Chapter 88: Failed Deception of the City

Taizhou City.

After devouring Commander Rong’s army, the rebel forces once again became lost.

This was a common flaw among all rebel bands.

When the court launched a crackdown, everyone knew to unite and fight back; but after the battle ended, they had no idea what to do next.

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

Staring at the large map of Dayu hanging on the wall, the Huang brothers grew deeply troubled.

Compared to ordinary soldiers, they had traveled widely as salt traders and were relatively well-informed.

Taizhou was merely one corner of the empire; to oppose the entire empire was utterly impossible.

The worst part was that war had caused a sharp decline in grain production.

If they stayed holed up in Taizhou, they would run out of food in no time.

“Big brother, it’s not time to give up yet. Let’s just fight one more time.”

That Zong fellow may be vile, but he does have some strategic vision.

If there’s no better option, then let’s just stick to the original plan.

Take Yangzhou, seize Zhenjiang, capture Nanjing—if we succeed, a hegemonic future is within reach.

If we fail, we’ll change our names and vanish into the mountains.

The empire is vast—surely there’s room for us brothers somewhere!”

Proposed Huang Renliang.

Hegemony or not—that’s just empty fantasy.

Before the army runs out of food, we must break out of Taizhou—that’s what we need to do now.

“You’re right. That Zong fellow does have some strategic insight, but he’s often disconnected from reality.

The court’s navy blocks the river; crossing the great river to capture Zhenjiang and Nanjing is pure nonsense.

Still, taking Yangzhou remains possible.

Unlike before, the Five City Garrison troops have left; Yangzhou’s interior is now hollow.

The imperial envoy stationed in Yangzhou is a Pure Stream faction member, not aligned with the eunuch faction. Even if the Embroidered Uniform Guard receives word, they won’t relay it to him immediately.

If we’re lucky, we might even use our pretended official status to trick our way into Yangzhou.

If the assault stalls, we bypass Yangzhou and head straight for Luzhou Prefecture.”

Said Huang Renlong approvingly.

Choosing Yangzhou as the breakthrough point was purely out of desperation.

The southern route is blocked by the great river.

Even if the court’s navy didn’t intercept them, their handful of small boats couldn’t cross the river in any short time.

To the north, the court’s armies are massed; the rebels in Gaoyou Prefecture are on the brink of collapse—going there would only mean delivering our heads.

A second strike on Yangzhou became the only option.

“Grand General, if we attack Yangzhou again, should we summon the rebel bands from Nantong Prefecture?”

Their situation isn’t good either.

Word is, after their failed river crossing, they lost many elite troops and are now being bullied by the imperial forces.

If we invite them, they’ll likely agree.

With our combined strength, attacking Yangzhou together would increase our chances.”

Suggested a burly middle-aged commander.

With a common enemy, all rebel bands in the Two Huai region are potential allies.

“No!”

“We don’t have time. That Rong commander’s fake victory report won’t fool the court for long.

Once the court discovers the truth, they’ll send troops.

Taking Yangzhou depends on speed—no delays allowed.

Issue orders: prepare the entire army for departure. Tomorrow, we march on Yangzhou.

Second brother, lead the old camp in captured imperial uniforms, take a few of those corrupt officials ahead—see if you can trick the gates open.”

Huang Renlong made his decision decisively.

More men mean more strength, but also a larger target.

Last time, when he organized a coalition to besiege Yangzhou and failed, he realized how unreliable rebel alliances truly were.

Disorganized command and conflicting orders were secondary; the key issue was everyone had their own agenda.

No one could guarantee that at the critical moment, an ally wouldn’t stab them in the back.

…

Yangzhou City.

After a flurry of activity, Xu Wenyue finally got Yangzhou’s affairs in order.

Managing just one prefecture felt more exhausting than when he was Provincial Governor.

After the rebels ravaged the region, they left behind a mountain of chaos.

Not only were officials severely lacking, but money, grain, and all supplies were critically short.

Though the treasury had been raided for plenty of illicit funds, the day before he arrived in Yangzhou, Marquis Wuyang had secretly shipped them all to the capital.

Just as he took control of Yangzhou, a rebel prison break occurred. By the time he recovered, the loot was nearly in the capital.

What could have been kept for local use became a request for imperial funding.

Even as a Grand Secretary, he still had to follow the proper procedures.

After the back-and-forth delays, he hadn’t seen a single coin or grain—only piles of memorials.

Fortunately, Xu Wenyue’s influence was strong enough that the Zhejiang Provincial Administration Commissioner’s office had already sent emergency supplies, preventing outright chaos.

“Grand Secretary, Commander Rong of the Five City Garrison has returned with his troops.

Because they’re late, the city gates are closed.

The gate sergeant asks whether to open the gates and let them in.”

Said Hou Huaichang with a smile.

Marquis Wuyang had tormented their lord enough already—now his subordinates had the nerve to show up? Clearly asking for trouble.

Even if the gates were open, they’d find reasons to refuse entry.

“Let them stay outside. Say Yangzhou is too small to hold such holy men.

If Commander Rong has complaints, let him first find out what Marquis Wuyang has been up to.”

Said Xu Wenyue disdainfully.

It proved true: resentment must be vented.

After letting off steam just now, his mood instantly improved.

“Grand Secretary, Commander Rong returned so quickly—he must have suffered a defeat on the front.

Letting a pampered nobleman lead troops? Marquis Wuyang really dares anything!”

Hou Huaichang smoothly continued.

Status determines stance; Marquis Wuyang had tormented them severely just recently.

The Five City Garrison’s defeat was a ready-made excuse—they had to find a way to recover their lost face.

“Hmph!”

“How many of those imperial in-laws are any good?

Marquis Wuyang is merely the least disgusting among a pack of scoundrels.

When appointing men, they inevitably favor relatives.

Losing a battle? No surprise at all.

Issue orders: not only tonight, but tomorrow as well—those defeated troops are barred from entering the city!”

Said Xu Wenyue with a cold laugh.

It seemed like mockery of Marquis Wuyang, but in truth, it subtly targeted the Tianyuan Emperor.

Favoring relatives? That’s exactly what the emperor started.

Had Marquis Wuyang not been the emperor’s brother-in-law, a failed scholar like him wouldn’t even have earned a glance.

…

Outside Yangzhou City.

The gate guards had emotional intelligence—they didn’t relay Xu Wenyue’s words verbatim.

When big men clashed, petty soldiers meddling meant risking their own lives.

They couldn’t repeat the taunts, but the order to seal the city had to be carried out.

After pretending to be imperial troops and hurling insults at the guards, and seeing no response from within, Huang Renliang knew the plan had failed.

He didn’t know which step had gone wrong, but tricking the gates open was now impossible.

“Commander Rong, if they won’t give you face, don’t you want to do something about it?”

The captured Commander Rong, hearing his name called, nearly collapsed in terror.

His days among the rebels had been miserable.

The guards, whenever displeased, beat and kicked him.

Had he not been forced, he would never have come along.

He was dim-witted, but he knew to cooperate with the rebels and trick open the city gate—once the court cracked down, he’d be doomed.

It wasn’t just him who would die; the entire Rong family, even the Imperial Consort in the palace, might be dragged down with him.

He’d tried to kill himself several times, but ultimately gave up out of fear of pain.

“General, I truly have no way!”

Why not let me go down to the city gate and negotiate with the garrison soldiers?

If I run into an old acquaintance, maybe he’ll grant me a favor and open the gate.”

Hearing Rong’s words, Huang Renliang’s heart stirred, then he lashed out with a whip.

“Rong, do you think Huang the Grandpa is a fool?

This is Yangzhou City—every soldier from the Five City Military Command has left. Who the hell do you know here?

And look at your current state—even if you met an old friend, would they recognize you?

You want to tip off the defenders? You’re dreaming!”

Having been beaten for no reason, Rong, the Commandant, looked utterly wronged.

If not for fear of death, he’d never have dared show his face.

Once his capture became public, the entire Rong family would be shamed.

“Grandpa Huang, I swear I’m not lying to you!

The current administrator of Yangzhou is Grand Secretary Xu—he’s a civil official, I’m imperial kin; we’re not on the same side.

I was forced into this campaign by them.

You can rest assured: once we return to the capital, I’ll find someone to ambush him and stuff a sack over his head…”

Rong’s performance sent the rebel officers into fits of laughter.

I’ve seen fools, but never one this stupid.

Captured by the righteous army and still thinking you can walk out alive? You’re dreaming.

We’re keeping them around only for their utility.

Once they lose their value, it’s their death sentence.

“Fine—if the court pays a ransom for you, I’ll let you go, you little brat!”

Saying this, Huang Renliang waved his hand, signaling to drag him away.

He feared that staying near this fool too long might infect him too.

Without siege equipment, storming Yangzhou by force was impossible.

The value of Rong and his men was lower than expected.

Perhaps their status could fool local officials, but not a Grand Secretary in the capital—he wouldn’t buy it.

Deceiving the gate requires speed; if you don’t succeed immediately, success becomes far harder.

A fake will always be fake—the longer you delay, the greater the risk of exposure.

The failure of the plan to seize Yangzhou would be catastrophic for the righteous army.

“Huang Sihai, hurry back tonight and tell Brother that the situation has changed—we failed to trick open the gate.

If we still want to attack Yangzhou, prepare siege equipment immediately.

While the city is still empty, there’s still a sliver of hope.”

No sooner had he finished speaking than a soldier rushed over.

“Second General, disaster!

We spotted government troops twenty li away.

Judging by their banners, they’re from the Five City Military Command.”

Hearing this news, Huang Renliang’s head exploded.

How could the enemy arrive so fast?

Where had they been exposed?

His mind swarmed with questions, but no one could answer.

“Send more scouts—find out the enemy’s strength as soon as possible.

Huang Sihai, deliver this news to Brother too!”

After a moment’s hesitation, Huang Renliang frowned and gave the order.

No matter where the flaw lay, the enemy’s actions made it clear: they were prepared.

If not for a leak, the Five City Military Command’s troops, even if marching south, should have headed straight for Taizhou—not circled back to Yangzhou.

(End of Chapter)