Chapter 1790: Chapter 1790: Funeral

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General Ge was about to escort Tang Zhongzhou on their journey when he received the news that Qiu Troop Commander had died, and he finally felt a sense of relief.

Chou Manwu, do not blame us; it was your own foolishness.

If you were still alive when the commissioning team arrived, the matter in Gaoshui County might have been uncovered, and then General Xu would be punished.

We couldn’t let you ruin General Xu’s grand plan!

"Old Ge, Chou Manwu has gone." Vice General Ma nudged the dazed General Ge, reminding him.

Upon hearing this, General Ge snapped back to reality, his eyes quickly reddened, and he began to cry.

He wiped away tears and sobbed, "Why did Manwu have to do this? General Xu had already pardoned him from the death penalty; he could have retired from the army and reunited with his family!"

Don’t think that General Ge was pretending; at this moment, he was genuinely crying.

Chou Manwu was his confidant, and the two had fought many battles together, like brothers in life and death. It was true that he let him take his own life, but his genuine grief and tears were also true.

"Old Ge, don’t be sad. This was Manwu’s own choice." Vice General Ma patted General Ge’s shoulder, offering comfort, "Come, let’s go see Manwu."

General Ge nodded, and the two brought a group of personal soldiers to Qiu Troop Commander’s tent.

Outside the tent, a circle of soldiers had already formed. Qin San Lang and others stood at the human wall formed by the soldiers. When they saw General Ge and Vice General Ma, they cupped their hands in salute and said, "Qiu Troop Commander and those who discovered his death are all inside the tent. None have been allowed to leave. Please, the two generals, go in and preside."

Qin San Lang had anticipated that Qiu Troop Commander wouldn’t make it, so he had already withdrawn Zhang Zhong, Zhang Tu, and other soldiers. The soldiers guarding Qiu Troop Commander last night were Qiu Troop Commander’s own personal soldiers and those brought by Company Commander Xiao Yue.

Now that he came, it was merely to surround the tent to prevent chaos; he took no part in other matters.

Vice General Ma was very pleased with this. San Lang was indeed smart, knowing what matters to involve himself with and what not to.

"Keep guarding." Vice General Ma said, inviting General Ge, "Old Ge, let’s go in and take a look."

General Ge’s face was full of sorrow, but in his heart, he felt Vice General Ma was too good to Qin San Lang. However, now was not the time to delve into these matters. He went into the tent to see Qiu Troop Commander.

At the moment he saw Qiu Troop Commander’s body, he sincerely cried again, embracing the body and saying, "Manwu, General Xu already gave you a way to live; why would you lose hope like this!"

Company Commander Xiao Yue had already cried once, and upon seeing this, cried out again, "General, Qiu Troop Commander died so pitifully!"

Upon hearing this, General Ge wanted to kick Company Commander Xiao Yue. Dammit, can’t you speak properly? What you said made it sound like Chou Manwu was assassinated. He took his own life to atone for his heavy sins, understand?!

Company Commander Xiao Yue wasn’t foolish either, realizing he’d spoken poorly when he saw General Ge’s displeased expression. He quickly pointed to the knife sheath and said, "General, Qiu Troop Commander left a suicide note... He knew he was wrong, he really knew he was wrong. He dedicated his life to battle, and I implore you, General, to plead for Qiu Troop Commander to be buried with military honors!"

That request could indeed be granted.

"Don’t worry. Even though Manwu made mistakes, we all remember his contributions. What you ask, I will report to General Xu." General Ge offered this honest reply because General Xu had already discussed it with them beforehand, letting Chou Manwu take his own life and bestowing a burial with military honors.

However, discussions were one thing, and formalities were another. Everything had to be done gradually.

"Bring the suicide note." General Ge, still holding Chou Manwu’s body, ordered the soldiers.

The soldiers quickly went to move the knife sheath and retrieved the suicide note pressed beneath it, presenting it to General Ge, "General, please have a look."

General Ge took it and began reading. After finishing, his hand holding the note was trembling, and silent tears fell. Everyone present could feel that General Ge was genuinely grieving Chou Manwu’s death with an extraordinary sorrow.

After a long while, General Ge finally spoke, chokingly, "Manwu, rest assured. The wicked ones who harmed Gaoshui County will surely be severely punished. We will also support your sons so they can become accomplished. You can go in peace."

General Ge was most satisfied with the last request. Chou Manwu, though having been foolish, showed wisdom this once. With the final request in his note, General Xu would have an added emotional justification to clear out the entirety of the Northwest, making all the soldiers there even more trusting of General Xu.

In short, the troubles Chou Manwu caused were quelled with his own life.

"Someone, bring hot water, a bath basin, and clean clothes. I want to personally prepare Manwu’s body for burial!" General Ge wiped away tears and ordered.

"Yes!" All the soldiers sprang into action, quickly bringing buckets of hot water, a bath basin, cloth towels, and other items, allowing General Ge to bathe Chou Manwu and send him off on his final journey.

Qin San Lang immediately had soldiers bring in unused wood planks and, within two hours, crafted a decent coffin lined with thick cotton fabric.

After dressing Chou Manwu’s body, General Ge saw the new coffin outside the tent and acknowledged Qin San Lang’s well-intentioned actions, "You are thoughtful. I thank you on behalf of Manwu."

Qin San Lang cupped his hands, "The General does not need to thank me. This is what a low-level general should do. Although Troop Commander Qiu made mistakes, he also had merits. Making a coffin for him is an expression of our camaraderie."

These words were well spoken, and even General Ge, who had biases against Qin San Lang, couldn’t find fault.

In driving back the Rong people, General Xu always emphasized that the troops should unite and have the camaraderie of watching each other’s backs. Qin San Lang’s words touched on General Xu’s core intentions.

"Men, lay Manwu to rest in the coffin!" General Ge commanded, and according to military rites, the soldiers placed Chou Manwu into the coffin.

The rites had several steps, so it was after two increments of time that Chou Manwu’s body was finally interred, and the coffin was sealed.

For his burial, Chou Manwu wasn’t dressed in burial clothes but was donned in General Ge’s own set of battle armor.

General Ge gave his own battle armor for Chou Manwu to wear, which later became a story of legend within the army.

After sealing the coffin, General Ge, with tear-filled eyes, saluted the coffin.

Company Commander Xiao Yue and others immediately followed, kneeling to kowtow to Chou Manwu’s coffin, "Troop Commander, fare thee well. We low-level generals will surely continue to resist the Rong bandits, fulfilling your aspiration to drive them out of the Chu Territory!"

Hearing this, Vice General Ma couldn’t help but declare, "All soldiers, see Chou Manwu off!"

At this command, all the soldiers of Gu Family Village assembled to pay their respects to Chou Manwu.

This spectacle made it seem less like a criminal’s funeral and more like one for a hero minister.

This was exactly what General Ge desired. Although Chou Manwu had his faults, he also had merits. He deserved to die, but the soldiers’ spirits couldn’t be dampened, so the proper dignity needed to be given.

This farewell took a good hour and more, and by the afternoon, General Ge and his men finally pulled Qiu Troop Commander’s coffin and escorted Tang Zhongzhou to the county.

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