Main Text Chapter 98 Wrestling (32)

In Yunzhong City, since the county magistrate had departed, Liu Wuzhou had taken charge of military and civilian affairs, governing the region under martial law. There was no such thing as a prison. Offenders in the army were naturally dealt with by the military commanders, and military justice had always been clean and decisive—minor faults were simply beaten soundly, while grave ones led to beheading. Locking people away was rarely mentioned.

The same approach applied to civilian offenses: simple, brutal, and straightforward. The people of Yunzhong were fierce and hardy, and this suited them perfectly. Under Liu Wuzhou’s rule, governance was simple and punishments light, transforming the populace’s demeanor.

Yet today, a large crowd had to search for a place of detention.

More than a thousand surrendered Yue tribesmen from the grasslands numbered in the hundreds, many of them wounded. They required a spacious, secure confinement, along with hot water, food, and care for the injured. The battle had been satisfyingly fierce, but the aftermath brought a flood of complications. The busy Heng’an Eagle’s Wing soldiers, exhausted after a sleepless night, were driven in circles.

Everyone understood the logic: they had clashed with the Nine Surnames tribes, but there was no reason to provoke them to death. Had not Gedai Wutou and Gedai Heiguo been welcomed back as honored guests after surrendering to Liu Yingji?

Perhaps Liu Yingji was even considering holding the father and son as hostages to incorporate the over a thousand Yue troops. After already breaking with the Turks, with no further reservations, added strength would better prepare them for the impending pincer attack by Wang Rengong and the Turks from north and south.

The final detention site located was an open expanse within the city. Its original purpose remained unknown; it had fallen into ruin decades earlier. After minimal cleanup, without needing tents, simple shelters were erected and covered with straw, and these over a thousand Yue captives were herded inside.

The grassland men were driven here and pushed into the sheds, with one or two squads of Heng’an Eagle’s Wing soldiers posted to watch. The fire soldiers busily boiled hot soup and carried in baskets of mixed flour cakes, along with two large baskets holding stacks of earthenware bowls. Once the soup was boiling, they banged on the pot rims with loud voices to call out.

“All of you borderland men—fighting when trouble arises is nothing unusual, right? If you lose, admit it. Don’t look like you’ve lost your parents. Come eat and drink! Liu Yingji won’t take your lives; once this is over, you’ll still be neighbors. Hot soup and warm cakes—we Han people are generous! From now on, stop following the Turks to drink the wind. Join forces with our Heng’an Prefecture; there are plenty of good days ahead for you!”

Whether persuaded by the fire soldiers’ words or the tempting aroma of the soup and cakes, a group of grassland men—rolling like mud monkeys, disheveled and miserable—slowly emerged from the sheds. Each took a bowl of soup and a cake and began to eat and drink. In an instant, the open space filled with sweet sounds of chewing.

Around the open space, Heng’an soldiers stood watch, while outside, the people of Yunzhong City gathered to watch the spectacle, a sea of faces buzzing with discussion and laughter. It was mostly praise for Heng’an Prefecture’s bravery, mockery of the insignificant grassland tribes, or even recounting the rumored exploits of that Le Langjun who single-handedly burned the enemy camp. When told vividly, it would erupt in bursts of laughter.

These grassland men heard it as if unaware, burying their heads to eat. Last night’s great fire and torrential rain, with iron cavalry crushing the formation, had drained their spirit completely. Born in the borderlands, the weak feeding on the strong was their way of life; losing and merely preserving one’s life was already a good outcome—what was there to fear from mockery!

The common people laughed and discussed, praising the military prowess of Heng’an Prefecture. Yet the commanding military officers here each wore grave expressions, huddled together in low conversation.

This battle had been satisfyingly victorious, defeating over a thousand Yue troops and conveniently holding the nobles of the Nine Surnames tribes in their grasp. Capturing Zhang Wansui, it was estimated that the Zhibi Department’s Turkic nobles would have difficulty escaping.

But now it had also torn the face with Wang Rengong and the Turks! The next moment, who knew what kind of gale and waves would come—what would happen to Heng’an Prefecture in such circumstances?

Several generals discussed in low voices, all at a loss. At the end, a camp officer waved his hand fiercely: “Damn it, just like that! Liu Yingji can always lead us through this! Even if we have to fight, our Heng’an Prefecture isn’t afraid of anything—better to fight the Turks and Wang Rengong to the death!”

At this moment, many Heng’an military and soldiers held a simple thought: Liu Yingji can always lead them through this hurdle!

Meanwhile, the figure all trusted, Liu Wuzhou, was currently squatting in the study of the Yingji Langjiang’s office, sitting cross-legged with furrowed brows, hunched over, hands tucked in sleeves. He looked like an old farmer from the countryside, no longer having the bearing of a great general commanding the city walls with composure.

The matter Xu Le had caused, though ultimately Heng’an Prefecture was victorious, in front of others Liu Wuzhou had a cheerful appearance, but retreated to his own secluded place, as if the heavy pressure was pressing him down, unable to straighten his back!

The sound of footsteps outside indicated Yuan Junzhang had entered.

This assistant who had always been haughty now had dark circles under his eyes and a greenish complexion, looking equally heavy with pressure.

Liu Wuzhou didn’t lift his head: “Has the Zhibi tribe been settled?”

Though capturing Axian She of the Zhibi Department was a remarkable feat not achieved by the combined armies of the three commanderies last year, Yuan Junzhang had no joy, only a face full of bitterness.

“Already settled in a secret location, and the news is sealed as much as possible, so none of the military commanders or soldiers should speak a word about it.”

Liu Wuzhou said in a low voice: “Keep an eye on Yuchi Gong; he’s a well-known big mouth, make his beak zip it tight!”

Yuan Junzhang smiled bitterly: “Yuchi Gong isn’t stupid; he knows the stakes himself. After entering the city, he tucked his tail and hid in a place, didn’t go bragging about his merits.”

He took a deep breath and asked solemnly: “Yingji, what should we do?”

Now even Yuan Junzhang, as smart as he was, had no ideas. Because of Xu Le, by mistake they had offended the Turks and Wang Rengong completely, tearing all faces, and the next step would definitely be frantic revenge from both sides. Even with four thousand elite Heng’an Eagle’s Wing, they couldn’t bear it!

At this time, they could only hope that Liu Wuzhou could come up with a plan!

Liu Wuzhou instead asked about another topic: “Where is Xu Le?”

Yuan Junzhang hummed, full of resentment: “Already resting with Luodun; who knows what this fellow will cause when he wakes up!”

Liu Wuzhou waved his hand: “Have him take charge of the Lianghaitie Tribe; when he wakes, give him troops to escort him there! At this time, he can’t stay in Yunzhong City!”

Yuan Junzhang deeply agreed. This Xu Le had become the plague god of Heng’an Eagle’s Wing Prefecture; who knew how he could stir up trouble! Liu Wuzhou might still have thoughts of recruiting him, but Yuan Junzhang wished to chop Xu Le into meat right away!

Now that he had become the new clan leader of the Lianghaitie Tribe, it was important to send him away quickly!

Then Liu Wuzhou pressed his knees and slowly rose.

“Have someone change my clothes for me, make it proper.”

Yuan Junzhang asked in surprise: “What does Yingji intend?”

Liu Wuzhou’s expression was extremely deep: “Where else could I go? Naturally, go see that Zhibi tribe member!”