Qiang Jin Jiu (Author : Tang Jiuqing 唐酒卿)

Chapter 39 : Wolf and Tiger

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A charcoal fire burned in the hall, making the room hot.

Chen Yang had already been kneeling for a little less than an hour. Xiao Chiye sat at the head seat reading military books. Imperial Army generals of all ranks were also kneeling beyond the curtain. It was silent, both on the inside and outside.

As the saying goes, "if the general has yet to have the prestige to speak of, then he should first awe and intimidate to boost his prestige." When Xiao Chiye took over the Imperial Army five years ago, he had put on an initial show of strength and power upon assuming office. What he wanted was the absolute authority to command this pack of heroes. In these five years, he had been fair in meting out rewards and punishments. He never skimped on the money that was meant to be paid out to the Imperial Army. Not only did he not give less, he even spent much more to make up for any deficiency. He was very generous to his subordinates. Yet, that cloak of his was still the same one his eldest sister-in-law had sent over three years ago.

The Autumn Hunt enabled the Imperial Army to hold their heads high. It put them in the limelight, overshadowing the Eight Great Training Divisions. For a moment, they had the world at their feet. These soldiers, who have been oppressed for a long time in Qudu, used to put on a submissive front before the Eight Great Training Divisions. Now, they even dared to boss the Eight Great Training Divisions around.

This was not a good sign. Complacency would lead one to get too carried away by success.

Xiao Chiye needed an opportunity to knock some senses into the Imperial Army. And the Tantai Hu today was it.

Chen Yang did not dare to raise his head.

Xiao Chiye rapped on the table, and Chen Yang immediately got up to refill the tea for Xiao Chiye. Once the cup was filled, he kneeled back down again.

Xiao Chiye never said a word the entire night, so Chen Yang kneeled on the ground all night.

Many words, left unsaid, could make one feel more ashamed than if it had been said.

Xiao Chiye had to attend morning court the next day. After dressing and tidying himself up, he said to Chen Yang, "There's no need to follow me today. Take a break."

Chen Yang had kneeled until both his legs were numbed. With his hands on the ground, he kowtowed and said in a hoarse voice, "Master..."

He had always addressed Xiao Chiye as Viceroy. This call came right from the heart.

Sure enough, Xiao Chiye stopped in his tracks. But still, he did not look back.
Chen Yang kowtowed again and said, "I implore Master to punish me."

Xiao Chiye raised his hand to signal to those waiting upon him to leave. It was only when there was no one else in the hall that he turned aside to look at Chen Yang. "If a man has done nothing wrong, then what punishment is there to speak of?"

The sweat on Chen Yang's forehead dripped past his eyes. "This subordinate has realized the errors of his ways." He said.

After a long silence, Xiao Chiye said, "These years, Zhao Hui has followed dage on war expeditions to the frontier. He has been climbing the ranks. Within five years, he should receive his own residence and a conferred title. You are both good men Father himself picked out. Why is it that he, Zhao Hui, could have that kind of honor and glory while you, Chen Yang, have to follow and rot away with a hoodlum?"

Chen Yang's lips paled. He said, "How would this subordinate dare to think so? The Hereditary Prince has his own strengths. But it's Master who is my pillar! Zhao Hui and I are both brothers of the same clan. We share weal and woe together."