[{"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-88":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},2364357,4623,"Chapter 88: Failed Deception of the City","restoring-the-mountains-and-rivers-chapter-88",88,"\u003Cp>Taizhou City.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After devouring Commander Rong’s army, the rebel forces once again became lost.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was a common flaw among all rebel bands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Limited by their understanding, they lacked long-term strategic planning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Staring at the large map of Dayu hanging on the wall, the Huang brothers grew deeply troubled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Compared to ordinary soldiers, they had traveled widely as salt traders and were relatively well-informed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Taizhou was merely one corner of the empire; to oppose the entire empire was utterly impossible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The worst part was that war had caused a sharp decline in grain production.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If they stayed holed up in Taizhou, they would run out of food in no time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Big brother, it’s not time to give up yet. Let’s just fight one more time.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That Zong fellow may be vile, but he does have some strategic vision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If there’s no better option, then let’s just stick to the original plan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Take Yangzhou, seize Zhenjiang, capture Nanjing—if we succeed, a hegemonic future is within reach.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If we fail, we’ll change our names and vanish into the mountains.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The empire is vast—surely there’s room for us brothers somewhere!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Proposed Huang Renliang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hegemony or not—that’s just empty fantasy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before the army runs out of food, we must break out of Taizhou—that’s what we need to do now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re right. That Zong fellow does have some strategic insight, but he’s often disconnected from reality.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The court’s navy blocks the river; crossing the great river to capture Zhenjiang and Nanjing is pure nonsense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, taking Yangzhou remains possible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unlike before, the Five City Garrison troops have left; Yangzhou’s interior is now hollow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If we’re lucky, we might even use our pretended official status to trick our way into Yangzhou.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the assault stalls, we bypass Yangzhou and head straight for Luzhou Prefecture.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Said Huang Renlong approvingly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Choosing Yangzhou as the breakthrough point was purely out of desperation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The southern route is blocked by the great river.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if the court’s navy didn’t intercept them, their handful of small boats couldn’t cross the river in any short time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A second strike on Yangzhou became the only option.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Grand General, if we attack Yangzhou again, should we summon the rebel bands from Nantong Prefecture?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their situation isn’t good either.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Word is, after their failed river crossing, they lost many elite troops and are now being bullied by the imperial forces.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If we invite them, they’ll likely agree.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With our combined strength, attacking Yangzhou together would increase our chances.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suggested a burly middle-aged commander.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a common enemy, all rebel bands in the Two Huai region are potential allies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We don’t have time. That Rong commander’s fake victory report won’t fool the court for long.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once the court discovers the truth, they’ll send troops.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Taking Yangzhou depends on speed—no delays allowed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Issue orders: prepare the entire army for departure. Tomorrow, we march on Yangzhou.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Renlong made his decision decisively.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>More men mean more strength, but also a larger target.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Last time, when he organized a coalition to besiege Yangzhou and failed, he realized how unreliable rebel alliances truly were.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Disorganized command and conflicting orders were secondary; the key issue was everyone had their own agenda.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one could guarantee that at the critical moment, an ally wouldn’t stab them in the back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yangzhou City.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a flurry of activity, Xu Wenyue finally got Yangzhou’s affairs in order.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Managing just one prefecture felt more exhausting than when he was Provincial Governor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the rebels ravaged the region, they left behind a mountain of chaos.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not only were officials severely lacking, but money, grain, and all supplies were critically short.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as he took control of Yangzhou, a rebel prison break occurred. By the time he recovered, the loot was nearly in the capital.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What could have been kept for local use became a request for imperial funding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even as a Grand Secretary, he still had to follow the proper procedures.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the back-and-forth delays, he hadn’t seen a single coin or grain—only piles of memorials.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, Xu Wenyue’s influence was strong enough that the Zhejiang Provincial Administration Commissioner’s office had already sent emergency supplies, preventing outright chaos.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Grand Secretary, Commander Rong of the Five City Garrison has returned with his troops.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because they’re late, the city gates are closed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The gate sergeant asks whether to open the gates and let them in.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Said Hou Huaichang with a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Marquis Wuyang had tormented their lord enough already—now his subordinates had the nerve to show up? Clearly asking for trouble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if the gates were open, they’d find reasons to refuse entry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let them stay outside. Say Yangzhou is too small to hold such holy men.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Commander Rong has complaints, let him first find out what Marquis Wuyang has been up to.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Said Xu Wenyue disdainfully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It proved true: resentment must be vented.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After letting off steam just now, his mood instantly improved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Grand Secretary, Commander Rong returned so quickly—he must have suffered a defeat on the front.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Letting a pampered nobleman lead troops? Marquis Wuyang really dares anything!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hou Huaichang smoothly continued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Status determines stance; Marquis Wuyang had tormented them severely just recently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Five City Garrison’s defeat was a ready-made excuse—they had to find a way to recover their lost face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmph!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How many of those imperial in-laws are any good?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Marquis Wuyang is merely the least disgusting among a pack of scoundrels.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When appointing men, they inevitably favor relatives.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Losing a battle? No surprise at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Issue orders: not only tonight, but tomorrow as well—those defeated troops are barred from entering the city!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Said Xu Wenyue with a cold laugh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed like mockery of Marquis Wuyang, but in truth, it subtly targeted the Tianyuan Emperor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Favoring relatives? That’s exactly what the emperor started.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had Marquis Wuyang not been the emperor’s brother-in-law, a failed scholar like him wouldn’t even have earned a glance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outside Yangzhou City.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The gate guards had emotional intelligence—they didn’t relay Xu Wenyue’s words verbatim.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When big men clashed, petty soldiers meddling meant risking their own lives.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They couldn’t repeat the taunts, but the order to seal the city had to be carried out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t know which step had gone wrong, but tricking the gates open was now impossible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Commander Rong, if they won’t give you face, don’t you want to do something about it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The captured Commander Rong, hearing his name called, nearly collapsed in terror.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His days among the rebels had been miserable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The guards, whenever displeased, beat and kicked him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had he not been forced, he would never have come along.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d tried to kill himself several times, but ultimately gave up out of fear of pain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“General, I truly have no way!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why not let me go down to the city gate and negotiate with the garrison soldiers?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If I run into an old acquaintance, maybe he’ll grant me a favor and open the gate.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing Rong’s words, Huang Renliang’s heart stirred, then he lashed out with a whip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Rong, do you think Huang the Grandpa is a fool?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is Yangzhou City—every soldier from the Five City Military Command has left. Who the hell do you know here?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And look at your current state—even if you met an old friend, would they recognize you?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You want to tip off the defenders? You’re dreaming!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having been beaten for no reason, Rong, the Commandant, looked utterly wronged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If not for fear of death, he’d never have dared show his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once his capture became public, the entire Rong family would be shamed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Grandpa Huang, I swear I’m not lying to you!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was forced into this campaign by them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You can rest assured: once we return to the capital, I’ll find someone to ambush him and stuff a sack over his head…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rong’s performance sent the rebel officers into fits of laughter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’ve seen fools, but never one this stupid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Captured by the righteous army and still thinking you can walk out alive? You’re dreaming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We’re keeping them around only for their utility.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once they lose their value, it’s their death sentence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fine—if the court pays a ransom for you, I’ll let you go, you little brat!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Saying this, Huang Renliang waved his hand, signaling to drag him away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He feared that staying near this fool too long might infect him too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without siege equipment, storming Yangzhou by force was impossible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The value of Rong and his men was lower than expected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps their status could fool local officials, but not a Grand Secretary in the capital—he wouldn’t buy it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deceiving the gate requires speed; if you don’t succeed immediately, success becomes far harder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A fake will always be fake—the longer you delay, the greater the risk of exposure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The failure of the plan to seize Yangzhou would be catastrophic for the righteous army.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huang Sihai, hurry back tonight and tell Brother that the situation has changed—we failed to trick open the gate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If we still want to attack Yangzhou, prepare siege equipment immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While the city is still empty, there’s still a sliver of hope.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No sooner had he finished speaking than a soldier rushed over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Second General, disaster!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We spotted government troops twenty li away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Judging by their banners, they’re from the Five City Military Command.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this news, Huang Renliang’s head exploded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could the enemy arrive so fast?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Where had they been exposed?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His mind swarmed with questions, but no one could answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Send more scouts—find out the enemy’s strength as soon as possible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Sihai, deliver this news to Brother too!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a moment’s hesitation, Huang Renliang frowned and gave the order.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter where the flaw lay, the enemy’s actions made it clear: they were prepared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1877,"2026-06-21T08:09:02.410Z",1,"Qwen3.5 397B","be4c8ca1b462977d6866b95f6b0eaac040353821ba96b2bbe8bef6ebcb89e4c3","restoring-the-mountains-and-rivers-chapter-89","restoring-the-mountains-and-rivers-chapter-87",391,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Frestoring-the-mountains-and-rivers-cover.jpg"]