Chapter 536: The white sword entered the belly, the red sword came out of the back, the King of Qin held the King of Qin's sword and stabbed the King of Qin!
Meng Tian lowered his head and said nothing, and Li Xin looked respectful and silent. This is the attitude.
They can't object, but they won't agree either.
They have never seen the Ice Sculpture Company lying in the snow and not moving their position until they froze to death; they have never seen Qiu Shaoyun standing still in the flames and not making a sound until he was burned to death; they have never seen a long bridge of flesh and blood made of bodies stacked on top of each other, with backs and shoulders as the bridge surface.
These most outstanding generals of the Qin Dynasty could not have imagined such an army in their minds alone.
They didn't believe what the second emperor said.
Everyone can say it, but who will do it?
They will strictly carry out the Second Emperor's orders and obey, but their hearts will not be convinced.
It is easy to say a few nice words, but what about the specific deployment? How to change the military's habits that have been around for thousands of years?
The Second Emperor did mention just now that the Qin soldiers who violated military discipline had been escorted away and the executioners were ready. Was he planning to kill people to establish his authority?
When attacking the Huns in the north, the second emperor killed soldiers to show his equal treatment to the Taotie tribe and the Huns. All the generals knew that this was just a second killing to establish his authority.
Killing people to establish authority is also an old tradition in military training, first created by Sun Wu, the founder of military strategy.
During the Spring and Autumn Period, Sun Wu gathered 180 palace maids from the State of Wu for training in order to test the abilities of the King of Wu's soldiers.
Sun Wu divided the 180 palace maids into two teams, led by the two most beloved concubines of the King of Wu.
At first, the two female armies laughed and did not take the order seriously, and did not obey the military order. Sun Wu beheaded the favorite concubine of the King of Wu, who led the two armies, and the two female armies immediately obeyed the order.
Every student of military strategy knows this method of training troops and has used it to a greater or lesser extent, but it is all done for the purpose of winning battles.
The Linji battle was won. Now killing people to establish authority was not for victory in the battle, but for the illusory word "liberation". The generals of the Qin Dynasty could not agree with this.
From the Battle of Zhuolu between Yanhuang and Chiyou to the present day, has there ever been a major war in which soldiers were not set free? They have been fighting like this for nearly two thousand years, so why is it not the case now?
The other generals also behaved normally and did not show any other emotions in response to the words of the second emperor.
The orders are carried out, but the people are not convinced.
Only Liu Bang.
The Red Emperor, who had lost the title of Pei Gong, clapped his hands vigorously and shouted.
"color!"
His palms turned red after a few claps, and he said sincerely:
"Your Majesty's wise words have benefited the country a lot! Benefited a lot!"
Among the generals present, except Fan Kuai, he had the least experience and the worst battle record.
Chidi, who was born in Pei County, did not consider himself a Qin citizen. It was appropriate for him to kill a few Qin soldiers in order to establish his authority.
Whatever you say is what it is, and whatever you want to do is what you want to do. This is the king’s authority.
What’s the point of being able to fight?
He was a ruffian who could scold the prince in public, yet he could reach the position of general. He had few military achievements but was on par with many famous generals present. It was not because of his outstanding military ability, but because of the king's favor!
Liu Bang, full of praise, ignored the contemptuous looks of the generals around him and nudged Fan Kuai with his elbow.
As a Chu man with no military experience or merit, it would be difficult for him to squeeze into the Qin army no matter how hard he tried. In comparison, it was obviously much easier to please the second emperor.
There is no need to force yourself to fit in if you are in different circles.
Fan Kuai, Lu Wan, Cao Shen, Xiao He and other fellow villagers from Pei County were Liu Bang's circle.
The butcher, who had been depressed since he entered the tent because he failed to get the credit for being the first to reach the point, looked up at his eldest brother and belatedly clapped his hands.
"Good! Your Majesty, what you said is very good!"
Ying Chengjiao looked at the butcher who was confused and followed Liu Bang to clapped and spoke nicely, and felt that Pojun, who was extremely feared by the Yin-Yang Doctor, was really stupid.
Only he, the Emperor of Qin, could think this way.
The Wei soldiers on the city wall collapsed too quickly, in large part because Fan Kuai was too violent. He chopped from the east to the west of the city wall with a butcher knife, and those who tried to stop them were either disemboweled or cut in half.
When those Wei soldiers who died tragically saw Fan Kuai at this moment, they would only feel horrified and would never have the idea of being stunned.
The second emperor stood up and smiled.
"Then tell me, what's good about it?"
Fan Kuai kept slapping his hands and looked at his elder brother for help. He didn't listen carefully to what the second emperor said just now, so how could he explain anything?
Liu Bang's mouth was as if sewn shut.
[Your Majesty just wants to see you, a butcher, in trouble. You are a fool to come to the rescue at this time!]
In the "History of Qin" written by Taishi Da, the final conclusion in twelve words: he is proficient in marching and fighting, and is well versed in the ways of the world.
This was definitely not a good evaluation for a military general. Liu Bang's eldest son, Liu Fei, could not raise his head in front of the generals and their families, and cried to his father and mother.
While Cao, the concubine, was coaxing her eldest son, she was cursing the historian in her heart.
General Liu Bang laughed loudly and said proudly:
"This is true. You can carve it on my coffin."
After Liu Bang's death, the newly appointed Grand Historian, Taishi Da's son Taishi Ci, added five words to his final judgment: "His mind is as broad as the sea."
It is cited as a good story.
The Second Emperor knew that the stupid butcher could not say anything, and he did not expect to hear an answer.
He smiled and glanced at Liu Bang who was unwilling to rescue his brother, then opened the tent door and walked out. The generals followed him, not looking at Liu Bang and Fan Kuai, the two brothers of different surnames, with any respect.
How can dog butchers, thugs, and flatterers who seek to get promoted be ranked alongside them!
Lian Po, the second emperor's deputy general and the second-ranked veteran in terms of seniority and military exploits, lagged behind by three steps until the two brothers, who did not take the strange looks of the other generals seriously, came forward.
He stared straight ahead without moving his body, as if talking to himself or mumbling to himself.
"A general who does not understand the world will not have a good end. A general who only understands the world will die on the battlefield."
After saying this, the veteran did not quicken his pace, but his stride length increased from less than one foot to nearly three feet.
He took a few steps past all the generals and followed the second emperor, and no one raised any objection.
When Liu Bang saw that these Qin generals who looked down on him were respectful to Lian Po, a general from Zhao, the mortal enemy of Qin, an inexplicable light flashed in his eyes.
[Lian Po is from Zhao. If a Zhao person can get such a Qin general, why can't I, a Chu person? Qin people value traces rather than the center. It seems that I was wrong...]
"Just like Mr. Wang, he is very mysterious and I don't know what he is talking about."
Fan Kuai was inspired and said that a butcher in normal state is not stupid.
"The deputy general is telling you, don't lose the credit for being the first to reach the target next time. Without military merit, no one will look up to us."
Liu Bang spoke softly, his voice calm.
The burly butcher walked silently with his elder brother towards the neatly arranged and equally silent Qin army.
The Qin army lined up in battle formations, a black mass that stretched as far as the eye could see, like endless waves at the seaside.
Five hundred soldiers formed a square formation, with an empty space left in the middle of the eight square formations. In the center was a temporary three-foot-high platform, which was used as an execution platform to punish soldiers who disobeyed military orders.
On each execution platform, there was a soldier kneeling with his head lowered.
The thick hemp rope was passed over their shoulders, made into two large crosses at their chest and abdomen, then wrapped back around their waists, tied up their arms backwards, and tied into a knot at their wrists.
Only soldiers who disobey military orders and deserve to be put to death will be tied into a dead knot.
Next to the soldier was a tall wooden upright trumpet, which was built overnight by the Mohist scholar accompanying the Qin army.
Behind the soldier stood a man, holding either a broad execution knife or an axe with a blade as big as a human head.
On the battlefield, they were military supervisors holding Qin swords, whose duty was to monitor which soldiers disturbed the morale of the army, fled, or were afraid to fight. Most of their Qin swords would not be used to cut the enemy, but to cut their own people.
On the battlefield, they are executioners holding knives and axes, emotionless killing machines who also kill their own people.
It is not the first time that one's own people kill one's own people and integrate military discipline . But every time it happens, it is disturbing.
It doesn't matter whether it's the fox mourning the death of a rabbit or sympathizing with each other when they are in the same boat.
The soldiers, who had just won a great victory, had their military merits recorded and their titles promoted, should have had joy written all over their faces, but now, they could hardly show a single bit of happiness.
This time, the one kneeling on the execution platform can give way to his comrades, who will be beheaded and will not be able to laugh.
Next time it might be me, and I won’t be able to laugh even more.
The second emperor led his generals through the square formation, and the murderous atmosphere became stronger wherever they passed.
The cold and chilly winter seemed to have made a comeback and circled around the Second Emperor.
When the king comes, people should be killed.
Killing people to establish authority is a principle that is not only understood by generals, but also by soldiers.
Soldiers who have never read military books and cannot read a single word do not understand what is going on. Veterans who have survived many battles will only pass on what they have seen, heard, and experienced to their favorite recruits.
This is inheritance.
Just like a charge in formation, the lines are not arranged according to height, but a mixture of new recruits and veterans.
In this way, when charging, the new soldiers will not be afraid to retreat because they are led by veterans. After fighting a few battles and knowing that the more afraid of death one is, the easier it is to die on the battlefield, the new soldiers will become veterans. The next time, they will lead the charge and set an example for the new recruits.
This is also inheritance.
The field was silent except for the sound of the two emperors and generals walking.
All the soldiers understood what was going to happen next, and they all knew that this was an intentional attempt to establish authority.
But knowing many things is useless, I will still be timid and afraid. While feeling sad for my comrades, I will also feel a little lucky that it is not me who is glad.
The spring is dull.
On this not-so-warm day, the Second Emperor wore only a single white robe from head to toe. The ends of his long hair, which was not tied up upright, were slightly raised, swaying with the rhythm of his walking.
He wore the Qin King's Sword on his waist, and the sword swayed up and down as he walked, as if reviewing the troops on behalf of the Qin kings of all generations who held it, and nodding in praise of the Qin army.
When they arrived at the first execution platform, all the generals stopped and the two emperors went up alone.
Qin Bing, kneeling on the ground, tied up and with his head down, saw a pair of black boots in front of him, and his heart and body trembled.
My heart trembles because of guilt. I have disobeyed military orders and feel ashamed to see the king.
The body trembles because of fear, the fear of death.
"Look up."
Qin Bing slowly raised his head, his cracked lips and bloodshot eyes met the eyes with slightly bloodshot eyes.
At that moment, the Qin soldiers who were originally frightened were suddenly not afraid anymore.
He couldn't believe that the King of Qin, whose eyes were filled with sadness and had red threads scattered in them, and who obviously hadn't slept well the night before, would kill him just to establish his authority.
The king didn't want to kill him, it was he who disobeyed military orders, he deserved to die.
Their king blocked the harsh winter and truly treated these untouchables as his own sons, but he wanted the king to have trouble sleeping well.
Linji has been conquered. Apart from these soldiers who disobeyed military orders and deserved to be put to death, what else could keep the king awake at night?
He forced an ugly smile.
"Your Majesty, please proceed."
The white-robed emperor looked at them coldly, and without warning, he kicked the Qin soldier over.
Qin Bing fell to the ground and felt pain all over his body, but he felt relieved in his heart.
It would be great if the dying body could let the king kick it a few times to vent his anger.
His arms were tied, so he couldn't support himself with his hands. He used his shoulders and head to support himself on the ground, moving with difficulty like a maggot.
His clothes were torn and blood was oozing out. He finally knelt in front of the Second Emperor again, with a deeper smile on his face.
"Mang is from Shu Village, Xianyang. His father died in the war against Chu. He has an old mother and four brothers and sisters. He is the third child."
Qin Bingmang's eyes widened as he stared at Wang, who was describing his family's situation expressionlessly, his lips trembling as he could not speak.
The king, who was so busy and high up in the sky, actually kept in mind the family situation of a nobody like him. Even after seeing and hearing it with his own eyes, he still felt like he was in a dream...
"In one battle, Linji killed three enemy soldiers and was awarded the title of Gongshi."
Mang lowered his head with a look of regret.
Although Gongshi was the lowest rank among the twenty ranks of military merit, it was still a title after all. His father who died in battle did not even get the rank of Gongshi before the news of his death was reported.
If things ended here, it would be a great thing that would bring honor to the family.
Perhaps he would make meritorious contributions in the next war and get a surname, so that his bloodline could be passed down and his family would have roots from then on. They would no longer be like rootless duckweed, dying and disappearing, and disappearing after three generations.
That would be great.
With his lower jaw supported, he could not lower his head, and Mang met the king's eyes again.
The king bent down and came closer, and the red bloodshot in his eyes became clearer, as did his words.
"When the Linji garrison surrendered, I intended to kill the prisoners, but the military supervisor stopped me. Those who surrender will not be killed, but those who disobey orders will be beheaded. You know this."
Mang was filled with regret, and bitterness spread from his heart to his whole body and overflowed from his eyes.
If he were given another chance, he would never use the Qin sword to chop at the head of the unarmed Wei Gou!
He wanted to open his mouth, but the strength of his jaw prevented him from uttering a word.
"You're silent and shaking your head. It seems you don't know."
His jaw ached, the bones were fixed tightly in place. He couldn't even move, let alone speak.
He blinked and looked at the king in confusion, wondering what the king wanted to do and why he didn't let him speak.
Before the battle, military orders were conveyed to every tent and every soldier, so of course he knew about it.
"If the rules are not clearly defined and the orders are not believed, then that is the fault of the general."
The Second Emperor pinched Mang's chin with his left hand and drew the Qin King's Sword from his waist with his right hand.
"You didn't know the military orders and disobeyed them. This is not your fault, but mine."
The second emperor's words were transmitted to the entire army through the wooden standing loudspeaker next to him.
Every word the two men said earlier was heard by the soldiers present through the loudspeaker.
The Second Emperor turned the Qin King's Sword upside down with a cold face and stabbed it into his own abdomen.
The white sword enters the belly and the red sword comes out of the back.
The King of Qin took the King of Qin's sword and stabbed the King of Qin.
