Chapter 58: Choices (10)

Pu Da Chui’s words left Sun Cheng’s face burning with shame. Though unwilling, Captain Sun couldn’t think of any effective reply.
“I, I’m not what you think. The reason I refused to drink is because… because…”
Sun Cheng sighed in despair and stopped arguing. Since everyone already saw him as a traitor, nothing he said would matter. He knew General Li had been kind to him, even treating him as a brother. But he had his own principles and couldn’t risk his family’s downfall by acting rashly.
He could feel everyone’s gazes on him—some filled with disdain, some with contempt, some with pity, some with sympathy. He hadn’t done anything wrong, nor had General Li. It was this world that had forced him into this dilemma!
If that man hadn’t been Li Linfu, perhaps he wouldn’t have been in such a difficult position, facing the scorn of his comrades. If General Li had been stronger, perhaps he would have stood by him and risked everything together. But there were no “ifs” in this world.
Li Sheng patted his shoulder and said, “Although I joined the Copper Military Camp only after starting out late, inspired by Brother Zhang’s words, I can see that you and General Li have a close relationship. Can you really give up that brotherly bond? Think again. A true man should act decisively—once a decision is made, nothing can be changed.”
Hearing Li Sheng’s words, Sun Cheng felt a sharp pain in his chest. His hand reached back toward the wine cup. Though he tried hard to control it, his hand trembled violently. Under the weight of everyone’s stares, his hand weakened, and the cup fell to the ground.
What shattered wasn’t just the cup—it was everyone’s hope.
Unable to bear the pressure any longer, Sun Cheng collapsed to the ground, holding his head and crying like a child. He couldn’t do it; he truly couldn’t. To burden the fate of his entire family on a border general—he simply couldn’t.
“What a weakling! I wonder how General Li could ever see anything good in you?”
Wang Xiao Chun glared at Sun Cheng disdainfully, his brows knitted tightly. Only willing to share prosperity, not hardship—he truly couldn’t understand how such a person existed.
“Crying, crying! All you know how to do is cry! General Li must be blind to raise such a ungrateful wretch.”

If not for Li Kuo’s refusal, Pu Dachui would have rushed forward to twist Sun Cheng’s head off right away. Birds of a feather flock together. People like him are only fit to polish the boots of scoundrels like Gao Xiuyan; staying in the Tongwu Camp is simply a disgrace to everyone!
“As the saying goes, a rat spoils the whole pot of porridge—why waste words on him? He’s in a hurry to side with a new master!”
Seeing Sun Cheng’s lack of backbone, even Xianyu Yucheng, who was usually kind, lost his patience and began mocking him incessantly.
Hearing this, Sun Cheng suddenly stood up, wiped away his tears, and said, “Stop spreading slander! Who would ever side with Li Linfu? Although I dare not join General Li in grand schemes, I still have a sense of right and wrong!”
Xianyu Yucheng sneered coldly, “You say so, but who knows what’s really in your heart? People like you will serve whoever pays you—how can we trust you?”
Sun Cheng was speechless for a moment before finally lifting his head and saying, “Anyway, I won’t betray General Li. Whether you believe me or not is up to you.”
“Oh, Sun Camel, you’ve gotten bold now? Do traitors act more arrogantly than us?”
Pu Dachui preferred soft approaches over force. Seeing Sun Cheng’s stubborn attitude, he became angry too and clenched his fists. “Want some real training from a man? Some people are too worthless and need to be taught a lesson. Today, I’ll teach you how to behave as your father and mother would want!”
His words were extremely harsh. How could Sun Cheng tolerate this? He immediately stepped forward, ready to settle things with Pu Dachui. As the situation threatened to get out of control, Li Kuo, who had remained silent until then, spoke up loudly.
“That’s enough! Are our swords meant for our comrades? Are our fists meant to hit our brothers? No matter what others say or do, this is not the way in our Tongwu Camp! Since Chengzi has made his choice, he must have thought it through carefully. We’ve lived together for over a year—don’t you know who he is? Chengzi is thinking of his family and children—what’s wrong with that?”
Li Kuo spoke all his thoughts in one go, feeling greatly relieved. He had remained silent earlier to hear everyone’s opinions. Who would have thought it would turn into this mess? Such behavior was no different from the scheming and power struggles in the Tang court!
Sun Cheng’s eyes were red with gratitude as he looked at Li Kuo. He never expected it to be Li Kuo who would step in to save him. The general treated him so well, yet he couldn’t share his hardships with him.
“General, I…”
“You don’t need to say anything. I understand.”

Li Kuo pushed his sleeves aside and nodded, saying, “We’re all brothers here; let’s part on good terms. Tell me which border army or regiment you want to join, and I’ll do my utmost to make it happen if I can.”
In fact, since Sun Cheng had chosen to leave, he would not stay in the Tongwu Camp any longer. As for the deployment of officers at the rank of colonel, the Ministry of War would turn a blind eye. Besides, with the war just over, troop reinforcements were needed in various border towns.
“General!”
Sun Cheng knelt on the ground and kowtowed to Li Kuo three times in a row. “I, Sun Cheng, will never forget your great kindness. Rest assured, no matter where I go, I’ll remain a soldier of the Tongwu Camp and your brother!”
“Good brother!”
Li Kuo quickly helped Sun Cheng up and said, “If you encounter difficulties in the future, remember there’s still a home here for you. If things don’t go well and you’re ostracized, feel free to return at any time—we’ll welcome you!”
“Brother Kuo, have you thought this through?”
Zhang Yanji was panicked upon hearing that Li Kuo was actively helping Sun Cheng find a way out. “Are you just going to let him go? What if he…?”
“No need to say more. I trust him!”
Li Kuo cut him off sharply, showing no appreciation for Zhang’s concern.
“General, people’s hearts are unpredictable. How do we know he won’t stab us in the back?”
Dou Qing also thought this was a bad idea and tried to dissuade him.
“Yes, General. Won’t this leave us all in trouble?”
Xianyu Yucheng was also dissatisfied and questioned Li Kuo’s decision.
Almost everyone present felt that Li Kuo was being too lenient and handling things improperly.
“Then this, General—I can’t put you in a difficult position!”
Sun Cheng lowered his gaze and said solemnly, “First, write the official document recommending my transfer to another unit and keep it with you. Once you’ve finished your important tasks, then submit it to the Ministry of War!”
Sun Cheng came up with a solution that served two purposes. By writing the document first, it indicated that he had already severed ties with the Tongwu Camp. Even if Li Linfu tried to cause trouble later, he wouldn’t bother with someone who had already made it clear he wanted to distance himself. Moreover, as long as the document was in his possession, Sun Cheng wouldn’t be forced to transfer. In this way, everyone could indirectly keep an eye on him and prevent him from spilling secrets.
“That’s a good idea. I, Pu Da Chui, have no objections!”
Pu Da Chui nodded, agreeing first.
“Mm, I agree,” Zhou Wuze replied lightly, showing some leniency.
“I approve!”
“General Li, I agree too, Xiao Chun!”

Li Kuo glanced around at everyone and nodded. “Since no one has any objections, let’s go ahead with this. If any of you brothers want to visit other military towns, feel free to speak up.”

Upon hearing this, some of the generals who had been waiting to see what would happen also grew anxious. They weren’t very optimistic about Li Kuo’s plan to overthrow Li Linfu. Out of courtesy, they didn’t want to be the first to speak out.

Now that Sun Cheng had taken the lead and General Li had given his approval, they no longer had any reservations. Gradually, Colonel Lin Hai, Brigade Commander Liu Chun, and Han Gu also stepped forward and joined Sun Cheng’s side. Without exception, most of these people came from prominent families. Though not among the most influential clans, their families still held some sway. Their considerations were clearly more complex than those of ordinary poor youths—acting in the best interest of their families seemed understandable.

“If any of the brothers in the camp want to join you, don’t force them!” Li Kuo said with a gentle smile.

In his view, it was far safer to let these people choose to leave on their own rather than forcing them to stay. After all, the hardest thing in the world to defy is human will. If they no longer had their hearts in the Tongwu Camp but were still kept there, it could lead to serious consequences.

“Good brothers, bring some high-quality armor when you leave. Don’t let the people in other military towns mock our Tongwu Camp!” (Note 1)

Li Kuo’s gaze sharpened, his eyes shining with an indescribable light.

Indifference, bluntness, betrayal, struggle, rebirth… Life is full of choices at every moment. Just like monks who travel to India to obtain scriptures—faced with a roaring river, they must decide whether to move forward bravely or turn back. Until the last moment, no one can tell right from wrong. (Note 2) It’s better to let go of attachments and let the emotions buried deep in one’s heart guide the decisions.

To give is to receive. Only by letting go can one gain something.

Note 1: Although the Tang Dynasty provided military armor, different units (such as border troops, imperial guards, and local militias) had different types of armor. Among border troops, the better the relationship between the troops and their commanders, the higher quality the armor. That’s why Li Kuo said what he said.

Note 2: Tianzhu: The Tang Dynasty’s term for India.