Red Mansion: Seizing Jiangdong, starting with pirates

Chapter 353, Clearing the Clouds to Reveal the Sun

Four guards charged at him with knives, using elite martial arts techniques, each strike aimed at vital points, putting Huixing in grave danger.

However, this also achieved Huixing's goal.

From beginning to end, he was never the trump card in this assassination attempt.

His martial arts skills weren't the best, and he was old and weak, so it was impossible for him to reach Old Man Ma.

However, attracting four guards is already quite good.

Ma Laohei had a total of six personal guards. He lured away four of them, leaving only two.

"Senior Hong!"

Hui Xing roared.

As soon as he finished speaking, a dark figure darted out, soaring into the air and charging straight towards Ma Laohei with overwhelming momentum.

Before anyone could even be shocked, a large net was suddenly lifted from the ground, instantly covering the dark figure.

The shadowy figure was shocked and incredulous. He struggled to roll around in the net, his palms erupting with internal force, which sounded like the roar of a dragon. Unfortunately, the net was a treasure made by Kailuan Steel Mill, a barbed wire mesh, which was impossible for a human to break free from.

Despite his best efforts, Old Hong ended up with bloodied hands, unable to tear the net apart at all.

Countless guards emerged from both sides, signaling the start of this seemingly futile assassination attempt.

Hui Xing lost all his strength and was captured alive on the spot after his hand and foot muscles were severed by the guards.

Zhi Guang and Zhi Mou failed and were captured by the Huaiyin army.

Only Ji-jin was unharmed.

Hui Xing knew exactly what was going on at that moment.

He glared angrily at Zhizhen with his tiger-like eyes and roared:

"Zhizhen, what have you done? Why did you betray us? The assassination failed! How are we going to rebuild Shaolin now!"

Zhizhen smiled faintly and recited a Buddhist chant, saying:
"It's simple, I'll just become the abbot!"

Having said that, Zhizhen's aura was no longer concealed.

Buddhist traitor!

Zhizhen clasped her hands together and knelt down with a thud.

"Commander Qing, Zhizhen is willing to serve Commander Qing and the King of Wu from now on!"

Old Ma laughed and said:

"Very well, this general likes a scoundrel like you!"

Hui Xing angrily cursed, "You scoundrel, you unfilial disciple, you betray your master and ancestors!"

Old Ma waved his hand, "Take him away!"

The guards immediately took the men away.

Using the assassination attempt as a pretext, Ma Laohei launched a purge of martial arts practitioners in Xiangyang City.

Zhizhen led the way, and a large number of martial arts figures were brutally murdered.

In an instant, Fang Yong's infamy reached new heights.

Zhizhen thus became infamous and was known as a villain.

Although Fang Yong persecuted both Buddhism and Taoism, he did not exterminate them completely.

These two religions have spread throughout China for thousands of years, and it is impossible to completely eradicate them.

Fang Yong simply sent the monks and Taoists to labor reform. Those monks and Taoists who obeyed orders and worked hard were given the title of "true monks and true Taoists," recorded in the register, and supported.

Fang Yong's goal was simple: to cultivate a sect that obeyed his orders, support a group of obedient people, and change the doctrines when asked to do so, or appease the people when asked to do so.

Whatever policies Fang Yong needed to implement, he would have these people promote the benefits of those policies.

Fang Yong wanted to abolish certain policies, so he had these people publicize the negative aspects of those policies.

Speaking is like flipping an iron pot; it turns black inside and out, and you can say whatever you want.

People like Zhizhen, who betray their masters and ancestors, are perfect to be used. Not only are they easy to use, but once their value is used up, they can be killed to quell public anger.

After capturing Xiangyang, the process of recovering Hubei officially began.

Xiangyang served as a springboard, allowing the Huaiyin Army to continuously enter and occupy this land.

Meanwhile, Wei Xing in Zhejiang received a secret order from Fang Yong.

Fang Yong ordered him to lead 50,000 troops to garrison Quzhou.

To be honest, Wei Xing was somewhat surprised when he received the news. He had thought that after Zhejiang, Fang Yong would no longer let him command troops.

Wei Xing came from a humble background and was warlike and greedy for merit.

Fang Yong had previously put him in charge of attacking Hangzhou, but Wei Xing, who had gained military power, was worried that he would not have such an opportunity to make merit in the future, so he thought of doing something big and making enough merit in one go.

After all, his seniority in the Huaiyin Army was not high, and the opportunity to command an army on his own was extremely rare for him.

So Wei Xing took this opportunity to conquer the entire Zhejiang province and capture Yue King Xu Shaobao alive. Such merit should be enough for him to be enfeoffed as a marquis or even a duke, right?
Wei Xing felt that he would be content even if he was never used again.

Unexpectedly, Fang Yong was still willing to use him.

To be honest, Wei Xing was somewhat moved.

Back in Hubei.

Not long after capturing Xiangyang, Meng Liang went to Jingzhou again.

He met with General Zhang Haicheng of Jingzhou again.

Zhang Haicheng was visibly nervous during this meeting.

Hua Xiu is shameless; he just voted without thinking.

After Ma Laohei takes Xiangyang, he won't be far away.

Zhang Haicheng knew his own limitations. He could handle fighting bandits or barbarians in the forest, but he had no chance of winning a head-on confrontation with the Huaiyin Army.

Therefore, Zhang Haicheng softened his stance this time.

But it didn't matter anymore, because to Meng Liang, this person already had a way to die.

Meng Liang and Zhang Haicheng began to speak:

"General Zhang, after I returned to the capital, I spoke highly of you to the Prince of Wu, praising your exceptional combat abilities!"

Zhang Haicheng's eyes lit up, and he quickly asked:

"I wonder what the King of Wu said?"

Meng Liang coughed.

Zhang Haicheng quickly gave him a wink.

The butler quietly placed a small box under Meng Liang's desk.

Meng Liang then said:
"The general values ​​talent and has already agreed to General Zhang's conditions!"

Zhang Haicheng was overjoyed.

Being able to retain military power would be the best thing for him.

However, he also had some doubts.

Fang is known for his ruthless actions. Would he agree to his conditions so easily?
At this moment, Meng Liang changed the subject.

"However, General Zhang, the King of Wu has agreed to retain your military power, but there is one more condition!"

Zhang Haicheng was not worried but happy upon hearing this.

It's good to have the conditions; it means things are normal. If there weren't the conditions, he would be worried.

Meng Liang said:

"The Huaiyin Army has always valued military merit, General Zhang must have heard of that, right?"

Zhang Haicheng nodded.

Meng Liang said:
"Therefore, if General Zhang wants to integrate into the group and command troops, he needs to make contributions to facilitate his actions."

"This……"

Zhang Haicheng hesitated.

Meng Liang's words make sense, but how can he make a contribution?

Seeing this, Meng Liang pointed out the right way, and he said to Zhang Haicheng:

"I have heard that although most people in Hubei are willing to submit to the imperial court, there are still many who do not submit to the king's rule and are secretly waiting for an opportunity to act. Lord Wu also finds these people very troublesome!"

General Zhang has lived in Hubei for a long time and must be quite familiar with these people. Why not relieve King Wu's worries? Wouldn't that be a great achievement?

Upon hearing this, Zhang Haicheng's eyes lit up instantly.

He slapped his thigh and exclaimed, "Oh my, Lord Meng's words have truly enlightened me, like the sun breaking through the clouds..."

(End of this chapter)