coobybook Chapter 1070 Subduing the Shu Army
Chapter 1070 Subduing the Shu Army
After the competition ended, Li Che nimbly dismounted, casually tossed the reins to his guard, and patted Hei Feng on the neck.
Black Wind rubbed against Li Che's hand, snorted, and was then led aside.
Li Che walked back to the group of generals. The surroundings were so quiet that only the sound of the wind and the rustling of banners could be heard. All eyes were on him.
The rule in the military is the simplest: if your fist is strong, your reasoning is strong.
When this fist belongs to the supreme ruler and is so hard, awe quickly escalates into worship.
Now everyone has only one thought in their minds: He can fight, shoot arrows, and govern the country... Is there anything His Majesty cannot do? Is he really a god?
Li Che's gaze swept over Yu Daliang and the others, and he said calmly, "In that case, do you have anything else to say?"
Yu Daliang's arm was still trembling slightly; the full force he had just used had clearly taken a toll on him.
He swallowed hard, exhaled a long breath, knelt on one knee, clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Your Majesty is divinely mighty and your archery skills are superb. This humble general is completely convinced."
Having said that, he turned around, glanced at the still somewhat bewildered Shu army generals behind him, and shouted, "What are you all standing there for? Why don't you follow me to pay homage to His Majesty!"
This shout startled everyone awake.
The once arrogant Shu generals now faced no hesitation and knelt down on one knee in unison, their armor clattering together in a cacophony.
"Your humble servants pay their respects to Your Majesty! Long live Your Majesty! Long live Your Majesty! Long live the Emperor!"
The sound echoed across the training ground, startling birds flying in the distant woods.
Li Che was overjoyed, but his face remained impassive as he gestured with his right hand: "Rise."
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" The responses were uniform, without the previous hesitation and resistance.
The crowd rose, stood with their hands at their sides, and adopted a posture no different from that of the Qing army generals.
Seeing that the arrogance of the Shu army had been largely subdued, Li Che was in a good mood.
So he didn't beat around the bush and asked directly, "We've already tested your strength and archery skills. Now, are you all willing to join forces?"
The generals instinctively looked at Yu Daliang.
A struggle flashed across Yu Daliang's face, his lips were pursed, and he was still having a fierce internal battle.
Although he himself had suffered a complete defeat, he was still unwilling to let the entire Shu army give up the idea of becoming an independent force.
Li Che took in his expression and said calmly, "Speak your mind directly. I don't like people who beat around the bush."
Yu Daliang gritted his teeth and clasped his hands in a fist salute again: "Your Majesty! We, your humble servants, acknowledge Your Majesty's divine might and the bravery of the Qing army. We are far inferior to them."
He then changed the subject: "However, in battle, the primary responsibility of a general is to command and control his troops. No matter how strong one's personal martial prowess is, in the midst of a vast army, one is but a single soldier."
"This humble general dares to... request Your Majesty to select soldiers from the Qing Army to engage in live-fire combat against the soldiers of my Shu Army!"
"If the Qing army wins again this time, we will be completely convinced and have no other choice. We will be willing to join the Qing army and serve Your Majesty at your command!"
Upon hearing this, Luo Yueniang's face immediately darkened.
She could no longer contain herself and shouted sternly, "Yu Daliang! There should be a limit to your insolence!"
"His Majesty is magnanimous, not punishing your previous arrogant and disrespectful crimes, which is already an act of divine grace! How dare you push your luck, proposing the competition again and again, as if you have no regard for the majesty of Heaven?"
"You have utterly disgraced the Shu army! I've only been gone a short time, and you, Yu Daliang, have already become a fickle and treacherous villain?!"
"Just cooperate with the army properly, and don't let us mess up the Shu Road!"
Luo Yueniang was clearly furious; her eyebrows shot up and her aura suddenly intensified.
The Shu generals, including Yu Daliang, were already at a disadvantage due to her accumulated power and the repeated setbacks they suffered today.
Her shout immediately made them shrink back, their imposing manner diminished, and their faces turned pale and then flushed. No one dared to respond.
Li Che, however, was not angry. Instead, he looked at Yu Daliang with great interest.
This guy has a really thick skin, and he's incredibly persistent.
If a general loses a contest, he will challenge his soldiers. This may seem like absurd, but it also shows a spirit of perseverance despite repeated defeats.
This cunning in pursuit of maximizing profits was not a flaw in Li Che's eyes; on the contrary, he quite admired it.
Military generals should be a bit cunning.
Civil officials need integrity, straightforwardness, and the courage to offer advice in order to uphold their principles.
Since the "Art of War" by Sun Tzu was passed down, military generals have emphasized the principle of "deception in warfare," and those who were straightforward and direct have long since perished on the battlefield.
A general doesn't need so many rules and regulations; what's needed is the resourcefulness and ruthlessness to achieve victory within the rules.
Yu Daliang's indomitable spirit shows that he is a pragmatist; once he is defeated, he may become a good weapon.
Thinking of this, Li Che raised his hand to stop Luo Yueniang, who was about to continue scolding him.
He looked at the group of Shu generals and said, "It's acceptable."
"Your Majesty?!" Luo Yueniang turned her head in astonishment.
Yue Yun and the others also frowned slightly, wondering if the emperor was being too lenient.
Li Che looked at Yu Daliang, who was equally astonished, and asked, "Yu Daliang, I will ask you one more time: if your Shu army loses this third battle again, do you have anything to say?"
"Think carefully before you answer. Although I am tolerant, my patience has its limits."
Yu Daliang's spirits lifted, and he immediately straightened his back: "Your Majesty! If our Shu army suffers another defeat in this real battle, I will be completely convinced and submit to Your Majesty's judgment!"
"The Shu army had not uttered a single complaint, and was willing to serve as His Majesty's vanguard, braving mountains of knives and seas of fire, none daring to disobey!"
Li Che looked at the other Shu generals and asked, "Is this what you all think too?"
The generals shouted in unison, "We would obey even if it meant facing mountains of knives and seas of fire!"
"Alright!" Li Che nodded, then turned to Qiu Bai beside him. "Qiu Bai, go and summon the Imperial Guard..."
"Your Majesty!" Yu Daliang stepped forward again, cupping his fists in greeting.
Li Che raised an eyebrow slightly: "And what about you?"
Yu Daliang blushed, but spoke with a straight face: "Your Majesty, the soldiers of your personal guard are all elites who have been tempered in a hundred battles. Although the Shu army under my command has also experienced battles, they are ultimately just ordinary soldiers. It would be unfair to compare them."
"If we want to determine the true superiority of the soldiers, Your Majesty should select them from the ordinary Qing Army troops stationed in Rongcheng. Only in this way can we ensure fairness."
These words made even some of the Shu people feel embarrassed; it was simply too shameless.
Luo Yueniang was so angry that her chest heaved, and she looked like she was about to explode again.
Li Che almost burst out laughing.
Well, Yu Daliang really took the principle of "all's fair in war" to the extreme.
However, he understood this sentiment.
Comparing his own personal guards to them was indeed a bit unfair; the skills of ordinary personal guards were not inferior to those of the Shu army generals.
"Granted." Li Che's smile faded. "Qiu Bai, go to the Rongcheng camp and select a squad of ordinary soldiers."
Qiu Bai clasped his hands in a fist and accepted the order: "This subordinate understands!"
He turned around, pointed to a few of his personal guards, and quickly left.
Li Che then looked at Yu Daliang: "General Yu, you should also select your soldiers. The competition rules will be discussed and agreed upon later."
Yu Daliang took a deep breath and clasped his hands tightly: "This subordinate obeys the order!"
. . . . . . .
In the afternoon, under the blazing sun, the soldiers selected by both sides were already lined up on the training ground.
On the Qing army's side, Qiu Bai brought back twenty men from the Rongcheng camp. They were dressed in standard leather armor, their ranks were silent, and their eyes were straight.
The Qing army has almost completely abandoned full iron armor; those things are too heavy and unsuitable for the Qing army's current tactics.
Nowadays, the Qing army wears cotton armor in the north and cloth-covered iron armor or leather armor in the south.
Such equipment is lightweight and breathable, while also providing good protection.
On the Shu army's side, Yu Daliang also personally selected twenty of the most robust and capable soldiers, each of them eager to fight, their eyes burning with determination.
Clearly, these soldiers were not convinced of the Shu army's crushing defeat in the duel.
The competition rules are very simple.
First, there is individual combat, ten against ten, one-on-one unarmed fighting, and the loser is either knocked to the ground or admits defeat.
Then, teams of ten would battle, each carrying cloth-covered wooden sticks and leather-covered rattan shields, simulating capture of the flag. The team that captured the flag of the opposing camp first would win.
The drums sounded, and the first contestant stepped onto the stage.
The soldiers of the Qing army who stepped forward were of medium height and unremarkable appearance.
On the Shu army's side was a burly man who was half a head taller, with a thick chest and arms almost as thick as the opponent's thighs.
Yu Daliang nodded to himself. This man was a wrestling expert in his personal guard, with astonishing strength.
As soon as the drumbeats stopped, the burly Shu soldier let out a low roar and pounced like a bear, spreading his arms to grab the Qing soldier's waist and attempt a takedown.
However, the Qing soldiers neither dodged nor avoided, but simply shifted their feet slightly.
The moment the opponent embraces, the shoulder suddenly sinks, and the elbow strikes like a venomous snake emerging from its hole, viciously aiming for the opponent's open ribs.
"boom!"
With a muffled thud, the burly Shu soldier's charge came to an abrupt halt. The color drained from his face instantly, and the intense pain caused his movements to become distorted.
The Qing soldiers seized the opportunity, performing a simple trip and fall, combined with a push and a pull with their hands.
The burly man, weighing nearly 200 pounds, collapsed to the ground, clutching his ribs and curling up, unable to get up for a moment.
One strike wins.
"Victory for Qing Army!"
A collective gasp of astonishment rose from the Shu army ranks, and Yu Daliang's brows furrowed.
The second couple, the third couple... the situation was much the same.
The soldiers of the Shu army relied heavily on their courage and strength, and their moves were wide and sweeping.
The Qing army soldiers' movements were simple and unpretentious, but their attacks were aimed directly at vital points, such as joints, throat, and groin.
They seemed to have no concept of probing; they attacked with the ferocity of a life-or-death struggle, even going so far as to use their forearms to block each other's punches, risking minor injuries in order to seize a fatal position for a counterattack.
Even though he held back his strength within the constraints of the rules, his ruthless fighting spirit instilled fear in the Shu soldiers.
In less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the ten individual duels ended, and the Qing army won all ten battles.
Although the Shu soldiers fought hard, they were unable to defeat the Qing soldiers.
On the training ground, the ten Qing soldiers, though wounded, still stood tall.
The ten Shu soldiers, some lying down and some sitting, had blank and unwilling expressions on their faces.
They had tried their best; all ten men had been defeated, and not one of them had given up or surrendered.
The faces of Yu Daliang and the other Shu generals had changed from initial anticipation to ashen, and then to utter dejection.
They could see clearly that the Shu army was not inferior in strength, but rather in its outdated tactics.
The opponent used killing techniques honed in the blood and fire of the battlefield; every move was instinctive.
How can they fight like this? The gap is so huge it's like a martial arts expert fighting an untrained ordinary person.
Li Che stood up and walked to the center of the arena.
He first nodded to the ten victorious Qing soldiers: "Not bad, you did not disgrace the Qing army. You are commended and can return to your unit."
Then, he turned to the Shu soldiers and raised his voice: "Although you have been defeated today, I have seen your bravery. Some of you were struck in the ribs but still managed to fight back despite the pain; some of you were choked but still refused to admit defeat easily."
"This kind of courage is something that comes from a man's bones; it cannot be lost, nor can it be faked!"
He paused, then continued, "Losing is not shameful! Train hard in the Qing Army afterward, and today's defeat will be the foundation for tomorrow's victory!"
These words were like a warm current, dispelling the gloom in the hearts of the Shu soldiers.
Li Che then announced loudly, "Issue my decree! All soldiers who participated in the competition today, regardless of victory or defeat, will be rewarded with wine and meat, and you are permitted to share it with your comrades in the Qing Army!"
"Long live your Majesty!"
It's unclear which Shu soldier shouted it out first.
Immediately, cheers, though uneven, grew louder and louder across the drill ground, with many Shu soldiers pounding their chests in excitement.
Yu Daliang watched this scene with mixed feelings, including a strange warmth.
Although it was known that the emperor's actions were intended to maintain morale, such a show of valuing the army was better than no valuing it at all.
Just before the team battle was about to begin, Yu Daliang strode up to Li Che and bowed deeply: "Your Majesty... there's no need to continue the team flag capture competition."
"Oh?" Li Che looked at him.
Yu Daliang raised his head, his face no longer showing any arrogance, only heartfelt admiration: "The outcome of the individual battles has been decided. The Shu soldiers are brave and courageous, but their strength is far inferior to that of the Qing army veterans."
"If individuals are like this, the gap in team coordination and battle formation will only be greater... Moreover, the Qing army has powerful firearms, while the Shu army is far inferior."
"This humble general is completely convinced and has no other thoughts!"
He turned to look at the group of Shu army generals, then waved his hand forcefully, and knelt down on one knee, clasping his hands above his head:
"From this day forward, there will be no more Shu troops in Shu! I, Yu Daliang, and all the former Shu soldiers are now His Majesty's soldiers, the soldiers of Daqing!"
"We will obey Your Majesty's command, even if it means facing mountains of knives and seas of fire!"
"We are willing to die for His Majesty! We are willing to die for Daqing!" Xiong Tai and the others followed closely behind, kneeling down with a thud, their roars shaking the heavens.