Chapter 561: Wang Er of the Underworld, Cheng Xu of the Establishment
In Puxian, the common people lit fires to cook, and cooking smoke rose everywhere.
The heavy rain still fell, but their hearts were no longer filled with fear.
A large force of government troops had arrived, and these soldiers, far from oppressing the good folk, had even shared their military rations. Who wouldn't rejoice at such a sight?
Everyone was happily cooking, and the savory aroma of lunch meat drifted through the air.
That small, square tin of lunch meat was too precious for the common people to consume in one go. They carefully sliced off tiny portions from the block, mashed the meat into a paste, and stirred it into their watery gruel, transforming it into bowls of rich "meat-mince porridge." Oh, and they'd also add a scattering of wild greens: purslane, shepherd's purse, houttuynia...
For ordinary folks, this humble meal seemed nothing out of the ordinary.
Yet, one particular 'person' found the situation utterly unbearable.
Perched on Gao Chuwu's shoulder, the Puppet Heavenly Lord clattered petulantly. "Are you serious? They're eating better than I am!"
Gao Chuwu blinked. "Ah? How could these humble, earthly foods possibly compare to the divine meals the Heavenly Lord partakes in?"
Gao Chuwu mused, *Ah, I see! The Immortal Realm must only grow divine fruits, of course, no wild vegetables there. The Heavenly Lord must be tired of immortal fruits and occasionally craves some simple, coarse fare.*
Please remember the website address.
As they bickered, the rebel army outside the city had already begun its retreat, pulling back towards the northwest.
Zijing Liang had already realized that this newly arrived government force was immensely powerful. Thousands of flintlock rifles, still operational in the heavy rain, were a truly terrifying prospect. His men weren't obligated to fight these government troops to the death; if they encountered a superior force, they would simply retreat.
Ma Xianglin climbed to a high vantage point, watching the bandits gradually recede into the distance amidst the pouring rain. He couldn't help but let out a long sigh of relief. He had been besieged in Puxian for days, completely cut off from external contact. Now that the enemy had finally retreated, his spirits lifted considerably.
He descended from the vantage point and addressed Xing Honglang, "General Xing, the bandit forces have retreated west towards Daning County. What should be our next course of action?"
Xing Honglang countered, "What are your thoughts, General Ma?"
Ma Xianglin considered it carefully. "Our army's provisions are already critically low. If General Xing hadn't arrived, I would have planned to retreat to Pinelyang Prefecture, resupply, and then resume the pursuit. But with you here, General Xing, the situation changes. I heard you mention that we could secure military provisions once we reach the Yellow River to the west? In that case, I'll brazenly pursue the bandits westward, first to relieve Daning County, and then to the Yellow River... then..."
Xing Honglang chuckled. "But those are *my* own family's provisions. You want a share of those too?"
Ma Xianglin's face flushed slightly with embarrassment, but he quickly regained his composure. "I know it's rather unseemly to ask for your military provisions, but if I were to return to Pinelyang Prefecture to seek supplies from local officials, the journey alone would cause a significant delay. Daning County has already been overrun by bandits for a day and a night; only swift relief can help its people escape their misery sooner. So, I must shamelessly ask to borrow some provisions from you, General Xing. What do you say?"
*So that's how it is?*
Xing Honglang thought to herself, *This fellow isn't bad at all! No wonder the Heavenly Lord said he could be taught the secret of the bamboo covers for keeping flintlock rifles dry in the rain.*
Given Gao Family Village's ethos, lending provisions to Ma Xianglin was, of course, no issue.
Xing Honglang nodded. "Very well! It's settled then."
Ma Xianglin was instantly overjoyed. In this year of severe drought and famine, borrowing grain was notoriously difficult; even the White Pole Soldiers had to raise their own provisions when they entered the capital to serve the emperor. He had expected a lengthy negotiation to secure rations from Xing Honglang, yet she had agreed without a moment's hesitation.
What a truly good person!
Ma Xianglin suddenly felt a twinge of bewilderment. "General Xing, I perceive you as a forthright and righteous person, someone who deeply cares for the common folk. Why, then, would a good person like you choose to rebel?"
Xing Honglang burst into laughter. "Can't good people rebel?"
Ma Xianglin replied, "I suppose I thought they couldn't."
Xing Honglang pointed to Lao Nanfeng. "You tell General Ma, why did *you* rebel back then?"
Lao Nanfeng grinned. "I was originally a border soldier from Guyuan, but the imperial court hadn't paid our wages for three years. My centurion commander then led us in rebellion, saying we'd march to Xi'an to reclaim the military pay the court owed us."
Ma Xianglin gasped, utterly stunned.
Xing Honglang then pointed to Cheng Xu. "And you, tell him why *you* rebelled."
Cheng Xu, his face still masked, had an awkward glint in his eyes. "I'd rather not speak of it," he demurred. "My story... it's not a pleasant one to recount."
Xing Honglang laughed. "Actually, there's nothing that can't be said now. You're wearing a mask, everyone already knows you have some unspeakable past. But you've now 'followed me' and accepted pacification. Whatever sins you committed before, they've all been washed clean through this amnesty!"
Cheng Xu blinked. "Huh? Wait, what?"
He had never once considered this possibility. Only now, hearing Xing Honglang's words, did he suddenly grasp the truth. He could remove his mask, reveal his identity, and it wouldn't matter. The Jinyiwei would no longer pursue him, for he was a "pacified bandit," protected by a special imperial pardon!
"Hahahaha!" Cheng Xu suddenly threw his head back and burst into boisterous laughter. He reached up, grabbed his mask, and dramatically tore it off, addressing Ma Xianglin directly. "I was once a military inspector, tirelessly rushing about, desperately suppressing bandits, using every ounce of strength to keep my jurisdiction peaceful. Yet, because I had once courted favor with the Eunuch Party, I was branded and punished as one of them! The imperial court dispatched the Jinyiwei to 'send me to meet my ancestors,' but with the Heavenly Lord's blessing, I clawed my way out of hell itself! How could I *not* rebel?"
Ma Xianglin gasped, utterly astonished. "Cheng Xu... the War God of Chengcheng County?!"
Cheng Xu jumped, startled. "Holy crap! How have *you* heard my name too?"
Ma Xianglin explained, "The bandits have caused such widespread havoc now, who in the world *isn't* concerned with their affairs? And you, you came to prominence alongside Wang Er of Baishui! Back then, everyone knew the saying: 'Wang Er of the Underworld, Cheng Xu of the Establishment.' Who in the realm was unaware of that?"
Cheng Xu swore, "Holy crap!"
He quickly grabbed his mask and pulled it back over his face. "My reputation is too... *potent*," he muttered. "No general amnesty could cover that! The Emperor might very well remember me. Best to keep a low profile."
Ma Xianglin was speechless.
Xing Honglang just stared.
Cheng Xu glanced nervously left and right. "Not many people heard what I just said, right? Just us few?"
The people nearby exchanged wry smiles. "Yes! Care to kill us all to keep your secret?"
Cheng Xu retorted huffily, "We're all on the same side; why would I silence any of you? Only Little Ma Chao is an outsider, hehe. Xing Honglang, Lao Nanfeng, help me! Let's the three of us team up and take down Little Ma Chao to keep my secret!"
Ma Xianglin was utterly startled.
Xing Honglang and Lao Nanfeng both laughed and scolded him, "Stop messing around! Don't you know Ma Xianglin also goes by the nickname 'Zhao Zilong'? Even if the three of us attacked him together, we might not be able to defeat him!"
Seeing that they had no intention of attacking, Ma Xianglin breathed a sigh of relief. At the same time, he sighed inwardly: *So, the reasons behind their rebellion all stemmed from unspeakable grievances. Alas! What has become of this realm, that so many good people have been driven to revolt?*
Comments