Chapter 521: Accepting Pacification
Li Daoxuan's field of vision now spanned roughly 65 kilometers centered on Gao Family Village, a comfortable range that perfectly encompassed Puzhou City.
This city held immense strategic importance for Gao Family Village.
It was a crucial entry point for Gao Family Village's expansion into Shanxi.
Currently, Gao Family Village had established three footholds in Shanxi: one at the Gudu Ferry, where Xing Honglang's forces were stationed; another at the Dragon Gate Ferry, including the Yellow River Bridge, occupied by Shi Jian's unit; and finally, Pinelyang Prefecture, where Wang Xiaohua was located.
However, Pinelyang Prefecture was too distant, and its prefectural capital teemed with powerful figures. Wang Xiaohua, merely a minor commander, had very limited influence there and could be reassigned at any moment, meaning Pinelyang Prefecture couldn't truly be considered Gao Family Village territory.
Dragon Gate Ferry presented a similar challenge; Shi Jian was also just a minor commander, under the jurisdiction of Shaanxi Grand General Wang Cheng'en, and equally susceptible to reassignment.
Compared to the other two, Xing Honglang's position was far more stable.
As a former bandit leader, the court wouldn't casually move her around. After accepting pacification, they would merely grant her a title like "such-and-such Garrison Commander," allowing her to settle in one place. If she simply stayed put, the court would count their blessings. They might even turn a blind eye if she caused trouble in the countryside, with only a few civil officials perhaps submitting a perfunctory impeachment.
Therefore, if Xing Honglang could be settled in Puzhou City, it would mean the city's incorporation into Gao Family Village's territory, a far more secure foothold than those held by Wang Xiaohua or Shi Jian.
The Puppet Heavenly Lord sat perched on Padi Tu's shoulder, speaking to Xing Honglang beside them: "Strive to be settled in Puzhou City. If you can become its garrison commander, that would be the optimal solution."
Unable to perform a full bow from horseback, Xing Honglang merely clasped her hands in a salute. "Understood!"
The group urged their horses to a faster pace, and the thirty-li journey quickly passed.
Ahead lay Puzhou City.
On the ramparts of Puzhou City, colorful banners fluttered. Numerous regular soldiers, resplendent in their uniforms and armor, stood guard. A prominent general stood atop the city wall.
To their surprise, the general was a familiar face.
It was He Renlong—He the Madman—who had once delivered three thousand surrendered bandits to Gao Family Village.
This time, he commanded a thousand regular soldiers, dispatched to protect Yang He, the Supreme Commander of Shaanxi's three border regions.
Seeing He the Madman, Padi Tu couldn't help but whisper: "Hong Chengchou set up a pacification banquet and killed Miao Mei and Liu Liu during it. Rumor has it, He Renlong was the one who did the deed."
Xing Honglang murmured, "Yes, that story has spread throughout the martial world."
Padi Tu gulped, "Wow, I feel a lot of pressure. When we drink that pacification banquet wine later, He Renlong won't suddenly rush out and hack us to death, will he?"
The Puppet Heavenly Lord chuckled, a rattling sound echoing from his wooden joints. "Where's your My Heaven Rabbit Rending Overlord Sword? If he really tries to kill you, just chop him down with one strike!"
Padi Tu managed an awkward smile, forcing out a brave front: "Of course! This rabbit... this rabbit's My Heaven Rabbit Rending Overlord Sword is invincible! It doesn't strike down nobodies. A renowned military scholar like He the Madman is precisely the kind of foe I should eliminate!"
By the last sentence, his face had gone pale.
He knew his own swordsmanship best; defeating a renowned military scholar? He wouldn't even dare dream of it.
"Hahaha, Cowardly Rabbit," the Puppet Heavenly Lord laughed, his wooden body rattling. "With me here, what is there to fear?"
Padi Tu muttered, "But Heavenly Lord, you're only possessing a puppet. This puppet's combat ability doesn't seem very reliable."
Xing Honglang laughed, scolding him lightly, "Look at the sky."
Padi Tu looked up and saw a low cloud hovering directly overhead.
At this, his spirits soared. "So, the Heavenly Lord himself is here!"
As these words were exchanged, their horses had already reached Puzhou City's gates.
He the Madman on the city wall clearly had an unfriendly gaze. He snorted, then commanded: "Open the city gates."
The city gates slowly opened. Xing Honglang and Padi Tu dismounted, leading their horses into the city. Just then, He the Madman descended the stairs beside the gate, watching them with a peculiar expression, his mouth twitching slightly. "Xing Honglang from Yongji, Supreme Commander Yang has been expecting you for quite some time. Follow me."
Xing Honglang clasped her hands in a salute. "I am deeply honored that Your Excellency the Supreme Commander deems this humble woman worthy enough to personally host a pacification banquet. I am truly overwhelmed and humbled."
Padi Tu tsk-ed, his lips pursed slightly, and whispered, "Dealing with officials always means spouting these tiresome pleasantries. So annoying."
His soft complaints didn't reach He the Madman's ears, but the general clearly saw the disdain in Padi Tu's expression. He snorted. "And who might this brave fellow be?"
Xing Honglang replied, "This is Padi Tu, my general."
"That name certainly has spirit, it really suits your kind," He the Madman said, his tone dripping with obvious mockery. His gaze swept over the sword scabbard at Padi Tu's waist, and he wanted to laugh even more. What good was a sword on the battlefield? A saber would be far more practical. Bandits just loved their flashy, useless trinkets.
Feeling disrespected, Padi Tu bristled with anger. "What do you mean by glancing at my ancestral treasured sword and then curling the corner of your lip? Do you look down on this Master Rabbit's swordsmanship?"
He Renlong burst into laughter. After he finished, his face darkened. "Today, it's Supreme Commander Yang here to pacify you. If it were Supreme Commander Hong, I would have already drawn my sword and lopped off your rabbit head. You'd best be sincere in your surrender. If you think of rebelling again, I will personally show you whether your swordsmanship is any good."
Their verbal sparring was utterly unreserved, yet it perfectly achieved the desired effect of bringing Padi Tu along.
Master Rabbit was perfectly suited for such occasions, where he could project an image of "I'm not much of a threat," "I'm a foolish bandit," and "There's no need to guard against me," making it easy for others to let down their guard.
This unique talent was unmatched in Gao Family Village!
No one else could replicate it.
He the Madman led the way, with Xing Honglang and her group following. Soon, they arrived at the open ground in front of the prefectural office. To their surprise, a platform had been erected there, resembling an altar for celestial sacrifice. In its center stood a wine table, laden with offerings.
Yang He, the Supreme Commander of Shaanxi's three border regions, and Qiu Qianfan, the prefectural magistrate of Puzhou City, along with other officials, were already waiting behind the platform.
Upon seeing Xing Honglang, Yang He felt a surge of quiet pleasure. The rebel chieftain's willingness to enter the city with such a small escort implied considerable risk—any misstep could see her beheaded by two hundred axemen in the general's tent. This clearly demonstrated a sincere desire for pacification on her part.
Both parties quickly exchanged greetings, countless elaborate pleasantries, and idle chatter, which shall all be omitted here. Then followed another series of endless activities: drinking, celestial sacrifices, and more. After all these formalities were complete, they finally arrived at the thrilling stage of settlement arrangements.
Only then did a troubled expression appear on Yang He's face. "General Xing, now that you have accepted pacification, you are an important general in the imperial court. However... your future place of settlement, this official has not yet clearly decided. As you know, at present... the national treasury is experiencing a slight, shall we say, difficulty..."
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