Dark Sand: My Players Are All Actors
Chapter 463 - 258 Zhao Yi Army Established_2

Chapter 463: Chapter 258 Zhao Yi Army Established_2

Some generals showed an expression of intolerance, "General... have you already decided to retreat?"

The other generals had nothing to say.

Indeed, what else could be done if not retreating?

Twelve golden placards, plus the sternly worded imperial edict, essentially meant that failure to retreat would be equivalent to the great crime of plotting rebellion.

Zhao Haiping surveyed the generals.

He was just a passerby in this slice of history, unable to know every Deputy General under his command as intimately as General Han Fuyue did. But through the long time spent training troops and experiencing battle together, he had come to understand the Deputy Generals to a certain degree.

He couldn’t be sure how many men he could take with him, but he certainly wouldn’t leave without any.

Zhao Haiping took a deep breath and said in a deep voice, "Gentlemen.

"Since I began training troops to fight against Jin, you have all been by my side. We have fought many tough, fierce, and terrible battles, one could say we went through life and death together.

"We fought in the south and the north, resolving many dangers, and saved countless innocent people!

"And now, the court orders us to retreat.

"With the twelve golden placards, retreating has become inevitable.

"But you might not guess what comes after the retreat.

"I can tell you clearly what the next year holds.

"I will be stripped of all my official positions and die wrongfully in prison. Among you, some may be forced into retirement, some may be killed, some may be deployed elsewhere, some may be oppressed and lose all ambition.

"And this army will be dismantled, dissolved, and quickly weaken, within a few years, it will be no different from those easily collapsible Xiang Armies of the Qi Dynasty, having lost the military discipline and strength that prevents looting or dismantling homes even in deathly hunger.

"This is the fate that awaits us after returning to the capital."

The generals listened with horror, "General, aren’t you being too pessimistic?

"The General is the nation’s cornerstone, even if the court wants to negotiate peace with the Jin, the General has great merits, how dare they act rashly?"

Zhao Haiping shook his head slightly, "You don’t know what terms the Jin are proposing for peace.

"There are two terms in it, the first is my death as a condition for peace! The second, after the peace is settled, Qin Huizhi shall not be allowed to escape punishment as the Chancellor!

"Besides, at the height of our victory, why does His Majesty suddenly want to take back military control? What does this mean? One, His Majesty no longer wants to fight; two, His Majesty no longer trusts the generals!

"Think carefully, with Qin Huizhi present, if we return, we will be like fish on the chopping block.

"Do you really want to put your lives in the hands of someone like Qin Huizhi and his so-called mercy?"

The generals looked at each other, all speechless.

Indeed, should they entrust their lives and fortunes to such fluke?

The true character of those ministers in the court, led by Qin Huizhi, was clearer to these generals than to anyone else.

And as for the current ruler, could he control Qin Huizhi and others to ensure the generals’ safety?

It seemed impossible.

Since the foundation of the Qi Dynasty, the policy has been to emphasize civil affairs over the military, showing greater wariness of generals commanding troops than the threat of enemy nations.

After all, the Jin would come only to plunder and loot, and after taking land and indemnities to satisfy their appetites, they would temporarily withdraw; but should military leaders grow too powerful, they might aspire to the imperial throne!

At this moment, His Majesty already intended to reclaim military authority, implying that he no longer supported or trusted the front-line generals.

Piecing together the many signs...

If they returned to court now, indeed, the prospects would be bleak.

Of course, most generals still couldn’t believe that His Majesty would be so foolish as to wrongfully execute General Han Fuyue. It didn’t make sense!

But as Zhao Haiping said, survival might be possible, but it would only be luck.

If they really went back, they would be at the mercy of others. Place hope in Qin Huizhi’s mercy or in the wisdom of Emperor Gaozong of Qi?

Either way, it seemed like seeking one’s own demise.

A Deputy General, his voice trembling, said, "Could it be that General Han has gathered us here to entrust us with his final affairs?

"To retreat is to die, to not retreat is also to die; is there really no way out?"

Zhao Haiping shook his head, "Death? It is easy to die preserving one’s integrity, but in this bright and vast world, who can be resurrected?

"The people of the north look forward with anticipation, although the Jin have retreated, they still covet our land eagerly; in this world today, if not me, then who?

"I will not die, nor can I afford to die!"

He took out an imperial edict from his bosom, and with a "rip," tore the yellow silk fabric in two.

"This command is chaotic; I refuse to obey the edict!"

The generals in the tent all inhaled sharply.

To tear up the Emperor’s edict was tantamount to rebellion!

Among them were generals directly loyal to the Emperor, and faced with this situation, they were shocked and even wanted to speak out in accusation, but their voices fell silent under Zhao Haiping’s murderous gaze.

In the military, General Han Fuyue’s status was like that of a deity; even if they were to demand accountability for tearing up the Emperor’s edict, that was not something they, the generals under General Han, could do.

The generals fell silent for a moment.

Zhao Haiping had anticipated such a reaction and said indifferently, "I won’t make it difficult for you.

"I command you to do only one thing.

"Return to your respective troops and make it clear to your soldiers: those who wish to return to the capital shall return together, and I will do my best to absolve you of any association with what happens here."

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