Duke Qing’s faction has already produced a formidable Qing Huai. If another marquis were to emerge, how could we handle it?
Tong Guan, without waiting for the emperor’s response, stepped forward to refute Duke Qing: “Your Majesty, I believe it is premature to discuss rewards when the war is not yet over and the Dangxiang people have not retreated.”
“Meritorious service deserves generous rewards. Otherwise, wouldn’t it chill the hearts of our soldiers?” Duke Qing said. “Rewarding them now will make the Iron Forest Army grateful for imperial favour, spurring them to fight bravely and repel the enemy.”
“One battle does not determine the final outcome. As the saying goes, an overconfident army is bound to fail. If we reward them now and the Iron Forest Army loses, how will Your Majesty deal with the aftermath?” Tong Guan stood his ground.
“You old thief, are you cursing our Great Kang soldiers?” Duke Qing glared angrily. “Your Majesty, Tong Guan’s intentions are dubious, sowing discord in the court. I request Your Majesty to order his execution!”
“Enough, stop arguing,” Chen Ji intervened, looking at Left Minister Li Gang. “Minister Li, what is your view?”
“Your Majesty, I believe the Iron Forest Army’s great achievement warrants a generous reward,” Li Gang replied calmly.
Duke Qing’s face lit up with a smile, while Tong Guan frowned slightly.
However, Li Gang continued, “But Duke Chu also makes a valid point. The battle is not yet concluded, so it is unwise to reward prematurely. I suggest Your Majesty order the Ministry of War to record this battle’s merits and reward them collectively after the war.”
“Li Gang speaks wisely. Let it be done as Minister Li suggests,” Chen Ji said, nodding slightly after a moment’s thought.
In his mind, an emperor’s most critical task was to maintain balance among his vassals. Both Duke Qing and Duke Chu were powerful ministers with real authority, and they must not be allowed to unite. Chen Ji had no intention of rewarding the Iron Forest Army now; his earlier words were merely to stir tension between Duke Qing and Duke Chu. The effect, it seemed, was quite satisfactory.
As the court session ended, the ministers left the palace in small groups, discussing the Iron Forest Army and Jin Feng most of all. Unbeknownst to them, Jin Feng and the Iron Forest Army were facing a difficult decision.
The Dangxiang people were driving Han slaves toward Clearwater Valley, still several miles away, when scouts brought the news back to the Iron Forest Army’s camp.
“Mr. Jin, the Dangxiang are using the Han slaves to pressure us,” Zhao Lao said, immediately grasping their intent. “What do you plan to do?”
“What’s there to plan? Of course, we kill them!” Zhong Wu said. “There must be Dangxiang spies among these Han slaves. If we don’t kill them, what happens when spies infiltrate?”
“You speak so lightly. The scouts said there are at least a thousand Han slaves. How many spies could there be? Most are our own people, our kin!” Zhao Lao glared at Zhong Wu. “Do you know the crime of slaughtering over a thousand of our own?”
“Damn those despicable Dangxiang!” Zhong Wu stomped in frustration, falling silent.
“Sir, the enemy is only a few miles away,” Zhao Lao said to Jin Feng. “Hesitation breeds chaos. Whether to kill or not, you must decide quickly.”
Indeed, a decision was needed. But to kill or not to kill? Jin Feng was torn.
Facing Dangxiang cavalry head-on, Jin Feng would not hesitate to strike. He knew well that in a life-or-death war, those who invade the Central Plains with curved blades must be prepared to die by the hands of its people. But to kill unarmed Han slaves? Jin Feng could not bring himself to do it. Yet, to let them in?
“Sir, allow this old man to overstep once,” Zhao Lao said slowly, each word deliberate. “I suggest, my lord, to kill.”
“Hm?” Jin Feng looked deeply at Zhao Lao, instantly understanding the old man’s intent. He shook his head with a smile. “Even if we kill, it will be my decision. I won’t let you take the blame for me!”
“Sir, I am old and care for little. But you are young, skilled in military strategy, a thousand times more useful than this old man, destined for greatness. You must remain untarnished,” Zhao Lao said.
“Thank you, Zhao Lao, but it hasn’t come to that,” Jin Feng replied, turning. “Xu Xiao, order the formation to prepare to receive captives.”
“Yes, sir!” Xu Xiao left immediately.
“Zhong Wu, inform Zhang Qiwei to bring his men to receive the Han slaves. Tell him to bring plenty of men and to scrutinise each one carefully. If any spies are found, kill them on the spot!” Jin Feng continued.
“Yes!” Zhong Wu dashed out of the tent.
“Why didn’t I think of receiving them as captives?” Zhao Lao laughed, clapping his hands. Despite his earlier words of indifference, he cared deeply about his reputation. Bearing the name of a butcher would be worse than death. His earlier suggestion was only to protect Jin Feng’s future.
“Zhao Lao, let’s go see what other tricks the Dangxiang have,” Jin Feng said with a smile, leading Zhao Lao to a high vantage point.
Xu Xiao had already positioned several formations across the valley, ready for action. On the southern side, Zhang Qiwei arrived with two thousand Dening troops and ropes, prepared to receive the slaves.
Half an hour later, the Dangxiang appeared at the northern end of the valley, herding the Han slaves. As a transmigrator, Jin Feng was unaccustomed to killing. His previous slaughter of Dangxiang cavalry was driven by necessity, not desire. But now, seeing the state of the Han slaves, anger and murderous intent surged within him.
The slaves were in a pitiful state, men, women, young, and old, all naked and emaciated, moving like walking corpses, their eyes dull and lifeless. Jin Feng saw an old man stumble and fall. A Dangxiang cavalryman rode up and whipped him harshly. Even from a distance, Jin Feng could see the bloody gash on the old man’s back. Too weak and hungry, the old man struggled but could not rise. The cavalryman grinned cruelly, raised his horse’s front legs, and stomped on the old man’s head.
With a sickening thud, the old man’s head burst like a melon.
The surrounding Dangxiang cavalry laughed excitedly. Two, caught in the thrill, charged into the slave group, swinging their blades wildly. In moments, over a dozen Han slaves lay dead, including two children, barely eleven or twelve. A young Han woman, clutching a toddler, tried to flee, but a Dangxiang rider speared her and the child, lifting them high to show off his strength. Other cavalrymen clapped and cheered, as if they hadn’t killed people but slaughtered sheep at a bonfire feast.
Jin Feng’s eyes reddened with rage, and he slammed his fist on the railing. “They’re not human, they’re beasts!”
“I’ll make them pay, every last one!”
