Chapter 006: The Cavalry Officer
"Lieutenant Liu Tiezhu pays his respects to you, sir!" Liu Tiezhu straightened his back and said loudly
I know this is our young squad leader, Roland. On the day we ambushed the Goguryeo cavalry at the Liao River, this brave young man fought alongside me. I never expected that today you would have such a fate, being able to fight side by side once again. As far as I know, Lord Roland is the grandson of the esteemed Marquis of the court. I did not expect that not only did he enlist this time, but he also performed so outstandingly, truly making people see him in a new light
Chen Kefu nodded and walked over to an old man whom he had just assumed to be over seventy years old. With his grizzled hair and beard, if it weren't for the robust physique standing there, Chen Kefu would have truly thought this was a practitioner from some famous mountain.
Throughout the journey, Old Master Li introduced everyone in front, while Chen Kefu greeted each person warmly and offered timely and appropriate comments and praises based on their respective backgrounds. This understanding and appreciation of the officers significantly diminished any lingering discontent they had. Everyone began to form a favorable impression of this excessively handsome commander.
Rowling suddenly shouted loudly: "My father is definitely still alive; he has just been captured by the Goguryeo people. This time, I must rescue him, and I will definitely bring him home."
This is ... ...
Chen Kefu did not expect that this sixteen-year-old, who should still be considered a child, would be so devoted to filial piety, which moved him somewhat. "Lord Luolin is so devoted to filial piety towards his books; I believe your father would be greatly comforted upon knowing this. If Lord Luo were still alive, I would certainly help you rescue General Luo. Remember, you are not alone; you still have us, your three thousand brothers"
Exterminate the Goguryeo people, kill! Kill! Kill! Kill!
Old Master Li spoke in a somewhat somber tone: "General Luo is also my superior. During the last campaign against Goguryeo, we fell into an ambush and ultimately found ourselves trapped in the enemy's lines. We do not know his fate, but having been in enemy hands for so long, he is likely to have met with misfortune."
Exterminate the Goguryeo people, kill! Kill! Kill!
A bowl of wine was presented to Hu Haiduan, held aloft with both hands in front of the man in his forties. After he accepted it, Chen Kefu took another bowl and said, "To a true man, a true hero! It is my honor, Chen Pojun, to share the same robes with a warrior like you. Cheers!"
Li Benlei looked at Roland with a grandfatherly gaze filled with affection and explained with a smile: "Lord Roland is only sixteen years old this year, and according to the law, he cannot enlist. However, Lord Roland secretly took his grandfather's armor from home after hearing about the court's recruitment of Goguryeo, and rode here on the warhorse his grandfather used when he led the army. When His Majesty learned of this, he originally intended to send someone to return him to the capital. However, this child was determined not to go back, stating that he wanted to come to Liaodong to find his father, General Luo Feng, the Protector General. In the end, His Majesty had no choice but to agree, so although he is underage, he is an exception.
This is the elder from my left, Liu Tiezhu, the cavalry commander of the Yuqi.
Long live the Sui Dynasty, long live His Majesty the Emperor
The cavalry officer Hu Hai stood in the large tent, at the forefront of Chen Kefu's command. He was not very tall, but stood upright, with a face that was dark and weathered. A fierce scar ran from his forehead down the bridge of his nose, adding an extra air of menace to his presence. His sharp gaze made it clear to anyone nearby that he was a seasoned warrior who had emerged from countless battles.
Long live the Great Sui, long live His Majesty the Emperor
Li Benlei, you have been by the side of the late emperor since the Northern Zhou period. Your presence was noted during the battles against the rebel forces led by Yuwen Tang, and you achieved numerous military successes during the campaign against the Turks. You were among the first troops to enter Jiankang during the pacification of Chen. You have also made two expeditions to Liaodong to conquer Goguryeo, originally holding the title of Tiger Ben General. However, due to the failures of these two campaigns, particularly the last one where an army of three hundred thousand crossed the river, only two thousand remained. Therefore, despite your valiant efforts, you were penalized by the Ministry of War and your rank was reduced to Cavalry Officer. I have heard that you were not originally on the list for this expedition, yet you insisted on coming anyway
Old General, please introduce these fine sons of the Han family to me
The old gentleman did not hesitate and strode confidently to the next young man, "This is also my newly appointed cavalry lieutenant of the Left Wing Guard, Zhang He. Lord Zhang He is even a year younger than Lord Po Jun, making him the youngest lieutenant among my three thousand sons."
Chen Kefu raised his right fist and struck it heavily against his left temple, saying earnestly: "Scars are the most valiant testament of a soldier, Master Hu, you are a true man. I, Chen Kefu, admire men like you. Come, bring wine, I want to personally toast Master Hu with a bowl of wine"
In the future, should the adults issue an order, I, though I may die, will not refuse!" Hu Hai said loudly with a cupped fist.
While Yang Guang was in his tent discussing siege strategies with various generals and ministers, he paused for a moment. After listening attentively, he discovered that the sound was coming from the newly established Pojun Camp, and a smile involuntarily appeared on his face. Within just one day of mobilizing the troops, Chen Pojun was able to create such momentum; it seems he truly did not misjudge the man.
Hu Hai was once struck in the face by a Turkic warrior's blade on the battlefield against the Turks. However, he was fortunate to survive that encounter, leaving him with a ghastly scar. In the past, this scar was his Achilles' heel; anyone who dared to glance at it would provoke his immediate wrath, leading to numerous brawls with comrades in other garrisons. Yet today, although Chen Kefu immediately brought up his scar, Hu Hai felt as if his heart was constricted, and for the first time, this iron-willed man experienced the urge to shed tears. He tilted his head back and drank down the few drops of tears mixed with wine.
Regarding the resumes of the officers before him, Chen Kefu has already obtained a complete copy from Yu Wenshu and has generally formed a rough understanding in his mind
Chen Kefu exclaimed loudly: "Old Master Li, your family has been heroic and scholarly for generations, with three generations and five sons all being valiant men in the military. Yet, they have all remained in this Liaodong region. This is not only your family's grievance, but also the grievance of my three thousand soldiers. Since we are fortunate to be together this time, let us avenge the fallen heroes of the Great Sui. Come, bring the wine; I wish to toast this venerable elder who has devoted his family to loyalty and valor for the nation."
Without a word, the old man drank the bowl of wine in one gulp, patted Chen Kefu on the shoulder, and said: "Indeed, you are a fine son of the Great Sui. Young man, I will entrust the few remaining days of my life to you. Command me as you wish, and I will certainly obey, only hoping to slay a few more of those wild men from Goguryeo in this lifetime"
"Come here, grant the Pojun Camp three hundred jars of fine wine and one hundred head of cattle and sheep, so that they may train diligently, and in the future, pave the way for me to conquer Goguryeo!"
The materials that Chen Kefu reviewed yesterday did not mention anything about his father, so he hurriedly asked, "What happened to General Luo?"
"Adult, do not look down on others. Although I know I cannot compare to you, I did not spare the dogs of Goguryeo that day." Luo Lin appeared quite young, not at all resembling someone in their twenties.
Zhang He raised his hand to his chest and said loudly: "Yue Qijun's Zhang He, at your service, Lord Eagle-Soaring General."
Chen Kefu smiled as he patted his shoulder, "Zhang He, originally a traveling commander, during the battle across the Liao River a few days ago, led his knights valiantly into battle, personally beheading five enemies. He is indeed a rare warrior among the younger generation in our army. I, Chen Po Jun, need such brave and capable young men like you in my ranks. You and your subordinates are the pride of our three thousand sons!"
The old man, with his fierce tiger-like eyes, shed a few tears and stood upright facing Chen Kefu, saying: "My lord, the Goguryeo people have killed tens of thousands of my comrades. I must personally avenge this grudge. In my lifetime, I have already killed enough people, but exterminating the Goguryeo will not alleviate the hatred in my heart. I seek nothing more in this life, only to die a warrior's death in the vast expanse of Liaodong!"
A bowl of wine was downed in one gulp, and as the wine entered his throat, Chen Kefu nearly vomited. Such wine actually claims to be strong liquor; one wonders if it even reaches 20 degrees. It is probably only slightly more alcoholic than beer, yet its taste is far inferior.
Long ago, a newly assigned personal guard brought a jar of fine wine to Chen Kefu. Although drinking alcohol was prohibited in the military, there were many occasions when it was a necessity. Especially in the bitterly cold land of Liaodong, wine was indispensable for warming oneself, cleaning wounds, and for the morale-boosting rituals before going into battle
In a corner of the Sui army camp beneath Liaodong City, a resounding and majestic voice suddenly erupted, its sound akin to thunder, its momentum soaring to the heavens. Upon hearing such a shout-like roar, many soldiers of the Goguryeo garrison in Liaodong City could not help but feel their hearts tremble slightly at the murderous tone of the voice
Chen Kefu smiled and said to the military advisor Wang Lin beside him: "Lord Wang, I recall that according to the laws of the Great Sui, we only conscript males who are at least twenty-one years old. Are you certain that Lord Luo Lin before us has reached the age of twenty-one?"
Lord Liu Tiezhu has led troops for many years and is renowned for his composure in the military. I hope you will provide me with much guidance in troop leadership in the future