[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-restoring-the-mountains-and-rivers":3,"chapter-restoring-the-mountains-and-rivers-restoring-the-mountains-and-rivers-chapter-377":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Restoring the Mountains and Rivers",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2364646,4623,"Chapter 377: Riding a Tiger, Unable to Dismount","restoring-the-mountains-and-rivers-chapter-377",377,"\u003Cp>Scholar, put away your little tricks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Such an obvious provocation won’t work on me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If you think the terms are bad, you’re free to opt out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After this job, we go our separate ways—no one’s forcing you to accept amnesty!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Zhongxuan said irritably.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leading a group of pirates to negotiate does offer a chance to secure better terms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But for a leader like him, the consequences would be catastrophic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The court needs them now—even if the terms are excessive, they'll likely agree—but this will leave a dangerous hidden peril.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Don’t be fooled by pirates constantly talking about brotherhood; betrayal happens daily on the sea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They speak of righteousness only because the price of betrayal isn’t high enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the time comes to settle accounts, these pirates will sell him clean.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>None of the pirate captains at that meeting dared to step forward, precisely to avoid being targeted later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For men like them, official rank has never been the priority—securing amnesty is the only path forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What the Daxu bureaucracy is like, even if none of them have experienced it firsthand, they’ve heard enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once inside the imperial system, with the wealth they’ve amassed, they can bribe their way to high office.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, compared to officials of legitimate pedigree, their treatment will be like that of a stepchild.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ranks can be bought, but real power? Almost impossible to obtain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The greatest benefit is standing in the sunlight, allowing their descendants to enter the ruling elite.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brother Zhu, calm down!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m just speaking up for the brothers!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We’re all top-tier heroes—we deserve decent positions, not to be dumped as mere privates!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since Brother Zhu doesn’t mind, I won’t say more!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Death-Bringing Scholar hurriedly explained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was very satisfied with the result of his test.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the court had offered Zhu Zhongxuan more promises, he’d now be scheming to push everyone toward amnesty—not letting things drift.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The seemingly harsh amnesty terms actually prove Han Shui Marquis is genuinely seeking to recruit pirates.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No other reason—Han Shui Marquis, born of noble lineage, has his pride.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had they surrendered earlier, they might have earned respect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, so many are eager to serve him; these pirates don’t deserve to be courted with courtesy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just look at this operation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alongside Zhu Zhongxuan’s pirate alliance, coastal merchants have also formed their own groups.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To conceal their identities, the merchants have donned pirate masks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In a sense, this campaign against the Annan people is also a screening.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not every participating faction will gain benefits, but those who didn’t join will surely suffer in the future.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From Guangdong and Guangxi to Nanzhili, all are under the control of the noble faction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In a feudal dynasty, to profit from the lucrative maritime trade without aligning closely with those in power is not the act of a wise man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once you pick the wrong side, no matter how strong your backing, it’s useless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Daxu enforces a maritime ban: sea trade is permitted, but cannot be openly acknowledged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Violate the ban and you’re executed—die, and no one cares.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Enough, Scholar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I know you’re cunning, but use your cunning for the right purpose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amnesty isn’t urgent now—the priority is making money.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Annan is weak—this is heaven-sent opportunity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After landing, everyone acts freely—take what you can, each man for himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I have only one rule: no infighting until the operation ends!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Zhongxuan’s words pleased the smaller pirate captains.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though this restraint won’t work perfectly, it’s better than nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Secret conflicts are inevitable, but at least publicly, they must show Zhu Zhongxuan face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For weaker pirates, this is their greatest protection.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The raiders weren’t just Zhu Zhongxuan’s pirate alliance—other pirate groups also chose their own targets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, smoke rose everywhere along the Annan coast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As time passed, rescue requests flew into Thang Long City like snowflakes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The pirate onslaught is far more complex than it appears.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lord Lin, has your Tongzheng Office uncovered these pirates’ origins?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cui Ziyan frowned as he read the pleas for help.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pirates’ strength lies at sea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On land, they can’t match regular troops.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Normally, pirates land, raid, and flee.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time is different: the organized pirate bands, after looting ports, are advancing inland.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Annan’s narrow territory is easily cut in half.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Prime Minister, intelligence indicates most of these pirates are Daxu subjects.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their range is vast—from the Sea of Japan to the South Seas, their presence is everywhere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many are Daxu maritime merchants.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once these men led the invasion, pirates active off our shores joined in the looting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From gathered data, the number of pirates raiding us likely exceeds two hundred thousand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And this number continues to rise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If we don’t act swiftly, pirates active in the Indian Ocean will be drawn in too.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Zeliang spoke tremblingly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His predecessor was imprisoned and punished for faulty intelligence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since taking office, though he made some changes, his intelligence-gathering remains weak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The information just given didn’t require investigation—it could be deduced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Such a massive pirate force could only be sustained by Daxu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So you mean these pirates are a Daxu plot?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cui Ziyan asked uncertainly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pirates are equally despised in Daxu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Logically, they’ve always opposed the Daxu court—why would they aid the Daxu emperor?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Prime Minister, if not orchestrated by the Daxu court, who else could mobilize so many?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pirates acting alone can only raid coastal areas—they’d never penetrate inland.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only Daxu officials offering promises could produce this situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Daxu aristocratic families have a habit of maintaining mountain bandits; maintaining pirate bands at sea isn’t unthinkable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ordinary pirates harbor grudges against the Daxu court and won’t obey its emperor—but those privately maintained by aristocrats are different.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Zeliang offered what he believed was a reasonable explanation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The truth didn’t matter to him—he just needed to get past this crisis.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rebuilding the intelligence system won’t happen overnight, but superiors care only about results.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fail, and he’s the scapegoat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If this is a Daxu plot, our navy must not move lightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Order all provinces to strengthen defenses and guard against pirate attacks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Hanlin Academy must draft a memorial immediately—send it by six-hundred-li express to the emperor.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cui Ziyan made his decision at once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Compared to pirates, his greatest fear has always been the Daxu navy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the Annan navy sails south to crush the pirates, the Daxu army might launch a sea invasion of Hanoi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Annan’s core region has always been the delta plain—equivalent to Daxu’s Jiangnan and capital.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lose the heartland, and the damage won’t be mere setback—it could mean annihilation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Prime Minister, reporting to the emperor now won’t solve the immediate crisis.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pirates ravage the central and southern provinces—if we don’t act decisively, half of Annan will be lost!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ruan Xinjie’s words shattered the ministers’ composure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Losing half of Annan to pirates would make them a laughingstock in history.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially officials from central and southern regions—their expressions were now twisted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If their hometowns are gone, they become rootless drifters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Prime Minister, Minister Ruan is right.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"At this moment, we cannot sit idly by.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We must send reinforcements immediately to show these pirates what they’re up against!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the ministers pressuring him, Cui Zi’s temper flared instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t that he didn’t want to send troops—it was that he had no troops to send.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Official troop rosters did not mean actual forces existed in that number.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Great Yue Empire’s registered population totaled only three million or so.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if the real population were somewhat higher, it would still be no more than five or six million.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To support the twenty-five thousand troops on the frontlines, they had already conscripted hundreds of thousands of laborers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most of the nation's able-bodied men were serving the war effort; the garrison troops were mostly elderly or weak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Great Yue Empire’s military mobilization capacity had now reached its absolute limit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fundamentally, this northern campaign was a gamble on the empire’s fate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unfortunately, their luck was poor—the declining Great Yu was still no match for them to provoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Enough!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You all keep talking about sending troops—where are these troops supposed to come from?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I can’t conjure up soldiers out of thin air!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don’t you know what kind of troops are left behind in each region?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They’re fine for maintaining local order, but if sent to the battlefield, they’d just hand the enemy easy victories.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If you think the domestic situation is beyond control, immediately petition His Majesty to return with his army.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cui Zi exploded at once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All of you only know to pressure me—but I’m just the Prime Minister, not the Emperor of Yue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I have influence in court, but no final decision-making power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the border clashes first broke out, everyone saw it as an opportunity and pushed for the northern campaign against Yu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the war began and they realized the enemy was not to be trifled with, their political stances shifted again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They pretend to urge me to send reinforcements to the southern regions, but in truth, they’re trying to force me to rally the ministers and pressure the Emperor into withdrawing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the new Emperor’s ascension, his first major war ended in failure—think of how disastrous the consequences would be.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leading a palace coup now would earn the Emperor’s lifelong hatred.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From Cui Zi’s personal standpoint, the best course was to state the facts plainly and let the Emperor abandon the northern campaign himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Below Zhen’an Pass, the Yue army’s encampment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he read the official documents sent from the capital, Hu Xinbo’s face turned ashen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Great Yue Empire being cornered by a band of pirates was, for His Majesty, the greatest humiliation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Despicable Yu people!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After cursing, Hu Xinbo had no choice but to confront the reality.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The empire’s interior was empty, and pirates had exploited the weakness—this was now fact.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If no immediate action was taken, the Great Yue Empire would be finished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My loyal ministers, the Yu have manipulated pirates to invade Yue—do any of you have a strategy to advise me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hu Xinbo asked hopefully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your Majesty, these pirates are no threat—send the navy to hunt them down!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Jingfu responded first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet his eagerness did not earn Hu Xinbo’s approval.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the navy could have moved, it would have acted long ago—there would be no need to report this to His Majesty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Minister Chen, you clearly don’t understand the situation.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I mean the pirates are rampaging across the land, and our navy is pinned down by the Yu navy—utterly unable to suppress them.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hu Xinbo explained coldly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a small state, the tragedy lies here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They can win countless times, but one misstep could lead to total ruin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, the Great Yue Empire didn’t just have its navy pinned down—it was also bogged down by the Yu army on land.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The civil officials back home didn’t grasp the situation; they believed if he simply withdrew, all problems would vanish.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But reality was cruel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The enemy’s reinforcements had already reached the frontlines; the combined forces of Guangdong and Guangxi numbered over a hundred thousand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the Yue army withdrew, the enemy would pounce.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One misstep, and retreat would turn into total collapse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your Majesty, if the navy can’t move, recall General Xiao.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"After all, the invasion of Yunnan was meant to be a surprise—now that the surprise has failed, lingering there serves no purpose.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Jingfu quickly amended his position.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Yue army’s failed surprise attack on Yunnan wasn’t due to Xiao Yunfan’s incompetence—it was purely delayed by terrain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Terrible roads slowed their advance; by the time they arrived, the enemy was already prepared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When they reached the walls, they tragically discovered the gunpowder had been poorly stored and dampened—every firearm in the army had become useless firesticks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though the Yunnan defenders were weak, they still held firm against a Yue army armed with cold weapons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Failing to seize the walls immediately, the battle turned into a war of attrition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmm, that’s a decent suggestion.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But the pirates invading our homeland are too numerous—Xiao Yunfan’s forty thousand troops may not be enough.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Minister of War Chen Chuyang gently reminded him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Forty thousand regular troops could normally handle a band of pirates without issue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the situation was unusual: Xiao Yunfan’s forces had just suffered defeat, their morale and fighting spirit severely damaged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if they returned home, restoring combat readiness would take time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rushing them to the front now would cause chaos.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmm!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If we lack troops, draw another twenty thousand from our own forces here to return home and crush the pirates.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Send word to Xiao Yunfan—if he can’t handle a bunch of pirates, he should cut his own throat!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hu Xinbo spoke with murderous intent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clearly, he was truly enraged—otherwise he wouldn’t have lost composure like this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your Majesty, this cannot be done!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Though we hold a numerical advantage, the Yu army is no pushover.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If we continue dividing our forces, the enemy will easily find a weakness.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The war has progressed this far—continuing to fight brings us no benefit.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Send an envoy to the Yu capital to seek a temporary peace with the Yu Emperor.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Once we’ve dealt with the pirates, we can seek another chance to invade Yu!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shi Yufeng immediately advised.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Seek another chance to invade Yu” was a very euphemistic way of saying it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cruel reality made it clear to all: they lacked the strength to conquer the Great Yu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even just a few garrison units and a band of low-grade pirates had thrown them into chaos.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the Great Yu ever took them seriously and sent its elite forces, it would be catastrophic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Old General, you overthink this.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The war has just begun—why speak of peace?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Even if peace is needed, it should be the Yu Emperor begging us for it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Their situation is far worse than ours—they have no courage to counterattack!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the Emperor’s expression darken, Chen Chuyang swiftly rebuked him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Emperor had paid too great a price for this campaign against Yu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without a tangible victory, there would be no way to end it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the new Emperor, such a result would be a political disaster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Already, the power of the aristocratic clans within the Great Yue Empire was immense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If imperial authority suffered, even if he wasn’t overthrown, Hu Xinbo’s control over the court would crumble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The situation had now reached a point where Hu Xinbo was trapped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He couldn’t win, and peace was impossible domestically—he could only hold on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",2405,"2026-06-21T08:09:04.021Z",1,"Qwen3.5 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