Chapter 151: Sudden Rain (Twenty-One)

The downpour suddenly grew violent again, casting a grey, hazy veil between heaven and earth. This late-autumn squall was so utterly abnormal that the common folk of Mayi Commandery could only feel as though the weather itself foretold an escalation into even greater bloodshed and warfare for the region.

Within Shanyang City, amidst the driving rain, large contingents of the Mayi Eagle-Rearing Troops poured out, deploying in formation along the streets. They lined the way from the Commandery Governor’s Office all the way to the city gates, forbidding anyone from walking about the thoroughfares.

Wang Rengong governed Shanyang with military strictness and loved grand spectacles. Whenever he went on inspection tours or made a move within the city, he invariably used the Mayi Eagle-Rearing Troops to clear the streets. Yet, mobilizing them to police the area in the middle of a torrential downpour made it obvious to everyone that something serious must have happened.

Large squads of Mayi Elite Cavalry frequently thundered past along the streets, kicking up massive patches of mud.

Every single one of the Mayi Elite Cavalry held a spear and wore a sabre, their faces grim. As they galloped through Shanyang City, they emanated a chilling, murderous aura—a spectacle never seen before!

No matter how curious the citizens might be, not a single one dared to court disaster at this moment. They merely huddled inside their homes, peering at the scene outside through the gaps in their window shutters, whispering and speculating in low voices about what on earth had transpired.

At the official waystation, Liu Wenjing had already ordered all his servants to stop packing, and the guards of the Six Armies stood ready with drawn sabers inside the courtyard, dreading any unforeseen disaster. The atmosphere had reached an extreme state of tension.

Standing on the second floor of the small building, Liu Wenjing peered through a crack in the window at the enemy-besieged appearance of the outside world, his expression cold and stern, deep in thought.

Soft footsteps sounded. Liu Wenjing abruptly turned his head to see Zhang Silang standing respectfully to the side with lowered head.

This middle-aged man, with his grim expression and weather-beaten face, was soaked to the skin. Water dripped from his body, pattering against the wooden floorboards. It was obvious that he had braved mortal danger to venture outside just moments before, no doubt seeking out some old acquaintances.

After enduring such toil, upon returning to Liu Wenjing’s side, his demeanor remained deferential, as if he had merely performed some trivial task.

Liu Wenjing asked, "How did it go?"

Zhang Silang replied in a low voice, "This humble subordinate sought out a clerk from the Governor's Mansion. Having served as an official in Mayi Commandery for twenty years, he is deeply rooted and well-connected. It was only after making contact and promising him a generous reward that I managed to secure the information."

Uttering these words was not meant to claim credit, but rather to inform Liu Wenjing that the source of the information was absolutely reliable.

***

Liu Wenjing naturally understood what Zhang Silang meant. He nodded approvingly, simply waiting for Zhang Silang to continue.

With an unchanging expression, Zhang Silang softly continued: "…Shanyang was suddenly placed under martial law because four carts of severed heads were delivered from outside. These heads belong entirely to the Mayi Elite Cavalry! Earlier, Prefect Wang dispatched a battalion of Mayi Elite Cavalry, led by his trusted retainer Shi Chaozhi, to Shenwu to hunt down the family of the young Lord Le, who has been making such a brilliant name for himself in Yunzhong. However, Young Lord Le suddenly returned, reportedly bringing with him troops under Liu Wuzhou's command. They completely slaughtered this battalion of Mayi Elite Cavalry, seized Shenwu, and sent men to present the heads as a challenge to Prefect Wang!"

Liu Wenjing’s eyes instantly lit up.

Amidst total desperation, a sheer peak jutted forth! That same Young Lord Le, Xu Le, who had amazed even him in Yunzhong, had suddenly reappeared and accomplished such an earth-shattering feat!

Regardless of whether Liu Wuzhou had truly launched a stealthy surprise attack on Shenwu, this battalion of Mayi Elite Cavalry had been completely wiped out, and the adversaries were flying Liu Wuzhou's banners. If Wang Rengong could still swallow his pride and seek compromise after this, he would no longer be the Wang Rengong he knew!

Furthermore, if Liu Wuzhou had genuinely resolved to break relations and make a move, with Shenwu located close to Shanyang, this was tantamount to pressing the elite Heng'an Eagle-Rearing Garrison right up against the gates of Shanyang City. If Wang Rengong continued to endure this, it would mean handing the entire Mayi Commandery over to Liu Wuzhou on a silver platter!

Given such a situation, how could Shanyang City not deploy the Eagle-Rearing Troops on a massive scale? How could it not act as if facing a formidable enemy? How could it not put on a posture of preparing for a major war at any moment?

The delicate balance of Mayi Commandery had finally been shattered, and the decisive battle between Wang Rengong and Liu Wuzhou had descended upon them just like that!

At this moment, Liu Wenjing almost wanted to drop to his knees and thank the heavens!

This Young Lord Le was truly an exceptional talent. No matter what, he could not be allowed to remain buried in Mayi; by all means, he had to be presented before Duke Tang. Best of all would be to make this Young Lord Le his own trusted confidant and general, becoming his representative within Duke Tang's army!

Such a figure deserved to be guided by his own hands, blossoming with dazzling brilliance in this contending era. He would protect the Liu family, allowing them to rise and become a truly prominent, noble clan amidst these troubled times!

Although he was so overjoyed that he almost wanted to shout out loud, Liu Wenjing managed to force himself to maintain his composure. He nodded toward Zhang Silang, who stood respectfully waiting for orders: "Zhang Si, you truly are a rare talent. Failing to discover you earlier was my fault. When we return to Jinyang, whether you wish to enter the military or serve as a local county magistrate, just say the word!"

Zhang Silang steadily dropped to his knees, his voice filled with bone-deep gratitude: "With the patronage of Lord Liu, how dare this humble subordinate spare any effort in dogs-and-horses labor? From this day forward, I am entirely at Lord Liu's disposal!"

Liu Wenjing finally burst into hearty laughter, pointing out the window: "We are not leaving! With such a lively spectacle, how can we not watch? If either Wang Rengong or Liu Wuzhou shows weakness, I might just have to lend a hand, and make them fight for as long as possible!"

***

Wang Rengong strode out of the governor's office through the pelting rain, arriving at the open square before the commandery gates.

Four large carts sat in the open space, surrounded by Mayi Elite Cavalry, every single one of them exuding a murderous aura. Every eye was fixed upon the prefect, whose entire body was drenched by the rain.

Stepping through the muddy water, Wang Rengong walked up to the carts, lifted the felt tarp for a glance, and then gently let it drop back down.

The civil and military officials of the commandery all rested their hands on the pommels of their swords, waiting solely for Wang Rengong's command. Even Wang Zhongtong wore an expression of intense fury, the muscles on his face tightly bound as he awaited his father's single word!

A flash suddenly illuminated the horizon, followed immediately by a thunderclap bursting directly overhead!

In that exact instant, the rain grew even more violent, falling in sheets like a wall of water that swept across the entirety of Shanyang City!

Amidst the raging tempest, Wang Rengong threw his head back and laughed aloud: "It seems I truly am cut out to be no good guy! Since that is the case, let us settle things with swords and blades! Spare the people of the world from thinking that I, Wang Rengong, have grown old!"

He abruptly drew the sword at his waist and pointed it toward the heavens: "Recall the grain transport team and send an emissary to tell Liu Wuzhou: if he wants grain, he can bring his four thousand elite soldiers to Shanyang and take it!"

His civil and military subordinates all cupped their fists in obedience.

Wang Rengong then pointed his sword in the direction of Shenwu: "Retake Shenwu, and capture that so-called Young Lord Le. I want his head hung high from the battlements of Shanyang City!"