The battle ended swiftly and decisively, leaving everyone momentarily speechless.
In the grand hall, only Sima Yi, who was still struggling, made any noise.
But it was clear that he had no chance of turning the situation around.
"Who are you?" Sima Yi was pulled to his feet, glaring fiercely at Shao Xun.
Shao Xun didn't respond, simply taking out a leather rope to bind him.
"Do you know who I am? I am the Grand Commandant, Grand Marshal, General of Agile Cavalry, and Prince of Changsha, Sima Yi. How dare you! You..."
Sima Yi struggled desperately, shouting incessantly.
Chen Yougen and Wang Que'er stepped forward, one on each side, kicking and hitting him until he quieted down.
"Do you even know what you're doing?" Sima Yi continued to yell, seemingly oblivious to the beating.
"We could have won. I was ready to fight to the death. The enemy is weak; we could have crushed them in one strike. Let me go, do you hear me?"
Chen Yougen and Wang Que'er "increased the dosage," continuing to beat him mercilessly.
Sima Yi cried out in pain, glaring at Chen and Wang.
The two ignored him, simply holding his arms to keep him from moving.
Sima Yi finally gave up resisting.
These soldiers had no regard for the law, no fear of nobility.
They acted without hesitation, showing no respect for their betters.
The young soldiers binding his advisors were the same.
The advisors cursed and threatened, listing their titles and family backgrounds, but all they received in return were fists.
Where did these people come from?
This was fundamentally different from the chaos of marauding armies.
When tens of thousands of soldiers pillage a city, the law can't punish everyone, so the soldiers aren't afraid.
Instead, they feel a perverse pleasure in trampling the once-noble underfoot.
But this small-scale coup was different.
The mastermind could be found.
Weren't they afraid?
"Who sent you? Gou Xi?" Sima Yi coldly stared at Shao Xun.
"Who has he sided with?"
No one answered.
Instead, they stuffed a blood-stained rag into Sima Yi's mouth.
Everyone had been given orders beforehand: no talking to Sima Yi, just capture him.
"Huang Biao, take some men and guard the Grand Marshal. Make no mistakes," Shao Xun said, clapping his hands after tying up Sima Yi.
"Yes, sir," Huang Biao replied, then pushed Sima Yi into a side chamber.
This was their first time participating in such an operation, and for some, it was their first time killing.
Their movements were stiff, and some were even trembling, unsure if it was from excitement or fear.
But they wore their armor and wielded their weapons, completing the task without fail.
Especially when the enemy invoked their titles and family backgrounds, they showed no mercy, executing the orders like emotionless machines.
This was good.
In their hearts, "Master Shao" had already surpassed any high-ranking official, which pleased Shao Xun greatly.
He needed to strengthen this belief further.
His core group could only listen to him.
"Your Majesty," Shao Xun turned and knelt on the ground.
The Emperor had been helped up by the Empress, but seeing Shao Xun, covered in blood, approach and bow, he weakened again.
Empress Yang Xianrong remained relatively calm.
She had started to piece things together.
This man named Shao Xun, the commander who had killed Meng Chao, seemed to be in some trouble.
"Your Majesty, this is a hero who has protected the throne," Yang Xianrong bit her lip and whispered.
"A hero?" Emperor Sima Zhong's strength returned at the words.
"Yes, yes, a hero."
Shao Xun bowed his head even lower.
Before him, aside from the ground, was only the hem of the Empress's skirt, stained with blood and carrying a faint metallic scent.
"Your Majesty, since he is a hero, he should be rewarded," Yang Xianrong reminded.
"Then reward him..."
The Emperor suddenly faltered, unsure of what to give.
"Ahem..."
Qin Zhun, the palace attendant, coughed deliberately and said, "Your Majesty, bestow upon him ceremonial robes, golden armor, and a sword. Now, we should issue an edict to inform the court and the public. This is a significant matter."
Yang Xianrong said nothing more.
Her mind was still in turmoil, filled with chaotic thoughts.
Emperor Sima Zhong slowly stood up and nodded.
Today's events had nearly cost him his life.
This soldier, leaping and striking like a hawk or tiger, had killed several people as easily as eating or drinking, leaving the Emperor still shaken.
Send him away quickly! The Emperor was tired and needed rest.
Yang Xianrong helped the Emperor up and led him toward a side door.
Before leaving, she glanced at Shao Xun.
In two years of facing life-and-death situations, this was the first time someone had told her, "Don't be afraid."
The north wind howled, wailing endlessly.
Shao Xun adjusted his military attire and left the grand hall.
Servants brought carriages.
The young soldiers carried out the bodies one by one, loading them onto the carriages.
There were more than ten bodies in total, filling three large carts.
"First time killing someone. Are you scared?" Shao Xun asked the solemn-faced youths gently.
"Not scared!"
"A little scared..."
"I wasn't scared at the time, but now I feel a bit nervous."
The answers varied, and Shao Xun couldn't help but smile.
"You all did well," he said, walking over and patting one on the shoulder, ruffling another's hair.
"You've grown up, daring to fight and strive. That's really good. In this world, Master Shao will lead you forward. We'll surely have a good life."
"I'll follow Master Shao. Tell me to kill, and I'll kill," one youth said.
"I'll follow Master Shao too. It was amazing. Prince of Changsha, disheveled and trembling, didn't dare move when Master Shao pointed his bow at him."
"Haha. When we first arrived two days ago, I was in awe. But after this, I'm disappointed. The palace is nice, but what kind of people live inside?"
"Did the Emperor wet his pants?" someone whispered, then swallowed hard, as if speaking such words about the Emperor was a grave sin.
But he couldn't help but blurt it out.
Everyone fell silent.
Shao Xun looked at the departing carriages, then around.
Thankfully, no one else was nearby.
Seeing Master Shao so cautious, the youths all lowered their heads, though they exchanged glances.
Something in their hearts had shattered—not just the sanctity of imperial authority, but many other things as well.
For example, the belief that noble families were celestial beings, erudite and commanding, while others were only fit to kneel at their feet and sing their praises—don't laugh, many people thought this way.
The class divide was so vast that even their minds were enslaved, resigned to their fate.
But now?
Xun Sui was easily stabbed to death with a spear.
Sima Yi, disheveled and trembling, was tied up like a dog.
Shangguan Si threw down his sword and knelt.
Diao Xie, Ji Han, Wang Cheng, and others also knelt, while they stood tall, weapons in hand.
So, even celestial beings can be afraid, can die, can beg for mercy...
They're not so invincible after all.
As long as we master the martial and literary skills taught by Master Shao, train hard day and night, and dare to fight, we can stand before them as victors, looking down on them.
This strange sense of pleasure is truly intoxicating.
"Lift your heads," Shao Xun said, looking at them.
"My boys are no worse than anyone. What you're learning is even more than what the commanders and leaders in Qian Xiu and Zhang Fang's troops know. Beating them is only natural. But don't get arrogant. When we return, keep studying, keep training, keep working, and wait for the right moment."
"Yes, sir!" everyone responded loudly, lifting their heads.
"Don't speak carelessly," Shao Xun added.
"We're still weak; we can't be too conspicuous. You can talk about the battle with your comrades, but don't spread it outside. Just keep it among ourselves. And don't talk about the Emperor, understand?"
"Understood."
"There'll be good food when we return," Shao Xun said with a smile.
The youths cheered softly.
Shao Xun laughed heartily.
The Xiongnu and Jie people have tribes.
These youths were his "tribe," albeit a small one.
The Donghai Tribe? Call it whatever; it didn't matter.
This "tribe" revolved around him, with both martial and literary skills, self-sufficient, with classmates, comrades, and fellow villagers—all three elements present, creating a strong internal cohesion.
What he needed to do now was continue to rise in status, gain more resources, slowly build up his capital, and accumulate connections.
Finally, as he told the youths: wait for the right moment, and seize the opportunity.
(End of Chapter)