During the reign of Dayong Jingzhi, the power of the feudal states was immense.
The only son of Lord Zhu Sheng of Changting, concealed his identity and assumed the name Zhu Yong. Rising from humble beginnings, he rallied the armies of the feudal states and marched southward. In just two years, he occupied four provinces. Those who have seen the Beixiang Army describe it as disciplined, possessing the momentum to devour mountains and rivers.
Currently, Yuzhou, one of the nine critical border towns, is largely under the control of the Beixiang Army.
The word 'Xiang' implies undressing and farming. As described in 'Explaining Written Characters', Xiang signifies the invigorated state of undressing to farm, embodying an upward and exuberant spirit. It can be metaphorically used to mean high, remove, assist, or succeed.
Zhu Huai'an named his troops the Xiang Army to convey to the world that the northern army fights for the people. By using the pseudonym Zhu Yong and starting from the military's bottom ranks, he effectively discarded luxurious garments, joining ranks with the common people.
At this moment within Yuzhou, Wu Wencai, who had barely emerged from the ranks of the Hanlin Academy and taken the position of County Magistrate in Danchi County last year, is worried.
"I endured ten years of hardship in my studies, faced numerous trials, and finally made a name for myself as a county official. Now, just over two years, Yuzhou has been breached by rebel forces. When they break through the city walls, how should I respond?"
Beside him, an advisor suggests: "My lord, the rebel forces are overwhelming; if you abandon the city now and retreat to the Capital City, there's still time."
"Retreat? What difference is there between abandoning the city and fleeing like a deserter? Moreover, if I leave, there will be no one to care for the county's citizens. If chaos ensues, how many families will be torn apart?"
On the city wall, Wu Wencai, now sporting a short beard, appeared more composed than before. He sighed: "Now, I only hope that the Beixiang Army proves true to its reputation, not harming a single soul or swine of the people..."
"Does my lord intend to surrender?" The advisor's eyes lit up, and the military officer beside them also turned his gaze.
The Beixiang Army is fierce, victorious in all they attack. Many counties within Yuzhou surrendered without resistance, while those who insisted on opposing them met poor ends.
Mercy cannot command soldiers; once battle commences, many things spiral out of control, becoming hard to recover.
Among those present, those resolute to fight to the end were few. The rest dared not gamble on the Beixiang Army's whims.
Wu Wencai glanced around at the advisor and garrison officers, speaking softly: "I am a servant of Dayong, valued by the Imperial Court. If I surrender without a fight, wouldn't I be disloyal, unfilial, unkind, and unjust?"
"Then what does my lord intend..."
Wu Wencai reached out to rest on the wall, gazing at the distant dust cloud, his eyes deep with thought: "Bring me a bow, Captain Zhang!"
Beside him, the captain hesitated for a moment but still handed the bow to the County Magistrate.
Wu Wencai looked at the dust approaching in the distance.
In the twilight, a battalion in dark armor stood like a forest. The edge of blades gleamed coldly, armor clashed with a resonant sound, and soldiers stood as firm as pine trees or mountains, their disciplined formation inspiring awe and fear.
Below, a flag bearer with a loud voice rode forth, raising a golden flag on horseback, demanding the surrender of Danchi County's chief military officials.
Wu Wencai drew his longbow, gritting his teeth, and shot an arrow toward the military ranks outside the city!
The flag bearer was startled, thinking a skilled warrior intended to make a bold statement! He hid behind his horse's belly and retreated, but to his surprise, the arrow lost force halfway and landed on the ground.
Wu Wencai dropped the longbow, saying: "If I hadn't fired a single shot, that would be surrendering without a fight. But now, firing one arrow, I have declared my stance."
"Yet, as a county official, I failed to defend the nation's territory, making my sin difficult to redeem. From today, I am a guilty minister of Dayong, no longer your leader."
Wu Wencai raised both hands, removed his official hat, solemnly placing it on the city wall.
The Imperial Court withheld military stipends, forcing the Town of Beixiang's army to defect. The military stipends for Yuzhou's counties suffered similarly. If not for Wu Wencai's diligent efforts over the past two years, managing affairs meticulously and providing extra care for military officers and soldiers, the officers might have long defected to seek glory.
"One Danchi County cannot resist the iron forces of Beixiang. If the county's citizens suffer because of me, if military officers unnecessarily perish, that is my guilt."
"Captain Zhang, County Magistrate Li, today I alone do not surrender. This is unrelated to you. If the Beixiang Army punishes, it is my sole responsibility."
"My lord..." Both County Magistrate and Captain Zhang spoke almost concurrently, but as they watched Wu Wencai descends the wall, neither stepped forward to stop him.
The advisor was the only one who followed, running after him.
"Why did my lord fire that arrow? If it provokes the Beixiang Army, wouldn't disaster befall?"
Wu Wencai did not respond. What he shot was not just an arrow, but his unyielding heart.
Despite his abundant aspirations, he ended up in a predicament on both ends.
One side held loyalty and righteousness of a subject, the other side the safety of the people; and one side was Dayong rife with decay, the other a nascent 'righteous army.'
How should this battle be fought?
"Following me, advisor, are you not afraid of being implicated?"
Wu Wencai asked.
"My lord showed favor and discernment toward me. Without my lord, I would still be a prisoner, entrenched in a false accusation, struggling to clear my name. If my lord truly wants to confront the Beixiang Army, I too shall risk my life to accompany a gentleman."
Wu Wencai chuckled: "That is unnecessary. If the Beixiang Army is truly as rumored, you and I might not face death. When the time comes, perhaps I will retire to the mountains, never returning to officialdom."
The two returned to the Government Office, but before Wu Wencai could give instructions to his subordinates, a fully-armored Beixiang Army surrounded the office.
The leading officer came before the hall, shouting: "Where is Wu Wencai?"
The advisor's face paled, thinking it was over!
Wu Wencai lightly laughed, stepped forward, undaunted, saying: "I am Wu Wencai, the arrow from the city wall was shot by me. Do as you please with killing or skinning!"