Chapter Eleven: Strict Military Discipline

With Feng Tong’s promise, Xu You turned to Zuo Wen and said, “Zuo Junhou, I will take command in the field. Do you have any objections?”

Rather than let Feng Tong, an outsider, meddle blindly, Zuo Wen would much prefer Xu You. Though their acquaintance was brief, he found the legendary Seventh Son of the Xu clan, notorious for his audacity and unruly ways, surprisingly likable.

“At your command, my lord!”

“Very well!” Xu You folded his hands within his sleeves, resting them calmly against his chest and abdomen. His posture was upright as a pine, his eyes gathered with a sharp light, and his expression radiated a natural authority, completely transformed from his earlier playful demeanor. “Zuo Wen, how many divisions are on board?”

In the state of Chu’s military system, a division consisted of ten companies, each led by a captain. A company had ten squads, each headed by a junior officer, collectively called divisions and squads. Below the squad level, soldiers were organized according to their type: a thousand men had two five-hundred-men leaders, five hundred had a five-hundred leader, a hundred had a centurion, fifty had a garrison chief, ten had a decurion, and five had a squad leader, covering infantry, charioteers, and cavalry.

“This time, one hundred and twenty men accompany us, all elite troops from the estate, each worth ten opponents!”

“Any experts of ranked skill?”

“Centurion Deng Tao wields the single-handed spear, at the upper ninth rank. Others like Garrison Chiefs Zhang Wei and Du Bi, though unranked, are exceptionally brave and reliable in battle, and not to be underestimated.”

Elsewhere, having two ninth-rank experts among a hundred-man division—Zuo Wen and Deng Tao—would be astonishing. Yet to Xu You, raised in a family famed for martial prowess, it was commonplace. He replied, unfazed, “Summon Deng Tao, Zhang Wei, Du Bi, and all other decurions and squad leaders to the cabin.”

Moments later, the spacious cabin was filled with men. At the front stood Centurion Deng Tao, whose height surpassed Xu You by a head. His arms were powerfully built, his face seemed carved from stone, exuding a unique blend of strength and ruggedness. In comparison, Zhang Wei and Du Bi were far less imposing—just solid soldiers.

Feng Tong publicly announced the order: from Zuo Wen downward, all were to follow Xu You’s command to counter the assassination attempt by the Four Demonic Arrows. At his words, quiet murmurs rose in the cabin. Many exchanged glances, their eyes filled with doubt and mistrust as they looked at Xu You. Some did not know his identity, and seeing his youthful, delicate appearance suited more to reciting poetry than leading men against assassins, they were incredulous.

Xu You remained silent, letting the murmurs swirl for a moment, before suddenly declaring coldly, “I’ve often heard of the Yuan clan’s lax discipline. Seeing it today, the reputation is well earned.” His voice was not loud, but the chill in his tone swept through the cabin like a winter wind, dropping the temperature to freezing. An awkward silence followed, with many faces showing resentment.

“So, some are dissatisfied!” Xu You rose, scanning the crowd. Zhang Wei, standing behind Deng Tao to the right, sneered. Xu You pointed at him, “You are Garrison Chief, commanding fifty brothers. Will they dare disobey your orders?”

Zhang Wei replied gruffly, “They dare not!”

“And why not?”

“Because they respect me!” Zhang Wei lifted his chin proudly. “Even if I order them to die, they won’t flinch!”

“Well said!” Xu You applauded, stepping forward. “It seems Chief Zhang is quite pleased with his command. Let me ask: if you fall in battle, who will they obey? Will they have to fight it out to find someone else worthy?”

“I… if I die, there’s the Centurion…”

“And if the Centurion dies? There’s the junior officer. If he dies, the general. Isn’t that so?”

“Yes!” Zhang Wei replied loudly.

A trace of a smile appeared at Xu You’s lips. “I see. The Yuan clan is not only lax, but also squanders resources on fools!”

“What did you say?” Zhang Wei glared, stepping forward so his sheathed sword was nearly drawn, his breath hot on Xu You’s face. The others were indignant, except Deng Tao, who stood like an iron tower, unmoving.

“Outrageous! Step back!” Zuo Wen knew Zhang Wei was unruly, but hadn’t expected him to draw his blade. He was about to rebuke him, but Xu You waved him off, saying coolly to Zhang Wei, “You think I’m wrong? Think you’re no fool? Let me ask: if a general must personally command a fifty-man garrison in battle, can that army win?”

“This…” Zhang Wei faltered. “How would I know?”

“You’re a Garrison Chief—you may not know. But a general commanding an army must know. On the battlefield, things change in an instant. If your men obey only you and not the chain of command, then if you die—even if the general appoints a new chief—those fifty lose their combat effectiveness, doomed to perish sooner or later. Such harmful command, and you boast of it? If not a fool, what are you?”

“I… I…” Zhang Wei’s face reddened, unable to retort.

“An army cannot function without orders. If it were the Xu clan’s military law: a commander enters camp, dares to walk out of line—execute! Dares to speak out of turn—execute! Dares to disobey—execute! Zhang Wei, your head would have been taken three times already!”

Xu You’s expression was as cold as a blade, his voice unyielding. The three sharp cries of “execute” sent chills through the burly man, his palms damp in the autumn air.

Seeing Zhang Wei subdued, Xu You swept his sleeves and strode to the center of the cabin. He declared, “Garrison Chief Zhang Wei has defied his superiors and disobeyed orders. As this is his first offense, he will be spared the death penalty, but sentenced to thirty strokes, stripped of his rank, and demoted to squad soldier! Du Bi, you oversee the punishment!”

“Yes!” Du Bi, standing beside Deng Tao, hesitated only a moment. When Xu You’s cold gaze swept over him, he was startled, quickly bowing to accept the order. Raising his hand, he commanded, “Seize Zhang Wei!”

At once, four squad soldiers stepped forward, taking Zhang Wei to the deck, removing his armor, and administering the punishment. His cries of pain echoed in the cabin, and whether sincere or not, no one dared challenge the order again.

Xu You was satisfied with the result. He knew such measures could not win hearts—might even have the opposite effect—but as long as he could make the Yuan clan’s troops obey him in the short term, his goal was achieved.

After the punishment, Xu You dismissed the men, forbidding them to remove armor, ordering them to await further commands. Only Feng Tong, Zuo Wen, and Deng Tao remained, to discuss the next steps.

“Junhou, you seem well informed about the Four Demonic Arrows. To know the enemy is to prepare. Could you explain in detail?”

“I’ve only heard rumors, but after separating fact from fiction, I believe they are seventy percent true.” Zuo Wen spoke gravely. “The Four Demonic Arrows are from the same sect. Flying Demon is the eldest, wielding iron-forged spear arrows…”

“Spear arrows?” Xu You, no stranger to warfare in both past and present life, had never heard of such a thing.

“It’s said Flying Demon stands nine feet tall, born with supernatural strength, and carries five spears on his back. When facing enemies, he throws them with pure arm strength, using a most exquisite archery technique—thus, they are called spear arrows. The force is like thunder, swift as lightning. Few can withstand even a single blow.”

Spear as arrow?

Since the Han and Wei dynasties, a foot measured about twenty-five centimeters, so nine feet meant over two meters. Xu You imagined a giant with copper bell eyes and coiled hair, unconsciously rubbing his palms, a bitter taste in his mouth. “What about the other three?”

“Killing Demon is second, uses ordinary white-feather arrows, small and unremarkable in build, but the most ruthless, fearless in battle—a vanguard warrior. Moon Demon is third, said to be a young woman, often veiled in brocade, with blue eyes, specializing in ambushes, cunning by nature. You’ve already witnessed her skills at the bow. The youngest is Dark Demon, shrouded in mystery—no one has ever seen him, knows his appearance, weapon, or skill, nor his gender…”

Zuo Wen proceeded to recount the exploits of the Four Demonic Arrows. Among their seven victims were officials, noble scions, military leaders, and martial heroes—all formidable targets, yet every assassination succeeded without exception, earning them fame across the land.

Feng Tong’s face turned pale; he hadn’t realized the assassins were so formidable, and his confidence in safely returning to Jinling wavered.

Xu You tapped his thigh lightly with forefinger and middle finger, rapidly calculating possibilities in his mind. Like seeking flaws in the unpredictable world of commerce, with immense patience and keen intuition, he began to deduce from Zuo Wen’s limited intelligence the assassination patterns of the Four Demonic Arrows, their roles, personalities, and combat strengths.

A goose leaves its call, rain leaves its mark—no assassination is flawless. With effort, one can always find the best way to counter it.