Although they tried to minimize their movements and avoid making noise, so many people acting at once still created some sound. The soldiers of the right and left armies detected nothing, while those in the central army were mowed down like leeks, their heads severed in their sleep.
The cooks were furious today. Those individuals hadn't even left them any wine, completely disregarding them. However, they only grumbled amongst themselves, not daring to speak out, as there were many others in the army who had fared worse.
They only occasionally went without wine, whereas the men in the central army were never allowed a drop. All the dirty and arduous tasks fell to them, and they were the ones who charged to the front when battle ensued.
Despite their discontent, they resigned themselves to their work. One soldier couldn't sleep and felt the military camp was unusually quiet that night. He wanted to get up to relieve himself. As soon as he lifted the tent flap, he froze. He rubbed his eyes, confirmed he wasn't mistaken, quickly ducked back inside, and quietly woke his companion. They then fled to a nearby forest, silently observing their every move.
At this moment, everyone couldn't help but feel a sense of lingering fear. Their complaints from the night had turned into relief. Fortunately, they hadn't drunk that wine, or they would have lost their heads just like the others.
Without even thinking, it was clear that only the central army hadn't been affected. The left and right armies slept so soundly. The people emerging from their tents had blood dripping from their blades. After much thought, the problem likely lay with the wine, as everything else was the same for them.
Soon, they heard the Grand Commander's curses, "What are you doing? Rebelling? This is a crime punishable by extermination of the entire clan. If you spare me, I will plead with the Emperor on your behalf and beg for your lives."
"I advise you to shut your mouth. Do you think we would still trust you after reaching this point? As soon as we let you go, you'd likely go straight to the Emperor to report me. Do I want to die any faster? Besides, for years you've intentionally or unintentionally targeted the central army. We must avenge this grievance. We've tolerated you for too long." General Zhang watched his pathetic state with immense satisfaction.
The next morning, when the survivors woke up, they found everything had changed. Those who remained were either in less important positions or had been relatively honest and diligent in their daily tasks. Even if they harbored doubts, they were shocked by the blood on the necks of those beside them, their faces pale with fright, and unable to think of anything else.
Soon, the drums sounded, and they blindly marched towards the square. Looking at Lieutenant General Liu, high above, they felt a sense of inevitability.
Only after most of the people had left did Lieutenant General Liu order the Grand Commander to be brought forth.
As soon as the cloth was removed from his mouth, he began to curse loudly, "You traitors will die a horrible death! Don't listen to their instigation. If you join their ranks, you will be considered rebels, and your families will be annihilated. Even if you don't think for yourselves, consider your families behind you..."
Wu Caiwei seemed not to hear the meaning of his words and let him shout his lungs out. Only when he finally tired and stopped did Lieutenant General Liu look at the assembled soldiers and say sternly, "Did you hear that? Following me carries risks. If you wish to leave now, step forward quickly, and you will be given travel expenses. After today, there will be no room for regret. Think carefully."
The soldiers of the left and right armies immediately began to whisper among themselves, discussing their next steps. The men of the central army, however, appeared indifferent. For them, a horrible death was nothing. Since joining the central army, they had known they would eventually become stepping stones for others, just like the previous central army soldiers. Now that the general had helped them overcome the obstacles above them, they felt their future was bright. Why would they leave?
Those who joined the army were either orphaned or truly desperate. How could they simply leave? Very few people departed. Lieutenant General Liu kept his promise, handing them silver in front of everyone and telling them to go home.
The Grand Commander, looking at the determined soldiers below, seethed with hatred but was powerless.
"Is there anyone else who wishes to leave? If not, you will never be allowed to leave again." After saying this, Lieutenant General Liu waited for a while. Seeing that no one else left, he began to enumerate the Grand Commander's crimes.
With each charge he listed, the soldiers of the central army's eyes filled with greater indignation. Behind each crime lay the lives of central army soldiers.
"Kill him, kill him..." Before he could finish, the soldiers shouted loudly.
"You uncivilized wretches, I come from a noble family. Why should I be on equal footing with you? Why should I treat you well? You were born to serve us. I believe I have done nothing wrong, and I only regret not having exterminated you all earlier." The Grand Commander was panicked. Honestly, he regretted it. If he had treated them better back then, perhaps he wouldn't be in this predicament now. But there was no turning back, so he had to double down on his defiance.
"We may not have your noble origins, but we are also human, with blood, flesh, and feelings. Today, I will kill you here, and from now on, we, the commoners, will command the entire army. No one will dare to bully us again." The scene that Lieutenant General Liu painted was precisely what they had longed for. Even the soldiers of the right and left armies were moved. Their lives had been somewhat better than those of the central army in recent years, but with the arrogance of noble families, they could only endure any injustices they encountered.
Under Lieutenant General Liu's command, the executioner raised his large saber high and brought it down forcefully. The Grand Commander's head immediately fell, rolling to the ground. Some couldn't help but secretly stomp on it.
From then on, the position of Grand Commander was occupied by a newcomer wearing a mask. Beside him sat another man, also wearing a mask, who called himself the strategist. Only a few generals had seen their true faces; everyone else had no idea who they were.
Their appearance in public in this manner was the result of their joint decision, as their fates were intertwined with many families. Of course, the day before the incident, they had departed south in full view of everyone. Shortly after leaving the city gates, they had secretly slipped away, while Wu Caiwei and Ye Xingli in the carriage continued their leisurely travels, appearing here and there without a fixed abode.
The news only reached the capital three and a half months later. The delay was because the Grand Commander had just taken office and had tightened control over the city, preventing even a fly from escaping. After about three months, when everything had settled, and vigilance had relaxed, people from the imperial court mixed with the citizens leaving the city, and the message was delivered via an urgent dispatch.