Chapter 45 - Building an Army (2) (2/2)

“I only know a song that my mother taught me!” Cheng Yu eyes suddenly became a bit depressed. Liu Mang knew that he just reminded Cheng Yu about a sad event. Oh old Cao, nobody cared if you attack Xuzhou! If you wanted to take revenge on Old man Tao Qian, then do so. Why did you have to massacre the whole city?

Liu Mang patted Cheng Yu’s shoulder to both encourage and comfort him. “Sing, Sing before all your brothers!”

“General, I…!” Cheng Yu wanted to reject, but was immediately stopped by Liu Mang.

“If your mother was still alive, she would want you to have a happy life! Sing in front of all your brothers. Did we not swear to live or die together, share riches and honor together? Your mother is our mothers! Sing!” finishing his sentence, Liu Mang faced towards the soldiers and said “Soldier, let’s make your Lieutenant sing us a song, alright?!”

“Alright!”

“Lieutenant, please sing! We are all from Xuzhou and we brothers will always support you!”

“Do you see!” Liu Mang shouted out in encouragement.

“I…!” Cheng Yu was still a bit hesitant.

Liu Mang angrily pushed Cheng Yu “Cheng Yu, are you a man or a pussy. The brothers asked you to sing because they think highly of you. Don’t insult us when everyone is giving you face!”

“General, I…!” Cheng Yu’s face reddened “I am a man, not a pussy!”

“Good, then you sing! If you don’t sing then you are a pussy”

“If you want me to sing, then I sing!” Cheng Yu fiercely stood up.

“Everybody, give an applause!” Liu Mang took the lead and clapped his hands, while the soldiers followed and created a commotion. When did they have the pleasure to listen to someone singing? Those who could sing were basically nobles and scholars. They were children of peasants who could barely fill their belly, let along sing?

Let’s share the plate for breast! The king’s raised forces to the line. Let’s make our lances shine. Your foe is mine. Are you not battle-drest?

Let’s share the coat and vest! The king’s raised forces to the line. The king’s raised forces to the line. Your job is mine. Are you not battle-drest?

Let’s share the kilt and the rest! The king’s raised forces to the line. Let’s make our armor shine, And march, your hand in mine. Are you not battle-drest?

“Country dispatched their troops to war, we repair the weapons, I and you are facing the common foe.”

….

Patting his hands, Liu Mang tried to encourage Cheng Yu. Even though Cheng Yu was a tall and strong guy, he was feeling serious embarrassed, while singing. But wasn’t singing used to express your feelings? Let out your emotions and enjoy the music.

Cheng Yu included his entire memory of his mother into the song.

This song was created in the Qin dynasty, reflected the solidarity between common soldiers. Resisting together mentally against their powerful foe. The entire song was divided into three verses and used the tone language of common soldiers. It sang about the eve of the last battle, the common soldiers gather together to repair and maintain their weapons. During this period, some soldier started worrying about their uniforms.

His brothers showed their companionship and encourage him: “Let’s share the coat and vest!“

Let’s share the plate for breast!” This song also encouraged the companions to act righteous: “Country dispatched their troops to war, we repair the weapons, I and you are facing the common foe.” From his song, one could not only see the friendship between common soldiers, but also see them in the time of national needs and act willingly and patriotically sacrifice themselves. The sentences in this song are in short, passionate tone, which vividly displayed the scene of common Qin soldiers’ common hatred while joining the army.

Just by seeing Cheng Yu’s mother teaching him this song, one could guest that she was not a regular peasant housewife.

Liu Mang saw the corner of Cheng Yu’s eyes tearing up. It was not easy for men to shear tear. When facing Cao Pi in that desperate situation while prepare to fight to death, Cheng Yu did not cry. Today while singing this song, Cheng Yu started to tear up.

“Cheng Yu come here!” Liu Mang patted this young man. Cheng Yu was still young and only 18 years old. If he was born in the modern era, he would still be a kid who just left high school and war preparing to go to university. It would mean that a good time ahead of him. However in this era of war, could you imagine that this young man had already killed one hundred men?

“Cheng Yu look! There are 1000 brothers in front of you! Your mother is gone, but you have so many brothers. While your mother is gone, if she knew that you are unhappy, if she knew that you live in sadness, tell me do you think she would rest well?!” Liu Mang was also a person while little experience in this world, but right now he had to take care of a young man who was even younger than him.

“General!” Cheng Yu wiped his tears from the corner of his eyes.

“You eyes need to look forward. In front of you is a bright light, in front of you is your destiny so rush bravely forward. At your back are 1000 brothers!” Declared Liu Mang and his face suddenly became cold.

“Lieutenant!”

“Here!” Hearing Liu Mang shouting out a military order, Cheng Yu stood firm. “I have an important task for you! I order you to teach your 1000 brothers-in-arm about the song your mother taught you! Do you understand?!”

“Yes!”

“Then go” Liu Mang said with a smile. While looking Cheng Yu surrounded by the 1000 troops, Liu Mang turned his back on them. Tears could be seeing in the corner of his eyes, because Cheng Yu’s song had reminded him of his mother.