Chapter 72: Putting It into Practice

Like Bi Sheng’s movable type printing! Such vitality, such immense significance! Although Xie Huan knew that his craftsmanship was first-rate, what did it matter? Craftsmen held little status in the eyes of the people. Perhaps in this lifetime, a few might know his name, but a hundred years from now, who would remember him? Yet, if he could become a figure like Bi Sheng, then his name would truly live on through the ages. That would be the highest honor—not only for himself, but for the entire Xie family, and even for all craftsmen.

Xie Huan’s heart was, of course, stirred.

“Your Majesty, I am willing to give it a try!” Xie Huan declared.

“If you encounter any difficulties along the way, you may come to me at any time. I have only one demand: achieve this technological transformation as soon as possible!” Zhao Huan told Xie Huan. Just like the later generations striving to surpass Britain and America, many technologies required nothing less than vast sums of money. The initial investment might be enormous, but the returns would be substantial.

Such a reply from Zhao Huan was the greatest support Xie Huan could hope for.

By the time Zhao Huan left the Ordnance Bureau, night had already fallen. Cheng Dafu hurried over and asked, “Your Majesty, shall we return to the palace now?”

“No, now we go to the Feiyu Army’s main camp!” Zhao Huan replied.

“Your Majesty, the palace gates will soon be closed,” Cheng Dafu reminded him cautiously.

Zhao Huan nodded. “I know. Let us go.” The situation was urgent; he could not afford to lose any time.

So Zhao Huan and his entourage made their way to the Feiyu Army’s camp.

Yue Fei was currently stationed in Luoyang, so the acting commander of the Feiyu Army was Yang Weiguo. Though he could not compare to Yue Fei in martial prowess, he too came from a family of generals, a descendant of the famed Yang family.

Yang Weiguo was surprised that Zhao Huan would come to the camp so late at night.

“Your servant greets Your Majesty!” Yang Weiguo hurriedly saluted.

Zhao Huan’s sudden visit was partly because the situation was urgent, but also because he wished to conduct an unannounced inspection. Only by arriving unexpectedly could he truly uncover any issues; if he sent word ahead, the local officials would only show him what they wished him to see.

Zhao Huan entered Yang Weiguo’s command tent. “Has the batch of new firearms from the Ordnance Bureau already been delivered?” he asked.

“They have all been transported to the Feiyu Army’s arsenal, Your Majesty,” Yang Weiguo replied.

Zhao Huan nodded. “An army is kept for a thousand days to be used in a single moment. Now, I have a top-secret mission for you. Can you do it?”

From the very first day, Feiyu Army soldiers had been drilled in absolute obedience to orders. Hearing Zhao Huan’s words, Yang Weiguo responded at once, “Please give the order, Your Majesty! Your servant will face fire and water without hesitation!”

Zhao Huan nodded again. “I intend to form a death squad, to take a detour through Xingqing Prefecture and launch a surprise attack on the Western Xia imperial palace. Are you willing to lead the troops?”

“The Yang family has served the Song dynasty loyally for generations. I am willing to do my utmost for the restoration of our great nation!” Yang Weiguo vowed solemnly.

Zhao Huan nodded. “This is a perilous mission, with little hope of survival. But the Jin-Xia coalition is eyeing our northwest hungrily. After much consideration, I realized that only this strategy—attacking Wei to rescue Zhao—can relieve our crisis in the northwest!”

As deputy commander, Yang Weiguo was naturally aware of Western Xia’s troop movements; for the already stretched forces of Song, it was a disaster. He had intended to volunteer for the front lines, but had not expected such a task from Zhao Huan.

As Zhao Huan said, this mission was a journey from which few would return. Penetrating the enemy’s capital would mean being deep within their encirclement. Perhaps the crisis in the northwest could be resolved, but escaping would be nearly impossible.

“Your Majesty, the entire Feiyu Army is ready. Give the order!” Yang Weiguo declared.

“Very well. Yang Weiguo, hear my command: you will lead five thousand Feiyu soldiers, detour through Shu, and launch a surprise attack on the Western Xia palace at Xingqing Prefecture. You depart tonight!” Zhao Huan ordered.

“I accept the order!” Yang Weiguo received the command.

“As for the selection of men, decide for yourself: if both father and son are in the army, the father goes and the son stays; if brothers serve together, the married go and the unmarried stay.” Zhao Huan had not dispatched the entire Feiyu Army. This was a covert strike; too many men would only risk early detection. Moreover, the area outside Bianjing was hardly safe—those five thousand who remained would be his last trump card.

“However, Your Majesty, the roads through Shu are notoriously treacherous. Since ancient times, they have been known as natural barriers. It will be extremely difficult to pass through,” Yang Weiguo said.

Zhao Huan nodded. “I know that the roads of Shu are harder to cross than the heavens, but the north is occupied by Jin, and the west by Western Xia. To strike Xingqing Prefecture, we have no choice but to detour through Shu.”

Yang Weiguo knew this was the truth. He nodded. “Your Majesty, the situation is urgent. I will gather the men and set out at once. I will turn Xingqing Prefecture upside down!”

Zhao Huan nodded. “Good. Cheng Dafu, bring wine. Tonight, I shall see them off!”

Soon, on the training ground of the Feiyu Army, the ten thousand soldiers were split into two groups.

Standing atop a raised platform, Zhao Huan looked down at the assembled officers and soldiers, overcome with emotion.

“Sons of Han, tell me—are you afraid?” Zhao Huan asked.

“No!” Though they had not practiced, the Feiyu Army’s shouted response was in perfect unison.

“You are lying. People die in war—how could anyone not be afraid?” Zhao Huan said.

The soldiers were momentarily stunned.

“But I know you are not lying, because your courage has conquered fear. That is why you are unafraid!” Zhao Huan continued.

The men couldn’t help but smile; the tense atmosphere immediately eased.

“This is a mission from which few will return, yet you have stepped forward, ready to give your lives. This cup I drink to you!” With that, Zhao Huan raised his wine cup and drank it all in one go, saluting the five thousand Feiyu soldiers about to depart.

“Thank you, Your Majesty!” None of the soldiers had ever imagined they would share a drink with the emperor. They were inevitably moved, raising their cups and draining them in one bold gulp.

“Your Majesty, allow us to volunteer as well!” At that moment, one of the men assigned to remain spoke up.

His example was quickly followed by many others, all eager to go to the front.

Zhao Huan was deeply moved. This was the true spirit of the Han army—nothing like that infamous Song force that fled at the first sign of trouble.

A commotion broke out among the five thousand left behind; everyone wanted to join the suicide mission.

“Silence! Obey orders!” Yang Weiguo stepped forward, fearing chaos might upset Zhao Huan.