Chapter Sixteen: A Shift of Mind

After the various officials of Youzhou each departed to fulfill their respective duties, Liu Yao found himself facing yet another dilemma.

“Yuanhao, Gongyu, how do you think I should allocate these forty-three thousand troops at my command?” Liu Yao asked, troubled.

“My lord,” Tian Feng replied, “I believe the original three thousand crossbowmen can be organized as your personal guard, under the command of Shi A. And…”

“Wait, Yuanhao! Do I really need so many as my personal guard? These three thousand are, after all, our most elite soldiers,” Liu Yao objected.

“That will not do, my lord,” Ju Shou interjected firmly. “Your safety is of utmost importance and must not be compromised under any circumstances.”

“Indeed, I concur,” Huang Zhong and the other two generals chimed in.

“Oh, come now, my martial skills are not lacking. How could anything happen to me?” Liu Yao said, unconcerned.

“My lord, forgive my frankness, but if you cannot answer one question, I fear I can no longer serve you,” Tian Feng said with grave seriousness.

“What!” Liu Yao was startled. “Speak, Yuanhao.”

“Have you, my lord, been treating the affairs before you as if they were a mere game?” Tian Feng’s words were a stern rebuke.

At these words, Liu Yao felt as if waves crashed within his heart. “Indeed, though I claim to restore the Han, much of my conduct is dictated by whim—truthfully, I have been somewhat reckless.”

“Continue, Yuanhao,” Liu Yao said humbly.

“My lord must understand—restoring the Han is not accomplished with mere words. Should anything befall you, all those who follow you would be left leaderless and scattered. Therefore, I implore you to cherish your safety,” Tian Feng urged with heartfelt sincerity.

“Yuanhao, I have learned from you,” Liu Yao responded, accepting the counsel.

“Then let it be as you say with the three thousand-strong personal guard.” Liu Yao’s expression was resolute. From this moment, he began the journey to grow into a true leader; as the saying goes, a gentleman does not stand under a perilous wall.

“Thank you, my lord, for your understanding. I beg forgiveness for my earlier impertinence,” Tian Feng said.

“No, it is I who should apologize to you, Yuanhao,” Liu Yao replied, bowing respectfully. The others were deeply moved by the exchange. As ministers, they knew well that honest words are often hard to hear; to meet a lord willing to accept the counsel of his subordinates was a blessing indeed.

“Yuanhao, continue with your earlier suggestions,” Liu Yao prompted.

“Very well. The three thousand personal guard shall remain as such. Additionally, form a cavalry unit of ten thousand to be commanded by Huang Zhong. With the lord’s stirrups, I am confident they can be trained within half a year. The remaining thirty thousand infantry should be led by Gao Shun and Taishi Ci,” Tian Feng explained.

Liu Yao hesitated. “No, I do not intend for Gao Shun to command the infantry. For now, let Ziyi command them all.”

Tian Feng looked puzzled, while Gao Shun felt a pang of disappointment, fearing he had been cast aside.

Liu Yao laughed lightly. “Gao Shun, do not worry. I know your greatest talent lies in training troops. Therefore, I wish you to forge an elite unit of one thousand, to be called the Camp of the Resolute. What do you think?” Liu Yao hoped that the legendary heavy infantry of history would shine under his command.

“Thank you, my lord!” Gao Shun’s despondence vanished, replaced by elation.

“Yuanhao, Gongyu, what do you think?” Liu Yao asked.

The two exchanged a glance. “We await your command, my lord.”

“We are at your service,” Huang Zhong and the others replied, their fists clenched in salute.

In the military camp at Ji County, Youzhou, Liu Yao stood atop a platform surveying the forty-three thousand soldiers below. By his side were Huang Zhong, Gao Shun, and Taishi Ci.

“Do you know who I am?” Liu Yao shouted.

“Your Highness the Imperial Prince! Lord Governor! Your Highness the Imperial Prince! Lord Governor!” the soldiers answered in unison.

Liu Yao was well pleased. He raised his hands for silence. “Comrades, you surely know the Wuhuan will soon invade Youzhou. If they succeed, your homes will be destroyed, and your families will not survive. Is that what you want?”

“No! Never!” came the resounding reply.

“Then what should we do?” Liu Yao continued, stoking their fighting spirit.

“Destroy them! Defend our homeland!” The soldiers' voices rose even higher.

“Good! Since you are thus resolved, you must train diligently. Sweat more in peace to bleed less in war. Do you understand?”

“Yes, sir!”

“I will now alter the old organization, which is simply too cumbersome. From now on: each squad will consist of ten men, led by a squad leader and an assistant. Ten squads form a platoon, with a platoon leader and deputy. Ten platoons make a company, with a company commander and deputy. Three companies comprise a battalion, with a battalion commander and deputy. Understood?”

“Understood!” the men chorused.

“Wait, my lord governor, I have something to say,” came an incongruous voice from the ranks.

Liu Yao frowned, displeased. “Wait until I have finished, then you may speak.”

“Yes, sir.” The voice faded into the crowd.

Liu Yao continued, “To maintain our fighting strength, we will implement a substitution system. Should a battalion commander fall, the deputy will take command; if the deputy perishes, the company commander will succeed, and so on, until the last soldier stands. I will not tolerate any faltering of morale in my army. But let none think to murder their superior to rise in rank—for I will send inspectors regularly, and if such deeds are discovered, the penalty is death without mercy.”

“Understood!”

Huang Zhong and the others nodded in approval. “Who would have thought he possessed such a gift for military organization? With this structure, the army’s combat strength will be maximized.”

“Now, who was it that interrupted earlier? Step forward,” Liu Yao ordered.

A youth of fifteen or sixteen stepped out from the ranks.

“State your name.”

“Subordinate Tian Chou, style Zitai, formerly a squad leader in the army,” the youth called out.

“Tian Chou!” Liu Yao was taken aback. Though Tian Yu was not as famous as Huang Zhong or Gao Shun, he was a talented commander, skilled in both civil and military matters. In history, he led troops to help Cao Cao defeat the Wuhuan. While he was still young now, he would surely become a general capable of independent command.

“Tian Chou, what have you to say?” Liu Yao’s tone softened.

“My lord governor, I believe we must not reform the army’s structure!” Tian Chou said.

“Why not?”

“The current system was handed down by the High Ancestor. If you alter the practices of your forebears, it may damage your reputation,” Tian Chou explained.

Liu Yao laughed heartily. “Well said.” He was delighted by Tian Chou’s insight at such a young age.

Tian Chou was bewildered by the laughter, thinking he must have erred.

“Tian Chou, your point is well taken. However, I possess the Emperor’s bestowed Sword of Slaying the Serpent, the Chixiao Sword, and the right to act first and report later. Therefore, I may decide such matters myself,” Liu Yao declared. In truth, Emperor Ling of Han’s unfailing support meant Liu Yao could do as he pleased.

“My apologies, my lord. I overstepped,” Tian Chou said, face flushed.

“It is nothing. You were unaware. But your willingness to advise and your thorough consideration are admirable. Tian Chou, would you be willing to serve as a captain under my command?” Liu Yao asked.

Tian Chou’s face reddened again, this time with excitement. He felt as if he had leapt to the heavens. “Thank you for your favor, my lord. I will serve you with all I have.” Do not think the rank of captain is low; while the title of general later became commonplace as warlords bestowed ranks at will, in the Eastern Han a captain was a significant military post.

“Very well. Tian Chou, I appoint you as captain, assigned temporarily under Taishi Ci’s command. Stand here with us.”

“Yes, my lord,” Tian Chou replied joyfully.

And so, amidst a mixture of trepidation and the jealous gazes of over forty thousand pairs of eyes, Tian Chou walked to stand beside Liu Yao. In truth, opportunity is ever present—some reach for it, while others dare not or never think to try.

“Presently, your respective commanders will take charge and distribute you. Dismissed!” At Liu Yao’s command, the troops dispersed in order, and Huang Zhong and the others went to manage their own contingents. Thus, all in Youzhou began to fall into order.