Chapter 143: Sudden Rain (Part 13)

Page (1/3)

The cries rose deafeningly, shaking the little county town of Shenwu.

Xu Le rode among the ranks on a warhorse temporarily found from the mounts abandoned by the Mayi Yue Cavalry. At last, a trace of a smile appeared at the corner of his mouth behind the iron mask.

Yes, this was precisely what he had intended: to provoke Wang Rengong and Liu Wuzhou into breaking with each other completely.

From Chen Fengpo, he had finally learned why the Mayi Yue Cavalry had descended upon the Xu family settlement. Somehow, news of his capture of Zhang Wansui had reached Shanyang City with astonishing speed. Only then had Wang Rengong decided to mobilize the Mayi Yue Cavalry for the operation.

And he had even been turned into a general under Liu Wuzhou.

Xu Le could not imagine which schemer had passed along that information. Yet its meaning was plain enough: someone wanted to drive Liu Wuzhou and Wang Rengong into an open breach as quickly as possible—and perhaps had designs against Xu Le himself as well.

If that was the case, he might as well go with the current and make the whole affair more substantial.

After clearing away the scattered rebels of the Mayi Yue Cavalry at the Niumen settlement and rescuing Chen Fengpo, Xu Le had learned the truth from him and immediately led his men toward Shenwu County. His original plan had been to use Chen Fengpo as a pretext, catch the city gates off guard, seize Shenwu County, and raise Liu Wuzhou’s banner. Surely the news would reach that headstrong man Wang Rengong and drive him into a fury.

To deal with Wang Rengong and avenge his grandfather, Xu Le’s own strength was far too meager. He had never imagined that, relying on his own abilities, he could fight his way into heavily garrisoned Shanyang City, then break into the prefect’s residence and drag Wang Rengong out.

At a time like this, he had to borrow Liu Wuzhou’s strength. Since some hidden hand was already fanning the flames, why should he not add another gust of wind? Let Liu Wuzhou and Wang Rengong truly come to blows.

Back in Yunzhong City, he had done everything possible to refuse Liu Wuzhou’s overt and covert attempts to recruit him. Now he was taking the initiative to raise Liu Wuzhou’s banner, and before long he might even have to serve under him. The thought was truly ironic.

But so long as he could avenge his grandfather and expose the mastermind behind everything, what did it matter if he served Liu Wuzhou?

With Liu Wuzhou in control of Mayi Commandery, things would surely be somewhat better than with Wang Rengong in power.

He had not expected, however, to arrive in Shenwu County just as defeated soldiers of the Mayi Yue Cavalry were gathering the town’s idlers and riffraff and plunging it into wholesale disorder. In the end, he had become Shenwu County’s savior instead.

The retainers advanced toward the wooden barricade at the southern entrance. One by one, they halted, all eyes turning toward Xu Le as they awaited his command. Were they to smash through the barricade and drag out every official of Shenwu County?

There was not a soul before the barricade. Rain poured over the streets and buildings with a furious roar, and an atmosphere of utter deathly silence hung over the town. In such circumstances, who would dare show his face?

Page (1/3)

Page (2/3)

Xu Le raised a hand, palm upright, signaling everyone to halt.

The retainers stopped in unison and stood there beneath the downpour. For years, during the slack seasons, Xu Gan had drilled the retainers of the settlement, naturally teaching them the formations and discipline of the army as well. After several battles, these men of the Xu family, who had already possessed a solid foundation, had acquired something of a soldier’s instinct. Once Xu Le gave an order, it was obeyed without question, and the ranks took on a grim military severity.

Several dozen retainers stood in perfect formation before the barricade. Rain struck their armor and helmets with a sharp, rattling sound, yet not one of them moved. Only the white breath rising from men and horses could be seen drifting through the rain.

Heads began to appear above the walls and courtyards of the houses within the barricade. At last, Guo Yong, the deputy magistrate of Shenwu County, cautiously raised his head as well, staring in terror at the force outside.

Beyond the barricade stood armored soldiers in rigid, murderous order. Neither men nor horses made a sound.

At the center of the formation, a commander sat astride his horse. His dark armor was black as ink and terrifying to behold, while the wrathful Vajra visage on his iron mask made anyone who looked upon it lower his head, lacking even the courage to meet his gaze.

Such troops could not possibly be bandits or wandering marauders. They had to be regular soldiers.

Had Liu Wuzhou truly sent a great army southward without warning, all the way to Shenwu County? Where were the Mayi Eagle-Raising troops that should have blocked the southern road? What was Prefect Wang doing? How had such a world-shaking upheaval broken out in Mayi Commandery within a single day and night?

Guo Yong’s thoughts were in chaos, but in the end he made up his mind. He could not hide forever. He had to go out and make an appearance.

Compared with the rebels who had gone mad with bloodlust, however, Guo Yong was not especially afraid of this regular army before him. A man like Liu Wuzhou, seeking to accomplish great things and seize Mayi Commandery as the capital from which to contend for supremacy, would not act recklessly. He might even offer generous terms to win over defectors and accept their surrender.

Having settled his mind, Guo Yong ducked down from the wall and instructed the household servants beside him, “Bring me my official robes. I am going to meet this Lord Yue.”

Several servants stared at him in disbelief. How had their deputy magistrate suddenly found such courage?

Xu Le’s force did not have to wait long before the barricade. More and more figures appeared atop the walls and courtyards within. The army’s stern and orderly bearing had indeed dispelled many of the residents’ fears.

Guo Yong and several others soon hurried through the mud to the barricade.

He wore the square-collared, curved-hemmed robes of office, but he did not dare bring any ceremonial escort. Protected only by a few household servants, he came through the rain to the barricade.

Even now, Guo Yong did not dare open it and face the armored general directly. He merely bowed deeply from the inner side.

Page (2/3)

Page (3/3)

“Guo Yong, deputy magistrate of Shenwu County, pays his respects to the general.”

Xu Le urged his horse forward through the ranks. Without lifting his face guard, he said coldly, “This general has come under the command of Liu the Eagle-Striker to take Shenwu County. Why have you still not opened the barricade and invited me inside?”

His voice, coming from behind the face guard, carried a faint metallic tremor. Guo Yong could not tell whether the wetness running down his face was sweat or rain. His back bent lower as he summoned his courage and said, “Liu the Eagle-Striker is stationed in Yunzhong. Neither the imperial court nor the commandery government has issued any order appointing him to govern Shenwu or its affairs. The situation here must first be reported to the commandery seat and the prefect. This subordinate dares not rashly open the barricade and invite the general in. I beg your pardon.”

The sound of blades being drawn rang out. At those words, all the retainers seized their scabbards and drew their gleaming straight swords in unison.

Guo Yong nearly collapsed to the ground. He was already preparing to order the barricade opened at once. He had done his duty; he had said the proper words. At this point, he could close his eyes and submit to Liu Wuzhou. In an age such as this, preserving one’s life was what mattered most.

Behind his face guard, Xu Le smiled and waved a hand.

The retainers sheathed their swords in perfect unison. The noise startled Guo Yong all over again.

Xu Le said with a smile, “I was born here in Shenwu, and naturally I have some regard for my fellow townsmen. Since the county magistrate finds himself in difficulty, I shall not lead my army through the barricade.”

Guo Yong blinked, scarcely able to believe that this armored general could be so accommodating.

But in the next instant, Xu Le’s voice turned fierce. “Yet I have come under the command of Liu the Eagle-Striker, so my army will naturally be stationed within Shenwu County. The magistrate will provide us with grain and supplies. If you entertain any other thoughts, the fate of Prefect Wang’s elite Mayi Yue Cavalry will serve as a warning!”

From the rear came the sound of carts being pushed forward. Hidden behind the ranks, several small carts emerged. They were piled high with the helmeted heads of Mayi Yue Cavalry soldiers, blood streaming continuously from them.

The sight drew cries of alarm from the onlookers atop the courtyard walls, and many were so terrified that they fell straight to the ground.

Guo Yong’s legs gave way, and he sank into the mud. Only one thought remained in his mind.

Whatever this Lord Yue wanted, they should give him. As for everything else, let Prefect Wang worry about it. For the moment, at least, Shenwu County belonged to Lord Yue.