Although Fang Wushang was a reckless general, he felt great pressure. Last ti he charged alone against the rebels, they imdiately ford a spear formation and aid hundreds of hand crossbows at him, instantly scaring him off and teaching the reckless man a lesson.
“Honestly, I don’t know what to do now. We definitely can’t fight the border army.”
As Fang Wushang was Chengcheng County’s best fighter, even he thought “cannot fight them off by force,” leaving others even more frantic. A group of gentry exchanged perplexed glances, powerless to act.
Finally, they all looked to Liang Shixian.
Who could bla him? He was the county magistrate.
Liang Shixian saw everyone watching him and also felt great pressure.
No, I need to think carefully.
Liang Shixian, knowledgeable in many matters, instantly activated a “survival in desperate tis” mindset. The current difficulties, the strong enemy force, the local militia in the county, the rebel band in Guyuan’s actions… all raced through his mind like a spinning lantern. Suddenly, with a “ding” sound amid many dead ends, he unexpectedly spotted a path to survival.
“The rebel band in Guyuan!” Liang Shixian said. “To fight the border army, we must use the border army. The one from Huanglong Mountain doesn’t seem bad; they only repelled Li Ying without disturbing Fengyuan Town at all. This proves they can be reasoned with. This official will go and talk with them, get them to aid Chengcheng County against other rebels, even help against bandits.”
Everyone froze: “That’s possible?”
Liang Shixian replied: “Why not? The border army rebelled due to unpaid wages; deep down, they probably didn’t want to rebel. Perhaps they’re waiting for a pardon. I’ll negotiate with them to make ands—if they’ll confront other rebels, I’ll do everything to shield them from court repercussions. With that exchange, we can talk.”
The gentry heard this and reacted, “Ah, that’s right!”
“Then we must rely on the County Lord. Our words hold little weight; rebels won’t trust us. Only the County Lord speaking to them would make discussion possible.”
Liang Shixian knew this well. The rebel Captain Ghost in Huanglong Mountain was a distinguished Fifth Rank military official; gentry weren’t qualified to negotiate. Only he, as magistrate of Chengcheng County, could converse with a Fifth Rank official.
Liang Shixian snorted: “For Chengcheng County’s people, what risk does this official fear?”
Fang Wushang also spoke: “Wang Zuogua of Yichuan’s rebels are stationed in those mountains too, highly dangerous. If we find Wang Zuogua instead of the Guyuan rebels, it’d be disastrous. I must go with Liang Sir.”
“Good. Better to act now than delay. Let’s go imdiately.”
Thus, Chengcheng County’s top civil and military leaders set off together, leaving the county seat and heading north to Huanglong Mountain.
Li Daoxuan thought to himself: This is a fine opportunity.
The Gaojia Village Militia found wearing armor inconvenient for operations under official scrutiny; during the He Yang bandits’ Fan Shanyue incident, Fang Wushang’s arrival forced them back into the woods to remove armor before reappearing.
But now, with the Guyuan mutiny escalating Liang Shixian and Fang Wushang’s goal to recruit “rebels,” the Gaojia Village Militia had a valid reason to march out flamboyantly in armor and fight.
Excellent. Shifting focus to Gaojia Village, inform Cheng Xu, arrange…
…
Liang Shixian’s physical fitness was clearly better than Dian Deng Zi Zhao Sheng’s.
Now he climbed a large stone, the very one Zhao Sheng ascended months earlier when rebelling into Huanglong Mountain.
Zhao Sheng had nearly fallen while scaling it to address his n, slipping twice and struggling up drenched in sweat; Liang Shixian rely rolled up his official garnts and scrambled up without effort.
Perched atop the stone, he scanned the surroundings. After a full circle, he felt a tinge of disappointnt: “Can’t locate the Guyuan rebels. What can be done?”
Fang Wushang stated gravely: “Liang Sir, the Guyuan rebels are still a border army. Fully committed to hiding, they’re not easy to find. Let’s roam the mountains—they’ll track us down.”
Liang Shixian reacted: “Huh? Have them find us?”
Fang Wushang confird: “Exactly! Border army scouts, called Ye Bu Shou, spot us far faster than we spot them.”
The words barely ended when Fang Wushang suddenly frowned and whirled around. A man slipped silently from the woods behind, clad in mountain-patterned armor with a black face covering. His aura starkly differed from bandits; one glance revealed a forr official of the court.
Soldiers under Fang Wushang raised weapons instantly. Liang Shixian’s household staff and runners swallowed nervously.
The figure erging from the woods was Cheng Xu, of course.
“Hey, you looking for ?”
Cheng Xu’s voice carried a cold edge.
Liang Shixian, rushing with pride, suppressed his fear and answered boldly: “This official is Liang Shixian, Chengcheng County Magistrate. This mountain trip is indeed to find you, General.”
Cheng Xu knew their objective from the Deity but played ignorant, affecting an official tone: “The court owes three years’ wages; my guards face starvation. I’ve nothing more to say to the court—pay up outright.”
Liang Shixian expressed awkwardness: “Well… about the wages… this official… could lodge an appeal to the court on your behalf…”
“Tch! Appeal? Treat like a child?” Cheng Xu retorted: “If that money could be appealed, would I have rebelled?”
This made sense. Liang Shixian felt a bit embarrassed: “General, I know the court failed you, but… rebellion isn’t sustainable. When imperial troops arrive later, your… arm can’t possibly twist their thigh.”
Cheng Xu pretended intimidation and fell silent.
Seeing Cheng Xu’s reaction and sensing hope, Liang Shixian swiftly pressed on: “General, rebelling over unpaid wages is understandable. You hard no civilians at Fengyuan Town, proving you’re humane, not ruthless. Rebelling offers temporary relief, but a lifelong traitor’s stain is dishonorable. Why not heed my counsel to seek redemption?”
Cheng Xu challenged: “Want to pardon ? Based on one insignificant Seventh Rank official? What assurance can you give?”
Liang Shixian declared, rushing with pride: “Though not remarkable, I have friends in court. With their backing, I could assist you.”
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