneuvered the glider, elated as a child. Zhao Huan did not try to restrain him but let him get fully accustomed to the new equipment.

When Yue Fei finally landed, he excitedly turned to Zhao Huan. “Your Majesty, when can the whole army be equipped with this?”

Zhao Huan waved his hand. “It is not difficult. In time, such units will become a part of our Song military. I shall name them the Flying Feather Corps. The three hundred men who set out today will be the vanguard.”

Hearing this, Yue Fei was overcome with emotion. To think that he might one day lead thousands upon thousands of such warriors—it was truly a glorious prospect.

“I am willing to lay down my life and follow Your Majesty to the very end!” Yue Fei once again knelt before Zhao Huan, now thoroughly tamed. He had always been a proud man, and winning his loyalty was no simple feat.

“I trust you, or I would not entrust you with such an important mission. Time is short, so I can only provide you with basic equipment for now: each man will have a miniature repeating crossbow, fifty short bolts, a triangular military stiletto, and a combat knife…” Zhao Huan explained.

The repeating crossbow itself was not a novelty, but Zhao Huan’s version was far more compact. Yue Fei tested it and found that, despite the reduced size, its power was undiminished and its weight much less, making it perfectly suited for the Flying Feather Corps.

When Yue Fei examined the triangular stiletto, his mouth fell open in astonishment. As a professional, he could immediately see the vicious potential of the weapon—it was simply brutal.

“This is called a triangular military stiletto. Do you like it?” Zhao Huan asked with a smile, knowing no man could resist such a weapon.

“It’s… truly perfect,” Yue Fei finally managed to say, after thinking for a long moment.

Zhao Huan clapped him on the shoulder. “Yue Fei, hear my command!”

Yue Fei hurriedly knelt to receive the order.

“I appoint you as the captain of this strike force. Lead three hundred warriors in a night raid on the Jin army’s supply lines. You are permitted only success, not failure. Do you understand?” Zhao Huan said sternly.

Yue Fei kowtowed deeply and swore, “I will serve the country with my very life!”

“Enough. Don’t always speak of death. The dead are of no use to me—I need you alive, do you understand?” Zhao Huan told him.

Yue Fei quickly pledged his obedience.

“Time is short. Pick your men and begin training at once. At the second watch tonight, I will see you off,” Zhao Huan instructed.

Yue Fei accepted the order and departed.

Meanwhile, the situation in Bianliang was growing perilous. The iron cavalry of the Jin army, like madmen, had begun their siege of Kaifeng Prefecture. Kaifeng was situated on the plains, easy to attack and hard to defend. Now, faced with the full onslaught of the Jin, the frail Song troops were clearly struggling.

Standing atop the watchtower, Zhao Huan watched the dense, black mass of enemy soldiers outside the city, utterly awestruck. The phrase “ten thousand men darkening the sky” was no exaggeration—the Jin army now numbered a hundred thousand, and the spectacle was overwhelming.

“What are our casualties?” Zhao Huan asked Li Gang, who stood beside him.

“Kaifeng’s garrison was fifty thousand strong; we have already lost more than half. But do not worry, Your Majesty—a great number of the city’s people have volunteered to join the fight. After hearing your words just now, they have sworn to live or die with Kaifeng,” Li Gang replied, his voice tinged with emotion.

“I don’t want them to die. They are the pillars of their families. If a pillar falls, the whole household collapses,” Zhao Huan said, deeply moved.

Li Gang hadn’t expected Zhao Huan to say such a thing and couldn’t help but exclaim, “Your Majesty’s compassion for the people is truly a blessing for our land!”

Zhao Huan waved his hand. “Enough with the flattery. Pass my order: send the Imperial Guards to the front lines. Notify Zong Ze as well—have the repeating ballistae been completed? For every one finished, get it onto the walls immediately. If there are any delays, those responsible will face military law!”

Li Gang was shocked by Zhao Huan’s words and hurriedly protested, “Your Majesty, that cannot be! The Imperial Guards are meant to protect you. If they go to the front, who will guarantee your safety?”

“At a time like this, if the city falls, there will be no safety for me at all. The new recruits are untested and would die if sent to the front alone. Only with veterans leading them will they have a chance to survive. After a few battles, the new recruits will become veterans themselves,” Zhao Huan explained.

Li Gang hadn’t realized Zhao Huan’s grasp of military matters was so keen. The Imperial Guards were indeed far more capable than regular soldiers, but he hesitated, concerned for Zhao Huan’s safety.

“Go. My safety need not trouble you—I trust my people,” Zhao Huan told him.

Li Gang gritted his teeth, knowing Zhao Huan was right, and turned to issue the orders.

Not long after, Li Gang came running back, breathless with excitement. “Your Majesty, it’s done! It’s done!”

“What’s done? Calm yourself and speak slowly,” Zhao Huan said.

“Lord Zong Ze has succeeded in developing the repeating ballista. The first one has already been delivered to the east gate, and the other gates will be equipped very soon,” Li Gang replied, still panting.