Chapter 31: Winning Hearts and Minds

"Marshal, how did you manage to craft these weapons?" Inside the Marshal’s headquarters at Tongguan, Pang Zhong held a triangular bayonet, turning it over in his hands with undisguised admiration. He had just finished reporting on the status of his troops when he noticed several finely crafted, compact weapons laid out on Yang Xi’s desk. With Yang Xi’s permission, he had picked them up to examine them.

The items on the desk—daggers with blood grooves, triangular bayonets, and small crossbows—were improved versions that had been forged by the military craftsmen following Yang Xi’s suggestions and delivered by express courier. Pang had seen the improved samples, and after a careful study, he could not help but voice his praise, his heart filled with wonder and awe at Yang Xi’s ability to conceive such innovative armaments.

"It is nothing extraordinary, really. These weapons are simply improvements based on existing designs," Yang Xi explained with a smile. "Take this dagger, for instance. It is merely sharper, with the addition of a blood groove. When thrust into the heart, the blood drains quickly, causing the victim to perish rapidly from massive blood loss. The triangular bayonet can easily pierce through armor and flesh; if it strikes the heart, there is virtually no hope of survival. As for this small crossbow, every soldier can carry it on their person. It features an aiming groove for high precision, making it extremely convenient for close-quarters combat or subduing enemies; it can be fired with one hand. However, the production cost is quite high, so for now, it will only be issued to the special training units. And this saber—General Pang, you are a veteran of countless battles. You surely know better than anyone what style of blade is best suited for cavalry charges. Try the balance!"

Pang Zhong took the long saber from Yang Xi, hefted it, and immediately praised, "A fine blade! It has good weight and is incredibly sharp."

As he spoke, he swung the blade, then executed a powerful, sweeping slash. The saber cut through the air with a sharp whistle, and with a nimble turn of his body, Pang brought the blade to a controlled stop.

"The curve of the blade allows for greater leverage during a slash, and it won't get stuck in the target's body. It’s also less prone to snapping!" Even without striking a person, Pang immediately grasped the advantages of the curved saber.

Yang Xi nodded, smiling in agreement. "I conceived this by blending the curved blades used by the northern nomads with the standard straight sabers of our Great Tang army. You could call it an evolution."

The standard straight saber used by the Tang military was decent, but because the blade was straight, it often became lodged in the enemy’s body during a strike, making it difficult to retrieve, and it was prone to breaking under stress. Modern cavalry sabers were long and curved—a design refinement born from real-world combat. Yang Xi had simply introduced this advancement ahead of its time.

The challenge lay in the forging. If the smelting and craftsmanship were not up to par, a curved blade would lack the necessary hardness and resilience, making it brittle. In that regard, the traditional straight blade had the advantage, as it did not require curvature and could be forged sturdily with current techniques. Yet, Yang Xi was confident that with enough dedication from the craftsmen, the issue could be resolved.

"Marshal, you truly command my respect," Pang remarked with genuine emotion.

Pang was a man of straightforward character. In the past, when Yang Guozhong had moved against Geshu Han, Pang had advised Geshu Han to find a way to eliminate Yang Guozhong. However, since Yang Xi’s arrival at Tongguan, the new Marshal’s conduct had completely won him over. Yang Xi’s sense of justice, his lack of self-interest, and his unwavering devotion to the state left Pang feeling ashamed of his own initial doubts. The weapons Yang Xi designed, coupled with his superior combat skills and training methods for the special units, felt almost surreal. He often thought to himself, "There is always a mountain higher than the mountain, and a man more capable than the man."

Pang had always been confident, considering himself superior to most in martial arts and strategy. Yet, Yang Xi—a Marshal nearly half his age—surpassed him in every regard. Even in a duel, Pang knew he would be no match for Yang Xi. Several soldiers renowned for their bravery in the camp had been defeated by Yang Xi in a matter of moves; Pang knew he could not replicate that, and the same held true for strategy.

Pang Zhong was no sycophant. He respected only those with martial prowess and outstanding capability—men like Geshu Han, Gao Xianzhi, Feng Changqing, and Wang Zhongsi, who were virtually invincible on the battlefield. He held no affection for corrupt ministers like Yang Guozhong or Li Linfu. Yet, he could not help but feel a sincere, heartfelt admiration for Yang Xi, despite the young man being the son of the treacherous Yang Guozhong.

"The Imperial Court truly chose the right man to garrison Tongguan!" This was a frequent thought of Pang’s, a sentiment shared by many of the generals.

"If only Yang Xi were not the son of Yang Guozhong," was another, more bittersweet sentiment shared by Pang and his peers.

"Marshal, if I may be so bold, I am deeply perplexed. Why are you so different from Minister Yang?" Because he felt Yang Xi’s trust and esteem, Pang could not hold back the question after their discussion on weaponry. Only he and Wang Sili would dare ask such a thing. Today, emboldened by the moment, he finally spoke.

"A dragon may have nine sons, yet none are the same," Yang Xi replied, clearly surprised by the question. He chuckled with a touch of self-deprecation. "As the son of Minister Yang, I know many distrust me. But I did not choose my lineage. All I can do is serve the public good, protect the people, remain loyal to the state, and strive to quell this rebellion. The rest is not for me to worry about right now."

Pang Zhong, who had been trembling slightly after asking, expecting the Marshal to be displeased, was caught off guard by the candid declaration of resolve. He found himself at a loss for words.

"General Pang, I hope you and the others do not worry about my lineage. I am who I am. As the Deputy Marshal, my only goal is to lead this army to suppress the rebellion. As long as I command, everything I do will be for that purpose alone. I hope all of you will do the same: discard your prejudices and fight as one to end this chaos!" Yang Xi’s expression was grave.

Hearing this, Pang Zhong dared not say another word. He straightened his posture and replied loudly, "I shall obey the Marshal’s command! I will never let you down." The Marshal’s words were profound, perhaps difficult to fully grasp, but Pang knew one thing for certain: Yang Xi was nothing like his father. Being a father did not define the character of the son.

"General Pang, as you are aware, Supervisor Li has been keeping to himself lately. But based on my understanding of the man, he will not remain patient for long. Once he is familiar with the situation, he will inevitably attempt to interfere with military affairs. I hope you and the other generals will stand with me to ensure he does not disrupt our training or our future tactical deployments." Yang Xi seized the opportunity to make his request.

"Rest assured, Marshal, I will always support you," Pang pledged, straightening his back once more.

Li Fuguo was certainly no saint; Pang had sensed that the moment they met. The friction between Yang Guozhong and the Crown Prince was an open secret. As representatives of opposing factions, conflict between Yang Xi and Li Fuguo was inevitable. While Pang personally leaned toward the Crown Prince, he had no intention of letting the Supervisor meddle with their military operations. On matters of war, he was more than willing to follow Yang Xi.