Within the residence of Hu Yan Sheng, the Grand Marshal of Xue Lin City and a border general, Zhou Fu Gui, foolishly compared himself to Han Xin and was subsequently reprimanded by Hu Yan Sheng.
"After Han Xin pacified Qi, he sent envoys to Liu Bang, desiring to carve out his own kingdom. This act sealed his doom!" Hu Yan Sheng continued to Zhou Fu Gui, "Indeed, the newly pacified Qi was in disarray, with remnants of the Qi army still present. At this crucial juncture, a legitimate authority was needed to govern. Han Xin's request to be king was ostensibly to quell Qi, but he used this demand to blackmail King Liu Bang of Han. When a ruler is thus threatened by a subordinate, tell me, is he not seeking his own demise? Liu Bang harbored resentment from that moment on, and you should know the consequences of incurring a ruler's wrath."
"Surely, that is not a crime punishable by death?" Zhou Fu Gui stubbornly retorted.
"Hmm, you have a point. For that single transgression, it might not warrant death," Hu Yan Sheng conceded. "However, consider his subsequent achievements: pacifying the Three Qin regions, capturing the King of Wei, defeating Zhao and Dai at the Battle of Jingxing, persuading Yan to surrender, conquering Qi, and finally cornering and forcing the death of Xiang Yu at Gaixia. These were unprecedented feats that established him as a founding hero of Han. Yet, this led to a grave consequence: his valor and strategic brilliance overshadowed the emperor, becoming a constant source of worry and vexation for Liu Bang. How long, then, do you think he could have lived? To have been enfeoffed as the King of Chu was already fortunate."
"Oh, the Grand Marshal speaks the truth," Zhou Fu Gui conceded grudgingly. "But is a general not meant to conquer territories, defeat enemies, pacify regions, capture kings, and achieve such victories? Should he do nothing and be a mediocre commander? If Han Xin had repeatedly failed, would he have become a renowned general throughout history? Would Liu Bang have valued him so highly?"
"What are you thinking, you young brat?" Hu Yan Sheng, angered, strode before Zhou Fu Gui and rapped his helmet. "A general's duty is, of course, to defeat the enemy. Otherwise, what is the use of having a general? But after achieving victory, what should one do? You must know the story of Wang Jian of Qin. When Wang Jian was young, he was fond of military affairs and served King Ying Zheng of Qin. He led armies to breach the capital of Zhao, subdued the Jin territories, destroyed Yan, and then conquered Chu. Wang Jian and his son, Wang Ben, became the greatest contributors to King Ying Zheng's unification of the Six States and expansion of territory. Yet, after achieving fame and success, Wang Jian resigned his military command, lived in seclusion, and retired gracefully, thus ensuring his peaceful end."
Hu Yan Sheng rapped Zhou Fu Gui again before returning to his seat. "What did Han Xin do after achieving fame and success? He still held significant military power, still harbored ambitions of independent rule, colluded with Chen Xi of the frontier, and plotted rebellion. But if you intend to rebel, why waver and hesitate, wasting numerous opportunities to break free and establish yourself independently? The great general Zhong Li Mo defected to him. Initially, Han Xin treated him as a confidant, but he eventually presented Zhong Li Mo's head to Liu Bang. What was this? An attempt to curry favor that only intensified Liu Bang's resentment and suspicion. Liu Bang demoted Han Xin to the Marquis of Huaiyin, yet his resentment grew. He often feigned illness and refused to attend court, while secretly plotting sedition. Is this not self-inflicted ruin?"
"To endure minor insults but not major ones? 'A single blow can awaken a sleeping man.' At this moment, Zhou Fu Gui felt as if he had been struck by a thunderclap, standing dazed and murmuring to himself.
Simultaneously, Hu Yan Sheng's profound knowledge astonished Zhou Fu Gui. It was truly remarkable for a Xiongnu to have such extensive learning.
Who was he then? Was he truly a Xiongnu? Zhou Fu Gui glanced sideways at Hu Yan Sheng, silently speculating.
The thunderous blows were not just one for Zhou Fu Gui, but a barrage that almost rendered him unconscious.
"You, Commander Zhou Fu Gui!" Hu Yan Sheng continued, "You must have heard of the saying, 'Impatience can ruin great plans.'"
Zhou Fu Gui nodded.
"Your brother was murdered, your sister brutalized!" Hu Yan Sheng nodded and went on. "Such deep hatred is unbearable for ordinary people. But if you wish to be ordinary, I have nothing more to say today. If you do not wish to be ordinary, then I shall speak with you at length today."
"Grand Marshal, please enlighten me!" Zhou Fu Gui, his anger deflated, could only clasp his hands and say.
"King Wen of Zhou, Ji Chang, was imprisoned by King Zhou at You Li in Chao Ge..." Hu Yan Sheng continued. "His son, Bo Yikao, and his second son, Ji Fa, went to Chao Ge to rescue their father. However, King Zhou beheaded Bo Yikao and made him into a meat pie, which he sent to Ji Chang. Ji Chang, knowing it was his eldest son's flesh, ate the pie in front of King Zhou and thanked him for ridding him of Bo Yikao, demonstrating his loyalty. It was precisely due to King Wen's endurance and humility that King Wu later attacked King Zhou, avenged the wrong, and settled this great grievance! Why can you not endure? Enduring momentary humiliation allows for future retribution. Your survival this time is solely due to your good fortune!"
"I... you... Grand Marshal, I was impulsive," Zhou Fu Gui attempted to retort, but lacking the strength, he could only say dejectedly.
At the same time, Zhou Fu Gui, through eight months of rigorous training in the Ice Bone Camp, had begun to understand certain principles.
"I will never make a general of someone who is impulsive and cannot endure; I will never let them lead troops," Hu Yan Sheng said, looking at Zhou Fu Gui.
"Indeed, I am willing to be your attendant for life, Grand Marshal, and will never lead troops again." Though Zhou Fu Gui said this, he stressed the words "attendant" and "lead troops," appearing indignant.
"Heh heh, even if you were to lead troops, do you know the art of leading them?" Hu Yan Sheng asked with a smile.
"During my southern campaigns, I led over three thousand men. Upon first entering Guangling Commandery, at the Battle of Niuzhu, I suffered a great defeat. Surely you will not blame the defeat of the army on me? I led the entire army back. In Luyi, I held off tens of thousands of Xia troops for over a month. Therefore, I dare not say I know fully, but I have some understanding."
"Hmm, I have heard of this matter," Hu Yan Sheng nodded. "However, Guard Zhou, when you led your troops to attack the water gate of Guangling Commandery, how many days did you conduct reconnaissance?"
"Three... days? I estimate it was over ten days," Zhou Fu Gui stammered.
"Slap!" Hu Yan Sheng's face suddenly darkened. He slammed his wooden cup onto the table. "Over ten days, and you dared to rashly lead three thousand men to attack Guangling Commandery? These are three thousand lives! To disregard the lives of your soldiers so carelessly, and then claim to have some understanding of leading troops? In over ten days, did you ascertain how many troops were stationed at the water gate, what defensive armaments they possessed, how many siege engines were there? What about horse traps, pitfalls, and so forth? The siege of a city requires thorough knowledge of the enemy. Before any attack, reconnaissance must be conducted for many days, even years."
"Alas, Grand Marshal, you are unjustly accusing me. It was not that I rashly led troops to attack the city, but I was forced by the Left Worthy King Murong Bo Lie. If I did not advance, I would die. Do you not know this? Moreover, the attack was urgent, and time did not permit," Zhou Fu Gui pleaded, feeling wronged.
Reminded by Hu Yan Sheng, Zhou Fu Gui suddenly recalled how after burning the wooden piles of the water gate of Guangling Commandery, the revealed opening was extremely small. He shivered involuntarily, secretly feeling fortunate.
"Indeed, disobedience is a capital offense," Hu Yan Sheng nodded. "But you had not arrived at Guangling Commandery for more than ten days, had you? Why did you not conduct reconnaissance of Guangling Commandery upon arrival? Or even send scouts to reconnoiter while marching. You only remembered this matter when it was upon you. Am I not correct?"
Damn it, how was I supposed to know that bastard Murong Bo Lie would send me to attack Guangling Commandery first? Zhou Fu Gui cursed inwardly.
Zhou Fu Gui wanted to retort, but he found himself unable to.
Anticipating the enemy and planning ahead – this was indeed something Zhou Fu Gui had overlooked, or rather, had not considered at all.
"A commander must be extremely cautious, as if treading on thin ice," Hu Yan Sheng said calmly, looking at Zhou Fu Gui. "Soldiers, whether generals or ordinary privates, are all precious treasures. Each has parents, wives, and children. How can I entrust troops to someone who disregards them?"
"What the Grand Marshal has said today is like a divine revelation. I... I know I was wrong," Zhou Fu Gui finally lowered his proud head and said softly.
"Hmm, to know one's mistakes and correct them is the greatest of virtues," Hu Yan Sheng nodded. "I hope that in the future, you will think more, plan before acting, and act with purpose and understanding."
"Thank you for your guidance, Grand Marshal," Zhou Fu Gui said, clasping his hands respectfully and bowing.
"You may go. Being my attendant is not an easy task," Hu Yan Sheng said, waving his hand.
Zhou Fu Gui bowed in response and was about to leave, but Hu Yan Sheng called him back.
"Wait!" Hu Yan Sheng stopped Zhou Fu Gui and asked, "After the Battle of Niuzhu, how did you manage to lead your troops back safely?"
"Oh, Grand Marshal, it was like this." Zhou Fu Gui, with a hint of pride, recounted the events.
"You dared to take the main road? Heh heh, your courage is commendable, but it is a pity..." Hu Yan Sheng shook his head and sneered. "Do you truly believe the Southern Dynasty is devoid of capable individuals? Someone must have assisted you, otherwise your unit would have been annihilated."
"Ah? How does the Grand Marshal know?" Zhou Fu Gui exclaimed in shock and surprise.
When Zhou Fu Gui was returning north, Hu Yan Sheng was far away in the northern territories. Yet, it seemed as if he possessed clairvoyance, seeing Zhou Fu Gui's movements clearly.
Or did he have spies around him? Zhou Fu Gui thought to himself. That was impossible. Hu Yan Sheng's influence did not extend that far, and he certainly would not dare to reach into Murong Bo Lie's command.
During Zhou Fu Gui's return north, it was indeed Min Wu Yan who "escorted" his troops...
"When something is out of the ordinary, there is bound to be a reason!" Hu Yan Sheng sneered. "Guard Zhou, when leading troops in battle, you cannot rely solely on luck. Luck will eventually run out."
"And another thing, who exactly are you?" Hu Yan Sheng then asked.
"Me? From Luoyan Village, Luming Township, You Prefecture. A person of humble origins, currently a convict and an attendant," Zhou Fu Gui replied in surprise.
"Hmm, you have some self-awareness," Hu Yan Sheng said coldly. "You need not involve yourself in the affairs of the court anymore, correct?"
I am trying my best to pull you away, yet you are desperately trying to dive in. Hu Yan Sheng wished he could whip this young fool to death.