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

Chapter 900 Heroes of the world are as numerous as carp crossing a river; one more won't make a difference.

Inside Yixin Manor, there was a mixture of deathly silence and restlessness.

Wang Tong slumped in his chair, cold sweat beading on his forehead. The calls for surrender outside, mixed with the pitiful cries of the prisoners, were like dull knives cutting into his flesh, scraping away at his heart. The celadon teacup in his hand had already been crushed to pieces, the shards cutting his hand until it bled.

"Manager... surrender..." A trusted aide said in a trembling voice, "The area outside the manor is full of Imperial Guards, and the secret passage... the secret passage is probably..."

"Shut up!" Wang Tong slammed the teacup to the ground, shards of porcelain flying everywhere. "Surrender? Treason! This is treason! You think you can live if you surrender?"

He was outwardly fierce but inwardly weak, his heart pounding like a drum in his chest. The Crown Prince's decree and Xia Linwei, these two combined, were suffocating him.

He quickly composed himself, strode to the window, and peered out through the crack once more. The twilight was deep, the mountain shadows indistinct, yet he could almost feel countless gazes fixed upon this world.

He thought of his two men who had been stopped and brought back as soon as they left the manor, and of the secret letter that had vanished without a trace. A chill ran down his spine from his buttocks.

"Go! Gather all the guards and servants in the manor! Distribute weapons and guard all the gates! Send more men... try to sneak out from that old forest to the west!" He was certainly unwilling, but his voice trembled.

However, few responded to the order.

Most of the servants in the manor were pale-faced, huddled in a corner, trembling. The guards, hired at great expense, also exchanged glances, their eyes darting around, none willing to be the first to step forward. The Crown Prince's reputation for benevolence had spread with the proclamation to pacify the people, but Commander Xia was ruthless; any resistance would be futile.

Meanwhile, on the high ground outside Zhuang.

Li Zhi put down his binoculars, his brows no longer showing any impatience. Xia Lin found a flat rock to sit on, and leisurely crunched on a handful of roasted beans, seemingly out of nowhere.

“Father, it seems that this strategy of winning hearts and minds has been effective.”

Xia Lin swallowed a bean, took a sip of water, and said, "The people raised by aristocratic families are alright when things are going well, but when things are going badly, how many of them are truly willing to risk their lives? Just wait and see, it'll be over soon."

No sooner had the words left his mouth than a scout rushed over, kneeling on one knee: "Your Highness, Commander Xia! There seems to be infighting within the manor! Several people are trying to sneak open the east side gate, but they have been discovered by the guards, and the two sides are currently in a standoff!"

A glint of light flashed in Li Zhi's eyes: "Give them another push. Order a squad of archers to go forward, aim at the gate, no need to fire, just draw their bows and apply pressure."

"Yes!"

With a wave of the command flag, a squad of a hundred archers jogged to the gate and formed ranks a hundred paces away. The creaking of the drawn bowstrings was particularly jarring in the quiet twilight, and the menacing arrowheads gleamed coldly in the afterglow of the setting sun. This was clearly an ultimatum.

The pressure inside the village has increased sharply.

The standoff at the East Corner Gate instantly crumbled; the servants who tried to open the gate were hacked to the ground by the guards, their blood splattering onto the wooden door. However, panic spread like wildfire, becoming uncontrollable.

"We surrendered! We surrendered!"

"Open the door! Open the door now!"

Someone shouted first, and like a spark igniting a prairie fire, cries, pleas, and the clatter of weapons falling to the ground rose and fell. The guards looked at each other, wondering who had dropped their knife first, and soon the clanging and clashing of weapons filled the air.

Wang Tong heard the sounds of collapse outside from his study. His face turned ashen, and he knew that all was lost.

"Manager! We can't hold out! The brothers... the brothers refuse to fight anymore!" A guard covered in blood staggered in, a half-broken dagger still stuck in his shoulder.

Wang Tong closed his eyes, and when he opened them again, he was utterly dejected. He staggered to the desk, and with trembling hands, took out a small seal and then drew a dagger from his sleeve.

"Tell the outside world...we...surrender." His voice was hoarse, filled with endless bitterness. Having said that, he turned and plunged the dagger into his own heart!
The guard reacted quickly, grabbing his arm: "You can't do this, sir!"

In the struggle, the study door was kicked open, and several disarmed guards rushed in, looking at Wang Tong with complicated expressions.

"Manager Wang, we're sorry... we still want to live."

A moment later, the heavy iron-clad wooden doors of Yixin Manor were slowly pulled open from the inside with a piercing creak. The survivors inside, whether Wang Tong and his confidants or ordinary guards and servants, all filed out with their hands on their heads, kneeling on the ground under the cold gaze of the government troops.

Li Zhi and Xia Lin, surrounded by their personal guards, slowly walked into the manor gate.

The air was thick with the smell of smoke and fire. Xia Lin's gaze swept over the kneeling crowd, lingering briefly on Wang Tong's ashen face, before turning to the captain standing solemnly to the side: "Take a headcount and separate them for guarding. Thoroughly search every corner of the manor, especially the study and the secret room."

"Yes!"

Li Zhi then walked up to the surrendered soldiers, his expression one of unquestionable authority: "Since you are willing to lay down your arms and surrender, I will keep my word and spare your lives. Once the matter is investigated, if there is no serious crime, you may return home. If you have rendered meritorious service, you will be rewarded accordingly."

Upon hearing this, most of the kneeling people breathed a sigh of relief and repeatedly kowtowed to express their gratitude.

The search of the manor quickly yielded results.

"Your Highness! Several account books and a few unsigned secret letters have been found in a hidden compartment in the study!" Zhang Jianzhi strode over, carrying several booklets and letters.

Xiao Wu also emerged from a nearby storeroom, holding a list in his hand: "Master, Your Highness, the west storeroom contains three hundred standard-issue swords, one hundred crossbows, and fifty sets of armor, all of which are not available to the common people. There is also a certain amount of gold and silver, and grain and fodder piled up like mountains."

"Good heavens, hoarding armor." Xia Lin nodded. "Fifty sets, what are they going to do with them? Conquer cities and seize territory?"

Li Zhi took the account book and the secret letters, quickly flipping through them. His face gradually darkened. The account book clearly recorded the salt and iron transactions between Yixin Manor and the northern tribes, amounting to a huge sum. The secret letters, though unsigned and cryptic, repeatedly mentioned phrases such as "old camaraderie in the army," "jointly obstructing the new policies," and "after the success, the flag will be changed in Hedong."

“Old camaraderie in the army… jointly obstructing the new policies…” Li Zhi repeated in a low voice, his eyes flashing with coldness: “Indeed, there is more than one Liu Ren, and more than one Wang family.”

Xia Lin leaned over for a glance and sneered, "Look, this is just like pulling a radish and bringing out the mud. The Wang family is just a money bag at most. The ones who really want to cause trouble are hiding in the military camp."

At this moment, Sun Jiuzhen appeared beside Xia Lin like a ghost and whispered a few words.

Xia Lin raised an eyebrow and said to Li Zhi, "We've also made progress on Liu Ren's trail. That guy went out through the secret passage, but before he'd gone ten miles, our men caught him in the mountain stream. He's a scaredy-cat, he'll tell you anything we ask."

Li Zhi's spirits lifted: "He confessed?"

“He confessed.” Xia Lin’s tone was somewhat disdainful: “He was in contact with Gao Wenhuan, the deputy military governor of Hedong. Most of the profits from Liu Ren’s illicit dealings with the tribes went to this deputy governor. This time, his instigation of a mutiny was also with Gao Wenhuan’s tacit approval and support.”

“Gao Wenhuan…” Li Zhi was no stranger to this name. He was one of the powerful figures in the Hedong military, known for his bravery and fierceness. He had also fought alongside his mother, but unexpectedly, he became one of the behind-the-scenes forces obstructing military reforms.

"Father, should we immediately send a message to the Hedong Military Governor's Office to arrest Gao Wenhuan?"

Xia Lin waved his hand: "What's the rush? The news of Liu Ren's capture hasn't spread yet, and Gao Wenhuan is probably still dreaming. Have your mother issue an imperial edict summoning him to the capital to report for duty. Once he leaves his stronghold and arrives in Chang'an, whether he's good or bad is entirely up to your mother. Making a move in Hedong is likely to lead to desperate measures."

Li Zhi instantly understood his father's intention. Summoning Gao Wenhuan to the capital was a calculated move. If Gao Wenhuan dared to disobey the imperial decree, it would be an open rebellion, giving the court a pretext for war; if he obeyed the decree and went to the capital, he would be walking into a trap, thus avoiding a military disaster in Hedong.

“Father has thought things through carefully. I will go and draft a report now, and ask Mother to issue an imperial decree.”

Night completely enveloped the mountains and fields, and torches lit up the area inside and outside Yixin Manor, making it as bright as day. The prisoners were taken away in batches, and the seized supplies and grain were registered one by one.

Standing atop the gate of the manor, Li Zhi gazed at the scattered lights of the distant prefectures and counties below. He felt little joy at quelling a local rebellion; instead, a heavy heart settled over him. Liu Ren was merely a local threat, and Gao Wenhuan was not necessarily the only adversary. The path of military reform was indeed fraught with difficulties.

Xiao Wu quietly approached him and gently draped a thin cloak over his shoulders: "Your Highness, the night is getting chilly."

Li Zhi turned around and met her calm gaze, which calmed the restlessness in his heart.

"Senior sister, how many people like Gao Wenhuan do you think there are in Hedong, or even in the entire Li Tang dynasty?"

Xiao Wu remained silent for a moment, then said softly, "People's hearts are like water, and their movements are like smoke. Where there is profit, there will be conflict. However, Your Highness is moving with the great momentum. Above you are His Majesty and Marshal Xia, and below you are the will of the people. Even if there are stubborn rocks blocking your way, they will be nothing more than passing clouds."

Upon hearing this, Li Zhi nodded slightly, his gaze returning to the distance, his resolve growing ever stronger. Meanwhile, Gao Wenhuan, the deputy military governor of Hedong, had been rather unsettled these past few days.

When news of the fall of Luzhou arrived, he was watching the new recruits drill at the training ground, his hand instinctively tightening its grip on the riding whip. That useless Liu Ren! Over ten thousand troops, defending a fortified city, couldn't even hold out for half a month!
He forced himself to remain calm, reprimanded a few slow-moving soldiers, and returned to his residence, but he had no appetite even for the soup served by his most beloved concubine. In his study, he stared at the map of Hedong, his gaze shifting back and forth between Luzhou and Taiyuan.

"My lord, there is no need to worry too much." The trusted advisor beside him whispered to comfort him: "Sima Liu... is a wise man. He knows what to say and what not to say. Besides, the Wang family has been taken care of. Even if they investigate Yixin Manor, it will not implicate you, my lord."

Gao Wenhuan snorted coldly, his hawk-like eyes flashing with sharp light: "Liu Ren understands? I think he's as stupid as a pig! And the Wang family, those parasites, only know how to pursue profit, more trouble than they're worth!" He paced irritably: "Xia Lin came in person, this is not something a mere prince can compare to. Even if he doesn't mobilize troops, don't you know what kind of person he is? For so many years, he has been a god of war, defeating the Turks, quelling internal rebellions, driving out Japanese pirates, opening up the Western Regions, making peace with the southwest, and pacifying the northern frontier... Sigh."

His biggest worry wasn't Liu Ren's confession, but rather that the court would use this opportunity to thoroughly investigate the military and political situation in Hedong. If it were the Crown Prince, he was absolutely certain he could quell the situation, but this time it was Xia Lin, and he had absolutely no confidence. He had been operating in this area for many years, embezzling salaries, selling weapons, smuggling with tribes... any one of these offenses, if uncovered, would be enough to cost him his head several times over, not to mention that he had secretly colluded with many mid-level officers who were dissatisfied with the military reforms.

"Make sure everyone below is on their guard. They all need to keep a low profile lately! Especially those who have dealings with Liu Ren and the Wang family, they need to clean up their messes!" he ordered sternly.

The aide quickly agreed, then added, "Should we... give some pointers to the leaders in the north? Just in case..."

Gao Wenhuan's eyes sharpened: "Absolutely not! Contacting the tribe at this time would be tantamount to giving them a handle against us! Tell them to suspend all trade in the near future!"

He figured that as long as he weathered this storm and waited for the Crown Prince and Xia Lin to leave Hedong, he might be able to gradually make his move based on his connections in the army.

However, his wishful thinking was completely shattered when he received the urgent imperial edict from Chang'an.

"His Majesty has decreed that Gao Wenhuan, the Deputy Military Governor of Hedong, be summoned to resign immediately and proceed to Chang'an to report on his duties. There must be no delay!"

The eunuch's shrill voice echoed through the hall, carrying an undeniable air of authority. Gao Wenhuan knelt to receive the imperial edict, his forehead beaded with cold sweat, his heart churning with turmoil.

A performance review? At this crucial juncture? This is clearly a trap to lure him away from the mountain and lure him into a snare!

"Vice Envoy Gao, receive the decree." The eunuch looked down at him with a forced smile.

Gao Wenhuan took a deep breath, his hands trembling slightly as he accepted the roll of yellow silk, and kowtowed to express his gratitude: "Your subject...accepts the decree."

After seeing off the eunuch who delivered the imperial decree, he returned to the inner hall, his face so gloomy it seemed to drip water. His trusted advisors gathered around, all with worried expressions.

"My lord, entering the capital at this time is fraught with peril!"

"It must be that scoundrel Liu Ren who confessed! Or the Wang family must have leaked the news!"

"How about..." someone made a gesture of slashing, "that they've rebelled! The elite troops of Hedong are still under the master's control!"

Gao Wenhuan slammed his hand on the table, making the teacups jump around: "Foolish! Xia Lin is still in Luzhou! The Twelve Generals' Orders can mobilize troops from all over the country! To rebel now, are they tired of living?!"

His chest heaved as he frantically weighed his options. Disobeying the imperial decree meant certain death, but obeying and going to the capital might offer a glimmer of hope. He wasn't entirely without connections in court; perhaps the Grand Chancellor Changsun could intervene? Perhaps His Majesty, remembering his past merits, would show leniency?
A flurry of thoughts flashed through his mind, ultimately culminating in a long sigh. He knew Xia Lin's methods all too well, and he knew the Empress's resolve even more. If his misdeeds were discovered, there would be no escape for him.

"Pack your bags... Tomorrow, we'll set off for Beijing." He waved his hand dejectedly, as if he had aged ten years in an instant. At this moment, he regretted his past actions, wondering why he had been so foolish as to provoke the military reform.

Three days later, Gao Wenhuan, accompanied by more than ten close followers and filled with trepidation, left the Hedong military governor's residence and headed west towards Chang'an. He deliberately slowed his pace along the way, constantly sending people to inquire about news from Chang'an, hoping for a change in fortune.

However, as soon as he entered Tongguan, he was stopped by a group of imperial guards who had been waiting for him.

"Is this Lord Gao Wenhuan?" The leading general asked expressionlessly, showing his waist badge. "This humble general has been waiting here for a long time on the orders of the Crown Prince. Please come with us to Luzhou."

Gao Wenhuan's expression changed drastically: "Luzhou? I was ordered to come to the capital to report on my duties, why should I go to Luzhou?"

The general sneered, "Lord Gao, some things should be discussed with His Highness the Crown Prince and Marshal Xia in person when we arrive in Luzhou. Take him down!"

The imperial guards rushed forward and, without saying a word, disarmed and bound Gao Wenhuan and his entourage.

"How dare you! I am an official appointed by the imperial court!" Gao Wenhuan struggled and roared.

"An official?" The general scoffed. "Treason and instigating mutiny are things an official should do? Take him away!"

Gao Wenhuan's face was ashen; he knew it was all over.

Luzhou City, the temporary headquarters.

Li Zhi looked at Gao Wenhuan, who was being escorted to the courtroom, looking dejected, but felt little emotion. Zhang Jianzhi presented the seized account books, secret letters, and confessions from Liu Ren, Wang Tong, and others to the table.

"Gao Wenhuan, what else do you have to say?" Li Zhi's voice was calm, yet carried immense power.

Gao Wenhuan looked up at the young crown prince sitting upright, then glanced at Xia Lin sitting crookedly beside him, casually picking his nails. Finally, his gaze fell on the irrefutable evidence. His lips trembled, but he ultimately failed to utter a single word.

Xia Lin lifted his eyelids and said lazily, "Vice Envoy Gao, I've heard you're quite the troublemaker. From communicating with tribes to instigating rebellions, is it all for a few taels of silver in salary? Or are you afraid the military reforms will wipe out your meager savings?"

Gao Wenhuan closed his eyes and slumped his head in dejection.

With irrefutable evidence and a complete loss of public support, he had even lost the strength to argue.

Li Zhi stopped looking at him and said to Zhang Jianzhi, "Take Gao Wenhuan away and keep him under strict guard. Compile his charges, along with the confessions of Liu Ren, Wang Tong, and others, and send them to Chang'an by express courier, for Your Majesty's decision."

"Yes!"

After Gao Wenhuan was dragged away, Xia Lin stood up and stretched: "Alright, the biggest thorn in the side of the river has been removed. Now it's up to your old mother to have a headache."

Li Zhi knew full well that taking down Gao Wenhuan was merely severing the longest-reaching hand of corruption. Within Hedong and indeed throughout the entire Li Tang territory, there were countless individuals whose interests had been harmed and who harbored resentment due to the military reforms. The purge was not the goal; the real challenge lay in how to smoothly advance the new policies and consolidate the foundation.

"Father, what should we do next?"

Xia Lin walked up to him and patted him on the shoulder: "Extend what you did in Luzhou to the whole of Hedong. Make sure the soldiers are well-fed and clothed and receive their full pay, and let the people quickly calm down and resume work and production. Be ruthless, but also give them something in return. Figure out the specifics yourself."

He paused, then smiled slightly: "I have to go back to your mother, or she'll be driven crazy."

Twelve days later, an imperial edict was issued in Chang'an, announcing the crimes of Gao Wenhuan, Liu Ren, and others, sentencing them to death and confiscating their property. The officers and local powerful figures in Hedong involved in the case were to be severely punished according to the law, with no leniency. At the same time, the edict reiterated the determination to reform the military, commended Crown Prince Li Zhi for his achievements in suppressing the rebellion and pacifying the people, and announced a one-year tax reduction for counties in Hedong affected by war and natural disasters. Special funds were allocated from the confiscated property to provide relief to the families of fallen soldiers and to assist the poor.

The combination of swift and decisive measures with a policy of appeasement shook Hedong, and the turbulent situation gradually calmed down. Many who had initially been observing or even harbored ulterior motives were forced to reconsider their actions after witnessing the swift demise of figures like Gao Wenhuan and the Crown Prince's skillful use of both firmness and leniency, kindness and severity.

New banners have been raised atop the city walls of Luzhou.

Standing alone atop the city wall, Li Zhi gazed at the fields outside the city, now being cultivated anew, but felt little relief. He knew this was only the beginning. Though Hedong was pacified, the realm was not yet at peace. The road to military reform was long and arduous.

Xiao Wu silently handed him a letter he had just received from Chang'an.

Li Zhi unfolded the letter, which was written in his mother's familiar handwriting. In addition to inquiring about the details of Hedong and urging him to take care of his health, his mother changed the subject at the end of the letter, mentioning the selection of a concubine, saying, "The women in the capital are eagerly awaiting your decision, my son. You should make a decision as soon as possible."

He held the letter, gazing towards Chang'an with a complex expression. The fate of the empire and his personal feelings, the world and the Eastern Palace—a thousand and one things weighed heavily on his shoulders.

"Oh, right, Master also brought a message. He said my sister has arrived in Chang'an, and with her came..."

"Who else?" Li Zhi turned around and asked in surprise.

“Tuoba Shang…” Xiao Wu almost couldn’t help but laugh: “Master said he claimed to be here as a hostage, so he doesn’t want to live as the Crown Prince for even a day longer.”

Li Zhi nearly had a heart attack after hearing this, then let out a sharp, explosive cry: "Brother Shang is here as a hostage!!!"

(End of this chapter)