Chapter 405

Upon inspection, they indeed discovered secret correspondence with Xiliang and large stockpiles of grain and arms.

The head of the Zhao family attempted resistance, was killed on the spot, the manor confiscated, grain and money seized, and the populace handled according to Beijiang's new policies.

This thunderous move shook Hanzhong; all who harbored other ambitions were terrified and hastily restrained themselves.

In just a few days, Han Xiao struck with thunderous means—first ambushing and severely damaging Xiliang's harassing cavalry, then imposing an iron fist to suppress internal unrest, while the main forces of the great army arrived in succession, garrisoning key passes, and the situation in Hanzhong quickly stabilized.

After suffering this defeat, Fei Ting Wu Yi, upon hearing that Hanzhong's interior had been purged, dared not lightly dispatch troops for a large-scale southern raid; he only dared to roam far north of Dingjun Mountain, and pressure on northern Hanzhong greatly diminished.

The news reached Chang'an, and Jiang Jinshi greatly praised Han Xiao's handling.

But when the news reached Luoyang, it made Wei Wenlie and Si Wushuang frown even tighter.

Beijiang's response was swifter and stronger than they had anticipated.

Han Xiao's actions in Hanzhong not only secured Beijiang's southwestern gateway, but also covertly formed a strong deterrent over the newly annexed Bashu region, rendering Xiliang's plan to constrain Beijiang from the flank almost futile.

In the struggle for a corner of Hanzhong, Beijiang gained the early advantage.

But Jiang Jinshi's actions went far beyond this; north of Chang'an, along the Luo River, there were also moves.

This place was originally one of the important routes linking Hedong and Guanzhong, but now it has become a paradise for Xiliang's small units to infiltrate and harass, and also a pain point on Beijiang's grain supply line.

The cavalry dispatched by Murong Ke ranged from over a thousand to several hundred, taking advantage of their familiarity with the terrain and internal collaborators, they continually roved between the hills and woods on both banks of the river valley.

They did not assault fortified cities or engage large forces; they specifically struck at gaps in patrols, isolated grain convoys, and moments when bridge guards were lax, delivering a deadly blow, then swiftly vanished into the mountains and forests, leaving no trace.

Although the garrison Beijiang stationed here exerted great effort to suppress them, the results were minimal, leaving them exhausted from Xiliang's harassment.

On this day, a Xiliang raiding force of about five hundred, just at a shallow bend of the Luo River, successfully ambushed a small grain convoy guarded by only two hundred.

They killed more than half the guards with precise archery, set fire to part of the grain wagons, and were cheering as they looted the remaining grain and pack horses, preparing to depart as usual.

Suddenly, from the previously silent woods on both sides of the river valley, a low, eerie bamboo whistle sounded!

Immediately afterwards, countless figures emerged from the woods—they belonged to Huang Yan's command, having lain in ambush here for two full days and nights.

"Fire arrows!" Huang Yan calmly ordered.

"Ambush! It's Beijiang's Ming Army! Scatter! Run into the woods!"

The Xiliang squad's little leader immediately shouted hoarsely.

But by now it was too late; Huang Yan had lain in wait here for a long time—if he let the enemy slip away, what face would he have to follow Jiang Jinshi?!

Besides arrows, Huang Yan had specially prepared fire oil for them; the second wave of strikes followed immediately.

One after another, clay pots hurled by slings smashed into the Xiliang soldiers or their escape routes, shattering with a bang and splattering sticky black liquid!

Flames then ignited, turning many Xiliang soldiers into screaming firemen, and also blocked the road leading to the mountains and forests.

Seeing the enemy incapable of any resistance, Huang Yan immediately ordered a charge.

"Kill! Leave none alive!"

Although the Xiliang soldiers were brave, having lost the initiative and being divided and surrounded, they quickly collapsed.

The battle ended in less than a quarter of an hour.

The five-hundred-strong Xiliang raiding force was wiped out.

Not a single one escaped, and hardly any were captured.

Huang Yan's troops immediately began clearing the battlefield, recovering crossbow bolts, disposing of corpses, moving with practiced ease.

Huang Yan stepped out from behind a boulder, spat, and said: "Pah! Murong Ke just sent this trash to die?"

Pass the order: each unit, according to the preset route, advance twenty li forward and continue setting ambush points.

Notify the rear: the grain convoy may pass, but must speed up.

Tell Murong Ke: however many men he sends, I will bury that many in the Luo River!

But for Huang Yan, the military sweep of the Luo River valley was merely an appetizer.

The true main course, carried out under Jiang Jinshi's orders, was to purge the Guanzhong interior of scholar-gentry magnates colluding with Xiliang and plotting rebellion.

And clearing these obstacles was merely to obtain evidence of these people's collusion with Xiliang!

Guanzhong, Fufeng Commandery, Mei County.

This is one of the wealthiest counties in Guanzhong, with fertile land, convenient irrigation, and powerful clans intertwined like roots.

Among them, the Wei, Du, and Su families wield the greatest power, their fields stretching in contiguous plots with throngs of servants, and privately they even maintain armed troops.

As Beijiang's new policies were implemented here, they struck at these families' fundamental interests—especially measures like "land survey and measurement, restriction of slaves, grain tax per mu"—causing the three families to hate them to the bone.

Under covert contact and lucrative inducements from the Cui Family, they had long been secretly communicating with Xiliang—not only covertly obstructing the new policies and stockpiling grain, but also secretly gathering intelligence on Beijiang's garrison, even plotting to incite a popular uprising at the right moment to open the city gates and welcome the Xiliang army.

On this day, inside the Wei family manor, however, lanterns were strung and guests filled the gates.

Wei family head Wei Hong, under the pretense of celebrating his sixtieth birthday, widely invited prominent gentry and wealthy households from Fufeng Commandery, even a few clansmen serving as junior officials in the prefectural and county offices, all gathering together.

Nominally a birthday celebration, in reality it was a liaison to discuss further resistance to Beijiang's new policies and to receive a batch of silver and gold and secret letters sent by Xiliang through covert channels.

In the hall, Wei Hong sat in the seat of honor, his face flushed with red, chatting and laughing quietly with the heads of the Du and Su families beside him, while his eyes gleamed with smug satisfaction.

"Gentlemen!"

After three rounds of wine, Wei Hong raised his cup: "Today, old man, I celebrate my birthday; thanks to your gracious presence, I am deeply grateful."

But at this troubled time, the court… oh no, the false court of Beijiang, reverses priorities, enforces harsh laws fiercer than a tiger, regards our Guanzhong culture and attire as straw dogs—truly a grave danger to us!

Although I am old, I dare not forget loyalty and righteousness; I wish to consult with you worthy ones on strategies to preserve our estates and uphold the righteous path!

"Lord Wei, noble righteousness!"

"The false court's tyranny provokes heaven's wrath and popular resentment!"

"We are willing to take Lord Wei as our guide, following his lead!"

At once the hall erupted in assent, many faces showing indignation and eagerness to act.

Just as the atmosphere grew heated and Wei Hong was about to produce the Xiliang secret letter to further incite…

"Bang!!!"

The manor's two heavy doors were suddenly burst open from outside by a tremendous force!

Amid flying wood chips, squads of Beijiang soldiers in black clothes and armor, holding great sabers, appeared inside the great courtyard!

In an instant they controlled all entrances and exits, bows drawn, swords unsheathed, surrounding the entire banquet hall so tightly that not even water could leak through!

Everyone was stunned by this sudden drastic change; although they didn't know the other side's intentions, the posture clearly meant ill will!

Wei Hong forced himself to stay calm, shouting in a trembling voice: 'Who… who are you? How dare you break into a private residence! Is there any law left!'

Huang Yan walked forward with a cold smile, ignoring Wei Hong's question.

"Law?"