Chapter Sixteen: Carrying Out Heaven’s Justice, Slaying Americans and Destroying the Japanese

As soon as these words were spoken, the entire hall erupted in astonishment. The shock experienced by everyone present today was greater than all the rice and wheat they had consumed in a year. No one had expected Xiao Fei to actually accept the wager. After all, his opponents were seasoned generals, and Qin Zhong in particular was renowned as the “King of Soldiers.” No one could predict who would win or lose this contest.

Xiao Fei, however, understood clearly. The skepticism from the brothers of Azure Dragon Mountain was inevitable, and likely everyone else shared similar doubts. Even his sister-in-law, Liu Susu, must have wondered if he was up to the challenge. No matter how talented he was, he had never been through real warfare. Compared to these battle-hardened veterans, he lacked practical experience.

Thus, Xiao Fei had no choice but to accept the challenge.

“Well done, young man. Bold and straightforward. As they say, the newborn calf does not fear the tiger. For your courage alone, I already admire you halfway. Come on then,” Qin Zhong said.

“Ah, Brother Qin, isn’t it best two out of three? There’s no need for you to take the first two rounds personally. Let me go first,” Zhong Jialie interjected.

The attendants swiftly cleared the banquet and set up a large, makeshift sand table.

In no time, the grand exercise began.

Xiao Fei and Zhong Jialie stood at opposite ends of the large, high-fidelity simulation sand table.

“Boy, you’re the junior here, so I’ll let you choose—attack or defend, and pick the battlefield,” Zhong Jialie said arrogantly.

“Since I’m the younger generation, I should yield to my elders. I choose to let you attack while I defend. Let’s set the battlefield in that forest,” Xiao Fei replied, pointing to the woodland on the sand table.

“Very well, let’s begin,” Zhong Jialie said.

“Wait—what season?” Xiao Fei asked.

“Whatever you like,” Zhong Jialie replied dismissively.

“Autumn, then,” Xiao Fei said.

“Come on,” Zhong Jialie urged impatiently.

“What about the weather conditions?” Xiao Fei continued.

“Boy, why so much fuss? Fine—clear skies, east wind,” Zhong Jialie answered carelessly.

Aside from military men like Hu Changqing, most people were puzzled by Xiao Fei’s questions.

But Qin Zhong seemed to be gaining respect for Xiao Fei. After all, in military exercises, weather and terrain can be decisive. Still, no one could guess how Xiao Fei might use these factors to his advantage.

“Very well. Elder, please choose your troops,” Xiao Fei said.

“One battalion,” Zhong Jialie replied offhandedly. “And you? A battalion, a regiment, or a division?”

“A platoon will suffice,” Xiao Fei responded calmly.

A collective gasp swept the hall.

Zhong Jialie’s face darkened. Was this blatant contempt? “What did you say? You want to take on my hundreds of men with just a few dozen?”

“Let’s give it a try,” Xiao Fei said, unperturbed.

“Hmph! Watch how I wipe you out! Attack!” Zhong Jialie shouted, grabbing several small red flags and, with a few sharp motions, planted them all over the forest on the sand table.

The red flags represented Zhong Jialie’s troops; the green ones, Xiao Fei’s. Each flag, thrown like a dart, was embedded in the forest by the two men.

From the way Zhong Jialie threw his flags, it was clear he was no amateur.

Now, all eyes were on Xiao Fei. Unhurried, he picked up two or three green flags, tossed them casually, and ordered, “Retreat!”

This was expected. Facing the overwhelming numbers of Zhong Jialie’s army, Xiao Fei’s scant few men would be doomed if they didn’t withdraw.

Many present were soldiers, and even those who weren’t could see the outcome was certain. Xiao Fei was sure to lose.

Though it was only a sand table, in everyone’s minds a vivid scene unfolded: Zhong Jialie’s hundreds of troops driving Xiao Fei’s handful into the woods, relentlessly pursuing them to total annihilation.

A smile crept onto Zhong Jialie’s lips as he threw more flags. “Continue the assault!”

Without hesitation, Xiao Fei commanded, “Keep retreating. Scatter and abandon all explosives.”

This maneuver baffled the onlookers. In the face of a powerful foe, with forces already thin, why further disperse them?

However, ordering his men to discard their explosives seemed wise, as heavy loads would hinder escape.

Xiao Fei tossed out a few more green flags, scattering them around the enemy’s positions.

Seeing this, Zhong Jialie burst out laughing. “Ah, so you want your men to commit suicide? Foolish!”

“Bring tea,” Xiao Fei said calmly.

Xiao Fei’s apparent defeat and his composed demeanor only earned more scorn from the crowd—even Liu Susu felt embarrassed.

Furious, Zhong Jialie hurled more troops into the fray. “Kill them all! Leave no survivors!”

“Wait!” Xiao Fei’s cold voice cut through the air.

Everyone held their breath, unsure what Xiao Fei intended.

“What now, boy? Begging for mercy? There’s no mercy on the battlefield—attack!” Zhong Jialie barked.

“Hold on. Shouldn’t I be the one showing no mercy?” Xiao Fei replied.

“What do you mean?” Zhong Jialie was taken aback.

Xiao Fei smiled faintly. “Your battalion is already dead. How can you threaten my troops?”

“Ridiculous! Everyone saw it—your army has been wiped out!” Zhong Jialie retorted.

“Xiao Fei, enough excuses,” Qin Zhong cut in, unable to watch any longer.

“Is that so? Gentlemen, consider this: if my remaining dozen soldiers light dozens of fires throughout the forest, in the crisp, dry autumn with an east wind and abandoned explosives scattered behind, do any of your troops have a chance to survive?” Xiao Fei explained, unhurried.

Silence. Absolute silence.

Everyone was dumbfounded.

Zhong Jialie nearly collapsed.

Brilliant—absolutely brilliant! Xiao Fei had won this battle cleanly, subduing the enemy without fighting. No one could help but be convinced.

Sweat beaded on Zhong Jialie’s forehead. As a renowned general, he knew just how advanced Xiao Fei’s tactics were.

At that moment, thunderous applause erupted throughout the hall.

Liu Susu walked over, patted Xiao Fei’s shoulder, speechless with pride.

Two rounds remained, and the elders could not afford to lose. Qin Zhong dared not take Xiao Fei lightly and decided to step in himself.

“Let me try. Xiao Fei, you only won the last round by cleverly exploiting the weather. Brother Jialie simply underestimated you. From the start, you manipulated wind and weather, and we fell straight into your trap,” Qin Zhong said.

Xiao Fei smiled. “Do you believe that even without fire, I could still destroy your army?”

“Nonsense! I refuse to believe it unless you show me. Let’s continue from the current situation and see how you win without fire. Attack!” Qin Zhong ordered.

The troops pressed on, and soon Xiao Fei’s forces were backed into a corner.

Yet Xiao Fei remained unflustered. “Open the sluice—release the water!”

Qin Zhong’s face changed. He had overlooked the reservoir behind Xiao Fei’s troops, built on high ground. If Xiao Fei’s men detonated the explosives, a flood would sweep through the forest, leaving Qin Zhong’s army with no escape.

Xiao Fei stated, “Once the water is released, your hundreds of men will be feeding the fish.”

With that, Xiao Fei elegantly tipped his tea cup, letting tea water pour over the sand table, flooding the forest and drowning Qin Zhong’s troops—symbolizing his victory by water attack.

The tea splashed onto Qin Zhong, Li Dagang, Zhong Jialie, and Wei Qingfeng, a fitting humiliation for the four old commanders.

Contrary to expectations, the four did not grow angry at being bested by a junior. Instead, they stepped forward together, eyes shining with excitement. “You are the true King of Soldiers!” they declared, dropping to their knees.

Xiao Fei hurried to help them up. “Please, elders, rise! This is unnecessary.”

“We are ashamed. We old men have been secluded too long—who knew the world had changed so much?”

“Truly, the waves of the Yangtze drive the old before them.”

“Young men should not be underestimated!”

“We are men of our word. From today on, we follow you!” the four pledged solemnly.

Everyone looked at Xiao Fei with admiration. Liu Susu felt a pride she had never known, as if she saw the spirit of General Xiao reflected in him. Tears streamed down her cheeks.

Seeing this, no one objected to Xiao Fei assuming leadership. Zhen Sanjiang strode forward, clasped his fists, and knelt on one knee. “Chief!”

Everyone else immediately followed suit, kneeling and saluting. “Chief!”

The matter settled, Xiao Fei had no reason to refuse.

“Very well. Since you all trust me as your leader, I will accept—though in the days to come, I will need your support and counsel,” Xiao Fei said earnestly.

“We will follow you to the end!” the brothers cried in unison.

“But let me say this first: now that I am chief, there will be rules, and everyone must obey them!” Xiao Fei’s tone sharpened.

“Naturally! Chief, please issue your orders,” replied Zhen Sanjiang.

A nation needs laws, a home needs rules, and a military even more so. Xiao Fei understood this deeply. He immediately summoned Hu Changqing to announce military regulations, and added several new ones himself.

From that day on, Xiao Fei established his banner on Azure Dragon Mountain, beginning his campaign in the era of the Republic.

In the third year of the Republic, August 1, 1914, Xiao Fei founded his first armed force on Azure Dragon Mountain, naming it the “Chinese National Protection Corps.”

On the mountaintop, two grand banners were raised. The one on the left read: “Act for Heaven’s Will, Slay the Americans, Destroy the Japanese.” The one on the right read: “Punish the Wicked, Aid the Weak, Defend the Nation.”