Chapter 53: Turmoil on the Drill Ground

(Today’s update has arrived. Well, perhaps you never saw the notice about there being no update today, did you?)

In truth, Liu Shanhe was nothing more than a representative for some sergeants who did not wish to transfer from the chariot and infantry division to the cavalry. Yet now, he had made himself the obvious target and was caught red-handed by Qin Cheng. It was simply his own misfortune. Though the army’s proclamations had made it quite clear that cavalry was the direction of future development, and that any soldier wishing to distinguish himself or achieve merit would have much greater opportunity in the cavalry—indeed, it could be said that only the cavalry offered any chance of glory at all—not everyone could immediately grasp the reasoning behind such a policy. Of course, some sergeants, even though they understood, might still refuse to join the cavalry. After all, having spent so long in the barracks, everyone had some attachment to their old units and comrades. To suddenly require all to participate in the cavalry’s recruitment and selection—it would be strange indeed if no one tried to shirk their duties or go through the motions.

Qin Cheng was well aware of this. However, the development of the cavalry was essential to the Han army’s victory over the Xiongnu, and it was the foundation of his own survival and success as Commandant of Cavalry. Thus, he could not tolerate even the slightest deceit or fraud during the assessments.

Since Liu Shanhe had, however inadvertently, set himself up as the one to stand out, Qin Cheng had all the more reason not to let this bird fly free. If he allowed this, and it ended up disgracing him as Commandant of Cavalry, there would be little use in holding the position at all.

“Very well,” Qin Cheng roared in anger, “since it has come to this, you cannot blame me for showing no mercy! Before the assessment, I issued repeated orders: no trickery, no fraud. Liu, as squad leader, defied military orders and flouted the law. If I do not deal with this impartially today, military justice cannot be maintained! Seize him and await my judgment!”

“Yes, sir!” At Qin Cheng’s order, the enforcement squad he had stationed in advance swiftly stepped forward to detain Liu Shanhe.

Naturally, Qin Cheng would not use Li Guang’s personal guards, brought by Li Hu, for such tasks, lest anyone suspect him of bullying others with borrowed authority. That would do his reputation no good.

Liu Shanhe, conscious of his guilt, felt aggrieved but did not dare resist openly. Just as he was about to be taken away, two of those who had exchanged uneasy glances at his side suddenly stepped forward, blocking the enforcement soldiers. One of them, sharp-featured and quick-tongued, turned to Qin Cheng and called out, “General Qin, may I ask what crime Squad Leader Liu has committed, that he must face military justice?”

Qin Cheng’s eyes grew cold, irritated by the man’s feigned ignorance. He was about to rebuke him when he caught a glint of cunning in the soldier’s eyes. Qin Cheng sensed something amiss—when things take an odd turn, there is often a hidden agenda. He must not fall into their trap. He barked, “You dare obstruct the execution of military law? That is the same crime! Stand aside now, or you will be detained as well!”

“General Qin, please judge fairly!” The soldier saluted, eyes darting as he spoke loudly, “Squad Leader Liu only wished not to abandon his former comrades and did not want to become cavalry. What crime is that? Many of us, too, cannot bear to part with our old units. We are used to being charioteers and infantry. If we become cavalry, on the battlefield we might lose our heads to the Xiongnu before we even engage the enemy! Why must we abandon our posts? Why can we not fight as charioteers, instead of turning everything upside down for cavalry? We do not understand, nor do we accept this. General Qin, please explain!”

His words were clear and compelling, each point connecting to the next, easily appealing to the listeners’ sympathies.

Qin Cheng stopped an instructor who tried to interrupt and listened coldly. Since he could not brush this aside, he would hear the man out and respond afterward.

When the soldier finished, the others, though not openly discussing it, all looked to Qin Cheng. Their gazes made it clear: many harbored similar doubts but had not voiced them. This soldier had spoken for them. What’s more, he had painted Qin Cheng as a self-serving villain, disregarding the welfare and lives of his men.

Liu Mu and Li Hu, standing behind Qin Cheng, exchanged glances. Liu Mu whispered, “That fellow is viciously cunning.”

Qin Cheng, seeing all eyes on him, did not blush nor falter. He stepped forward, approached the soldier, and said, “Let me ask you: as a garrison soldier, do you know what the military law is?”

“Uh… I only speak what everyone is thinking…” the man replied, trying to avoid the question.

“Answer me first: as a soldier, do you know the military law?” Qin Cheng pressed, giving him no chance to deflect.

“I… of course, I know the military law. But what I said was reasonable—”

“I ask you again: do you know the army’s regulations?” Qin Cheng forced the issue, raising his voice, not letting the man seize the initiative.

“Of course I know the regulations, and I know the principles of reason—”

“If you know the law, why dare you obstruct its execution? If you know the law, why do you excuse another’s crime with pretexts? If you know the regulations, why do you evade my questions? If you know the regulations, why do you speak so brazenly before your superior?” Qin Cheng cut him off, firing question after question, stepping closer and raising his voice with each one. His bearing grew more severe until the soldier, unable to withstand the onslaught, retreated in confusion.

“Tell me, who gave you such courage?” Qin Cheng demanded harshly.

The soldier, pale but pretending calm, tried to reply, “I only—”

“Whose subordinate is this?” Qin Cheng cut him off, turning to the crowd.

“He… he’s mine,” came the answer after Qin Cheng repeated the question. It was Liu Shanhe, looking abashed and lowering his head under Qin Cheng’s gaze.

“So, he is your man,” Qin Cheng sneered, approaching Liu Shanhe. He lifted the man’s head and said, “A fine subordinate you have raised! He has learned well from you—even in defying orders and breaking the law, he follows your example. You are truly a model officer!”

“I am guilty and await punishment!” Liu Shanhe, knowing he had no defense, could only grit his teeth and accept responsibility.

“What crime has he committed?” the soldier interjected, still unrepentant. “He only did what many of us wished but dared not do; I only spoke what many wished but dared not say. Why does General Qin insist on punishing us without distinguishing right from wrong?”

The man held his head high, clearly believing he had struck at Qin Cheng’s weakness.

Qin Cheng did not deign to look at him. He turned to Liu Shanhe and quietly asked, “Squad Leader Liu, does your man truly not understand military law, or do you share his view?”

“I dare not,” Liu Shanhe said miserably, turning to the soldier and barking, “Zhang Shiyou, confess your guilt!”

“Squad Leader, what crime have I committed?” Zhang Shiyou remained defiant.

Qin Cheng sneered, ignoring both men. He addressed the enforcement squad: “Such garrison soldiers, breaking the law and showing no remorse—seize them!”

“Yes, sir!” The enforcement soldiers, eager to redeem themselves after being bested, moved swiftly. As they approached, Zhang Shiyou exchanged a glance with the other who had blocked the arrest. A flash of hostility crossed his eyes as he shouted, “General Qin is unjust! Who needs such a general?” With that, the two of them attacked the enforcement squad!

“They’ve gone mad! What are they trying to do?” Liu Mu exclaimed in disbelief and anger.

“No matter—just seize them,” Li Hu said coldly, equally incensed.

The two soldiers fought fiercely, knocking down two of the enforcement team in an instant. Li Hu and Liu Mu prepared to intervene, but Qin Cheng had already moved. In a blur, he was upon Zhang Shiyou. Before Zhang could react, agony lanced through his abdomen and he felt himself lifted off the ground by a powerful kick.

His companion, hearing his cry, turned, only to see a leg looming before him. Before he could react, pain exploded in his nose and his vision swam as he flew sideways, landing in a heap.

Qin Cheng, having dealt with the troublemakers, said coldly, “Take them away!”

The enforcement soldiers, eager to reclaim their honor, wasted no time. As they dragged the pair off, they did not hesitate to add a few blows. But both men, dazed from Qin Cheng’s kicks, hardly reacted.

Liu Shanhe, witnessing all this, went through a storm of emotions—anxiety, anger, shame. He knew he had caused a disaster; not only was his career at an end, but his very life was in jeopardy. Seeing his subordinates make such a scene before Qin Cheng, he was mortified. He fell to his knees before Qin Cheng, crying, “I have failed to maintain discipline and allowed such insubordination. My crime is beyond pardon!” He bowed his head to the ground.

Qin Cheng glanced at him impassively and ordered, “Take him away.”

With the three men removed, Qin Cheng found himself perplexed. That Liu Shanhe might try to fudge the assessment was understandable and expected; it was a violation, but not a grave one. But Zhang Shiyou’s actions were baffling—what had driven him to such extremes, openly attacking enforcement soldiers in front of Qin Cheng, risking his life so wantonly?

Reactions among the soldiers were mixed, but most agreed that while Zhang Shiyou’s words had been stirring, his later actions were excessive and undeserving of sympathy. The facts were clear: all three had violated military law. Some shrewder soldiers were even more puzzled—if Zhang Shiyou wanted to undermine Qin Cheng, attacking enforcement officers was the worst possible move; it only backfired.

Qin Cheng observed all this and understood a little. Once the three had been removed, he addressed the troops:

“What happened today—Liu Shanhe’s minor breach of regulations, and Zhang Shiyou and the others’ violent assault on enforcement officers—are all grave violations. I will deal with them according to military law.”

“As soldiers, military orders are everything. To violate them, regardless of reason, cannot be forgiven. I need not explain the logic behind this.”

“The expansion of the cavalry is mandated by imperial decree from the throne, by orders from the general staff, and by the orders of your commanders. The selection of skilled veterans from the charioteers and infantry for the elite cavalry is a strategic decision, not a matter of personal will—least of all mine alone!”

“As Commandant of Cavalry, responsible for all things pertaining to the army’s mounted force, I must fulfill my duty, live up to my commission, and not disappoint His Majesty’s expectations. If we disregard orders and shirk our duties out of selfish motives, abandoning the army’s grand designs, the Han’s cause, and the Emperor’s trust, what face have we to remain in this brave and loyal garrison? What face have we to meet our fallen comrades, or the people we are sworn to protect?”

“That is all I have to say. I will not repeat myself. Weigh this for yourselves.”

With that, Qin Cheng turned and left.

Li Hu and Liu Mu exchanged glances and followed after him.

The soldiers looked at one another, expressions varied. Those who had not intended to shirk felt secretly relieved; those who had harbored such thoughts were ashamed, but also grateful their foolish plans had gone unrealized.

Qin Cheng returned to his command tent, his face grave and stripped of his usual ease. Upon entering, he ordered a guard to bring Liu Shanhe, and another to retrieve Liu Shanhe’s service record.

Li Hu and Liu Mu followed him inside. Seeing Qin Cheng brooding over a map of the border, his expression severe, they stayed silent.

On the way back, Qin Cheng had already formed a hypothesis, but he needed to interrogate Liu Shanhe to confirm it. If his suspicions proved true, it would be alarming indeed.

Qin Cheng looked at Li Hu and Liu Mu but said nothing. He was not one to voice his thoughts before his mind was made up—lest he appear shallow.

There were too many doubts in his mind. The development of the cavalry was his lifeblood; he would not allow the slightest error. Though today’s incident had been contained, Zhang Shiyou’s assault on the enforcement squad had escalated matters. If the consequences could not be contained, it would become a problem far beyond just this garrison.

Liu Shanhe was brought in, his service record presented. Upon seeing Qin Cheng, Liu Shanhe knelt at once, declaring himself guilty and deeply remorseful.

Qin Cheng sat at his desk and, without acknowledging him, carefully reviewed the man’s record. Finding nothing amiss, he finally looked up and said, “Squad Leader Liu, I will ask you some questions. I expect truthful answers. If not, the consequences will be severe. Do you understand?”

“Please ask, General Qin. I will not utter a single falsehood,” Liu Shanhe replied, thumping his chest in earnest.

“Very well. Tell me, why did you try to shirk responsibility during the cavalry assessment today?” Qin Cheng’s tone was severe.

“I could not bear to leave my old comrades. We’ve been together for years; it’s not easy. How could I not feel attached? I never sought glory in joining the army, only to live well and happily with my brothers. That’s why I didn’t want to join the cavalry, nor cared for its prospects. So during the assessment, I faked it.” Liu Shanhe spoke quickly, even chuckling awkwardly, before lowering his head in shame.

“And how can you be so certain your brothers would also fail at cavalry—”