History of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms

Chapter 97: Bi Shiduo's Mutiny

[Bi Shiduo's Mutiny]

The contest between Lü Yongzhi and Bi Shiduo was unfair, as Lü Yongzhi had a crushing advantage. The life and death of the "Five Tigers" depended on Lü Yongzhi's lips and teeth, not to mention that Bi Shiduo was just a surrendered general of the Cao army. To kill Bi Shiduo, he probably didn't even need to say anything, just a look.

Bi Shiduo was always waiting for the death sentence of Lu Yongzhi and was in a state of panic.

Lü Yongzhi's main targets of massacre were Gao Pian's former subordinates, with the aim of confiscating power. In theory, peripheral forces like Bi Shiduo should have been his targets for winning over and, in principle, should have been key personnel for united front work.

Bi Shiduo's initiative to give up his concubine was actually a compromise and concession to Lu Yongzhi, so Lu Yongzhi did not kill Bi Shiduo for the time being.

It happened that the Cai thief Qin Zongquan sent troops to invade Huainan, and Gao Pian dispatched troops to actively respond. Among them, he sent Bi Shiduo to lead 100 cavalry to reinforce Gaoyou (now Gaoyou City, Jiangsu Province).

In the days before departure, Lü Yongzhi was even more generous and kind to Bi Shiduo, showing special care. This made Bi Shiduo even more suspicious and fearful, thinking that this smiling tiger was a weasel visiting a chicken for the New Year and had no good intentions.

Bi Shiduo and Gaoyou garrison commander Zhang Shenjian were in-laws, so Bi Shiduo secretly inquired about Zhang Shenjian's opinion.

Zhang Shenjian's real name is Zhang Xiong. He is good at swordplay, so he is nicknamed "Zhang Shenjian". He is an old sly man who changes his mind according to the situation and is only interested in profit. Zhang Shenjian insisted that this was Bi Shiduo's fantasy and said that Lu Yongzhi would never attack him. The reason is what we said, all powerful officials who undermine their lords will attack the bigwigs in the core power circle and actively win over the peripheral marginal people.

However, rumors were rife among other generals that Lü Yongzhi wanted to kill Bi Shiduo, which made Bi Shiduo unable to sleep or eat.

Gao Pian's 43rd son (who had many wives and concubines and had a long-lasting reproductive capacity) had always intended to get rid of Lü Yongzhi, so he took the opportunity to spread rumors and wanted to use Bi Shiduo to kill him. So he secretly told Bi Shiduo that Lü Yongzhi had been secretly contacting the generals and wanted to move against you. A secret letter had been sent to Zhang Shenjian in Gaoyou. If you go to Gaoyou this time, you may be trapped and in danger.

The rumors had reached Bi Shiduo's mother, who sent someone to tell him that if anything happened, he should try to escape and not let her get in trouble.

Bi Shiduo was suspicious and confronted Zhang Shenjian, "Father-in-law, I heard that Lu Yongzhi gave you a secret letter. What did the letter say?"

Zhang Shenjian looked confused, "What secret letter?"

Bi Shiduo shook his head and sighed, "Ah, I was also scared and confused. How could you possibly admit it!"

After returning to the camp, Bi Shiduo sighed and frowned, and called his confidants to discuss countermeasures. Everyone unanimously encouraged Bi Shiduo to raise an army to resist the rebellion and kill Lu Yongzhi.

Submission is death, resistance is also death. Either explode in silence or perish in silence.

Inverted!

Bi Shiduo mobilized them, saying: "Lü Yongzhi has committed many evil deeds, and he is hated by both humans and gods! Today's resistance to violence is God's will. It is God who has given me the mission to kill the traitor!" He was so moved that he burst into tears.

That night, Bi Shiduo rushed to Huaining with a hundred cavalrymen.

Zheng Hanzhang, the defender of Huaining, was a fellow townsman of Bi Shiduo and also a surrendered general of the Cao Army. When the two were in the Cao Army, Zheng Hanzhang was Bi Shiduo's deputy, and was Bi Shiduo's most trusted comrade-in-arms and old subordinate.

Zheng Hanzhang and Bi Shiduo hit it off immediately and mobilized all their troops, and also coerced some civilians, a total of more than a thousand people, who rushed to Gaoyou under the leadership of Bi Shiduo.

Bi Shiduo once again asked Zhang Shenjian about the whereabouts of the secret letter.

Zhang Shenjian flatly denied that there was any "secret letter".

Bi Shiduo's tone and expression were so stern that he almost regarded Zhang Shenjian as "Lü Yongzhi's accomplice."

Zhang Shenjian was so angry that he yelled, "Are you stupid? Lü Yongzhi has done so many evil things that are intolerable to heaven. How could I go along with him? Besides, Lü Yongzhi's plot to seize Huainan is well known to everyone. If he really became the governor of Huainan, how could you and I serve such a monster? We should chop him into pieces and eat him alive. What are you waiting for? Let's do it together!"

Bi Shiduo then turned his anger into joy and ordered people to bring fine wine. The three swore an oath of blood and vowed to fight against the tyranny and kill Lu Yongzhi. Everyone unanimously nominated Bi Shiduo as the commander-in-chief of the resistance army. They offered sacrifices to heaven and earth, wrote a manifesto, and sent it to all prefectures and counties in Huainan, stating that they were not rebelling, but eliminating harm for the people; they were not against Gao Pian, but only against Lu Yongzhi, Zhang Shouyi, and Zhuge Yin's followers.

A local version of “Purge the Emperor’s Side”.

The Huainan resistance army had just been established, and Bi Shiduo was full of confidence. He appointed Zheng Hanzhang as deputy commander and Zhang Shenjian as chief commander. He was full of confidence and was ready to enter Yangzhou City to eradicate evil and eliminate traitors.

Zhang Shenjian was unwilling to join the army and requested to stay in Gaoyou. He also said seriously that this was not a retreat, but a defense of the revolutionary base in the rear.

We are all old Chinese doctors, please don’t prescribe me some folk remedies. Bi Shiduo was extremely displeased.

Seeing that the resistance army had just been established and was in danger of internal strife and disintegration before it even set out, Zheng Hanzhang hurriedly tried to smooth things over, saying, "Marshal Zhang is very far-sighted and has a very good plan! The rear is also a strategic front, so it's good to leave a way out. After the success, won't the gold, silver, jewelry, and beautiful women be shared by us? Now we need to trust each other."

Bi Shiduo then compromised and gave in. Zhang Shenjian stayed in Gaoyou, while Bi Shiduo and Zheng Hanzhang led their troops to set off.

Two days later, the patrol discovered this "rebel army" and immediately reported it. Lu Yongzhi intercepted the military intelligence.

People are often quick-witted and witty when advising others, but lose their minds and become indecisive when they encounter problems themselves.

Bi Shiduo once suggested to Gao Pian that they intercept Huang Chao who was crossing the Huai River to the north. At that time, he made an amazing prediction, which was later fulfilled. How calm and wise Bi Shiduo was at that time.

Now, Bi Shiduo seemed like a completely different person, becoming hesitant and indecisive.

Gaoyou was only a hundred miles away from Yangzhou, but Bi Shiduo's troops took three days to march. Speed ​​is of the essence in war, but Bi Shiduo was completely slow.

Lü Yongzhi rewarded Bi Shiduo with a large sum of money and ordered his elite troops to go out of the city to meet the enemy, and they managed to repel Bi Shiduo slightly. Afterwards, Lü Yongzhi ordered his men to destroy bridges, block city gates, and strengthen the defense.

Coincidentally, Gao Pian climbed up to Yanhe Pavilion that day, looking forward to the early arrival of the gods on earth. Suddenly, he heard shouting and noise outside the city, as if there was the sound of fighting. He felt unhappy. What if he disturbed the gods and delayed his ascension? Who could afford it?
I asked the attendants who were making the noise outside the city.

The answer is: Bi Shiduo mutinied!

Gao Pian was shocked and hurriedly summoned Lu Yongzhi to ask for details.

Lu Yongzhi had already figured out Bi Shiduo's background. He knew that there were only a few hundred people and they would not cause any trouble. So he acted calmly in front of Gao Pian and said lightly: "Bi Shiduo's troops missed their wives and children and wanted to enter the city, but the gatekeepers prevented them from entering. After patient guidance and explanation, they have been properly handled and will be dispersed soon."

Gao Pian had fought in wars all his life, so his ears were not confused. "From what I heard... it doesn't sound like it's been 'properly handled'. I'm more familiar with this than you are."

Lu Yongzhi remained calm and composed. "If they dare to continue causing trouble, I will ask the Queen Mother of the Nine Heavens to send another warrior. That will be enough. Don't worry, nothing will happen."

Gao Pian frowned, "I find that you are becoming more and more unreliable, and your words and actions are becoming more and more... Anyway, at least one of us is not normal. You should handle it well, and don't let me become the second Zhou Bao!"

After saying this, Gao Pian looked depressed and didn't speak for a long time.

There were beads of sweat the size of soybeans on Lu Yongzhi's nose and temples, and he backed out of the house.

Thanks to "Inner Fluctuation Man" and "Book Friend 150609180340598" for their recommendation support, and thank you to new and old friends for their encouragement!

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(End of this chapter)