Chapter 381: We Are Not For You

"Only now do you realize? Everything that happened today is my uncle's scheme," Yuan Zhi laughed wildly, "Otherwise, did you really think you could infiltrate Yannan City so easily and travel the whole way without obstruction?"

"My uncle is far-sighted; he knew you wanted to deal with the Fusang People, so he deliberately didn't stop you, just so you would fight like dogs and tear each other apart!"

As he spoke, he paused.

"We originally wanted to use this opportunity to eliminate you and the Peasant Army, and also let the Fusang People suffer losses so they wouldn't be so arrogant. But I didn't expect Zhou Yanli to come and join the fun! This is perfect—just right to wipe all of you out in one fell swoop!"

Zhang Yu cursed angrily, "That old dog Yuan Canghai, he hides really deep! He usually pretends to be stupid and plays the coward, letting the Fusang People oppress the commoners. Only when Zhou could no longer stand by and started opposing the Fusang People did he wait until we were all battered and exhausted to come out and reap the rewards!"

Xiao Moting was also silent.

Yuan Canghai had feigned incompetence, deliberately making him and Zhou Yanli enemies, and knowing that he had seized the mines and was smelting iron ore, he certainly wouldn't watch as large amounts of ore flowed to the Fusang People. He just wanted to intensify the conflict and eliminate him, Zhou Yanli, and the Peasant Army.

Once he died, the Beijiang Army would become scattered sand, and no one in the Daliang Kingdom would have the ability to stop Yuan Canghai from usurping the throne.

And Zhou Yanli would bear the infamy; after his death, the position of National Preceptor would also be vacant. Yuan Canghai, having performed the meritorious service of eliminating evil, would not only win the hearts of the people but also fill the vacant position of National Preceptor, logically entering the court to oversee the state and plot to usurp the throne.

Truly killing three birds with one stone!

This move had been planned for a long time; even Zhou Yanli had been deceived and became a piece on this chessboard.

Although Zhou Yanli had the ability of precognition and possessed strategy, he was arrogant by nature and usually detested stupidity. Seeing Yuan Canghai unable to do anything and acting submissive toward him, he found him too annoying to even look at, so naturally, he didn't think much of him.

Xiao Moting finished reviewing everything in his mind and silently took note.

When two armies clash, it is not just a contest of force, but also of wit and strategy; if either side makes a mistake, they will lose everything!

Yuan Canghai had ruled the Yannan Region for many years; if he were truly a fool who only rose to power through the connections of a noble consort, he could never have become a hegemon whom no one dared to defy!

This time, he had indeed been careless.

"That old thing Yuan Canghai is really good at acting," Qin Zhan also realized, breaking into a cold sweat, "He is truly incomparably treacherous!"

Xiao Moting had already calmed down, "All warfare is based on deception; he has endured for so many years just for today."

At this moment, Yuan Zhi's arrogant voice came over.

"The Fusang People have committed countless evils and oppressed the commoners! Zhou Yanli and Xiao Moting colluded with the Fusang People to commit evil together, only to be killed by the Fusang People in return!"

"Today, the Yuan Clan acts on behalf of Heaven to send troops to exterminate the Fusang People. For such a merit, I should rightfully be conferred the position of National Preceptor!"

Zhang Yu was covered in blood and had already suffered heavy injuries, but he still strained his voice to curse loudly.

"Bullshit! If you want to rebel, just rebel; don't make it sound so high-sounding. Who are you trying to fool!"

Yuan Zhi was not angry at all; instead, he laughed heartily.

"Leader Zhang, the Peasant Army you lead has given my uncle quite a headache."

"Now there are thirty thousand troops outside, and you only have two thousand. Following Xiao Moting is a dead end."

"However, as long as you are willing to submit to the Yuan Clan, I will confer upon you the title of Ten Thousand Household Marquis, reward you with a thousand qing of land, and five manors! Every member of the Peasant Army you lead will be rewarded with a thousand taels of silver and a hundred bags of grain. How about that?"

After Yuan Zhi finished speaking, Zhang Yu stopped cursing.

He was silent for a moment, then turned his head to look at the Peasant Army beside him.

These people were all farmers from Yannan who had been oppressed so severely that they couldn't survive, which was why they followed him to rise up in rebellion.

A thousand taels of silver, a hundred bags of grain.

Everyone was poor; this could be considered a huge sum of money!

Hearing suddenly that they could get so many things, many people showed hesitation on their faces.

That was shiny silver and food!

They had spent their whole lives scratching for food in the dirt and couldn't earn that much money!

Someone muttered in a low voice, "Didn't we rise up with Leader Zhang just to survive? Now that there is silver and food, this battle... it seems there's no need to fight."

When Qin Zhan saw this, he became anxious and immediately turned to say to Xiao Moting.

"Prince, Yuan Zhi is sowing discord! We have too few people, and the main fighting force is the Peasant Army. If the Peasant Army turns against us, we are truly finished!"

Xiao Moting was silent for a moment.

He knew what Qin Zhan was worried about.

But the Peasant Army and the Beijiang Army had already fought a great battle against the Fusang People and were both severely weakened. Now, without even catching their breath, they had to face over thirty thousand well-equipped Yuan Family Army soldiers. The chances of winning this battle were truly slim. Zhang Yu and the Peasant Army were also Yannan people; they had no reason to die here for the sake of the Beijiang.

Xiao Moting looked up at Zhang Yu.

"Leader Zhang, the Beijiang has abundant resources. If you are willing to stay, I will give you the same things."

"If you want to take your troops and leave, I will not stop you."

"But regardless, thank you all for your tremendous help this time."

After speaking, Xiao Moting cupped his hands and bowed to Zhang Yu.

Zhang Yu held his injured arm and did not make a sound.

The Peasant Army behind him was in no better condition; everyone was holding swords, covered in blood, and all looked at him without speaking.

"Prince of Zhenbei, you have really given me a difficult problem," Zhang Yu smiled bitterly and lifted his chin, "I have so many brothers to support. Leading them to fight is also to strive for a good future for everyone, to let everyone have food to eat and a place to live."

"Everyone has been Yannan people for generations. In the Yuan Family Army opposite us, there might even be our distant relatives! If I lead my brothers to fight them, I might end up hurting my own kin."

Xiao Moting nodded, "Yes, I understand."

Yuan Zhi laughed loudly, "Leader Zhang, you are a sensible person. We are all fellow countrymen; why resort to weapons and hurt our harmony for the sake of outsiders?"

Before he could finish speaking, Zhang Yu suddenly shouted.

"I am from Yannan and should not kill my fellow countrymen, but I know loyalty from treachery and right from wrong! I understand who is a traitor and who is a good person!"

"The Yuan Clan brings disaster to the land, allowing foreigners to treat the commoners like fish and meat, and killing Yannan people!"

"For such a traitor, you want me to submit to you? Keep dreaming!"

The group of blood-stained Peasant Army soldiers behind him also raised their arms and shouted.

"Right! We would rather die standing than kneel to a traitor!"

The roar surged and echoed in the air.

Xiao Moting was moved in his heart and stepped forward, "Leader Zhang, thank you!"

He knew that this battle was perilous, and that Zhang Yu and the Peasant Army, in choosing to follow him, had mostly already cast life and death aside, never intending to leave alive.

"Prince of Northern Suppression, my refusal to submit is not because of you." Zhang Yu was quite calm, turning his head to glance behind him, "Although we have never read books and only know how to farm, we are not ungrateful people. Bai saved us, paid out of her own pocket to treat our illnesses, and provided us with water and grain; everyone has seen these things with their own eyes."