Dark Sand: My Players Are All Actors
Chapter 432 - 251: Lifting the Siege of Taiyuan_3

Chapter 432: Chapter 251: Lifting the Siege of Taiyuan_3

Under the off-field guidance of Emperor Taizu of Sheng, Fan Cun, through Liu Fa, had thoroughly reorganized the Western Army in his hands and, using various monies, provisions, and treasures obtained from the conquest of Xixia, had integrated the elite troops tightly under his control.

At this time, the troops were almost done with their training, and much of the energy previously saved for Emperor Taizu of Sheng’s off-field support had been expended.

It was time for Fan Cun to think about generating new energy to replenish Emperor Taizu of Sheng.

Upon seeing Prince Yun and Liu Fa, covered in dust from their hurried journey, Zhong Pingyuan was nearly moved to tears.

He could now understand what Liu Fa had felt back then.

Had Prince Yun arrived a step later, his troops would have already mutinied, and this elite Western Army would have long ceased to exist. And he himself would most likely have died amid the chaos.

Dying for one’s country wasn’t frightening, what was terrifying was dying without meaning or value.

Now, Prince Yun had prevented that from happening.

Surviving a calamity, the men and horses tired—after escaping a deadly situation, the Western Army led by Zhong Pingyuan had little desire left to attack Taiyuan.

Because they all knew that it was only because the troops of Prince Yun arrived timely that they had narrowly escaped disaster. But if the battle continued, wouldn’t it still lead to a dead end?

To fight, not to mention the slim chances of success, even the most basic provisions and rewards for the soldiers were lacking. Even if they won, what meaning would it have?

The higher-ups would likely claim military achievements and rise through the ranks, but what did that have to do with these low-ranking soldiers who risked their lives?

This battle had also awakened Zhong Pingyuan, making him realize that it might be impossible to come to the aid of Taiyuan.

However, Prince Yun shook his head and said to him, "Gather all the military officers in the army. I want to speak from my heart with these soldiers."

...

The battlefield remained somber, still pervaded by the lingering stench of blood.

The two factions of the Western Army joined forces once again, many lower-level officers who knew each other gathering to await the speech by Prince Yun.

For those in the Western Army formerly stationed in the lands of Xixia, this sortie bore little excitement. A small number of them may still have harbored hopes of achieving great deeds, but most were simply moved by their trust in Prince Yun and General Liu Fa.

However, the morale of the Western Army now led by Zhong Pingyuan was extremely low.

In these past months, they had traveled from Xingqing Prefecture to the capital, and after seeing the myriad bizarre phenomena at the defense of the capital, they were now forced to rush to Datong. After this period of chaotic battle, their dissatisfaction with the dynasty had reached its peak, and even the veteran Zhong Pingyuan couldn’t fully suppress it.

When they heard Prince Yun wanted to give a speech, most of the officers merely attended out of obligation, but they held little hope for the content of this speech.

Prince Yun wasn’t a deity—could he really change all this?

But before long, Prince Yun had already arrived on horseback at this high slope before everyone’s eyes.

Compared to a few years ago when he set out to conquer Xixia, Prince Yun had become more like a military man.

His physique had grown strong and solid, his skin sunbathed to a bronze hue, marking a significant change from his original image of the elegant scholar.

This was also because Fan Cun had been working on improving this physical condition in his free time, and over the years, these efforts had shown some results.

"Zhong Pingyuan!

"You, as a general, have not made clear rewards and punishments. Your soldiers have fought bravely in blood, yet you failed to timely deliver the military provisions and rewards essential for their effort.

"Take twenty military strokes!"

In full view of everyone, Zhong Pingyuan silently accepted the punishment, removed his armor, and was administered twenty military strokes.

The soldiers who administered the punishment certainly held back, but seeing their commander punished, many of the soldiers who had harbored grievances against Zhong Pingyuan gradually had their resentment dissipate.

They even began to sympathize with the dire situation of Zhong Pingyuan.

"Alas, Minister Zhong had no choice. If it weren’t for the repeated urgency from the dynasty, how would he have committed the major military taboo of hastily moving the troops?"

"Yes, about the matter of provisions... I believe Minister Zhong isn’t like those corrupt officers who recklessly embezzle."

Then, Prince Yun looked around.

His aides immediately understood and moved several heavy chests that had accompanied the army.

When the chests were opened, they were filled with various gold and silver treasures.

"Zhong Pingyuan! According to your achievements, double the rewards owed from the previous battles and distribute them all to the soldiers!"

Zhong Pingyuan’s officers began distributing the money and treasures to the soldiers who had been fighting hard for days.

And on the faces of these soldiers, emotion stirred once again.

Soon, the large chests were completely distributed.

After receiving even more rewards than usual, these soldiers’ spirits finally stabilized, curious to see what Prince Yun had to say next.

Just then, Prince Yun, with his spear across his horse, raised his voice.

"Soldiers!

"For over a hundred years, our military men have been suppressed by the dynasty!

"In truth, we are men meant for the battlefield, to protect our country and our homes. If we were born in Yan, Chu, Liang, and these other former dynasties, we should be feared military men who invade fortresses, achieve great deeds, and are envied by everyone!

"But in our dynasty, foolish court officials mislead the country and dishonor us warriors as ’bandit soldiers,’ branding our faces with tattoos, subjecting us to all humiliations, yet still expecting us to face the iron cavalry of the Jin!

"I know you harbor resentment in your hearts!

"I know you shouldn’t carry the eternal infamy of the Qi Dynasty’s repeated failures!

"I also know that you truly have the strength to defeat the Jin, only restricted by various factors and the cowardice of incompetent court officials—always suffering fatal defeats not on the battlefield but elsewhere!