Chapter Twenty: Geshu Han's Decision

From this, it was already clear that after his defeat, Geshu Han had begun to contemplate surrendering the city to the enemy, though the idea had not yet fully taken root in him.

Noticing a slight change in Yang Xi's expression, Geshu Han immediately realized that Yang Xi had understood the reason behind his deployments after retreating to Tong Pass, which left him feeling somewhat embarrassed. Yet, Yang Xi did not question him, choosing instead to quietly listen as Wang Sili continued to present his thoughts.

“Marshal, in my opinion, we should concentrate our forces on defending the southern gate. The Forbidden Ditch, our natural barrier, has already been filled with the bodies of our fallen soldiers. The rebel army can now cross over the ditch on the corpses and launch a direct assault on the city! The terrain outside the other gates is narrow; even if the rebels attack there, they cannot deploy many troops at once. A mere thousand men are enough to hold those sectors atop the walls!”

Having spoken, Wang Sili noticed that Geshu Han did not react, but instead glanced toward Yang Xi, as if awaiting his opinion first. Left with no choice, Wang Sili withdrew, somewhat disappointed.

Yet Yang Xi did not immediately express his stance. Instead, he looked around at the other officers in the tent, prepared to hear their perspectives.

Gao Shi stepped forward and voiced his own thoughts: “Marshal, Commander Yang, I agree with General Wang’s assessment. The Forbidden Ditch is now clogged with corpses and cannot be cleared in a short time. We must concentrate our best troops at the southern gate to prevent its fall! Furthermore, there is no longer any need for a garrison at the western gate; a handful of soldiers to watch the gate will suffice. I propose that the remaining thousand men under General Pang be redeployed to the south gate! We should also conscript able-bodied locals to reinforce our numbers!”

Gao Shi’s candor only deepened the embarrassment on Geshu Han’s face, for his underlying intentions had been laid bare, leaving him somewhat abashed.

Yet Yang Xi remained unmoved by all this, listening with a stern but dignified air as the others spoke. He understood that he had begun to establish authority among the officers—though fragile, easily toppled, it would only grow stronger as long as he handled matters wisely in the days to come.

Most of the officers’ opinions were aligned. When no one else stepped forward to disagree, Yang Xi glanced at Geshu Han, then advanced a step to face the assembly and proclaimed in a loud, clear voice: “Since the generals agree that our defenses should be reinforced at the south gate, I concur! The southern gate is surely the main focus of the rebels’ assault; we must deploy our full strength there to defend it!”

He deliberately paused, then announced, in an even more commanding tone: “My orders are as follows: General Pang’s remaining forces are to be sent to the south gate, as are the remnants under my command. We must unite in purpose to hold Tong Pass! Continue clearing the bodies from the Forbidden Ditch outside the south gate—restore its function as an obstacle by removing as many as possible! I shall personally lead the defense of the south gate myself!”

As he spoke, his gaze fell upon Geshu Han, who stood at his side. Yang Xi paid no heed to whether the officers before him would obey his command.

The force of Yang Xi’s gaze roused a trace of fear in the already uneasy Geshu Han, who at once understood Yang Xi’s meaning and spoke: “I endorse Commander Yang’s orders. Let all arrangements be made accordingly! During the enemy’s assault, all officers must follow Commander Yang’s direction, or face military law!”

His closing words were severe, startling all those present.

In the end, whether willingly or not, the officers bowed to Yang Xi and responded, their voices uneven: “We shall obey Commander Yang’s orders, stand united against the foe, and hold the rebels outside Tong Pass!”

“Good!” Yang Xi thundered his approval, then, with a voice full of energy and authority, declared: “All of you, prepare at once! I shall report your valiant deeds in the defense of Tong Pass to the court, so the world will know that the garrison here is neither cowardly nor craven, but brave, unyielding warriors!”

Implicit in his words was a promise: he would not report their recent defeat to the court as a charge against them.

Many understood his meaning and felt a surge of relief; those who did not still felt glad that Yang Xi would speak on their behalf. Seeing that no one objected or questioned him, Yang Xi breathed easier, grateful for Geshu Han’s cooperation and support—he knew he could not have achieved this effect without it.

He also took comfort in his identity as a soldier from the later age. Before he crossed over, he had been a commander, weathered many life-and-death situations, endured the bitter training of a special forces soldier. Those experiences gave him an aura of menace; in moments like this, he never lost his composure, and his bearing was no less imposing than that of these veteran generals who had survived countless battles.

Had he truly been the original Yang Xi—a pampered noble youth—he would not have had the mettle to volunteer for such a perilous mission, let alone carry himself with such poise under the scrutiny of these seasoned officers. He would have been utterly unnerved, incapable of maintaining his calm, let alone exerting dominance over Geshu Han and the others.

Seizing the moment while the officers were still awed, Yang Xi unfastened his sword and held it across his chest. Facing the astonished Geshu Han and the assembled generals, he declared loudly, “This is the sword bestowed upon me by His Majesty. When he presented it, he said that with it, I have the right to execute any officer who disobeys orders! Let me make this clear: if you all fight bravely and with one heart, I will report your deeds to the court and plead for you, even if the court seeks to punish you for the defeat at Lingbao. But should you defy orders, act cowardly, fear the enemy, or betray us, do not expect mercy from my sword. I hope that, among us, there will be only one like Huoba Guiren!”

With that, he drew the sword with a sharp clang, his severe gaze sweeping over the officers.

None present were strangers to death on the battlefield, yet as Yang Xi’s eyes met theirs, a chill crept into their hearts—a coldness, a resolve, an unmistakable killing intent that none dared to meet.

How could a youth not yet twenty possess such a fearsome presence, enough to unnerve even hardened men? No one could fathom it, not even Geshu Han, who felt the same unease.

Seeing the effect of his “performance,” Yang Xi was satisfied. Slowly he withdrew the intensity from his gaze, though he maintained his stern appearance. Sheathing his sword, he repeated his warning, ending with his eyes fixed on Geshu Han.

After a hesitation, Geshu Han straightened, and to the surprise of all, faced Yang Xi’s sword and bowed respectfully. “Please inform His Majesty that we, his guilty servants, will unite to slay the enemy and vow to hold the rebels at the foot of Tong Pass!”

He turned to the officers and growled, “Any who quail before the enemy—death without mercy!”

“As long as the city stands, we stand; if the city falls, we perish with it!” Yang Xi bellowed as the officers paused, echoing Geshu Han’s stern oath.

Geshu Han, stunned for a moment, quickly caught on and raised his arm in a shout: “As long as the city stands, we stand; if the city falls, we perish with it!”

The past days had been so stifling; shouting this slogan, he felt his frustration ebb, his spirit rekindled!

“As long as the city stands, we stand; if the city falls, we perish with it!” The officers followed, their voices ragged at first but soon swelling in unison. Some even drew their swords or sabers, waving them as they shouted.

Wang Chen, naturally, joined them, raising his sword and roaring with the rest.

More than twenty men, crowded in a single room, chanting such a stirring oath, soon created an atmosphere that made the blood race.

Yang Xi was more than satisfied with the result. He even felt, in a moment of illusion, as though he were back in the later age, leading his men out on a mission, swearing the oath before the regimental banner, filled with unwavering confidence in victory.

His heart brimmed with determination—so long as he was here, Tong Pass would not fall!

“Make your preparations at once!” Yang Xi announced loudly, capitalizing on the roused spirits.

“Yes, sir!” This time, the officers answered with one voice, clear and strong.

But just as Yang Xi finished giving his orders, and Geshu Han tacitly approved, as the officers prepared to depart and set up the defenses, Geshu Han spoke again.

“Wait, all of you!”

At his words, the officers halted and turned, looking at Geshu Han and Yang Xi.

Yang Xi was a bit surprised, not knowing what Geshu Han intended, but his face betrayed nothing as he waited for the grizzled veteran to speak.

“The bodies in the Forbidden Ditch must be cleared away,” Geshu Han declared, his face set in tragic resolve as he looked around at the startled officers and Yang Xi. “Otherwise, the rebels will surely break through the south gate. With only a few thousand troops, it cannot be held! We must do whatever it takes to clear the ditch, if not completely, then at least enough to restore its defensive function!”

As the assembly puzzled over his words, Geshu Han suddenly barked, “By my order—immediately pour oil and lay dry kindling in the Forbidden Ditch. Burn the corpses to ash! I will personally lead the defense at the south gate and swear to live or die with it! Commander Yang, I ask you to take command at the east gate, for that will be the rebels’ next main assault and must not be lost!”

“What?!” The officers were all shocked, but soon understood Geshu Han's meaning.