Chapter 1019: Is That Yours?
After the great battle of Luzhou, due to the intervention of the Gao Family Village Militia, the Rebel Army suffered a crushing defeat. The armies of the seventy-two allied groups scattered and fled into various mountains, and the main force of the rebels was suddenly dispersed, hiding in the Dabie Mountains.
Not to mention that era in the late Ming Dynasty; even in modern times, when an army in a mountainous region hides in the mountains, the forces outside cannot completely wipe them out.
Without radar, satellite positioning, or advanced transport, the imperial troops were helpless against the bandit forces hiding in the Dabie Mountains.
The militia led by Bai Yuan and Shi Kefa were equally stymied!
Consequently, after the Luzhou campaign, Bai Yuan led his forces back to Luoyang, and Shi Kefa returned with his troops to Anqing Prefecture. The other imperial units, meanwhile, continued their pursuit of the remaining roving bandits.
As a result, Lao Huihui, still active in Henan, became the primary target for the imperial forces.
Lao Huihui's entire force was cavalry, making them difficult to track.
Therefore, the imperial army spread out a wide net, blocking Lao Huihui's escape routes from multiple directions.
This net, stretched and tightened from east and west, forced Lao Huihui into a continuous retreat, until he was backed into Pingdingshan.
A scout approached to report: "Boss, our horses are struggling immensely in these mountains. Several have injured their legs, and I'm afraid... they're unusable."
Lao Huihui nodded, his expression heavy. The current situation had become rather grim.
His refusal to collude with Li Zicheng and the others had left him isolated...
Now trapped in Pingdingshan, with cavalry ill-suited for mountain warfare, he truly wouldn't know what to do if the imperial forces attacked. He could only hope they wouldn't advance.
Yet, he knew the imperial troops were most likely coming, especially Zuo Liangyu.
Last time, Zuo Liangyu fell into his ambush and nearly took his own life. He harbored a deep, bone-gnawing hatred for Lao Huihui, yearning to eliminate him swiftly. This time, with the imperial army holding the absolute advantage, why would Zuo Liangyu not seize the chance to "kick a man when he's down"?
"Chief, let's escape west," a subordinate suggested. "The imperial forces have only surrounded us from the east, south, and north. They can't encircle the west; it's all continuous mountain ranges. We only need to cross those mountains to evade their pursuit."
Lao Huihui asked, "Where would we end up after crossing the mountains?"
The subordinate murmured, "After crossing the mountains, we'd reach Luan County. Further west from there is Shangnan County..."
"Shangnan County?" Lao Huihui had a faint recollection of that name. Back when the roving bandits caused chaos in Yunyang, they'd fought several tough battles in Shangnan County.
Lao Huihui frowned. "The Shangnan garrison seems formidable. What was their commander's name again? Luo... Xi? Yes, Luo Xi."
The subordinate nodded. "Indeed! That man has reportedly routed several rebel forces; he's a tough nut to crack."
Lao Huihui sighed deeply. "I truly don't want to retreat toward Shangnan County. Not only is Luo Xi a formidable opponent, but once we head in that direction, we'll be deep in continuous mountain ranges. Communication with Master Bai will become very difficult... We'd lose the grain supplies he provides us."
At this, his expression soured. "Without continued food aid, we'll revert to being nothing more than a roving bandit army."
His subordinate fell silent.
His army originated from border garrisons, and they harbored no desire to become true roving bandits. Deep down, they didn't see themselves as thieves; they had only risen in rebellion due to overdue pay, being looked down upon by Han soldiers as ethnic surrendered troops, and other such factors.
In recent days, with Master Bai's grain assistance, they no longer had to pillage cities and territories like common bandits. They had enjoyed a period of respite, and had even begun to recall their former identities as decent men.
Now, if their supplies were cut off again, forcing them back to raiding imperial granaries, they'd feel a considerable discomfort, unable to accept such a drastic decline.
As they were in this predicament...
A scout returned with a report: "Urgent! Master Bai's people have arrived!"
Lao Huihui was overjoyed. "Quickly, usher him in!"
Moments later, a Gao Family Village intelligence agent, dressed in night-black clothing, was brought before Lao Huihui by the scout. Although clad in dark attire, the agent had an image of the Heavenly Lord embroidered on his chest, instantly marking him as a typical subordinate of Master Bai.
Lao Huihui said, pleased, "With several imperial armies surrounding us outside, you must have expended considerable effort to get in, no?"
The intelligence agent replied, "It was fine. Zuo Liangyu's army is undisciplined, and their camps are riddled with weak points, so I slipped in quite easily. I've come this time to deliver a message to the general."
Lao Huihui's expression turned serious. "What does Master Bai say?"
The agent relayed, "Instructor Bai suggests that you lead your army west, over the mountains. First, proceed to Luan County, but do not harass the county seat. Instead, bypass it, taking only mountain roads, and continue on to Shangnan County."
"Ah? Master Bai also advises me to go to Shangnan County?" Lao Huihui was slightly disheartened. "I was actually considering that option myself; there's no other way to escape the imperial encirclement. However, once my army enters Shangnan, communicating with Luoyang will become very difficult... Furthermore, Luo Xi, the Shangnan garrison commander, is no easy opponent."
The intelligence agent chuckled twice. "General, you needn't worry about Luo Xi. Once you enter Shangnan County, avoid attacking cities and villages; just move through the mountains and forests. Luo Xi won't come to fight you. In fact, he won't just refrain from attacking; he'll provide you with grain assistance. You can send someone to inform Luo Xi of your location and have him deliver provisions."
Upon hearing this, Lao Huihui jolted in surprise: "Luo Xi is one of *your* people?"
The agent chuckled, "Indeed."
Lao Huihui: "!!!"
The agent continued, "So, General, once you're in Shangnan County, you won't need to worry about future supplies. Afterward, you can proceed into Shangluo Pass and then cross Wu Pass..."
Lao Huihui interjected, "I can just 'cross' Wu Pass? That's heavily guarded by imperial troops!"
The agent stated, "The Wu Pass garrison will feign ignorance of your presence."
Lao Huihui gasped, a cold breath drawn. No need to ask further; Wu Pass was also 'theirs.'
The agent went on, "After you pass through Wu Pass, you can reach Shanyang County. There's a mountain there named Tianzhu Mountain. You can set up camp within that mountain. There will be people inside to meet you and provide you with provisions."
Lao Huihui's heart seized with even greater alarm. "That's very close to Xi'an! The closer we get to Xi'an, the greater the resistance will be. The imperial court will certainly guard it heavily!"
The agent countered, "No! The closer you get to Xi'an, the more assistance our army will provide you. At that point, you'll never have to worry about food or safety again."
Lao Huihui: "!!!"
This shock was even more profound, and his body involuntarily trembled. "Xi'an, could it be... also... yours? How is that possible?"
The agent smiled, remaining silent. "I cannot say more; I fear spies might leak the information. In short, General, if you trust us, then follow the route I've outlined."
Lao Huihui declared, "Understood! How could I *not* trust you? Among everyone in this world right now, Master Bai is the one I trust most. Since you've instructed me to go this way, I shall follow."
The agent clasped his hands in a respectful bow and departed.
Lao Huihui gritted his teeth, steeled his resolve, and ordered: "The entire army will head west, over Pingdingshan, towards Shangnan County!"
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