Chapter 60

The first night at Five Tiger Fort passed quietly for the group from Yu Xu Palace. On the morning of the sixth day of the twelfth month of the third year of the Yingli era, Zhang Weixin, Qian Yuanshan, Zeng Zhilin, and Qingchen arrived at the Gathering Hall with Liu Wanbao at the beginning of the hour of Chen, except for Tang Chao and Yang Xin, who were responsible for guarding the radio. A charcoal fire had already been lit in the Gathering Hall, and the five armchairs were just enough for each of them. The five of them sat down to warm themselves by the fire, as it was quite cold in the twelfth month of the lunar calendar. They chatted for a while, and then Zhang Weixin took out his watch and indicated that it was time to gather everyone.

The group went to the steps of the Gathering Hall, and Liu Xiaoliu struck the copper gong to signal the assembly. As the gong sounded, the soldiers rushed out from their quarters and gathered on the open ground below the steps. They then formed ranks under the command of the leaders, waiting for the inspection by the head leaders. Liu Wanbao was relatively satisfied with the speed of the assembly and called over Liu Erxing to count the number of people.

Liu Erxing accepted the order and returned to the steps after a short while, bowing and reporting, "Reporting to the Daoists and Master Liu, there are 295 soldiers in the fort, excluding those on duty. 285 are present, and 10 are absent."

Liu Wanbao, seeing that ten people were absent, showed a look of anger and shouted, "Who is so bold as to be late? Where are their leaders? Step forward and answer."

Liu Erxing, hearing this, hesitated and said, "Master, the ten absent people are all from the same squad. Their squad leader, He Wu, is also absent."

Liu Wanbao now understood the situation. It seemed that He Wu was leading the squad to be late. He Wu was the younger brother of He Si, who was killed by Qingchen on the mountain road yesterday. He Wu's absence was likely due to his inability to accept his brother's death. He did not have the ability to seek revenge directly, nor did he want to submit and give up. So he used this method to express his dissatisfaction and dragged his entire squad into it, making things difficult for Liu Wanbao and the Daoists from Yu Xu Palace.

Yesterday, Daoist Zhang Weixin had already said that being absent from the assembly would result in punishment. He Wu's squad being absent could not be an exception. However, if the soldiers were coerced by He Wu and could not attend on time, punishing them would make them resent He Wu, but it could also make the punished soldiers and even other soldiers dissatisfied with Liu Wanbao, thinking he was using them to set an example to please the Daoists from Yu Xu Palace. This would inevitably cause trouble for future management.

On the other hand, if he did not punish them, it would mean that orders were not followed and prohibitions were not enforced, which would have even more serious consequences. It might also make the Daoists from Yu Xu Palace misunderstand that he was trying to win the hearts of the people, which would be even more disadvantageous to him. Liu Wanbao was unsure how to handle the situation, as his position as the leader was already somewhat nominal, and he felt constrained in his actions.

Zhang Weixin, who seemed to notice Liu Wanbao's hesitation, came over and said, "Master Liu, there's no need to be troubled. You are still the leader of the fort. Handle it as you see fit. I believe that as long as you handle it according to the rules, the other soldiers will not have any objections."

Zhang Weixin's words gave Liu Wanbao some confidence. Hearing the second gong, he shouted to the soldiers below, "Who is He Wu's superior?"

A leader quickly stepped forward, saluted, and replied, "I am here."

"Did He Wu ask for leave?"

"Reporting to the second leader, He Wu did not ask for leave."

"Since that's the case, he is absent. Tell me, according to the rules of the fort, what should be done to those who are absent?"

The leader was a bit flustered, thinking, "Second leader, aren't you asking a known question? How could you not know the rules of the fort? You're clearly asking me to state the rules, so you can use them to deal with He Wu and me, his superior." Although he was unhappy with Liu Wanbao for making him take the blame, he did not show it and immediately replied, "Reporting to the second leader, according to the rules of the fort, one absence results in forty lashes, two absences result in eighty lashes, and three absences result in beheading. The superior of an absent soldier also receives twenty lashes." In his heart, he cursed He Wu a thousand times, even praying that if he had the nerve to be absent three times, he would be willing to take twenty lashes to see him beheaded.

Liu Wanbao was satisfied with the leader's quick response and nodded, saying, "Well said." He then remained silent, waiting for the third gong to sound before making a decision.

Soon, the third gong sounded, and He Wu and his squad finally appeared. He Wu looked indifferent, carrying a large saber and walking at the front of the squad. The soldiers behind him, however, were not as relaxed, showing signs of anxiety as they followed He Wu.

Seeing his attitude, Liu Wanbao was furious. This was clearly a challenge, showing no respect for him. When He Wu's squad reached the steps, they did not bow to the people on the steps. Instead, He Wu lifted his chin, showing disdain.

Liu Wanbao shouted, "He Wu! Being absent three times is a capital offense. Now that you see me, you not only do not admit your fault but also act as if you don't care. Do you still respect the rules of the fort?"

He Wu was not afraid and retorted, "You say I am absent, but I want to ask, who is calling the assembly?"

"Of course, I am calling the assembly."

"What gives you the right to call the assembly?"

"I am the second leader of the fort, so I have the right to call the assembly."

He Wu laughed and said, "Ridiculous. You are the second leader? Then where is the first leader? Why isn't he here to call the assembly, but you, the second leader, are doing it?"

This touched a sore spot for Liu Wanbao. He was most afraid of someone mentioning the first leader. He became furious and shouted, "He Wu, stop your nonsense. Being absent three times is a capital offense. Do you think you can avoid it by arguing?"

He Wu snorted and said, "Arguing? I don't know who is arguing. You, Liu Wanbao, for your own selfish reasons, ignore the great revenge of the first leader and instead collude with the Daoists who killed him, trying to use us to save your own life. Now you act as if you are the leader. Do you have any sense of righteousness?"

As the saying goes, "Don't mention shortness in front of a short person." He Wu's repeated reminders of Liu Wanbao's pain made him furious. Liu Xiaoliu, standing beside him, could no longer hold back and drew his sword to fight He Wu, but was held back by Qingchen. Zhang Weixin, who had learned about He Wu's identity from Liu Erxing, pressed Liu Wanbao's shoulder and asked calmly, "He Wu, you keep saying that Liu, the second leader, is selfish and only cares about his own life, trying to please us Daoists, and has no sense of righteousness. Regardless of whether you are right or wrong, I want to ask, have you avenged your brother's death?"

This question left He Wu speechless. After all, his own brother was also killed by these Daoists. With the enemy right in front of him, he had no intention of avenging his brother, so how could he have the nerve to accuse others of not avenging the first leader?

Seeing He Wu's silence, Zhang Weixin sternly asked, "He Wu, I gave you a chance last night to let those who couldn't let go of their hatred come and seek revenge. You showed no intention of avenging the first leader or your brother. Now you come to cause trouble, not only being absent but also dragging your squad into it. What is your intention?"

Faced with Zhang Weixin's questioning, He Wu was at a loss for words and could not find any excuse. At this moment, one of the soldiers behind him, unwilling to be a scapegoat, stepped forward and shouted, "Second leader, Daoists, I will expose the truth. He Wu was called by the family of Wu Xingji last night and did not return until midnight. After returning, he incited us to disobey orders and be absent from the assembly today, to give a warning to the second leader and the Daoists. He planned to use this to accuse the second leader and incite other soldiers to rebel, drive away the second leader and the Daoists, and then release Wu Xingji. He Wu would then be rewarded. We were coerced and had no choice but to follow. I hope the second leader and the Daoists will investigate this."

This revelation caused a stir, with curses and threats of violence. The soldiers were clear about Wu Xingji's true colors and would not work for him again. He Wu, for his own selfish reasons, colluded with Wu Xingji, which was despicable. Especially those who knew the strength of Yu Xu Palace, wanted to tear him apart. They saw his actions as pushing the fort's soldiers into a fire, and opposing Yu Xu Palace was a dead end.

Zhang Weixin, seeing the situation, raised his hand to calm everyone and asked, "He Wu, is what this soldier said true?"

He Wu knew the situation was hopeless and did not argue, admitting that what the soldier said was true, but did not reveal which family member of Wu Xingji he had colluded with. However, it would not be difficult to find out, and they would be punished accordingly. Zhang Weixin did not want to spend too much time on this issue. Seeing that He Wu had admitted his guilt, he turned to Liu Wanbao and said, "Master Liu, the truth is clear. Please handle it according to the rules of the fort. However, I believe that the other nine soldiers were coerced, and although they cannot be excused, their situation is understandable."

Liu Wanbao understood Zhang Weixin's meaning and announced, "He Wu colluded with the family of Wu Xingji and plotted against the fort. He is absent three times and should be beheaded according to the rules. His squad, although absent three times, was coerced and will be punished lightly. Each will have their monthly pay deducted, and any further offenses will be severely punished." He waved his hand, "Bring He Wu down and behead him to set an example."

Liu Xiaoliu immediately led his men to take He Wu, who was pale with fear, and beheaded him. The nine soldiers in He Wu's squad, who were punished lightly, were grateful and knelt to thank Liu Wanbao and the Daoists.

Afterward, Liu Wanbao ordered Wu Xingji, Shi Feibao, and their confidants to be brought up, and their crimes were announced to the public. The punishment was also beheading. Despite their pleas for mercy, Liu Xiaoliu and Liu Wanbao's men carried out the execution without hesitation.

After dealing with the troublemakers, Liu Wanbao, after consulting with Zhang Weixin, announced that the squads would disband and regroup in the afternoon. The Daoists from Yu Xu Palace would register them for future management. The soldiers, though confused about why they needed to be registered, did not dare to show any resistance, given the sight of the beheaded bodies on the ground.