Chapter 43: The Miserable Cao Xiong
Beiguan.
Yesterday the sun was still shining warmly, and today the cold wind cuts like a knife, snowflakes flying.
The Zhao Family Army is a force that makes the enemy tremble in fear, like an insurmountable iron wall, it guards the northwest tranquility of the Da Jing Dynasty. Deep within this army lies a name that resonates in every soldier’s heart like thunder—Zhao Zun.
Zhao Zun’s renown is not merely due to his exceptional martial skills and outstanding strategy, but also because of his sincere patriotic heart.
Under Zhao Zun’s leadership, the Zhao Family Army repeatedly achieved remarkable feats, keeping the Turkic, Ala, and Meng Country forces outside the country’s gates, allowing the people of Central Plains to live and work in peace. Yet, unpredictable events unfolded, and an imperial edict forced Zhao Zun to relinquish military power and retreat from Beiguan.
Taking Zhao Zun’s place was Cao Xiong, the younger brother of the Minister of War, Cao Ge.
Born into a noble family but never truly having been on the battlefield, initially, he was thrilled about this sudden honor. He imagined himself achieving great military successes like Zhao Zun, becoming a hero revered by thousands.
However, reality gave him a harsh slap.
"Marshal, today’s training is complete, please give your directives." Ma Cheng, the commander of Yong’an City, stood before Cao Xiong, warming his hands with breath, his expression respectful yet slightly indifferent.
Cao Xiong nodded slightly, "Very good, you’ve worked hard. But why do I feel your morale seems somewhat low?"
Ma Cheng forced a smile on his face: "Marshal, you might not know, when Mr. Zhao was in charge, we all held a belief in our hearts, and that was to follow Mr. Zhao in protecting this land. Now that Mr. Zhao is gone, we..."
It’s always about Zhao Zun!
Cao Xiong’s face fell, feeling quite displeased.
He had long heard about Zhao Zun’s position in the Zhao Family Army and knew this position wasn’t something that could be shaken overnight.
But he too must establish his own authority.
A few days ago, he started a series of reforms. Not only increasing training intensity but also adjusting the military regulations set by Zhao Zun. But all this seemed to have little effect. The soldiers of the Zhao Family Army still couldn’t forget Zhao Zun and always maintained a sense of distance towards him.
They call him Marshal with their mouths, but inside they despise and disrespect him, some soldiers even openly challenging him.
Humph! He won’t believe he can’t discipline these people. He won’t believe he can’t outperform Zhao Zun.
Humph! Today he will personally take to the field, he doesn’t believe that with his bravery, he won’t be able to earn these soldiers’ respect.
Cao Xiong donned silver armor, draped a fiery red cloak, and rode a gallant black horse. Straightening his chest, accompanied by Ma Cheng, he majestically walked up to the Commanding Platform.
His gaze was sharp as he swept over the troops, and in a loud voice, he declared, "Soldiers, I, Cao Xiong, hereby swear to surpass Zhao Zun, to hoist our banners high in the skies!"
However, what met his declaration was not the imagined high cheers, but rather the soldiers’ questioning and disdain, both openly and secretly.
"Pshaw! What an ignorant young man, he hasn’t even grown into adulthood, yet wants to surpass Mr. Zhao?"
In this cold weather still out practicing, an old soldier grumbled, his voice quiet yet enough to resonate among the crowd.
Cao Xiong’s heart froze, but he did not show a trace of anger, instead a confident smile crept over his face full of rough skin.
He knew very well that to earn the respect of these rough frontier men, strength must speak for itself.
Cao Xiong took a deep breath, his voice loud as a bell, "Brothers, from today forward, I will train with you, fight side by side, together to write a new brilliance for the Beiguan Garrison!"
This time, before his words echoed, the crowd had already erupted in noisy chatter, some even openly arguing back.
"Mr. Cao, those words are too grand. When Mr. Zhao was here, did we ever suffer defeat? By what can you convince us you can lead us to new victories?"
As soon as these words were spoken, the atmosphere on the training ground became tense and nuanced. Hua Tianyou, who was here seeking military merits, added fuel to the fire with a playful whistle among the crowd.
"Whistle～"
Cao Xiong glanced at Hua Tianyou, slightly frowning, but quickly regained his calm, staring directly at the soldier arguing.
"You’re right, Marshal Zhao Zun is a legend, but legends aren’t meant to be looked up to, they’re meant to be surpassed. I, Cao Xiong, strive to be the one to surpass Zhao Zun!"
After finishing his words, Cao Xiong swiftly leaped to the ground below the Commanding Platform, swinging a long spear in his hand. The spear pointed at the target, striking the bullseye, drawing a wave of exclamations.
Next, he picked up a bow and arrow, drew the bow taut, and the arrow flew out with a whoosh. Once again, it hit the bullseye, followed by another wave of astonishment from below.
"Did you see that? What’s so extraordinary about Zhao Zun? I, as well, have such skills. It is skill that is the hard truth!" Cao Xiong said smugly. His voice was firm and powerful, clearly satisfied with his performance.
At this moment, Li Erniu, who Zhao Zun first sent to assist Han Lei in treating the wounded, suddenly stood out.
Li Erniu shouted loudly, "Mr. Cao, we respect your martial skills, but to us, Mr. Zhao is unsurpassable. Can you show us you truly have the ability to lead us to victory?"
As soon as these words left his mouth, the training ground fell into silence, everyone’s eyes focused on Cao Xiong.
Good! Good! Good!
A bunch of obstinate fellows!
Giving you face, yet you want more, then let’s go directly!
I’ll show you whether I, Cao Xiong, have that ability or not!
Cao Xiong was furious, no longer patient, he glared at Li Erniu and gritted through clenched teeth, "You bunch of bastards disrupting military morale, leaving spirits low. Now, go back to running around the camp..."
"Report..."
Cao Xiong had not yet fully vented his anger when suddenly a scout’s urgent shout came from afar, causing everyone’s heart to tense as they turned their heads. Then, they quickly moved back, making way for the scout.
The scout galloped on horseback, finding an unobstructed path and soon reached Cao Xiong, quickly dismounting to report.
"Report... Marshal, Turkic forces have been spotted outside the city, rapidly attacking Yong’an City."
"What?" Cao Xiong was startled, but quickly reacted, asking, "How many soldiers are coming?"
"It’s unclear exactly how many now, but judging from the hoofbeats, there are at least ten thousand."
Usually, scouts detecting enemy presence would press their ears to the ground to listen for hoofbeats, discerning the enemy’s approximate numbers before conducting further reconnaissance.
"What? Ten thousand?"
What does ten thousand mean?
Having never truly experienced warfare, the once boastful and proud Cao Xiong now stared wide-eyed, his voice trembled at the thought of ten thousand troops, sending shivers down his spine, it seemed even his pupils were quaking at their core.
The soldiers below also suddenly erupted into clatter, gripping their weapons tightly.
"Has Turkic gone mad?"
"Hadn’t Turkic retreated? Why are they coming again?"
"This year’s third battle already."
"Impossible, right? Why would Turkic choose to campaign in such stormy weather?"
"This doesn’t make sense! How can Turkic have much provisions now."
"How can they march in this damned weather?"
...
Ma Cheng frowning deeply walked to Cao Xiong’s side, asking: "Marshal, what shall we do now?"
"What shall we do?"
Cao Xiong mechanically turned his head to look at Ma Cheng, and for a moment, his trembling pupils suddenly contracted as if just coming to a realization, he swung his hand fiercely and shouted at the top of his lungs—
"Enemy attack! Enemy attack! Quickly prepare for battle, prepare for battle!"