Red Mansion: Seizing Jiangdong, starting with pirates

Chapter 313, Clever Deception of the Army

After overcoming various difficulties, Tan Yitong finally managed to pass on the intelligence.

A few days later, Chu Yuqi in Liaodong was shocked to receive a secret report from Tan Yitong. He hurriedly mobilized his troops to guard against several routes into Liaodong and prevent Fang Yong from launching a sneak attack.

Not long after, Niu Jin led his troops to probe the enemy's defenses.

Chu Yuqi's defense was solid, and he did not reveal any flaws.

Niu Jin could only cautiously lead his troops back.

Chu Yuqi breathed a slight sigh of relief upon seeing this, and then hurriedly sent people to investigate the specific situation outside.

Seeing that things had been exposed, Fang Yong decided to stop pretending and lay his cards on the table.

He had secretly prepared an army of 200,000, with provisions and supplies all ready. He originally planned to launch a surprise attack on Shanhaiguan and Xifengkou, but now that a surprise attack was not possible, he decided to launch a direct assault!
For a time, the shadow of war loomed over the hearts of everyone in Liaodong.

Upon receiving this news, Chu Yuqi felt both relieved and worried.

Fortunately, he learned of this news in advance; otherwise, if he had been caught off guard, he would have suffered heavy losses!
His concern was that, despite having taken precautions, he still wasn't entirely confident in facing an army of 200,000.

Whether he wins or loses this battle, he will not have a good time.

If they were to lose, their country would surely be destroyed, their families destroyed, they would be imprisoned, and they would be escorted back to the capital.

If we win, the enemy will be enraged and may launch another large-scale attack.

The rebels occupy Hebei, Shanxi, Henan, Shandong, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Anhui, encompassing two prefectures and five provinces, all of which are rich and fertile lands with vast populations. A prolonged war with them would be extremely disadvantageous.

Chu Yuqi wanted to send someone to negotiate peace again, but the envoy was detained by Niu Jin before he even reached the capital. Niu Jin said that unless Chu Yuqi surrendered, there was no possibility of peace talks.

Seeing that peace talks were hopeless, Chu Yuqi had no choice but to mobilize troops within his territory to strengthen defenses.

As war loomed, many powerful families in the Liaodong region who had supported Chu Yuqi began to waver.

Clearly, they did not have a high opinion of Chu Yuqi.

From a moral standpoint, Chu Yuqi was a subject, and Fang Yong was launching a campaign in the name of the emperor, so Chu Yuqi was not in a morally just position.

In terms of troop strength, Chu Yuqi was no match either.

The difference in logistics and supplies was even more stark.

The only advantage lies in the formidable natural barrier of Liaodong, but even if we win temporarily by relying on our geographical advantage, we cannot win forever.

Given Fang Yong's size, he can fail countless times. If he fails this year, he can simply regroup and try again next year.

But for Chu Yuqi, just one failure would mean the end.

Chu Yuqi noticed the wavering morale of his subordinates, which gave him even more trouble. He was restless every day, fearing that he would wake up one morning to find himself surrounded by the Huaiyin army.

Little did he know that Fang Yong had no intention of attacking Liaodong at all; he just wanted to scare him.

Beijing.

The Huaiyin army surrounded the post station.

Knowing that his chances of survival were slim, Tan Yitong was no longer afraid. He straightened his clothes and walked out calmly.

Upon ascending the golden throne, one sees a large cauldron standing atop a white marble platform, containing several thousand pounds of boiling oil, which is crackling loudly.

Just passing by, Tan Yi felt a wave of heat hit him. If he were thrown in, he would probably be reduced to ashes in an instant.

Tan Yitong was terrified, but he knew that fear was useless. Rather than make a fool of himself, he would rather die a heroic death.

"Ha, the usual tactic!"

Tan Yitong smiled dismissively and walked into the Golden Palace.

The civil and military officials of the court were arranged in their respective positions. Emperor Longqing sat at the head of the table, and Fang Zei sat next to Emperor Longqing with a sword at his waist, showing off his power!

After Tan Yitong entered the hall, he knelt and bowed to Emperor Longqing. Emperor Longqing said, "Rise," and Tan Yitong stood up.

Fang Yong coldly looked at Tan Yitong below.

Tan Yitong felt a chilling killing intent envelop him.

He knew it was because he had ruined the other party's plans, which angered them.

Now it seems that it's time to kill him to vent my anger.

Thinking this way, Tan Yi prepared to say a few tough words and then die a heroic death, hoping that his deeds would be remembered in history.

However, before Tan could speak, a man stepped forward from among the officials.

"Your Majesty, Prince Wu, the rebel leader Tian Tianrui from Henan was escorted to the capital last night!" "Bring him here!"

Fang Yongping said calmly.

The subordinates obeyed the order and quickly brought Tian Tianrui to the main hall.

He was an old man with white hair and beard, and he looked extremely haggard.

"Tian Qing!"

Emperor Longqing couldn't help but speak up.

Upon hearing the voice, Tian Tianrui, who was sitting below the stage, looked up and saw the Longqing Emperor and Empress. His eyes immediately filled with tears, and he exclaimed excitedly, "Your Majesty! Your Majesty!"

Emperor Longqing quickly looked at Fang Yong and pleaded:
"King Wu, Minister Imada is nearing seventy. Could you spare his sins for my sake?"

Fang Yong glanced at the Longqing Emperor and said:

"The rebel Tian has rebelled; how can he be let off lightly? Your Majesty is the ruler of a nation; how can you allow yourself to be treated with petty tempers!"

The Longqing Emperor was extremely embarrassed.

"Guards, throw this traitor into the boiling oil as a warning to others!"

At Fang Yong's command, several imperial guards entered the hall, stepped forward, and carried Tian Tianrui on their backs.

Tian Tianrui struggled violently.

"Fang, you traitorous villain, I cannot rid the country of this traitor; it is truly the will of Heaven!"

With a splash, Tian Tianrui was thrown into the oil pot, followed by a violent scream.

Then, the screams were drowned out by the crackling sound of the oil in the pan.

The people in the hall felt extremely cold, and a sense of fear gripped their hearts.

"Your Majesty and King Wu, after Tian was thrown into the boiling oil, his skin and flesh were completely destroyed in less than three breaths, leaving only a skeleton!"

Fang Yong said, "Bring it up and present it to the Liaodong envoy for his viewing."

"Yes!"

His men immediately sent people to retrieve the skeleton.

A dry, skeletal frame, clinging to the skin and flesh, was pulled out and placed in front of Tan Yitong.

Tan Yitong was so frightened that he sat down abruptly and backed away.

Actually, this wasn't Tian Tianrui's skeleton, but something Fang Yong had prepared in advance specifically to scare Tan Yitong.

Generally speaking, without experience of being deep-fried or deep-frying others, it's difficult to distinguish between genuine and fake.
Clearly, Tan Yitong lacked this experience.

He was so frightened that he lost all composure and his previous demeanor.

"Your Highness, Your Highness, no, don't kill me!"

Tan Yitong immediately knelt down.

Fang Yongdao said, "You have thwarted my plan, how can I not kill you?"

Tan Yitong had originally intended to give a firm answer, but now, looking at the human skin skeleton displayed in the hall, how could he possibly maintain his composure?

“As a subject serving his lord, I am loyal to him. Although I have thwarted Your Highness’s plan, I have no intention of rebelling. I beg Your Highness to see the truth and spare my life!”

Fang Yong snorted coldly and said, "Even so, if I want to pacify Liaodong, I can still cut you down as a sacrifice to the flag, thus severing one of Chu's arms!"

Tan Yi hurriedly begged for mercy:
“My lord has no intention of rebelling and is willing to submit to you. Your Highness need not trouble you to conquer him.”

Fang Yongdao: "This traitor Chu has the ambition of a wolf, seizing Liaodong to govern himself, and he still says he has no intention of rebelling?"

Tan Yitong said:

"Your Highness is wise. Although my lord ceded Liaodong, he has no intention of rebelling and only seeks to protect himself. There are many people like him in the world."

"The land of Liaodong is bitterly cold; Your Highness's conquest of it would only burden the people and waste resources, serving no purpose for the country. It would be far better to offer amnesty to my lord. My lord would willingly submit, offering annual tribute of gold and silver, along with precious jewels and beautiful women, to Your Highness!"

Fang Yong said calmly, "I am not lustful."

Upon hearing this, Tan Yitong's mind raced, and he quickly replied:

"My lord can also send troops to assist Your Highness in suppressing the bandits! Your Highness is wise. Although my lord is in a corner of the country, he has not made any major mistakes. Compared to my lord, others are more deserving of Your Highness's wrath!"

(End of this chapter)