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墨書 Inktalez
Chapter 151
Li Jian Cheng couldn't help but sigh after receiving the letter and gifts from Yan Wang. The Crown Princess was a good person, and the few children she left behind were also decent, but it was a pity that they had such a grandfather.
"My Lord, news from Luoyang."
After taking the report delivered by Li Jin, he learned that after being besieged for so long, Yang Xuangan had finally managed to stabilize his internal situation and sent troops outside the city to engage in battle with the Sui Army. With the city as their backing, they certainly had the advantage of terrain.
However, the Emperor's Valiant Fruit Army was exceptionally fierce and could not be compared to Wei Wensheng and his troops. As a result, it was difficult for either side to achieve a decisive victory, leading to a prolonged stalemate.
The Suppression of Rebellion emphasized swift and powerful action, showcasing the court's authority. Just like when Li Jian Cheng defeated Liu Yuanjin, he initially achieved victory after victory, and now it seemed he would continue to advance with unstoppable momentum.
Those behind Liu Yuanjin were now eager to distance themselves from him; how could they possibly assist him in secret or obstruct Li Jian Cheng's army?
As the Emperor subdued Yang Xuangan, this stalemate began to erode both the court's and the Emperor's prestige, indicating that the time was approaching.
Yet there was one matter that could not be overlooked. Regardless of circumstances, in the eyes of the world, he enjoyed deep Imperial Favor. No matter how many faults the Emperor had, there was no justification for him to rebel.
Yang Xuangan's lack of popular support stemmed from this reason; thus, Li Jian Cheng needed to find a way to resolve it. Otherwise, without legitimacy, even if he succeeded, he would merely be seen as a thief.
At that moment, another urgent report arrived. Fufeng Monk Xiang Haiming claimed to be Maitreya's incarnation. Anyone who wished to submit could have auspicious dreams. He had gained considerable prestige in the Three Fiefs area and had now declared himself Emperor under the era name White Crow, bestowing titles upon his courtiers.
Han Xiangguo from Liang County raised an army in response to Yang Xuangan and was appointed Henan Marshal. He captured two counties in succession and gathered an army of seventy thousand, eyeing Xiangcheng.
Peng Xiaocai from Donghai also raised troops in response and was granted the title Eastern Sea Marquis by Yang Xuangan, commanding thirty thousand men.
Thief Leader Lu Mingxing personally led eight thousand elite warriors towards the Eastern Capital to support Yang Xuangan.
Before Li Jian Cheng could finish reading, the emperor's decree arrived again, urging him to swiftly eliminate Liu Yuanjin and immediately suppress the rebellion along the way. The order also commanded all prefectures to confiscate the properties of the thieves.
The key point was the last clause. Li Jian Cheng understood the emperor's urgency, but delegating the power to judge the bandits to the prefectural officials was akin to sending sheep into a tiger's den.
With officials having two mouths, they could easily decide whether someone was a thief and directly raid their homes. The imperial favor was overwhelming.
Li Jian Cheng set off towards Dan Xiongxin. His movements were clearer than any military orders. Dan Xiongxin had ruthlessly taken down three counties, while Qin Shubao had completely cleared one commandery. Luo Yi had already marched southward, determined to crush any remaining resistance there.
Liu Yuanjin had gathered his troops and was holed up in Licheng, resisting stubbornly. However, under pressure, fierce battles erupted within Wu Kingdom. Just as Li Jian Cheng arrived at the central army, Licheng fell.
Having accepted the surrendering soldiers, this was what was left of Wu Kingdom's elite. The Minister of Rites, Left Assistant Zhu Xie, knelt before Li Jian Cheng holding the head of his emperor. "Please spare these soldiers, General. They were merely conscripted by us."
Li Jian Cheng nodded. "You do have some responsibility."
"Thank you, General."
After saying this, he was dragged away by his guards to be escorted back to the capital. In such a situation, having the courage to come forward and plead for mercy was far more daunting than facing death.
As one of the last high-ranking officials of Wu Kingdom, he could only bear the emperor's wrath alone. Just thinking about it made it clear that he would be trapped in a situation where survival was impossible and death equally unattainable.
After defeating Liu Yuanjin, Li Jian Cheng reorganized his troops and led the surrendered soldiers northward, clearing out mountain bandits and water pirates along the way—killing those who were guilty of heinous crimes and conscripting those who were forced into rebellion.
...
In Wagang Stronghold, Zhai Rang paced anxiously while his confidants exchanged glances, clearly hesitant to express their opinions openly.
The gaze finally settled on Xu Shijie in the upper left corner. After a long moment of contemplation, Xu Shijie advised, "Duke Zhai, you should really go."
Zhai Rang hesitated, wanting to speak but ultimately said, "I'm afraid. You haven't seen him, so you don't know... sigh!"
A burly man muttered, "He's just a noble from a good family."
"There are plenty of Noble Families of Guanlong, yet not everyone becomes a Grand General. He marched north with his army, turning the rivers red with blood. Many renowned heroes have fallen beneath his blade. If you have the guts to shout at him in person, then I'll consider myself convinced."
The burly man wanted to retort but realized that in front of such nobility, he was no better than an ant; dying would not even earn him a mention among the elite.
Xu Shijie could only say helplessly, "I'll accompany you."
Zhai Rang knew there was no escaping this matter. Li Jian Cheng was truly furious and had many ways to deal with him. He regretted his moment of pride and cutting off contact when he saw his downfall.
Who could have imagined that Li Langjun, who already had connections everywhere, would suddenly become the Grand General of the court, commanding nearly a hundred thousand troops to sweep away bandits?
"Alright, prepare valuable gifts. Whatever is good in the treasury, not a single item should be left behind; bring everything!"
After loading three entire ships with lavish gifts, Zhai Rang finally dared to make the appointment. Besides Xu Shijie, he brought along about a hundred capable men. The name Wagang still held considerable weight, so he wasn't too worried about being robbed at his doorstep.
Anxiously arriving at the appointed place, they began to wait. The cold wind howled through the night, and they dared not leave; they could only light a bonfire for warmth.
It wasn't until dawn that Li Jian Cheng arrived by small boat, accompanied only by Dan Xiongxin, Qin Shubao, and twenty Guardians.
Qin Shubao glanced around; all were skilled fighters, but none posed a real threat, especially with elite cavalry waiting nearby.
Upon seeing Li Jian Cheng, Zhai Rang felt his legs cramp up in fear, even more than when he had just come out of prison. Back then, he was merely afraid of death; now, he feared not only death but also losing his current lavish lifestyle.
"It has been a while since I last saw you, my Lord. Your presence remains as impressive as ever."
Li Jian Cheng didn’t even look at him; his gaze fell on Xu Shijie, a remarkably young and valiant youth.
Seeing that Li Jian Cheng ignored him, Zhai Rang could no longer stand and fell to his knees with a thud. "Rascal deserves to die! Rascal deserves to die!"
Only then did Li Jian Cheng cast a glance at him. "I thought you were a clever man, which is why I spared your life. Have I treated you poorly in providing food and clothing?"
"No, no! My Lord has saved Rascal's life and even granted him the Wagang foundation; this is an immense favor!"
Li Jian Cheng looked at the men Zhai Rang had brought along; each one appeared strong and fit, clearly Zhai Rang's confidants.
With a wave of his hand, Qin Shubao and Dan Xiongxin led twenty Guardians forward without hesitation, swiftly cutting down over ten men. Only then did the remaining fighters realize what was happening and began to roar in defiance.
But how could a group of unarmored martial artists stand against an armored force? They were far too weak. In no time at all, they began to scatter in panic, only to be shot down by the cavalry rushing in.
………………
(End of Chapter)
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