[{"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-52":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},2364321,4623,"Chapter 52: Rebels Are Coming","restoring-the-mountains-and-rivers-chapter-52",52,"\u003Cp>In August, the Jiangnan sun scorched the earth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Prolonged high temperatures, combined with the plum rain season, turned the Huai region into a giant steamer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The harsh climate brought many troubles to the imperial army suppressing the rebellion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Set up camp!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing his soldiers drenched in sweat, Jing Guoliang reluctantly ordered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Marching only twenty li a day—snail-like speed—would make anyone laugh themselves sick if it got out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But there was no choice; too many soldiers had collapsed from heatstroke along the way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Forcing high-intensity marches would cause non-combat losses to reach terrifying numbers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The court had considered everything for this campaign—except that northern soldiers couldn’t adapt to the climate of Jianghuai.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brother Jing, things are looking bad.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zuo Guangen has sent another messenger to pressure us—the rebels are besieging Huai’an Prefecture, and even our Grand Coordinator can’t sit still!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Marquis Li Yuan chuckled teasingly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though he spoke of trouble, his face showed not a trace of panic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In this world of mutual decay, you don’t need to be strong yourself—just have opponents who are worse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The rebels may seem mighty, but they fight independently, each on their own.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Jianghuai clans merely lit the fire of rebellion; their control over the lower ranks is loose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those salt-merchant leaders who seized command after joining them are no longer as obedient as before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brother, your tongue is still as sharp as ever.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When did this Grand Coordinator ever offend you? I don’t recall.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Duke Jing Guoliang replied with a half-smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The aristocratic elite’s disdain for the eunuch faction was never a secret.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Over the years, they’d seen too many favored eunuchs rise to power—only a handful ever died peacefully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Grand Coordinator” is not a title to be tossed around lightly; the last Chancellor of Dayu ended with his entire family executed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To the old aristocrats, the mighty Zuo Guangen was already half-dead, one foot in the coffin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Disdain aside, envy and jealousy were equally unavoidable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were the original shareholders, yet their political voice was weaker than that of a bunch of eunuchs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brother Jing, why pretend you don’t know?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This Grand Coordinator hasn’t offended me—but he’s never fulfilled the promises he made to us!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He holds all the power, yet keeps claiming conditions aren’t ripe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Such obvious lies—I can’t believe you haven’t thought about it, Brother Jing!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing Li Yuan lay it bare, Duke Jing Guoliang’s face darkened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Resentment was inevitable—the eunuch faction had played the aristocrats for fools and slapped him hard across the face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To ensure his son’s smooth advancement in the Ministry of War, he’d recently arranged specialized training for him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everything was ready—then the position vanished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His decision to lead troops southward was partly driven by shame—he couldn’t face his family after losing face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Even if we have thoughts, what can we do? The civil official bloc fiercely opposes our interference in the Six Ministries.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aside from the eunuchs, we have no allies on this issue.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now that the eunuchs are dragging their feet, we can’t force them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You’re not thinking of using this rebellion to pressure Zuo Guangen, are you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jing Guoliang asked, alarmed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Political maneuvering must consider the bigger picture.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Delaying the suppression of the rebellion might trap the eunuchs—but our own losses would be severe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the salt revenues of Huai and Jiang, we’ve already paid a heavy price.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if those sacrificed were eyesores, they were still our own.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brother Jing, where are you getting such ideas? We’d never do such a thing!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The eunuchs delaying the Ministry of War appointments? We can understand that.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The civil officials fiercely oppose it—Zuo Guangen must consider his subordinates’ opinions.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My point is to use this rebellion to expand our political influence.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huai and Jiang are prime territory; after this unrest, many positions will open up.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We don’t covet civil posts—but we must secure military vacancies.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mu spoke calmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Due to the hereditary military system, actual military posts are scarce—and mostly located on the northern frontier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The aristocrats today aren’t like those of the dynasty’s founding; after decades of luxury, asking them to endure the hardships of the frontier is too much.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huai and Jiang are different: though the climate may be uncomfortable, the region is wealthy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brother, you’re right—we can’t give ground this time!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jing Guoliang said solemnly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The aristocratic bloc came here for the salt profits; if we don’t have our own men watching, those below won’t behave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the court’s salt taxes can be slowly eroded, our own shares will naturally be targeted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yangzhou City.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The rebels are splitting forces and heading south toward Yangzhou?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Marquis Wuyang asked, visibly shaken.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These past days, he’d profited heavily from salt merchants and was preparing to press further—then came this nightmare.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Commander, the news came from the Embroidered Uniform Guard—it’s reliable.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The imperial army is advancing on Huai’an; the rebels’ plan to cut the Grand Canal has failed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If they don’t want to be surrounded and destroyed, they must find a way to break the deadlock.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yangzhou overlooks the riverbank, faces Jingkou, stretches along the southern sea, and presses against the Huai River.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since ancient times, it has been a strategic battleground.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Judging by the rebels’ intent, they aim to capture Yangzhou, then Nanjing—to shake the entire southeastern half of the empire!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mu analyzed seriously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether the rebels truly had such a grand strategy was unclear—but he needed everyone to believe they did.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Being a middleman isn’t easy; simply throwing money at connections doesn’t prove his value.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The rebels are coming—what’s our response?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Marquis Wuyang anxiously asked the group.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was an imperial relative—profiting and persecuting others, perhaps he was skilled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leading troops into battle? This was his first time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Five City Military Command nominally counted as an army, but its real duties were maintaining order and rooting out crime.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How capable they were in actual combat? He had no idea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The rebels are advancing fiercely—we must immediately conscript able-bodied men to defend the city and send envoys to request aid from the Capital Garrison.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Captain Zhao Yawei of the East City spoke first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The proposal was standard—no brilliance, but no flaws either.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Compared to the Huaijiang rebels, the Five City Military Command was an outsider.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Simply holding ground was hard enough; venturing out to suppress the rebellion was clearly unwise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Captain Zhao speaks wisely—this concerns the empire’s safety; we must act cautiously!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Captain of the West City immediately agreed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The southern force nominally numbered five thousand, but only the retainers brought by aristocratic heirs had real combat value.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They made up less than half the total force, and two-thirds of them were under these two men’s command.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Power determined voice—and their opinions represented the army’s mainstream.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Commander, the two Captains are right.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But beyond seeking aid and holding the city, we must also calm the people.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The rebels swept through Huai and Jiang so quickly largely because they coerced local gentry.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the past, these rebels forged ties through marriage, teacher-student bonds, and funding scholars.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now that they’ve rebelled, gentry across the region fear retribution and are gripped by panic.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To hold Yangzhou, we must prevent the rebels from winning over the gentry.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I propose the Commander issue a public proclamation in his capacity as Imperial Commissioner.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Promise that if they sever ties with the rebels and help defend Yangzhou, their crimes will be pardoned!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mu added smoothly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1232,"2026-06-21T08:09:02.410Z",1,"Qwen3.5 397B","a19a2dc21691d1fd1e416bcdb5626075672b20110b38c6fd4f9502b1c14610c4","restoring-the-mountains-and-rivers-chapter-53","restoring-the-mountains-and-rivers-chapter-51",391,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Frestoring-the-mountains-and-rivers-cover.jpg"]