Chapter 123: The Kingdom of Wusang Marches 100,000 Troops to the Border

Yin Shang, Zhaoge.

The news that the Wusang Kingdom had suddenly mobilized an army of 100,000 to press against the border spread through the city of Zhaoge like a plague.

In the imperial court, King Zhou sat upright in his throne, his expression grave as he swept his gaze over the ministers below. "The Wusang barbarians have suddenly sent 100,000 troops to invade our borders. Hmph, what a bold move by the Wusang Kingdom, what a brazen barbarian invasion! Do they truly believe that our Central Plains are soft and weak, to be trampled and humiliated at their whim?"

Wen Zhong cupped his hands and said, "I beg Your Majesty to calm your anger. Since the Wusang Kingdom does not know the value of their lives, I volunteer to lead the charge. We shall surely slaughter those barbarians to the last."

As soon as Wen Zhong stepped forward, other generals such as Su Hu and Huang Feihu could no longer remain still and stepped out one after another to request command.

King Zhou slapped his armrest and stood up, stirred with excitement. "Good! Good! You are worthy officials of our Great Shang, and you are all men of iron resolve. I grant your request!"

"Furthermore, I have decided: I shall lead the army in person!"

Hmph, a mere band of Wusang barbarians daring to invade the vast Great Shang? Such folly must be met with a fate from which none return.

Initially, a few ministers had opposed the King’s decision to lead the campaign personally, but under King Zhou’s firm and resolute insistence, no further dissenting voices remained in the hall.

King Zhou immediately turned to Su Hu. "General Su, how goes the development of your grenades? Can they be put to use this time?"

Since they were dealing with barbarians, they must be purged completely, leaving none behind.

Su Hu bowed to report, "Replying to Your Majesty, we have produced approximately 1,000 grenades for this campaign. If we work through the nights, we may be able to produce another 400 to 500."

"Excellent! General Su, hear my command."

"I am here, Your Majesty!"

"I hereby appoint you as the Vanguard General. I command you to lead 3,000 men, equipped with the grenades, and depart with light gear. You are to proceed to the front lines to scout the situation... My main army will arrive shortly."

"I obey the decree!"

"Your Majesty, I humbly request to accompany General Su into battle. I ask for your permission," Huang Feihu requested.

"Very well! I grant it!"

King Zhou’s gaze shifted to Wen Zhong as he proclaimed in a loud voice, "Grand Tutor Wen, hear my command! I appoint you Commander-in-Chief of the Three Armies. You shall follow me on the expedition in a few days."

"I obey the decree!"

"Weizi Qi, Bigan, hear my command!"

"We are here..."

In the court, King Zhou issued over ten urgent directives, organizing the entire government apparatus.

***

After the court assembly ended and the ministers dispersed, King Zhou kept his elder brother, Weizi Qi, behind. In the side hall, the two brothers sat down.

King Zhou seemed burdened by heavy thoughts, remaining silent for a long time. As the elder brother, Weizi Qi finally asked, "Does Your Majesty have something on your mind?"

"Uh... there are no outsiders here. You should call me Di Xin; it will make our bond as brothers closer." Due to their status, the brothers had grown distant.

Weizi Qi smiled faintly. "Since it is your wish, I shall comply."

"Brother, this expedition to the border will take at least half a month, perhaps more. I entrust the state affairs of Zhaoge entirely to you."

The transformation of the Yin Shang had only just begun to gain momentum, and it was infuriating that war had broken out at this critical juncture. It boded poorly for their reforms.

Weizi Qi bowed solemnly. "Your Majesty, rest assured. Even if I must risk my life, I will fulfill the task of overseeing the state that you have entrusted to me."

King Zhou stroked his short, dark beard and smiled slightly. "Very good. With your word, I can depart for the front lines without any worries behind me."

When brothers are of one mind, their strength can cut through metal. There was no reason the Great Shang could not achieve its grand ambitions.

"Your Majesty, you have entrusted me with such a difficult and significant task—are you truly not worried?" It was a sensitive question that should not have been asked, but Weizi Qi could not hold his tongue. As soon as the words left his lips, the faint smile on King Zhou’s face froze.

After a moment, King Zhou sighed softly. "Brother, do you know? Even if everyone in the city of Zhaoge were to betray me, I know that you, my brother, would never."

"Oh? You are that confident in me? Truly?" The joke seemed to have gone a bit too far.

King Zhou nodded. "Indeed, I am that confident. If you ask me why, I can only tell you it is because we share the same mother. If such a betrayal were to happen, I would accept it as my fate."

"Haha..." Weizi Qi laughed heartily. "Di Xin, your temperament hasn't changed a bit; you are exactly as you were in childhood. With your words, you can head to the border with peace of mind. As long as I draw breath, I will help you guard our home and our mountains. I will not allow others to infringe upon them in the slightest. Otherwise... I shall present my head to you."

They were brothers, born of the same mother; the younger brother’s empire was also the elder’s.

"Brother, if you had been born just a few years later, then this throne might very well have..."

"Your Majesty, please, say no more. If a third person were to hear this, they might misinterpret the intent, and that would be disastrous," Weizi Qi’s expression changed slightly. This topic was even more sensitive than the last. As it was already a settled matter, he never dwelt on it, nor dared to think of it.

King Zhou smiled apologetically. "Very well. From now on, let us never speak of this again. Brother, let us drink this tea and toast to my victory."

"Your Majesty will surely return in triumph; Heaven will bless our Great Shang!"

...

Overnight, the entire city of Zhaoge plunged into a tense state of preparation.

Inside the city, generals and soldiers from various barracks sounded the call to assemble, bidding hasty farewells to their families before galloping toward their stations. Su Hu, Huang Feihu, and the other generals appointed to the vanguard arrived as expected, strictly enforcing the military oaths.

*Boom! Boom! Boom!*

The drums of war rolled as the troops were mustered!

A great battle was imminent. The 3,000 light cavalry were soon ready. Each soldier carried a strange cloth bag, with about ten grenades strapped to their persons. Some of the more elite squads were issued as many as twenty, earning them the nickname "grenade experts." These were well-trained soldiers, and they were honored to join the fight.

Zhaoge, farewell!

Zhaoge, we shall return.

They had left in full strength, and they would return in full strength. It was their home, and not a single one could be left behind.