Eastern Han Dynasty, not the Three Kingdoms

Chapter 1182 Military law is strict and impartial.

As the moon rose high in the sky, the familiar cavalry finally arrived at the city gate of Hulao Pass. Unlike their triumphant pursuit, the returning Xiliang soldiers were covered in a layer of frost, and even the sound of their hooves was muffled, as if they had been steeped in the darkness of night.

On the rampart, Gao Shun, clad in black armor, stood at the top of the battlement, the moonlight casting a cold, hard shadow on his sharply defined face. Seeing the moving black figures in the distance, his personal guard Liao Yuanxian called out, his voice filled with barely suppressed urgency: "General Wen Yuan! Is that you? You've finally returned!"

Liao Yuan rubbed his hands and paced back and forth, then turned to Gao Shun: "General, I told you General Wen Yuan would be fine! The master also said that with two thousand iron cavalry at our disposal, even if Lü Bu had three heads and six arms..."

Gao Shun didn't reply, but just watched the approaching troops until he saw the "Zhang" flag at the front. Then he nodded slightly, turned around and shouted down to the city walls, "Wen Yuan, it's good that you're back." His voice wasn't loud, but it pierced through the night wind and the sound of horses' hooves, landing steadily in Zhang Liao's ears.

Zhang Liao reined in his horse, looked up at the familiar figure on the city wall, and suddenly felt a tightness in his throat. He raised his hand to signal the troops to stop, cupped his hands in a gesture of respect towards the city wall, but said nothing.

Liao Yuan, unable to contain himself any longer, slid down the city ladder using a rope and went to operate the gate's gate mechanism. "Creak—" The heavy gate slowly opened, revealing the warm lights within. He ran out and saw Zhang Liao sitting motionless on his horse, his armor still stained with undried blood. He quickly went to help him: "General, please go inside and rest. The magistrate has prepared hot soup!"

Zhang Liao looked down at him, then glanced back at the silent iron cavalry behind him. Suddenly, he dismounted and walked side by side with Gao Shun, leading their horses toward the pass. "Where is the King?" he asked.

"They're waiting inside," Liao Yuan said, following them. "The master said you'd definitely be back tonight, so he had the kitchen prepare mutton soup to ward off the cold..."

As Zhang Liao passed through the shadows of the city gate, his steps abruptly halted, the soles of his boots scraping against the bluestone slabs with a harsh sound. He gazed at Gao Shun's tall, upright back ahead, his Adam's apple bobbing twice before he finally spoke, his voice tinged with barely perceptible hoarseness: "Ah Shun, wait."

Gao Shun turned around, and the moonlight fell directly on his face. "What's wrong?" He saw Zhang Liao's solemn expression and slightly furrowed brows. "Didn't catch up with Lü Bu? It's alright, that fellow has Red Hare, he's hard to catch anyway."

Zhang Liao lowered his eyes. "It's not that we didn't catch up." He took a deep breath, his voice as low as smoke blown away by the wind. "I surrounded him. Two thousand iron cavalry surrounded him. There was no way he could escape."

Gao Shun's eyebrows shot up suddenly, a look of surprise flashed in his eyes, his lips moved but he didn't speak immediately.

“I let him go.” Zhang Liao looked up, meeting Gao Shun’s gaze, his eyes swirling with complex emotions. “He…”

The air froze instantly. Gao Shun stared at him. Zhang Liao's heart sank. He knew Gao Shun hated favoritism and corruption above all else, especially since Lü Bu had tried to kill him back then. Gao Shun harbored no affection for Lü Bu, only hatred. Gao Shun's puzzled look made his words catch in his throat, unable to be uttered.

“You…” Gao Shun suddenly sighed, raised his hand and patted Zhang Liao’s shoulder, the warmth of his palm seeping through the fabric. “Forget it. Let it go, it’s no big deal.”

He turned and continued walking forward, his voice echoing in the night wind: "If the king blames us, we brothers will bear the consequences together."

Zhang Liao watched Gao Shun's retreating figure, his throat tightening. He quickly followed and whispered, "Thanks, Shun."

Gao Shun didn't turn his head, but simply waved for him to follow.

The candles in the tent burned brightly, casting a red glow throughout. Steam rose from the mutton on the table, and the rich aroma of the mutton soup mingled with the spiciness of the strong liquor. The soldiers in the tent were all slightly tipsy, their faces flushed with excitement—today they had decisively defeated Lü Bu, lifted the siege of Hulao Pass, and the Xiliang cavalry had forcefully suppressed the Bingzhou wolf cavalry's might. How could they not be overjoyed?

"That was exhilarating!" Zhang Xiu raised his wine cup and took a big gulp, shouting, "Think of how arrogant Lü Bu used to be, but today he was knocked off his purple-gold crown by the King! After this battle, the reputation of our Xiliang Iron Cavalry will probably spread throughout the world!"

Everyone chimed in with agreement, and just as the commotion was starting, the tent flap was lifted, and Gao Shun entered first, followed by Zhang Liao. The noise inside the tent immediately subsided, and everyone's eyes fell on the two men—especially Zhang Liao, whose face carried a somber expression, completely out of place with the jubilation inside.

Ma Chao was holding a wine cup when he saw the two enter. He immediately put down the cup and stood up, a smile on his face: "Wen Yuan, you're finally back! Ah Shun was just on the city wall, saying that if you didn't return, he would personally lead troops to look for you."

Jia Xu stroked his beard and smiled, "General Gao Shun is always meticulous. Even though we have won a great victory today, he is still worried that General Wen Yuan is still outside the city. He insists on waiting on the city tower until he sees him before he will come down. Come on, both generals, please take your seats. This mutton soup has just been warmed up, it's just right to warm yourselves up."

Cui Yan stood up and reached out to pull Zhang Liao: "Wen Yuan, come and sit down! I specially asked the cook to stew it for an extra half hour, so the lamb marrow is completely melted, it's the most nourishing thing. How is it? Have you cleaned up all of Lü Bu's remnants?"

Zhang Liao nodded but didn't move. Zhang Xiu had already pulled him by the arm and was dragging him to his seat, muttering, "It doesn't matter that Lü Bu escaped. Anyway, his Bingzhou Wolf Cavalry has been almost completely wiped out, and he won't be able to cause any more trouble in the future. But that old fox Chen Gong, with his many tricks, has he been captured?"

Jia Xu also looked at Zhang Liao, his eyes filled with anticipation: "Chen Gong is just a scholar. Even if he has horses, he might not be able to outrun our iron cavalry. I suppose we have captured him? This man is resourceful. If we can subdue him, he will be of great help."

Zhang Liao's Adam's apple bobbed, a flash of shame crossed his face, and he abruptly broke free from Zhang Xiu's grasp, striding to the center of the tent. He looked at Ma Chao, knelt on one knee, and his voice rang out clearly in the silent tent: "This humble general Zhang Liao has disregarded military law and released Lü Bu and Chen Gong without permission. I beg Your Majesty to punish me!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Gao Shun also knelt down, his back ramrod straight: "This humble general, Gao Shun, is willing to share the same punishment as Wen Yuan."

The tent fell silent instantly; everyone was stunned. Zhang Xiu's hand, holding a wine cup, froze in mid-air, and Jia Xu's smile vanished, his brows furrowing slightly.

The smile on Ma Chao's face gradually faded. He looked at the two men kneeling on the ground, especially Zhang Liao—this fierce general who had followed him for many years and was always strict in military discipline. How could he have done something like releasing an enemy leader? He was silent for a moment before slowly speaking, his voice calm but carrying an undeniable authority: "Wen Yuan, do you know what the military law says about releasing an enemy leader?"

Zhang Liao pressed his forehead against the cold ground, his voice resolute and unwavering: "Military law is as imposing as a mountain, as this humble general naturally knows. But though Lü Bu is brave, he is already at his wit's end; though Chen Gong is wise, he lacks a solid foundation. This humble general sees a glimmer of chivalry in their eyes, and cannot bear to see them die in the chaos of battle..."

"You!" Ma Chao slammed his hand on the table, making the wine cup jump. "Wen Yuan, do you know that your 'reluctance' might cause our army's months of hard-fought battle to be in vain? Lü Bu is brave and Chen Gong is resourceful. Moreover, Emperor Liu Xie is in his hands, and he will surely become a great threat to our Western Liang!"

The tent was completely silent; even the candlelight seemed too startled by the anger to flicker.

Gao Shun stepped forward and knelt down as well, saying in a deep voice, "Your Majesty, please calm your anger. Although Wen Yuan's actions were inappropriate, they were out of loyalty. Gao Shun is willing to share the blame with Wen Yuan."

Ma Chao didn't utter a word, but tapped his finger heavily on the table, and the wine cup shattered with a crack.

Jia Xu, standing to the side, slowly waved his feather fan and spoke with a half-smile: "General Gao Shun's words have left me confused." He glanced at the two men. "Military law is a powerful tool of the state. How can the word 'righteousness' be taken lightly? Today you release Lü Bu because of righteousness, but tomorrow you might let Yuan Shao go because of personal feelings. If this continues, where will military law be? How will the morale of the army be secure?"

He paused, then his tone sharpened further: "Besides, Lü Bu is fickle. When did he ever show any 'loyalty' when he killed Ding Yuan and rebelled against Dong Zhuo? Who knows if General Wen Yuan's 'loyalty' today won't become a sharp blade aimed at our army tomorrow? General Gao Shun is willing to share the blame. Is he trying to make Your Majesty prioritize personal matters over public duty, or does he think that the military law of Xiliang is insufficient to punish the two of you?"

These words left Zhang Liao and Gao Shun speechless. Zhang Liao's face flushed red, but he knew that what Jia Xu said was true, so he could only grit his teeth and say, "Zhang Liao released the enemy leader privately, which is punishable by death according to the law. It has nothing to do with Gao Shun! He was just... just confused for a moment. I hope Your Majesty will not blame Gao Shun for his offense."

"What are you saying, Wen Yuan!" Gao Shun suddenly looked up, veins bulging on his forehead. "We have been comrades for many years, through thick and thin. If Your Majesty truly wishes to vent your anger, Gao Shun is willing to die with Wen Yuan, so that we can keep each other company on the road to the Yellow Springs!"

"Insolence!" Ma Chao finally spoke, his voice as cold as ice. "I haven't even said who I'm going to punish, and you've already preemptively condemned me?"

Ma Chao's gaze swept over Zhang Liao and Gao Shun, who were kneeling on the ground, and his voice was deep: "Zhang Liao and Gao Shun, you two have followed me in battles across the north and south. You are both pillars of my Xiliang army. Your hard work and great achievements are remembered by me."

He paused for a moment: “Logically, considering this favor, I should let this matter rest and pretend it never happened. But military law is as firm as a mountain. If I release you two today, there will be a third and a fourth to follow suit tomorrow. If this continues, where will the discipline of the Xiliang army be? Where will the morale of the army be?”

Zhang Liao pressed his forehead to the ground, his voice hoarse: "This humble general knows his crime and will accept whatever punishment Your Majesty deems appropriate, without uttering a single complaint."

“Alright.” Ma Chao nodded, pointing his whip outside the tent. “Zhang Liao has privately released the enemy leader, disturbing the morale of the army. He shall be given eighty strokes of the cane as a warning to others.”

Eighty strokes of the military rod are enough to tear a person's skin and flesh. Zhang Liao trembled, but still straightened his spine: "This subordinate obeys the order."

"Your Majesty!" Gao Shun kowtowed sharply, his forehead hitting the ground with a dull thud. "Zhang Liao may have made a mistake, but he acted out of consideration for our past relationship with Lü Bu and was momentarily confused! This humble general is willing to take forty lashes for Zhang Liao!"

Ma Chao laughed and said, "Alright, as you wish!"

Zhang Liao wanted to argue, but Gao Shun secretly pulled him back. Gao Shun shook his head at him and whispered, "Don't say anything more that might displease the King. Accept your punishment."

The sound of military sticks being prepared came from outside the tent. Zhang Liao looked at Gao Shun, his eyes filled with guilt. Gao Shun grinned at him, revealing a hint of reckless bravery: "Forty strokes are all you need."

The two had just removed their armor, revealing plain undergarments, and were about to leave when Ma Chao called out to them.

"Wait a minute." Ma Chao pointed to the armor of two men hanging on the rack next to him and said to his personal guards, "Take these armors down and give them a good 'beating' for me."

The guard hesitated for a moment, but still did as he was told, carrying the armor frame outside. Soon, a series of cracking sounds came from outside the tent, the armor plates clashing together with a crisp sound, just like torture.