Chapter 256: Just You? A Mere Seventh-Rank Official?
Although Fang Wushang was an impulsive commander, he felt immense pressure. The last time he single-handedly tried to confront the rebel army, they instantly formed a spear formation and aimed hundreds of hand crossbows at him, scaring him off immediately. It was a valuable lesson for the hot-headed man. "Honestly," he admitted, "I don't know what to do right now. We definitely can't defeat the border troops."
Fang Wushang was the most formidable fighter in Chengcheng County, yet even he had concluded that they couldn't win by force. The others grew even more frantic. A group of local gentry exchanged bewildered glances, unsure of how to proceed.
In the end, all eyes turned to Liang Shixian.
After all, he was the county magistrate.
Seeing everyone's gaze fixed on him, Liang Shixian also felt an overwhelming weight of pressure.
"No, I need to think this through."
The erudite Liang Shixian immediately activated his problem-solving mode. The immediate difficulties, the powerful enemy army, the county's local militia forces, the actions of the Guyuan rebels—all spun through his mind like a revolving lantern. Suddenly, a thought struck him, and amidst a myriad of dead ends, he glimpsed a viable path.
"The Guyuan rebels!" Liang Shixian declared. "To deal with border troops, we must use border troops. The Guyuan rebels who emerged from Huanglong Mountain don't seem so bad. They only repelled Li Ying and didn't touch Chuangyuan Town at all. This suggests they are open to communication. I will go and talk with them, persuade them to help Chengcheng County fight against other rebel groups, and perhaps even assist us against roving bandits."
Everyone was stunned. "Is that even possible?" they murmured.
Liang Shixian continued, "Why not? The border troops rebelled simply because they lacked pay. Deep down, they probably don't genuinely wish to rebel. Perhaps they are even waiting for an opportunity to accept amnesty. I will speak with them, let them atone for their past wrongs through meritorious service. As long as they are willing to step forward and deal with other rebel groups, I will do my utmost to ensure the imperial court doesn't pursue charges against them. With that as leverage, there's still room for negotiation."
"In that case, we can only rely on Your Excellency, the Magistrate," one gentry member said. "Our words carry little weight, and the rebels would surely not trust us. Only if Your Excellency goes to speak with them is there any hope of a discussion."
Liang Shixian, of course, understood this. The Ghostly Qianhu of the Guyuan rebels in Huanglong Mountain was a respectable fifth-rank military official. The local gentry were not qualified to negotiate with him; only the county magistrate, Liang Shixian himself, had the standing to speak with a fifth-rank military official.
Liang Shixian let out a huff. "For the sake of Chengcheng County's common folk, what harm is there in me taking a little risk?"
Fang Wushang also spoke up. "There are also the rebels of Wang Zuogua from Yichuan County entrenched in those mountains. It's extremely dangerous. If we don't find the Guyuan rebels but stumble upon Wang Zuogua instead, things could turn sour. I must accompany Magistrate Liang."
"Good," Liang Shixian agreed. "There's no time to lose on this matter. Let us depart immediately."
Thus, the two principal leaders of Chengcheng County, one civilian and one military, set off together. They left the county town and headed north towards Tulong Mountain.
Li Daoxuan thought to himself, *This is an excellent opportunity!*
The Gao Family Village Militia, due to their distinctive armor, found it highly inconvenient to operate under the watchful eye of the authorities. It had been the same last time when dealing with the Heyang bandit, Fan Shan Yue: as soon as Fang Wushang arrived, the militia had to retreat into the woods, shed their armor, and then re-emerge.
However, with the current Guyuan mutiny, Liang Shixian and Fang Wushang's intention to win over the 'rebels' provided the Gao Family Village Militia with a perfect excuse to come out and fight openly in their armor.
*Excellent,* he mused. *Switch perspective back to Gao Family Village. Notify Cheng Xu. Make arrangements...*
Liang Shixian's physical condition was clearly far superior to that of Zhao Sheng, also known as Dian Dengzi.
At that moment, he climbed a large boulder, the very same one Zhao Sheng had ascended months earlier when he rebelled and entered Huanglong Mountain.
Zhao Sheng had nearly fallen twice attempting to climb that rock to address his subordinates, finally reaching the top in a sweat. But Liang Shixian simply tucked up his official robes and ascended swiftly, without expending the slightest effort.
Standing atop the boulder, he scanned the surroundings. After a thorough look, Liang Shixian felt a pang of disappointment. "We can't find the Guyuan rebels. What are we to do?"
Fang Wushang said in a deep voice, "Magistrate Liang, those Guyuan rebels are border troops, after all. If they are determined to hide, how could we easily find them? We simply need to wander aimlessly in the mountains; they will find us."
Liang Shixian blinked. "What? Let them find us?"
Fang Wushang confirmed, "Precisely! The border troops' scouts, also known as 'night scouts,' will find us far more easily than we could ever find them."
No sooner had he spoken than a frown creased his brow. He whirled around to see a figure emerge silently from the woods behind them. The man wore mountain-patterned armor and a black scarf obscured his face. His demeanor was distinctly different from that of roving bandits; it was immediately obvious he had once been an imperial official.
Fang Wushang's soldiers immediately raised their weapons, and the household retainers and constables accompanying Liang Shixian nervously swallowed.
The man who emerged from the forest was, of course, Cheng Xu.
"Heh," Cheng Xu sneered. "Looking for me, are we?"
There was a menacing undertone in Cheng Xu's voice.
Liang Shixian's spirits perked up. Forcing down his internal fear, he boldly declared, "I am Liang Shixian, the Magistrate of Chengcheng County. I have indeed come into these mountains seeking the General."
Cheng Xu already knew their purpose from the Heavenly Lord, but he feigned ignorance, speaking with a bureaucratic tone. "The imperial court owes me three years of military pay! My personal guards are practically starving. I have nothing left to say to the court unless they pay up promptly."
Liang Shixian's face flushed with embarrassment. "Well... about the military pay... this official... can submit... an appeal... to the imperial court..."
"Pfft! Appeal?" Cheng Xu scoffed. "Do you take me for a three-year-old? If that money could actually be obtained through an appeal, would I have rebelled in the first place?"
"Rebellion, after all, isn't a viable path," Liang Shixian countered, a touch of solemnity in his voice. "When the imperial army eventually arrives, you... well, an arm, after all, cannot twist a thigh."
There was truth in that, and Liang Shixian felt a little awkward. "Alas, General," he continued, "I know the imperial court has wronged you, but..." Cheng Xu feigned being taken aback by the statement and fell silent.
Seeing his reaction, Liang Shixian sensed an opportunity and pressed his advantage. "General, your rebellion due to unpaid wages is understandable. Furthermore, in the battle at Fengyuan Town, the General did not harm the common folk. This shows you are a person of good conscience, not a vicious and evil rebel. While rebelling might feel satisfying today, carrying the name of a traitor for the rest of your life is hardly an honorable legacy. Why not heed my advice and turn back from the brink?"
Cheng Xu scoffed, "You want to offer me amnesty? Just you, a mere seventh-rank official? What kind of promise can you possibly give me?"
Liang Shixian's spirits rose again. "While I may not be an extraordinary figure myself, I do have many friends at court. With their assistance, perhaps I can be of help to you."
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