Chapter 56 Aspiration of a Great General (2/2)
Zhang He shook his head.
”He can win a war without losing his men.”
”!!!”
”Remember my words, if you want to be a great general immortalized in the history for two thousand year, take priority for saving your men's lives. Look at the bigger picture! Look at the consequences of your actions before you act! Don't mindlessly charge into the enemy files of formation. Take notes on the geography and terrains. Send scouts to obtain more information. There are many things that you can collect and use it as a base to deduct your enemy's motives and their next movements.”
Tong continued to lecture Zhang He despite knowing that he would become a great general in the future. But now, he was just a fledgling that had not grew a feather yet.
Furthermore, the Zhang He in the history was a good learner, yet a late bloomer. After he defected to Cao Cao, he participated in small skirmishes against Yuan Shao's sons and other pirates, bandits and rebels, but he was outshone by other superior generals, such as Zhang Liao, Xiahou families and other strategy geniuses.
Zhang He continued to pile up his experience and achievements one step at a time to improve himself as a general. Then in 211 and 212, Zhang He utilized his hard-earned experiences to defeat Ma Chao Army twice.
Later on, Zhang He suffered defeat by Liu Bei's night raid in the battle of Hanzhong in the year 215, which Zhang He managed to escape but Xiahou Yuan was killed in the battle. However, Liu Bei expressed disappointment after learning that it was Xiahou Yuan but not Zhang He, who was dead.
Zhang He came back to haunt Shu forces in 228 when Zhuge Liang launched the first Shu Invasion against Wei Kingdom. He exploited and crushed Ma Su in the battle of Jieting, forcing Zhuge Liang to execute one of his favorite subordinate in tears. Afterwards, Zhang He snatched back three provinces from the hand of Shu forces, causing the first Shu Invasion to end in failure.
Ever since then, Zhuge Liang marked Zhang He as a number one priority target to take down alongside with Sima Yi.
For a fledgling to grow into someone who could threaten Zhuge Liang, he was not a simple general. Tong deemed that he had to cultivate this person carefully and not letting him fall into danger and die prematurely.
”For now, return with them and serve Han Fu once you get there.”
”But my lord, why?”
”There are three jobs I want you to do while you are there. One, climb up your rank and become the grand general of Han Fu entire army. Two, the Ye City is an imperial city. There are imperial library and books that you can only access as a high rank official. Take this chance and learn as many things possible in there. And three, befriend with Ju Shou. And if it's possible, try to get on his good side.”
”But I promised you that I'll serve you. Why Han Fu?”
Tong smiled at him and patted his shoulder.
”It's just temporary. When the time is right, I'll pay you a visit myself in Ye. At that time, I want you to open the city gate and welcome me yourself with your subordinates.”
The eyes of Zhang He lit up. Although he was still a fledgling, he was not stupid. He could tell that a grand scheme had been placed upon his shoulders.
Zhang He knelt down in one knee and cupped his fist.
”I swear by my father's name. I shall complete your trust even if it costs my life!”
Tong frowned. He walked forward to Zhang He. Instead of helping him up, Tong gave him a punch on top of Zhang He's head, causing a big bump.
Zhang He was confused. Why was he hit when he just swore his loyalty?
”Idiot! What did I just teach you? Never throw lives away, and that's including your own live! Here's another lesson for you. As long as you are alive, anything is possible! Dead man cannot achieve shit! So don't sacrifice your live without my permission! Did I make myself clear?”
Zhang He was stunned in confusion for a moment. But after he processed the information, he was in awed. He was reminded with the Tong's teaching ”Treat your soldiers as if they are your children”. It was the action of a father who disciplined his own child.
”This subordinate understands.”
Tong nodded. Then he waved his hand and unloaded 10,000 gold on the ground in front of Zhang He as if he created it out of thin air.
”I promised you 2,000 gold, so take a portion for yourself. But be sure to give the rest to your men and the families of the decreased. Don't forget to tell them that I gave it to them as a compensation from our previous fight.As for Xin Ping, don't kill him yet. You need him back alive to gain Han Fu's trust. But if he actually dies, then tell Han Fu that he dies from alcohol poisoning.”
Tong handed everything to Zhang He, after which he walked away without looking back. And he left Zhang He with his words.
”Through battle, a man becomes a hero. Through death a hero becomes a legend. Through time, a legend becomes a myth. But I don't want to see a dead man myth. I want to see a living legend!”
”Grow up and become a great general worthy of the Immortal King!”
The heart of Zhang He shook. An aspiration within the depth of his heart had been born. Within the darkness of his heart, a kindle had been ignited. The blood in his body heated up and boiled. His adrenaline shot through his blood vessels. And his eyes were moist as he was enveloped by countless of emotion. The feeling of being accepted and being entrusted upon a great responsibility moved him.
Zhang He both knees and his forehead hit the ground in kowtow. Zhang He swore in his heart that he would pursue the path of the strongest general under the heaven.
…
…
After Tong left Zhang He's camp and were on his way to his fortress, Tong slapped his forehead repeatedly. He was ashamed of what he just said.
'WTF with those lines!? Grow up and become a great general worthy of the Immortal King!? Why the hell did I said that!? I want to die! Should I bit my tongue and commit suicide!?'
”SSSHIIIIIIEEEEETTTTT”