Fu Shanhe

Chapter 567 Yangzhou Mutiny
Nanjing City.

The deteriorating situation did not unite the court; instead, it intensified factional strife.

Realizing the seriousness of the problem, the cabinet members joined forces once again, but they overestimated their influence.

The Qingliu faction blamed the deteriorating situation on themselves, the Xun Gui faction fanned the flames, and other factions in the court also contributed to the chaos.

With Du Yuhan being escorted to Beijing, the factional struggle has entered its climax.

"It seems they are determined to overthrow the cabinet, and they're even disregarding the bigger picture in order to achieve their goal!"

Wan Huaijin said with a livid face.

The situation is so dire that a scapegoat is indeed needed.

They thought that sacrificing a few pawns would quell public opinion.

Unexpectedly, this move triggered an even bigger uproar, directly impacting him, the prime minister.

Half of the impeachment memorials piled up before him were aimed at him, while the other half were from several other cabinet ministers.

The emperor was young, so the cabinet took over the reins of power.

These impeachment memorials have a strong sense of "Who is this person in the court, and why are they accusing this official?"

In peaceful times, they could easily suppress the turmoil and, incidentally, thoroughly punish the "rebellious party" that submitted the memorial.

But not now.

The situation at the front was already fraught with danger; a major upheaval in the officialdom would only make things worse.

"Prime Minister, wasn't this expected?"

"From the very beginning of the reform, we have been on the opposite side of everyone."

In order to stabilize people's livelihoods, we investigated farmland and cracked down on land annexation, which offended the gentry group.

In order to strengthen central authority, we trained a new army, which offended the nobility.

In order to reduce the government's expenses, we rectified official corruption and cracked down on corruption, which offended a large number of corrupt officials.

Looking around, enemies are everywhere; how could this not provoke a backlash?

Unfortunately, the reforms were cut short by the invasion of the northern barbarians, and all efforts were in vain!

He Zhengze said sadly.

Compared to previous reforms, this wave of reforms they spearheaded is a complete joke.

Apart from training a new army and putting it into practice, other reform measures remained in the planning stage.

The cabinet could not reach a consensus on whether to implement it.

In the end, the Grand Secretary forced his way through and passed the reform plan, which caused conflict among the cabinet ministers.

Because of the lack of secrecy, the reform plan had not yet been fully implemented when it caused a great uproar.

Having learned their lesson from the tax reform, everyone has become more shrewd.

Before the cabinet could take action, they launched a counterattack.

The effect was very obvious; once the partisan struggle began, the cabinet's energy was indeed tied up.

No one expected that the Northern barbarians would invade the south at this time, and even less expected that the noble faction would allow the Northern barbarians to move south out of spite.

Realizing the situation was dire, all parties had no way out.

Once factional strife begins, it's not something you can stop at will.

Making concessions on either side would be political suicide.

At best, they'll be kicked out of the center of power; at worst, they'll be killed and their entire clan wiped out.

"Brother He, there's no need to be so pessimistic. Even if the reforms fail, history will give a fair evaluation."

I receive the emperor's salary and share his burdens.

Seeing our country declining like this, how can we live in peace if we don't do something?

Bai Jinwen said with a smile.

To outsiders, their reforms were nothing short of a farce.

However, as the parties involved, they themselves know that these reforms were done out of necessity.

While their methods may seem crude and led to the failure of this reform, in reality, their reform process was planned to be very steady at every step.

According to the plan, the first step was to unite the civil service group to train a new army and strengthen central authority.

After gaining control of the military, the second step was to clean up the bureaucracy and crack down on corruption.

Only after the bureaucratic group was purged did the third step, a thorough investigation of farmland, begin to crack down on land annexation.

It proceeds step by step, from easy to difficult.

The failure of the reforms was partly due to the invasion of the northern barbarians.

The main reason is that the newly trained army's combat effectiveness is below expectations.

They couldn't even defeat the rebels, let alone rely on them to suppress the surrounding areas and promote subsequent reforms.

"I don't have time to care about historical evaluations; I should focus on the present first!"

"Those idiots in the court are only concerned with their own interests and don't care about the country or the people at all."

Discussing state affairs with them is a complete waste of time.

Now comes the moment of choice. Should we compromise with those brutes? Give us a straight answer today!

He Zheng shook his head and said.

Ministers who serve as regents at the end of a dynasty should not expect to have a good reputation.

Based on past experience, if the Great Yu Dynasty were to perish, future generations would certainly cite this failed reform as an example when summarizing the reasons for its demise.

To be precise, it doesn't even qualify as a reform.

Apart from training a new army, all other measures remained on paper and were never implemented.

"The Ministry of War is responsible for the defeat at the front, and I can resign from my position as Minister of War."

Once the Marquis of Hanshui's army arrives to aid the emperor, I will request permission from the court to retire and return to my hometown.

As he spoke, Shi Qingchen seemed to have aged ten years.

The conditions proposed by the nobility group were primarily aimed at the Ministry of War.

Rather than being driven away, it's better to take the initiative and strive for a dignified outcome.

"Brother Shi, it doesn't have to be like this!"

Wan Huaijin said with a hint of sadness.

Given the current situation, it is impossible for the civil service to preserve the country without making concessions.

But forcing a high-ranking official to resign and return to his hometown still made him feel a sense of shared sorrow.

With Shi Qingchen gone, he, the Grand Secretary, will be able to remain in his position for a few more days.

I reckon that once the aristocratic faction takes control of the court, he'll have to move out to make way for them.

"Brother Wan, there's no need to persuade us any further. With the battle at the front in such a state, the Ministry of War will be the first to bear the brunt."

Whether or not this coup occurred, I would have no face to remain in my position.

The Ministry of War is definitely not going to be saved, but we can still try to save other places.

To preserve the country and its people, making some temporary concessions is acceptable.

Shi Qingchen said earnestly.

……

The setting sun, like blood, splashed across the rammed earth city walls. The deafening crash of the drawbridge falling to the ground shook the surface of the moat, causing it to ripple with silvery scales.

Countless auxiliary soldiers advanced in a tortoise-shell formation, their battle flags fluttering in the north wind, and a forest of spears piercing the sky.

"Musketeers, fire!"

A hoarse, angry roar came from the city wall.

"Bang, bang, bang..."

Accompanied by a barrage of gunfire, bullets flew toward the grassland coalition forces.

The auxiliary soldiers who charged at the forefront instantly became the biggest victims, suffering heavy casualties in an instant.

The horrific scene threw the allied forces into chaos.

"Those who retreat will die!"

The Tatar general overseeing the battle from the rear gave orders with a blank expression, as if the soldiers who had died at the front were not his own.

The moat had been filled in, and over a hundred strongmen were pushing the siege engine, ramming it against the city gate. Once, twice, before the siege engine could even strike a third time, a scream came from below.

Boiling hot molten gold poured down from the city wall.

"Aim and fire!"

"Catapult ready—fire!"

The horn sounded from the central army formation, and the booming sound of cannons resounded throughout the heavens and earth.

Fifty trebuchets fired simultaneously, sending hundred-pound stone projectiles hurtling over the city walls with sharp whistles, which then smashed the southwest corner tower, raising clouds of dust.

Braving a hail of bullets, the climbing team erected ladders, their grappling hooks gripping the battlements tightly. Bare-chested assassins, with ring-pommel swords in their mouths, climbed with their hands and feet like monkeys.

As soon as a soldier climbed onto the city wall, a defender cleaved his chest open with a single blow, scalding blood splattering onto the attacker's face. The attacker, however, grinned maliciously and dragged the attacker down the ladder by the ankle.

Stones and logs cascaded down the city walls like a waterfall, smashing the siege ladders into pieces, and the falling soldiers let out shrill screams in mid-air.

When the battering ram struck the city gate for the nth time, a spiderweb-like crack finally appeared at the gate's hinge.

The siege captain brandished his ghost-headed sword, cleaving through the charging spearmen, and stuffed torches into the oil-soaked linen in the cracks.

The bloody battle raged from dawn until dusk.

The grassland allied forces climbed the city walls several times, but were eventually driven back by the defending troops.

The once-solid city wall had developed many breaches, but they were eventually plugged by the defenders with their own flesh and blood.

As night fell, the bugle call to retreat sounded from the grassland allied army camp, and the defending officers and soldiers breathed a sigh of relief.

It's finally over!
After a short rest, the screams of the wounded quickly brought everyone back to reality.

We survived today, but what about tomorrow?
With reinforcements slow to arrive, the city relies entirely on its soldiers and civilians, making it difficult to hold out until the end of the war.

During the most intense daytime battles, women and children all joined the defense of the city, transporting supplies for the garrison.

In order to defend the city, even the stone lions in front of the government office were transported to the city wall to serve as weapons.

After inspecting the city's defenses, Liang Yining frowned.

The intensity of the daytime battle far exceeded his expectations.

The enemy troops were like madmen, launching a fierce attack regardless of the cost.

In just one day, the defending troops suffered over a thousand casualties.

As the attacking side, the enemy's casualties were at least several times greater than theirs.

"Your Excellency, the strategic resources in the city have been exhausted."

In order to defend the city, we have demolished a large number of houses, but it is still a drop in the ocean.

The arrows had been used up in the daytime battle.

In the upcoming battles, we can only use archers as infantry.

There were only about 500 shells left, and less than 100,000 bullets.

Given the intensity of the daytime fighting, our firearms will become ineffective within a few days.

Zhuang Yuanfeng reported nervously.

Logically speaking, Yangzhou Prefecture, with its location at the foot of the Yangtze River, should be able to receive supplies from the rear at any time.

Under normal circumstances, there should be no shortage of strategic materials.

Unfortunately, the logistics system of the Great Yu Empire was in complete disarray.

Liang Yining submitted the official document requesting strategic materials a month ago, and the cabinet approved it well in advance.

However, problems still arose when it came to the actual implementation.

No one knows what happened in the rear. In any case, the Yangzhou garrison received supplies only once in the past month.

Compared to the supplies promised by the imperial court, less than half were actually allocated.

In peacetime, if strategic materials are withheld, people would just tolerate it and let it pass.

Unfortunately, this is wartime, and if supplies are not allocated in time, people will really die.

"Tell the generals below that I am requesting funds from the imperial court, and that they should use them sparingly for now!"

Liang Yining rubbed her forehead and said.

Although he knew his request was somewhat excessive, the imperial court wouldn't allocate funds, and as the governor-general, he couldn't conjure up any supplies.

If it were a few months ago, when the enemy had just attacked the capital, he could have found a way to raise funds from the various prefectures north of the Yangtze River.

Right now, this unfortunate governor only has Yangzhou left in his jurisdiction.

Even if you search the ground thoroughly, you can't conjure up any strategic materials.

"Your Excellency, the generals below are very resentful, and I'm afraid... they might cause trouble."

Zhuang Yuanfeng said with a troubled expression.

As the war intensifies, frontline commanders are under immense pressure, and their tempers are growing increasingly irritable.

At this point, if someone said they didn't have strategic resources, even if they were a close confidant of the governor, they could still be attacked.

"This……"

Just as Liang Yining was in a dilemma, a group of soldiers suddenly burst in, interrupting their conversation.

"Who let you in?"

"Do you know where this is?"

Upon seeing this, Liang Yining immediately realized that the situation was not good, but she still reprimanded him forcefully.

Reason told him that it was precisely in times like these that he needed to maintain a strong stance.

"Your Excellency, I have heard that strategic resources are scarce in the city, so I have come here immediately to help you!"

Cao Zirui said with a smile.

Even those who sought refuge with the northern barbarians needed a pledge of allegiance.

Although Yangzhou City is a good bargaining chip, it is already someone else's possession, and it would be difficult to gain any respect if it were given to them.

The governor in front of us is different. As a high-ranking official of the Great Yu Empire, he has extremely high value in united front work.

"General Cao, you've led your troops into the Governor's Mansion. Are you perhaps planning a rebellion?"

Liang Yining, enraged and embarrassed, questioned him.

He prided himself on his strict military discipline, never expecting that a mutiny could happen under his command.

"Your Excellency, why use such harsh words!"

"As I've already said, I'm here to help you with your worries. You just need to cooperate."

Once the Great Chanyu's army enters the city, you will no longer need to worry about the delayed arrival of reinforcements or the shortage of strategic supplies!

Cao Zirui answered without changing his expression.

There's really no need to worry. With Yangzhou gone, the issue of defending the city is naturally no longer an issue.

However, this method of sharing the burden is clearly not what Liang Yining wants.

"Rebel!"

"I'd rather die than stoop to your level!"

As she spoke, Liang Yining, overwhelmed with shame, immediately rammed her head against a nearby pillar.

Unfortunately, the soldiers nearby reacted faster than him, and he was stopped before he could run more than a few steps.

"Since ancient times, the victor is king and the loser is villain. If you don't even understand such a simple principle, then Governor Liang, you've lived such a long life in vain!"

"Yu Jingfeng, you stay here and take good care of the Governor-General. Make sure nothing unexpected happens."

The rest of you, follow me to open the city gates and welcome the royal army into the city!

After saying that, Cao Zirui turned and left.

"Rebel!"

"I will never let you live under the same sky!"

Liang Yining, who had failed in her suicide attempt, angrily cursed.

He valued his reputation for the past half-life more than death.

From the moment his army retreated to Yangzhou, he was fully prepared to live and die with the city.

He had even prepared the poisoned wine for his suicide in advance, but he never expected that something like this would happen.

……

(End of this chapter)