Chapter 44: Robes and Grace (5)

Time in the military camp passed slowly. Perhaps due to the lack of entertainment, the recruits, who had initially been excited, gradually realized how dull military life could be. The morning bugle sounded like the roar of demons, waking them up. After hastily changing into their uniforms and washing up, they had to rush to the training ground for their regular morning run. If they failed to arrive after three blasts of the bugle, they would be dragged before Ming Fa to be flogged. After over a dozen days, the recruits gradually learned the temperaments of their officers and supervisors. They silently noted which officers were kind and easy to get along with, and which supervisors were strict and impartial. Since they had decided to stay in the Shence Army, it was necessary to show courage as well as employ necessary tactics and cunning.

The recruits of the Third New Brigade were clearly in high spirits. Their brigade commander was also a native of Chang’an, just like them, and had joined the army together with them. Although the commander held the title of Xuanjie Colonel bestowed by the emperor, he showed not the slightest trace of arrogance. Unlike those old soldiers who were often abusive, their commander rarely scolded them without reason. Even if they made mistakes, he would simply call the person aside for a long talk. Since they were all young men from Chang’an, they had thinner skin than most women. After some guidance, they would wisely correct their mistakes and never put their commander in an awkward position!

Today was the regular ten-day holiday in the army, and they got a rare chance to relax for half a day. Pu Da Chui, the fire leader of the Third New Brigade, leaned against an old locust tree outside the barracks, basking in the sun leisurely. The sunlight was incredibly soft, warming their hearts. He had passed the military examination in the 29th year of the Kaiyuan era and had hoped to make a career in government using his achievements. But since the Tang Dynasty had enjoyed long peace, a top military scorer became utterly useless. As the old saying goes, “Hang scissors at the top of a hundred-foot pole”—talented people end up in lowly positions. Although he managed to secure a position as a guard in the Taiji Palace through bribes, he couldn’t bring himself to accept that his martial skills were only good enough for guarding others. (Note 1) Later, hearing that the emperor intended to go to war with Tubo and form the Shence Army, he thought it over for a night, then resigned from his position and came to enlist alone. Glory could be gained on the battlefield; perhaps he could find wealth there. How were military merits calculated in the Tang Dynasty? How many heads did it take to advance a rank? Pu Da Chui squinted, waving his hands in the air as he daydreamed.

“With just one swing like this, I can shatter the bones of those barbarians and make them bleed and cry for their parents. With another swift swing, I can turn those Tubo brutes into a mess of flesh. I step forward, unsheathe my sword, and with a single cut, I take off a head. Tsk tsk, this wealth really does come easily!”
“Big Hammer, are you still daydreaming here?” Li Kuo strode over to the “possessed” Pu Big Hammer and scolded him with a smile.
“Commander, you’ve arrived. Please sit in my room… Look, my room isn’t even tidy; it’s as messy as a pigsty. Hehe, hehe…”
Pu Big Hammer woke up from his dream. Realizing the person in front of him wasn’t a Tubo brute but his own commander, he quickly bowed and laughed broadly, revealing his yellow teeth.
As for his commander’s temper, it was truly beyond reproach. When he first arrived at the camp and saw his commander, he thought he was just a nobleman relying on his family’s influence to gain military merits. But after spending over ten days together, Pu Big Hammer realized his commander wasn’t such a spoiled noble. During morning runs, the commander would always be at the front of the group, encouraging everyone. During archery practice, he would do ten full sets without sparing any effort! Even for meals, he would eat with the troops—four dishes with one soup, two meat dishes and two vegetable dishes. Since joining the camp, he had never seen the commander prepare a separate meal for himself!
Such a commander naturally earned everyone’s respect and was worthy of being followed!
“Military merits aren’t imagined out of thin air; they’re earned through hard work, blade by blade.”
Li Kuo sat cross-legged under the tree, unfazed by the dust rising. “Big Hammer, I can see you’re an honest and capable person, which is why I promoted you to fire officer. Our Hexi Army values clear rewards and punishments. Whether you’re the son of a duke or a laborer from the streets, as long as you earn military merits, no one can take them away from you!”
Pu Big Hammer felt warm inside. The reason he had voluntarily resigned from his position as a guard in the Taiji Palace was his disdain for the arrogant attitude of noble sons. Why could those noble sons reap the benefits effortlessly, getting things that hardworking people like him could only dream of? Why, as subjects of the Tang Dynasty, did they have far more opportunities to “earn” merits than poor people like him? Pu Big Hammer refused to give up and didn’t want to rely on others like his fellow poor soldiers. Sometimes he felt lost—could there really be no place for a humble man to make a living in this vast Tang Dynasty? But after joining the Shence Army and meeting Commander Li, he saw hope again in life.

“Your grace’s kindness has inspired me to repay it with my life!” Pu Da Chui was deeply moved and made a solemn vow.
“What are you talking about? Why would I ask you to die?” The young man laughed heartily and patted the man’s arm. “But right now, I do have a request for Old Pu.”
Pu Da Chui patted his chest and replied bravely, “My lord, please don’t mention ‘request.’ Just give me orders.”
Li Kuo nodded slightly and spoke softly, “As you know, Commander Ge Shu Han values practical combat. Although the Shence Army has been formed for less than a month, under the guidance of various commanders, it’s gradually taking on the appearance of a regular army. A few days ago, Deputy Commander Zhang told me that the commander plans to hold a live combat drill in the camp, with participants drawn from the new recruits of the Shence Army. Unluckily, our Third New Brigade happens to be one of them!”
The young man shrugged and smiled bitterly. “As you know, I’m just an inexperienced kid. I was forced into the role of brigade commander. I can barely handle ceremonial training, let alone leading actual combat drills—it would be unbearable for me. But fate has it that our brigade was chosen. This is urgent, and after much thought, I can’t think of anyone more suitable than you to be my standard-bearer.”
Pu Da Chui was stunned. What did the brigade commander just say? He wants me, Old Pu, to be his standard-bearer? Did I hear that right?
It’s no wonder Pu Da Chui was shocked. Since ancient times, the soul of an army lies with its leaders—excellent commanders can inspire the entire army to fight bravely. Soldiers rely on courage, while commanders rely on strategy. And a commander’s tactics are reflected in their standard flag—charging, flanking, converging, encircling. A small flag encapsulates thousands of years of military history in China; it determines the fate of tens of thousands of soldiers on the battlefield. Thus, a standard-bearer must be the commander’s trusted confidant, someone utterly reliable. Holding this position means officially gaining the commander’s recognition and entering his inner circle—its symbolic value far outweighs any practical benefits. But why would the brigade commander choose someone like me, a self-taught warrior, when there are two other officers who are his direct confidants?
“My lord, can I really do this?”

Pu Dachui, who was usually so bold, was now at a loss. Based on his experience, even if the army commander intended to promote him, it would be best for him to decline. From what he had learned, those two commanders both came from prominent families—the Zhangs of Guanzhong and the Zhengs of Xingyang. If he really became the standard-bearer, aside from other issues, where would those two commanders’ faces fit? Even if they chose not to press further out of respect for the army commander, a rift would still form in their hearts, growing larger and deeper. It seemed unlikely he could hold his position in the camp going forward.

Li Kuo seemed to sense his thoughts and smiled slightly, saying, “You needn’t worry about Yan Ji and Wu Zui’s opinions. They are honest people and won’t hold grudges over such things.”

Seeing Pu Dachui still hesitating, the young man’s expression turned serious. “There’s never any fairness in this world. If you want something, you must do your utmost to obtain it. Children from humble backgrounds must work a hundred times harder than those from noble families to succeed. Those from wealthy families can get what they want with just a stretch of their hand, while children from poor families must earn it through hard work and sweat. But if you don’t even have the courage to strive, then you’re a complete coward, destined to fail for life. Don’t feel inferior or back down because of those noble families’ views. Also, don’t deliberately draw boundaries between you. If you despise your own origins, no one in the world will pity you!” (Note 2)

Pu Dachui’s chest trembled. The layer of paper that he had deliberately blurred and obscured was suddenly torn away by the young man, allowing the gentle breeze outside to rush in. He had expected it to be bitterly cold, but instead, it was soft and mild.

Note 1: Since the time of Li Shimin, the Taiji Palace had hardly been used as the emperor’s residence. Tang Dynasty emperors either preferred to live in the Daming Palace or travel to Luoyang for inspections. Thus, the position of guard in the Taiji Palace must have been unprofitable.

Note 2: This is something I’ve always wanted to say, and it’s also my view on life. I never had the chance to express it before, but now I can finally say it. My fate is in my own hands, true throughout history.