Chapter 1262 – Cutting Down Huang Song, Unifying Dongqing (Part Four)
This talk isn’t just empty boasting.
Luo Yue genuinely believes that the troops under his Lord are far superior to what anyone else could hope to match.
Not only is their mobility outstanding, but their combat quality is also the best he’s ever seen.
He’s managed to improve the security in Wanzhou so significantly because his soldiers are so dependable.
“Since this is the case, with our Lord gravely ill and an invasion from outside, the soldiers should be riled up, vowing to annihilate the enemy instead of succumbing to cowardice and spreading rumors,” Cheng Yuan added, “I suspect these individuals are being manipulated; the true instigators are the culprits behind the scenes.”
If the hidden dangers lurking in the shadows aren’t ferreted out, who can feel at ease?
They’re fighting fiercely ahead, while someone stabs them in the back from behind—what a disaster that would be!
Luo Yue’s gaze sharpened, his tone grave, “The two military advisers are indeed perceptive.”
He took this matter seriously and deployed someone to keep a discreet watch on those individuals.
Days later, there was progress.
Following the clues, Luo Yue was taken aback by what he uncovered, his focus sharp as his temper flared.
He quickly tamped down his rising anger and summoned Luo Yue and Meng Heng to discuss.
The soldiers spreading rumors were grain transport workers, recruited locally from Hujun.
What do these transport workers do?
They’re primarily responsible for ensuring the supply lines of grain, guaranteeing the sustainability of the campaign.
If the supply lines falter, what will the frontline soldiers use to fight?
“Neither military adviser could have predicted who’s been secretly contacting them—”
Luo Yue’s voice was deep and somber, tightly clenched fists and taut veins revealing his current mindset.
Meng Heng exchanged glances with the others and asked in unison.
“Who is it?”
Luo Yue pointed at a spot on the sand table, and the two realized it was right in Hujun!
An insider?
The same word popped into their minds, and their expressions darkened considerably.
“How could it be an insider? There were no signs until now—”
Fortunately, they discovered it early. If the two armies truly clashed and it became a stalemate, another stab in the back could take them down a notch.
Luo Yue maintained a serious face, saying, “I’ve heard that Hujun’s current state is entirely due to the Old Patriarch. When the Old Patriarch served as the governor of Hujun, he exerted considerable effort into rectifying rampant banditry and the predatory practices of local gentry against the common folk. The gentry learned their lesson, and for years they’ve been quiet, watching plentiful arable land return to the common people, not tasting a single benefit themselves, yet they haven’t completely let go of their grudges.”
Before Liu Zhi became the governor of Hujun, it was nothing but a desolate hellhole!
Bandits roamed free, local gentry exploited the populace, and with years of drought, those who could escape did, and those who couldn’t resigned themselves to their plight, akin to living in a hell on earth.
Local powers had gotten used to ruling like emperors, rebuffing anyone trying to manage them, leading to nine consecutive governors dying in office or on their way to take their posts.
Some perished at the hands of bandits, others fell victim to conspiracies, and some were even done in through collusion with officials!
Liu Zhi not only survived but forcefully pried open the mouths of the local powers, personally extracting numerous benefits from them for the common folk, reclaiming wasteland, digging water sources, and adjusting tax policies. Under his governance, Hujun became a major grain-producing region in Dongqing.
The local gentry also benefited, but they would never be satisfied. The land worked by the common folk still belonged to them, and if it weren’t for Liu Zhi sticking his nose in, the profits from that land would entirely be theirs.
In other words, Liu Zhi touched their interests, and it wasn’t just a minor issue!
However, the situation was beyond their control; they couldn’t defeat Liu Zhi or Liu Xi, no matter how much they bottled up their resentment.
Now that the enemy was at their gates, it was the perfect opportunity for them to stir the pot and redistribute the spoils.
Huang Song’s subordinate, Feng Jue, was rather crafty and had sent spies into Hujun long before the war began, knowing that Hujun wasn’t a monolithic entity.
Fine wine and beautiful faces attract money.
Feng Jue seized on their weaknesses and used them as a breakthrough to incite rebellion.
But these individuals weren’t fools either.
Those who chase profit are particularly calculative when weighing gains and losses.
They simultaneously toyed with Huang Song while keeping a low profile, maintaining an ambivalent attitude and not offending either side.
But fate had other plans; who would’ve thought Jiang Pengji would fall gravely ill!
With a critical condition and no heirs, the situation couldn’t be worse! Cangzhou’s defeat allowed Huang Song’s forces to capture a district, while both Wanzhou and Hujun were now being beaten back. Seeing this, things were looking up for Huang Song; it was as if heaven was helping him!
Now, these opportunistic fellows began to panic!
If fighting is akin to doing business, the initial investment must naturally be offset by plundering the spoils later; targeting the wealthy is an infallible choice.
If they don’t show their stance now, when Huang Song fully invades Hujun, will he spare their possessions?
He would definitely slaughter them!
With decisive action, some local factions in Hujun secretly leaned toward Huang Song.
Though they didn’t help much, spreading rumors and shaking troop morale still counted as a deposit to show their stance.
Once the situation started to clarify and Huang Song began to thrive, they would invest further until they solidly chose sides.
Investing carries significant risks, but the rewards are considerable.
If they gamble right, their family fortunes will be on the rise soon.
Luo Yue had uncovered all this, and he was infuriated.
“Only regretting that the Old Patriarch didn’t deal with them harshly back in the day. Why didn’t he just wipe them out?!” Luo Yue’s tone was intense; anyone in his shoes would feel unsettled knowing someone was planning to stab them in the back, “If he had dealt with them sooner, we wouldn’t have to face this disgusting mess today!”
Meng Heng shot him a sidelong glance and softly said, “General Luo, mind your words.”
How could he speak ill of the Lord’s father?
If this word got out, wouldn’t Luo Yue fear getting some rough treatment himself?
Luo Yue’s expression turned dark, and he fell silent.
“For now, hold back, gather evidence of their betrayal. After obtaining the proof, we’ll lock them up and let our Lord decide their fate,” Meng Heng appeared calm, yet he too felt frustration. He didn’t believe his fiery-tempered Lord would tolerate such disgraceful treachery!
Luo Yue thought Meng Heng favored a lighter punishment, and felt displeased instantly.
Cheng Yuan reminded, “Think of those folks in Chongzhou.”
When Jiang Pengji first entered Chongzhou, she caused quite a bloody incident right upon her arrival, crushing the leaders of several major families. While their family members went unscathed, they’ve been suppressed for years, with pride crushed and their whole clan forced to bow down.
It hasn’t been several years, and they’ve fallen to an embarrassing state.
As long as the Lord stands firm, those families in Chongzhou that offended her will never have the chance to rise again.
On the contrary, the Cui Family in Chongzhou made a smart move, cozying up to the Lord and amassing wealth through their connections.
Back then, she had only killed a few leaders, all due to the evidence of collusion being forced onto her by the Lord.
Those fools in Hujun, once the evidence is concrete, won’t their entire clan be wiped out without mercy?
Meng Heng whispered, “Our Lord has quite the temper; if she hears about this, can she hold back from punishing them without killing at least a few?”
Hold back?
Heh, she’ll send them off with a triple dose of her cuddly affection—
“Grandson, you understand, right? I spoil you!”
