Chapter 5: Like-minded Individuals

Fu Ge's face displayed approval and admiration, along with a hint of fear. Although he had undergone the brutal training of new recruits, Fu Ge's experience was still evidently lacking. Had it not been for encountering Si Ma Liang, the three hundred of them would likely have already become corpses.

In the brief life of Fu Ge, it seems he has never accomplished anything that could truly move them. Perhaps the only impression he left on them was those few passionate words just now! If this is the reason for their tears, then the will of the Qin soldiers is rather too fragile. A true soldier of the Qin should be iron-blooded and ruthless, should be fierce and cold, rather than like this

At that moment, a man resembling an officer stepped forward and said in a deep voice: "Bold rascals, how dare you conspire to rebel! Which one of you is the leader? If you have the guts, step forward quickly to avoid implicating others."

Sima Liang smiled faintly, suddenly drawing the sword from his waist and handing it to Fu Ge, he gazed at Fu Ge and said loudly: "This is certainly not Li You's intention; this is my decision, and it is also the decision of the soldiers who truly wish to defend Xingyang City." In his eyes, Fu Ge saw pain and anger, as well as the helplessness of a man unable to protect his homeland.

In the face of a great enemy, he only cares about indulging his favored concubine, which has already disheartened the soldiers due to Li You's previous actions. Now, he has blocked the people of Xingyang outside the city, which certainly alleviates the shortage of military provisions and allows him to prolong his days a little longer. However, the families of these local soldiers are outside, and they too are emotional beings. When anger is suppressed to the extreme, it will erupt suddenly

Goodbye, the bravest soldiers of the Great Qin, Brother Fu Ge has departed! Fu Ge raised his head with determination, striving to present himself as a true man, striving to embody a leader, even though he was only eighteen years old and had served as a leader for just a brief period.

Well done, a true man dares to take responsibility; only such heroic figures can earn my admiration! Please tell me your name, let us be friends! In my ears, a powerful and resonant voice sounded, surprisingly belonging to that young officer.

When everyone's gaze was unanimously directed towards Fu Ge, he did not hesitate or retreat; instead, he pushed through the crowd of those wanting to protect him and approached the officer.

Do you need us?" Fu Ge asked in a low voice as he took the sword.

Yes, I learned of the news long before you conspired. The guards who were just watching over you were not asleep; they were following my orders to pretend to be asleep. On the battlefield, they are as brave and fearless as the soldiers of the Great Qin frontier army, and they are warriors of *strategy* and *tactics*." Sima Liang said proudly, his expression even carrying a hint of provocation. He was using this method to inform Fu Ge and the others that the warriors of the Great Qin were not limited to just the frontier army soldiers, but also included them—the county troops.

However, Li You forgot one thing

Looking at one familiar yet strange face after another, Fu Ge made an effort to calm the excitement in his heart. At the critical juncture between life and death, only by possessing the most composed mind can one seize control of their own fate

With a loud bang, before Fu Ge could finish speaking, the tightly shut door of the prison cell was forcefully thrown open, and more than ten county soldiers, armed with gleaming weapons, blocked the entrance.

Aside from the personal guards of Li You stationed in the inner court, all the other local troops have arrived, totaling seven hundred and eighteen men!" Sima Liang, who was reviewing the roster, raised his head. Such a clear and organized response astonished Fu Ge; even the best quartermaster in the Great Qin army would not be able to complete such a statistical task in such a short time, yet Sima Liang managed to do so

Seeing the friendly hand extended by Sima Liang, although Fu Ge had not yet fully understood what was happening, the tightly wound nerves began to relax. Calming his emotions slightly, Fu Ge replied formally: "Fu Ge, a native of Lintao, a soldier of the Fourth Squad of the Southern Army's Lintao Division."

However, in that moment, why did Fu Ge's heart feel touched, and why were there tears in the corners of Fu Ge's eyes

Fu Ge has become a general commanding thousands of troops

It can be said that it was largely due to Li You's fear of death and desire for comfort that, after eliminating the Lintao faction of the guest army, he hastily promoted Sima Liang, the county captain of Xingyang, to be the commander responsible for defending the city. Li You's decision to appoint Sima Liang as the city defense officer was not without consideration; the main reason was that Sima Liang came from a prestigious family, and his uncle, Sima Xin, served as the chief clerk in the army of General Zhang Han, maintaining a very good relationship with the Li family.

Then, Fu Ge said loudly with a smile: "I am the one leading! How about that?"

"Brother Fu, in the next life, let us still be brothers!" This took Fu Ge by surprise; almost all the soldiers, including the captain, focused their attention on him as they bid him farewell, each one choked with emotion and unable to speak.

Well done, let us first find a way to disarm the guards! Fu Ge commanded with confidence, his voice so resolute that in the briefest moment of change, he undeniably became the leader of this group of soldiers unwilling to face death

Sima Liang held the military position of County Lieutenant. Although he was merely a low-ranking officer at the local level, he was far superior to Fu Ge, an inconsequential regular soldier. In the more than one year since he enlisted, the highest-ranking official Fu Ge had encountered was General Meng Ping, who held the rank of Major. Below that, the ranks descended to the lowest levels, such as Squad Leader and Team Leader, which were positions that regular soldiers like Fu Ge could gradually rise to.

Hearing such flattery, Fu Ge felt somewhat embarrassed. Fu Ge's father had the surname Fu, and Ge represented the weapon in his hand. Lacking much literacy, he chose the character Ge for his adopted son without a second thought. Perhaps it was destined, perhaps it was the will of heaven, or perhaps it was merely a coincidence. Fu Ge's father—an old squad leader who had spent his life in the army of the Great Qin—was unaware that the name he had given was identical to that of a soul traversing time and space over a thousand years later. Perhaps it was destined, perhaps it was the will of heaven, or perhaps it was merely a coincidence. Fu Ge's father—an old squad leader who had spent his life in the army of the Great Qin—was unaware that the name he had given was identical to that of a soul traversing time and space over a thousand years later

"Sima, how many soldiers have you gathered?" Fu Ge asked with a look of surprise.

The surrounding county soldiers sheathed their weapons, and the young county lieutenant named Sima Liang strode forward, extending a pair of large hands towards Fu Ge

In just a brief moment, upon receiving the command from Sima Liang, the number of soldiers gathering around Fu Ge and his companions increased significantly

There is nothing to regret; compared to the comrades who fell on the battlefield yesterday, Fuge has lived half a day longer! Fuge laughed loudly, turned around to wave at his companions in the cell, and felt a tinge of reluctance at the farewell, after all, Fuge and the others had fought together before

Why do you want to let us go? I believe this is not Li You's intention! Stepping out of the cell, a few stars twinkled in the sky, still shrouded in the darkness before dawn

Outside are our parents, our wives and children, watching helplessly as the rebels slaughter and humiliate. If we remain in the city any longer, how can we still call ourselves men? Sima Liang's expression of pain only confirms the truth of his words, for when his ailing mother finally left Fu Ge, Fu Ge felt a similarly heart-wrenching experience.

Very well, if sacrificing my life can save three hundred people, it is worth it!

"Very well, with us joining, the attacking army will number one thousand, one thousand soldiers resolute in revenge and fearless in death, one thousand brave warriors charging forward with passion, one thousand men fighting for themselves, enough to turn the tides!" Fu Ge strode up to the high platform of the city wall and raised his arm to shout at the eager soldiers.

At this moment, Fu Ge is no longer an unknown pawn

"Fu Ge, a good name; the essence of a man lies in his valor and strength." Sima Liang praised, his expression sincere, and Fu Ge could not detect the slightest hint of insincerity or affectation.

Fu Ge felt a chill in his heart. The walls of the prison cell were built of hard blue stone, with no windows on three sides. If the crossbowmen wanted to escape, they could only do so through the narrow doorway, but now the county soldiers were blocking the entrance. Was there really no way out but death?

When one attempts to take action but fails, they may end up suffering the consequences instead

A true man does not fear death; he is indeed a warrior among the Qin army. What a pity!" The young officer looked at Fu Ge with some curiosity and finally sighed with a look of regret.

If a person goes too far in their actions, even the gods will betray you