Chapter 67: Winter of the Year of Jiyi (18)

  Li Chengzhong listened to Wang Dalang's accusations against Jier in the cave, but Jier did not appear. As soon as he returned, he hid in his own small cave and did not show up, leaving only Wang Dalang here, angrily scolding Jier.

  Li Chengzhong did not take Wang Dalang's accusations too seriously, and his focus was on two aspects.

  The first aspect is: "Is the instructor's teaching conscientious? Is there any intention to escape?" On this issue, Wang Dalang thought for a moment and replied honestly: "The instructor was very diligent and taught many things. The brothers gained a lot. Along the way, they deliberately left some opportunities for the instructor, but didn't see him move his heart or think of escaping."

  The second aspect is: "How many Khitan people are guarding the winter camp? Are there any other Khitan people supporting around? How far is it from Bailu Mountain?" Wang Dalang's answer was: "It can't be seen how many Khitan people are guarding, but many Han people were found working outside the camp. Within a radius of at least ten miles, no other Khitan camps were found, and this camp is not too far from the back mountain pass of Bailu Mountain, about an hour's ride on horseback, and half a day on foot."

  Li Chengzhong walked back and forth in the cave, thinking seriously for a while. Throughout the winter, Li Chengzhong's troops had not taken a single step out of White Wolf Mountain, so he judged that this should not be a Qidan decoy. The Qidan cavalry scouts were concentrated at the southern mouth of White Wolf Mountain, unaware of the small road to the north behind the mountain, and with Li Chengzhong's troops adopting a defensive strategy, the Qidans were overly complacent, and the possibility of lax defense in the winter camp was actually quite high. This was also an excellent opportunity for a surprise attack. As for the cattle and sheep described by Wang Dalang as "herds" and "countless" in the camps, Li Chengzhong's eyes grew red with envy, and his envy was even more intense than Wang Dalang's!

  "Assemble all troops, prepare to attack!" Li Chengzhong steeled himself and issued the order.

  Wang Daling's spirit lifted, and he immediately asked: "What about the solution..."

  Li Chengzhong said: "Let's take it easy, we're in the same boat, can't say who's wrong."

  ……

  He lay on the dry grass heap, staring blankly with his eyes open. His explanation to Wang Dalang seemed grandiose, but in reality, it didn't hold up to scrutiny, and even he himself felt that it wasn't convincing. Therefore, the more he thought about it, the more he felt that Li Chengzhong wouldn't let go of his "betrayal", and would likely dismiss him from his position. It was okay if he had to start over with those physically demanding tasks again, at most he would just have to eat less, but what about his wife and children?

  And is it really "betrayal" after all? What exactly is "betrayal"?

  Xie Li remembered that Mr. Feng's class had specifically taught that one must be "ren, yi, li, zhi, xin" to be a good person. Ren means being kind and loving, caring about others and having a heart for the common people. Since learning this phrase, Xie Li had been living by its meaning in the White Wolf Mountain, helping others in his work and caring for the weak in his daily life, especially that woman and her two children... Thinking of that woman, Xie Li's face slightly flushed.

  A righteous person should handle matters fairly and reasonably, and fulfill their own responsibilities. In this regard, Jie Li also felt that he had not made any mistakes. He never spared effort in his work, doing as much as he could and earning the corresponding work points, which he could exchange for food. In training soldiers, he was also diligent and conscientious, never lazy or perfunctory, fully deserving of the work points he earned.

  Let's put aside the complexities of the words "rites" and "wisdom" for now. As for the word "faith", how does one define it? According to his agreement with Li Chengzhong, since he had promised to train these soldiers well, he would definitely fulfill this promise, and that's exactly what he did. This time when they went out of the mountain for training, he had many opportunities to escape, but as soon as he thought of his own promise, he dispelled the idea of escaping. He wanted to be a man who stood tall and upright, a gentleman who strictly kept his promises.

  Before today, Jie Li always thought he was doing fine, but now everything has changed. Not allowing the Xiu Hou team to attack the Zong people's camp, is it not going against the moral principles taught by Feng Si Shi?

  The predicament of the White Wolf Mountain was well-known, and when he saw the cattle and sheep in the camp, Jieri's eyes also turned red. If those cattle and sheep could be brought back to the mountain, the common people would no longer have to worry about food and clothing, and that woman and her two children could live a good life. Jieri felt that as a Khitan who had blood on his hands from killing Han people, it was not easy to gain the understanding of the Han people, and to gain the recognition of that woman. He was quite terrified by this, and every time he heard the two children happily calling him "Uncle Jieri", he would feel uneasy and guilty in addition to being moved.

  He thought of those who were loyal to him and Yan Yuese, he thought of the soldiers who respected and obeyed him, and let out a deep sigh.

  But... can I really raise my sword against my own people?

  Jie Li's mind was in a mess, he didn't know what to do. After thinking for a while, he decided to go seek out Feng Si Shi, Feng Si Shi is an erudite person who understands many things. Since listening to Feng Si Shi's lectures, Jie Li felt that his horizons had broadened and his knowledge had increased by leaps and bounds. At this moment of emotional distress and disorientation, he wanted to seek a reasonable explanation from Feng Si Shi.

  As soon as he came out of the cave, he heard a sudden and urgent whistle, and saw soldiers rushing out of the cave one after another. They quickly gathered in the school field, forming a neat formation, with everyone holding sharp blades and fully equipped. Jie Li's heart tightened, and without looking for Feng Si Shi, he rushed to the edge of the school field and found Li Cheng Zhong.

  "Sir, is this going to..." Jie Li asked, his scalp numb, but he had already anticipated it. The title "sir" in the Central Plains meant "father", but on the grasslands, it was a term used to address those with power and influence. Since becoming the instructor of archery and horsemanship for the vanguard, Jie Li had always addressed Li Chengzhong according to the customs of the grasslands.

  "Go to Cao's Valley." Li Chengzhong also didn't evade, smiling as he explained to Jie.

  "What's '打草谷'"? The meaning is clear, it has always been the way Khitan tribes plunder outsiders. Li Chengzhong used this term to answer himself, and he couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed. After the embarrassment, there was another moment of silence. After a brief silence, Li said in a low voice: "Your Excellency, I didn't order the vanguard team to attack the Ping tribe's camp today..."

  Li Chengzhong said, "Don't worry. You don't have to be too concerned, after all you are a Khitan person, and being able to help me train soldiers to resist foreign invasion is already very good. Letting you fight against your own kind is indeed difficult for you. You also don't need to have any fear or unease, if the Khitans come again to attack us, kill our people, plunder our goods, abduct our women... I also permit you not to participate in battle. You also don't need to worry that I will punish you, from now on it will be as before, training soldiers for me, and the work points you should get, I absolutely won't deduct them."

  His tone was calm, but his words made Li's face flush with anger. He felt a bit embarrassed, yet relieved, and didn't know how to respond. After a slight hesitation, he plucked up the courage to ask: "Sir, when leading the troops... can we minimize... the slaughter?" Having asked this, he himself felt ashamed, lowered his head, and dared not look at Li Chengzhong.

  Li Chengzhong smiled and said: "I promise you, as long as those who put down their swords will not be killed!"

  Never thought that the "wolf demon" in his mind would be so tolerant of himself, and actually agreed to such an impolite and harsh request. He was stunned for a moment, somewhat disbelieving.

  Li Chengzhong said, "I'm afraid they won't understand my words and will fight to the death... Moreover, if we alert the camp's guards and scouts before attacking, it'll be hard to say what will happen. I don't know how effective your teachings have been these past few days; can my soldiers withstand a fierce battle with the Khitan people? How many of them will return alive this time? Alas..."

  "Sir... take me with you."

  Li Chengzhong turned his head to look at Jier for a while, smiled and said: "Good!" Before Jier could speak, he suddenly straightened his face and ordered: "Officer Jier, the Scout Team is now under your command. One, clear out the roaming cavalry and sentries on the front road; two, attack and cover the battlefield in advance; three, when necessary, lead the team to pursue and attack the fleeing enemy; four, return and block the pursuit at the rear."

  He had originally only thought of making suggestions on the side, but since sending troops was unavoidable, he would help Li Chengzhong take down the camp smoothly, minimizing casualties as much as possible, including those of the vanguard soldiers and the Khitan people. At the same time, it would also be a repayment to Li Chengzhong's magnanimity. He had never thought that he would shoulder such a heavy responsibility, and this "adult" actually trusted him so much, for a moment, he felt at a loss for words, even his breathing was a bit uneven.

  Li Chengzhong and other former camp soldiers gathered, loudly saying: "Brothers, there are only two days left before the New Year. I promised you all before that on New Year's Eve, we will hold a bonfire party in the school field, where military and civilians can enjoy together, brothers should all remember..."

  At this point, the soldiers in front of the stage all showed a smile of approval.

  Li Chengzhong continued: "The idea is good, but the reality is cruel. There is not much food in the mountains, and there is little meat. I originally wanted to run to Pingzhou again to ask for some New Year's food for my brothers. But now it seems that it won't work out. The Khitan people have tightened their blockade outside the mountain, our supply line has been cut off, and the idea of getting food from within the pass is not feasible. With the big New Year's approaching, my brothers' pots are empty, I couldn't bear it! Everyone says, what to do?"

  The soldiers in front were suddenly stunned, staring at each other with wide eyes...

  "I've thought of a plan. Since the Khitan people won't let us transport grain from within the pass, we'll go ask them for it! If they don't give it to us, we'll take it by force! Haven't the Khitan people been raiding our Han people's pastures all along? We'll go raid their pastures too!" Li Chengzhong said this, pointing at the soldiers below the stage and shouting loudly: "I wonder if you brothers dare to go or not?"

  A commotion erupted from below the stage, followed by a chorus of voices shouting in unison: "Dare!"

  "No food, no clothes, seize cattle and sheep to celebrate the New Year!"

  ……

  On the twenty-eighth day of the twelfth month in the second year of Guanghua, the vanguard of Pingzhou Army stationed at Bailing Mountain launched a surprise attack from a small mountain path behind the mountain and raided a winter pasture for cattle and sheep of the Khitan army in the north of the mountain. They beheaded 24 people, captured 69, obtained more than 120 cows, more than 3,000 sheep, and 90 horses. At the same time, they rescued over 300 Han slaves.