The Child Emperor

Chapter 164: Execution

Deputy General Luo was already numb with drunkenness, his mind blank, yet he couldn’t bear to part with the wine and meat before him, let alone release the two women in his arms. He knew that if he let go, the ravenous officers around him would snatch them away.

He was a tight-fisted man, his fingers never let go when they could hold on. He held his cup tightly, grabbed money tightly, and embraced women tightly, preferring to let things rot in his hands rather than share them. The table full of wine and meat was a tribute from his subordinate officers.

“Out of the hundreds of thousands of Chu soldiers, only… only we… have made great achievements. General Feng eats meat, we… enjoy the gravy. We must… drink enough. Come on!”

Two cups of wine were brought to his mouth. Luo took a sip from one bowl, grinning widely as he held the women tighter. They had to smile while keeping their cups balanced.

More than a dozen officers were already drunk. Once again, they lost to Deputy General Luo, unable to get him completely drunk.

It was at this moment that Han Ruzi arrived with his men. Seeing the chaotic scene, he was even more determined to seize control of the military.

The room was lit by more than a dozen candles, so it was as bright as daylight. Luo squinted for a while before recognizing the Northern Protection General. He immediately pushed the women under the table, making them put down their cups. Remembering that he was in charge of the army by order, he slightly loosened his grip and grinned foolishly at the doorway.

“Northern Protection General, you’re late… late. Go find women elsewhere… How old are you even?”

“Hand over the general’s command token,” Han Ruzi ordered.

“On what grounds?” Luo, emboldened by wine, was not afraid of the deposed emperor and didn’t even bother to stand up.

Du Chuanyun, with two guards, bypassed the drunken officers and approached Luo. The guards reached for the two women, but Luo, enraged, tightened his grip, shouting, “Mine! They’re all mine!”

Du Chuanyun struck Luo at the back of the neck. Luo’s arms went numb, failing to keep hold of the women. Infuriated, he stood up, only to feel dizzy and collapse. Even if he wished to hold on, he could only let go, yawning and closing his eyes, mumbling, “Mine… no one can…”

Du Chuanyun rummaged through Luo’s arms, pulled out a small package, and opened it to show Han Ruzi.

It was indeed the general’s command token entrusted to Luo by Feng Shili.

Han Ruzi, already familiar with military affairs, took the command token and ordered, “Both deputy generals are to be imprisoned for dereliction of duty. Summon all officers and clerks above the seventh rank to the general’s residence within half an hour. Any latecomers will be dealt with by military law.”

Seizing the token was easy, which boosted everyone’s confidence. They immediately followed orders, but Han Ruzi and Chai Yue understood that seizing the token was just the beginning. Making everyone acknowledge the seizure was the real challenge.

The soldiers of the personal army were also indulging in revelry. Only a few, who had to guard the general’s residence, were not part of the celebration. Han Ruzi gathered about seventy to eighty of them, ordering them to stand on either side with weapons.

Deputy General Luo, hands bound, sat leaning against a pillar, still dreaming.

More than half of the officers and clerks had been drinking with Luo and were dragged to the general’s residence, still asleep on the ground. A few, slightly sober, pretended to sleep, not daring to open their eyes.

Chai Yue and others brought the remaining officers. The second deputy general, Sun, had also drunk heavily but was more sober, having slept early. Du Chuanyun and Cui Teng forcibly brought him.

Deputy General Sun, unwilling to kneel, stood in the hall, shouting, “Northern Protection General, killing meritorious officers, are you rebelling?”

Han Ruzi took out the general’s token and placed it on the table, ordering, “Water.”

The soldiers had prepared cold water, and they poured it over the sleeping officers. Although it was late autumn and not cold enough that iron would snap, the cold water was a rude awakening. Those pretending to be asleep were the first to get up, followed by others, jumping up, bewildered and shouting.

Luo also woke up, forgetting what had happened. Seeing the women gone and his hands bound, he yelled, “Who is it? Who’s playing tricks on me? Do you want to die?”

Seeing his unharmed colleagues, Sun felt slightly relieved. Looking at the general’s token on the table, he uneasily asked, “What’s going on?”

“The Xiongnu army is approaching Shattered Iron City. General Feng Shili is likely dead,” Han Ruzi announced.

The officers were shocked. Luo finally stood up, struggling with his bound hands, “The Xiongnu were defeated. Where’s this army? Give me the token!”

“With the enemy at our gates, neither deputy general is fit to hold the seal. From now on, the Chu army in Shattered Iron City will follow my orders.”

“Haha, a mere boy, dreaming of commanding us? General Feng entrusted the army to us two…”

“Drinking and reveling, harboring women, this is your way of leading the army?” Han Ruzi slammed the table, grabbing the seal. “Deputy General Luo, you’re unfit and corrupt. You should be executed.”

“Who dares kill me? I’m appointed by the court. My uncle is…”

Cai Xinghai stepped forward, drawing his sword, “I’m the Northern Army inspector, here to execute those who fail in their duties!”

Though the inspector had no real power, Cai Xinghai, now a cavalry captain under Han Ruzi, outranked Deputy General Luo. Luo, glaring, refused to submit, “No one but General Feng can…”

Cai Xinghai, a tall and strong man, struck hard, decapitating Luo with one blow.

Sheathing his sword, Cai Xinghai bowed to Han Ruzi, “Military law has been enforced. General, please inspect.”

The officers knelt in shock. Deputy Sun, wide-eyed in disbelief, was nudged from behind, causing him to kneel as well.

“The Xiongnu army approaches. The lives of thirty thousand soldiers in Shattered Iron City are in our hands. Choose a worthy general here, and I’ll hand over the token.”

Seeing Luo’s head on the ground, no one dared to object. Deputy Sun was the first to agree, followed by others, acknowledging that Han Ruzi, as Northern Protection General, was the most suitable to hold the token.

As dawn broke, Han Ruzi began issuing orders. First, he sent scouts to monitor the Xiongnu army, then he closed the city gates and organized the troops. He sent a messenger to Divine Hero Pass for reinforcements.

Han Ruzi couldn’t leave immediately. The situation was precarious after killing the deputy and seizing the token. He had to stay to stabilize the troops.

The soldiers, who had just celebrated a victory, found it hard to believe another Xiongnu army was nearby. They dared not speak out, fearing military law and the special status of the Northern Protection General, not knowing what court intrigue lay behind this.

Han Ruzi spent the day inspecting the city, starting with his personal troops. Chao Hua, ashamed after waking, regretted being drunk when the general needed loyal men. But it wasn’t entirely his fault, as he had sought permission to drink.

Han Ruzi, with Chai Yue and Cai Xinghai, visited every camp, ensuring the soldiers saw him.

The last to be inspected was the noble camp, whose personnel were probably the least loyal but they kept their thoughts well hidden. Han Ruzi didn’t expect all 400 noble soldiers to support him, as long as they didn’t cause trouble.

Shortly after noon, the first scouts returned with confirmed news of a large Xiongnu army approaching Shattered Iron City, expected to arrive by nightfall.

The news spread, boosting Han Ruzi’s credibility and prestige.

Seizing the moment, Han Ruzi ordered Chai Yue to arrange defenses and Cai Xinghai to enforce military law. Chai Yue’s first command was to send men to guard the beacon tower on the eastern hill, ready to block Riverwatch City with stones. Scouts came and went, bringing increasingly alarming news. Half an hour before sunset, there was no need to send more scouts. The Xiongnu army appeared across the river.

The vanguard, about four to five thousand, scouted the area, followed by more cavalry setting up camp without crossing the river.

As more Xiongnu arrived, Chai Yue ordered the beacon tower guards to roll stones down and block Riverwatch City by nightfall.

No one doubted the Xiongnu army’s existence. Even without clear sight at night, the estimated enemy count was at least fifty thousand, far more than Shattered Iron City’s twenty-five thousand Chu soldiers.

The atmosphere in the army turned from skepticism to fear. The pressing question was why they weren’t retreating to Divine Hero Pass—why not flee?

Chai Yue explained that, according to military law, cowardice and abandoning the city were capital offenses. Soldiers would lose their pay or even face penal servitude.

“Though the Xiongnu are many, thirty thousand Chu soldiers can hold out. The Northern Protection General will seek reinforcements from Divine Hero Pass. The Chu army within the pass numbers over two hundred thousand and will quickly come to fight the Xiongnu.” Chai Yue had to blend truth and deception. Though the Chu army was numerous, they were scattered suppressing rebellions and couldn’t be quickly mobilized.

But as a Chu general, Chai Yue understood that Shattered Iron City must be held. Only here could the Chu army advance or retreat freely. If they retreated to Divine Hero Pass, they’d lose the advantage of this staging point, and would have to make a long detour to the north to attack the Xiongnu.

Han Ruzi planned to leave at night but stayed longer to stabilize morale. He couldn’t take many people, especially not Prince Donghai.

“Cui Teng will deliver a message to the Southern Army. If we both head to Divine Hero Pass, it will look like the ‘family’ is fleeing. One of us must stay. You choose,” Han Ruzi said.

Prince Donghai, his eyes darting, replied, “I’ll stay, but you must bring reinforcements.” He preferred to stay, where the Chu army was under Han Ruzi and Chai Yue’s control, rather than face the uncertainty of trying to capture Divine Hero Pass. “We each have our strengths. You seize authority; I’ll defend the city”

At midnight, Meng E arrived as promised. Han Ruzi, taking only twenty men, set out for Divine Hero Pass. By dawn, clouds covered the sky, and snow began to fall near noon, heralding winter.

Winter, usually a barrier to the Xiongnu, now worked against the Chu army. Once the river froze solid, the Xiongnu army could advance directly to Shattered Iron City.

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