Damn it, I'm in the garbage book I wrote

Chapter 632 A Forest of Rebels
At this moment, Yang Ying, the head of the Yang family, was sitting in his residence in Dingzhou Prefecture. Tian Wei's reaction had almost disrupted his entire economic plan, pushing his schedule forward by a lot, and many things were not done properly.

However, things had already come to this point, and he had no choice but to swallow his anger. Although he harbored ill will towards Liu Heita, he could only grit his teeth and swallow it, and even had to greet him with a smile.

"Gentlemen, you have come to this meeting late at night. I will offer you this new tea instead of wine as a gesture of respect."

Yang Ying picked up her teacup, but it was a shame that the cup was made in Fuliang; just looking at it was irritating.

"Three days ago, a messenger arrived with news that the Tianwei regime was in turmoil and the people were suffering. The instigator was that scoundrel Xia Lin. My spies intercepted a secret letter stating that once the autumn grain was stored, they would first take Liyang and then lock down Yongji. I'm sure you all know the movements of the Tianwei army, so I won't go into details. If they really take Yongji, then we will have no choice but to wait for our doom."

After speaking, he slammed the secret letter on the table, clapped his hands, and summoned twelve maids carrying trays. Each tray contained land deeds, salt permits, and mine maps. Yang Ying looked around and said, “I have prepared ten-year mining documents for twelve iron mines and land deeds for twenty-eight salt fields in the Jianghuai region. This is the last remaining asset of my Yang family. If we hadn’t reached this point today, it would have been difficult for us to part with it. There are also two hundred thousand catties of pig iron outside the city. I am now giving all of this to you gentlemen. I only hope that you can put aside your prejudices and unite against the common enemy.”

The various warlords present exchanged glances, some with astonishment, others with knowing "just as I expected," and still others with wary, darting eyes.

The alliance between Yang Ying and Wang Shichong was meant to establish a defensive line in this territory to counter Tian Wei. However, Li Mi and Wang Shichong were still between them. Wang Shichong relied on Xuzhou, which was easy to defend and difficult to attack, while Li Mi was an easy target. If they could take this opportunity to defeat Li Mi, it would be a good choice.

At this moment, Liu Heita was the first to jump out and question: "Lord Yang, with such a move, I'm afraid your intention is not to govern Zhuo and Yi provinces. In the current situation, if you do this, wouldn't it be a clear indication that you want to completely break ties with Tian Wei? I'm afraid that's inappropriate."

Upon hearing this, Yang Ying turned his face. Looking at Liu Heita's expression, he felt a burning hatred. If it weren't for him, he wouldn't have had to rush to plan all this. But if he didn't integrate these stinking warlords now, it would be too late. Li Mi was still wavering. If he completely defected to Tian Wei, it would be too late to integrate them. Li Mi would immediately join forces with Wang Shichong and offer Yang Ying's head as a pledge of allegiance to Tian Wei.

The situation in the world became complicated because of Liu Heita, and Yang Ying had no choice but to cut a large piece of flesh from his thigh to feed these wild dogs and wolves.

Of course, these things alone are not enough to completely persuade these people to unite. He continued, "You have all seen the current situation. It is not that I, Yang Ying, am in a hurry to break ties with Tian Wei, but the situation is urgent. If we wait any longer, Li Mi will switch allegiance to Tian Wei, and he will definitely divide and conquer all of you, including me. Do not forget that Wang Shichong is also eyeing us from Xuzhou."

His words made sense, and everyone present fell silent. At this moment, it was Liu Heita who spoke up: "Lord Yang, our military is currently depleted, with no men or soldiers. We only have a few thousand men at our disposal. How can we possibly stand against the imperial army?"

Yang Ying's eyes narrowed, and his brows furrowed. He was already plotting how to kill this bastard, but he still maintained the composure of Zhuge Liang. He gently waved his feather fan, imitating the ancients' calmness, and said with a smile, "I have prepared 1.8 million shi of millet and stored it in the cellar. Wherever the allied forces go, they will be supplied with 500 shi of fine grain, 700 shi of coarse grain, 500 jin of salt, and 15,000 taels of military pay per day."

These words truly made Yang Ying's heart bleed. If they couldn't raise that banner, the daily expenses alone would wipe out the Yang family's century-old foundation in just a hundred days.

"To be honest, the special envoy from the Northern Han stayed in the East Wing last night. They are willing to go straight north to cooperate with our great cause."

"Ha ha ha ha……"

Liu Heita suddenly laughed: "Lord Yang, what Northern Han and Southern Han? Aren't they just barbarians from the grasslands? Lord Yang, you're trying to ally with the barbarians in the north to plot against our Han dynasty's rule."

Yang Ying slammed his fist on the table and stood up: "Lord Liu, your words are inappropriate! These are reinforcements, who will join you all to save the people from their suffering!"

Liu Heita covered his mouth, almost bursting out laughing. The other warlords just smiled without saying a word. As the saying goes, some things are best left unsaid; trying to fool others would only make you a laughingstock.
"What benefits did Lord Yang give to the 'Northern Han'?"

This time, it was someone else who was attacking Yang Ying, but this was in line with everyone's wishes. Everyone wanted to see what kind of benefits Yang Ying planned to offer those barbarians.

"They were simply granted two pieces of land on the frontier."

What is this "frontier region"?

Faced with this relentless pursuit, Yang Ying finally gritted her teeth and said, "It's just Youzhou and Yunzhou."

"Oh... an excellent horse ranch." Liu Heita nodded repeatedly, stood up, and clasped his hands in a fist salute: "If you do not despise me, I am willing to serve under your command. However, I desire Zhuozhou, Bazhou, and Yingzhou. Hey, Lord Yang, you wouldn't give two large provinces to a foreign tribe but be unwilling to part with three small provinces for your own people, would you?"

Everyone present understood that the so-called two provinces given to the Northern Han were actually not connected. In fact, there were sixteen provinces in between, from Yunzhou to Pingzhou!

Yang Ying could easily understand the implication behind those words. He laughed, laughing at Liu Heita's insatiable greed. The grasslands could provide 100,000 iron cavalry and all sorts of siege equipment, and continue to supply them with provisions and manpower. How much could Liu Heita possibly offer?

But he wasn't there to argue; he was there to gather heroes from all over the land. So he continued with a smile, "Please rest assured, everyone. Once the world is at peace, you will all be granted land and titles of kings, without exception. I am only concerned with my own survival and have little attachment to the empire."

However, no matter who you're talking to, they'll think you're just fooling a child. Who the hell would believe your empty promises? Show us the real deal! At this critical juncture, if you don't offer something more substantial, who will want to work with you? You have to understand that once things are settled, the person you'll be facing is Xia Daosheng.

Yang Ying probably knew that he wouldn't be able to deal with these insatiable people unless he really spent some money, so he made a tough decision and decided to give up...

In the end, he almost gave away all his wealth to settle the hearts of these people, and Yang Ying became the most powerful force besides Li Tang almost overnight.

Yes, in terms of numbers, it even surpassed Tian Wei, reaching 420,000, only 30,000 fewer than Li Tang. However, this does not include the 100,000 iron cavalry secretly sent from the grasslands. If they were included, even Li Tang would have to give way.

But Yang Ying was not happy at all at this moment. Although he was arrogant, he was not stupid. He knew that although these troops looked like a lot, he did not know if they could withstand the attack from Jiangnan Province. After all, Jiangnan Province had 30,000 infantrymen who could defeat 100,000 cavalrymen and still bring back 90,000 heads.

But there was no time to hesitate any longer. It was a gamble. If they won, they would live for generations; if they lost, they would lose their heads.

That's it.

News of their alliance spread quickly, and Li Mi was naturally the first to know. Stuck in Zhuozhou, caught in the middle, he was truly anxious. As a wavering figure, he knew he would inevitably be caught in the crossfire no matter which side initiated the conflict. Although he had more faith in Tian Wei's military strength, he was far too close to Yang Ying. He quickly calculated that his 70,000 men wouldn't be enough to hold out until Tian Wei's army arrived to reinforce them.

"Grand Governor."

Li Mi's adjutant stepped forward with a serious expression and handed over a letter: "Yang Ying has sent you a letter."

Unfolding the letter, it reads: "Those who inherit the mandate of heaven are not bound by trivialities, and those who follow the trend of the times are true heroes. Looking at the current turmoil in the Central Plains, Li Yuan is entrenched in Chang'an, Wang Shichong is entrenched in Xuzhou, and heroes from all directions are harboring their own ambitions. You, sir, wielding a three-foot sword, gathered 100,000 men, defeated Zhang Xutuo at Xingyang, captured Liu Changgong at Luokou, and made the world take notice at Hulao Pass. You can truly be called a hero of our time."

However, times change and circumstances shift, and we must be mindful of this. Now, our isolated army is besieged in a remote prefecture, with Liu Heita eyeing us covetously to the north, Tian Wei lurking to the south, and the Tang dynasty already holding the strategic Tongguan Pass to the west. I have heard that our army's provisions will only last three months, and there are frequent complaints from Zhai Rang's former subordinates. Furthermore, the sudden death of my envoy, Fang Yanzao, seems suspicious. In the past, Xiang Yu won every battle, yet ultimately met his end at Gaixia. This was not a failure in battle, but rather a consequence of the changing times.

I am sending this envoy with a letter, offering three benefits: First, I wish to form an alliance with you at the city walls and share the fertile land; second, I grant you the title of Grand Master of the Three Departments and the position of Grand General of Henan Circuit; third, I guarantee the lives and property of your soldiers and families, and grant fifty mu of land to anyone who wishes to retire and return to their fields. If you remain obstinate, when Li Yuan leaves the pass, Shi Chong crosses the river, and Wei comes from the south, you will be attacked from three sides.

In the past, Han Xin betrayed Chu and joined Han, and Emperor Guangwu accepted the surrender of the bronze horse; both achieved unparalleled feats. Now, I present the Fish Intestine Sword as a token of my loyalty. This sword has traveled with me through many changes and is a cherished possession. I revere the impermanence of Heaven's mandate, which belongs only to the virtuous; divine weapons change hands frequently, awaiting a wise ruler to wield them. I urge you to consider this carefully, carefully.

"Fuck..."

Li Mi clutched the letter tightly in his hand: "Isn't he just threatening me?!"

"Grand Commander..."

"Let me postpone my reply and think it over."

Li Mi knew it was too late to seek Tian Wei's response. If he hesitated even slightly, Tian Wei would send troops. Their provisions could last three months, but his could not. Even if Tian Wei's troops were swift, they would not be able to come to his rescue in time.

Li Mi now deeply regrets his actions. He should have listened to Wang Shichong and immediately defected to Tian Wei upon his return, pleading guilty and offering to be their vanguard...

But now it's too late. Yang Ying's speed is even faster than he expected. Three days... It only takes three days to get here from their place, and in three days, even the letter requesting help from Tian Wei probably won't have arrived yet.

Alas, the unpredictability of life is truly moving. No matter how much one's thoughts stir, they cannot withstand the changing winds and clouds. Wang Shichong's admonition still echoes in my ears, but now, only a few days later, there is no room for maneuver.

He should have immediately sent troops to fight Liu Heita to the death, while simultaneously requesting reinforcements from Tian Wei. If he could have delayed the situation for a while, even if he had lost, he would have been a loyal and capable general. But now, by switching allegiance to Tian Wei, he not only gained no benefits but also destroyed all his foundations.

Li Mi braced his hands on the table. Although it was nearing winter, sweat still poured down his face, and the anxiety in his heart was more agonizing than ever before.

After a long while, Li Mi raised his trembling hand and began to reply to Yang Ying: "The fish-gut dragon pattern echoes in the night within the tent. I unfold your letter, each word like the Big Dipper. In the past, I originally wished to bring peace to the world, but fate has turned against me, and I have become a humble man. The three benefits you spoke of, General, are truly like candles illuminating the night—the day Zhai Rang's former subordinates knocked on the west gate at night, and the day Tian Wei's secret envoys frequently crossed the Yangtze River, I already knew that the imperial regalia should return to its true master."

This proclamation is immediately sent to all towns, ordering them to replace their red banners with the general's banners wherever my flags reach. The list of twenty-eight generals implicated in Fang Yanzhao's sudden death has been sealed in a lacquered box and is enclosed with this letter. Zeng Xialin sent an envoy to persuade us to surrender, but he is a wolf in sheep's clothing; how can he compare to the sincerity of your oath, General? Now that things have come to this, I secretly wish to emulate Zhang Liang's strategy of using chopsticks to borrow resources and Chen Ping's wisdom in slaughtering meat, so that the people of the Central Plains may be spared the ravages of war, and I may rest in peace before my ancestors.

I return the Fish Intestine Sword, along with a pair of Goguryeo jade discs. I hear the General will arrive in three days. I will secretly dress in mourning clothes and travel thirty li outside the city to personally remove the military seal. I have only one request: to grant land to the 2,370 orphans of the soldiers who died in the campaign against Liu Heita, as previously agreed, so that their heroic souls may not wander in the valleys.

"Timely rain is approaching; it's the right time to wash your nails."

After finishing writing, Li Mi looked at the still-wet ink on the letter and sat down, utterly helpless. After a while, he wrote another letter, this one addressed to the Jingtai Emperor.

"Your Majesty, I bow my head a hundred times, my blood staining the white silk, each word carrying the rust of arrowheads. Yet this year, Yang Ying's 400,000 fierce and ruthless troops have besieged me in this isolated city. I climbed the city wall and looked out, only to see that the smoke from the cooking fires in the direction of the city had ceased, and I realized that there was no longer a royal banner here."

Yang Ying sent an envoy with a "Memorial of Persuasion to Return Home" promising three things: first, no massacre of the city; second, no alteration of the people's land and property; and third, permission for his subordinates to retire and return to their hometowns.

I now surrender with a guilty conscience, but there are three things I must report: Although Yang Ying has submitted his surrender document, many of his generals are unruly and difficult to control. I request Your Majesty to quickly send an envoy to the cellar of Wang Shichong's residence in Xuzhou, where I have hidden seven volumes of defense maps I have drawn over the years, which secretly mark twelve waterways; among his troops, Wang Zhen and forty-seven others would rather die than surrender. I have secretly sent them disguised as refugees to take my eldest son to Nanjing to report the news.

In the past, Geng Gong was besieged in Shule, and Ban Chao beheaded the Xiongnu envoy at night; both were bound by the principles of expediency. What I am doing now is like carrying broken armor into a boiling cauldron; I only wish that the tens of thousands of lives within the city can see the spring grass next year. Enclosed is my bronze seal of the Commander-in-Chief, torn in two. Half of it is with this letter, and the other half is hidden on my body. If I am found to be whole in the future, I wish to use this as proof.

On the 29th day of the 11th month of the fifth year of the Jingtai reign (1454), your guilty subject Li Mi respectfully submits this memorial, weeping blood.

At this point, Li Mi sighed again, looking up at the sky. He immediately stood up and said, "Someone, quickly summon Li Cheng."

After a while, Li Mi's sixteen-year-old eldest son came before him: "Father..."

Li Mi handed him the seal that he had split in two: "Go with Military Advisor Wang Zhen and your personal guards and elite soldiers and set off for Jinling overnight. Deliver this seal to Prince Teng and make sure you meet with the prince in private! Go quickly."

“Father, you…”

"Do not ask anything else. Just wait in the capital for His Majesty to return to court. His Majesty will decide what to do next."

(End of this chapter)