Chapter 480: This Humble Monk Shall Persuade Him
Chuǎng Wang's army was beaten into utter disarray, fleeing in disgrace.
The government troops and Huang Yunfa returned victorious.
Despite winning a major battle, Huang Yunfa showed no trace of joy on his face, as if it were a trivial matter that he didn't care about in the slightest. He merely said calmly, "Very well, the bandits have retreated. Esteemed Sir, let us now discuss the matter of salt."
The Salt Inspector burst into laughter. "Your men, Master Huang, are truly unmatched in their bravery!"
Huang Yunfa hummed in acknowledgment, and without further pleasantries, he retreated with the Salt Inspector into the official residence to continue their awkward, hushed conversation.
Tie Niaofei was startled by Huang Yunfa's power and didn't wish to linger. He quickly left the Hedong Circuit, heading west.
He hadn't gone far when a scout suddenly emerged from the woods, cupping his fist in a salute. "Boss Tie."
Tie Niaofei immediately recognized him as being from Boss Xing's cavalry battalion. He quickly asked, "Ah? Brother, what brings you here?"
The scout replied, "The Heavenly Lord ordered us to patrol by Xie Lake. If the salt workers were in danger, we were to rescue them."
The scout's face was solemn. "We did."
Tie Niaofei nodded. "Right. Let's return together and report to the Heavenly Lord immediately."
Some scouts remained by Xie Lake to continue their patrol, while a few riders accompanied Tie Niaofei, galloping back to Xiao Lake Salt Village. Zao Ying had been waiting there for a long time, and Xing Honglang had also arrived with her infantry. The small Xiao Lake Salt Village was bustling with the presence of three hundred infantry and three hundred cavalry.
After everyone heard Tie Niaofei's account, peculiar expressions spread across their faces.
Even the Puppet Heavenly Lord frowned. Its two eyebrows, crafted from fox fur, furrowed tightly together.
Xing Honglang asked, "Huang Yunfa's power is truly that formidable? Stronger than the government troops?"
Tie Niaofei nodded. "Yes, especially that small vanguard of cavalry. By the heavens, they were fierce! Masterful with bows and horses... Ahem, Boss Zao, please don't be offended, but Huang Yunfa's cavalry is stronger than yours."
Zao Ying bristled with anger. "Nonsense! My cavalry are former horse bandits, specialists in robbing merchants! How could they possibly be inferior to some merchant's men?"
"Silence that racket," the Puppet Heavenly Lord spoke. Zao Ying started, then quickly shut her mouth.
The Puppet Heavenly Lord sighed softly. "Zao Ying, do not be so indignant. Tie Niaofei speaks no falsehood. Your cavalry cannot defeat his, because... those cavalrymen are certainly elite Jiannu riders."
This statement startled everyone. "Certainly?"
They might not believe what others said, but who would doubt the Heavenly Lord's words? The moment Zao Ying heard they were elite Jiannu cavalry, she no longer dared to boast.
The Puppet Heavenly Lord slowly continued, "The Eight Great Jin Merchants are all traitors to the nation. They have long sold supplies outside the passes, resupplying the Jiannu, and at the same time, they've also provided the Jiannu with intelligence, military deployments, and other information from within the passes. Therefore, it's no surprise that Jiannu cavalry are mixed among Huang Yunfa's men. This cavalry unit might have been specifically sent by the Jiannu to protect Huang Yunfa, ensuring he could deliver supplies and intelligence to them. Perhaps he hired them with money outside the passes. Either way, their origins are questionable."
Everyone gasped in shock.
Li Daoxuan left the rest unsaid for now. These Jin merchants ultimately succeeded in betraying the Great Ming. After the Manchu Qing entered the passes, they ennobled the Eight Great Jin Merchants as the Eight Imperial Merchants. These Eight Imperial Merchants then prospered for a full two hundred years, finally declining along with the Manchu Qing.
Objectively speaking, a traitor like Wu Sangui was a step below the Eight Great Jin Merchants in terms of 'accomplishment,' because Wu Sangui became a traitor out of betrayal, with his family humiliated and a cuckold's hat placed upon his head by Li Zicheng. The Eight Great Jin Merchants, however, were traitors from the very beginning, selling out the nation directly.
One was compelled by external forces, the other was entirely self-motivated.
One acted for his father and wife, the other for profit.
One was not yet a traitor at this moment, the other was already one.
Although all were traitors, there was still a significant difference.
The Puppet Heavenly Lord's face darkened. Of course, a puppet's face couldn't actually darken, but he deliberately angled it into the shadows, creating that effect. "Everyone, we must kill."
At these words, everyone was stunned.
Those who had joined Gao Family Village early on had witnessed the Heavenly Lord kill. He had crushed bandits with one palm strike, and the Supreme Bright King with another, with satisfying ease. But those who joined later had not seen the Heavenly Lord take a life, because Li Daoxuan had rarely made such a decision to 'kill' since.
Everyone had come to believe him extremely benevolent, caring for all living beings. Now, hearing the words 'kill' from his mouth, they couldn't help but be shocked.
The Puppet Heavenly Lord declared: "Do not let Huang Yunfa leave the Hedong Circuit alive. Do not give him another chance to transport supplies to the Jiannu. Eliminate him here and now!"
The moment these words were spoken, they became the Heavenly Lord's divine decree.
Everyone was determined to complete it with all their might.
The gathered people cupped their fists in unison and replied solemnly, "We shall obey your divine decree."
Tie Niaofei said, "I will return to the Hedong Circuit. Using my connections with the Salt Inspector, I will monitor him within Hedong Circuit and discover his next destination."
Zao Ying added, "I will dispatch more scouts to prevent that fellow from escaping."
Lao Nanfeng, meanwhile, produced a map, unfurling it with a snap. He began to study how to ensure the man wouldn't get away.
Xing Honglang and Gao Chuwu, the married couple, meanwhile, quietly went to inventory their equipment and prepare for battle.
Only Zhan Seng seemed to have a differing opinion. He pressed his palms together. "Amitābha, excellent, excellent! Heavenly Lord, this humble monk believes killing is wrong; it harms heavenly harmony. Even if the other party is gravely wicked, we should first try to reason with them. Who knows, perhaps we can get through to them? This humble monk intends to meet Huang Yunfa and persuade him to 'lay down his butcher's knife and become a Buddha,' to repent and stop being a traitor..."
Before he could finish his sentence, Tie Niaofei suddenly winked at everyone and shot several knowing glances. He said, "I think the Master makes a good point. Against such national traitors, we should indeed first try to reason. If reasoning fails, then we resort to arms. If we immediately deploy troops and engage in direct battle, it would exhaust our resources and manpower, which would be undesirable."
Everyone collectively looked bewildered, not understanding what scheme he was concocting.
Tie Niaofei kept vigorously winking, even vigorously winking at Li Daoxuan. First, he pointed a finger at Zhan Seng, then secretly made a 'cutting' gesture.
Li Daoxuan also understood. He chuckled inwardly, "Oh, so that's the meaning. Alright, that's certainly an idea. Place the 'great weapon' next to the enemy. It doesn't necessarily have to be used, but it can serve as insurance. Zhan Seng himself is willing to go, so no one can blame others for using him, right?"
"Seems quite amusing! No, I must go too."
With that thought, the Wooden Heavenly Lord's small wooden mouth began to click and clack, like a terrifying puppet performing a clapper talk. "Zhan Seng has a point, and everyone should adhere to proper conduct. Take me along as well; I too shall attempt to enlighten him with a few words."
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