Chapter 88

Taizhou City.

After devouring Commander Rong's army, the rebel forces were once again lost.

This was a common ailment among many rebel groups.

When the imperial court besieged them, everyone knew to focus on the siege, but after the battle, they didn't know what to do next.

Limited by their cognitive horizons, they lacked long-term strategic planning.

Looking at the map of Great Great Dayu hanging on the wall, the Huang brothers were deeply troubled.

Compared to ordinary soldiers, they had traveled to many places while smuggling salt and could be considered knowledgeable.

Taizhou was merely a corner of the world; there was absolutely no possibility of resisting the entire empire.

The worst part was that the war had led to a sharp decline in grain production.

If they stayed holed up in Taizhou, they wouldn't last long before the rebel army ran out of food.

"Big Brother, it's not time to give up yet; let's just give it one more shot.

Although the one surnamed Zong is a devious scoundrel, he does have strategic vision.

Since there's no better choice, let's just stick to the original plan.

Take Yangzhou, conquer Zhenjiang, and seize Nanjing; if we succeed, hegemony is within reach.

If we unfortunately fail, then we'll hide our names and disappear into the mountains.

The world is so big, why worry about not having a place for us brothers!"

Huang Huang Renliang proposed.

Hegemony or not, that was just a pie in the sky to fool people.

Before the army ran out of food, breaking out of Taizhou was the most urgent task.

"You're right; the one surnamed Zong does have some strategic vision, but it's a pity he's often detached from reality.

With the imperial navy locking the river, crossing the Dajiang to conquer Zhenjiang and seize Nanjing is pure nonsense.

However, there is still a chance to break through Yangzhou.

Unlike before, the Wucheng Military Commission's army has left, leaving Yangzhou City empty inside.

The imperial envoy stationed in Yangzhou is a member of the Pure Stream Faction, not of the same ilk as the Eunuch Faction. Even if the Embroidered Uniform Guard receives the news, they won't pass it to him immediately.

If we are lucky, we might be able to use our status as imperial troops to trick our way into Yangzhou City.

If the siege is blocked, we'll bypass Yangzhou and head straight into Luzhou Prefecture."

Huang Huang Renlong said approvingly.

Choosing Yangzhou as the breakthrough point was a matter of absolute necessity.

The road south was blocked by the Dajiang.

Even if the imperial navy didn't intercept them, with only the few small boats they had, crossing the river couldn't be done in a short time.

To the north, the imperial army was gathered, and the rebel forces in Gaoyou Prefecture were in precarious danger; going there would just be throwing their lives away.

Attacking Yangzhou for the second time became the only choice.

"Grand General, if we attack Yangzhou again, should we call upon those rebel groups in Nantongzhou?

Their situation isn't very good either.

I heard that after their failed river crossing, they lost a large number of elites and are now being bullied by the imperial army.

If we send an invitation, they will likely agree.

By combining our forces, the chances of winning will be even greater."

A simple-minded middle-aged general proposed.

Having a common enemy made all the rebel groups in the Two Huai region potential allies.

"No!"

"There's no time; that dog official Rong's fake victory report won't fool the government for long.

Once the imperial court discovers the truth, they will definitely send troops.

Taking Yangzhou depends on speed; there must be no delay.

Pass the order: the entire army is to prepare for departure; tomorrow the army will march on Yangzhou.

Second Brother, you lead the veteran camp, change into imperial army uniforms, and take a few of those dog officials with you to see if you can trick the city gates open."

Huang Huang Renlong made a decisive decision.

There is strength in numbers, but numbers also make for a bigger target.

Last time they organized a coalition to besiege Yangzhou and failed, he realized how unreliable joint rebel operations were.

Chaotic command and inability to unify orders were secondary; the key was that everyone had their own agenda.

No one could guarantee they wouldn't be stabbed in the back by an ally at a critical moment.

……

Yangzhou City.

After busying himself for a while, Xu Xu Wenyue finally straightened out the affairs of Yangzhou.

Even though he was only in charge of one prefecture, he felt more tired than when he was a Provincial Governor.

After the region was ravaged by the rebels, it left behind a huge mess.

Not only was there a severe lack of officials, but there was also a critical shortage of money, grain, and all other supplies.

A significant amount of illicit money had indeed been confiscated from the treasury, but unfortunately, the day before he entered Yangzhou, it had been secretly loaded onto ships and sent to the capital by Marquis Marquis Wuyang.

Just as he took over Yangzhou City, the rebel prison-break case occurred. By the time he recovered, the goods were almost at the capital.

What could have been intercepted for his own use suddenly turned into an application for funds from the imperial court.

Even though he was a Grand Secretary, the necessary procedures could not be skipped.

After all the back-and-forth, he hadn't seen any money or grain, but he had submitted quite a few memorials.

Fortunately, Xu Xu Wenyue's reputation was significant enough that the Zhejiang Provincial Administration Commission allocated some supplies for emergencies, preventing a disaster.

"Grand Secretary, Commander Rong of the Wucheng Military Commission has returned with his troops.

Because they missed the time, the city gates have already been closed.

The constable in charge of guarding the gate is asking whether to open the gates and let them in."

Hou Hou Huaichang said with a chuckle.

Marquis Marquis Wuyang had certainly put his master through a lot of trouble, and for his subordinates to show up now was clearly asking for trouble.

Never mind that the gates were already closed; even if they were open, they could find reasons to refuse entry.

"Leave them outside; tell them Yangzhou City is too small to accommodate such 'true Buddhas.'

If that Commander Rong has any opinions, tell him to go find out what Marquis Marquis Wuyang has been up to."

Xu Xu Wenyue said disdainfully.

Facts proved that when one has resentment in their heart, it must be vented.

After venting just now, his mood improved instantly.

"Grand Secretary, for Commander Rong to return so quickly, he most likely suffered a defeat at the front.

To let a spoiled brat lead troops—Marquis Marquis Wuyang really dares to do anything!"

Hou Hou Huaichang followed up.

Status determines stance; Marquis Marquis Wuyang had put them through a lot of trouble recently.

Since the Wucheng Military Commission suffered a defeat and a ready-made excuse was delivered to their door, they had to find a way to regain the face they had lost.

"Hmph!"

"Among those imperial relatives, how many are actually capable!

Marquis Marquis Wuyang is just the only one among a group of scoundrels who is slightly tolerable.

When using people, one inevitably resorts to nepotism.

It's no surprise they suffered a defeat.

Pass the order: not only are they not allowed to enter the city tonight, but tomorrow they are also forbidden from entering!"

Xu Xu Wenyue said with a cold laugh.

Seemingly mocking Marquis Marquis Wuyang, he was actually casting aspersions on Emperor Tianyuan.

Nepotism was clearly started by the Emperor himself.

If it weren't for his status as the Emperor's brother-in-law, a scholar like Marquis Marquis Wuyang who failed the exams repeatedly wouldn't even be worth a glance.

……

Outside Yangzhou City.

The city guards had emotional intelligence; Xu Xu Wenyue's words were not relayed truthfully.

When big shots fight, for a small fry to get involved is absolutely irresponsible toward one's own life.

The provocative words couldn't be relayed, but the order to seal the city had to be executed.

After pretending to be imperial troops and shouting insults at the guards, seeing no reaction from the soldiers inside, Huang Huang Renliang knew the plan had failed.

Although he didn't know where the problem lay, there was no hope of tricking the gates open.

"Commander Rong, they aren't giving you any face; don't you want to do something about it?"

Commander Rong, now a prisoner, was so scared he almost collapsed to the ground upon being named.

Life in the rebel camp these past few days had not been easy for him.

The guards would punch and kick him whenever they were in a bad mood.

If he hadn't been forced into it, he would never have come along.

Even with a slow brain, he knew that if he helped the rebels trick the gates open, he wouldn't escape death when the imperial court settled accounts.

Not only would he die, but the entire Rong family, including the Imperial Consort in the palace, might be implicated.

He had tried to commit suicide several times but gave up because he was afraid of pain.

"General, I really have no choice!

How about you let me go to the city gate and negotiate with the guards?

If I run into an old acquaintance, they might give me some face and open the gates."

Hearing Commander Rong's words, Huang Huang Renliang's heart stirred, and he immediately lashed out with a whip.

"Rong, do you think Old Man Huang is easy to fool?

This is Yangzhou City; the people from the Wucheng Military Commission have all left; you don't have a single acquaintance here.

Besides, in your current state, even if you met an acquaintance, would they even recognize you?

You're dreaming if you think you can tip off the guards!"

Having been beaten for no reason, Commander Rong was full of grievances.

If he weren't afraid of death, he wouldn't want to show his face.

Once the fact that he was captured was brought to light, the entire Rong family would be shamed.

"Old Man Huang, I really wasn't trying to trick you!

The one in charge of Yangzhou now is Grand Secretary Xu; he's a civil official and I'm an imperial relative; we aren't of the same ilk.

I was forced into this expedition by them.

You can rest assured, as long as I can return to the capital, I will definitely find someone to put a sack over his head..."

Commander Rong's performance made the rebel generals burst into laughter.

They had seen stupid people, but never anyone this stupid.

Having fallen into the hands of the rebel army, wanting to return alive was simply a dream.

Keeping them alive now was just a matter of using waste for utility.

Once they lost their value, it would be their time to die.

"Fine, as long as the imperial court is willing to pay a ransom for you, this General will let you, this grandson, go back!"

After speaking, Huang Huang Renliang waved his hand to have them dragged away.

He feared that if he stayed with this idiot for too long, he would be infected.

Without siege equipment, there was no possibility of taking Yangzhou by force.

The value of Commander Rong and his men was not as high as expected.

Perhaps their status could fool ordinary local officials, but when faced with a Grand Secretary from the capital, they wouldn't buy it at all.

Tricking the gates open required speed; without achieving the goal immediately, it would be difficult to succeed later.

Fakes are fakes after all; the longer it drags on, the greater the risk of exposure.

The failure of the plan to take Yangzhou was absolutely catastrophic for the rebel army.

"Huang Huang Sihai, hurry back tonight and tell Big Brother that the situation has changed; we didn't trick the gates open.

If we still want to attack Yangzhou, then hurry and prepare siege equipment.

While the city is empty, there is still a glimmer of hope."

Just as he finished speaking, he saw a guard running over in a hurry.

"Second General, something terrible!

We discovered traces of the imperial army twenty miles away.

Judging by the flags, it should be the army of the Wucheng Military Commission."

Upon receiving this bad news, Huang Huang Renliang's brain exploded.

How could the enemy arrive so quickly?

Where exactly was the leak?

His mind was full of questions, and no one could explain it to him.

"Send more scouts to find out the enemy's strength as soon as possible.

Huang Huang Sihai, take this news to Big Brother as well!"

After hesitating for a moment, Huang Huang Renliang ordered with a frown.

Regardless of where the problem appeared, judging by the enemy's performance, it was certain they had come prepared.

If the news hadn't leaked, even if the Wucheng Military Commission's army had marched south, they should have headed straight for Taizhou, not gone to Yangzhou for a "revisit."

(End of chapter)