xymnovel Chapter 15: Number One Under Heaven, Establishing the Zhaowu Army
Chapter 15: Number One Under Heaven, Establishing the Zhaowu Army
Upon seeing the man's figure, Tian Heng suddenly felt he recognized him. Looking closer at his face, a sudden shock ran through him:
Four years ago, a severe drought struck the capital region, and refugees filled the roads. He was ordered to inspect the city's defenses when he saw a young boy huddled up on a street corner in the West Market, barely breathing, clutching a rusty short halberd tightly to his chest.
Out of compassion, he ordered his men to carry the boy back to the palace for treatment. When the boy woke up, he remained silent, only kowtowing three times and begging to stay in the palace as a servant.
When Tian Heng asked his name, the boy replied in a hoarse voice, "Xuanyuan Tianshang. My hometown suffered a disaster, and the entire village was wiped out, leaving only me."
Seeing his stubborn look, Tian Heng did not take him as a servant. Instead, he used his connections with the Su family to send him to a military camp in the suburbs of Beijing for training.
Firstly, it gives him a way out; secondly... it can also be considered as planting a spy in the army.
Unexpectedly, in just four years, that skinny refugee boy had risen to the rank of Northern Army Captain, commanding 500 soldiers, thanks to his military achievements.
"System, detect Xuanyuan Tianshang."
"Xuanyuan Tianshang, 20 years old"
武力：110，统帅：93（97）智力：83（90），政治：71（78）」
Xuanyuan Tianshang was the number one general in the original history. If Tian Heng hadn't traveled through time, he would have fled to Dayao with the refugees, joined the local imperial star, and then fought in the south and north, establishing his reputation as the number one general in the world. He was also one of the six kings after Dayao unified the world.
At that time, the system was still dormant, and Tian Heng was unaware of his achievements. He only felt that although he could not change the situation of the refugees in the capital, he should at least do something, otherwise he would feel guilty. Unexpectedly, because of a moment of kindness, he unintentionally accepted this fierce general.
As Tian Heng sighed inwardly, Xuan Yuan Tian Shang turned around upon hearing the sound. The moment he saw Tian Heng's face, his cold, stone-carved expression suddenly crumbled, and an incredulous light burst from his eyes.
He rushed over, and when he was five steps in front of Tian Heng, he knelt down on one knee with a thud, clasped his hands above his head, and said, "This humble general, Xuan Yuan Tian Shang, pays his respects to Your Highness, the Prince of Qin!"
His voice trembled slightly.
Tian Heng bent down to help him up: "Get up. Four years have passed, and you've become a battalion commander. That's good."
Xuanyuan Tianshang rose, his gaze burning with intensity: "If it weren't for Your Majesty's life-saving grace and recommendation back then, I would long ago be a withered skeleton in a mass grave. This body, this life, is all bestowed upon me by Your Majesty!"
"There's no need to dwell on the past." Tian Heng waved his hand, looking directly into his eyes.
"Five days from now, I will be enfeoffed in Youzhou. The north is bitterly cold and wars are frequent, which is the place where men can make their mark. Are you willing to relinquish your post in the capital garrison and follow me north? I will grant you the right to lead an army on your own and conquer the battlefield."
Without hesitation, Xuanyuan Tianshang knelt down again, this time his forehead touching the ground: "This humble general is willing to follow you to the death! Wherever Your Majesty's sword points, that is where Tianshang's halberd will be!"
"Alright!" Tian Heng pressed heavily on his shoulder. "My father has given me three thousand elite troops, and I will entrust these three thousand men to your command. Are you capable of handling this?"
Xuanyuan Tianshang raised his head, his eyes burning with fighting spirit: "This humble general obeys! I will certainly train a fierce and powerful army for Your Majesty!"
Just then, thunderous cheers suddenly came from the distant horse farm.
Tian Heng looked up and saw a magnificent steed, jet black with snow-white hooves, galloping across the field. On its back, a rider in blue armor leaned forward, scooped up three arrows from the ground at full speed, then steadied himself, drew his bow, and nocked an arrow.
"Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!"
"The Xiao family of Lanling?" Tian Heng raised an eyebrow. "A family that has upheld poetry and propriety for a century, yet has a member serving as a general in the capital garrison?"
Xiao Ce smiled wryly: "Your Majesty, please forgive my presumption. Although my surname is Xiao, I am merely a distant relative, and my family is no longer within five degrees of kinship. In recent years, I have only managed to secure a position in the capital garrison by earning military merits. I am truly sorry for my presumption."
"A hero's origins are irrelevant." Tian Heng shook his head, his gaze falling on the magnificent steed behind him. "Is your black horse a Ferghana breed?"
"Your Majesty has a keen eye. This horse is named 'Treading Clouds,' and I rescued it from a group of horse thieves three years ago at the West Market horse farm." Xiao Ce gently stroked the horse's neck, a hint of regret flashing in his eyes.
"It was covered in wounds at the time, and the horse traders all said it wouldn't survive. I took good care of it for half a year and managed to save its life."
Tian Heng nodded: "Horses are like their masters, each possessing a spirit of valor. Youzhou borders the Eastern Yi to the north, and its vast plains are most suitable for cavalry warfare. I wish to build an elite cavalry force. If you are willing to go, the position of Cavalry Commandant will be yours."
Xiao Ce's eyes gleamed, and he knelt on one knee: "This humble general, Xiao Ce, is willing to follow Your Majesty north! I will certainly train a cavalry that is swift as the wind and capable of breaking through enemy lines!"
"Granted." Tian Heng raised his hand. "Of the three thousand royal guards, eight hundred cavalry can be formed. I will take care of the horses, armor, and provisions."
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Xiao Ce kowtowed deeply.
……
The three-day examination passed in the blink of an eye.
Tian Heng meticulously selected three thousand men from tens of thousands of Northern Army soldiers.
These three thousand men were skilled in archery and horsemanship, proficient in swordsmanship, or possessed astonishing strength. More importantly, the fire in their eyes had not yet been extinguished—a light that yearned to achieve great things and refused to be mediocre.
Together with Zhao Hu, Li Rui, Xuanyuan Tianshang, and Xiao Ce, this personal guard, which was beginning to take shape, finally came into being.
On the afternoon of the third day, the autumn sun began to set.
On the high platform of the martial arts arena, Tian Heng had changed into a black robe with gold patterns, a prince's robe, and stood with his hand on his sword.
The three thousand elite soldiers below the stage stood solemnly, completely silent.
"From this day forward—" Tian Heng's voice boomed like a bell, echoing throughout the entire area, "you are my personal guards, known as the 'Zhaowu Guard'!"
Banners fluttered wildly in the autumn wind.
"Five days from now, you will accompany me to Youzhou to assume your fiefdom!" His gaze swept over every face.
"Youzhou is bitterly cold, with sandstorms that cut your face. In winter, the snow is knee-deep, and in summer, mosquitoes and horseflies swarm like clouds. Moreover, the Eastern Barbarians frequently invade the border, and wars are frequent. This place is definitely not the peaceful and prosperous land of the capital."
He paused, then his voice suddenly turned stern: "Today, anyone who does not wish to go, step forward now. I will not pursue the matter, and you will still be allowed to return to your original camp to serve. But if you choose to stay..."
His tone shifted abruptly, becoming as cold and ruthless as iron: "You are a member of the Zhaowu Guard! You must strictly abide by military discipline and obey orders without question! Those who retreat in the face of battle will be executed! Those who disobey military orders will be executed! Those who sow discord within the army will be executed! Do you understand?!"
"As Your Majesty commands!" The three thousand men roared in unison, their voices shaking the banners.
Tian Heng turned to the four generals beside him: "Xuanyuan Tianshang, appointed Commander of Zhaowu Guard, in overall command of the entire army!"
"promise!"
"Zhao Hu, Commandant of the Archer Battalion!"
"Li Rui, Commandant of the Infantry Battalion!"
"Xiao Ce, take command of the cavalry battalion!"
The three men readily obeyed.
"Immediately organize the troops, inventory their armor, provisions, and weapons, and in five days—break camp and march north!"
"promise--!"
The roar was like thunder, soaring straight into the sky.
Tian Heng gripped his sword and gazed northward. Layers of clouds swirled in the sky, as if a blue dragon were appearing and disappearing within them.
The sandstorms of Youzhou, the iron cavalry of the Eastern Barbarians, the chessboard called "The World"... everything will begin with these three thousand chess pieces that fall on the northern frontier.
His era is slowly unfolding, accompanied by the autumn wind and the sound of iron hooves.