Chapter 169
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The descendants of the Liu family were held down in front of the Governor’s residence, waiting to be beheaded.
The common people stood on the side, looking at the luxurious silk robes worn by the Liu family and listening to the soldiers announcing their crimes. When they heard that these corrupt officials of the noble families had deliberately damaged the river embankments during heavy rainfall, causing the devastating floods, the common people were stunned.
It took them a while to understand the meaning of it all.
An elderly man collapsed to the ground, his eyes staring blankly. Farming couples wailed loudly, unable to believe that the flood had destroyed the crops they were about to harvest and took away their homes and loved ones, all due to the intentional acts of these officials.
The suffering caused by these corrupt officials was even worse than natural disasters.
Amidst their grief, a thin and fierce-looking child suddenly rushed out from the crowd. The child was only eight or nine years old but held a look of fury. He picked up a stone from the ground and threw it with force at the head of the Liu family. The stone hit the head of the Liu family accurately, leaving a bloody hole, and the child cursed, “May you all have a miserable death!”
Other common people were infuriated by his actions, and with trembling hands, they also picked up stones and threw them at the descendants of the Liu family, their expressions filled with anger, wishing to strangle them.
“You despicable creatures!”
“It was you who drowned our fields! Come back and face us!”
“Kill them!”
The head of the Liu family had never been in such a miserable state in his life. He kept his head down, trying his best to avoid the stones raining down on him. His face looked extremely unpleasant, and the pain made him feel dizzy, rendering him unable to utter a word.
As the leaders of the noble families in Xu Zhou, how could they endure such humiliation? How could these lowly peasants, who only knew how to toil in the fields, dare to treat them like this?
The Liu family members who were hit by the stones shouted indignantly, “You can kill and torture us as you please, but you cannot humiliate the descendants of the Liu family like this!”
The soldiers roughly covered their mouths with cloth, “Don’t worry, you won’t have to suffer for long. Duke Wen has instructed us that you have committed grave crimes and that the common people should vent their anger before you die.”
The soldiers didn’t stop the common people from attacking the Liu family members. When the common people had almost beaten them half to death, the soldiers finally stepped forward to stop them.
However, the child who had attacked first managed to slip through the soldiers’ grasp and pounced on the head of the Liu family. He fiercely bit down on the ear of the Liu family head, who screamed in pain and nearly fainted. By the time the soldiers pulled the child away, he had already bitten off the ear.
The child spat out the ear and then spit saliva on the head of the Liu family, intending to bite him again.
The soldiers looked at each other and pulled the child aside.
After the common people vented their anger, the soldiers forced the Liu family members to kneel and apologize to the common people. The Liu family members were powerless to resist. Facing their imminent death, they finally felt regret and fear, emitting low sobbing sounds.
The common people watched as each head was beheaded, crying and laughing, clapping and celebrating.
They knew that even though these people were dead, their lost crops and loved ones could not be brought back. But with a benevolent leader like Duke Wen who was willing to help them and stand up for them, it was something they were immensely grateful for.
After a while, some common people trembled as they knelt in front of the Governor’s residence, and more and more people followed suit, tearfully thanking Duke Wen and the Governor.
In the afternoon, the soldiers brought the child who had bitten off the ear of the head of the Liu family to Yuan Le Jun.
After hearing what the child had done, Yuan Le Jun carefully observed him.
The child became tense and stiff, clenching his fists. His eyes showed the sharpness of one who had experienced hardships, setting him apart from the other children.
Yuan Le Jun felt a sense of affection for the child and asked, “What’s your name, and do you know how old you are? Where are your family members?”
The child nervously tugged at his clothes and replied, “My name is Jiao An, and I’m nine years old. My family members were all drowned, except for my younger sister.”
Yuan Le Jun called him over, “Have you learned to recognize numbers? Who taught you?”
“My father,” Jiao An replied while keeping a distance from Yuan Le Jun, fearing his dirtiness might rub off on him, “My father used to be a horse groom and barely knew a few characters.”
Yuan Le Jun asked gently, “Where is your younger sister?”
Jiao An glanced at him but quickly lowered his head again, “I entrusted my sister to a woman to take care of her.”
Yuan Le Jun nodded slightly, feeling that the child had potential, and asked, “Would you be willing to follow me? I will provide you and your sister with food and shelter, but when you grow up, you’ll have to serve me.”
Jiao An was momentarily stunned, then his eyes lit up with excitement as he vigorously nodded, “I’m willing, both my sister and I are willing!”
Yuan Le Jun handed him over to Lin Tian and asked him to arrange for the siblings.
With the top noble family of Liu falling in Xuzhou, the remaining influential families had lost their resistance. As the flood situation was gradually being brought under control, the power struggle in Xuzhou was entering its final stage.
This series of actions was coming to an end within two months. Yuan Le Jun finally heaved a sigh of relief; although there were some dangers, he felt relieved to have dealt with everything.
However, there was one thing Yuan Le Jun didn’t quite understand.
Normally, Chen Wang should have known about his actions in Xuzhou and should have responded by now. So why was he still so calm?
On this day, the remaining strong noble families in Xuzhou launched a riot with their last bit of power in the middle reaches of the Huai River. Chu Hechao, upon learning of it, led five thousand soldiers to deal with the rebellious army.
However, after Chu Hechao had left for a few days, Xiang Hongyun arrived in Xuzhou with the Wang family of Jingzhou, looking quite disheveled.
As soon as he saw Yuan Le Jun, Xiang Hongyun said with a serious face, “My lord, something bad has happened.”
Yuan Le Jun had never seen Xiang Hongyun in such a distressed state before. With his hair in disarray and clothes with numerous scratches, he looked like he had just escaped death.
Wang Qianzhi, who was with him, was in a similar state, with mud and horse dung on his feet, looking terrified.
Zhou Gongdan and Guo Mao exchanged glances, a feeling of foreboding rising in their hearts. Guo Mao turned to ask, “Is something wrong in Jingzhou?”
Xiang Hongyun nodded hurriedly.
Guo Mao muttered, “One crisis hasn’t even passed, and another one arises…”
Yuan Le Jun asked Xiang Hongyun and Wang Qianzhi to sit down and inquire about what had happened.
Xiang Hongyun explained, “My lord, the Governor of Jingzhou, Jiang Biao, intends to defect to Chen Wang.”
The reason Xiang Hongyun went to Jingzhou to persuade Jiang Biao to surrender to Yuan Le Jun was that there was a history of conflict between Jiang Biao and Chen Wang. The two sides had even clashed in battles. With this reason, Xiang Hongyun felt confident that he could persuade Jiang Biao to join Yuan Le Jun and confront Chen Wang together.
When they arrived in Jingzhou, Jiang Biao was indeed in deep distress. Xiang Hongyun managed to meet Jiang Biao through the Wang family’s connections and stated their intentions. He explained the benefits of joining Yuan Le Jun and what they could gain. Jiang Biao seemed tempted.
However, for several days, Jiang Biao remained indecisive. Just when Xiang Hongyun felt that he was about to persuade him successfully, one evening after a banquet, Jiang Biao’s expression became somewhat unusual.
Xiang Hongyun couldn’t see clearly due to his poor eyesight and the darkness of the night, but Wang Qianzhi, who was accompanying him, could.
After the banquet, Wang Qianzhi told Xiang Hongyun what he had observed, and Xiang Hongyun sensed that something was wrong. He bribed the servants in Jiang Biao’s residence with silver coins and found out that Jiang Biao had already considered defecting to Chen Wang and planned to kill them to please Chen Wang, hoping to erase the long-standing enmity between them.
Upon learning of the situation, Xiang Hongyun decided to flee Jingzhou. However, Jiang Biao’s determination to kill them was unwavering, and he set up an ambush on their way back to the north. Xiang Hongyun had to resort to clever tactics and deception to escape and reach Xuzhou.
After hearing the account, Guo Mao frowned, disliking Jiang Biao’s fickleness, and asked, “Why did he suddenly decide to turn to Chen Wang?”
“Perhaps he considered the distance,” Xiang Hongyun replied, taking a wet towel from a servant and wiping the dirt from his face, “When I spoke with him, I noticed he was extremely worried about this. He felt that he was too close to Chen Wang and feared that if Chen Wang decided to attack him, you wouldn’t be able to come to his aid in time. That’s why he chose to change sides and seek refuge with Chen Wang.”
Yuan Le Jun pondered for a moment and said, “With Yizhou, Yuzhou, Yangzhou, and now Jingzhou… apart from Jiaozhou and Xuzhou, Chen Wang will have complete control of the south.”
Zhou Gongdan sighed and looked at Wang Qianzhi, asking, “What’s wrong with him?”
Xiang Hongyun glanced at Wang Qianzhi and helplessly said, “Jiang Biao thought the Wang family of Jingzhou had joined you, so he ordered the pursuit and extermination of the entire Wang family. He didn’t expect Jiang Biao to be so ruthless, and he’s still in shock.”
Wang Qianzhi came back to his senses, smiled wryly, and wiped his face, saying, “Forgive me for causing trouble for you, Duke Wen.”
Yuan Le Jun let him go to rest first.
After Wang Qianzhi left, Xiang Hongyun became serious and said, “My lord, when we passed through Yangzhou, we noticed troop movements. This is not a good sign. Although there is still over a year left until the five-year alliance expires, we cannot rule out the possibility that Chen Wang might take advantage of your presence in Xuzhou to strike first. My lord, please leave Xuzhou as soon as possible; it’s not safe here.”
Zhou Gongdan and Guo Mao also advised Yuan Le Jun to leave.
“I understand,” Yuan Le Jun said calmly, “If Chen Wang does decide to attack, we’ll leave Xuzhou by ship from the east bank. I’ve ordered Wu Kai to lead twenty thousand troops from Youzhou to come by land, and he should be arriving soon after more than two months.”
Jia Qing, who had been silent, disagreed and said, “Even if Chen Wang is determined to attack Xuzhou, twenty thousand troops from Youzhou won’t be enough to face him.”
Yuan Le Jun nodded, “But we can’t ignore Xuzhou.”
Everyone fell silent.
After a moment, Zhou Gongdan frowned and said, “My lord is right; we can’t ignore Xuzhou. If Xuzhou falls into Chen Wang’s hands, he will have five provinces under his control. With just two years, Chen Wang will become a formidable force, and even we will find it difficult to deal with him. Moreover, Xuzhou’s strategic location is excellent; it’s always been a battleground for military strategists. Through waterways, he can silently approach Jizhou and Youzhou. We cannot abandon this place.”
“That’s right,” Guo Mao continued solemnly, “Xuzhou has now been taken by my lord, and Ouyang Dajian is serving as the governor. After all the effort we’ve put in to stabilize the region, ensure smooth governance, and help the disaster victims, giving it up now will not only damage our morale but also plunge the people of Xuzhou back into turmoil.”
It was clear that Xuzhou couldn’t be abandoned, both morally and strategically.
Jia Qing stood up and bowed, saying, “My lord and general can leave first by ship, and Wu Kai can stay here with twenty thousand troops from Youzhou to defend Xuzhou. It’s easier to defend a city than to attack it. In the past, there were instances where cities couldn’t be captured even after a year or more of siege. If the defense is good, Chen Wang won’t be able to take Xuzhou within a few months. When my lord and generals return, we can bring reinforcements from the north. By then, Chen Wang will have already violated the five-year alliance, and my lord’s attack on Chen Wang will be justified.”
Yuan Le Jun smiled, “That’s precisely what I was thinking.”
After saying that, he glanced at the sky outside. “Once the General returns, I will leave Xuzhou with him.”
The place of the uprising was a bit far from Xiapi, and Yuan Li had calculated the days, knowing that Chu Hechao wouldn’t be back in a few days. He patiently waited for ten days, but when those ten days passed and Chu Hechao still hadn’t returned, Yuan Li felt something was amiss.
The remnants of the noble families armed with their weak crossbows shouldn’t have been that formidable, right?
By this time, Chu Hechao should have returned.
After waiting for another two days, an army arrived outside the city. Yuan Li heaved a sigh of relief, thinking that it was Chu Hechao finally returning. However, to his surprise, it was Wu Kai who arrived at Xuzhou, having hurriedly traveled overland.
Seeing Wu Kai, Yuan Li’s expression changed, and his right eyelid twitched several times.
Wu Kai had originally intended to pay his respects to Yuan Li and report on the events he encountered along the way. However, after seeing Yuan Li’s expression, he was taken aback and anxiously asked Jia Qing, “Did I come too slowly, and now the Lord is upset?”
Jia Qing shook his head and explained in a low voice, “It’s because the General went to suppress the rebellious forces and hasn’t returned for nearly twenty days. The Lord thought it was the General coming back.”
Wu Kai seemed to grasp the situation vaguely, “Is the Lord worried about the General’s safety? Perhaps the rebellious forces were far away, so the General returned later?”
“Perhaps,” Jia Qing wasn’t sure, but he believed in Chu Hechao’s strength. After coming to Yuan Li’s side, he had even requested to spar with Chu Hechao, but whether in martial prowess or military tactics, Jia Qing had never won once.
There were only a few people in this world who could match Chu Hechao. It was just a group of rebellious forces; they shouldn’t pose any real threat to the General.
They weren’t particularly worried, but Yuan Li knew rationally that perhaps Chu Hechao was just delayed due to some circumstances. Despite that, he couldn’t shake off the inexplicable sense of unease in his emotions.
His unease made his heart beat restlessly, and he couldn’t calm down. Yuan Li took a deep breath and decisively made up his mind. He instructed Lin Tian to arrange for Crimson Feather to be brought to him. Then he turned to Wu Kai and said, “Wu Kai, allocate five thousand cavalry to me. Once you have settled the rest of the soldiers, you can rest. Jia Qing, take your deputies with me to find the General!”
Having said that, Yuan Li mounted his horse swiftly and grasped the reins tightly. “Hurry.”
Wu Kai and Jia Qing immediately complied. Even though Zhou Gongdan and the others wanted to advise Yuan Li, he glanced at them and said clearly, “No need to say more; my decision is made.”
The advisors could only step back and say, “Then we’ll wait for you to return in the city.”
Knowing that Yuan Li was in a hurry, Wu Kai and Jia Qing moved quickly. In less than half an hour, Yuan Li led his men and rode out of the city.
The five thousand cavalry raised a cloud of dust as they gradually disappeared.
***
Yuan Li traveled day and night, rushing towards the scene of the uprising.
On the way, he suddenly heard the sound of horses ahead. Yuan Li’s spirits lifted, and Jia Qing immediately ordered the army to be on high alert. However, as the two sides approached each other, Yuan Li recognized that the other party was his own men, the soldiers he had sent to look for Chu Hechao.
The leader of the soldiers immediately approached, carrying another wounded soldier.
Yuan Li’s right eyelid twitched again as he held his breath, squinting his eyes to observe. His sharp gaze, capable of hitting the bullseye from a hundred paces, quickly noticed the blood on the wounded soldier’s body.
Blood?
Yuan Li didn’t know what had happened, but in an instant, his heart seemed to plummet into an abyss. Unconsciously, he tightly gripped the reins, leaving deep marks in his hands, but he was unaware of the pain.
As the approaching soldiers saw Yuan Li, their eyes lit up, and they urged their horses faster.
Once they arrived in front of Yuan Li, they immediately pulled their horses to a stop. One of them carefully carried the heavily injured soldier and walked quickly to Yuan Li’s side, kneeling down, “Lord, we—”
Yuan Li interrupted him, “Get to the point.”
The soldier took a deep breath and said with difficulty, “When we rushed to the site of the uprising, we couldn’t find the General. All we saw were bodies strewn everywhere and traces of a battle. The bodies belonged to both sides. We searched for a long time and only found this severely injured brother. He said…”
Yuan Li’s breathing became difficult; he raised his hand and then lowered it, closing his eyes. “What did he say?”
“He said that apart from the rebellious forces, there were other enemy troops present. There was an ambush on the Huai River, and the General fell into the river after being hit by an arrow… Other generals jumped into the river to rescue the General… The enemy’s navy searched the area, and now it’s unknown whether the General and the others… are alive or dead, escaped, or captured by the enemy.”
Yuan Li froze.
His whole body turned cold in an instant.
The soldier’s words were clear in his ears, but after understanding them, they became blurry, and Yuan Li momentarily couldn’t make sense of their meaning.
What ambush?
Who was hit by an arrow and fell into the Huai River?
His mind went blank, and before he could react, he heard his own voice, hoarse and fragmented as if blown away by the wind, saying, “Take me to the site of their battle.”
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