diymy Chapter 66 A Gamble
Chapter 66 A Gamble
Liu Bei was also apprehensive, as he had never heard of Zou Dan having such a constitution.
Fortunately, after a short while, no Xianbei outflanking maneuver or collision occurred.
The elite troops of Tanshihuai's royal court were far superior to those of the tribal soldiers of Queji and Mijia; they were a truly battle-hardened army that had unified the grasslands.
But Liu Bei did not move. He stood on the high ground, his eyes fixed on the battlefield in the distance, his fingers gently stroking the twin swords at his waist, his eyes flashing with ambition.
"Gentlemen, you only see the danger, but you don't see this tremendous opportunity."
Liu Bei spoke slowly, his voice not loud, but it instantly silenced the noise inside the tent.
"Chance?"
Cheng Pu was taken aback, and quickly said, "My lord, with Tan Shihuai's 30,000 main force here, what chance do we have with our small force?"
"Right here."
Liu Bei raised his hand and pointed to the tallest Xianbei king's banner in the center of the battlefield.
"Tan Shihuai personally led the main force to launch a fierce attack on General Zang Min's main formation. All the elite troops were deployed to the front, leaving his central command tent vulnerable."
"We were in the shadows, while he was in the light. He never imagined that our Han army would emerge from behind him in this place beyond Yanmen Pass."
"Have you all forgotten Mikasa?"
"We can mess with Mika, and we can mess with Tan Shihuai!"
He turned around, his gaze sweeping over the generals, each word carrying a chilling aura of killing intent.
Fortune favors the bold!
"This is a sandalwood tree!"
Why not give it a shot!
"The opportunity to directly confront the court of Tan Shihuai is a once-in-a-century event!"
"If we can storm his central command tent and kill Tan Shihuai, we might just be rewarded with a title and a generalship!"
"Even if we can't kill Tan Shihuai, disrupting his central army will make him unable to attend to both ends, giving General Zang Min a chance to catch his breath."
"We can also take this opportunity to join forces with the main Han army and escape this desperate situation completely!"
He'll be granted a title and appointed a general!
These four words struck the hearts of every general like a heavy hammer, making their eardrums ring.
The tent fell into a deathly silence. Even the whistling of the wind whipping the banners could be heard clearly. Only the heavy breathing of the generals, mixed with the crackling of the candlelight, filled the tent.
Ever since Chen Sheng and Wu Guang raised their arms in Dazexiang and uttered the famous line, "Are kings and nobles born with a special destiny?", it was like a thunderclap that shattered the shackles of a thousand-year-old social hierarchy and was etched deep into the blood of every Chinese man.
How many people are trapped in poverty and hardship, born in chaotic times, and struggle for half their lives, all they seek are these six words?
Cheng Pu gripped the long sword at his waist tightly, his knuckles turning white, and the hesitation in his eyes was instantly replaced by scalding flames.
Born into a modestly wealthy family, his only desire was not basic sustenance, but rather to earn a noble title through his military exploits, so that his descendants would no longer suffer hardship and would no longer be looked down upon as "roughnecks."
Han Dang's eyes were wide open, his breathing was rapid, and his blood seemed to be boiling.
He was originally a border resident of western Liaoning. He had witnessed firsthand the raids by the Xianbei and the oppression by officials. In his youth, he vowed to make a name for himself with his courage and strength.
At this moment, Liu Bei's words were like a key, unlocking the most fervent desire in his heart.
He cut down the sandalwood tree, established unparalleled merit, bestowed titles upon his wife and children, and made the name of Han Yigong known throughout the world!
Xu Rong's hand gripping the sword hilt trembled slightly, and a burning light flashed in his eyes.
For him, being ennobled and appointed as a general was not an empty title, but recognition. It was a way for him to realize his ambitions, lead his men out of poverty, and achieve glory.
Although Tian Yu was young and composed, he could not hide the slight change in his expression at this moment, and his fingertips tapped lightly on the table.
From a young age, he harbored lofty ambitions and was unwilling to be merely a staff member or subordinate. Liu Bei's words showed him a smooth path to his ideals.
He was ennobled for his military achievements, appointed as a general for his talents, assisted Liu Bei in securing peace for the country, and was able to leave his mark on history, thus living up to his learning.
Ordinary paths lead nowhere, and the allure of being ennobled and appointed generals is irresistible, not only to seasoned generals who have fought for years, but also to learned scholars.
It is a ladder that transcends social classes, the most dazzling glory in chaotic times, and the ultimate pursuit for which countless men are willing to sacrifice their lives.
Gongsun Zan's eyes turned bloodshot, his chest heaving violently, his ingrained arrogance and ambition ignited completely.
He spent his life pursuing fame and fortune, longing to build a renowned cavalry force and to be ennobled for his military achievements. Liu Bei's words struck a chord with him.
Sandalwood!
That was the overlord of the grasslands, a being even the imperial army feared. If one could personally kill him, not only would being ennobled and appointed as a general be a great honor, but even leaving a name in history would be no empty talk!
Looking at the expressions of the generals in the tent, Liu Bei's ambition grew stronger. He stroked the scabbard of the twin swords with his fingertips, and his tone carried a seductive power.
"Gentlemen! In chaotic times, mediocre people who cling to peace will only be slaughtered by others."
"Only the brave dare to fight for that sliver of hope, and dare to contend for the glory of being ennobled!"
"Tan Shihuai is right there; his central command tent is our path to heaven!"
"Killing him alone will secure the northern frontier!"
"To achieve this merit is worthy of being granted a fief of ten thousand households!"
"Just imagine, one day when you achieve great success, adorned with purple ribbons and gold seals, and bearing the seal of a marquis, you will return home in glory, bringing honor to your clan, elevating your descendants, and commanding the respect and awe of the entire world!"
"Isn't this kind of glory better than being trapped and dying here beyond Yanmen Pass, living as an unknown soldier?"
"Today, we will rely on the swords in our hands and the courage in our hearts to seize the title of marquis and earn the honor of being appointed general!"
Before he finished speaking, Cheng Pu knelt down on one knee, his voice booming so loudly that the ground inside the tent trembled slightly.
"This humble general is willing to follow our lord, charge straight into the central army, slay Tan Shihuai, and seek the honor of being ennobled and appointed general!"
"This humble general is willing to go!" Han Dang followed closely behind, his tiger-like eyes wide open, his voice resounding through the tent.
"I am willing to follow my lord, even through fire and water, without hesitation!"
Xu Rong, Tian Yu, and others knelt down on one knee and shouted in unison.
His voice was full of fervor, the wildness ignited by the title of marquis and general soaring to the sky, overpowering the north wind outside the tent and the sounds of battle from the distant battlefield.
Liu Bei stood on the earthen slope, looking at the kneeling generals before him, a confident smile playing on his lips.
He knew that the fighting spirit aroused by the promise of titles and honors was enough to allow this isolated army to fight its way out of the desperate situation and directly attack Tan Shihuai's central command tent.
Let's give it a shot!
If they don't intervene, Zang Min will have absolutely no chance of winning.
If the Han army is defeated, the elite border troops will be lost, and the two provinces of Bing and You will be difficult to preserve.
This is clearly not in his interest, and it is even less conducive to his development plan!
He slowly drew the twin swords from his waist, their gleam reflecting the ambition and sharpness in his eyes, and shouted loudly.
"Very well! Since you are all willing to face this perilous place with me and fight for glory together, then follow me into battle!"
"Today, we will either slay Tan Shihuai and bestow titles and honors upon him."
"Either we die on the battlefield, wrapped in horsehide, to prove our loyalty! Let's go!"
"Let's set off! We'll cut down the sandalwood tree, and be ennobled as marquises and appointed general
"Set off!"